For all you Jack O'Connor fans here, the Jack O'Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center in Lewiston, Idaho, is raffling off a replica of Jack's pet Model 70 .270. Tickets are $25 each, five for $100.

This rifle is as close to an exact replica of Jack's favorite rifle (his #2 of a pair of Model 70s, rebuilt/restocked in 1959 by Al Biesen, and on display at the center), a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester, rebuilt and stocked by Roger Biesen, Al's son, in the same shop that created the original, to the same standard and pattern as the original. It is also engraved by Jack's granddaughter, Paula Biesen Malicki. This is the #4/2011 rifle of a series, built to identical standards, and it may be the last.

The drawing will occur in about two weeks, at the center. The link below lists the phone number and has pictures of the rifle (it's done, this is the exact rifle the winner will receive); you can buy tickets over the phone (contact info in link). This is an important project for the near term support and funding of the center; a maximum of 1000 will be sold, and they aren't yet close. The drawing will be held June 4, 2011. The center is closed on Sundays and Mondays until Memorial Day; open every day thereafter.

http://jack-oconnor.org/rifle.html

I'd also strongly recommend a visit to the center, located in Jack's home town. Lots of his big game trophies and other O'Connor memorabilia (including his International Travelall, restored by Buck Buckner) are there. Worth the trip.