“Whomever speaks the loudest…get’s the most attention!”
It’s about communication
Kids today are more entertained and made to feel as though they can live a more adventurous life online. Plus, most of the Outdoor Web sites speak to the avid hunter and fishermen who already own a boat, motor and trailer! The future lies with the next generation.
All this talk about raising the cost of licenses…Perhaps is needed — but is it the right time? I’ll give you an example: A local gun range raises their rates — consequently they are loosing members. Will they survive with less members?
What could they have done differently?
They simply could have shut down half of their trap houses and strategically promoted…perhaps Couples Night! to bring more value to their members. Instead, they go after the pockets of those who keep them in business.
It’s marketing 101.
Bring more value and your best advocates will love you for it! In turn, they will utilize your services more and invite others to join in — see where I’m going?
The kids on the couch and the parents who struggle with time need to find more value. Make it about the price of running the DNR and that’s all you’ll have…a bunch of officials looking across the table for money to sustain what they have already created.
On a side note: Never once have I ever been pulled over by the water patrol and asked, “Hello folks! Are you enjoying yourself today?” ”Just checking to make sure everyone is playing save.” See how I took a situation where many of us may have felt as though the officer was there to ticket you and turn a beautiful day into a rain cloud over your head!
I’ll say it again…Bring more value and you’ll attract more to the sport.
I know I may get flack from this email and I’ve broken a few of my own rules about blogging — but this is a time for all of us to concentrate our efforts in a good way. Whether you are a State Official or parent — it’s not about the cost of enjoying nor is it the rules governing Minnesota’s woods and waters, but rather — what memories can we create and what positive influences will we pass on so the next generation will find value in the Outdoors.
Related Articles
- Iowa hunter numbers continue to fall (thegazette.com)
FML Outdoors.com 
That’s why its a good thing that I have a lifetime license and why I suggest all should get one! Its one way of fighting inflation.
Go online and see if you can purchase your lifetime license. No, you can’t!
You must download a form; fill it out and mail it. Then wait two weeks to see if they approve. They have to check and see if you have been a resident of Minnesota, whether or not you have any back child support unpaid and any convictions. In the mean time, after hearing that licenses may go up…sitting at my computer with credit card in hand — I finally put it away after reading what hoops I must jump through! For a lifetime license for a person my age it would have been a little over $600. I guess they’ll have to wait the next 16 years to get it from me. Oh, and then I figured since I was there, I would purchase my 2011 Sportsmans license. Nope. You can’t do that either. It’s not an option until the end of this years fishing season. Just plain STUPID! Why would I buy a fishing license for this year, knowing that the season is almost over?
When I was a kid growing up, we LIVED for the outdoors. We squeezed as much hunting, fishing and outdoor exploration as we could out of our days!
You know, I’ve thought about it a bit…I see kids bringing video games on fishing trips, hunting trips, camping etc, and I have sort of mixed feelings about it. Ok, you want something to do on the long drive, fine. But when I see a kid in a boat with his dad and the kid has his nose buried in a gameboy, I just think to myself…”That’s too bad, you’re missing out kid!” It’s tough for some parents, they want to get their kid out in the boat or in the woods, but they don’t want them to be miserable and bored the whole time to where they end up hating it. I get that, but if you go outdoors and play video games, you’re completely missing the point. There is a just a growing population that just doesn’t appreciate it.
I understand that these types of activities may not be for everyone, but now more than ever (even considering the much easier ways of contacting one another) kids and other people just aren’t getting introduced to the outdoors they way we used to. Beyond that, it seems like it’s just not taking hold with as many people either.
And now, with more and more families cutting back on things, I fear that if costs rise too much, outdoor activities like hunting, fishing etc will be just one more thing that folks are cutting back on.
I’m 25 years old now, I realize I’m a young guy, but when think of all the running around outdoors we did, the hunting that we were (and are) completely obsessed and in love with, all the fishing we did and running around the river banks, I sadly think that now kids like that are becoming the exception to the norm in a lot of places.
I am so glad to have the love and appreciation for the outdoors that I have! And I really hope and pray that someday my kids can share the same passion and appreciation as I do, not just for hunting and fishing – but also for nature, for wildlife, for adventure beyond video games. Hopefully my family will always share that love and appreciation.