I would like expand on a theme that Bob Keagy started in his presentation at our last dinner meeting. Do what you want, while you can.
Some of us will put off the hunt of a lifetime until it is too late. You never know what the future will bring. We only have a limited number of years of good health, and hunting can be a strenuous sport. Bob was presenting some of his sheep and goat hunts, which are some of the most taxing hunts, but even less strenuous hunts will be a problem as joint problems make themselves known.
The other thing to consider is that the anti-hunters are becoming increasingly effective, especially in California. It doesn’t matter that the animals are in no way endangered. If they were, we would stop hunting them and try to help increase the population as we have done so many times. The antis will do nothing to help preserve the animals, they just want to make their opinions about hunting into law.
So, if you are a hunter, get out there and hunt. It doesn’t have to be a trip to the far corners of the world. We still have some interesting hunting opportunities right here in California.
One of the hunts available that most of didn’t know about until recently is the deer hunts at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center west of Clear Lake. They have deer hunts available on their over 5,300-acre property. They only let a limited number of hunters on the property at one time, so the hunts are by lottery. They had fewer applicants than permits last year and the price went up this year, so I am sure that opportunities will be available again this year. We will send out more details by email when they become available, but you may want to start practicing with your deer rifle or bow.