I grew up in NE Kansas. I got my first "gun" for Christmas, 1960, when I was 8 years old. It was a Daisy lever action, similar to the famed "Red Ryder", but it came with a scope on it. I'd worn out the Daisy catalog, carrying it around and looking at it for months. I can still feel the excitement that I felt on that day. I WAS Ralphie.
My grandparents lived in Abilene, KS. I remember the pheasant and quail hunts of the early '60's, with my Dad, Grandpa, uncles and cousins. Trudging through alfalfa fields, down through ravines and along tree lines on cold, late November days. I'd almost soil myself when 2 or 3 pheasants would flush right under our feet. When I was 11 or 12, my Grandpa gave me his Western Field single shot .410 to carry. I got my first quail with that gun.
My Dad owned a Winchester Model 12 in 20 gauge. It's in my safe today, as is his Marlin 39A "Peanut". When I was a little older, I'd carry that rifle on hikes down along the river that ran about a mile north of our house. I remember making an unbelievably lucky shot on a crow that was sitting atop a utility pole, at least 100 yards away. I lined up on the crow, steadied the gun and pulled the trigger. The crow leaned over and fell off the top of the pole...I couldn't believe it.
My God...my God, what a great childhood I had. I feel so sorry for the kids who are penned up inside a house, slaves to video games and fast food, who can't go outside without a police escort. I'm 66 now, but I wouldn't give up my childhood days for anything.