Big Fat Bird

       For as long as Lyrik can remember, I have made sure to spend the time hunting in the mountains with him.  I will be honest here, I am originally from Southern California and I did not grow up hunting and fishing.  The ideas of hunting and fishing were ideas that were written down in some children's books, or found in movies.  

       Although I did not grow up in the woods out back from the house, my imagination and soul did; but, these are realities I have been able to give to my son.  

       So each year, from when he was about two, Lyrik and I spend a little time during Grouse season walking around the woods not too far from our house.  I want him to know how to hunt and provide for himself.  

Thank you Grandpa for my first gun and Cabela's cap! (Age 2)

       I wanted to teach him gun safety from the very beginning; but how to teach him gun safety was my question.  I did not grow up with guns around the house.  I thought and prayed hard about it.  Finally it made since to me if I were to get Lyrik a nice cap gun, one that would be kept separate from all the toys, hung on a wall in his room, then it would be possible to teach him gun safety at the tender age of two and three; without worries he will accidentally fire his weapon at the wrong time.      

       I found him a nice lever action cap gun made in Italy.  The little rifle was perfect; it was just heavy enough.  It bore weight and extreme importance.  It was kept only for target practice and hunting.  We called his little gun his "real gun."  

      That little rifle became a staple for his gun safety training.  When we were target shooting, I would stand off to one side and fire my .22 rifle when Lyrik pulled his trigger.  

     Well, I am proud to say that this year marked a new year for him.  At the age of six years old (almost 7), he brought his first bb gun along for the hunt.  I bought him a small Daisy Red Rider bb gun for his first real gun.  He had his choice to bring his cap gun or his bb gun.  He at first chose his cap gun; for that is what he learned on; but the huge deciding factor was his step-brother Moss was bringing his bb gun.  That settled it!  Lyrik wanted to bring his bb gun.  

       Although I am rarely successful at my grouse hunting, my perception weighs mostly on the time spent with my boys. What kind of memories I can provide the opportunities for.  What will they grow up to remember.  This year marked Moss jumping on board for our walk in the woods for big fat birds; and this year also marked Lyrik growing up just a bit more.  

Moss and Lyrik over looking Hebgan Lake, Madison River, and Yellowstone National Park off in the far distance.