Dave,

Definitely the most important lesson to not give other complete latitude over the use of one's property unless one is certain they will respect it the way he does.

I learned a long time ago that there are friends and then there are those who are friendly. And I've come to realized that he wasn't my friend but one who has been friendly with me.

He called frequently and we got together for fishing before the 2007 hunt. After his hunt, he could hardly be contacted and he avoided calling me for a long time. This happens sometimes when one loans almost anything ... whether it be a rifle or money. I don't think he wanted to keep the rifle ... my hunch he had a nagging thought the WHOLE time that my rifle needed cleaning. Now that he has returned the rifle he has called a few times. I've been very busy ...