His Revelation

I awake to the sound of my dad stirring in the pitch black night and within a few moments the light of the old Coleman lantern begins to fill the tent with a soft glow. The year is 1971 and my dad, brother and I are awakening to opening morning of deer season in southeastern New Mexico’s Guadalupe Mountains.

Since that time, my hunting adventures have taken me to many of New Mexico and Southern Colorado’s most treasured landscapes. From the brown, rocky and cactus filled country of the Bootheel, to the cool, conifer and aspen covered mountains of Northern New Mexico and Colorado. Through the many changes that have occurred over the past 46 years, the one constant throughout that time has been family and the outdoors.

My dad, who was a farmer most of his life, understood the connection to the natural world as much as anyone I have ever known. And that connection was passed along to my brother and I. The past twenty years, while others may have taken trips to Disneyland or other far away places, my wife and I have taken our two sons to explore New Mexico’s great outdoors. Much of this time hunting New Mexico’s most wild landscapes in search of wild game.

Today only around 5% of our country’s population participate in hunting making my family a minority in an increasingly urban society. The naivete of my way of life has lead to many questions about why I hunt. Although I often explain about the meat it provides my family, the memories we make in the field, and the breathtaking landscapes we get to visit, further reflections reveals it is much more than that.

Psalms 19:1 and Roman’s 1:20 speak to the majesty of God’s creation and describe the two ways He reveals himself to us. One is the special revelation which is God revealing himself through scripture and through Christ, The second way is the general revelation which is God revealing himself to all mankind through His creation.

It is when I read these passages that it becomes most clear to me why I spend time hunting and in the outdoors. It is here that I feel the awesomeness of God through time spent in His creation. Sitting in a duck blind as a hint of pink pierces the eastern horizon, traversing rugged mountain landscapes in search of a mule deer buck, or listening to the sound of a bugling bull in an otherwise completely silent morning. Walking the quiet of a desert with family in search of Gambel’s quail or near a farmer’s field waiting for dove to pass overhead. These are all examples of the remarkable access we have to our Creator through the General Revelation.

This is all part of God’s creation that He uses to reveal His most intimate characteristics: a God of might, intelligence, and order. A God who controls powerful forces. For those who do not have God’s word, have no excuse for not knowing Him. His creation is a testimony to His existence. And it is creation that allows me to feel a closer connection to Him that cannot be obtained in our society’s urban settings. God does not say He will reveal himself through man-mad institutions or structures, or sports, work or other aspects of our culture’s prominent values. But He does say He will reveal himself through His creation and that is ultimately why hunting in wild  places has given so much pleasure. There can be no greater connection to the natural world, than in search of wild game. And it is through this connection, that I am most aware of His presence as He uses the most majestic aspects of His creation to greet me.

“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

The Christian Faith is not a Political Ideology

The politics of our country are obviously quite polarized. As an registered independent, I try to make scripture my guide as opposed to a political party or ideology.

What is troublesome is the perception that the Christian faith is most logically aligned with one party. And those on the other side will lump all Christians together with that party and align political ideologies and principles with that of the Christian faith.

The reality is something much different. There are no Republicans or Democrats in the bible. They don’t exist. The primary theme in the Christian faith is that our Savior Jesus Christ died for the sins of man providing all who believe the opportunity for eternal life.

Aside from that truth, scripture is full of other principles that we are asked to follow to ensure that we live a life that glorifies him And also provides clarifications on the different types of sin.

Pride is a root sin that is a driver of many other types of sin including lying, dishonesty, lust, jealousy, envy, vanity etc. Yet pride is something we see displayed in politicians regardless of party. Through tweets, interviews or other media we see pride raise it’s ugly head every day among our politicians. And as a result, the fall out sins from pride continue to run rampant among our society and our politicians. (Ephesians 2:3-4, Ephesians 1:27, etc.)

The environment is also something that has become politicized. However, scripture is quite clear that we are called to be stewards of the environment and God uses it to glorify himself. In Romans, Paul indicates there are only two ways that God reveals himself to us: one through scripture and the other through God’s creation. Although scripture may also call for man to have dominion over creation, dominion equates to leadership and biblical based leadership is one of service. The political parties are confused about the connection between the environment and the Christian faith. (Psalms 8:6, Psalms 19:1-6, Romans 1:20 etc.)

