Earl Lanning for Isaac Hankla

Earl made this rifle for Isaac during the winter and spring of 2005/2006 and surprised him with it after his High School Graduation. It is one of his best and was truly a labor of love. Earl and Bonnie have been like Grandparents to Isaac and traveled from North Carolina to attend the graduation ceremony and for his party afterwards. In front of a crowd, Earl handed Isaac the rifle saying...take a look at this... and although very tactful, Isaac was almost put off that Earl would want him to look at a rifle at such a busy time, not having a clue that it was his till he rolled it over and saw his name on the sideplate. It was a tender moment. November of that year, Isaac, Earl, and I, traveled to Western Kentucky and deer hunted, all with rifles that Earl had made. Isaac was the only one of us that scored, making a perfect heart shot with his new Earl Lanning rifle. Earl could have not been more proud; nor could I.

Copy by Mel Hankla. Photos by Jan Riser.