In all honesty, nobody wants to be known as a ‘city slicker’. Someone who isn’t in touch with nature, respect the wildlife and really feels at home in the great outdoors. Those that have grown up in the city, usually love the countryside once they get a bit older. However, so many of us have lost that unique touch with wildlife. We don’t pay attention to what we’re doing to our own countryside and indeed the wider country. Human and animal interactions don’t have to be so one-sided. We can live among wildlife without changing it. The trick is to always keep in mind the sustainability of our interactions. Nature must not be altered as we move through it, and animals should be respected even while you’re hunting.
A respectful hunter
In North America, some animals have to be hunted to keep the numbers down. Keeping deer numbers in check is vital for farmers because they would lose their crops and harvest due to the rampant grazing. However, hunters of all people know that in order to be a sustainable presence in the forest, they must not change the landscape. It may sound odd to some but even snapping twigs and brushing against branches is highly frowned upon. It’s not just about not alerting the prey animal, but not disturbing the nature you’re walking through either. Don’t step on flowers, mushrooms or even moss if you can help it. In order to have our great landscapes remain the same as they are now, hunters must move through the forest as if they were a ghost. Be respectful of the forest and try to leave it in the same way as you entered it.
Maintain population
If you own a lake and you’re unable to fish regularly, then, unfortunately, you’re not managing it correctly. You should have plenty of fish since there is no real way to escape besides underground channels. Call a lake management company that is able to come and see what the problem is for you. It might be due to the water quality, perhaps you’re overfishing, or it could just be that there is a predator nearby that have eaten most of the fish. The company will see if they can repopulate your lake with the correct fish types that were previously swimming around. They have stocked up ponds and lakes with indigenous fish to maintain the population and maintain the same ecosystem.
Avoiding meeting each other
Sometimes the best thing humans and animals can do for each other is just to stay out of each other’s ways. Grizzly bears are brilliant creatures but they are a threat to humans. Human beings must be aware that not seeing or going looking for a bear is a good thing. The fewer interactions brown bears and humans have the better for each other’s survival. That’s why you should follow bear tracks or ghost them to go bear watching.
Humans and animals need to find ways to interact with each other in sustainable ways. Hunters should respect the forest as they walk through it and anglers should not fish their lakes to emptiness.
Roaming free - tales of wanderlustbykelley 