I went bird hunting last week – our grouse and woodcock seasons are open. This is my first season without old Shell. I did not realize how good she was until now. Not that she was stylish, she was not, but we had our own system worked out well. We understood each other and we both hunted with hope, optimism and intensity regardless of the number of birds.
My current dog “Smudge” is 7 years old and I got her about 3 months after my daughter was born. Simply put – I rightfully concentrated on raising my daughter and not on training my dog. Enough said. Somehow a bad trend of gun shyness worked it ways into Smudge. I can’t recall exactly where it started; no single incident comes to mind. Last week after 2 shots at woodcock she was done. I tried hunting on my own based on instinct and knowledge of the covers I was in – but after 30 minutes I asked myself – “what am I doing?” “This is no fun.” Without that counterpart, without a dog to share the intensity with – it just wasn’t bird hunting.
I have always loved hunting and fishing with people (and dogs) that were passionate about it. I can have a great time fishing for carp with the right person if they are really into it. I think perhaps the biggest thing we can all do to perpetuate the sport of quail hunting (or hunting in general) is share our passion for what we love. The same is true for habitat creation – mentor, mentor, mentor and mentor some more.
What can you do? As a landowner, offer to host workshops or to speak at local community clubs about how all the “weeds and brush” came to be on your farm, and how you have benefitted from managing the habitat. It means more to a landowner coming FROM a landowner. Write an article in your local newspaper about your love for habitat management. Invite other landowners to come to your place 2 or 3 at a time to see how you manage.
As a hunter – perhaps the biggest thing you can do is reach out to young people who might not have a parent who hunts. Consider developing a local hunting mentor program. Volunteer as a hunter education instructor and emphasize your passion for upland bird hunting during those courses. And maybe most importantly – be less selfish. It does take energy and commitment to mentor new hunters or habitat managers, but it is a chance to leave a legacy.
Lastly – Friday is Veteran’s Day. Please take the time to thank and recognize our military veteran’s without whom we’d not have many of the freedoms to pursue our passions so fully. Not to mention many of them may be seeking a place to hunt, or to do some outdoor work – reach out to them if you can.
