This one was pretty sentimental for me. I decided to"retire" my Winchester Model 70 30-06 that I have shot for 39 years. I just felt like it was time to do something a little different etc.. My dad was diagnosed with diabetes in the early 90's and , unlike most who are diagnosed, he lost a ton a weight instead gaining. He got pretty thin and just could not take the cold anymore. He decide he was done with chasing white tail and gave me all his rifles etc.. Fast forward - he passed away in 2011. Every deer season since he has passed is a little rough, as like most of you , I grew up hunting with him and could not wait until deer season. That blow has soften up a bit since my son was born and I was able to share some things my pops passed on to me. But deer season still stings a tad. I decided to start the season with my pops Weatherby Lazer Mark in .257 wby mag. I couldn't even begin to tell you when the rifle was last hunted with but it was the last rifle my dad carried into the West Texas back country. I had about 30 rounds of reloads but thought the bullet was a tad light for north Texas deer. I decided to run with 120 grn Nosler Partions that a friend of mine loaded for me and sighted it in etc.. Unfortunately work has been brutal and I was unable to shoot the rifle before opening season. Hell I wasn't sure I would be able to go etc... This fella showed up chasing does at 0838 Sat morning and I let one fly.....the rest is history and I would like to think my pops might have something to do with it....
LG, I know exactly how you feel, my dad passed away right before the 2018 hunting season. Every trip I thought about him. We shared texts and pictures while sitting in the stand, talked all the time about guns and hunting. I use his gun almost exclusively now. There have been times I started to call him to tell him about a hunt, or new gun, or new scope. Now those conversations are kept in my head
LG, I know exactly how you feel, my dad passed away right before the 2018 hunting season. Every trip I thought about him. We shared texts and pictures while sitting in the stand, talked all the time about guns and hunting. I use his gun almost exclusively now. There have been times I started to call him to tell him about a hunt, or new gun, or new scope. Now those conversations are kept in my head
You are told it gets a little easier with time, but I'm not sure if I believe that or not. I think we just process it differently as time goes on. I still have my old man"s number in my phone after 8 years.