Childhood Memories That Last A Lifetime

© Othmar Vohringer

On Facebook I came across a “Meme” that contained the following verse: “Memories aren’t made playing video games on the computer.” I had to think about this for a minute and realized that there is a lot of truth in it. Virtually all of my most treasured and vivid childhood memories revolve around outdoor activities with family and friends. Conversely I have almost no recollection of when I started to play (the then) popular video games like Mario and Pong in coffee bars, let alone with whom I played them with and if I lost or won.

While surely not all of the widespread problems with youth today can be blamed on video games, recent social research shows us that some of the more serious social problems can be attributed to these games, especially when children spend many unsupervised hours on the computer. Research done at the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State University showed a clear link between juvenile violent offenders with video games as a high risk factor. Other studies on the social aspect of video gaming and online networking seem to reveal that excessive use, up to 3 hours per day, results in a severe lack of attention leading to reduced school grades, lack of patience and loss of reality in real world life. The research also showed that this in turn leads to violent and angry behaviour patterns in over 80 percent of the research subjects. An equally disturbing trend in the research found that these children also suffer from a lack of empathy, compassion and poor social skills.

In other words, they lose touch with the real world and how to behave in a social group which can lead to emotional and behavioural conflicts within the family and society.

On the flip side, a study commissioned by the Eckhard Foundation showed that outdoor activities provide children with self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and a heightened ability to learn. These children also showed more patience and better social adjustment.

There are scientific reports that children exposed to outdoor activities vastly improve their academic skills and lessen considerably their disruptive behaviour. The benefits of outdoor activities is so great in the positive development of children that many schools and youth offender facilities have developed educational outdoor programs with great success in turning “behaviourally disordered” youth into “behaviourally normal” youth.

To me these findings are a no-brainer, because all outdoor activities can be enjoyed as a family and have fun while doing it. An often ignored factor is that family is the most important social structure in a child’s life. It is in the family where our children learn social skills and the associated problem solving skills without resorting to violence, like in video games.

On that note, engage your children in some of the great outdoor activities, not only will this provide provide youth and adults alike with much needed exercise but create memories shared as a family that will last a lifetime.

Merritt Teenagers Ranking High At Shooting Sports

(This column has previously been published in the Merritt Herald)

© Othmar Vohringer

With all the news in the media about youth drug addiction and crime it is refreshing to see that there are still young people working hard to achieve success in life.

I met Sunshine and Dakota O’Donovan for the first time five years ago when they took part in the youth archery that the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club organized. The siblings enjoyed the bow shooting lessons and eagerly absorbed the knowledge provided. Outside of the program they practiced often and soon became proficient at shooting bows accurately. Two years later they enrolled in the club’s small caliber rifle shooting program under the knowledgeable tutelage of Bruce Merkely, and this has lead Dakota and Sunshine to the point in the shooting sport they are now. With dedication, endurance and many hours of practice at the shooting range Dakota just recently scored another gold medal for his air pistol shooting and is hopeful to reach the necessary points to join the BC shooting sports team that will represent our province in the Canadian Winter Games in February of 2015.

Dakota is training every week three times in Kamloops plus physical conditioning here in Merritt. Sunshine, Dakota’s sister, shows the same dedication with air rifle and is only a few points short of joining the air rifle team to represent British Columbia at the North American Indigenous Games. She too trains hard- in spite of a hectic schedule promoting the film “Shana– The Wolf’s Music” which was filmed last year here in the Nicola Valley and in which she played the lead.

When I spoke to the two teenagers in preparation of this column I could not help but to be amazed at the two. It is indeed rare to find young people in this age of entitlement that still believe in hard work and dedication to achieve their set goals. Throughout the conversation it became apparent that they both enjoy what they are doing and are fully prepared to work for it. Dakota, for example, proudly explained that he delivered newspapers for eight years without missing a single day. The money he earned from that was spent on a compound bow and his biggest pride, his own truck. Sunshine, with all the fame she garnered with her role as “Shana” is still the quiet, modest person that she always has been. With a movie role under her belt she now concentrates on her other goals in life, like joining the team for the North American Indigenous Games.

With that kind of commitment it is hard to believe that the two youngsters still find time to do other things, yet they do. Dakota is, among other things, an accomplished kayaker and a member of the Merritt Search and Rescue Team. Both believe that it is their civic duty to give back to the community by getting involved through sports and charitable activities. During our conversation there were a few times were I had to remind myself that these two are still teenagers 13 and 17 years of age and not adults, such was the wisdom and common sense approach to life the two exuded. As I said, in a time when most teenagers sit around and wait for others to give them things it is refreshing to meet two young people of Dakota’s and Sunshine’s calibre. I wish them both the best of luck in the shooting sport and in life, whatever their achievements will be; they have worked hard for it and that counts for much in today’s world.

