Submitted Photo Captain Rob Ebersole says, “I have been using this simple spinner-worm rig from Bill’s Hooks in Dunkirk to hammer the Lake Erie walleyes these last two weeks. The blade and beads create a clicking sound during boat turns that fish can’t resist.”

There is something special about Labor Day campfire moments. The annual “end-of-summer campfire” tradition is enjoyable and creates a quiet, cozy atmosphere with a little snap, crackle and pop. The flames provide a hint of warmth during the shift toward cooler evenings with a chance to gather ’round, share stories, and make s’mores. Campfires are a quintessential summer-closing activity that bring people together to share a small part of nature where folks have a chance to sit and think, and share time.

We could communicate the hottest fishing lure of the week, nearby friends and family might appreciate that — good stuff, or we could divvy our thoughts on another important issue: The current federal administration recently confirmed that it will remove support funding for Hunter Safety Education and the Archery-in-the-School programs for public schools across the country. Conservation groups everywhere and many political leaders who support firearm safety criticize this plan to drop funding. These programs promote safety. The question is why?

The move may eliminate the only opportunity for millions of American youth to learn about firearm safety and participate in recreational outdoor sports that involve the safe use of firearms and archery. It may also preempt the removal of mentored high school competition events. Many local sportsman clubs feel this move deserves critique from all Americans, especially those who understand the Bill of Rights.

I grew up with parents who explained our Constitution so I could understand it as a young child. My Dad was a humble WWII survivor, a staff sergeant with multiple purple hearts, battle wounds and numerous medals that he would never talk about or explain the details of. In short, he was a hero from a generation that never considered accepting personal credit for anything that saved our American freedom. Yet, his quiet, thorough, accurate and detailed manner earned the respect of everyone who ever met him. That was his way. He took great pride in explaining the parts of the Constitution that matter the most to us kids and anyone else who needed to know.

At a family campfire, he was the most relaxed. He taught us to be good farm kids. In the late summer of each year, garden harvest time, we would wrap our garden potatoes in Reynolds Wrap, the new aluminum foil invention of the early 1950s, and toss them onto the hot amber coals at the fire’s edge. Then over the fire, we waved hot dogs placed on Y-shaped pointed sticks made from the ends of a freshly broken tree branch.

“The green wood won’t burn fast, so you kids won’t lose your hot dogs, but be careful not to put them right into the direct flame of the fire. Do you hear me?”

My Dad was a soft-spoken parent with a commanding voice tone. We listened. The best part of using “hot dog sticks” was sharpening the ends of the Y-shaped stick to accept the hot dog. That was my job. The potatoes finished cooking about the same time as the hot dogs, and it was nighttime/meal time, and fun time, because Dad always took time to talk with us. We would laugh, tell silly jokes, and enjoy each other for the family fun of it. Unforgettable moments from 70 years ago that seem like yesterday to me.

Those are the moments he would talk to us in story mode about sunrise, sunset, the weather tomorrow, fishing and hiking, mushroom picking, washing the dog, cutting the grass, weeding the garden, helping mom with the wash — a ringer/washer, and much more. So my sister, my brother and I were the listeners, and my mom also enjoyed the particular quiet time. We discussed many things, but Dad always told us about being good Americans. He told us things were not so lucky for people in other countries, and that we were lucky to be Americans. It led our talks down many different trails. We would ask why it was different there. He started by telling us about the first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

He said, “These are the Bill of Rights. They are rights guaranteed to all Americans, and these rights are important. They cannot be taken away. They are inalienable rights given to us by our forefathers and God, and are defined in the Bill of Rights to include freedom of speech, religion and assembly, and our right to keep and bear firearms, and more.”

He said, “You will learn more about that in school history class and the reason why they exist.”

