Days Gone By: November 2007
"The photo is a great tribute to my grandfather, Ralph Neil. This photo is estimated to be from 1928. From left to right, the men are Ralph Neil, and his hunting friends Barney Diamond and Harry Howard. They are no longer living, but the excitement Grandpa Neil taught me for the hunting experience is in me always.
From what my Dad, Jim Neil, can provide, Ralph was born in 1900. They lived in Muskegon, Michigan. They were life long hunters and fisherman of the area. I would accompany my Dad on pheasant hunting outings in Kenosha, Wisconsin just as he did with his Dad. We always had a beagle or two, and I was happy to sit on a stump in the woods and take it all in. (the other photo is of me, age seven). We don't see the pheasants in Kenosha as in the past, when we would go for a car ride just to look for them. I believe the car in the photo was a dark green Essex, owned by Harry. Most cars were only black at the time. Ralph's beagle companion was named Tinker. They used 12-gauge shot guns.
I always looked forward to visiting his house to see the many birds, deer, and fish he had mounted. And to listen to his stories! Grandpa was a fireman captain in Muskegon, with a sharp humor and love for nature. He always wanted to share the passion with others.
I must also thank Rick Kantola of Wadsworth, Illinois (a member of the Southeastern Wisconsin chapter of PF) for encouraging me share this "very cool" picture. Rick is the man in my life, who can't wait to get his next pheasant this season! Happy Hunting to all!"
As told to PF by Diana Altergott of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.
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