November 7, 2007

Commentary
Time and technology ultimately haven’t
changed what `getting there’ really means

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

The old cliché is that getting there is half the fun.
For outdoorsman, getting there often entails days of travel to get to the good places where we hunt and fish. It means moving through landscapes and meeting with people along the way, eating at strange places, having strange food, seeing different wildlife, having the time to ponder the trip and anticipate the destination. Road trips are fun, and getting there is indeed half the equation.
But that is changing today. Wild places and time are shrinking. While it seems almost incomprehensible even for my generation, it wasn’t all that long ago there were still empty places on the world map that simply said “unexplored.” Getting to remote corners of the world involved long steamer rides across oceans, days on dusty dirt tracks in vehicles or railroad cars that broke down frequently, and then finally travel on the backs of horses or camels, in oxen-drawn carts, or on your own two feet. It took time, something we don’t have in the same way as before.
You can book an African safari and only be gone from home for a week today. A lot of middle class people can afford this kind of world travel. In the 1920s, an African adventure took months and a bankroll. The first cross-country trip by motor vehicle took place less than 100 years ago, and it was the speed and relative dependability of the automobile that made road trips within reach of every man. Until automobiles, reaching the Western United States was on par with an African adventure.
Today, there are few places in the world that you can’t reach by air within a day or two. Small planes can set down in runways hacked out of the brush or land on lakes and rivers. There can be hot showers every night, linen sheets, gourmet food. And wilderness.
For old school outdoor adventurers, something is lost along the way. They say we’ve perverted the whole process. Destinations aren’t earned any more with an investment in time to get there. We pop in, pop out, and go to the next spot.
While I understand that perspective I’m not so sure it’s true. Does getting someplace easily rob a place of its mystic, its remoteness, its wildness? That is a matter of your perception.
By definition, “exotic” is mostly related to how long it takes you to get someplace, or how difficult it is to get there. But what about for the people who live in that “exotic” place? Ultimately, it comes down to your perspective about a place or activity. If an experience is cheapened by getting there quickly and comfortably, you’ve made it that way.
Some people hunt mountain quail every year without realizing the uniqueness of this wonderful gamebird. We hunt these long-plumed, chestnut-colored birds on hillsides that shake from earthquakes and chase them among plants that have rich red branches as hard and springy as iron. Bird hunters would travel around the world to see and hunt these gamebirds, but many of us take them for granted. Because we don’t have to travel great distances and have them in our backyards, does that make mountain quail any less intriguing than African sand grouse or Indian gamecocks?
It shouldn’t.
The ease of travel today has changed our perceptions of expeditions, and it has made the travel more available. Yet, we still find our pleasure proportional to the amount of effort involved. The longer we have to hike, the further we ride in on horseback, the more time we spend driving or flying, the greater the perceived value of the experience. The more primitive method of transportation and the longer we use that mode, the greater the pride we take in the accomplishment. Hunting chukar in its native Asian habitat would score higher points on our perception scale than hunting them out near Apple Valley -- even though the hunting is basically the same, the habitat similar, and the birds identical. Fishing for sea run brown trout in Patagonia is somehow different than catching big, planted brown trout at Hesperia Lake.
It’s the “getting there” factor.
I am in central Montana this week hunting deer, pronghorn, and sharptailed grouse. I may bag a few imported Hungarian partridge or ringneck pheasant -- immigrants to this country like my ancestors. I might shoot a big green-headed mallard or two -- which are almost exotic ducks in Southern California, but they are perhaps the most common of waterfowl here. After two days of driving to get here, the travel has been fun, but I’m ready to put boots on the ground and get out there. I can smell the sage, but I want to get out in it.
That’s what getting there has always been about. Getting to the other half of the fun -- and nothing has changed that.

