Chuck Perry
Member
This weekend I took my 15yoa nephew to a state Hunter's Safety course put on at my gun club. His family does not have a hunting tradition, nor camping. No one in his family, back thru his grandfather, owns or has owned a gun. Ever. So, it was a pleasant surprise when he approached me and wanted to learn. This weekend's class was his first step. He passed the class with flying colors, and as promised we went right out to the rifle range after class. I started him out on a Sport King pump action 22LR. First shots, standing, 25 yards? Nine out of ten within the eight ring on a 100yd rifle target. Good job! I got him settled in on some sandbags and he proceeded to work his way into the bullseye on the 25yd line. By that time I had a Marlin 22 mag lever ready to go for him, but he wanted to try the Sport King on the 50yd line first. After punching a few bullseyes there, I figured he was ready for the special treat, my recently acquired TC Renegade 54 BP rifle. I touched one off for him to see that, yes indeed, all my limbs remained intact. Then, I instructed him step by step thru the loading process. Swab bore,measure and dump powder, start and seat bullet, place the cap and...BOOM! The smoke cleared, revealing a nice .54 caliber hole just above the bullseye on the 25yd target, and a look of awe and outright joy on my nephews face. "I.like.this.one.a lot!" he said. I think next time we'll haul out the Marlin 45-70 and see what he thinks of that one!
I also want to mention what a great program the volunteer State Instructors put on. And, that the entire thing would have never come off without the assistance of the club, Allegheny Country Rifle Club. The club donated it's banquet hall for the two day program, and also provided a free hot lunch for the 50 odd students and parents both days. I think the club even scored a few new members out of the deal, which is even better. It was nice to see so many new hunters taking an interest. Let's hope their ranks swell.
I also want to mention what a great program the volunteer State Instructors put on. And, that the entire thing would have never come off without the assistance of the club, Allegheny Country Rifle Club. The club donated it's banquet hall for the two day program, and also provided a free hot lunch for the 50 odd students and parents both days. I think the club even scored a few new members out of the deal, which is even better. It was nice to see so many new hunters taking an interest. Let's hope their ranks swell.
