The plight of the modern hunter is at high risk if not in total jeopardy. Writers write about it, preachers preach about it and philosophers philosophize about it, but exactly what is being done about it?
Ted Nugent dedicates time and effort to his camp for kids, which exposes youngsters to the joys of hunting. That, however, is only for a period of several days. Other groups target special groups like the physically challenged, women and youth with classes, which are again worthy efforts, but only short time exposure.
The folks who donate their time and efforts to preserving our hunting heritage and future are to be commended for their efforts. The key to the survival of all forms of hunting, however, lies in the hands of the common man and woman. If we are to persevere, we must ALL join in the movement to maintain our hunting rights. God given rights that have been ours since the dawn of time.
If each one of us just mentors one new hunter each year, the results would help insure the future of our hunting heritage.
I propose a plan that insures that hunting will be a part of our lives for generations to come. It is simple and it is fool proof, but it will take an honest effort by every man, woman and youth who cherishes the right to roam the woods in pursuit of wild things.
There is an estimated 10 million gun hunters and 3 million bowhunters, based on national license sales. Taking away duplicate sales because of two-season hunters, family member licenses and out-of-state purchases, we have reduced our hunters to an estimated 7.5 million. One must admit that number is a pitifully small percentage of the American population.
Let’s imagine that each of that number was really concerned with the future of hunting. So much so that they go out and recruit one person to mentor in the ways of hunting with a gun or a bow for an entire season. One person that they totally dedicated their time and efforts to, teaching and educating him or her in all aspects of our ageless heritage.
It could be any one who was interested, a friend, a co-worker, a classmate or a client. Age or sex would not be a consideration and choice of species hunted or weapon would not matter. Just an unselfish concentrated effort to get that one person into the field to experience first hand the joys of pursuing wild game in its natural habitat.
If each one of us concentrated all of our efforts on one person for an entire season, our numbers would double. The next year there would be 15 million of us. Part of what we taught our proteges, of course, would be that the following year, they too must go out and find one person to mentor.
Young ladies are an excellent source of recruitment. This young woman not only is glad to have been recruited into the ranks of the modern hunter, but she also hunts from a wheelchair. That is good publicity for ALL hunters!
One individual to donate their time and special attention to as repayment for the unique form of kindness they were shown by you the year before. At the end of season two, we are now 30 million strong. One does not have to have a Doctorate in mathematics to see where this is going. 30 million, 60 million etc., etc., etc..
Now we all know that there are going to be variables, which will affect the annual totals. Not every person we share with will pursue the sport the following year. Not every existing hunter cares enough about the future to share his or her precious hunting time with a neophyte. And let’s be honest, far too many others feel that there are already too many hunters and we do not have enough game to share.
But even if our numbers increased by a meager 25 percent each year, the total at the end of ten years would be nearly 70 million American hunters. A mighty force, which would command the most serious respect from the general public, the politicians and the liberal media.
Is this idea a hallucination or the uncontrolled rant of a madman? I think not. At least not for this aging hunter! For the past decade, it has been my privilege to introduce at least one new person a year to hunting. I have been there to share the exultation of their first harvest. I have listened to the animated telling and retelling of my apprentice’s success. To date, each and every person that I have shared the joy of hunting with is still in the field growing emotionally and spiritually with each passing season.
If you tell me you love the sport of hunting and you are concerned about its future, also tell me how many new hunters you have mentored and brought into our ranks. If you answer, “None” then you have lied about your love and about your concern.
We all have friends and acquaintances that would probably be interested in picking up an bow and arrow to hunt with, we just have to ask them and then be willing to mentor them.
It is time to act, my friends and mentoring a first-year student through “Simple Duplication” is the absolute best and surest way to insure the future of the modern hunter. Pick one person and help him or her become a successful and dedicated hunter. It will gratify you and help to preserve your right to hunt. Think about it!
