Stevens 12 Gauge Shotgun

Many many moons ago when I was just 18,
I purchased my first shotgun and it was a Stevens.

It was already an antique but i couldnt have
gotten a better deal. The price was $100
and i didnt personally purchase it as 
I traded labor for it at $10 an hour from
a guy named Bart.

I thought it was a smashing deal til
I began to realized what labor was really 
worth.

I had to tear up old linoleum tiles from a 
large kitchen and dining area.

So i had worked for it and it served me well
as i would pack it everywhere.

I lived in the forest and the PD didnt take too
kindly I was carrying major firepower...

The right to keep and bear arms only works
if all involved play by the same rules.

The PD wanted me to leave it at camp so they 
could go and take it but I live in the Tongass
which they couldnt go,another of their
suggestions was to leave it in the bushes
by the road so they could take it.

I was careful not to reveal i had a 44 mag
in my coat as I was not unarmed when they
thought I was.

That old gun saved me a bunch of times 
but not from bears as you might guess,
Them pesky 2 legged critters.

I packed the shotgun on my hunting trips
which since I lived in the forest it was hunting
season anytime.

Have you ever had Porcupine? Darn Tootin Tasty.

Although they are easy to catch with an old 
sleeping bag,I would have quills to sell to 
a lady for $50 a tub,the old Gold n Soft tub.

It was real easy to make that and would only
take an hour. See $50 an hour ...

The shotgun was there for my protection and
it came in handy so many times but in all the
years of packing it Ive never had to pop a bear.

I did pop a few two legged critters with rubber
buckshot and one critter with bird shot,I told
him to say it was a hunting accident.

That old Stevens went the distance til it 
malfunctioned and a trip to a gunsmith
revealed the part was unavailabe and therefore
all done being closer to me than my mother.

The new love of my life is a Remington 
Wingmaster model 870 from an old friend
as a trade and a good one too.

Although there are 2 legged critters in the 
neighborhood i just pay them no mind.

Willow has grown so much and so now
theres less A-Holes out here,perhaps
one will stand out and again but who knows.

Farewell Stevens.

BigT