Varmint Hunting (back in 1965)

      I developed a serious interest in varmint hunting long before this picture was taken.   I'm not sure exactly when I got hooked on shooting, but anyone that knows me will tell you - that I'm still seriously hooked on all types of shooting.   In the early sixties there were very few gun magazines like there are today.   Back then, Field & Stream was about the best shooting publication around.   The most interesting articles seemed to always be about varmint hunting, and there were varmints all over the rolling fields around Rochester, New York.   It was common to find pickup trucks (left by hunters) parked along the roadside early on almost any morning.   The countryside where I lived, was covered with experienced varmint hunters that were always shooting woodchucks at extreme long range.

      We often shot woodchucks like this one - well beyond
100 yards, using .22 Rimfire rifles.   I was 15 years old here
with one of my first real accurate varmint rifles.

      I remember one particular magazine article explained that it was a good idea to always ask the landowner for permission to shoot on his land.   Well, this sounded like a good idea until you ask yourself "What if he says No?"   Then you would really get in trouble if you ever got caught shooting on his land.   However, that article sounded like such an honorable idea that I couldn't resist.   Imagine how awesome it would be if the farmer actually said Yes.   (Remember, this was before the 1968 Gun Control legislation).

      Well, I walked up to the farmers house one day to meet him.   The closer I got, the more I felt like turning back.   I've seen him before on many occasions (from a long distance) and one day I decided to just ask him, and let the chips fall where they may.   As I got closer it almost seemed like he was expecting me to stop by.   Well, I finally got the words out, and I was shocked at his reply.   He mentioned that sometimes there are varmint hunters on his land shooting woodchucks without his permission . . . . gulp . . . . imagine that.   He went on to say that he was still plagued with woodchucks in most of his fields, and he would be thrilled if I'd help thin them out.   Well now . . . . I told him that I noticed lots of woodchuck mounds that were visible from the road, and I was ready for the challenge.

      I couldn't believe how motivated he was for me to get rid of those woodchucks.   He invited me into his home, introduced his family and he showed me his gun collection (mostly shotguns).   His wife brought out some milk and cookies, while he drew up a detailed map of his property, showing the exact location of several woodchuck dens.   Wow . . . . I must be in heaven.   Whoever wrote that magazine article about asking the landowner for permission to hunt - Thank you.

      Several months later . . .   My favorite varmint blaster was this Anschutz Model 64 (.22 rimfire) with a 15 power Unertl scope.   The stock needed to be glass bedded and refinished, and I just couldn't wait until winter to get started.   Notice the "unfinished" gunstock on the rifle in the picture above?   I just completed the glass bedding, and I was in the middle of refinishing the stock.   I had it 99% sanded down, ready to apply the finish, when one of my shooting buddies came over and announced "the woodchucks are back in that farmers field again".   Oh crap! . . . . what bad timing.   I knew that if I let him hunt that field alone there would soon be no survivors.   It was now or never.   So, I assembled my rifle and headed out with him to plaster more woodchucks than I've ever seen in any single day.

      So, by now you're probably wondering where the Tech Tips are in this story.   Well, here it comes amigo . . . .   Always keep a spare hunting rifle on hand when you decide to refinish your favorite gunstock.   Especially after you've just spilled the beans to your hunting buddies, as to exactly where your great new hunting spot is located.   The other thing is to always ask the landowner for permission before you hunt on his land.   I know that I got lucky, but getting permission to hunt on someones land has worked well for me on a number of occasions since that time.   It's even more important to get permission today.   Hunters are now getting slammed with some of the most rediculous lawsuits - that would never have been dreamed of forty years ago.   Take a chance on making a new friend by asking permission, and always try to hunt without getting visited by your local S.W.A.T. Team.