Last post we discussed personal foundation building. While that process is always evolving, there are other things we need to complete before we can begin. The first of many thing we should be doing is learning about safety. Most people will immediately jump to firearms safety, which is important, but there is so much more to it. There are also certain requirements we must fulfill by law.
Most states, require taking a state approved safety course for trapping and firearms hunting. Many states require additional safety courses for specific equipment such as archery equipment, crossbows, bailey and handcock traps, and others. Some states, like Massachusetts, require you to have safety training just to purchase or own a firearm, although in Massachusetts, the hunter safety education course they provide covers that too. I know that the courses provided through Massachusetts Department of Wildlife are free of charge, but often difficult to get into. They also do not accept certificates from online courses. If you are able, I would recommend taking all of the classes offered whether you currently plan on participating or not. You will learn a lot from the trapping course, for example, even if you don't plan to trap.
Once you've got your classes squared away, you still have a lot of work to do. Just having the classes are not going to be enough to keep you safe. You need to practice with the tools you are using. Set and unset your traps. Practice shooting your bow or guns. Cast bobber lines in your yard. Learn your gear inside and out. Learn what to look for to show that it may be unsafe to operate. Learn how to adjust your tools. If you're a whitetail tree hunter, learn how to operate your stands, and ALWAYS use your safety harness properly. Learn how to use PFDs when you're on the water. Learn the predators that may consider you prey, and how to avoid being eaten.
Every year I read horror stories. We lost a great man, hunter, and family member this year in a hunting accident here in Massachusetts. I'm not passing judgement, and I don't expect anyone else to either. Losing anyone is too much, so please be safe out there. My heart goes out to that family. I have a friend who fell out of a tree stand and will never walk right again. I know many more that have caused themselves serious and permanent injuries because they didn't follow all of the proper precautions. As a community of human beings, we cannot afford to lose anyone.
We also need to constantly educate ourselves. We all love being outdoors, but we should know why we have the ability to recreate the way we can today. Learn about some of our more famous forefathers like Aldo Leopold, Teddy Roosevelt, George Bird Grinnell, and for you Alaskan dreamers, Mardy Murie. Also look into our modern day conservation warriors like Randy Newberg, Land Tawny, Steven Rinella, and Shane Mahoney. There are so many more that I would literally be writing this article for the rest of my life if I tried to list them, but these are some of my favorites.
Learn about the groups on the ground that are building back all the things we thought we were going to destroy at the turn of the century. Look into the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Sheep Foundation, Pheasants Forever, or Trout Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited. Even if you don't plan to join these groups, learn what you can do to support them in their efforts to restore habitats and wildlife across North America. Learn about Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and their efforts to keep Public Lands in Public Hands as well as bring about new generations of Sportsmen and Women.
Learn about the local organizations that are working towards these same goals. Join your local Trappers Association, Bowhunters Association, or Angling Groups. These guys generally have a finger on the pulse of the local politics and can help you stay informed of mobilizations to ward of anti-sporting bills and regulations.
There is a reason I do not call what we do recreating, or "plying a trade". In the world we live in now, being a trapper, hunter, or angler, is so much more than just going out and enjoying what we have. We have to be advocates of safety and education to continue it. We have to be historians to understand WHY we have it. We have to be political advocates to continue to have it. We have to be students and teachers together to make sure the next generation gets it. We have to support these conservation groups to ensure there is something for our children to fight for. This is not a trade, a game, or a sport. Being a sportsman or woman is a lifestyle.
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