Wildlife Wall Decor

It was a joy to read about all the unique species of wild turkeys roaming the East and Southern states of the USA.  The article I’m referring to is pages 98 - 101 in December/January 2009 Outdoor Life Magazine.  The article mentions that in Florida alone, there is estimated between 80,000 and 100,000 turkeys.  In the last seven years, my wife and I have traveled almost every State and visited many of the national forests, and we have never spotted wild turkeys, although I have heard them in the trees.

On the other hand, while traveling north of Spokane, Washington, in spring of 1999, near the Colville National Forest on Highway 395, traffic was stalled for nearly twenty minutes while a flock of 22 wild turkeys drifted across the highway.  Travelers were fascinated with the wild birds’ lazy behavior and vocal chatter.  It was a royal event as we watched them stroll and fly to shelter.

In addition, I marveled at the respect travelers showed towards the preservation of wildlife in this area, a rare and unusual sighting, indeed. 

Cold weather camping while hunting and fishing, or taveling in an RV has some risks.  Ventilation is a key ingredient to healthy camping.   The presence of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from heaters, stoves, and lanterns kills careless outdoorsmen every year.   If you are a camper or hunter, you owe it to your family to read the article “The Silent Killer,” by Rich Johnson, on pages 34 and 35, in the December/January 2009 Outdoor Life Magazine. 

While camping, especially over night, ALWAYS crack the ceiling vent or window in your tent or trailer.  Your life depends on it!

During the holiday season everyone is running around doing their best to buy gifts for all the people on their list.  If you happen to have one of those hunter, fisher, wildlife lovers in your family, here are a few gifts sure to delight:

~Etched Mirrors; if your hunter happens to be male, an etched mirror with a wildlife design ensures he just might check out how he looks before he leaves the house. 

~Hunting Clothing; camouflage jackets, reflective vests, warm hats—all potential gift ideas for the hunter on your list. 

~GPS Units; excellent for knowing where you are in the outdoors, and to prevent getting lost.

~Trophy Mounts; to serve as a lasting reminder for all those hunts and kills, you could also consider taxidermy services as an additional gift.

Before the ships under the command of Christopher Columbus ever set sail, there were hundreds of tribes of Native American peoples living in America.  These people had rich cultures which were rooted in wildlife and nature.  Ancient cave drawings created by Native Americans still exist in several areas of the United States.  These drawings depict the important aspects of their culture; hunting, fishing, and animal spirits played a huge part in their development as a people and a culture. 

It was in these caves and through Native American peoples that modern wildlife art was first conceived.  When European settlers arrived they recognized the Native American people’s bond with nature, and since, our fascination with the wild, unexplored frontier has allowed us to create our own art in celebration of animals and nature.

We loved camping in the Northwest National Forest campgrounds.  While hiking the natural wildlife trails and fishing in the mountain lakes and streams, we often picked wild blackberries, huckleberries, and ate pan-fried trout for meals.  I carried a .25 automatic pistol to scare away any wild creatures who were uninvited. As I reflect on the many years in the woods, carrying that kind of weapon was a joke, especially after reading the article in the Field and Stream Magazine, November 2008, page 8.  I must thank the good Lord for our safety!

The article describes Aaron Wycoff, at age 34, wrestling a wounded 400-pound black bear, all the while shooting the bear seven times with his .45 pistol.  It finally took an additional two rounds, one round of a .44 magnum pistol and a round from a friend’s rifle to put the bear down.  After 17 staples in Aaron’s body, it’s a scary thought how hopeless my .25 pistol would have been.  It’s a joke! . . . I would have been served up for the bear’s dinner!

It’s fascinating how the Native American’s lifestyle demonstrated their love for the creatures living on land, in air, and water.  The Indians also developed a unique conservation program by creating multiple foods and bi-products from the bodies of animals, birds, and fish.  An example of not being wasteful is the way they processed the buffalo.  The buffalo was more than meat.  The hide was used for teepees, moccasin tops, winter robes, bedding, clothing, pouches, paint bags, quivers for arrows, utensils, knives and weapons.  The Indian women also made dolls from the buckskins.

My appreciation of the Native American way of life is reflected in the wildlife decor we use in our home.  It helps to remind us of the conditions of living in the pioneering days.    

Another wildlife silhouette is captured in the November 2008 Outdoor Life Magazine, page 43.  The informative article is about understanding the nature of whitetail deer during rut season.  Not too long ago, gearing up to hunt the elusive deer or elk was really very simple.  You purchased a rifle, ammo, a sharp knife, a good rope and a license.  You packed a mule with sleeping gear, water, cookware, food for the trip, and saddled your horse with a sack full of pure luck!

After reading the popular magazines on hunting and fishing, and shopping at the Bass Pro and Cabela’s sporting goods stores, I’m convinced that the current trends of today’s outdoorsman is truly scientific.  The price of equipment, weapons, first-aid, tools, transportation, food and clothing is in the $1000.00’s.  Expense is one thing, but educating a hunter  for a safe and successful outdoorsman is another major expense.  The young family that will hunt and fish together is not only rich but also wealthy.

Should you have an IRA and are approaching 70 years old, you might want to read Ducks Unlimited, November 2008, page 29.  DU has an article that explains tax benefits for US citizens 70 1/2 years and older.    “At age 70 1/2 years, you must begin taking distributions from your IRA whether or not you need this additional income stream.” 

For relief, Congress has approved a gift method using your IRA.

The value of the increased distributions can be used as a donation.  For example, Ducks Unlimited can use the gift toward waterfowl conservation and the donor avoids an additional tax burden from these distributions. 

Check it out!  . . . And support the sport of hunting wild ducks and geese.