Thoughts, and notes, from across the pond
By Dave Bates
For the Observer-Reporter
This month’s ramblings come from across the globe, and I wanted to start by sharing some surprising information that I gleaned from a recent trip to the United Kingdom.
While navigating the streets of London during a family vacation, we continued to encounter a startling vein of support from our cousins across the pond. Oddly enough, it came in the form of the London-based cab driver, but we saw more of the same from Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. These chaps were surprisingly well-educated in the way of life that we Americans often take for granted. Somehow I predicted a certain degree of resentment or hostility would be directed towards us as citizens of the country that broke with England, especially as we were traveling over our Fourth of July holiday. I could not have been more off course. They were quite well-informed, most tolerant of our differences and, dare I say, appreciative, if not jealous, of the basic freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
With each stop we would encounter a cabby who was most eager to question us on our way of life, our precious rights as American citizens and the general well wishing of having visited their country (formerly our home). The first and second amendments being some of the most frequently encountered topics of discussion.
While I don’t think that this driver meant it as a compliment, he stated, “We find your Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden delightful entertainment.” OK, so the world is watching. His next statement left us virtually speechless. Our driver said, “Make sure you hold onto your second amendment rights or you will find yourselves in the same predicament that we are in, today.” Shocked to say the least, I thought this might be an isolated case. Again, I was incorrect. With each cab driver, we found ourselves entering into the same thread of discussion. When folks from the U.K. engaged us in conversation, they almost always brought the conversation around to the rights that we enjoy and often take for granted.
Because I only have today’s column to address this issue, I will stick to this basic tenet. We are blessed with freedoms of all manner. Our fighting men and women have secured the blessings of liberty for our next generations. It is our responsibility to maintain, improve and preserve these precious rights. The boil down: Folks in the United Kingdom are ruled. We, the American people, have the keys to democracy in our hands. We are, or should at least be, in the driver’s seat. Is it perfect? No. Is it still ours? For the time being. Lest we forget.
I’ll close with this: At 2 p.m. on the Fourth of July, I watched a ship full of passengers, mostly American, gather poolside to sing our national anthem. This was a surprise, at least to me, on a cruise ship. There were a lot of souls on deck. Every person was at full attention. No one had to ask for the removal of hats. It was silent except for the words of our Star-Spangled Banner. Salutes were rendered, hearts were covered, tears were shed. For a moment, we all gave thanks for being Americans … in the middle of the North Sea. Lest we forget. God Bless America.
* The Greene County Beagle Club will hold its fourth annual state youth hunt Saturday, Aug. 3.This is a great introduction to the world of rabbit hunting. Hunters can use their own dogs or borrow dogs from the club. If you are interested in learning more about beagling or rabbit hunting in general, contact Jake Cumberledge at 724-710-6302 for more information.
* If you have not consulted your calendar (or your team of lawyers because it certainly has gotten more complicated in recent years to buy a hunting license in Pennsylvania), you might want to do so. The following is the schedule from the Pennsylvania Game Commission website for antlerless deer license sales, in case you missed the dates:
2nd Round: Begins July 22, 2024, at 8 a.m.
3rd Round: Begins August 12, 2024, at 8 a.m.
This information and much more is available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission at www.pgc.pa.gov
* Ryerson Station Park will be hosting a hunter safety class (HTE) Saturday, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For more details, access the PGC site, listed above. Go to the PGC HTE or hunter trapper education section to locate a course offering.
* The Hunting Hills Hawkeyes sporting clays program will host an end of the shooting season picnic Sunday, Sept. 8, for anyone interested in learning more about competing in the sporting clays venue. Contact Hunting Hills at 724-324-2738 for more information.
* Application deadline for the Pennsylvania Shooting Range Improvement Program is Sept. 1. This new grant program will provide funding to increase opportunity, access, and safety at sportsmen’s clubs throughout Pennsylvania. Eligible projects span all shooting disciplines and include development and renovation of facilities, construction of backstops and safety berms, addition of permanent target systems, creation of shooting stations and covers, lead remediation, and more. To learn more about the Range Improvement Program, visit: www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/StateGameLands/StateGameLandsRanges/Pages/Range-Improvement-Program.aspx
Have a wonderful summer and get out and enjoy the great outdoors.
Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com