Is it just me, or does it seem that, over time, we tend to view certain things differently than before? One of Webster's claims on perspective is, "The capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance." The term perspective is one that seems to be tossed around loosely at times but is also a term that I've grown to appreciate as I've aged; you might say that my perspective on perspective has evolved over time. Indeed, people being people, I think we all tend to view an endless number of things differently and in a different context over time. Changes in perspective are influenced by experiences, priorities, values, and wisdom. Though I'm no psychologist, it's my opinion that perspective can be shaped through conscious and subconscious influence; thus, it can happen effortlessly or purposely. Perspective is truly a reflection of one's mindset.

So, what does this mumbo jumbo about perspective have to do with hunting, you may ask? Well, uh...everything, is my response. One of the more interesting aspects of being in the hunting business for over 32 years is the unique position that I've "enjoyed" of being able to observe motivations, values, and pressure points of hunters. There appear to be many variables that influences hunters' perspectives on the hunt, including loss of a loved one, parenting and grandparenting, years of hunting experience, various categories of hunting achievements, physical limitations, basic maturity, financial means, socio-political influences, domestic and world news, regulatory noise, altered appreciation for game meats, and a myriad of other things. All these variables can and often do change one's perspective about hunting and the hunt. How is it possible that two people can look at the same thing but see something totally different? It's simply a matter of perspective, is it not?

I could ramble endlessly about these philosophies regarding perspective and how it influences recruitment and retention of hunters in an immense manner. But, for the sake of brevity, I'd simply like to challenge all hunters to pause at regular intervals along their journey and reflect on some of the more subtle and finer features of the hunt that make the experience exciting, wholesome, and broadly rewarding, ultimately allowing them to keep hunting fresh. I'm excited to see an emerging and increased percentage of hunters who are placing more emphasis on game meats to incentivize their time afield. I think it's paramount that we do a better job of unfolding the hidden treasures that our hunting coverts offer regarding the endless learning opportunities along the line of biology, ecology, plant and animal taxonomy, life-lines provided by our natural resources, not to mention what stands to be gained through enhanced human virtues while afield, such as patience, self-confidence, awareness of one's environment, and the simple ability to trust and rely on one's God-given senses. All these things are shaped by perspective, to some degree, both consciously and subconsciously.

So, whether it's a function of slowing down to smell the roses, or looking at life's opportunities through a new and colorful lens, or perhaps simply enjoying the idea of life's opportunities are represented through an hour glass that's half full, I think all hunters would be well-served to occasionally step back and try to "see" and absorb the broad and meaningful features that hunting has to offer. Though the kill is what separates hunting from other forms of wildlife recreation, the kill is simply a by-product of an infinite array of beauties that are largely revealed when one's perspective is fertile.

I hope all is well in your world. Here at WSI, we are ultra-busy and are enjoying the strongest first quarter of business in our 32 years. Though bookings have been brisk, we still have various exciting opportunities for someone looking for a hunt sometime in 2019. Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.

 

Cheers,

Greg Simons

Wildlife Systems, Inc. GM/Principal

This is an extra-ordinary opportunity for someone looking for a great hunting lease. Approximately 4045 acres of the Ward-Walker 7 Oaks Ranch is available to the right group of hunters who are interested in being a part of a program that emphasizes stewardship of its range and wildlife resources. This parcel is part of a much larger property that was nominated for a Lone Star Land Stewardship a few years ago, and received the District Wildlife Conservationist Award by Texas Soil and Water Conservation District. In recent years, the ranch has been practicing prescribed burning, selective mechanical brush treatment, water development, re-seeding native plants, selective deer harvest, among other things. The ranch is enrolled under a Managed Lands Deer Permit (MLDP), giving the deer hunters an extended season. In addition to white-tailed deer, the ranch also supports turkeys, feral hogs, and a modest number of free-ranging exotics comprised primarily of fallow deer and a few axis and sika. The property is in the sweet spot of this part of the state, with deeper soils over much of the property than you commonly find in this general region, with rolling hills, broad valleys, and some flats. Brushy cover is predominantly mesquite, juniper (selectively thinned), and live oak, with many secondary woody plants. This is not a year-around lease, but hunters have access during the off-season for work purposes based on approval by the landowner. Here are a few of the features of the hunting lease:

Lease Price: $31,960 with maximum of 8 hunters. We are not selling individual spots.

Location: Straddles Crockett and Val Verde Counties

Harvest Allocation: Each hunter may harvest up to 1 quality buck, 1 management buck, 3 does, 1 turkey, 1 male exotic, and hogs.

Many areas of Texas are known as being arid to semi-arid, where droughts are often the norm. Last spring and summer were a bit on the dry side in some areas of Texas, but things began to take a turn in much of the state in August, and the rain throttle opened mighty wide the following month. Some areas around San Angelo, and elsewhere, received upwards of 25" of rain in September and October, which were record rainfall months for this area, where average annual precipitation is less than 20"....for the whole year. These exceptionally wet periods made it extremely difficult to get in and out of the field in some areas during the hunting seasons for much of September - November. Plus, the flush of green groceries in the field made it easier for deer and other wildlife to make a living, which also created some difficult conditions. Overall, it was a challenging fall hunting season in many cases.

The flipside to all that moisture and mud is that our wildlife wintered in very good shape and we are already primed to have a fabulous spring, which bodes well for antler development and for ground-nesting birds. So, though the tremendous rainfall last year was a bit of a "pain" at times, the reality is that it was a Godsend for our range and wildlife.