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Member Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 134 Location: TEXAS

Howdy the forum,

I love to shoot, whether shotgun or something else, and I have some property over in East Texas that is large enough for me to shoot on without bothering the neighbors too much.

The problem is, even if I have taken some toys along with me, it is so peaceful and quiet out in the country that I seldom get the guns out of the case. So, I haul the guns and ammo to the farm, enjoy the peace and quiet, then go home.

I have a couple of guns that have never been shot, and as I am getting older, may never get around to using them.

Any suggestions?

HHH

Blast the radio. Now there's no peace and quiet.

Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 280 Location: Southern Ohio

I don't think you like to shot as much as i do, or as much as you think you do.. As long as your happy, I don't see a problem.. MDC

Sometimes it's the doing that's important, not the thing...

That is to say that sometimes it's more important to go through the all motions and complete that thing you are trying to accomplish rather than the thing be complete.

There's a book - "Old Tractor and the Men Who Love Them" - it chronicles the process by which an old stuck tractor with trees and such growing through it is reborn - not refurbished or restored, that's way too involved - they are simply made to run again and satisfy the the desires of the owner in the process.

On the other hand, if you have too many guns or have a hard time getting around to shooting a few - make a point of taking only those with you for a specific trip - like a date or something - specific time together

Make sense?

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 602 Location: western pa

I suspect most of us spend quite a bit more time taking our dogs and guns for a walk than we do actual shooting. Most poeple now days are goal oriented and think you need to show some sort of result for your efforts to be sucessful. I think that for a lot of us,the peace of open air and no racket is our goal and reward. I wouldn't beat myself up over not shooting when it seems best to relax.

I would say you have no problem at all. Quite the contrary, you have it made. Being happy is a blessing.

My $0.02...enjoy your guns, even if it is only cleaning them, enjoy the farm and the solitude it offers, even if you never shoot or hunt there and, by all means, do with your guns, land, and free time and use them as you see fit!

Happy shooting (or not),

Chopper

Hipshot, there are days when I would enjoy doing just what you have the pleasure and privilege of doing. Relax, take the dogs for a hike and just enjoy life. That's what's important.

Enjoying the peace and quiet is wonderful indeed. One should find a place and surround oneself with God's creations of the natural sounds of "quiet."

If your guns disturb your tranquility, then I would suggest you PM me and I will give you shipping instuctions for disposing of those noisy old smokepoles. Laughing

Regards,
charles

Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

Say H.H., East Texas is home for me--I think I can relate to your quandry.

Here's an idea. Got to the farm. Enjoy the quiet. Shoot the guns. Enjoy the guns. Stop shooting the guns. Enjoy the quiet.
All the woodland sounds will begin shotrly after you get quiet. Very Happy

Yep, you can have it both ways.

I have the same problem as you. So I drive about 8 miles to the the sporting clays course and shoot. There is also an gravel pit about 5 mile away that we shoot at quite a bit. I don't like to disturb the wildlife and tranquility either. Except when we hunt then I don't mind. Its a funny thing I always wanted my own property to do what ever I wanted but when you own it its like a child you want to protect it.

Member Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 134 Location: TEXAS

Howdy guys,

Many thanks for the replies. I knew that you all could put things in perspective for me.

Longhorn, I'll consider putting you in my will, if the kids will allow. Smile

Woodcock, I think you have presented the solution. The wildlife seem to know that they are safe around me, even when I make a bunch of noise.

Fred and the rest, you are right that sometimes just enjoying God's creation is sufficient.

I'm going to try to strike a happy balance.

Happy trails,

HHH

Member Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 134 Location: TEXAS

Howdy you all,

Well, I tried out everyone's advice this past weekend, and it worked well.

- I attended a cowboy action match, and got to shoot my revolvers, rifle, and shotgun. Brought home a blue ribbon to boot.
- Went to the farm afterward and did some mowing and clearing around the barn.
- Hiked some new territory.
- Picked and ate some wild plums.
- Saw some critters: deer, squirrel, roadrunner, nighthawks, bats and other assorted wild inhabitants.
- Enjoyed a spring thunderstorm with heavy rain, lightning, and wind.
- Watched the moon come up and light up the woods.
- Listened to the whipoorwills and other night creatures.

All in all, a very enjoyable weekend.

Happy trails,

HHH

Listened to the whipoorwills and other night creatures.

Wasn't that a way to call Sargeant Agarn? Whipporwill, Whipporwill. To which Chief Crazyhorse would respond... Bobwhite, Bobwhite...

Member Joined: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 665 Location: Louisiana

H.H. I think we 'shared' the same thunderstorm over the week-end. A pretty good light show for me with much rain. Friends in Nacogdoches said they had high winds with some light damage--not much wind for me but a real toad strangler of a rain.
I think what you are hearing is the Chuck Will's Widow. Maybe not but I suspect so.