Kinda off topic, but!

[butchlambert]

Wyman's thoughts on Thanksgiving and hunting with Mike Walker's old 722 today.

Over some 55 years ago Thanksgiving was such a special time in our home out on the ranch along the Brazos here in the Big Empty of the rolling plains of Texas.
My brother and I would start the day deer hunting while mom would be fixing a large Thanksgiving dinner. It was a ritual and tradition that we enjoyed and looked forward to each year.
I know in my heart mom and dad are looking down from their Heavenly home on this Thanksgiving day and wishing us well as I am trying to keep up the tradition by engaging a little deer hunting although not with the vigor of my youth.
I’m not a head hunter, going only for meat, and did make a stalk on foot this morning but decided to not take a shot due to difficulty in making a clean kill. I’ve never taken a deer from a blind so do a lot of still hunting, walking or rattling, techniques that results in some sketchy shots.
So I left home this morning as much out of tradition than with intent to harvest. With my .257 Roberts and a hot tumbler of 4WD coffee, the tradition of yesteryear was engaged. For that I am pleased.
Wishing all a memorable day spent with loved ones.

 

[6.5 forever]

I love these stories. I have spent the last couple of hours telling old outdoor stories to my son's. When I do this, I realize how blessed I have been for these experiences.

 

[butchlambert]

I love these stories. I have spent the last couple of hours telling old outdoor stories to my son's. When I do this, I realize how blessed I have been for these experiences.

6.5, That is what I treasure most about Wyman. He is a nationally renowned photographer, but his stories are just great and entertaining! He and Sylinda will be here in about 3 weeks and we will enjoy the stories. He is very knowledgeable about old west Texas history, the paleontology, and creature hunting and calling of animals.

 

[CJ6]

Ours was pheasant hunting.
It's been a few years now as family and friends have moved away.
I sure do miss that.

 

[Bill K]

Thank you for sharing that story and the memories.

 

[Will Henry]

My first whitetail buck, a pretty nice 5 point (ten point, for the easterners), was taken on our Thanksgiving morning hunt, 61 years ago. It was a picture book morning. Eight inches of fresh snow had fallen overnight but the morning dawned clear. The buck stepped out and posed for me. The shot was perfect and resulted in a clean kill. If I close my eyes and think back, I can still recall that morning like yesterday. Maybe even better! I still have the rifle I used and it's still my lucky gun. Not as classy as that 722 though. WH

 

[Lucky Shooter]

Butch, these old traditional hunts bring back fine memories.

Squirrel hunting on Thankgiving day.

Quail hunting on Christmas and New Year's day.

Better to have had it and lost it than never to have had it.

A. Weldy

 

[butchlambert]

Butch, these old traditional hunts bring back fine memories.

Squirrel hunting on Thankgiving day.

Quail hunting on Christmas and New Year's day.

Better to have had it and lost it than never to have had it.

A. Weldy

It is too bad that a lot of folks will never be able to share those memories!

 

[1K6BRA]

Now that is just over the top cool !!! Great story and nice picture, thanks for sharing. The good old 257 Bob.

 

[K22]

Keep them coming - love them.

 

[joshb]

When I was a kid, we’d go to the kennel , release 10-12 beagles and go rabbit/pheasant hunting. My mother always watched us head off into the fields, saying “Don’t you be late for dinner!”

 

[archerforkids]

The Anderson clan was turning about 10 bird dogs loose by 7:30 or so. Kill 3 to 5 limits of quail and be back by noonish. Definitely brings back memories.

 

[snert]

As a kid I was the lone person under 40 at my house. While I enjoyed my Aunt and Uncle, as soon as dinner was consumed I headed off into the woods. Sometimes it was just a short hike into the hills and a small fire, sitting and watching for any wildlife. Later it was trampling up any brush pile or grape vine tangle for a rabbit or four. In my teens it was an afternoon of waiting for my (slowest animal on earth) brace hound beagle to bring back a bunny. By the time she did, the rabbit was hours older and not very concerned, making shooting an easy task. Ol' Tuesday seldom lost one and she certainly never made one seek a hole.

Today my best friend called to ask to borrow a rifle. His son came in to town and they wanted to hunt the opener tomorrow. I am working, and won't be out this season, so I lent him a nice little 700 243 and some handloads. He will likely kill a slammer out of my stand...which is how it usually works out for me. I will be happy for him.

 

[Cecil S.]

I miss sitting in the stand and feeling like my Grandfather was sitting right next too me.

 

[jonbearman]

Nice older beautiful rifle.I have never owned one and wish I could find one I could afford. Great story of something I used to do before a crippling back injury.

 

[Cecil S.]

As a kid I was the lone person under 40 at my house. While I enjoyed my Aunt and Uncle, as soon as dinner was consumed I headed off into the woods. Sometimes it was just a short hike into the hills and a small fire, sitting and watching for any wildlife. Later it was trampling up any brush pile or grape vine tangle for a rabbit or four. In my teens it was an afternoon of waiting for my (slowest animal on earth) brace hound beagle to bring back a bunny. By the time she did, the rabbit was hours older and not very concerned, making shooting an easy task. Ol' Tuesday seldom lost one and she certainly never made one seek a hole.

Today my best friend called to ask to borrow a rifle. His son came in to town and they wanted to hunt the opener tomorrow. I am working, and won't be out this season, so I lent him a nice little 700 243 and some handloads. He will likely kill a slammer out of my stand...which is how it usually works out for me. I will be happy for him.

Great Post , got my mind wandering. Thank You Mr. Snert

 

[Kittitas George]

We had a wonderful turkey dinner with about 70 friends today, Saturday. Great friends, great stories, big decisions, who to sit near. I need to sit quickly, others have the choice. We are asked 'what are you thankful for?'. Lots of great responses. I said I was thankful for 82 years of knowing such wonderful people, and wonderful experiences. Plus my great wife and care giver. I can't believe all my good fortune. I also would hunt either before dinner or spend the weekend in a duck blind with the best dog in 5 Zip codes. Wonderful memories. I also met a football hero of mine from back 60 years ago, we have mutual friends and will get together soon, FOR SURE. It't winter, so get to loading, shoot on the warmer sunny days and be ready, gophers and prairie dogs are just around the corner.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

That rifle looks exactly like my dad’s model 722 in 308 with a Weaver 4X on it, in my safe now.