Back in the day, on cold
winter nights Dad would set up his homemade steel bullet trap in the
basement and we'd take turns shooting paper targets with Grampa's old
break action .22 rifle. The 22 Shorts were low velocity and low
noise and made it feasible for our little indoor rifle range. That
old Stevens Marksman is still fun to shoot and Gramps' homemade
brass sight makes it sort of personal for me.
Demonstrating good sense
with firearms came allowance to roam the hardwoods for gray squirrels
and rabbits and many the autumn day spent with the company of a
little .22 rifle. Mother could have written a best selling wild game
cook book and to this day I wonder if those cringing at the idea know
what they're missing. No, I don't suppose they do.
Enter the winter woods to
see what's there. Bring the rifle just in case. It feels good in hand
and seems more purposeful than a walking stick. There are deer tracks
and trails everywhere. Keep an eye for shed antlers. Prowling fox and bobcats leave sign, and the
four-inch wolf prints can't be ignored. A pileated woodpecker is working a tree. It bothers to see so little
grouse sign this year. Fisher and marten seem missing, too. There are
ermine and rabbits tracks, though. Snowshoe hare actually, and you'll
shoot one if you get the chance. It's cold, well below zero and a
supper of wild game would set well.
Dad's Winchester is my
favorite 22. It's older than I am and lends a comforting heft in
hand. Gun makers used plenty of good steel then, and dense wooden
stocks. It's not a featherweight, nor is it heavy, just solid. It
hits where aimed and makes good company on a solitary winter hike.
It's said the USA is a nation of riflemen. Well, OK.No rabbits were taken this time. The walking stick would have been useful. But it's good to have a rifle, you know, just in case.
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