Last Day of the Early ML Season in PA

[GobblerKnob]

I was able to sneak out for a few hours yesterday afternoon, which was the last day of the early ML season in PA. I have been recovering from wisdom tooth surgery on Tuesday and only yesterday did I feel well enough to venture forth.
It was one of those beautiful fall days that is rich with smell, sight, and sound. There wasn't a cloud in the Infantry blue sky, the wind was fair, always in my face. I saw lots of deer and had plenty of opportunities to score. Never pulled back the hammer. Only someone who's been there knows what I'm talking about. Yeah, I left the house to kill something yesterday, but when it came right down to it, I didn't feel compelled to. That's what I like about hunting. I didn't come home empty-handed, though. I started to replace the pictures I lost when my computer crashed a few months ago. I lost 3 years worth of work, shop notes, correspondence, and pictures.
Here's a couple I took of the 3rd rifle I've ever built. I built it for my son as a highschool graduation gift a couple years ago. It's a .50 caliber, L&R lock, Davis double lever/double set triggers, M-3 Stock from TOW, cow horn hunter's star, and matching sterling silver oak leaf inlays at the rear entry thimble. The patchbox is handmade (but not engraved. I haven't taught myself that yet!) It's finished with aquafortis and about 10 coats of boiled linseed oil with beeswax and rubbed for a looong time with 0000 steel wool! It is a pleasure to carry and more accurate than I am. ::

 

[bob1961]

very nice rifle and what a great day it was....i was at a birthday party for a niece and brought my bow as my bro inlaw said to as he get some deer in the yard but none showed up....it's good to get out and just enjoy the day like the one you had....i'll just be contuning with my bow on monday..........................bob

 

[Rebel]

Good to hear you had a great time even if you never fired a shot. That is one fine looking rifle you built for your son. He must be proud of it and You.

 

[Keith]

Beautiful gun. A lot of work and talent must go into something like that.
That will be another family heirloom.
Hunting isn't just about killing many times.

 

[CG6018]

Gobbler, that is one fine looking rifle, and one, I am sure, your son and his sons will cherish for many years. I am currently finishing up a Dixie kit for my grandson who will hunt with us in two years. After a bad year in 2003 with the big "C", I am looking forward to our first three generation hunt in 2006. God willing, I plan to be there!

I took a fine mature doe last Wednesday in Tioga Co., and the back straps were wonderful! I know the feeling you experienced. After last year, I breath deeper, linger longer on the trail, and listen as best as I can to each and every sound the woods have to offer. God bless America, and God bless our President.

 

[GobblerKnob]

Thanks for your kind words! Take this bit of advice. For those of you who store your photos on your hard drives, make sure you back up your computer routinely or else store them on a disk. I lost 3 years worth of notes, correspondence, misc. data, and photos when my computer crashed. Eventually, I can replace most everything I lost but one thing I can never replace are those cherished memories of my kids growing up. That loss alone made me cry like school girl. :cry:
Rick