Great-grandmother puts meat on the table with a .257-caliber rifle

[TexasTowelie]

Brenda Fontenot, 73, is a hunter and her husband is a custom saddle maker. They both have been hunting for more then 50 years because she uses a 257 Weatherby that is at least 46 years old. She has had to increase her hunting recently because her doctor told her she could not eat any more beef, but she could eat as much deer meat as she wanted. This past year of hunting on their lease did not yield anything to shoot and they are thinking about not renewing if this year proves fruitless as well. Dave Ryan/The Enterprise Photo: Dave Ryan

Brenda Fontenot has something in common with the U.S. Postal Service: In rain, sleet or snow, Fontenot will deliver herself to her hunting lease, currently in Colmesneil, to wait for the next big buck to trek close by.

The 73-year-old Winnie resident seems no different from most great-grandmothers. She laughs and smiles. She dotes on her 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She collects chicken-themed household items - salt and pepper shakers, painted carvings, etc.But for the past 50 years, she has eagerly awaited the start of deer-hunting season, ready to take to the woods with her .257-caliber Weatherby rifle, equipped with a German scope.

Deer season opens Nov. 2 this year, with about a million Texans expected to hunt at some point.

Brenda Fontenot has long hunted with her husband, Charles "C.J." Fontenot. After they married in 1959, she gradually became jealous as he escaped to hunt in places as far off as Colorado while she stayed home and watched their growing brood of children.

More at http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Great-grandmother-puts-meat-on-the-table-with-a-4817929.php .

[font color=green]Today is "Old People With Guns" in the Texas Group! [/font]

[msongs]

1. so all the deer have been murdered and none left. the neighbors better keep an eye on her nt

[flamin lib]

2. Hunting is the only reason deer still exist in Texas.

Hunting funds Texas Parks and Wildlife which carefully monitors wildlife populations and habitat. Without that regulation and preservation of habitat there wouldn't be any wildlife.

[DonP]

3. Not just Texas

More white tails today then when the Pilgrims landed.

Some states are seriously over crowded with deer.

But I understand her doctor's orders. No hormones or antibiotics, leaner meat, not farm raised. All in all a better source of protein.

[Paladin]

4. .257 Weatherby Mag.? Pretty bad-ass caliber for a great-grandmother. (nt)