Some folks just get themselves crossways right off the start. This is a dialog from a phone call this morning, 7:30.
Phone rings
McFarmer : hello.
Hunter: do you own land on the west side of the lake ?
McFarmer: who’s calling ?
Hunter: *states name*
McFarmer: yes we do.
Hunter: can I hunt there ?
McFarmer: hunt what ?
Hunter: geese.
McFarmer: all this land is in a Canada goose refuge.
Hunter: my buddies hunt geese all around the lake.
McFarmer: well, I don’t know about your buddies but this side of the lake is a refuge.
Hunter: no, the only waterfowl protection area is south of the lake.
McFarmer: I didn’t say a protection area, I said refuge.
Hunter: it’s the same thing.
McFarmer: whatever, I guess the answer is no.
Hunter: oh. *hangs up*
Let’s hear some other landowner stories about how not to ask for permission, or how not to treat the privilege. I’ve had the pleasure of hosting many hunters, deer, duck, pheasant or whatever. Many bird watchers also. People who enjoy the outdoors are some of the nicest folks around. But, it’s human nature to remember the bad apples longer than the others. Probably an evolutionary thing.
Phone rings
McFarmer : hello.
Hunter: do you own land on the west side of the lake ?
McFarmer: who’s calling ?
Hunter: *states name*
McFarmer: yes we do.
Hunter: can I hunt there ?
McFarmer: hunt what ?
Hunter: geese.
McFarmer: all this land is in a Canada goose refuge.
Hunter: my buddies hunt geese all around the lake.
McFarmer: well, I don’t know about your buddies but this side of the lake is a refuge.
Hunter: no, the only waterfowl protection area is south of the lake.
McFarmer: I didn’t say a protection area, I said refuge.
Hunter: it’s the same thing.
McFarmer: whatever, I guess the answer is no.
Hunter: oh. *hangs up*
Let’s hear some other landowner stories about how not to ask for permission, or how not to treat the privilege. I’ve had the pleasure of hosting many hunters, deer, duck, pheasant or whatever. Many bird watchers also. People who enjoy the outdoors are some of the nicest folks around. But, it’s human nature to remember the bad apples longer than the others. Probably an evolutionary thing.