That’s what I like, so it has to be best, right?
As the brain trust gathered around the coffee pot, we proceeded directly through the standard topics of politics, religion and other taboo subjects of discussion open only to the closest of friends. Along the way we became sidetracked on the topic of “What I like.”
Keeping in mind that no one cares what I/we like, I was amused if not intrigued by what some of my compatriates “liked.” What started as a misguided discussion regarding the Pennsylvania deer opener – Monday vs. Saturday vs. the possibility of a Sunday opener was food for thought if not mind changing. Traditionalists usually siding with the Monday theme argued in favor of the Friday departure for camp, Saturday for cleaning up the place, Sunday for sighting in rifles (which I still don’t understand) and then the visiting old friends that we haven’t seen in maybe a season or longer. Naturally, the traditional camp meal(s) took a front seat to the discussion. Camp cookery, recipes and tastes for wild game all nearly derailed a perfectly good argument as we comforted ourselves that our personal recipes were the “best” simply because “it’s what I like.”
Then the argument turned to the loss of revenue to the service stations, restaurants, cabin and motel owners and we were back on track.
The evils of hurting the “little guy” were run up the flag pole just for good measure. Some took umbrage at hurting the mom and pop institutions. Others immediately began to decry the move as the greatest benefit to youth hunters and starting kids out with higher quality mentoring and more opportunity to spend time with family. Hard to fault either argument. As I stated earlier, none of this matters because it is solely our personal preference and the omniscient Pennsylvania Game Commission will ultimately decide our fate, for better or worse.
Discussion on the elimination of the PGC deputy game wardens was tabled for another day’s argument.
Next we decided to do battle on the topic of legal shooting hours. The bulk of those voting members gained consensus that it was generally a good idea to go by the amount of light available to see one’s target before pulling the trigger as the PGC has deemed appropriate. Several of us pitched the idea that a few more minutes might be added to the clock as per the first day of pheasant season on a cloudy day can often result in a shower of shot pellets because there is no possible way anyone can shoot a flying pheasant safely in front of a pointing dog, much less a partially hidden hunter two rows over in the dark. For the sake of tolerance, we were labeled as “stupid” and the discussion proceeded. One member began a rant on why the 9 a.m. pheasant starter and noon dove opener hour was best but could provide little real data or substance for his argument. That was OK by all concerned parties because, as you may remember, “It’s what I like.”
When talk turned to mentoring of our youth, some members preferred the good old days “when boys under the age of 12 were left at home with the women” and longed to be in the field with the men. Their belief was that this made for a hunter who truly wanted to be in the woods and created lifelong hunters. I made the point that these days mom and sis might well be along for the ride and that a large cross section of young ladies attend our hunter safety class – thanks to Jefferson VFD for hosting our Sept. 26 class of 38 members – but it was only a passing thought and I was given the glare that senior playwrights directed towards upstart crows like William Shakespeare. Most of the younger folks seemed to be in favor of today’s methodology of taking Junior afield as soon as he shows some interest. A couple of fellas had apparently read my former column regarding earning the right to take a buck and not just pulling the trigger with all the work being done for them. I have to say it’s difficult to argue against getting a little one in the woods if they really want to be there. Again, it’s OK to have your own opinions because “It’s what I like!”
Additional topics included sending in paper harvest report tags vs. online reporting. Some broached the idea of check stations for both deer and turkey, as is done with bears, but we readily agreed that it would take too much manpower and waste too many precious dollars to effectively incorporate. It would also create a general hassle. There was a short-lived debate on an extended deer season vs. a shorter whitetail rifle season. Some debate was initiated as to a crossbow only season but we all pretty much agreed the idea was stupid.
I closed out the day’s proceedings with a diatribe on my disdain for ear tags. I believe that the tag on a buck should be affixed to the antler base. I know it becomes a problem at the processor when the antlers are removed. I know it is performed in the name of tracking and responsibility. I realize that poachers can be tracked down via the ear tag and that ear tags allow for better data upon which scientists can rely. And I know that the tag affixed to the antler may alter the aesthetic beauty of a photograph. … I understand all of this.
But then again, it’s what I like.
Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com