Scripture also warns of idolatry throughout the bible. Followers of Christ are not to hold any other idols above God. Forms of idolatry in today’s society include materialism, money, celebrities, sports, work , power or anything else that is held above that of God. Both political ideologies have idols and our society holds idols outside of God in high esteem. (Job 31:24-28, Matthew 6:34, etc.)

Our responsibility to take care of the poor, sick and elderly is part of scripture throughout the bible. And scripture is clear that it will be difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yet our secular society and political ideologies focus on improving the wealth of man and individuality caring only about self. We are called to take up the cause of the fatherless, take care of the widow and defend the oppressed. Not beat them down for our own self-interests. All mankind was created in the image of God. (Isaiah 1:17, etc.)

The sanctity of life is an important principle of the Christian faith. And as Christians we believe that life begins at conception and thus according to scripture, taking a life is murder. Unfortunately, the sanctity of life has also been politicized when we should look to scripture for guidance. (Genesis 4:8-10, James 5:6 etc.)

Isaiah has a vision in Chapter 2 of a time when swords will be turned into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. A time when nations will not take up sword against nations or train for war anymore. But, this only will happen when we follow God’s laws and obey them thus resulting in the triumph of biblical faith which results in peace. Given our country spends over half of it’s budget on military and weapons of war and we recently increased our defense budget by $50B, it’s obvious biblical faith has not won over our political parties or our country’s values. And it certainly has not won out in other parts of the world given hundreds of years of violence and wars. (Isaiah 2:3-5, etc.)

Throughout scripture, we are called to live with humility, love our neighbor as ourselves, and the promotion of other’s needs above our own. To do anything else and still call ourselves followers of Christ is a form of hypocrisy. Yet regardless of political affiliation, we do not live humbly and as Americans we live by the tenet of “Me First”. (Ephesians 4:2, Luke 10:27-32, etc.)

Integrating the Christian faith with nationalism is also a popular theme in our society. And although we should be patriotic and loyal to our country, nationalism has nothing to do with being a follower of Christ. There is nothing in scripture that indicates we will spend eternity in heaven by being a good American.

There are more examples of how scripture may not line up with political ideologies, however, reading and meditating on God’s word is a life long pursuit. Ultimately, we are all sinners and fall short and thus are saved by God’s grace. However, it is important to note that secular media or secular political ideologies regardless of party affiliation do not represent the Christian faith. Only God’s Word can outline what we must believe and how we are to live our lives. I encourage everyone to critically think and evaluate what God’s Word actually says as opposed to any secular stereotype.

 

 

 

His Revelation

I awake to the sound of my dad stirring in the pitch black night and within a few moments the light of the old Coleman lantern begins to fill the tent with a soft glow. The year is 1971 and my dad, brother and I are awakening to opening morning of deer season in southeastern New Mexico’s Guadalupe Mountains.

Since that time, my hunting adventures have taken me to many of New Mexico and Southern Colorado’s most treasured landscapes. From the brown, rocky and cactus filled country of the Bootheel, to the cool, conifer and aspen covered mountains of Northern New Mexico and Colorado. Through the many changes that have occurred over the past 46 years, the one constant throughout that time has been family and the outdoors.

My dad, who was a farmer most of his life, understood the connection to the natural world as much as anyone I have ever known. And that connection was passed along to my brother and I. The past twenty years, while others may have taken trips to Disneyland or other far away places, my wife and I have taken our two sons to explore New Mexico’s great outdoors. Much of this time hunting New Mexico’s most wild landscapes in search of wild game.

Today only around 5% of our country’s population participate in hunting making my family a minority in an increasingly urban society. The naivete of my way of life has lead to many questions about why I hunt. Although I often explain about the meat it provides my family, the memories we make in the field, and the breathtaking landscapes we get to visit, further reflections reveals it is much more than that.

Psalms 19:1 and Roman’s 1:20 speak to the majesty of God’s creation and describe the two ways He reveals himself to us. One is the special revelation which is God revealing himself through scripture and through Christ, The second way is the general revelation which is God revealing himself to all mankind through His creation.

