For the Ages

Rocky Mountains 1854. Elk move through the dense fog at timberline, the hunter sees them briefly as they ghost toward his concealed position. Near the back of the herd, a cow staggers along slowly and painfully. The broken shaft of an arrow sticking out from her shoulder tells the hunter he has finally found her. Nearly four days ago he shot this cow elk near the great river. The shot went high and failed to penetrate the body cavity, resulting in a painful wound.

For days, he has trailed the herd and tried in vain to get close enough to make a killing shot. The creator blessed the hunter with thick fog this morning allowing for a careful stalk which has put him in position along the herds travel route. Several elk pass by before the wounded cow finally presents a good quartering shot; the hunter draws his strong bow and releases the feathered shaft in one fluid movement. Like lightning across the summer sky, the arrow strikes swiftly. The already weakened cow falls to the earth almost immediately and lies still as the fog begins to recede. What should have been an easy task of harvesting meat for his people became a four-day test of his skills as a hunter, his dedication to his prey and his unwavering decision to always stay the course no matter where the trail may lead. Arms raised toward the sky he prays to the creator and gives thanks for his good fortune. He also asks the one above to see the elks spirit safely to the place where elk go, and lays down some tobacco and sage to honor the life he has taken which will in return sustain life for him and his family¦ The sun suddenly peaks through the rapidly dying fog, illuminating the crystalline world of white in bright splendor. He smiles with the realization that his prayers have been heard, as an eagle cries from somewhere in the bright morning sky.

Today in our modern world of gadgetry, and better, stronger, more diverse gear and equipment. It becomes hard to imagine that hunters still hunt the wild places with this kind of honor, integrity and perseverance as the hunter in my story. However, the truth of the matter is without hunters in our modern world there would in all likelihood be little or no game left for anyone to enjoy. Modern encroachment on what was once wildlife habitat and the constant threat to the remaining habitats, dictates that we as stewards of the wild places must keep the numbers in check. There is simply not enough land left out there for most wildlife to prosper in huge numbers as they once did. Left unmanaged most species soon overpopulate their home range and begin outward expansion. Once this happens, human conflict becomes eminent, and usually the wildlife suffers greatly from disease and starvation.

However, through constant and well-regulated management, hunters will, and have, allowed species to remain in strong numbers without being subjected to overpopulation and disease inside of their designated ranges. Conservation is nothing new to the hunter. Since the early days of conservation with men like Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir; hunters have been at the forefront of nearly every wildlife conservation effort. From the national parks to wildlife refuges and wetlands, hunters have put their money where their mouth is. Their blood, sweat and hard work have enhanced thousands of acres, bettering the habitats for future generations of hunters and their prey. Too often hunters are portrayed as vicious killers with no care for wildlife or their future. This kind of ignorance is why we as hunters must take a stand; we must let the world know that we are the first line of defense for the wild places and all the creatures who share these places with us.

Groups like Pheasants Forever, Trout Unlimited, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and The Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, just to name a few, make it possible for future generations to enjoy the wild creatures and their habitat is ensured by our sportsmens dollars. Without sportsmen and women supporting wildlife conservation most all species would be in peril. I call upon my fellow outdoorsmen to ensure a future for our sport and for the heritage passed down through the ages. We are under attack at every front by those who preach salvation for our wild places and the creatures with which we share this great planet. Somehow, the true saviors and stewards of the forest have become targeted as the evil doers because we harvest animals instead of allowing the natural selection of disease starvation and overpopulation to decimate the herds. Brothers and sisters, we must be vigilant of our position as predators, and stay the course as wilderness warriors in order to achieve our ultimate goal. Protection of our wildlife, their habitats and our heritage. Most importantly, we must not allow the so-called defenders of wildlife and environmental activists the opportunity to destroy all we have worked to build. If they cannot work in tandem with we sportsmen in our efforts, then we must work that much harder to ensure that the circle of life remains, instead of drawing lines in the sand.

(B&B)- Mike Hawk Huston is contributing editor for Bulls & Beavers LLC

Be sure and check out these other fun and informative articles:

How to Hunt for the Trophy Tweet

Fishing for Giant Brown Trout in New Zealand Was a Trip of a Lifetime

BlogCastFM Interview with Chris Burget on Video Product Reviews and Dominating a Niche

How to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone & Into the Adventure Zone

Interesting Facts of the Ancient Art of Boomerang Hunting

Good Guys Hunt Too

“Best of the Best” Booth Babes 2011 SHOTShow

#PowerHunters, An Interview with Gavin Harvey, CEO of Sportsman Channel

Sentry Safe Unveils their Latest Innovation in Home Defense at the 2011 SHOTShow

Bulls & Beavers Grows Through Social Media