Chasing some bushy tails with my first love. Pics included

[Labeeman]

Like most kids back in the day I started my hunting career with a crack barrel 20 gauge made by Ithaca. I believe it was a Model 66. After using it for a few years to hunt anything and everything I decided it was time to step up my game and get something I didn’t have to reload after every shot. After looking through numerous hunting magazines and gun books I decided on a pump gun. Since I started out with an Ithaca I decided to stick with that brand and bought a brand spanking new Model 37. It was love at first sight. The gun was designed by the master himself John Browning back in 1915. It was different from other pump guns in that there was no opening on the side of the gun for the shells to eject. The shells ejected from the bottom of the gun through the loading port. The barrel had deep bluing and the stock and and pump handle were a deep rich walnut color. It was a natural pointer and had the high visibility bead on the barrel that was easy to pick up in low light. Over the years it has taken it’s fair share of squirrels, rabbits, and doves. I even think it killed a few ducks when lead was still legal. I could not remember what year I bought it, so I looked up the serial number and the gun was made in 1975, so I either bought it in 75 or 76. I was 12 or 13 years old. I wish I could remember how much I paid for it, but I’m pretty sure I bought it from Howard Brothers on Florida Blvd in Baton Rouge. This was my first gun that I bought by myself, with my money, from prolly cutting grass in my neighborhood. Flash forward 48 years and she and I are settling in for a morning squirrel hunt today. The first squirrel of the morning came out at about 7:15 and the first shot missed and the squirrel ran to the other side of the tree. After waiting for awhile the squirrel made a run for it down a long branch and the second shot found it’s mark. The only problem is the squirrel died on top of the branch at the exact spot I shot it and i could not get it to fall. Later that morning I shot it a few times but could not dislodge it. I ended up killing three more before it was time to pack it up as I had some camp chores to do. I hope everyone has a great weekend and can enjoy this beautiful weather. The pic of the brochure is the one I got with the gun when I bought it. I’m surprised I still have it.

 

[MOTOR51]

Aren’t these the old “slam gun”? I remember using one when I was a kid that was my dads issued shotgun

 

[Labeeman]

If you mean you can hold the trigger and pump it and it will fire, yes this is the gun. I had forgot about that unique feature. Think I paid extra for that ???

 

[N4sir]

I have a 37 but without the vented rib barrel. Paid $129.00 at Leonard Krower on Veterans and Cleary in Metairie. Also bought a model 37 in 20 gauge with the deerslayer barrel years later. Still have both.

 

[Labeeman]

Do you ever take them out and shoot them? I use mine sparingly as I want it to be in good shape when I give it to my sons.

 

[Bigchillin83]

Aren’t these the old “slam gun”? I remember using one when I was a kid that was my dads issued shotgun

Yup!!! I had a old Ithaca 16guage with a poly choke, I remember my old man putting me on a stump while running dogs, he said if them deer bust through the briars hold that trigger down and pump till they all on the ground lol

 

[JBP55]

Aren’t these the old “slam gun”? I remember using one when I was a kid that was my dads issued shotgun

Yes, B R P D issued those in the early 1970's.

 

[Richard Michael]

Even a bad day hunting is better than most!

 

[drill sgt]

Thanks for bringing back the memories of long forgotten times in the woods chasing the bushy tails (tree rats -haha).. Remembering my father several times borrowing a squirrel dog from a fellow coworker and if "Mike" ( a Springer Spaniel) indicated that the tree rat was in the tree you could bet good money if your shot was true then there would be some more meat for the pot. ................ drill sgt.

 

[JBP55]

The title reminds me of chasing females in the 7th. grade.

 

[Labeeman]

Thanks for bringing back the memories of long forgotten times in the woods chasing the bushy tails (tree rats -haha).. Remembering my father several times borrowing a squirrel dog from a fellow coworker and if "Mike" ( a Springer Spaniel) indicated that the tree rat was in the tree you could bet good money if your shot was true then there would be some more meat for the pot. ................ drill sgt.

I love that story of you and your dad. Something about being in the woods is good for the soul. Some call it “Forest Bathing”.

 

[Labeeman]

I love that story of you and your dad. Something about being in the woods is good for the soul. Some call it “Forest Bathing”.

 

[Labeeman]

The title reminds me of chasing females in the 7th. grade.

I figured it would affect some of y’all like that. Gotta always have an angle my man to pull the crowds in. Ha ha.

 

[joeg26er]

post some pics of the squirrel fry up

 

[Jay Ell Gee]

Enjoyed the read, thank you.

I had to skip squirrels in early season. Hoping I am feeling up to some deer hunting later this winter.

My first squirrel hunt was with my father. He woke me up super early one morning and we stopped at a WalMart on the way to the camp. He bought me a 26" 870. I was just tall enough to point it high into the trees. No way was I able to swing it at that time.

A box of low brass 12g later and off we went. My first ever squirrel that morning hit the ground, still alive. I was contemplating what to do when he walks up, grabs it by the tail and smacks the head against the tree that it fell from. I'll never forget that sound in those quiet woods. Little kid me was in shock.

I still have that shotgun and use it for squirrel hunts every year at least once. I'm a sucker for using 22's when the leaves are thin enough. Until then, I just punch right through it all with the 870.

 

[Core]

Yup!!! I had a old Ithaca 16guage with a poly choke, I remember my old man putting me on a stump while running dogs, he said if them deer bust through the briars hold that trigger down and pump till they all on the ground lol

I have never heard anything like that.. God bless the last men in the free generation! Thanks for sharing: brought back memories.

My grandfather told me when I was a lad, that his grandfather, father, and uncles would drive deer pretty hard. He grew up on a small farm during the depression so meat was probably scarce. His father met with a man from Standard Oil about purchasing a pump station: times got better. He left home at 12 and did well for himself. He watched the government slowly meddle into every aspect of our lives, and before he passed he told me he was happy to go seeing what has become of the nation. Sad. He spent 35+ years serving his town before he died, trying to maintain sanity and ensure the people were governed by someone who was raised there. He told me stories of a time when citizens could do anything that did not harm one another, and with all that freedom they managed to be quite polite and respectful.. He had some voracious words he used to refer to liberals and globalists. I believe they were rooted in Revolutionary vernacular as his grandfather raised him and spoke of the stories from his grandfather going past the Civil War and even some stories going back to the Indian Wars. My great great grandfather was a mean man I was told: he helped raise my grandfather. He would have been in the Civil War era. I wish I could pick his brain...

 

[Bigchillin83]

Well our little buddy made it so far, showed up yesterday looking for some food after the cold snap.. he’s looking a little fat lol.. he might make it through the season lol

 

[Labeeman]

Cute little rascal. Once I took some kind of test which showed you which animal you were and I was a squirrel. My wife says it was a perfect match.

 

[hotbiggun]

SHotguns just looked better then. Not sure why they cant still be

 

[70mikenike70]

So am I the only one that was thinking this was the start to an old classic porn? I was like “bushy tail, with my first love” in the woods…. Ole boy bout to be gettin it lol…. Cue the music, You spin my head right round right round, when you go down when you go downtown…..