The recent internal and public debate over the proposed Wanton Waste regulation made the following quote stand out for me:

In 1990, before he became Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich put it well:

"We have to recognize that we have to get used to fighting ourselves at times and we have to recognize that we are in the business of conflict management. We are not in the business of conflict resolution. You only resolve conflicts by kicking people out and that means you become a minority. So, if you intend to be a majority, you have to be willing to live with a lot of conflict because that is the nature of a majority."

I think as hunters and gun owners we need to follow Newt's advice on this and welcome open honest debate, manage it and move on. The method used by some here in VT is to bully and ridicule anyone with a different opinion or, heaven forbid, agreed to by environmental or anti groups.

Back in the USA

Sorry for the lack of new posts. I was traveling in Europe and my internet connections where spotty - not to mention I didn't have much time.
Europe is great, lots of history, art, good food and drink; but the wildlife and even bird life is not much. In 3 weeks I say a total of 4 deer, 2 squirrels and a bunch of dark brown/black birds. Admittedly I was not up at dawn or in great habitat much of the time, but it was still pretty bleak.
I scouted turkey this morning, great sunrise, lots of bird song, flushed two hens from their roost and saw osprey, mallards, woodies and mergs. Also otter, mink, coyote and beaver sign. It is great to be in Vermont in the spring!