The Biden administration is setting us up for a stop sign in the outdoor world with the Hunter Safety funding cutback. The Safari Club International and Sportsman’s Alliance have mentioned plans to sue the U.S. Department of Education for this development. More than 4 million students nationwide participated in the National Archery in the Schools Program. It is easy to see that there is much interest in firearm and archery safety among students and parents. More than 150 high schools in New York state participate in competitive trap shooting through the NYS High School Clay Target League. Every student on every trap team must qualify with certification in Hunter Safety Training. Local teams include Fredonia High School, Forestville Central School and Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School. Visit http://nyclaytarget.com/ to learn more.

Many see this movement from the top of our government as a program to help eliminate hunting and the Second Amendment. The real issue for all of us is controlling how the unbalanced people who commit mass shootings get guns. In common sense, guns have been around for a very long time, but not the mass shootings. It’s not the guns. We need to fix the unstable people, not the guns.

We took God out of the schools in the ’80s and sent all the moms with children to work about that same time to keep up with the Jones’ and higher interest bank rates — from banks owned by foreign countries. We banned the pledge of allegiance in schools, proliferated low-cost video games that teach planning, intent and how to kill — then asked how we got here? Some say we have created a generation of young people and kids who are “snowflakes” without moral conviction. That we have energized a cancel culture. That may be reasonably truthful since every participant these days gets a trophy for their ability to sit and stand … win or lose. We’ve lost the ethic that it takes hard work to be a champion. Get it, snowflake?

What to do? Start warm-hearted conversations with folks, our neighbors, and our coworkers. Share heartfelt, kind words of the day with others like “good morning” and “how’s it going?” I’m getting to be an old guy, my view is that we need more people interaction because the speed of our cellphones and e-games has replaced that interaction. Watch people walk into corners in the grocery market looking at their cellphones — not funny. Well, it is funny, actually. I try not to laugh out loud. No time to talk. All this no-time stuff is factored in and multiplied by social media, strain-sided politics, the frustrating cost of living prices, and the recent trauma of the poorly managed pandemic might add to the emotional pile.

When you’re out and about, say hello to folks fishing on the Central Avenue pier, at the I Love Lucy Park, or in the grocery store. Let’s support each other to discuss common issues regardless of political affiliation. Common issues like this need more common sense. Let’s listen more, share compassion for issues that concern us all, and establish a pathway for hope and betterment for everyone. Go fishing, go hiking, camping, bird-watching, but get outdoors to visit with nature more. Discover outdoor adventure. Share a campfire. The answer for most folks is usually made better when the heart of nature is part of the day. It gives us all a chance to look up at sunrise or sunset or afterward, searching for the moon or the next meteor shower. A chance to say thank you, Lord, help us through these times.

Defunding firearm safety programs across the country will certainly not help. The Second Amendment was designed to keep the government honest. What do you think is the real reason to take firearms away? Ask Hitler, Mussolini, and those many others. You know who these sorts of leaders were. You know what happened there. Communism. The people lost their voice. The leaders eliminated firearms and two-way communication to force a condition for surviving life where everyone would seek the government’s support and succumb to their control. We could all use more common sense. Freedom in America starts with understanding the Bill of Rights. Get involved in issues that matter. Get outdoors. Less Xbox, more Tackle Box.

God bless the USA.

CALENDAR

Sep. 1: 2023 hunting season license year begins – new license required. See Town Clerk or www.NYSDEC.com

Sep. 1-31: Nuisance season for Geese, visit dec.ny.gov for location details.

Sep. 3: Cabana Sam’s/Sunset Bay, Lake Erie sunset moments, 1028 South Shore Drive, Irving, info: 716-934-9953

Sep. 4: Sporting Clays Labor Day Shoot, Hanover Fish & Game, 100 birds, 780 Overhiser Rd., Forestville, call 716-480-2202 for info.

Sep. 5: Barcelona Harbor, “weekly paddle,” Evergreen Outfitters, 6:30 p.m. start, info: 716-763-2266

Sep. 6: 3D Archery, Evans Rod & Gun, 864 Cain Road., Angola, 4 p.m.-sunset, info: Jerry Gorski, 716-698-3008