BLANKET FOREST CLOSURES LIFTED

Blanket fire closures for Southern California’s four national forests -- the Cleveland, San Bernardino, Angeles, and Los Padres -- will be lifted by this weekend. That gives Southern California deer hunters the final weekend of most deer seasons in this region to be in the field.
While the Forest Service claims that it’s opening the forest because of a reevaluation of current fire conditions, including the moisture level in vegetation, weather conditions and firefighter staffing/equipment needs, it was mostly because a lot of hunters and other recreational users called and e-mailed offices complaining about the needless blanket closures to public lands.
Whatever the real reason for the reopening, the Los Padres, Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests open to visitors beginning Thursday this week, and the Cleveland National Forest will re-open on Saturday.
Sound fire restrictions are still in place, and there remain some limited area closures because of moronic “resource concerns.” But your protests had an impact.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 9 WEST VALLEY FRIENDS OF NRA:  The West Valley Friends of the NRA is the final 2007 FNRA fund-raiser in Southern California for 2007. It will be held beginning 6 p.m. Friday, November 9, at the Rancho Cucamonga Community Center, 11200 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga.  Dinner tickets are $45. This dinner will be the last chance to win this year's limited edition firearms, including an NRA-engraved Marlin 336XLR .30-30, Savage .17HMR, SigArms .22 Mosquito, Benelli Nova Pump 12 Ga., and others. Contact Steve Gomez at 909-560-6000 or via e-mail at westvalleyfnra@aol.com.
NOVEMBER 9-11 TURNER’S OUTDOORSMAN AUTUMN CLASSIC: The Turner’s Outdoorsman Autumn Classic Sporting Clays event will be held Nov. 9-11 at Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises, Corona. Entry limited to 125 shooters for 200-target main event. Entry fee is $285. For complete information, visit Raahauge’s web site at www.raahuagues.com or call 951-735-7981.
NOVEMBER 10-11 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. The next CCW class will be Dec. 1-2. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
NOVEMBER 16-18 FEDERAL DUCK STAMP ART EXHIBIT: The 25th annual Wildlife Art Festival, featuring the top entries in the federal duck stamp art competition, will be held at the San Bernardino County Museum Nov. 16-18. Joe Hautman, winner of this year’s competition for the 75th federal duck stamp, and festival artist Lee Kromschroeder will be joined by 23 of the West’s finest wildlife artists during this event. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Members of the San Bernardino County Museum Association can also attend 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16. Admission is $6 for adults, with students and seniors $5. Children 5 to 12 are $4. Children under 5 and museum association members are free. or more information, call the museum at 909-307-2669 or visit the web site at www.sbcountymuseum.org.
NOVEMBER 18 UNITED ANGLERS GARAGE SALE: The sixth annual United Anglers of Southern California Garage Sale and fundraiser will be held 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 18 at the Turner’s Outdoorsman main office-warehouse, 1041 Mildred Ave., Ontario. This annual event raises thousands of dollars to support UASC’s fishing and marine conservation programs. For information or directions, call UASC at 949-863-9447 or visit www.unitedanglers.com.
DECEMBER 1 HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The class dates for 2008 will be set soon. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
DECEMBER 1-2 CONCEALED CARRY WEAPON COURSE: A 16-hour California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) course is being offered by Firearms Training Associates at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises this Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $180 per person. This course meets the state requirement for 16 hours of training to qualify for a CCW. Dates for 2008 classes will be set soon. Contact FTA at 714-701-9918 or 877-544-4867. The web site is www.ftatv.com.
JANUARY 25 HEAVYWEIGH BASS CLASSIC TOURNAMENT: The Heavyweight Bass Classic will be held Friday, Jan. 25 at Casitas Lake to determine the best of the big bass anglers. The event is limited to 50 anglers with a $200 entry fee and the winner takes all -- not to mention having bragging rights at the best big bass angler in the country. Entries accepted beginning Nov. 17. For more information, contact Ron Cervenka, P.O. Box 800342, Santa Clarita, CA 91380 or e-mail socalteams@hotmail.com.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:

976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the National Sports Grill, 3210 W. Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER):The High Desert Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club, 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd., Victorville. Contact Dave Recce at 760-956-7092 or Dave Halbrook at 760-553-2794.
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER):The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-841-2100 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Bob Peters via e-mail at bpi1@ca.rr.com or Don Jamroz at donjamroz@aol.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Callender's Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

[Want your event or club listed here? Send the information to Jim Matthews, Outdoor News Service, P.O. Box 9007, San Bernardino, CA 92427-0007 or e-mail it to odwriter@earthlink.net. Following the style used above for events and clubs makes our life easier and increases the likelihood of it being included here.]

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