(no subject)
The March that I know and loathe is here in all of it's miserable glory. I *knew* those 50 degree temps wouldn't last, but I still got the batteries cahrged and back in the 4-wheeler and my bike. Wishful thinking. I ran the quad around a bit, but didn't get the bike to the car wash like I had hoped. With the weather that is here for a while, I may as well take the friggin' battery back out.
Cold and snowy, oh yes, and wind. Of course I have to drive to Cheyenne tomorrow - time for a quarterly GPCDD meeting. I am in Cheytown until Friday afternoon, then down to the Springs for the weekend since I'm halfway there anyway. Then Sunday morning, back to Cheyenne for my Game & Fish practical. Going to be a full 4 days.
Tom and I are going archery hunting for turkey in southern Colorado the end of April. In Wyoming, I'm well past the birthdate cut-off to need a Hunter Education certification. Not the case for Colorado. I couldn't get in a class here in Wyoming, well not within 200 miles, in time. I found I could take a course online, then all I have to do is go to a practical site for 4 hours to finish. I have to say, I was very impressed with the online course content. A lot of focus on hunter ethics, responsibility, wildlife and land management. As it should be. I think everyone should have to take the course.
Recently, I actually wrote a letter to one of the yahoos that hosts a show on the Outdoor Channel. He happened to be hunting in Wyoming with, of ALL things, a crossbow. We're one of a few states that permit it and I wish Game & Fish would rethink it. It is a highly controversial weapon to begin with and most archers are offended by it being in the 'archery' classification. Anyway, he kept saying "anyone can do this" - like you could rip it out of the box and go. He also had a 4-wheeler and was driving all over the prairie, along ridgelines, etc. He said "if you're a flat-lander like me, this is great!" Basically, everything he said during this program encouraged taking shortcuts and making the whole experience easier. I was a combination of angry and offended. It's these idiots that make it so difficult for the rest of the respectful hunters. Get off your fat ass and do the work, dammit!
I can't even state how many times I've been out during archery season after scoping the habitat, wtching the deer movement, placing scent, finding good natural cover, getting up before dawn, sitting in the freezing cold and have come out with NOTHING. Not to mention the time at home that is spent practicing, watching arrow flight and weighing broadheads, most of which Tom does. Before rifle season, we go to the range and make sure the guns are sighted in and we are on target. There is a lot of preparation work that most non-hunters, not to mention ANTI-hunters don't understand.
I have gotten to see a lot of wildlife up close and personal which is what I like best about traditional archery. I've had critters get within a few feet of me without knowing I'm there. This last fall we were archery hunting for deer and I passed up a few shots. The population on our place up north is starting to recover beautifully from the EHD that kiilled most of them 5-6 years ago. I saw several does with twins and I chose not to harvest anything because these healthy gals are a benefit to the overall population.
I don't understand the lack of respect for the land and the wildlife. I really liked one statement that was made in the online course, "Hunting is NOT a right, it's a privilege". Unfortuntely, it's one some people abuse.
GAH, this gets me wound up. Will shut up now.