It is when I read these passages that it becomes most clear to me why I spend time hunting and in the outdoors. It is here that I feel the awesomeness of God through time spent in His creation. Sitting in a duck blind as a hint of pink pierces the eastern horizon, traversing rugged mountain landscapes in search of a mule deer buck, or listening to the sound of a bugling bull in an otherwise completely silent morning. Walking the quiet of a desert with family in search of Gambel’s quail or near a farmer’s field waiting for dove to pass overhead. These are all examples of the remarkable access we have to our Creator through the General Revelation.

This is all part of God’s creation that He uses to reveal His most intimate characteristics: a God of might, intelligence, and order. A God who controls powerful forces. For those who do not have God’s word, have no excuse for not knowing Him. His creation is a testimony to His existence. And it is creation that allows me to feel a closer connection to Him that cannot be obtained in our society’s urban settings. God does not say He will reveal himself through man-mad institutions or structures, or sports, work or other aspects of our culture’s prominent values. But He does say He will reveal himself through His creation and that is ultimately why hunting in wild  places has given so much pleasure. There can be no greater connection to the natural world, than in search of wild game. And it is through this connection, that I am most aware of His presence as He uses the most majestic aspects of His creation to greet me.

“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Protecting a Legacy?

Being an avid waterfowler, it’s not easy to miss the splendor of nature in its purest form. I can honestly say I never take it for granted. Sitting in a duck blind or hidden in cover along the water in the Middle Rio Grande Valley has a way of transforming how you view wildlife. Constantly scanning the skies for ducks, and when you do see them, beginning a sequence of calls to get their attention.

The ducks sometimes circle your decoys and you try and wait patiently for a close kill shot. Often, at the last second, the ducks will sense something is not quite right and change the direction of their flight on a dime avoiding the waiting hunter. Other times, the hunter fools the duck and is able to make a close kill shot.

There really is nothing quite like waterfowl hunting to truly experience the wonder of nature and how important the waterfowl is and how fragile and totally reliant on the compassion of mankind to ensure their survival. The waterfowl have made their way down the Central Flyway, migrating a thousand miles or more as part of a historical event that has existed for eons. Something that mankind has allowed and worked to ensure its continued existence.

Of course, I am not only a waterfowler but a big game hunter, small game hunter and avid fly fisherman. I like it all and appreciate each and every experience and species during my time in the field. Its awe inspiring to think that as hunters we worked to bring many of these species back from the brink. And awe inspiring to understand how fragile their environment is and the fact that even after centuries of cohabitation with mankind, the animals is still here: free ranging across public and private lands that make up the west.

Unfortunately there are elements in our society that cannot appreciate my passion for hunting and do not understand the purpose or how wildlife management is funded. Although it is the sportsman who has pumped billions of dollars into acquisition of land, habitat improvement and wildlife management throughout the United States, it is unknown to the vast majority of our society

This more than anything, has the potential to lead to the demise of our passion. If we as hunters only think of the trophy or killing an animal, without giving back, our heritage will not survive. Urban populations completely disconnected from nature and the outdoors will see us as having no value or purpose and a drain on the taxpayer. Some may question how someone couldn’t know, but the bottom line is that is completely foreign to those not connected to hunting and the outdoors.

As sportsmen we cannot sit by and continue taking without giving back. We cannot just put in for tags and hope to draw, without protecting and educating society on why we do what we do and what we have already done for our natural resources.

Recently I outlined some potential actions and issues that sportsmen could take an active role in to educate and inform the rest of society.

