Its too bad about your friend. Good to hear the family is doing good. I had something similar. When my dad passed away I got all his hunting stuff, and he had a 12 ga. Browning Auto - 5 passed down to him from my granddad which he used for many years. In this state you have to use a shotgun for deer hunting no rifles. The year he died I used that shotgun and I shot a deer with it. You don't know how good it felt just knowing I used and shot a deer with the same gun he and my grandfather used to do the same. I would do it hunt with it and be successful. Just remember he will be with you on every fishing and hunting trip you go on now. While there talk to him he will hear you and he might even give you a little help. Mike