---Steve Cutchen April 22, 2000
One of the activities that my Dad and I enjoyed together was duck and goose hunting. Originally, I was nothing more than a two-legged bird dog. But eventually, after learning hunting etiquette and gun safety, I earned the right to hunt as well.
These photographs are following a special trip my Dad and I made with my Granddaddy. He and my Grandmother were visiting from their home in Dothan, Alabama.
The gun Granddaddy has is a Stevens model 311a 12 gauge double barrel. This is a special model manufactured by Stevens for Sears. Granddaddy bought this gun from his Sears store in Dothan in the late 50's or early 60's.
I recall after this trip watching him take off his shirt. He was in my bedroom 'cause I had "donated" it for their use. I was shocked. His shoulder was black and blue from the effect of the gun's recoil combined and his age-affected musculature.
Granddaddy left this gun in Houston for our use. I refinished the wood on it and added a slip-on recoil pad. From that time forward, it was the gun I used while hunting with my Dad.
You might wonder how a little kid like me did with a rather manly gun like this Stevens double-barrel. Well, I did get my share of teasing.
"You really big 'nough to be toting that gun, son? Hell, that gun's as big as you!"
I've got to admit that, while I smiled nicely to these comments, they ticked me off. I was very proud of this gun and offended that these "adults" thought I might not be capable of handling it.
Dad and I quit bird hunting a few years after these pictures were taken. I have to admit that fishing is a lot more fun. See, the best duck and goose hunting requires getting up in time to be set up before sunrise, crouching in the mud in a blind or under a sheet, and, if you are fortunate, you end up with birds like these to pick, clean and eat. Yum yum.
I was over at Dad's house reccently and the subject of hunting memories came up. Dad asked me if I'd like to have Granddaddy's gun as my own.
"Absolutely!", I replied
I know I won't use it to hunt with. But it holds a lot of special memories of me and Granddaddy. And me and Dad.
Thanks, Dad.