The following is a true Christmas story from the year 1971.
In the fall of 1968 I frequently hunted rabbits with a good friend when not attending class at the UWEC or trapping. He did not believe in using shotguns for rabbits like i had been accustomed to. He hunted with a
Ruger 10/22 semi auto rim fire. After witnessing the success he had on both stationary and moving rabbits, I purchased a Ruger 10/22 for myself with some trapping money. I can't remember exactly but think I paid around 60 dollars for it.
I must have spent to much time hunting and trapping because after a year and a half of college i dropped out and got a seasonal job with the state on a survey crew.
From the spring of 1969 to the fall of 1971 my life was a whirlwind of events. My father died in May of 1970. Shortly thereafter I married the 19 year old girl who shared the next 55 years with me. We were blessed with a son
in the spring of 1971. I also took a different job at a lumber yard where I worked for the next 39 years.
Our first Christmas as a family things were very tight financially. Our first Christmas tree was one I cut on some county land. At the time I figured God would overlook this small indescretion due to circumstances.
Buying presents for the family became another problem when I had an injury to my hand at work almost losing my fingers. My trapping season was cut short by this and i needed some quick cash for presents.
That's when I decided to sell the Ruger 10/22 at a local gun shop. My dad used to spend time in the shop as he worked with the owner at a nearby factory.
I made the deal with Humphrey, the owner, and walked out with thirty dollars which at that time was a lot of Christmas money.
So Christmas presents were bought,wrapped, and placed under the sparsely decorated tree. The Christmas of 1971 came and went. After the holidays I had enough extra cash that I started thinking about buying another gun so off i went back to the gun shop and asked Humphrey what he had in 22 auto loaders.
![[Linked Image]](https://trapperman.com/forum/attachments/usergals/2025/12/full-46476-279772-1000002449.jpg)
Well if their ever was a Santa Claus , I was looking at him. With a twinkle in his eye and a smile he said " I just happen to have a used Ruger 10/22 I've been saving for the right customer. You can have it for 30 dollars. "
Thats a deal ! I replied. I'm sure my father was smiling from above as Humphrey handed me the rifle .
The Ruger is still in my gun cabinet having accounted for many more rabbits and other assorted critters on and off the trapline.
You can be sure if somebody were to ask me , I would tell them, yes, their really is a Santa Claus!
Merry Christmas Everyone !!