New Hampshire: New Way to “Make a Hunter”

© By Othmar Vohringer

New Hampshire has a new opportunity this year for participating in the hunting experience. The Apprentice Hunting License allows people to hunt, under the guidance of an experienced hunter age 18 or older, without first having to take a Hunter Education course. In instituting the program, New Hampshire followed the lead of thirty states that have established apprentice hunting programs over the past five years.

For New Hampshire it is the first year of having this the new license and so far it looks promising as a tool to recruit more hunters. During the spring turkey hunting season, 93 new hunters bought Apprentice Hunting Licenses. Of these, more than half were women, and many were in the 16-25 age group. Some 23% of these hunters (21 in all) were successful – better than the overall success rate for spring turkey hunters the previous year. No safety incidents were reported.

Hunting Season Opener

© By Othmar Vohringer

For hunters the season opening date is like Christmas for children. The closer it comes the more impatient we grow. We have been preparing all year for this event and as it gets closer we become restless, counting down the months, weeks, days and finally the hours. What will the new hunting season bring? Will we get that big deer or bear that eluded us last year? Will it be as good as last year or even better? The morning of the hunt is the only day of the year that I am awake before the alarm begins its annoying blaring. An hour before the sun rises over the mountain tops I am on my way to the spot where the deer leave the field in single file and head up a trail to the top of the hill where they will rest for the day.

When it gets just enough light to see shapes I put an arrow on my bow string and lean back against the tree. The waiting game begins. The deer will shortly start to move off the field and cross by my set-up and if I’m lucky my day will end in the kitchen - cutting and wrapping venison. But an hour later no deer have been seen at my set-up or on the other end of the field. What happened? There is only one way to find out: get up and search for another spot. I hiked up the mountain and found several good places that I know hold deer but I’ll wait to hunt them until the firearm hunting season opens. The worst thing I could do is walk around and risk alerting deer to my presence at this time of year.

This is hunting - there are no sure-fire recipes for success. Despite all the careful preparations you never know what will happen. Some hunters are out every day they can and still end the season with no deer taken. Other hunters are lucky and tag out early in the hunting season like twelve-year-old Tyler Mosley (Photo) from Merritt, BC. On the second day of the youth hunting season Tyler went out with his family to camp in the Petit Creek area. After years of following his father and older brothers on hunting trips this was the first time he would be the hunter and the others would accompany him. Brayden, Tyler’s older brother, led him along a trail where he had captured a large buck on a trail camera a few months previously. With any luck the buck would still be in the area. As the pair walked along the trail they noticed movement in the bush; it was the very same buck. Tyler aimed his rifle carefully and when everything felt right he squeezed the trigger and a few seconds later Tyler proudly admired his very first buck. It will be a memory that will last a lifetime and will be relived and retold many times at many campfires.

I wish you all have a good and above all safe hunting season.

Hunters Helping Kids Ultimate Hunt

© By Othmar Vohringer

On January 3th I wrote in I am back blogging away… about am important connection I made with Mr. Richard Worden. Richard is a member of Hunters Helping Kids where he serves on the National Board of Directors as Sponsorship Chairman. In addition Richard Worden is also the President of the Hunters Helping Kids Northern NY Chapter.

Two days ago he sent me the following event update in the email accompanied by many pictures of which I will post two here.

Hunters Helping Kids Ultimate Hunt

The hunt took place on December. 7 & 8th 2007 we had 12 kids participate with one handicap. It was a great time both kids and us that put this together. There were 4 deer harvested with several missing their shot, however each kid that missed had a great story to tell. We had our meals at a near by fire hall where all meals were served a small auction, music by a group called Noise in the Attic blue grass good old mountain music was a real foot stomping fun time. All the kids mingled with each other exchanging address etc.

The hunt was held on some 6 or 8 hundred acres of private owned land wooded mountainous country very nice hunting area we all met at the camp at the hunting area, took each kid on a tour of the grounds showing them the stands and the area they would be hunting.
Each kid received a camo outfit including boots, a new rifle with scope, backpack full of hunt related items, and a fish pole.

There were some practical joke items exchanged from kids to their guides that they were assigned too, just good old fashion fun things.
Each year we require each kid to write an essay with this year being on what conservation meant to them. The winner received a hand made wood box with a hunt diary and will also receive a plaque by mail.

We are planning our 2008 Ultimate kids hunt for 2009 so watch for our entries as I will have them posted on this site and many others.

