[Ron Smith]

We all do things in our youth that we re-think as we get older. We have Seagulls that will fly in during coastal storms. We're about 60 miles from the ocean.

When we were about 14 a bunch of us were walking across a mostly drained reservoir. Going on a plinking session with our .22s. A Seagull came in on a strafing run toward us, probably looking for a hand out. One of my friends just raised his Remington Mod. 12 and fired from the hip. He hit the Seagull dead center.

We all went into shock, and quickly hid the dead Gull. The shooters father was the Fire Chief and Head Constable of the small community , and did not tolerate any type of legal violation. At that time there was a $1000 fine for harming any type of Sea bird.

Here in Western Oregon, the only way to hunt Grouse and Quail is with a .22 rifle or pistol. They will come out of the timber under brush to pick gravel from the road. If you had to wing shoot them with a shotgun, you would never get one except in an ideal situation, and even then they are usually too close and you shread them.

We practice by setting up soda / pop bottles and try to shoot the cap off at 25-30 yards. Accurate .22s are a cherished commodity in this part of the country.

We all have done regrettable things in our youth. Inadvertent or otherwise. Guilty as Charged yer Honor.