Thursday, December 15, 2011
If you could go hunting in Alaska with....?
I'm already in Alaska and have my lifetime hunting/fishing/trapping license securely encased in my wallet ready, willing, and able to enjoy any of the many pursuits for which Alaska is so world famous. I'm willing to hunt and fish with just about anyone at least once before ping final judgment....unless they insist on carrying their Browning .25 auto as a back-up for bears. Alaska truly is a last frontier that has its own way of separating the men from the boys. I have my own preferences for guns at hand and as ready to go as I am. The same goes for fishing tackle, along with my two canoes and two boats and a "Joyner~Trooper 2" side by side which I consider to be the Cadillac of ATV's. I have to chuckle a bit when I notice that NONE of our answering team mates indicated any desire to hunt with me. If you ONLY knew who I really am and what my actual and factual background is regarding an entire adult life spent in occupations relating to our GREAT outdoors, you would probably fight each other for the chance to share my campfire. (I am really getting a major chuckle out this.) I doubt very seriously whether any among us can compare their credentials with mine and come out of it with a better resume. If you had a chance to hunt with a full time professional wildlife artist who has won almost 300 awards in his life time including 19 Best Of Show honors, would you consider him worthy? Or would you rather trust your luck to a former Master Taxidermist who's experience has taken him all the way to the top as a show manager, competition judge, and instructor to the World Taxidermy Championships? Would it give you any confidence to hunt with an NRA Safe Hunter Instructor certified in 3 states INCLUDING Alaska, especially knowing he was once also a certified emergency medical technician just in case you still screw up and shoot yourself in the foot (or worse)? How would you like to hunt with a widely published outdoor writer and former outdoor newspaper editor/publisher? Does a background as a state licensed hunting & fishing guide and hunting preserve owner/operator in one of our larger western states have any influence? Or are you put off and maybe even slightly intimidated by the fact that you would be hunting with a former Alaska State Game Warden (called Protection Officers back then before they became State Troopers)? Please don't take me too seriously. I am genuinely amused by the answers and the choices I've read so far. I've been smiling the whole while I wrote this reply. The one thought that keeps coming to my mind again and again is..."If they only knew. If they ONLY knew!" But you don't. And so... I wish you good huntin' in Alaska.... with the guns and the guides of your own choosing. Just remember what I said about Alaska's attitude toward separating men from boys. She can be heartless and harsh. It doesn't take Her long to decide which one you are. Be ready. Good luck. I'll be watching for you. You won't have any trouble picking me out of the crowd. I'll be the one with the smile. LOL
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