1. The vast majority of the non-hunting (and in many cases, hunting) society do not understand wildlife management or how hunting is funded. It is critical for sportsmen to participate in opportunities for educating the public. This could take the form of teaching hunter ed classes, writing articles for local newspapers or publications, or just taking the time to share your knowledge when you have a chance. I know of life long hunters who do not understand how wildlife is funded, nor do they understand the purpose of hunting or how the sportsman has worked for 100 years to bring back populations of our big game animals. If lifelong sportsmen don’t know, what is there to prevent non hunting public from taking away our heritage?
2. Lack of access. I have read study after study that indicates the number one reason hunters stop hunting is due to lack of access. We cannot sit by and watch nonhunters or wealthy sportsmen take away our public lands. If I am a father trying to support a family and have to choose between buying landowner tags or a hunting lease OR paying the mortgage, what choice do I have? We cannot back down. We must speak up for our public lands and hunter access. We must support political leaders and make our voices heard with our representatives. Or run for office ourselves.
3. Public Education. Although my kids were mostly homeschooled, they both did attend elementary school. When my youngest was in 4^th grade, one of his teachers wanted to share the wildlife curriculum that was part of their NM History course. Knowing we were avid hunters and outdoors folks, she thought we would be interested. After reviewing the material, I realized that much of the curriculum was filled with anti-hunting propaganda. Frankly, much of it was just flat out lies, primarily making statements of fact that indicated things like antelope and bear were nearly extinct at this time due to over hunting. Our teacher was naïve in what was being said not really knowing the facts. However, this material was sold directly to our public schools for inclusion into a curriculum that was provided to every 4^th grader in the Albuquerque Public Schools. If we do not believe that there is an anti-hunting element working in education we are fooling ourselves. We must be engaged and outspoken about educating our youth in what the purpose of hunting is and about the true story of wildlife conservation and the role of sportsman.
4. I hate to be political but it’s political. Hunting advocates should be informed and motivated to run for public office or vote for those who are pro-gun and pro hunting. This is where the rubber meets the road and laws are passed that have significant ability to impact hunting.
5. Small game vs antlers. Watch any outdoor show or pick up the latest hunting magazine and it becomes apparent our hunting community has become obsessed with big antlers. However, it hasn’t  always been that way. Our heritage began because people needed to feed their families and evolved as a way to connect and experience nature at a very primal level. For some it’s still this way, however, the shallowness of totally focusing on antlers has become prevalent in our hunting community. Honestly, many of the best times I have had in the field have been in a duck blind, sitting water waiting for dove, on Crane and Pheasant hunts or merely hunting squirrel in the Pecos Wilderness. Those hunts are simple, mostly successful, and allow for hunting to be experienced in its purest fashion. As a hunting community, we cannot continue to be obsessed with trophy hunting and antlers. It must be something more or the non-hunting public will frown upon and attack our heritage.
6. Improving Habitat. The new youth duck ponds at Bernardo are a prime example. We must continue to work with and support our conservation organizations in improving habitat. Join NMWF, Ducks Unlimited, RMEF, Sportsman’s Alliance or Mule Deer Foundation, volunteer to work on G&F projects, donate your time and money and vote accordingly for political leaders who will adequately fund our natural resource organizations to ensure there is adequate and excellent habitat for our wildlife populations. If you don’t have the habitat for wildlife, the hunters will not come either.

The beauty of a big mallard drake coming into the decoys, the joy of finding an antler shed on public land, the awe inspiring feeling you get when you get to hear an elk bugle up close are all priceless. Treasures that mankind can either choose to conserve or not. As sportsmen we must do what we can to ensure our traditions continue. We cannot afford to sit by the wayside and take no action. If you do not think it’s your business, you are fooling yourself. We must engage, we must get involved and we must give back. Otherwise, hunting and fishing as we know it, is at great risk of disappearing to the ignorance of a nonhunting public. We will have no one else to blame but ourselves.

Environmentalist Dressed in Camo?

“I wish to preach not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife, to preach the highest form of success that comes, not to the man who desires easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship or bitter toil, and who out of this wins the splendid ultimate triumph” – Teddy Roosevelt

Lately, I have heard accusations from some who claim the movement from sportsman to conserve public lands are nothing more than “environmentalists dressed in camo.”. I thought about this for a bit, “environmentalists dressed in camo” and looked back to the life of our most influential conservationist and hunter, Teddy Roosevelt.

TR was a Republican and at the same time a hunter and conservationist. He designated over 230 million acres of national forest throughout the United States including all of our national forests in New Mexico. TR also understood the value in work and in fair chase when it comes to hunting.

Based on TR’s clear path for conserving our lands and wildlife, he would no doubt have faced the same criticism and perhaps called an environmentalist himself.

