As this antelope approached me at 30 yards, I shot it with my bow in Natrona County near Casper, WY on August 16, 2012. It scored 70 1/8 (inches) in the Safari Club International Record Book.
Hunting
My First Riffle
I bought my first rifle in 1964, when I was 14 years old. It was a 303 British Lee Enfield, military issue from WWII. I purchase it from the army surplus store for $25, which seemed to be a lot of money at the time. I was so proud of that gun. It was banged up and slightly tarnished. The iron site on the front was bent and I had to pretend it was sticking up so I could shoot straight. But it was my gun.
That year, 14 of us ventured out to the woods for the beginning of the hunting season. Back then, deer season was 3 days and if you saw something, you better shoot. Otherwise, you might not have another chance. Out of everyone, I managed to get 2 deer and 2 fox. I was the only one to get anything that year.
It’s been a long time since I’ve fired my trusty rifle. For the past years, it sat in the back of the gun storage. I could only imagine what that gun has gone through in its lifetime. I sure if it could talk, it would have amazing stories to tell. It’s one of my favorite guns.
‘The Funnel’ Story of a Hunting Shack
In 1936, Clyde Matthews built a modest chicken coop to harbor his chicks. Through the years, this chicken coop remained on the farm. It wasn’t until November of 1975, when a small time farm
er, with a dream, bought a few acres of land to call home.
Clyde was attached to this coop (having built it himself) so it wasn’t a suprise that he would want to keep it. Part of the deal included removing the building and relocating it 6 miles into town. There it dwelled until his death.
Sometime in 2004, before the home was sold on auction, I asked his estate for the coop. Clyde had used the building as a tool and garden shed. With help from my hired hand, I loaded it up and brought it back home.
My delma came when I had to decide what to do with it. After special consideration, I felt the best use would be to retro-fit it as a hunting shack. Originally, there was a chicken door, 3 side-by-side windows, and a main door. Since the roof was okay, I spent most my time adding more windows, siding, gun rest, shelves, carpeting, seating, and for mobility, I added wheels and tongue (for those who don’t know – a tongue is the join connecting the trailer to the truck hitch).
I loaned my newly renovated shack to my friend Gene in Glen Haven. Gene eventually built a larger shack to house sleeping quarters. Once again, the chicken coop came home. It sat around the house (rent free) until I was able to find the perfect place to put it. And I found it. A popular place, we simply call it “the funnel”.
Big Valley Longhorn Ranch 