[norwaypinesavage]

I had my first chance when I was about 13 while duck hunting. I had used a .410 for a couple of years, and finally Dad said "Let's trade guns." With a big grin, I traded with him and carried the big 12 gauge pump Winchester 98 to my blind.

Sure enough, a flock of Teal flew over a while later, and I emptied the gun with no hits. I walked back to my Dad for more shells. His reply: "Why don't you use the ones you left with?"

I had (almost) done everything right - look around to make sure no one was in range, lead, aim, reload - everything, except pull the trigger. I found five unused shotgun shells on the ground where I had been standing. There was no sore shoulder for me that day.

[Mouton]

Yeah, I was about 13 hunting with my dad. I had his fathers 20 gauge ithica double. Put through a box that day on various bunnies and pheasants. My dad asked if I’d like to try out his 12 gauge remington 870 pump. I said sure. Sore shoulder for a few days!

57 years later I still have the Ithica. Don’t have that 12 gauge.