Guys we need to really try to put some money into the parks. I just spent time at Black Gap and again Garner, the story is the same both places. They don't get much money.
Park fees are going up again this year I found out this morning. They don't say much about it when you go on the hunts but they need help with stuff. Garner had nice pop-ups for the kiddos to hunt in, but no solid rifle rests for the kiddos to shoot off. I built ten rifle rests yesterday and delivered them this morning to go in the pop-ups for the youth exotic hunt this weekend. They simply don't get enough money to do alot.
We have a chance to show how generous and helpful we can be as hunters. I urge you to talk to your park and ask em what they need. To me if we want to see these hunts continue we need to help make sure they do. We have to do all we can to help the kiddos learn this way of life.
My other thought is this, as bow hunters I feel for the most part we are pretty courteous and knowledgeable about hunting. Pass those knowledge and ethics on to those you know. One of the things that shocked me at Garner was some of the dad's were talking about shooting the critters if their kids didn't. Dad's let kids make unsupported shots at critters and they left wounded critters in the field because of it. Please take the time to pull those guys aside that just simply don't know and teach them what you know. Help pass it on to their kids. If we want our children to be able to enjoy the hunting we do, we need to step up now and be leaders. All of us are quick on the phone to turn in a poacher, but what about spending the time ahead of time to explain about shooting times, bag limits, and antler restrictions and maybe averting them breaking a law?
This weekend was a wake-up for me that I am not doing enough. I knew a guy at the hunt was not very knowledgeable and I saw his sorta blank stare when the Warden talked about antler restrictions. I should have done the right thing and approached him and explained. Instead that night his daughter brought in a buck that was just outside the skull, but the horns to him were past the ears(where they started not ended). He ended up going home early because of it. I honestly think he was clueless and I think it was probably one of the first hunts he had ever been on in his life. My inaction led to him making some mistakes that reflected badly on all of us.
The warden and I talked this morning about some of the lack of ethics on bow hunters. Garner is closed to archery because of the lack of shot ethics. Deer with arrows stuck in their hams doesn't bode well with the general public as do deer Texas heart shot with a bow. After the stories today I think I am ready to see an archery education class made mandatory. Just cause you can shoot a 4" group at 60yds doesn't mean a time exist to try that shot. I know that will rub some of you the wrong way but the fact is in the time it takes and arrow to cover 60yds a deer can do alot of moving. That mistake right there is part of what cost us Garner as a bow spot. I can tell you right now, a perch on the shelter last Saturday night would have been good for 4-5 axis pretty easy plus some white tail. It is the perfect spot to have a great time, but we lost it because of slobs.
I ask each of you to reach out and teach ethics to those around you. If you are lacking yourself find the knowledge base you need. I pride myself on trying to do the right thing when I have that bow in my hands, if it means passing a marginal shot I pass it. We can be/ and are our own worse enemy many times.
Please don't take offense, just simply think about what I have said. I want all of us to enjoy this stuff, but if we don't lead from the front before long we won't have many places left to hunt.
Steve
Park fees are going up again this year I found out this morning. They don't say much about it when you go on the hunts but they need help with stuff. Garner had nice pop-ups for the kiddos to hunt in, but no solid rifle rests for the kiddos to shoot off. I built ten rifle rests yesterday and delivered them this morning to go in the pop-ups for the youth exotic hunt this weekend. They simply don't get enough money to do alot.
We have a chance to show how generous and helpful we can be as hunters. I urge you to talk to your park and ask em what they need. To me if we want to see these hunts continue we need to help make sure they do. We have to do all we can to help the kiddos learn this way of life.
My other thought is this, as bow hunters I feel for the most part we are pretty courteous and knowledgeable about hunting. Pass those knowledge and ethics on to those you know. One of the things that shocked me at Garner was some of the dad's were talking about shooting the critters if their kids didn't. Dad's let kids make unsupported shots at critters and they left wounded critters in the field because of it. Please take the time to pull those guys aside that just simply don't know and teach them what you know. Help pass it on to their kids. If we want our children to be able to enjoy the hunting we do, we need to step up now and be leaders. All of us are quick on the phone to turn in a poacher, but what about spending the time ahead of time to explain about shooting times, bag limits, and antler restrictions and maybe averting them breaking a law?
This weekend was a wake-up for me that I am not doing enough. I knew a guy at the hunt was not very knowledgeable and I saw his sorta blank stare when the Warden talked about antler restrictions. I should have done the right thing and approached him and explained. Instead that night his daughter brought in a buck that was just outside the skull, but the horns to him were past the ears(where they started not ended). He ended up going home early because of it. I honestly think he was clueless and I think it was probably one of the first hunts he had ever been on in his life. My inaction led to him making some mistakes that reflected badly on all of us.
The warden and I talked this morning about some of the lack of ethics on bow hunters. Garner is closed to archery because of the lack of shot ethics. Deer with arrows stuck in their hams doesn't bode well with the general public as do deer Texas heart shot with a bow. After the stories today I think I am ready to see an archery education class made mandatory. Just cause you can shoot a 4" group at 60yds doesn't mean a time exist to try that shot. I know that will rub some of you the wrong way but the fact is in the time it takes and arrow to cover 60yds a deer can do alot of moving. That mistake right there is part of what cost us Garner as a bow spot. I can tell you right now, a perch on the shelter last Saturday night would have been good for 4-5 axis pretty easy plus some white tail. It is the perfect spot to have a great time, but we lost it because of slobs.
I ask each of you to reach out and teach ethics to those around you. If you are lacking yourself find the knowledge base you need. I pride myself on trying to do the right thing when I have that bow in my hands, if it means passing a marginal shot I pass it. We can be/ and are our own worse enemy many times.
Please don't take offense, just simply think about what I have said. I want all of us to enjoy this stuff, but if we don't lead from the front before long we won't have many places left to hunt.
Steve
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