Please visit the website of this fine organization and stay tuned to read my announcement here on this blog for a very special interview I will be doing with Mr. Richard Worden.


Tags: Hunters Helping Kids, Hunting Events, Young Hunters

Proud Hunter Moments

© By Othmar Vohringer

Today I would like to share with you two proud moments in my hunting career. As most of you are maybe aware by now, a good part of my time is dedicated to the introduction of young and new hunters into our way of life.

This is Terri Lynne Benoit, sister of noted outdoor writer Toby Benoit. She took part in the junior division of the Florida State Turkey Calling Championship hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation
and Bass Pro Shops in Orlando, Fl. She made it to the second place.

You can read the full story about Terri on Wild Turkey Fever>

Corey, one of the many novice hunters that I have “Godfathered” over the years, sent this picture to me. He tells me what a proud moment it was when he harvested his very first mule deer buck. Well, I am mighty proud of him too. The only regret I have is that I could not have been on his side and share this moment with him personally.

Read the full story about Corey on Whitetail Deer Passion>

To read more about the SHS Othmar Vohringer commitment in “Passing the Heritage On” and take part in a lively online hunter community join the SHS Hunting Chat Forum and take part in the discussions and experience exchange with hunters from all over North America.

Tags: Hunting Heritage, Novice Hunters, Turkey Calling Contest,Florida, Bass Pro Shop, National Wild Turkey Federation, Mule Deer Hunt, Whitetail Deer Passion, Wild Turkey Fever

British Columbia Wants More Hunters

The British Columbia Ministry of Environment has proposed the first major overhaul of the Wildlife Act in more than 25 years. Among the changes is a liberalization of the hunting regulations to meet the provincial goal of generating 20,000 new hunters by the year 2014.

With that the government hopes to reverse the steady decline of resident hunters in British Columbia. A government study released in 2005 showed that the hunter numbers dropped to two percent of the population from six percent in 1981. In 2006 there where 93,701 registered resident hunters in British Clolumbia.

Chris Hamilton, a conflict resolution expert in the ministry who is heading the review said. “The province supports hunting because wild game is organic and the sport encourages people to care about the outdoors, helps to reduce wildlife conflicts with farmers, and contributes to rural economies.”

The government is looking at initiatives that would make it cheaper and easier for young and new hunters to get into the sport, allowing two people to share in certain hunts, and encouraging more hunting of nuisance wildlife such as deer on agricultural land.
Other considerations: allow bow hunters to hunt within a current no-go zone of 400 meters (437 yards) of a highway, and hunting courses taught by women to encourage more female participation in the sport. Hamilton said. "Like any business, if you have half the customers of 20 years ago, you look at what you're doing wrong."

Finally somebody talks sense in the BC government. Hunting and conservation should be looked at as a business. It is the hunter dollars generated form license fees and hunting goods taxes that pay for wildlife and habitat conservation. If the money would have to come from the taxpayers it would mean the end of wildlife and habitat conservation due to the lack of finances.

As a hunter and conservationist I always believed that it is part of Smart Hunting Strategies to be active in recruiting more new hunters to our ranks. For many years I have been actively lobbing the government to make it easier for new hunters to join our ranks. Among the proposed changes to reverse the decline in hunting are:

• Extend the age range for junior licenses -- currently 10 to 14 years -- to 18 years old. A junior hunting license costs $7, including a conservation surcharge, compared with $32 for a B.C. resident adult license.
• For one time only, allow new hunters to try the sport under the direct supervision of a licensed adult hunter, without the requirement to take the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education exam.
• Provide open seasons for mule deer does and white-tailed deer does for hunters under 19 years of age and new hunters.
• Enable successful limited-entry hunting applicants to share their hunt with a hunting partner. Currently, a hunting tag for a species cannot be transferred to another hunter.

It seems that finally our government has seen the light and moves in the right direction. I am particularly happy that the government included new adult hunters too in some of the new hunter benefits. There are many adults that would like to get into hunting but find it very difficult to get started. The new regulations should make it easier for them, and the experienced hunter that helps the novice along the way.

Tags: British Columbia, Ministry of Environment, Young Hunters], Wildlife Act, Conservation, News, Politics, Smart Hunting Strategies, Hunting Heritage

Good News for Young Hunters in Oregon

Most times when I get press releases from the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance it’s depressing news of politicians siding with the anti hunters trying to bully a hunting ban/restriction of some sort or other through the legislator. But then, every once in a while good news comes down the pipe that makes me think that we still have a few law makers on our side of the fence.

