Wisdom from 78 Hunting Seasons
By: Ted Nugent
huh! Well, as I enter my 78th hunting season, I do believe that the commonsense rules for modern outdoorsmen are not unlike the natural rules for conduct in and out of hunting and fishing camps for a decent, conscientious life overall. Seeing as how the Nugent family literally lives in a year-round hunting camp, do please allow me to humbly offer our rules of conduct that will keep us rock solid in the asset column everywhere.
Rule 1 - Never allow the muzzle of a firearm to ever cover anything you're not willing to destroy! Since a properly and responsibly prepared individual will always be armed, we believe this is Rule 1 for life.
Rule 2 - Always bring a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed positive spirit and attitude everywhere you may go. As in life, there is nothing worse than a
sour puss, no matter the setting, but since huntcamp is the greatest setting of all, a joyful, friendly, even uppity spirit optimizes the atmosphere always.
Rule 3 - Be an asset to life/camp. Bring basic utilitarian supplies like food, drink, paper towels, tissue, toiletpaper and plastic bags. Everybody loves people in the asset column who give more than they take.
Rule 4 - Work hard to do your share of chores. Sweep, vacuum, clean up, take out the trash, bring and stack firewood, help cook, wash dishes, do laundry, keep the entire camp and area clean and tidy. Job description at camp/home should always be: Yes! I can do that!
Rule 5 - Try to keep the conversations relative to the modus operandi of the camp. Encourage everyone to share personal stories and experiences, and respect the individual conversation instead of fragmented dialogue, so as to learn from each other. Listening is respect.
Rule 6 - Never be drunk or stoned. Nobody likes pain-in-the-ass drooling fools anywhere.
Rule 7 - Encourage, even pressure, everyone to be an activist for hunting rights and gun rights. Membership in the NRA, Gun Owners of America, HunterNation.org and state organizations is critical to ensure the future of this incredible quality of life lifestyle.
Rule 8 - Always offer friendly, constructive advice on how to improve the outdoor experience, as we can all learn something new and better all the time. For example, filleting a fish and gutting a deer should be a spiritual art form to optimize the best food.
Rule 9 - Be sure to respect those who hit the sack early by keeping it down to a mild roar at night, as some of us need our sleep to be the best we can be before sunrise for those precious mornings.
Rule 10 - Encourage everyone to bring family and friends, especially newcomers, to experience and celebrate this perfect, hands-on conservation lifestyle fun!
Rule 11 - At the gun range, make certain definitive safety rules are adhered to and everyone uses ear and eye protection.
Rule 12 - Take lots of photographs to document the incredible, joyful memories to share forever. I could go on, but you get the picture.
These basic rules have served the Nugent family well, having the amazing good fortune to share inspiring lifetime spirit campfires with the greatest people in the world for the most incredible experiences available to mankind. The ultimate goal that I have achieved is having made my entire life one big, fascinating hunting camp adventure.
May the Great Spirit be forever at your side!
