Hero Shot 1955

[coyotehunter_1]

Hero Shot 1955
This is one of the earliest legal whitetail bucks taken on one of the first Catoosa WMA big game hunts, in Cumberland County, Tn. 

When ever they could, for several decades, this group of sportsmen gathered together to hunt all types of game, big and small. Pictured left  to right:

Willie Lee Parsons ( Wld Wld West ( Doug) and my  Grandfather)
Buck West (No relation, owned a local Hardware store)
Jack Stitcher (No relation, also owned one of the local Hardware stores)
Jim Parsons (Grand pap’s brother)
Charlie Gresham (seated) and his deer.  No relation.  At the time, Mr. Gresham was a Remington Arms Representative

 
Same deer, different photo   



And the heritage lives on…..   
  Grand pap and his great grandson, Colt West, son of Wld Wld West


I think old hunting photos are neat   

[pitw]

I think you are right  .   Thanks for the walk back in time  .  Shotguns then too, eh .

[iahntr]

Love the old huntin pictures too.
Thanks a lot for sharin em with us.

[alscalls]

Great pics!!! Thanks for sharing that with us.    

And reading some of the names on there.............. are we related?  
I hope not for your sake.....

[Bopeye]

I've asked to see that photo forever Chet, THANKS FOR POSTING IT BROTHER!!! 

You've talked about it more than once and now I finally get to see it. 

[Hawks Feather]

Neat pictures.  Good to see some of the old pictures - especially when you can put names on the people in them.

Jerry

[coyotehunter_1]

Thanks fellers, I hope you all enjoy.


Barry,
to answer your question:
They used their shotguns for everything, including weddings and deer. Back then, of the 95 counties in Tennessee, Cumberland County was one of five where special laws were passed to allow shotgun slugs and 00 Buckshot to be legal ammo while deer and wild hog hunting. The other counties, pertaining to shotguns and big game, were/are slugs only.  

EDIT: After further research: I discovered that, due to low deer population back then, the use of rifles was illegal. Shotguns and archery were their only legal means. It was not until many years later that centerfire rifles and handguns were allowed to be used for hunting deer.

Also from what I understand, in the 1800’s, a disease almost wiped out the deer population here. Sometime in the early-mid 1900’s our Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (state DNR) started a deer restocking program on our state owned Wildlife Management Areas ( WMA’s). Until then we did not have many deer in the area except on WMA’s. In 1949, 113 deer were harvested in Tennessee during the first ever recorded year. That’s state wide, not just one county. Consequently the majority of hunters did not own a “big game rifle” but most did have at least one shotgun. I believe 1954 or 55 was the first year they had “buy tag” deer hunts on our local WMA. There were not many regulations.  No hunter orange required… hunters were required to wear red somewhere. Just buy a big game stamp (license) and check in the deer at a TWRA checking station.

Times have changed.


And AL... we are all related.

[WldWldWest]

Man.....I dont know what to say! I have a copy of the first pic Chet but it's put away and I havent seen it in a long while! Make's me wanna dig em out and post em up for everyone to see!!!

It mean's alot seeing those old pic's of Grandpa and Jim, It Sure does bring back an awful lot of memories.....And stories too! Grandpa was sure proud when the "Rememington Man" would come to see him!!! Was there ever a man that loved his Gun's anymore than Willie Lee? (Maybe Me!) I bet he would be just as proud knowing that his Grandson's and Greatgrand kids are following in their footstep's and keeping the family traditions and their Heritage alive and well!

The youngun's dont understand that back then it was a huge deal to see a Deer much less kill one as there were very few around! And Wild Turkey's were just a memory!

Notice the resemblance between Grandpa and Colt??? I think it's in the EAR's

Thank's Cuz for posting that It means more to me than you'll ever know!

WWW

[Yotehntr]

Notice the resemblance between Grandpa and Colt??? I think it's in the EAR's
WWW

  When I saw this that is exactly what I was going to say!    Very cool post Chet! Thanks for sharing!

[FinsnFur]

That is cool that you still got those pics. Especially and have them in such good shape like that.

WldWldWest, do you have any pics of Chet as a kid we could get a chuckle over? 

[WldWldWest]

That is cool that you still got those pics. Especially and have them in such good shape like that.

WldWldWest, do you have any pics of Chet as a kid we could get a chuckle over? 

What a Thought???   Maybe I can get a little Blackmail scheme going!

[coyotehunter_1]

.... any pics of Chet as a kid we could get a chuckle over?

Here ya' all go...  I have no idea how old I was when this was taken... 25 maybe? 

[FinsnFur]

Look at the bobber on his  hat!!

Oh my friggin gawd Chat ROFLMAO!  Thats some good stuff right there

[Bills Custom Calls]

That is cool that you still got those pics. Especially and have them in such good shape like that.

WldWldWest, do you have any pics of Chet as a kid we could get a chuckle over? 

What a Thought???   Maybe I can get a little Blackmail scheme going!

So much for the blackmail

Chet are you sure thats you That young feller is kinda handsome

[WldWldWest]

Your right Bill, So Much for the blackmail! I cant beat that!

[FinsnFur]

Oh yeah...thats Chet. I can tell by the Mr Yuck sticker on his holster.
Oh man I'm dying here.
That is so awesome Chet. That pic is worth a million bucks in more ways then one

[coyotehunter_1]

 

[HaMeR]

Does Bop call Chet Dad too.     

[markTNhunter]

COOL pictures chet

[vvarmitr]

 What a great pix of you as a kid Chet! 
Don't happen to have the rifle & pistol do ya?