The following press release is one of these events that somewhat restore my often faltering fait in a prosperous and bright future of our hunting heritage for generations to come.

Oregon Mentored Hunting Bill Becomes Law
Governor signs bill
June 22, 2007 (Oregon)

The recruitment of young sportsmen will be made easier now that Gov. Ted Kulongoski has signed legislation to allow mentored youth hunting.

On June 11, Gov. Kulongoski signed SB 892. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Roger Beyer, R-Molalla, establishes a mentored youth hunting program to allow children between nine and 14 years to hunt under supervision of a licensed adult. It stipulates that a single firearm may be carried during the hunt, and allows the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to develop safety and ethical standards for participation.

The bill was approved unanimously in the Senate on April 14 and passed in the House of Representatives on May 21 by a vote of 48 to 4.

This bill reflects the goals of the Families Afield campaign, established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Wild Turkey Federation, and National Shooting Sports Foundation. The campaign was developed to eliminate unnecessary hunting age restrictions and ease hunter education mandates for first-time hunters. The National Rifle Association assisted in the campaign for the measure.

Available data from states that have implemented mentored hunting programs show nearly 34,000 new hunters, both children and adults, were safely brought to the field in 2006. There has not been a single hunting-related shooting incident among the newcomers.

Tags: Youth Hunting Program, Oregon, Politics, Law, Legislation, Hunting, NRA, NWTF, NSSF, USSA

Why Hunting Is Good Medicine For Youth, Society And The Environment

By Dr. Randall Eaton

I highly recommend this article to everyone, including non-hunters and anti-hunters. This article, if not the solution to youth violence and disturbed minds at least provides some of the answers why our youth is so messed up in the inner cities.

Hunting Is Good Medicine
(This is a PDF file)

About Dr. Randall Eaton
Dr. Randall Eaton is an internationally known authority in animal behavior and wildlife conservation. PBS TV's NOVA interviewed him about how hunting has preserved and recovered endangered species. The speech he gave at Game Coin on the importance of hunting to conservation in North America was carried by CBS TV National News. His speech in Toronto on why hunting is good medicine for bad kids received national and international media coverage including CBC and BBC. He has been interviewed in Sports Illustrated, Saturday Review, NY Times, Washington Post and LATimes. The recipient of two national book awards, he recently completed From Boys to Men of Heart: Hunting as Rite of Passage. He produced "The Sacred Hunt," all-time, top-selling documentary about hunting and winner of 11 awards. Dr. Eaton has held faculty positions in zoology, psychology, wildlife and humanities at several major universities. He was "Distinguished Conservationist Lecturer" at North Carolina State University and "Distinguished Visiting Scholar" at University of Alberta. He lectures widely on university campuses and to conservation groups in North America and Europe.

Tags: News, Dr. Randall Eaton, Wildlife Conservation, Zoology, Hunting, Youth Hunt, CBS TV, NY Times, Washington Post, The Sacred Hunt, Hunting as Rite of Passage

First Turkey Hunt

On April 15th I posted an article in which I asked hunters to submit a photo and some background information of a recent turkey hunt for a small informal contest. Many readers of this blog and the SHS Hunting Chat Forum responded to the contest. After looking over all the pictures and reading the information supplied one stuck in my mind for days. It is the story and picture of 9 year old Shane and his very first turkey hunt. Perhaps one of the reasons why Shane’s first hunting experience embedded itself in my mind is because that was exactly the age my father took me hunting for the first time and I still can remember every detail like it happened yesterday.

Another reason might be that I am particularly thrilled every time I hear of a first time hunter harvesting his or her first game animal, particularly a young hunter. This gives me a sense of satisfaction that our heritage will survive into a good future.

Here now without further ado is the story of Shane’s first turkey hunt:

On Saturday the 14th of April Shane’s long awaited dream to go hunting with his father finally became reality. This was not just a boy accompanying his father on a hunt- Shane would actually do the hunting himself and his father would tag along as his guide and mentor. Dave, Shane’s dad, knew just the right place to take his boy to; a place Dave knew was well populated with birds and a perfect start for a good Iowa turkey hunt and a young hunter.

Once settled under a big tree Dave started calling and it did not take long to get a reaction from several toms. Amongst the gobbling Dave heard what sounded like a big tom further away responding with thunderous gobbles and he was closing in fast. Dave would have liked for Shane to get a chance at harvesting a monster tom- what father wouldn’t want his child to get the best he can? But Shane decided that he would like to shoot the first jake that responded to Dave’s calling and one was just now strutting at about 27 yards away. Shane had the shotgun shouldered and ready to pull the trigger the moment his father gave him the O.K.

