Driving out to our hunting operation this afternoon I had the opportunity to reflect on just how fortunate I was to have a father who enjoyed the outdoors and all that it offers.  Coupled with that, he had a wife, my mother, who also enjoyed being a hunter in the field, a shooter on the range, and a great mother at home.  What a combination and what a way to be raised.

 

      Those memories have held me in good stead and have given me the desire to pass on my hunting and other outdoor skills to others when the opportunity permits.  There has been nothing more rewarding than working with and the joy of watching our children and their children enjoying the freedom and pleasures of the great outdoors.

 

    However, I found this  drive out to our hunting operation to be most depressing.  Our 3,000 acres is located some 70 miles west of San Antonio, Texas.  It is about ten miles north of a small town of Sabinal.  One would ask why if you are driving out to do something that you love so much, just why would you find it so depressing?

 

      Here is why – As a young man I was able to pick up my BB gun, .22 rifle or 20 gauge shotgun and head out to match my skills against what ever quarry was available.  I remember on one occasion, I was just heading out when my dad saw me and asked -- “What are you hunting for today?”  My reply was – “I don't know because it has not gotten up yet.” Meaning that all was fair game be it rabbit, squirrel, a variety of birds, etc.  It was all fair chase over unrestricted terrain.  When you were lucky enough to collect a special animal, it was something to be proud of because you had won the contest of wits, your ability gave you the win, a real challenge and one to be remembered forever.

 

      Over the years hunting has changed a great deal and I am not sure that all of these changes are for the better. I will not delve into the negative aspects of the hunting as it is today, but rather I want to emphasize what is good about what we do and applaud those who continue to honor the hunt and the animals we love, hunt and honor.

 

     Please note, the picture above is not the entire group.  As with any group activity sometimes it is just impossible to get them all together at the same time.  If those missing were included in this photo; the group count would be increased by an additional 12 folks.

 

     The core of this group has been hunting together for over ten years.  When we first started hunting together the young men and women in the above picture did not know one end of a rifle or shotgun from the other, but they were willing to learn and did.  Today, I can report that they are all responsible hunters who are quick to honor the collected game.  With them the hunt does not stop with a good shot that collected the game, because they spend much time and effort on the care and processing of the game.  Nor does it stop there because they also participate in meal preparation, clean up and maintenance of the hunting facility and equipment.

 

      I know that the success of this group has been the parents who have supported this effort, not only by putting up the dollars to underwrite the ever increasing cost, but more importantly, they have given their time and provided the platform for young minds to grow and develop as they anticipate, prepare for and execute the hunt.

 

     In this hunting operation, there are few rules -- only common sense practices are followed that honor safety requirements, good hunting practices, and concern for the others with whom we hunt. The game  animals and birds are hunted over their free roaming terrain, no high fencing to box them in,  and the practices of fair chase are employed.  Thus pitting hunting skills against natures skills which does reduce the game count per hour or day spent in the field, but does increase both the sense of accomplishment and the memories of the hunt; for each trophy is proudly earned and honored.

 

    So again, the purpose of this short article is to honor those who have continued to carry on the hunt as a tradition with honor and pride.  For those who do not employ these standards let us hope that they will   reconsider their hunting practices and techniques and hopefully roll back to our fair chase roots that our forefathers established many years ago when hunting was a necessity, a way of life needed for survival.

 

     I am concluding this article with a recent experience like no other.  This hunt was conducted during a recent  three day weekend.  Those participating were my granddaughter, Scout, her father and his father and of course, I was also part of the hunt.

 

      Now Scout is no stranger to hunting or the Hunting Camp.   One only has to look at the trophies that adorn the walls of her home to know just how much of an accomplished hunter she really is, and for someone just turning the age of eight, makes it even more special.

 

     Scout arrived at the Hunting Camp in great spirits and anticipated collecting several game animals during the conduct of the hunt.  Her first success was on the rifle range where she drilled the targets and out shot the boys.  So she was off on the correct foot and all smiles.

 

     The rest of the hunt was spent in search of trophy game.  While she saw several animals that could have been taken she was looking for that special buck, hog, javelina, or varmint to add to her collection.  She, along with her dad and other grandfather hunted long and hard – trying several hunting techniques, none produced the desired results.

 

     As she was preparing to return home this morning we had a conversation to the effect – “That is why we call it hunting.”  We don't do put and take hunting; we must earn the right to collect an animal; no hunt is a guarantee; all hunts are fair chase.  She was reminded of the trophies that currently adorn her home and the efforts that were expended in collecting those trophies.  I also reminded her of her accomplishments on the rifle range and how proud we are of her.  Reminding her that her next hunt wont be any easier, but the rewards will always be a very meaningful events.  I then told her that I bet we could collect a great trophy on her next visit to the Hunting Camp.  

 

     What a joy it is to an old man to be able to share these experiences with these bright, challenging and enthusiastic young adults.  I know in my heart that these young folks will be good stewards of the land and all they produce because they have learned to appreciate and protect our precious outdoor assets.

 

    Those Anti-Hunting, Fishing, and other Outdoor Anti-Supporters   to include those Anti-Gun, Bows and other tools we use when enjoying these activities have never had the opportunity to experience a weekend as I just have.  If they did and it didn't change their mind about what we do and more importantly how we do it, they best pack it in and continue  

to support issues more important to their life styles like -- smoking pot, and other sorted activities that make up their unbalance world.  You know, for some people their elevator just does not go to the top floor.  I know of no better way to explain their sorted views.