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- Hunter Turned Conservation Advocate | Savage Journeys
Hunter Turned Conservation Advocate | Savage Journeys
The small thunderstorm cell was just about past us and the heavy drops on the windshield of the van had slowed to more of a sprinkle. The skies were still heavily overcast from the storm, which was lucky, because the downpour had delayed our exit of the vehicle by a good 30 minutes and we needed the cover of darkness to get close to the roost to set up for the morning’s hunt.
This was day two of the trip. Day one had been a series of close calls and missed opportunities, but we were feeling confident going into day two since we had roosted a bird the night before. I was hunting with Barry Henderson, a first time hunter. He had just finished his hunter’s safety course the week prior, and was now holding a turkey tag and he was up to bat first if we could get a bird in range for him.
We got out of the van, gathered all the gear, and started the 15 minute walk to where I had planned to set up. A small pasture that ran along an old cottonwood creek drainage. One of those drainages that was full of 100 year old cottonwoods, perfect for turkey roost trees. The drainage was surrounded by rolling hills and ag fields. Really a quintessential picture of a “turkey spot.”
We set the blind right on the edge of the pasture and as we were getting gear loaded in through the door, the tom let out his first gobble of the morning. They were only roosted about 150 yards to the north of us. Perfect. I belly crawled the decoys out in front of us about 20 yards doing my best to keep a low profile in the now twilight and then back to the blind to get settled in.
The tom cast another 5 or so gobbles before birds started to pitch down. But I was getting worried. They had pitched down the other direction, and it only takes one hen to lead the whole flock away for the morning. I did some soft calling to just try and get their attention. Not demanding, but enough to let them know there were birds already over in the pasture. After about 10-15 minutes, I caught movement behind us through a crack in the blind window. A pair of jakes was sneaking in silent. But as I was watching them, I saw another flash of black a little further north. As I was focused on watching the jakes, the rest of the flock had made their way through the creek bottom and were starting to pop up on our side, right along the corner of the fence.
For some reason, a couple of the hens weren’t too sure of our decoy setup, and the flock began to skirt around the decoys. Still in range, but not the up close shot I was hoping to have for Barry’s first hunt. I asked him if he thought he could make the shot and he replied with confidence, “I can get him!”
I had my gun shouldered just in case he opted out of the shot, but as soon as Barry had a clear shot, he took it and made it count. I know I was absolutely more excited that he was the one to pull the trigger.
I can’t be 100% certain, but I think we now have a new hunter joining the ranks. Immediately after the trip Barry was asking about rifles and other gear to start hunting this fall. And ultimately, that is the goal. Bring new people in, help them have a great experience, and hope they do the same and pass it on to people they know. Every time we (the hunting community) add someone to the fold that will talk about hunting in a positive light, that is a win for hunting heritage and the future of conservation.
I’d like to pivot here and talk a little more about exactly that. Conservation.
Over the last 5 years, I have transitioned my focus and efforts from hunter, to public land advocate, and now to conservation efforts. Not just myself though, it has been a family effort between my older brother and I.
The journey started in late 2016, I bought a school bus. Like a 1993, full size, 65 passenger, diesel engine, still full of the fake plastic leather seats school bus. I then remodeled the interior of the bus to be my rolling hunting shack, and used that 36 feet of ridiculousness as a billboard raising awareness about our public lands and how important they are. But raising awareness is never enough, so at the same time, my brother Josh and I started a company to give back to all of the conservation organizations that fight to protect and improve habitat and conservation every day.
In August of 2017, Public Land Tees was born. The mission behind the company was clear from the beginning. Sell hunting lifestyle apparel and donate a portion back to conservation efforts. We are proud to say that from the very beginning, $5 from every item we have ever sold has been donated back to organizations and projects that help public lands stay public, increase access, and protect or improve habitat.
The best part of owning a company founded in conservation, is the ability of Josh and I to get creative in our fundraising efforts. We both come from a business and entrepreneurship background, and we have used a little out-of-the-box thinking to leverage some projects into major wins for conservation.
Projects like Stamp it Forward and Conservation Crossing are two of our major efforts and have collectively raised over $100,000 for habitat and conservation just between those two. Roughly another $40,000 from the donation portion from every item we sell through the site. And although the money donated is crucial for the projects we want to support, I think what we are most proud of is helping educate the hunting public on how important it is to be involved in conservation in some capacity above and beyond just buying a hunting license.
Since we are just closing out turkey seasons around the country, that species is top of mind, and the top of mind for a lot of people around the country. In certain regions in the Southeast, wild turkey populations are diminishing. So it is important as ever to be focused on what is causing that and what the hunting community can do to help.
One of the best ways to get involved is to join NWTF as 90% of money raised through the organization is used for habitat purchase or improvement. We currently have an offer for a way to become a member of NWTF and 4 other organizations at one time. Our Conservation Crossing Project automatically enrolls the customer as a member of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Delta Waterfowl, Mule Deer Foundation, NWTF, and Pheasants forever. It is the old adage that a high tide lifts all ships. The work that all of these organizations do helps not only the species of focus, but everything else that lives on the landscape.
Going forward, we will continue to focus our efforts to protect wild lands and wild game populations for future generations. The journey into the world of conservation is really just beginning. I encourage any of you reading this to do the same, even if it is on a small scale. Get involved, you’ll be happy you did.
If you would like to get involved and start your conservation journey, here are a few ways to do that:
- Buy your very own Conservation Crossing Tee - $125 - Automatically enrolls you as an annual member of 5 conservation groups
- Join any of the groups that fit your passion. If you don’t want to dive into 5 organizations at once, make sure to get involved by joining one of interest or attending a banquet. Here are some of the most popular:
- Volunteer - There are always conservation efforts happening that groups or agencies need boots on the ground for. Be on the lookout for opportunities.
- Call or email your legislators when there are bills pertaining to habitat and wildlife and let them know your thoughts. For every person that reaches out, they know there are 1000 more thinking the same thing.
- Shop over at Public Land Tees. $5 from every item you buy will be donated back to conservation efforts.
- Do your best to show hunting in a positive light. If you plan to post anything online, make sure it is done in a way that is positive. We are all billboards for the future of hunting heritage.
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