Some things can never be bettered?

[JLF]

@JLF
It seems strange in all our memories we seem to forget all the insects attracted to the light, the biting of the mosquitoes and other bugs. The food burnt when we forgot about it and the times spent freezing our arse off in a waterlogged tent after a massive winter downpour wouldn't let uses light a fire.
Despite all this they are all fond memories.
Bob

Exact friend Bob .... but it all comes down to something "we are hunting" .. That in that wonderful moment where all our ills are forgotten, our pain is gone. As you say, we are not bothered by mosquitoes, we are stiff with cold but we do not care ... what we care about is hunting ... And when we return to our homes, we already think about the next hunt that will be better than the previous one, but in the same way the previous one will be unforgettable ... because each hunting trip is unforgettable.
A big hug Bob

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

@Skinnersblade
What about a faithful woman and a beautiful dog.
Bob

If I'm ever lucky enough to find that combination in I'll speak to it then.

 

[MS 9x56]

Hi MS 9x56,

This is...!!! His first big game ever. My youngest son, 14 years old then, 1998.
View attachment 358882

And I bet you don’t even need the picture to remember that day That is what makes life worth living!

 

[MS 9x56]

By the way, the rifle, still with us, was my first and only rifle for 15 years. The rifle I used for my first big game animal, a brocket deer, 1972. A rifle that came from my great grandfather. Still in its original rust blue and with the barrel still more than good for hunting! A 7x57 DWM original Sporting rifle, 1893 action, like the "plezier" ones used by the Boers. I wish the rifle could talk....

It was talking to you on that day. ;-)

 

[Newboomer]

First romp in the back seat/ hay/wherever.

 

[MS 9x56]

By the by, in case some folks are coming across my earlier post here and thinking "... But a M1911 doesn't have three safeties, does it?", well, it does and it doesn't.

In terms of manual "safeties" as we think of them, it's got the thumb safety and grip safety that have to be lowered and depressed respectively to fire the weapon.

But its design also includes a further safety measure where if the slide is not fully in battery, the trigger will go all the way back but not engage and the weapon will not fire. Which is good, because it means your pistol won't inadvertently go BOOM in your hand when it's supposed to go BANG, when it's clogged with mud or there's a mechanical failure or what-have-you.

(And if y'all knew that already, forgive me for telling you that which you know.)

Learned that in Military Police AIT training. Also learned how to disassemble and reassemble it in the dark after the pieces were all mixed up in a pile. Good times there. Damn travesty when service went to those Barettas.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

First romp in the back seat/ hay/wherever.

@Newboomer
I don't know about romps in the backseat or hay mate but I sure remember the pink ceiling in my girlfriend's bedroom when mum and dad weren't home. At 6 and a half feet the backseat was to small and the hay scratched her ass.
Bob

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi MS 9x56,

Yes, indeed!

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...MIiruQquzg6gIVgYbACh14GwrjEAQYBCABEgI5KfD_BwE

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Eag...179209?hash=item48dfd8e649:g:b~oAAOSwxj9ePLMq

https://www.ebay.com/i/114283382186...MI7r2wqOXg6gIVkIbACh1U9Q5EEAQYAyABEgIz3vD_BwE

http://goodformotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/10/vintage-desert-water-bag-canvas-bags.html

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...MIiruQquzg6gIVgYbACh14GwrjEAQYBCABEgI5KfD_BwE

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vintage-Eag...179209?hash=item48dfd8e649:g:b~oAAOSwxj9ePLMq

https://www.ebay.com/i/114283382186...MI7r2wqOXg6gIVkIbACh1U9Q5EEAQYAyABEgIz3vD_BwE

http://goodformotorcycles.blogspot.com/2011/10/vintage-desert-water-bag-canvas-bags.html

Never seen that particular one, great!

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

I have a couple of old 'vintage' ones (I have too much stuff) as well as a few of the ones discussed in the following video:

They're 1980s - 90s European military surplus and worked quite well not only strapped in front of the radiator of a '48 Willys Jeep but also strapped over the shoulder on the hottest days.

They're smaller than the old auto bags and would bleed out well before the day was done so I'd pack spares in water to refill and swap 'em out while always keeping the bags soaked. I suppose it helped that I was a Sparkletts Water delivery guy at the time (5 gallon and 3 gallon bottles, rural delivery).

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

. ...Unfortunately, by Desert Storm they were pretty much gone - a time we could have really used them.

Los Angeles Times September 19, 1990: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-19-me-550-story.html

 

[Red Leg]

Los Angeles Times September 19, 1990: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-19-me-550-story.html

Good on the marines. We never saw them through the fall on Tapline Rd.

 

[Firebird]

ms-9x56, yes sir Winchester model 97, mine in 16 gauge and inherited from my father. Very tight choke, I use it for turkeys mostly but have shot lots of other upland birds with it. It doesn't always cycle the first shell out anymore. . .
Steve White brought up Dutch Ovens-We use them at home and in the mtns, great for cooking for a large group!

I also have a pre 64 (1951 or 52) winchester model 70 in .30-06 that I inherited 30 years ago from Grandpa Mitchell. Got it for Christmas and took it to grandpa for instructions in its use. Grandpa had parkinsons which would eventually lead to his death and when he showed me all the basics his hands shook uncontrolled, beyond my comprehension at that time. I have a plan to take it to Namibia one day just to get it all the way to Africa. Got one more trip to S. Africa first with a different rifle though.

Along that line, is there any feeling that compares to the moment you have booked your african adventure and all the years of dreaming and planning are suddenly real. Kinda like asking your dream girl to marry you and all the dreams and fantasies suddenly seem tangible and attainable. First trip or one after that, the feeling only intensifies!

 

[Ridgewalker]

My old GSP. We’ve had some grand adventures from Havre, MT to Gizmo’s in Texas and most upland birds between. He has been my best hunting bud going on 15 years! Sadly arthritis has pretty well ended our serious hunts, but if he makes it to next season, he will be in the field with me one more time.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

A leather belt that shines from all the years.
A letter hand written with a fountain pen.
The clear head after sniffing the freshly blended horse radish sauce.
Finding a 100 dollar bill in your suit jacket.
The smell of a Labrador retriever.
New tyres on the car.
A parcel arriving in the post from very far away.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My old GSP. We’ve had some grand adventures from Havre, MT to Gizmo’s in Texas and most upland birds between. He has been my best hunting bud going on 15 years! Sadly arthritis has pretty well ended our serious hunts, but if he makes it to next season, he will be in the field with me one more time.
View attachment 358985

He looks grand!

 

[Newboomer]

He's like the rest of us; moving a little slower but still going.

 

[Tanks]

I know a gentleman who can build you a beaver felt fedora. I own 4 of his Beaver felt hats, including one in blaze orange.

Other than a couple of custom ones I have bought my Fedoras from:
https://www.delmonicohatter.com/category/Borsalino.htm

I like the Borsalino brand.

 

[Petey J]

I've looked at Delmonico in the past. They have nice stuff, but can't fit my crainially endowed head. I wear an 8-1/4. Most makers stop at 7-3/4. But Grizz sets me up perfect. I even have a blaze orange Beaver felt hat.

Other than a couple of custom ones I have bought my Fedoras from:
https://www.delmonicohatter.com/category/Borsalino.htm

I like the Borsalino brand.