David Petersen wrote: Bruce — I believe your Leopold quote, more than any of the hundreds of bits of wisdom he left us with, summarizes hunting’s challenge today and tomorrow. When I was growing up in Okie, we referred to this day as “Decoration” day, when all dead loved ones were remembered and their graves decorated, not just veterans. So today I salute and thank Also Leopold, the best of us so far.
Not to derail this thread, but I couldn’t agree more, Dave. As I write this, I’ve been invited a seat at the table on the advisory group for the Forest Service Travel Plan in our area. One the one hand, I’m grateful to those who saw fit to have a “hunter” perspective represented. On the other, I couldn’t be more discouraged by how in the minority our perspective as traditional hunters has become – between all the recreationalists who, despite their “eco-groovy” veneer, don’t really give a lick about impacts on wildlife as long as they can have ever more mountain biking trails, and the masses of so-called “hunters” who can no longer imagine hunting without an atv and motorized access to every nook and cranny of the backcountry…it is feeling like a truly daunting battle. I have no choice but to try and fight it, and yet the whole mess is giving me an increasingly dim view of our species…
It is the rare person like Leopold, and my committed friends at BHA, who I can take any meager inspiration from these days.
So yes, Mr. Leopold – I salute you from the bottom of my heart.
