Post by Woody Williams on Dec 25, 2005 13:46:56 GMT -5
Small game is no longer a big deal
By PHIL POTTER, Tri-State Outdoors
December 25, 2005
Ever notice that most outdoor publications have forgotten small game stories in favor of the "glamour" species?
Not too many years back you always found tales of quail and cottontails. Squirrels and crow also had their share of the show, not to mention groundhogs and a few other critters.
Today, it's rare to find any of these species in print and for good reason - they don't sell products.
Waterfowl, deer, turkeys and pheasants can sell guided hunts, wearing apparel, decoys, land leases and other goodies.
You never see stories about boys and beagles because no one needs a tree stand, decoy, fancy clothes, etc. to hunt rabbits.
Quail get a few lines here and there, mainly tales dedicated toward wing shooting on plantations or game preserves.
So what killed off the stories on small game? Aside from crass commercialization, there are a host of reasons. One is small game hunters are becoming a minority.
Dog ownership is expensive and some areas don't permit them. On the other hand, it takes little effort to house a deer stand or dust off decoys.
Plus, robust suppers of fried rabbit, biscuits and gravy have hopped off the menu. Mention cooking squirrels to the squeamish and they equate your tastes with those of Neanderthals.
Maybe if someone made a video game that featured dogs and small game, armchair hunters could relate and want to be a part of it.
In today's world of dollars and nonsense, states such as Illinois realize the value of wildlife, especially small game. In Illinois, fishing and hunting annually provides about 40 million hours of recreation that generate $2.3 billion and support 13,000 jobs.
To help keep up interest, the Department of Natural Resources uses its state magazine - "Outdoor Illinois" - to feature stories about small game including where to find it and how to hunt it. Its focus is on showcasing affordable pleasures on state areas.
There needs to be more of a national impetus toward saving and restoring small game habitat and writing stories popularizing these outdoor pursuits.
I'd like to see a return of the "Me and Joe" stories rather than a treatise on how to bag a trophy buck or monster longbeard.
Hopefully, there are still enough individuals who miss reading these kinds of stories and will demand their return.
ยท In Illinois, it is illegal to intentionally feed wild deer. Everything from grain to mineral blocks is included. Violating this law can result in fines up to $1000. For a list of feeding exemptions go online at
dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.html or call 217-782-6302.
www.courierpress.com/ecp/local_sports/article/0,1626,ECP_749_4340986,00.html
By PHIL POTTER, Tri-State Outdoors
December 25, 2005
Ever notice that most outdoor publications have forgotten small game stories in favor of the "glamour" species?
Not too many years back you always found tales of quail and cottontails. Squirrels and crow also had their share of the show, not to mention groundhogs and a few other critters.
Today, it's rare to find any of these species in print and for good reason - they don't sell products.
Waterfowl, deer, turkeys and pheasants can sell guided hunts, wearing apparel, decoys, land leases and other goodies.
You never see stories about boys and beagles because no one needs a tree stand, decoy, fancy clothes, etc. to hunt rabbits.
Quail get a few lines here and there, mainly tales dedicated toward wing shooting on plantations or game preserves.
So what killed off the stories on small game? Aside from crass commercialization, there are a host of reasons. One is small game hunters are becoming a minority.
Dog ownership is expensive and some areas don't permit them. On the other hand, it takes little effort to house a deer stand or dust off decoys.
Plus, robust suppers of fried rabbit, biscuits and gravy have hopped off the menu. Mention cooking squirrels to the squeamish and they equate your tastes with those of Neanderthals.
Maybe if someone made a video game that featured dogs and small game, armchair hunters could relate and want to be a part of it.
In today's world of dollars and nonsense, states such as Illinois realize the value of wildlife, especially small game. In Illinois, fishing and hunting annually provides about 40 million hours of recreation that generate $2.3 billion and support 13,000 jobs.
To help keep up interest, the Department of Natural Resources uses its state magazine - "Outdoor Illinois" - to feature stories about small game including where to find it and how to hunt it. Its focus is on showcasing affordable pleasures on state areas.
There needs to be more of a national impetus toward saving and restoring small game habitat and writing stories popularizing these outdoor pursuits.
I'd like to see a return of the "Me and Joe" stories rather than a treatise on how to bag a trophy buck or monster longbeard.
Hopefully, there are still enough individuals who miss reading these kinds of stories and will demand their return.
ยท In Illinois, it is illegal to intentionally feed wild deer. Everything from grain to mineral blocks is included. Violating this law can result in fines up to $1000. For a list of feeding exemptions go online at
dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.html or call 217-782-6302.
www.courierpress.com/ecp/local_sports/article/0,1626,ECP_749_4340986,00.html
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