This was Shane’s hunt and whatever legal turkey he wanted as his first trophy was all right by his dad. The 20 gauge shotgun roared loud - Shane’s diligent shooting practice had paid off - before him at 27 yards the jake laid sprawled out on the ground. Shane and Dave jumped simultaneously to their feet running to the downed turkey. Emotions came over Dave, as over every father witnessing a proud moment for his child. After the high fives, cheers and hugs Shane, barely able to talk from all the excitement, asked his father if he could borrow his cell phone so he could phone his uncle to tell him all about the hunt and his first turkey he just had shot. For a jake this was a respectable trophy weighing 15 pounds with a 3 ½ inch beard.

With Shane the future of hunting is in good hands. I am as proud of his achievement as his father Dave and his uncle are and wish him all the best for the future and many more exiting and enjoyable days in the field.

Shane’s uncle is a member of the SHS Hunting Chat Forum and the one that sent me the photo and background information. Thanks to his uncle Shane is the winner of this small contest and will receive a “Othmar Vohringer Outdoors” baseball cap. Congratulations Shane. In the future Shane may harvest bigger turkeys and even monster bucks. Perhaps he will become a celebrity hunter. Who can tell what the future holds for this young boy. But one thing is for certain. April 15, 2007 and that jake will be etched in his memory for the rest of his life.

At this point I would like to thank everybody that has sent pictures and background information of their 2007 spring turkey hunts. All the stories were different showing that hunting means different things to different hunters and that their experiences are very personal and unique. One thing we all have in common is our great appreciation of nature and wildlife and we are all proud to be part of an age old heritage that has been passed on to us from one generation to the next. Now it is our turn to pass it on to the next generation. Please take a child, friend or relative hunting so they too can enjoy the great outdoors.

Tags: Turkey Hunting, Photography, Iowa, Youth Turckey Hunt, Hunting Heritage, Contest, Hunting Forum, Blog, Turkey Calling, Baseball Caps, Toms, Gobbler, Trophy

Tens of Thousands Safely Join Sportsmen’s Ranks

(Portland) – The Families Afield Program led to an astounding jump in the number of new hunters in 2006. The spotless safety record of the freshmen underscores the fact that mentored youth are the safest in the field.

Families Afield is a campaign established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to urge states to eliminate unnecessary hunting age restrictions and ease hunter education mandates for first-time hunters.

During the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Portland, Oregon, the USSA and its partners announced that half of the twelve states that have approved Families Afield legislation and regulations have already measured the program’s performance and report a significant climb in new hunters. Data available from Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Ohio reveals that apprentice hunting license programs brought nearly 34,000 new hunters to the field without a single hunting-related shooting incident.

“The Families Afield program is proving to be safe and effective at boosting sportsmen’s numbers, as we were confident it would,” said USSA President Bud Pidgeon. “Research conducted before apprentice programs were implemented showed that supervised young hunters are the safest in the field, and the new data backs the claim. The most important factor affecting youth hunting safety is the presence of a responsible, attentive adult hunter.”

Children are not the only ones utilizing the apprentice license programs. The licenses are available for first-time hunters of all ages, which means mentors can also take other adults for their inaugural hunting experiences.

Chad Baus, 34, was among the nearly 9,000 apprentice hunters in Ohio. The young man from Archbold, Ohio took his first deer during the 2006 season.

“I recently developed an interest in hunting, but without having tried it, I wasn’t motivated to invest my time in a hunter education course to get a hunting license,” said Baus. “The apprentice hunting program allowed me to try deer hunting and I loved it. From now on, there won’t be a year when I won’t be in the field.”

The apprentice hunting experience was the motivation Baus needed. He has already scheduled to take his hunter education course, and he is planning to introduce his boys and wife to the sport through the apprentice license program.

“It’s a great experience and I want to pass it on,” said Baus.

Lawmakers in California, Nebraska, Maine, Wisconsin and Oregon are considering legislation to enact apprentice license programs and lower hunting age restrictions.

“We hope that the popularity of apprentice programs and the impressive safety statistics will help convince legislators in these states to support efforts that will make it easier for newcomers to enjoy hunting,” said Pidgeon.

Sportsmen who want to support the enactment of Families Afield laws and regulations in their states can use the Legislative Action Center on the USSA website, www.ussportsmen.org. The resource allows visitors to find and send messages to their lawmakers regarding Families Afield and other legislative issues.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organization that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

Tags: ussportsmen.org, Families Afield, Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North American Wildlife, Natural Resources, Portland, Oregon, National Shooting Sports Foundation, NSSF, National Wild Turkey Federation, NWTF