You might think that 51 plus 43 equals 94, and in most instances, you would be correct.
However, to me, 51 plus 43 equals success!
On Saturday, April 18, my instructor team consisting of myself, Jim Picard and Terry Wetmiller, held a spring basic Hunter Safety training course with fifty one students in attendance. On Sunday, April 19, we followed that with a Bow Hunter Safety training course and had forty three students in attendance. And, I might add, ALL passed the final test and were issued a certificate allowing them to purchase their New York State hunting license.
Why is this a big deal? Well, for Jim, Terry and I, it is a measure of personal success in our efforts to pass on and support the tradition of hunting in New York State and our country as a whole. Even more importantly, it is a measure indicating that hunting and the interest in our sport is alive and well thank you very much. Let me repeat that, hunting and the ownership and use of guns a proper and safe way ARE DOING WELL!
And before I forget, I would like to thank those who came to our support. First, the Town of Wilton for donating the use of the Boy Scout camp and special thanks to Larry Gordon for making all those arrangements. Next, to Stone Industries for supporting us with portable toilets without which we would have had a difficult time. To DEC officer Steve Shaw for giving of his time to come to the course and explain some of the hunting laws and by projecting to these new hunters that the ECO personnel in uniform are out there to assist and protect our hunters in a very positive way. And a huge thanks to the Wilton Rod and Gun Club, and particularly to Matt and Ron, for the use of their facilities on both Saturday and Sunday enabling us to get our range training completed and give these new hunters some first-hand experience with a rifle, shotgun and bow. Lastly, to my two friends and fellow instructors for their continued effort and support and without whose knowledge and experience, our courses would never be conducted. Thanks, Terry and Jim.
And I would be a sorry excuse for an instructor if I didn't thank all of the students who attended, particularly those who took the basic course on Saturday and then came back the next day to take the bow course. Two days of listening to me talk for six to seven hours should qualify them for some sort of a badge or medal or maybe a reward.
The real issue, however, is the fact that we not only had these many students attend these courses, but that we had to turn away at least half as many again because we didn't have enough room to handle any more. Literally dozens of potential hunters will have to wait until we hold another course in the fall to become licensed. The interest level indicated by the number in attendance and turn-aways makes my heart happy. It illustrates the strength of the interest in hunting and shooting sports in spite of all of the negative pressure directed at us by those who want to limit gun ownership and hunting rights.
There was a real victory for us on Saturday. Two women came to the course with no intentions of hunting in the future. They told us that they just wanted to learn more about what we did and why people wanted to hunt and use guns. One lady had never held nor used a gun before in her life. When we went to the range, I personally took her under my wing and coached her through both the shooting of a rifle and shotgun. She was scared to death as we approached the firing line. When we had completed both firing stations, she was all smiles and told us that she had a great time all day and had become a fan of our instructor team and our sport. Score one for our team!
Next course will be in September as we prepare for the 2009/2010 big game season. Email me if you have interest in attending and I'll give you the registration information. And if you are an experienced hunter with three years under your belt and would like to become an instructor, let me know and I'll get you started down a very rewarding road.
I'll see you in September and I'll see you outdoors!
You can reach Dick at rtotino@nycap.rr.com
On Saturday, April 18, my instructor team consisting of myself, Jim Picard and Terry Wetmiller, held a spring basic Hunter Safety training course with fifty one students in attendance. On Sunday, April 19, we followed that with a Bow Hunter Safety training course and had forty three students in attendance. And, I might add, ALL passed the final test and were issued a certificate allowing them to purchase their New York State hunting license.
Why is this a big deal? Well, for Jim, Terry and I, it is a measure of personal success in our efforts to pass on and support the tradition of hunting in New York State and our country as a whole. Even more importantly, it is a measure indicating that hunting and the interest in our sport is alive and well thank you very much. Let me repeat that, hunting and the ownership and use of guns a proper and safe way ARE DOING WELL!
And before I forget, I would like to thank those who came to our support. First, the Town of Wilton for donating the use of the Boy Scout camp and special thanks to Larry Gordon for making all those arrangements. Next, to Stone Industries for supporting us with portable toilets without which we would have had a difficult time. To DEC officer Steve Shaw for giving of his time to come to the course and explain some of the hunting laws and by projecting to these new hunters that the ECO personnel in uniform are out there to assist and protect our hunters in a very positive way. And a huge thanks to the Wilton Rod and Gun Club, and particularly to Matt and Ron, for the use of their facilities on both Saturday and Sunday enabling us to get our range training completed and give these new hunters some first-hand experience with a rifle, shotgun and bow. Lastly, to my two friends and fellow instructors for their continued effort and support and without whose knowledge and experience, our courses would never be conducted. Thanks, Terry and Jim.
And I would be a sorry excuse for an instructor if I didn't thank all of the students who attended, particularly those who took the basic course on Saturday and then came back the next day to take the bow course. Two days of listening to me talk for six to seven hours should qualify them for some sort of a badge or medal or maybe a reward.
The real issue, however, is the fact that we not only had these many students attend these courses, but that we had to turn away at least half as many again because we didn't have enough room to handle any more. Literally dozens of potential hunters will have to wait until we hold another course in the fall to become licensed. The interest level indicated by the number in attendance and turn-aways makes my heart happy. It illustrates the strength of the interest in hunting and shooting sports in spite of all of the negative pressure directed at us by those who want to limit gun ownership and hunting rights.
There was a real victory for us on Saturday. Two women came to the course with no intentions of hunting in the future. They told us that they just wanted to learn more about what we did and why people wanted to hunt and use guns. One lady had never held nor used a gun before in her life. When we went to the range, I personally took her under my wing and coached her through both the shooting of a rifle and shotgun. She was scared to death as we approached the firing line. When we had completed both firing stations, she was all smiles and told us that she had a great time all day and had become a fan of our instructor team and our sport. Score one for our team!
Next course will be in September as we prepare for the 2009/2010 big game season. Email me if you have interest in attending and I'll give you the registration information. And if you are an experienced hunter with three years under your belt and would like to become an instructor, let me know and I'll get you started down a very rewarding road.
I'll see you in September and I'll see you outdoors!
You can reach Dick at rtotino@nycap.rr.com
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