Letters

More Purist Thoughts
Michael McIntosh raises some good points in his July/August column ("Purity"). Since shedding a great many pounds and regaining my ability to hunt wild birds, I care little for preserves. But before I judge those who solely hunt on game preserves, I try to always remember when that's all I could manage. And, from time to time, a quick trip to a properly managed preserve gives my dog a pleasant day.

I disagree with Michael, however, when viewing purity of the chase as a potential problem to the hunting community. The greatest threat, in my opinion, is the growing cost of private hunting lands. In England, a nation that I've come to regard as a second home, hunting and game shooting have become class-warfare fodder. And the more upscale we make the countryside, the more we place ourselves in this same position.

Each of us who is blessed to be able to enjoy hunting wild birds on private plantations and game lands must pour resources into the conservation of public game lands. We must never allow hunting to become something only for the well heeled.

I believe it comes down to always remembering from whence we came. I may carry only Scottish "bests" today, but I began as a boy happy to be carrying an old Stevens bolt-action 20-gauge on the public game lands of North Carolina.
Kelly Boatright
Via e-mail

As a hunter whose circumstances have restricted my upland hunting to game preserves with pen-raised birds, I appreciated Michael McIntosh's sympathetic treatment of game-preserve hunters in his July/August article "Purity." Indeed, it made me wish for more SSM articles addressing matters of interest to those of us who, for one reason or another, often hunt such places.
Jim Kirkman
Annandale, Virginia

As a self-reformed "gauge and gun purist," I must wholeheartedly agree with Mr. McIntosh's position on "purity" amongst us. In my younger years I ballyhooed my ability to kill game with the smaller gauges. Any gun larger than a 28 was cause for an outpouring of pious attitude toward the offender, especially if it wasn't a side-by-side! However, as birds became scarcer and hunts fewer, my attitude slowly changed into one of "shoot whatever it takes to make a clean kill, and enjoy the day afield." Several 12-gauge autoloaders now reside in my safe and often see the light of day. Purity in any of our outdoor sports promotes elitism, and elitism creates a cavalier attitude toward all others in our ranks. And once our ranks are divided, we are easy targets for the "antis" of this world to ultimately conquer. Trust me: They don't care whether you use an English "best" .410 shooting 21/2"ers at wild quail over stiff-tailed pointers or a handmade split-bamboo fly rod casting dry flies to high-country wary rainbows, they want us out of the woods and off the water.

So please keep your purity for when you are at home sitting in your leather wing-backed chair, puffing a Cuban, sipping your single-malt Scotch while reading your personally autographed copy of Mr. McIntosh's latest great book.
Mark B. Hickey
San Antonio, Texas

On Letting Go
I read Ralph Stuart's editorial on Auger (May/June), and it brought tears to my eyes from both sides of the fence. It seems of the many dogs we have the joy of raising and hunting over, there is always a special one. Ralph put into words the emotions I experienced on losing mine. As a 20-plus-year veteran of the veterinary profession, I have experienced the painful process of letting go many times. To me, it is the ultimate gift of love to let them slip away with dignity and minimal suffering when hope for any quality of life or cure is gone.
Bill Cleveland
Via e-mail

In Praise of Good Work
I'm in my third year of receiving your magazine and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it.

I just finished reading Tred Slough's "The Perfect Bird Dog" (May/June). His observations are consistent with mine. His way of stating them is reminiscent of Gene Hill's. Your magazine validates, for me, the activities I pursue.
Steve Krueger
Brainerd, Minnesota

High praise to Clair Kofoed for his fine photography of some fine guns at Steve Barnett's as presented in July/August ("Steve Barnett Fine Guns"). Makes one want to take the checkbook and go visit.
R. Lichtenberg
Via e-mail

Advertiser Accolades
Thank you for having such reputable people advertise in your magazine. I was recently in need of having a fitting for a side-by-side and decided to look in your magazine for someone who might be able to do the job in my area. I called Wingshooting Adventures, and J.D. Jansma was more than willing to help. He did a great job! He and his father, Jack, are very knowledgeable and wonderful people as well. I'm sure that one of their "wingshooting adventures" would be a joy to go on. They also have some very nice Arrieta shotguns available.
Brian Erickson
New Era, Michigan

You recently published a note about your readers' shotgun collections (From the Editor, March/April). Sadly, I am dragging down your average as to the number and value of guns. Nonetheless, I love Shooting Sportsman and treasure the guns I have. Therefore, a recent experience with a Beretta specialist whose work and services you have featured seems worthy of attention.

I had 12- and 20-gauge Silver Pigeon II over/unders restocked with left-handed, upgraded wood by Cole Gunsmithing, in Harpswell, Maine. Because I admire the guns more than shoot them, two full years passed before I discovered the 20-gauge with AAA+ wood was not to the specifications presented at the time of purchase. This came to light when I attended a shooting school that included a gunfitting and measurement. I feared a future spent with a beautiful piece of wood attached to a gun I would never shoot well because it was ill fitting at the critical drops at comb and heel. But because I had dealt with Rich Cole, I need not have despaired. He provided extremely welcome relief even though the error occurred long ago. I was astounded and delighted when he worked a hot-oil miracle and bent the stock to the exact measurement required at absolutely no charge to me.

When I thanked him, Rich deflected praise for his uncommon integrity and customer service, saying, "This is what we would do for any of our customers in this circumstance."

Tomorrow, I am sending my son's 20-gauge to Cole to be fitted with 28-gauge barrels. A copy of this letter will be in the box, and I fervently hope he and others will see it in your excellent magazine. The really good guys in our world deserve much more credit than they get.
Ray Watson
Bogart, Georgia

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