ORIGINAL: iamyourhuckleberry
I beg everyone to use good judgement here...
I ask this: 1) would you allow anyone to walk onto your property to use your car? Especially, if they were not properly trained to use it? No, you say? Then why the heck would you allow anyone to use your wildlife if they were not properly train there? The Declaration of Independence refers to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Meaning, there will be times when you will be required to work for something-it is not given, nor are you entitled to have it. We have established our government to help protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all-not just those that think they know better than the rest. It is a fine line we walk. We as hunters need to show non-hunters (about 80% of the general population) that we care enough to become proficient with a valuable natural resource. And, that we are willing to protect the safety of the individual and general public. If we do not, trust me, they will take it away! Do you want to risk that simply because you think you know better? Examine bowhunting in England if you think I'm kidding.
Again, it is a small price to pay (work) to play! Chad, How much do you get paid to teach? I'm willing to bet it's nothing! I'm also willing to bet individual DNR departments make nothing and basically cover their costs associated with hunters training courses (It not a government get rich quick scheme).
Huck. I get paid
NOTHING to teach. I am a volunteer. I sometimes drive over 100 miles one way to teach a class. I do it because I want to share all I have learned and help prevent guys from making the same mistakes I have made.
I think the part that people are forgetting is that we as hunters are not in the Majority. And thats why we need to prove to that 80% of the Non-hunting public that we are safe and ethical and provide a service to the general public. If we can't do this then they will take our hunting rights away. IT WILL HAPPEN!!!