stillhunterman
Active Member
- Messages
- 608
The Mule deer has long been an icon of the west. Whether that will continue to be true is yet to be seen. It's the only big game animal whose numbers are dwindling, despite the efforts of western state game agencies, working groups, conservation organizations and hunters. It may be only a matter of time before our beloved Mule deer goes the way of the California condor. It may not happen in my lifetime, but it is a very real possibility it may happen during the lives of our children. How utterly sad and unfortunate, should that turn out to be the case.
We, as hunters-especially big game hunters- seem to be following the Mule deer down the road to extinction, our own numbers dwindling each year for a variety of reasons. Another sad and unfortunate circumstance, for with our own extinction also goes a rich and long standing heritage, one that can be traced back to our very birth as a species. It seems to me that if anyone is to save the Mule deer, it will be those who care about them the most, the hunters. But, I'm afraid that is much easier said than done.
We have much to overcome, you and I, in order to save our Mule deer for future generations, and it will not be easy. We have become so divided that rarely do we agree on any single issue. Why is that, if we truly are the keepers of our heritage and game? Have we become so wrapped up in the ?my, me, I want it NOW? attitude that is so prevalent in today?s society that we can't see the forest for the trees? Are my own personal wants and desires any more important than yours, just because I say it louder and with more conviction? Are the rifle hunters any more ?right? than the bow hunters? Are the muzzy hunters any more right than the rifle hunters? Are the trophy hunters any more important than the opportunity hunter or the meat hunter, and vice verse? I don't think so, for we all share the SAME heritage that is disappearing before our very eyes.
Can you imagine what might be accomplished should we ever gain the power of speaking with a united voice? Yeah, I know, we are merely a cross section of society, and among us are the slobs, the hypocrites, the liars, the procrastinators, the shy, the craven, the greedy, the manipulators, and the sycophants, all waiting in the shadows to spread chaos. But, given that, I still believe there are enough of us willing to give of ourselves for the future of our heritage and the survival of the Mule deer: For amongst us also reside the honest, the caring, the honorable, the humble, the stalwort, the resolute, and the hero...
Perhaps our efforts will be better served by, instead of screaming blame, asking how can we help? What can we as the keepers of our game do to save them? We must hold those that we entrust to be our voice (read conservation organizations we support with our dollars) accountable for their actions; hold those that we entrust the care of our game species (read fish and game agencies, forest service, BLM, etc.) accountable for their actions or in-actions; hold those that formulate the laws (read politicians) by which these agencies operate accountable for their actions; hold OURSELVES to a higher standard of vigilance and SUPPORT of each other, and we must do so without the ever deprecating castigation's we hurl back and forth.
I don't know, maybe I am simply filled with anticipatory HOPE, but I do know one thing: We will NEVER make any headway if we continue to stand divided, of that I am certain. I need an asperin...
We, as hunters-especially big game hunters- seem to be following the Mule deer down the road to extinction, our own numbers dwindling each year for a variety of reasons. Another sad and unfortunate circumstance, for with our own extinction also goes a rich and long standing heritage, one that can be traced back to our very birth as a species. It seems to me that if anyone is to save the Mule deer, it will be those who care about them the most, the hunters. But, I'm afraid that is much easier said than done.
We have much to overcome, you and I, in order to save our Mule deer for future generations, and it will not be easy. We have become so divided that rarely do we agree on any single issue. Why is that, if we truly are the keepers of our heritage and game? Have we become so wrapped up in the ?my, me, I want it NOW? attitude that is so prevalent in today?s society that we can't see the forest for the trees? Are my own personal wants and desires any more important than yours, just because I say it louder and with more conviction? Are the rifle hunters any more ?right? than the bow hunters? Are the muzzy hunters any more right than the rifle hunters? Are the trophy hunters any more important than the opportunity hunter or the meat hunter, and vice verse? I don't think so, for we all share the SAME heritage that is disappearing before our very eyes.
Can you imagine what might be accomplished should we ever gain the power of speaking with a united voice? Yeah, I know, we are merely a cross section of society, and among us are the slobs, the hypocrites, the liars, the procrastinators, the shy, the craven, the greedy, the manipulators, and the sycophants, all waiting in the shadows to spread chaos. But, given that, I still believe there are enough of us willing to give of ourselves for the future of our heritage and the survival of the Mule deer: For amongst us also reside the honest, the caring, the honorable, the humble, the stalwort, the resolute, and the hero...
Perhaps our efforts will be better served by, instead of screaming blame, asking how can we help? What can we as the keepers of our game do to save them? We must hold those that we entrust to be our voice (read conservation organizations we support with our dollars) accountable for their actions; hold those that we entrust the care of our game species (read fish and game agencies, forest service, BLM, etc.) accountable for their actions or in-actions; hold those that formulate the laws (read politicians) by which these agencies operate accountable for their actions; hold OURSELVES to a higher standard of vigilance and SUPPORT of each other, and we must do so without the ever deprecating castigation's we hurl back and forth.
I don't know, maybe I am simply filled with anticipatory HOPE, but I do know one thing: We will NEVER make any headway if we continue to stand divided, of that I am certain. I need an asperin...
