Hunting for Sustainability 2021

Over the last several years, Timber to Table Guide Service has hosted an event focused on giving brand new hunters, or those interested in becoming a hunter, an all-encompassing, multi-day experience that educates the participants on all facets of what hunting is.  This course is a collaborative effort with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Colorado Parks and Wildlife and it wouldn’t be possible without these partnerships.

As far as curriculum goes, ethics and what being an ethical hunter means is a huge pillar in the 3-day course and it comes up over and over.  Other big picture concepts are:

1)    Why we have wildlife management;

2)    The importance of good habitat and the hunter’s role in being a good steward of the resources we depend on;

3)    Some basic parameters for going hunting;

4)    Rules and regulations in Colorado;

5)    And a morning of shooting various firearms at the local range.

 However, it’s not all discussions from folding chairs.  This year, one of our students was able to harvest his first animal, a mule deer doe, which served as a platform for our field dressing, skinning and quartering demonstration.  Through CPW, we were able to receive a confiscated cow elk from an illegal take and this animal was used for our butchering/processing demonstration.  These hands-on experiences are phenomenally valuable for the attendees as they can really overcome some big mental hurdles and gain understanding in terms of what they have to do if they’re hunting for themselves. 

What’s also pretty cool is that during these classes a lot of things come up that aren’t always on the agenda but are extremely valuable nonetheless.  The “teachable moments” that pop up through real life scenarios during this class are never ending and often time really drive home the topics that come up in previous discussions.  A couple cases in point from this year’s event:

1)    Usually the animal we have available for processing is a deer and it’s in really good shape.  The cow elk we processed was not in good shape from the standpoint of meat care.  It was covered in dirt and grass.  The carcass had been cut in half, basically destroying the tenderloins and a lot of the backstraps.  The animal hadn’t been cooled properly and significant amounts of meat was soured around the bones, particularly in the hindquarters.  However, instead of just criticizing irresponsible hunters we took advantage of the opportunity to highlight the vital importance of meat care.  The fact that those students got to directly see and smell firsthand what poor meat care is and how it can be avoided was huge.

2)    Our deer hunter missed a shot on a doe his first morning out.  While bummed about missing a good opportunity, there was a lot of field-related tips that came out from the miss.  When we got back to the rest of the class, we spent some time talking about those important hunting habits that come about through time afield.  A few examples:  the importance of making your first shot a good one and determining what a good shot looks like and feels like to the individual hunter since not everyone’s confidence level is the same; quietly loading your rifle chamber so as not to spook animals; immediately chambering another round after your first shot and getting the same animal in your scope; remembering exactly where the animal was standing when you shot and also exactly where you shot from; noting the animal’s behavior post-shot; not walking on tracks or disturbing the ground where your blood trail might be found; having your rifle with you at all times…and on and on.  A lot can happen in a very short period of time when a shot opportunity presents itself!

 As bonus take-homes, participants got some elk meat they processed themselves and a copy of “Beyond Fair Chase” by Jim Posewitz they were given by CPW.  If you don’t own “Beyond Fair Chase”, it’s worth picking up.  Hopefully all of the students will become lifelong, engaged, ethical hunters.

Lastly, a huge thanks to those who make this fantastic event happen:  Ana, my wife, first and foremost, who leads the processing component (which is always the highlight) and makes everything happen; Andrew Taylor and Brandon Diamond with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for their passion, knowledge, and experience in the hunting, wildlife and social-dimension realms, Brien Webster, Brett Jones, and Gabby Zaldumbide with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers for facilitating great discussions.

Thank you for reading and as always, please give a shout if you have any questions. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!