Observing some of the fishermen participating in the recent FLW Outdoors and the American Bass (ABA) Tournament of Champions tournaments at Clear Lake, it was easy to see just how intense competitive fishing can be. Some of these guys were so stressed out they could hardly talk. Of course, in major tournaments such as the FLW or ABA, a lot of money is on the line. The FLW winner took home nearly $60,000 in cash and prizes.
A hundred years ago humans had to fish and hunt to put food on the table. In those days someone’s ability to fish and hunt made them a hero in the village. The good news is we no longer need to be successful fishermen or hunters to eat. All we have to do now is drive to the local supermarket. What is considered success when it comes to fishing or hunting? For many people a successful trip is enjoying the fresh air and being outdoors. However, others will not settle for less than bringing home a limit of fish, a wild turkey or a big buck. For example, some hunters won’t even consider anything but a trophy buck. However, others consider the day a success if they just see a few deer and don’t even fire their gun. I place myself in the latter category.
For years I have said that too many fishermen and hunters take their sport too seriously. If they don’t get a limit of ducks or fish they feel the day is wasted. These people are missing out on the outdoor experience.
The actual killing of an animal is part of the hunt, but it shouldn’t be the sole part of hunting and fishing. When I was a boy growing up in Northern Minnesota I was fortunate to have a father who loved to hunt and fish. But he also respected all the creatures in the wild. Spending a day in the woods with my father was like a trip to Disney World. He would point out various birds, wildlife and even plants and explain their existence. He also taught me to always respect all the creatures in the wild.
My most vivid memory of a hunt was when I was 15 years old. I was deer hunting one cold morning in Minnesota when I spotted a huge buck. My heart was beating so fast I thought I would pass out. I raised my rifle and fired. The buck took off running, completely unscathed. I was furious I had missed the buck. Later in the day when I told my dad about the buck and how I had missed it, he just smiled and said, “Hunting is game just like baseball. However if you win, the animal has lost everything, including its life. but if you lose, the animal has won and best of all you’ll get to hunt him another day and you will have actually lost nothing.” I have never forgotten those words spoken to me more than a half-century ago.
In that same spirit, I recently spoke with a hunter who had just returned from a deer hunting trip out of state. He said he had seen a lot of bucks and even elk and moose, yet didn’t fire a shot. He also said the country was beautiful and it was one of the best hunting trips of his life.
On the reverse side I know a duck hunter who leases an expensive duck blind in the Sacramento Valley and he brags about how he and his partner killed more than 700 ducks from their blind last season. He measured his success by the number of ducks and geese killed, not by the hunting experience. His statement was, “If it flies it dies.”
Many fishermen also measure their success by the number of fish they catch. For some, a limit is considered to be the ultimate. However, others aren’t happy unless they catch 30-40. Fishing is supposed to be a relaxing sport and the purpose is to wind down from a high-pressure job or other stressful activities. It’s an activity for a person to get back to nature and relax. I know that most of the time when I am out on the lake fishing I end bird watching instead of fishing.
That’s not to say that bagging a big buck or catching a limit of bass or trout isn’t worthwhile. In fact, it’s the icing on the cake. The lesson is not to take yourself too seriously. It’s also a lot cheaper to buy that Thanksgiving turkey from the local supermarket than go out in the woods and shoot it. But as most hunters know the experience is worth a million dollars. As for myself, I would make a terrible tournament fisherman. Not only am I not as good as the bass pros, but I don’t have that competitive nature.
