Is our Heritage in Jeopardy?

I’ve had a number of you ask if I am retired from writing blogs and the answer is no, not really, I’ve just been very busy doing what I enjoy, which includes guiding and fishing. Now, I must say that I have met a lot of really nice people this year during my guiding trips. It’s nice to see them so interested in the outdoors and in catching “the big one”. But I must tell you that I am a bit concerned about the trend that I am seeing. TC and I made every effort to bring our two sons up in an environment that was filled with the outdoors. We tried to make hunting and fishing a part of their lives, and we believe we succeeded. Although they are both far away, they do make an effort to come back and spend time here when they can. But the trend I am seeing is a bit disturbing to me. I am not seeing a lot of younger people enjoying the back woods nor the fishing or hunting. Has there been a disconnect somewhere? My gut instinct says yes.  Is it that the families have moved away from teaching their family members about what the outdoors has to offer, because their lives have become so busy, or is it because they have to disconnect from the world when they go back in the woods? 

I heard an interesting story the other day about a young man that was being introduced into the peace and tranquility of the back woods. He packed his clothing and iPad along with his cell phone for the journey. Once in the woods, he quickly learned that there was no cell or internet service and he made no bones about not being happy with not having connect ability. Is this what we have come to? Are we losing our young to the techno world at the expense of the world they have around them? You be the judge.

So, how do we reintroduce this to our young? As a Maine Guide, I think we need to create programs allowing us to spend time with them teaching about our great Maine heritage. We need to find ways to excite them and make them want to learn how to hunt and fish and camp using the resources around them. If we don’t take some sort of action, I fear we will see our Maine heritage dwindle and or fade out. 

So, what do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. You can let me know via my vernons guide service Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/vernonsguideservice/    or by emailing me at vernonsguideservice@gmail.com

Oh and by the way: this is what happens when you spend time on a pond or lake. Are you interested?