Unfortunately, it would appear to me that these accusations are coming from the hard-line conservatives who frankly want to pitch their line to a willing public who is tired of Obama’s policies. And I do not blame people for listening. However, the fact of the matter is, that neither party, hard line conservative or left-wing liberal has done anything to protect my social conservative values. They have all been beaten down and criminalized.

The facts are that both sides of the spectrum are selling their propaganda to a potentially naive audience.

What this means for me personally is that I will choose the strenuous life over the life of ease. I will not be swayed by propaganda from either side when it comes to my outdoor heritage either. I will always believe that working for an animal on public lands, is more noble and sense of fair chase than hunting on private lands behind a large game fence. I will also always believe that spending time outdoors is always better than the mall or sitting around eating a steak at a restaurant.

If supporting these values, means that people call me an “environmentalist dressed in cammo”, than so be it. I personally will not listen to either side, but only to my own sense of values in what is right and wrong and ultimately my savior Jesus Christ. I believe Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, would be proud.

Environmentalist Dressed in Camo?

“I wish to preach not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife, to preach the highest form of success that comes, not to the man who desires easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship or bitter toil, and who out of this wins the splendid ultimate triumph” – Teddy Roosevelt

Lately, I have heard accusations from some who claim the movement from sportsman to conserve public lands are nothing more than “environmentalists dressed in camo.”. I thought about this for a bit, “environmentalists dressed in camo” and looked back to the life of our most influential conservationist and hunter, Teddy Roosevelt.

TR was a Republican and at the same time a hunter and conservationist. He designated over 230 million acres of national forest throughout the United States including all of our national forests in New Mexico. TR also understood the value in work and in fair chase when it comes to hunting.

Based on TR’s clear path for conserving our lands and wildlife, he would no doubt have faced the same criticism and perhaps called an environmentalist himself.

Unfortunately, it would appear to me that these accusations are coming from the hard-line conservatives who frankly want to pitch their line to a willing public who is tired of Obama’s policies. And I do not blame people for listening. However, the fact of the matter is, that neither party, hard line conservative or left-wing liberal has done anything to protect my social conservative values. They have all been beaten down and criminalized.

The facts are that both sides of the spectrum are selling their propaganda to a potentially naive audience.

What this means for me personally is that I will choose the strenuous life over the life of ease. I will not be swayed by propaganda from either side when it comes to my outdoor heritage either. I will always believe that working for an animal on public lands, is more noble and sense of fair chase than hunting on private lands behind a large game fence. I will also always believe that spending time outdoors is always better than the mall or sitting around eating a steak at a restaurant.

If supporting these values, means that I am a closet liberal, than so be it. I personally will not listen to either side, but only to my own sense of values in what is right and wrong and ultimately my savior Jesus Christ. I believe Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, would be proud.

New Mexico’s Treasure

As we drove southwest into the setting sun, I gazed out onto the vast, lonely landscape. I was 11 at the time, about to embark on my first deer hunting trip in the Guadalupe Mountains. We drove for a few miles past the “no trespassing sign”, and after another 20 miles through public BLM land, we hit the sign that said, Lincoln National Forest, Land of Many Uses. My family, being of meager means, had the opportunity to spend over five days, exploring, camping, star gazing and of course hunting for deer, in this awesome and beautiful country.

Forty years later, my wife and I have spent the past 18 years taking our kids to these same types of places. While others spent their dollars going to Disneyland or on trips back east, we chose to spend many of ours camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and exploring  New Mexico’s great outdoors.

From climbing New Mexico’s highest peaks, rafting and fishing its rivers, sliding down a sand dune at White Sands, backpacking into its many wilderness areas, and running, hiking and biking on trails near our home, our family has been blessed by New Mexico’s natural beauty. Some years spending 30-40 nights in a tent, and generally all for less than the price of a tank of gas.

And finally, there is our hunting legacy. Every year, we spend many hours in the field chasing various game in our state and in our bordering state of Colorado. Once again, free and unrestricted due to the blessing of public lands. This culture is engrained deep in my family, just as it was in mine before me. It’s our way of life.

