My friend Fred told me a story the other day. I tend to believe it really happened because Fred’s the kind of guy that would do something like this and never look back.
It seems it was daybreak on the first day of Montana elk season. Fred had spent the night in a sleeping bag at a locked gate on a US Forest Service road. You know, one of those roads that’s gated and locked during hunting season to allow walk-in hunting only. He had just crawled out of the sack and was chewing on a granola bar before hiking in to try for a herd bull he had been scouting for the last six weeks.
It seems it was daybreak on the first day of Montana elk season. Fred had spent the night in a sleeping bag at a locked gate on a US Forest Service road. You know, one of those roads that’s gated and locked during hunting season to allow walk-in hunting only. He had just crawled out of the sack and was chewing on a granola bar before hiking in to try for a herd bull he had been scouting for the last six weeks.
He was shrugging into his daypack when a pickup pulled up to the gate. Inside were three men: orange hunting vests, rifles in the gun rack. The guy in the shotgun seat jumped out and, completely ignoring Fred, unlocked the key padlock and opened the gate. The truck pulled through, the guy snapped the lock back on the gate and they drove on in through Fred’s planned walk-in elk hunt.
Fred decided to cancel his planned hunt and move on to another drainage. But here’s the thing: before he left, Fred cut a matchstick-sized twig, drove it into the lock’s keyhole and broke it off. Thinking about those guys trying to come back out through that gate, he walked away smiling.
So I have some questions for those of you who’ve joined me around this virtual campfire.
What do you think of the guy who betrayed the public trust by using his key to let his friends drive into a walk-in-only hunting area? What about Fred’s jamming the lock? Might that have unforeseen consequences? What would you do if you were in Fred’s place?
Me, I’m smiling along with Fred: I think those guys got what they deserved. Would I do it? Would I jam the lock? Well….I’d have to think about it. How about you? Write me here with your comments.
Fred decided to cancel his planned hunt and move on to another drainage. But here’s the thing: before he left, Fred cut a matchstick-sized twig, drove it into the lock’s keyhole and broke it off. Thinking about those guys trying to come back out through that gate, he walked away smiling.
So I have some questions for those of you who’ve joined me around this virtual campfire.
What do you think of the guy who betrayed the public trust by using his key to let his friends drive into a walk-in-only hunting area? What about Fred’s jamming the lock? Might that have unforeseen consequences? What would you do if you were in Fred’s place?
Me, I’m smiling along with Fred: I think those guys got what they deserved. Would I do it? Would I jam the lock? Well….I’d have to think about it. How about you? Write me here with your comments.
Comments:
February 28, 2016 from Rick Love:
Way to go Fred ! Heck yes, I would do the same thing. I hope they had a hell of a time getting that lock open. Some people these days just have no respect.
August 15, 2015 from Wapiti Wayne:
In response to Hunting Ethics: Kudo’s to Fred! If more of us followed his example these big shots with keys would begin to think twice about road hunting in our walk-in hunting spots.
August 11, 2015 from Bitterroot Hunter:
Re: Hunting Ethics: I think Fred was being too hard on the three hunters in the truck. They obviously didn’t have fathers to teach them ethical behavior.
*****
August 10, 2015 from Don Simmons:
An ethical hunter would have written down the license #, state and vehicle description and made a report to the Sheriff, State Wildlife department.
The wood in the lock - seems fair for a criminal to have to work for his illegal harvest - but Judge not the splinter in the offenders eye and ignore the beam in your own.!
******
August 9, 2015 from Jack from the Yaak:
Dear Buckskin Jim: I’m replying to your “Hunting Ethics” letter. Why didn’t Fred just man up and confront those men while they were stopped at the gate? As hunters we need to stand up to SOB’s like this!!
Way to go Fred ! Heck yes, I would do the same thing. I hope they had a hell of a time getting that lock open. Some people these days just have no respect.
August 15, 2015 from Wapiti Wayne:
In response to Hunting Ethics: Kudo’s to Fred! If more of us followed his example these big shots with keys would begin to think twice about road hunting in our walk-in hunting spots.
August 11, 2015 from Bitterroot Hunter:
Re: Hunting Ethics: I think Fred was being too hard on the three hunters in the truck. They obviously didn’t have fathers to teach them ethical behavior.
*****
August 10, 2015 from Don Simmons:
An ethical hunter would have written down the license #, state and vehicle description and made a report to the Sheriff, State Wildlife department.
The wood in the lock - seems fair for a criminal to have to work for his illegal harvest - but Judge not the splinter in the offenders eye and ignore the beam in your own.!
******
August 9, 2015 from Jack from the Yaak:
Dear Buckskin Jim: I’m replying to your “Hunting Ethics” letter. Why didn’t Fred just man up and confront those men while they were stopped at the gate? As hunters we need to stand up to SOB’s like this!!
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