My Uncle Ted


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Got a call from my dad tonight, my Uncle Ted isn't doing too good.

Uncle Ted was the guy, who probably, almost as much as my dad, got me into hunting. The late 70's, early 80's in Ohio were probably the low point for hunting in our area. Small game was struggling due to a few harsh winters, and deer were darn near nonexistent, but Uncle Ted would call me and ask if I wanted to go out, and I don't think I ever turned him down.

Uncle Ted loved to hunt birds, but pheasant were few and far between so we switched to grouse. We'd drive down to Mohican or Woodbury and walk for hours. If we heard a bird we felt lucky, if we saw a bird, we were ecstatic. I don't ever remember either of us actually getting a shot off. I know for a fact we never bagged one.

Nevertheless, we went out, walked around, got lost, ate a sandwich, tossing an apple core to Penny our GSH when we were done. I remember I always sipped his coffee, and I always hated it. Did not understand how anyone could drink that stuff. After lunch we'd walk and get lost again until we found the car and then we'd go home.

Uncle Ted carried a Winchester Model 12 until it got too heavy for him. He bought an Ithaca Featherlite when I was probably a junior in high school. He loved that gun, but I don't think he bagged too many animals with it, because soon after I went to the service he stopped hunting.

Uncle Ted is a veteran of WW II, he served in New Guinea with the occupation forces, I remember him showing me his Japanese rifle he brought home. Uncle Ted just turned 85.

Include Uncle Ted in your prayers tonight for me, eh?

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