Unfortunately, there are those now in our legislature and many throughout the west who would take this away. The same politicians who I likely voted into office.  These same politicians are considering the transfer of our free, unrestricted public lands to the state of New Mexico with no game plan of how to pay for its management. Many of them have also indicated their interest is in privatizing these lands.

The outdoor recreation economy generates $646B per year in the United States, much of that number in the west alone. A recent study done by WaterShed Economics, shows the West has thrived compared to the rest of the nation primarily due to its proximity to outdoor recreation and accessible public lands.

A recent study funded by New Mexico Game and Fish, shows that the economic impact to our state of hunting and fishing to be around $600M a year. Many of those dollars going to small, rural communities who thrive on the money hunters and anglers spend on gas, food, lodging and retail purchases. The study shows $55M going to the federal tax coffers, while another $51M go to state and local governments.  In addition, hunters and anglers pay $1M each year for habitat stamps each year in the state of New Mexico. These dollars go directly into the enhancement of USFS and BLM public lands. Since 1937, hunters have paid excise taxes that go directly into wildlife conservation and habitat of about $7B. Our state wildlife agency is funded solely from sales of hunting and fishing licenses, making this the most efficient and successful user-pay system the world has ever known. Since 90% of our hunters and anglers do so on public lands, the impacts of taking them away are staggering.

I could go on about the economic impacts and how our outdoor recreation pays for itself, but the real value in public lands cannot be measured in dollars. It is a uniquely American birthright which has made us who we are today. It’s not a left or right issue, as my family is conservative in every other area. But, with the stroke of a pen, and votes cast by individuals who are supposed to represent us, it can all be taken away. And our fate is sealed, to live in a state with no free, unrestricted access to public land where only the wealthy can play.

Join me in voting for candidates that will protect our public lands and our environment.

View from the Mountain – A Moment in Time

For many years, my family hunted mule deer in the rugged Guadalupe mountains in southeastern New Mexico. In those days, finding deer wasn’t a problem either. It was not uncommon for us to spot over 100 deer a day, and in some cases while we were sitting around the campfire at lunch!

The trip to the Guadalupes was rugged enough, requiring almost a 50 mile drive over a dirt road. Although our small farm north of Lovington seemed remote and rural, it was nothing compared to this vast, wild country.

In those days, the schools gave all the kids five days excused absence to go deer hunting, so time was never really a problem. Throughout the 1970’s and well into the latter part of the 1980’s, my dad, brother and sometimes my mother or some friends, would make the annual trip to our hunting area near the west rim of the Guadalupes.

In most years, we did come back with a deer and in some cases all three of us would harvest. Even into the late 1980’s, while my brother and I were attending school in Las Cruces we were still harvesting animals.

I have few pictures of this era, likely due to the fact that I didn’t own a camera and being men, we usually relied on mom to bring the camera and take the pictures. However, I do own a few and those that are around are precious. Cameras never let the moment go, they grab time and put it in a capsule. As I view the pictures, I see my dad as a young man, likely around my current age. At the time he seemed old, as I likely do to my kids. But, he was mobile, still had a spring in his step, and could pack out animals with the best of them. Looking at the pictures, it doesn’t seem that long ago, but nearing 30 years now, it is a lifetime in human terms. However, in God’s terms, it is but a moment in time.

As I look back now, I realize how short and fleeting this life on earth is and never another day is promised along the way. We put emphasis and purpose on what is happening right now, however, if we are ever burdened so much along the way as to forget what time looks like to God, we are missing the point.

Looking at old pictures, makes us realize how fragile and important our lives can be. We must make the most of each moment in time, for while eternal life is a free gift given by God’s grace, each of us will be judged by Christ. We will be rewarded for how we have lived each of our moments.

“So whether we are her in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evile we have done in this earthly body.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Until next time,

Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

 

View from the Mountain – To the Ends of the Earth

Recently, my family had an opportunity to assist with the Bighorn Sheep relocation project near the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. It all started after we had read about the project in a news alert from the New Mexico Game and Fish. We immediately contacted friends of ours at the department, to see if there was a way we could help. With Canyon majoring in wildlife/range science, this would give him additional experience in the field and provide our family with (for what some may view) as a once in life opportunity to be part of something awesome. After a few e-mails, we received a message from Kyle Jackson, an officer from the Raton district, indicating we were approved to help with the project!

