lancetkenyon Report post Posted January 16, 2015 I know junipers can grow extremely slowly. Here is a photo of a juniper stump I took in Nevada. It was only 6" in diameter, but look at the growth rings. Over 110 growth rings. I can see that tree being 130 years old easily. And since they grow so slowly, it is quite possible the rifle was laid against it when it was small. With the wind moving the tree, the rifle would have wiggle room to not get stuck and the tree grow around it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forepaw Report post Posted January 16, 2015 +1. I read that book every year of high school, and again years later. Vardis Fisher was an awesome writer. forepaw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Report post Posted January 17, 2015 I guess you know it's time to hand it up, when you forget your rifle! I hope my time is about .... 95 y/o! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas110 Report post Posted January 17, 2015 I guess you know it's time to hand it up, when you forget your rifle! I hope my time is about .... 95 y/o! ive actually forgot my rifle numerous times. low sleep and high stress does things to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted January 17, 2015 I, Hatchet Jack, being of sound mind and broke legs, do hereby leaveth my bear rifle to whatever finds it. It is a good rifle, and killt the bear that killt me. Anyway, I am dead. Yours truly, Hatchet Jack. Love that movie. But you left part of that note out....about "Lord hope it to be a......" My other favorite quote was when JJ woke up on fire, and the Bear Claw said, "Didn't put enough dirt down. I saw it right off", then rolls back over and goes to sleep. Can you skin griz pilgrim? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Explorer Report post Posted January 18, 2015 ORO ranch has a old winchester a employee found leaning against a tree on trout creek. It is in the ranch headquarters. My brother left my 22 leaning against a tree once. Luckily we found it quickly! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigMoqui Report post Posted January 18, 2015 I doubt it was ever buried because it would have been in way worse shape. What I think is that the tree was small and bushy when the rifle was leaned up against it and grew up taller while the gun stay in the same spot. It would be nice to see a pic of the tree where it rested. This might help explain its presence. If it were there for any length of time no matter how slow the tree grew it would leave a mark in the bark. I do agree on how slow these trees can grow though. Something about the Great Basin desert in general things grow slow and live long lives there. Look at the bristle one pines that aren't mich bigger than a medium sized piñon tree but are thousands of years old. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Anybody search the area for a skeleton Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
