At our last Gala Legacy, Forges donated the magnificent silver sculptured wine glasses and fine wood case. Hunting can be more than just a cold Miller in cozies, it can be enjoying the finer things in life as well. Hunting is more than a sport, it’s a culture, and more importantly a cultural legacy. The accruements of hunting are part and parcel of the legacy.

This struck me while hunting a new place last week. Leann bid and won a bird hunt at Ted Masser ranch in Fredericksburg at our last Gala. There is something truly mystical about hunting behind well trained dogs for birds in the Texas Hill Country. After the really outstanding hunt he showed us his wonderful collection of hunting artifacts, art and trophies. It was incredibly tasteful, personal, and impressive. One item in his collection stuck in my mind, a scrimshawed powder horn from the 1700’s in perfect condition. Obviously someone’s family heirloom to last so many years handed down, then preserved by a personal collector.

To create a personal legacy for your family consider developing your own collection of heirlooms. Think ahead, consider passing a nice collectible knife down to a grandson, then through the generations. Don’t buy cheap throwaways, buy real American craftsmanship that means something when we’re long gone. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a statement to your future descendents of  the familial importance in the great legacy of hunting. I still have my first Buck knife my father got me when I began hunting – it’s precious beyond words. (It was a special treat meeting CJ Buck personally at SCI Vegas while he was graciously supporting the SCI Foundation through his knife donations.)

Our gracious donor, Legacy Forge, with their magnificent works of art in gold and silver have created a family hunting heirloom as well. Legacies’ artisan goblets, allows every formal dinner to restate the importance of hunting in your family. Further, it encourages the otherwise disappearing artisan craftsmanship so closely tied to the American hunting tradition. I wanted to write this column and dedicate it to all the American and European craftsman who create hunting art in all its magnificent diversity; most especially our generous donors at Legacy Forge, Scott Jarvie and Kristen Clark.

For Information http://www.legacyforge.com 1-888- 403 – 2055