The Legacy Lives On

By V. Paul Reynolds & Sam Huston

Averill “Blackie” Black of Bangor passed on recently at 93. He was a brother-in-law and long-time hunting and fishing companion, a teller of tall tales round the campfire and a founding member of the Skulkers of Seboeis, a hunting club to which I am a member. Blackie’s grandson, Sam Huston, sent me the following note. It struck a chord with me in the way that it personalizes the essence of the outdoor legacy, the heritage that means so much to those of us who care deeply, for each other and the great outdoors. I thought Sam’s note was worth sharing.

Dear Uncle Paul:

When my grandfather, Averill Black, passed away at 93 the world lost a great man. For me, I lost a mentor, someone who made me fall in love with the outdoors at a very young age. He taught me so much when it comes to hunting and fishing, which is why I wanted to share a few photos with you.

I believe I showed you the photo of me and Gramp with my deer I shot this past year, but I wanted you to have a copy of it. I was so lucky to share this memory with him. I like to think that this was one of his last great memories he had. Adding to the fact that I shot it with my late Uncle Jeff’s Remington 742 Woodmaster, it makes this deer that much more special to me. 

The other two pictures are from this past weekend during the first time I got out on the ice this year. When we were moving Gram and Gramp out of his home, I found a bunch of his old traps that I was lucky enough to hold on to. I brought a couple with me this weekend and was able to bring these two 16 inch Brookies through the ice, one on his trap. I find it hard to believe that he wasn’t fishing with me this weekend. 

It’s moments like these that make this time easier on me. Knowing that he is still with me, especially in the woods, makes me love it more and more every time I’m out there. I hope all is well, hopefully we can all celebrate “Blackie’s” life together this summer. 

Thanks,

Sam Huston

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