The history of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is similar to many big game species throughout the American West. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were never widespread in New Mexico with historical evidence for only 4 populations in in Wheeler Peak Wilderness, Pecos Wilderness, White Rock Canyon and the Manzano/Los Pinos Mountains. The bighorns were extirated in New Mexico during the early part of the 20th century likely due to market hunting, direct competition with livestock and the introduction of diseases from domestic livestock.

The restoration of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in New Mexico began in 1932 with a
translocation of 6 bighorn sheep from Canada. This translocation was unsuccessful, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep were not established in New Mexico until 1940 in the Sandia Mountains.

Since that time, the population has done quite well, now numbering around 1,000.

The population on Wheeler Peak during the time of the relocation effort, numbered around 350. According to the biologist, this was about the number of sheep that this habitat could support.

The effort involved a group of Game and Fish officers and biologists baiting the sheep with alfalfa, then dropping a net on top of the unsuspecting animals. A short helicopter flight and the sheep were back down to the staging area. Here another group of Game and Fish officers and biologists, along with the Young family, weighed, confirmed GPS and tagging information, and took blood samples and fat measurements. After the processing, the animals were loaded onto the trailer and transported to a new location in the Jemez Mountains. This new location had become perfect habitat for big horn sheep due the large Las Conchas fire that occurred in 2011.

This amazing experience did feel like a once in lifetime opportunity and one that we will not soon forget. However, more than anything, it got me to thinking about contrasts with our faith. In this case, Game and Fish has a mission to enhance and produce wildlife for hunting and viewing opportunities. For bighorn sheep, that means to grow the population to healthy levels so that they can repopulate other areas in the state. As Christians, we also have a mission that was given to us by our Savior around 2,000 years ago. That mission: to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether it be next door or another country, we are to go and make disciples. As we obey and share the gospel, we can also have comfort in knowing that Jesus will always be there to support us along the way.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:18-20

Until Next time,

Jeff

 

View from the Mountain – Living Water

Hunting waterfowl isn’t first thing that comes to mind about New Mexico. After all you need water, and the state happens to be one of the driest in the country. Waterways and duck marshes are definitely in short supply in the Land of Enchantment. However, they do exist.

What’s more amazing is the contrast between the desert and the water filled marshes in which ducks make their home. On many a cold morning, my sons and I have traversed through a sandy, desert ravine by the light of our headlamps on our way to our makeshift blind. Decoy bags, shotguns and at times, a RoboDuck are all part of the luggage we carry down through the desert, while making our way to the water. .

As we find the water and set the decoys, a hint of pink makes it’s way into the eastern horizon, while ducks are darting from one end of the pond to the other. It is a beautiful site in perhaps one of the most unusual places. As we settle in just off the decoy set, we begin to load our shotguns and prepare for legal shooting time.

This ritual has been part of the Young household for well over 20 years now. Although, I didn’t have an opportunity to duck hunt down on the farm in southeastern New Mexico, it has become part of our winter ritual. Eventually, after a number of years of  hunting with my dad and brother, my two young sons became part of the mix.

It has been during these years, that hunting waterfowl became even more precious and more intimate. As always, a good thing about having kids, is being able to hunt the youth areas and times. These typically open up significant opportunities for more waterfowl. Either by location or just the fact that you are on the water a week or two before regular opening day.

Through the years, both of my sons have limited out on numerous occasions as a result of these opportunities giving more life to an already growing passion. Brilliant red sunrises, hundreds of waterfowl darting across the sky, the sound of shotgun fire piercing the early morning silence are all part of the experience in the desert.

Waterfowl passion. All in a state so dry, you could literally walk a hundred miles never to find a drop of water. In the middle of a desert, there is living water that provides for thousands of migrating waterfowl. As I ponder the contrast between this water dependent sport and our dry desert state, it is easy to see the implications for our own lives. As waterfowlers we would never experience the thrill of hunting without the water that provides for the ducks. And as human beings, we would never experience the peace that exists in knowing and having a relationship with our Living God. As we wander at times aimlessly through our own deserts, there He is, providing the living water we need to thrive if we will only accept it.

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13

Until next time,

Jeff