No Easy Solutions

Since I’ve been working with our Pass It On program, I’ve heard lots of ideas on how to get youngsters involved in hunting. Our problem was that a smaller percentage of our population was hunting and as a result, fewer youngsters were getting the chance to experience hunting. It’s a snowballing problem. Logically, we first looked at the barriers. Find out what’s preventing kids from learning about hunting and remove those barriers. It makes sense. However, we’ve learned that it’s not as easy as removing a few roadblocks and standing back. While removing any obstacle that may have prevented a parent from taking a child hunting is good, it’s only a small part of the solution. Especially when you consider that one of the biggest barriers may be “not enough time.” The time factor isn’t something we can sink our teeth into because what people are really saying is that hunting isn’t a priority. “Not enough time” means that other activities are higher on the priority list and probably easier to accommodate. For someone who lives in an urban environment, going hunting is an all-day event – probably more if you figure in the time it takes to get access and prepare equipment. So how do we overcome that? I believe the only way to remove that barrier is to get kids outside and participating, either through an outdoor skills event or special hunt. When we teach a youngster to shoot a shotgun or bow, or we show them how much fun it is to watch a bird dog work, and when they feel the adrenaline when a rooster flushes at their feet, they’ll be hooked. Some of those kids will discover that hunting is something they want to try again, and they will make it a priority for them and their parents. There’s no easy answer to this, and it will take every grassroots effort to make a difference. And I believe the value of the time spent working with young people in this endeavor will make a positive difference in their lives. I know it did in mine.

A Simple Act

In my last entry, I closed by saying that I felt lucky my father took me along on that fishing trip when I was five. I also feel extremely fortunate that my father took me along when he went pheasant hunting. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I was hooked on hunting from the first second of the first morning of my first hunt. It was that simple. That's really all it took to send me on a life-long journey enjoying hunting, fishing and the outdoors. That simple act has impacted who I am today, where I live and what I do for a living. It also had a profound impact on my relationship with my father. We're close today, and we still hunt and fish together. Those early days of fishing and pheasant hunting laid a foundation for a father/son relationship that remains strong. Dad and I will make our 20th trip to Canada fishing this year, and whether the fish bite or not, we'll have a great time. And to think, it all started more than 45 years ago when Dad took me fishing for the first time. Thanks Dad.

The Hook

I'm not sure when I really started my obsession with fish and fishing, but some of my earliest memories are of fishing in Colorado with my parents and grandparents. I distinctly remember a high-country beaver pond experience when I was four or five years old. We lived in Denver and one of my neighborhood buddy's parents had a cabin in the mountains. One weekend, Dad and I accompanied my buddy, his older brother and father on an overnight trip to the cabin. I don't remember much about the cabin, but I do remember what they called a 5-mile hike. We walked up to a high meadow divided by a creek and dotted with beaver ponds. I remember the cloudy, dreary morning and the dark water. I stood next to Dad as he cast. Suddenly a fish struck, and Dad handed me the rod. Beautiful brook trout seemed to hit on every cast, and I reeled in my share. I was hooked. I really don't know if that was a catalyst of my lifelong passion for fishing or if it was just a little gas on the fire. I do know that memory is firmly imbedded in my brain. I'm sure Dad was just happy to see me get such a kick out of reeling in those little trout, but the experience had a much more profound impact on me. Never underestimate the value of spending time with youngsters fishing, hunting and learning about the outdoors. I guarantee you, they will never forget. Seeing the accompanying video Mike Blair shot this spring reminded me of how lucky I was my father took me along.

Get Them Outside

In my last blog I wrote that worrying about success and instant gratification is a waste of time. In reality, the things we have to work for will mean the most to us. And there is another reality: not everyone will love hunting and fishing. I know parents who worry that if their kids don't get lots of action on every hunt or catch lots of fish on every trip, they won't turn out to be hunters and anglers. We'll, some won't no matter how much action you show them. Over the last 11 years I've been working with youth programs, I've developed a theory about this. I believe that if we had a group of 30 youngsters and took them on a field day -- shooting, hunting, fishing -- that regardless of how much action there was, 10 would think it was the best thing they've done and would want to go again and again. Ten would have fun and would want to go again if their friends or family went. The other 10 would enjoy aspects of the day, but they will still prefer to play sports or video games. Not everyone is born to be a hunter and angler. However, time is not lost on those who decide not to take up hunting and fishing. Spending time teaching youngsters about the outdoors will still be beneficial to them and to you. And down the road, they'll be more likely to support conservation programs because they'll understand how and why they're important. The point is, we need to give all youngsters the chance to hunt and fish and learn about the outdoors.  We need that 20 percent or 30 percent who think it's the best thing they've ever done, and we need the other 70 percent who will like it and appreciate it, even though they may only be casual anglers or hunters, at best. Getting kids outdoors and having fun is only thing you need to worry about.

The Best Things In Life Require Time And Effort

I've heard it dozens of times: "Today's kids require instant gratification. If you want them to become hunters or anglers, they'll have to have fast action." We'll I guess I don't completely buy into that line of thinking. In fact, I think the things in my life that mean the most are the things that I've worked for -- they required effort and success wasn't immediate. But when success did come, it was truly appreciated. I recently spent three days fishing for trout in Colorado with one of my best friends. We forged our friendship hunting and fishing together while we were in high school. It's a friendship that's lasted and one that picks up right where we left off, no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other. It took time to build that friendship, but it's so much better than a casual acquaintance. As a matter of fact, one evening while reminiscing we talked a little about our early attempts at becoming pheasant hunters. As youngsters, we both trudged many miles without success, but lack of success fueled a determination in us. All the while, we were learning. Initial success was a single bird, and it was truly satisfying when it finally came. We're still pursuing and still learning. We hunt and fish differently today and measure success in a different manner, but hard work and perseverance still pay off. By the way, our fishing trip was a perfect example. It was cold and very windy and the fish were finicky. Catching one required true effort and time. We fished until our muscles ached in ridiculous conditions with only a few fish to show. But the fish were large, and we enjoyed each other's company. We both agreed it was one of our best trips -- not measured in numbers of fish.

My point is that the rewards of spending time with your children or friends hunting and fishing aren't birds in the bag or fish on the line. For sure, plan trips for the best chances of success, but know that each minute you spend is an investment not only in a lifetime outdoor heritage but also in building strong, lasting relationships.