Way back in 1985 I had a calf that grew into a bull that I sold for $300. On the way to Kuratau we stopped in Taihape to buy a decent .22. Everyone knows the shop, it's the best place in NZ to buy a rifle. There in the shop was a bolt action Krico .22 with a five shot magazine, price $360. Dad must have doing the buying and paying as I didn't have my licence (not old enough) and I was obviously a little short in the funds department. We walk out smiling, both of us for different reasons; I imagine. The doors had just opened for me to a wonderful new world...
Well 31 years and four scopes later that little thing has shot thousands of animals. I'd never sell it for any amount of money and recently my son James has grown out of his Rascal (anyone want it for their kid?) and has started using the 'family' rifle.
I love watching him safely carrying it with the magazine in his pocket, his attention to safety is amazing; he always asks me before he puts the magazine in the riffle or loads it. He's never done anything with a rifle that has concerned me and I constantly remind him of how important safety is, I've told him to open the bolt on any rifle he comes across to make sure it's not loaded.
As I'm sure so may of you know, there's nothing better that hunting with your son, he's my best hunting buddy - and his eyes are so much better than mine!
We were walking up the main track looking for a deer when James spots a mob of 'dirty goats', we drop into stealth mode... I tell him we need to get within 30 yards and shoot them in the head.
They know we're are coming and move off, we catch up and James shoots one and hands me the rifle. They mill around and start heading towards us, I scan the mob and look for a decent billy. I locate a decent bill and place a CCI sub behind his ear, this time the mob disappear; I notice a bigger billy as they vanish. Wel'l take him on another day I say and we take the head and the back legs for dog tucker, after one or two photos!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...psvvsfqbu8.jpg
Still looking for that +40...
:)
