By Ronnie Parris
Hey folks I hope all is well with you. As I write this, I was looking back through my pictures, mostly the ones I have of my dad, and I guess I realized most of my pictures of dad are either hunting or fishing. It got me to thinking about why we hunt and fish.
I imagine the answers would be different from person to person, because we all go about it in different ways. Some guys want to only target trophy fish or other game. Some will only use a certain technique to catch or hunt the species they are after and will go as far as to belittle anyone using another technique.
So, I got to thinking and questioning why I like to fish and hunt. I came up with multiple reasons as to why it’s so ingrained in my culture. I think number one was from childhood when my dad took me, and it was a bonding comradery. Number two, I love eating fish and wild game. I know what’s in it and what’s not. I know how it’s been handled and the care taken to preserve it. I love trying to utilize every edible piece of meat as a show of appreciation and respect to the game that gave up its life for me. Number three, I really enjoy being in the wild with just the quite peaceful sounds. I can connect with my lord and savior here without the noise of the world getting in the way. Number four, I absolutely love the camaraderie of hunting and fishing with my buddies and my family and seeing the enjoyment shared by all. And I really love the feeling that, through hunting and fishing, I’m connecting to my ancestors that had to hunt and fish to survive.
In today’s world of social media, it’s easy to see hunters and fishermen knock one another for the way or reason they hunt and fish and this is a dangerous slippery slope. Make no mistake, if the antis have their way, not just one type of hunting or fishing will stop, but all will, whether you do it on public or private land or stream. We better open our eyes and band together, as hunters, fishermen and sportsman, to preserve our heritage if we want our kids and grandkids to have this great opportunity— whether or not we agree on technique and such. So, get out there and enjoy what God gave us—and as always, take a kid fishing!
Ronnie Parris is owner and head guide of Smoky Mountain Outdoors Unlimited-Fontana Lake Fishing Guides, headquartered in Bryson City, N.C., heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, www.smokymountainoutdoorsunlimited.com; (828) 488-9711.