How much do you like hunting?

[Old Ironsights]

Several years ago I moved from Alaska to go to University in Washington State. Obviously, going home to hunt was out of the question - as was keeping my gear on campus. After finishing school, I ended up here in the Chicagoland area - with absolutely no idea how to hunt in the land of Shotguns, Leases, and Stands (still don't really). The lack of connection that today's mobile workforce creates strikes terrible blow against hunting. I hope this letter/article I published in a few regional Hunting Rags can spotlight it. Feel free to submit it to your Rags if you like.

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Do your eyes light up at the local outfitting store? Are you talking incessantly about your Lease or Party or favorite Stand? Do you ever notice people around you listening wistfully, but becoming obviously more and more depressed as you talk?

Once more I wonder if this is the year to take out “The Personals”.

“Gunless Young Hunter from out of state seeks Old Coot for Hunting Partner/Mentor. Call your local University Student Center for details.”

“Clueless Buck from out of state seeks Local for lie-swapping and field learning.”

But then, reality strikes as I remember that Hunters generally don’t read personals and that one of the larger purposes of University Life is to separate Young Hunters from their gear and Sport for four years ”“ increasing the likelihood that they won’t pick it up again after graduation.

Every year we read the articles about hunter numbers falling, shake our heads sadly, then head out to our favorite spots ”“ alone or with the same old groups.

How much is hunting worth to you? Some PAC money? A letter or two to the Government? How about sharing a gun and your spot for the season with a displaced young hunter?

Look around you. Do you know some college kids from out of State ”“ ones who might have grown up hunting? Ask them out with you. Heck, even if they don’t buy a tag (at non-resident prices, who can blame them?) at least they will get the Smell back in their lungs and the fire in their bellies.

And they will Learn too. Can you imagine how hard it is for an open-range Western hunter to figure out a Tree Stand, Blind or Drive (on private land no less)? Somebody taught you, so you know the ropes and you have the Lease”¦ is it truly better for the Sport to force the fortunate student (with access to gear) or that new guy at work to hunt in the most dangerous way possible ”“ untrained and alone?

The longevity of our hunting lifestyle depends on more than just taking your "Families Afield", it means doing everything we can to keep your adult neighbors in the field as well. We need to use our hunter’s skills to identify those around us who want to hunt, but can’t, and help keep them hunting. Adopt a Hunter.

Or watch our lifestyle whither & get legislated out of existence.

Your call.

 

[roundball]

Articles like that do sound good...and in a similar vein I've recently conducted a hands on range session for a younger man in his 30's to introduce him to traditional style muzzleloaders, and that went well, so I certainly support the concept of helping others in our sports/hobbies.

But taking the article on it's face, the practical side of me makes me pause at the thought of taking a college kid / total stranger hunting with me, indeed, young and inexperienced hunters, with a loaded rifle to boot.

I'd personally rather see the "hunting" type help initially fostered by hunting clubs and/or shooting ranges where basic gun handling & safety screening could be covered/monitored before I'd meet a stranger for breakfast at Denney's, hand him a gun & ammo, then step into the woods to go hunting.

And/Or, what about the guy/gal that lives on the next street/road over right in our own neighborhoods...we could poll our own neighbors and see if they have an interest in learning to hunt, or get back into hunting, etc...how many of us even do that?

 

[Old Ironsights]

But taking the article on it's face, the practical side of me makes me pause at the thought of taking a college kid / total stranger hunting with me, indeed, young and inexperienced hunters, with a loaded rifle to boot.

I'd personally rather see the "hunting" type help initially fostered by hunting clubs and/or shooting ranges where basic gun handling & safety screening could be covered/monitored before I'd meet a stranger for breakfast at Denney's, hand him a gun & ammo, then step into the woods to go hunting.

Well, I certainly wouldn't advocate your scenerio. What I was really talking about was the experienced college kid who is stuck in school without gun or gear with no chance to go home to hunt. I would certainly be all about 2 or 3 range sessions & weekend hunting chats first.

And/Or, what about the guy/gal that lives on the next street/road over right in our own neighborhoods...we could poll our own neighbors and see if they have an interest in learning to hunt, or get back into hunting, etc...how many of us even do that?

I had to keep the article within a word limit, but that sentiment is spread liberally through it as well... you just have to read between the lines a bit.

I mean, I live in an extended Chicago 'burb over in Indiana. I have no hunting contacts, so I have to "pay to play". I'm going to help a Lodge owner out setting up Stands while trying to learn how to hunt woodlots (I grew up hunting Wyoming and Alaska) so he's going to cut me a break.

I wish somebody here would have shown 1/3 the interest in getting hunters out of the "me first" mentality that I have been trying.

 

[roundball]

I would certainly be all about 2 or 3 range sessions & weekend hunting chats first.

:thumbsup:

 

[Slake]

I try to pass hunting on...particularly to the young....I would not even look in the personals, let alone answer an ad for an "old coot" to tak a colleg kid anywhere! The 4H does great things in the pass hunting on. I help them when I can.

 

[paulvallandigham]

This is a good idea for everyone to consider. I am a volunteer Hunter Safety Instructor and just taught a class that graduated( certified) 61 new hunters. I have been doing this since 1982, and have certified well over 2,000 students. Its my little way of helping young people and adults find out how safe our sport is, and how to get involved in shooting and hunting. Now, if someone has a place to hunt, and needs a partner, I am available. I lost my last hunting buddy 15 years ago, and a bad back has kept me out of the fields for most of the past 12 years. The back is mending, and I still want to get out. I may not be able to go all day, just yet, but I am doing better than I was three years ago, and seem to be getting better every year when it comes to stamina, lifting and walking long distances. I have had students in my classes as young as 7 years old, and as old as 82! That gentleman had a grandson he wanted to take hunting, as his son in law was not interested.