Are we loosing the outdoors for the kids? Where did we go wrong, where do we go from here?

Not everyone is wired for fishing poles and Ruger 10/22s. Some of us don’t really even like fish, venison or pronghorn for supper. What else is there? 

Current politics see hunting and outdoor consumptive sports as a cash cow. Legislatures have slithered their way into game and fish to SUPER TAX a right. Hunting and fishing is a right, not a privilege. The legislature is stealing our rights. I agree management has become a necessity because of the number of folks hitting the field. That said, government has changed careful management into a cash for profit theft from hunters. They manage for money and not for the resource. Fish and game and all outdoors belong to us, not the government. Not one penny should go into anything in the government except into resource management. The amount of money stolen from the public and put into general fund or funding unpopular policy. It’s time the government becomes accountable for the theft of funds and resources. Ok, enough politics.

My view has changed a bit over the last few years. The older I get the more I see things through a less aggressive lens. Honestly, maybe a bit more like a youngster. I’m not eager to strike out on a trailhead for that 6 mile hike back to the secret cove with all the big bucks or bulls. I’m thinking this is a bit closer to what a youngster would see. 

I’ve been obsessed with hunting and fishing since I was two. Shot my first jackrabbit at age two. I would literally stay awake all night if dad was going to go hunting in the morning. I couldn’t risk him getting out the door without me. 

Times are much different now. But, are times different, are kids different or are we adults different. The stress of life pulls harder on adults now than it used to. When I grew up there were mostly only one full time bread winner in the household. For the most part, one paycheck could pay the bills and often even take a yearly family vacation. That’s rare now. However, we need to take another look at our priorities. 

I had my priorities wrong. I ruined my chances at a hunting partner in my family. But my priorities were not intentionally selfish. I am an exceptionally successful hunter, even a former professional hunter. I grew up learning and striving to get just a little bigger buck next year than last. That passion took years to build and was a lot of effort to achieve. I read every hunting magazine I could get my hands on. Later in my young adult life I watched every hunting video I could find. 

Eventually I had a pretty good knack for getting into good trophies. It became easier for me. My son actually told me later, you’re too damn good dad. He said,”You know where every big buck is you know where they eat and sleep and travel to water.” 

So, I pretty much had very nice trophy bucks lined up for my kids. I took them out to shoot a good buck and go home. I had lost my way on the effort to get better. I went right for the big buck on the wall for my kids. All three of them took big mule deer bucks and big pronghorn bucks first time out.

I completely spoiled my intended hunting buddy/partners. All three of them said where is the fun in it. When we hunt with you dad, we drive out shoot a big one and go home. That just doesn’t sound like fun. 

My hope is, I don’t screw up with my grandkids. My son has said he has every intention of encouraging his sons to give it a try. He actually regrets the way it developed for him. He’s smart and knows how important all that is and is hopeful for two things. One, His kids will get the chance to get the full outdoor experience. Including hunting , fishing, hiking, tracking, scouting, rock hunting, gold panning, off roading and shooting. 

I think every house should have at the very least a Ruger 10/22 or similar and everyone should get the chance to try it. I mean after all, its America. Just FYI, I’d be happy to help any way I can if you are looking to get started in the world of shooting and hunting. 

My son said us Boomers pretty much ruined the world with all our taking care of everything. Now, so few can actually do anything because we did everything for them for so many years. He said we even gave everyone trophies just for attending an event. Crazy thing, he’s not wrong. We all had our hearts right. We wanted our kids to have a great wonderful easy life, better than we did. Our generation did so well at that, we stole the character building struggle from them. Did we do it because we loved them or did we do it because we were too busy or too lazy to go through that spirit building part of life with them. My son has said he’s going to give me a second chance, don’t screw it up. Go through the struggle the learning and the seeking. That’s what builds passion and desire. The bigger the struggle the more cherrised the reward. I just hope I don’t screw this up. I hope I can get it done before I’m beat up by age. 

I have hope for America lately. New direction in the White House gives me a chance to feel optimistic. 

I know some really good places to hunt for rocks. Maybe when the little ones are still clinging to mom and dad’s leg, we can get them out to find a great looking agate or jade stone. Maybe we find a little fishing hole. My son said I can pull his GODZILLA fishing rod out of the rafters for my first grandson. 

Life is too short ya’ll. Be sure not to let any golden moments get away during our cherished golden years. It’s not about us any more. WE must now carefully pass along our OLD SCHOOL ways and have hope our kids have enough passion for life and family that they find this world and this country worth saving.

Here’s my promise, I will step out of my busy life to help if I can. Just ask I’m right here.