If you’ve been following my devotions for a while you may remember back early fall of 2006 I wrote a devotion named “Daddy, help me”.

Throughout this winter our daily walks have slowed down a bit due to my son wanting to stay around the house in the driveway where it’s easy to walk. Yesterday we did make a walk through our twelve acres of land in search of animal tracks and some exercise. So with my two year old son, my two Golden Retrievers, my wife and I headed down the trails cut throughout my land. With the dogs up running ahead moving at a brisk pace, the rest of us followed. Of course in order to empower my son we let him lead the way. Kolten being a total of 38 pounds was able to easily slide across the crusty snow. Myself being at 220 pounds could not say the same.

I think back to the days when I wrote “Daddy, help me”. Kolten was new to the woods and still requiring a lot of help in making his way through the obstacles that present themselves in the back lot. The small insignificant fur trees to me appeared a tripping obstacle for my son. Yesterday my son was easily able to scoot anywhere and everywhere. One reason of course is he has grown older and become more stable on his feet. The other factor that helped him was all the underbrush was covered with snow. These two factors made it fairly easy for my son to walk through the woods.

I relate this with our walk with God. When we are “young” Christians we can struggle with the obstacles that pop up on our walk. Just like my son, we as Christians grow more stable and strong as our relationship with Christ grows. Then as the snow acted as a strong foundation for my son to fly along, our relationship with Christ acts as the snow in our Christian walk. As we remain focused on him and his direction for our life we are able to scoot along right across the snow.

On the flopside of this you can relate my sinking through the snow everystep I make with what happens when we become self absored instead of focusing on what God’s direction for us is. The weight of family, jobs, bills and all those other wonderful things we all deal with on a daily basis gain our focus as we sink each step we take.

Look upon Christ this morning. I promise there will be obstacles in your life. Although, focusing on him will allow a strong foundation for us to as in Darrell Waltrips (nascar announcer) words, we can boogity, boogity, boogity……

While walking through the woods with my son this morning I began to think about an article that I posted earlier this morning. It covered issues that will effect all of sportsmen and women throughout our great country. As I pointed out rabbit tracks, deer tracks and squirrel houses to my two year old son this morning I began to think about issues that will effect us closer to home. These issues will certainly come into play for me during these upcoming seasons about to bestow upon us. More importantly to me is what’s in store for my son down the road.

Something to keep in mind also, this year will be the first time in my memory, the legislature’s Fish and Wildlife Committee will include a non-sportsman. Rep. Jane Eberle, a Democrat from South Portland who was appointed by House Speaker Glenn Cummings. If your not sure of Eberle’s past involvement, during last session she sponsored a bill to ban the hunting of bears with dogs.

So lets take a look at a few of these issues that will go in front of Maine legislature.

The first one we’ll look into comes to us from The Maine Professional Guides Association (MPGA). MPGA has submitted a bill focused on wildlife conservation. They are seeking permission to be able to dispatch wounded animals for clients even on Sundays. They are also asking that a permit be required to hunt bears even during the open November firearms season. They’re arguement is that bears should not be treated as a incidental kill animal. Currently while we are deer hunting if we happen to come across a bear we are legally able to kill that bear if we choose to do so.

In my opinion I would be ok with this. First off I agree that you should be prepared when dealing with a bear. I remember driving along the road a few years back and coming upon a guy standing next to the road. This guy was visibally shaken. He had the gun grabbed by the barrel. So my hunting bud and I stopped to see what was up with this guy. First thing I did was go over and take the guys gun. After further investigation I discovered the safety was off. After talking with this guy we discovered he had shot a bear. This guy was so scared because the bear had run off into the evergreens. We tracked the bear who had run a couple hundred yards. When we came upon him he had buried himself in the thickets but was dead. This certainly is one incident that would support closing “open” season on bear. Another reason that is brought up that is very important in my opinion is this, with a permit system, it would allow the State to more accurately measure the interest in hunting bears in Maine and aid in the collection of other data.

Second bill that comes to my attention is brought to us by Rep. Tim Carter. This bill would create a shotgun turkey season in November. Currently you are able to shoot a fall turkey with a bow and arrow. I’m all for this bill. Hey, you can go shoot your own Thanksgiving turkey. Also, just one more “excuse” to get out in the woods. Only question that arises in my mind is: how will this effect deer hunting. More people in the woods and more shots ringing through the woods. How will this effect deer movement? How will this come into play with all aspects of my favorite activity, whitetail deer hunting?

Next bill is brought to our attention by SAM. This bill would change the current any-deer permit system to an anterless deer permit system. Currently, all firearms deer hunters are allowed to take on antlered deer. Those who win a any-deer permit then have the option of taking an anterless deer, although still limited to taking one deer. In the proposed bill those who were drawn in the lottery system to obtain an anterless deer tag would be able to kill one anterless deer. On top of that they would also be able to kill a antlered deer. It is recommended that a $10 fee be applied to this tag. This would enable the State to better gain true numbers in predicting and harvesting the planned number of anterless deer. The opportunity to harvest two deer in certain areas I would certainly be in support of. This would allow us to control our numbers more accurately, plus the extra 10 dollars would bring in more money for funding organizations such as deer task force and landowner relations programs.

The final bill I will bring attention to would be the one that looks into having a split deer season. Due to recent years warm and wet weather many hunters have shown an interest in opening deer season a week later. Guides in the northern part of the State have shown strong opposition to this stating “it’s very hard to book clients after Thanksgiving.” SAM made an adjustment in its initial proposal to address these concerns. The opening date would allow the northern part of our state to remain the same, while opening day would be a week later for central and southern Maine. I know the weather has not helped my personal hunting situation over the past few years. I would love to start a week later moving the season into first part of December. At the same time I can certainly understand the Guides perspective with complete understanding. I support this bill for the weather reason as well as I wouldn’t mind an extra week to pursue some upland birds.

I’m curious about your thoughts on these issues. Or possibly you have interest in the other bills that will come into play during this session. Let me know your thoughts and opinions.

If you think back to a few years ago when President Clinton was in office to the bill that banned “semi-automatic assault weapons.” During the office of our President Bush this bill has expired. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy has initiated bill HR 1022 again. This attempt will target those guns initially banned, plus she’s added more weapons to the list. The list looks like this:

30) The term `semiautomatic assault weapon’ means any of the following:

`(43) Threaded Barrel- The term `threaded barrel’ means a feature or characteristic that is designed in such a manner to allow for the attachment of a firearm as defined in section 5845(a) of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(a)).’.

So fellow sportsman it is clear to see that this is our time to stand up and let our government officials hear our voice. Granted you might not see your 22 long rifle, 20 gauge shotgun or your 30-30 lever action listed…..YET. This is a step in getting they’re feet in the door. Make no doubts about it……they’re big plan is to ban all sports that involve guns. I don’t know about yourself, I cannot just sit back and slowly let them take my rights of hunting and owning guns that I use for this great american tradition.

Our buddy John over at Nutria News has a great article describing guns and guns rights of himself and his fellow americans. Go check out this article then get out and let your voice be heard. Contact those that represent you in the legislature and let them know your feelings on this issue. After all they are supposed to represent “us”. Right???

Well, here we sit in the middle of what feels like a deep arctic freeze in the northeast part of the country. In fact over the past couple months we’ve had maybe a couple days that reached above freezing. Last week there was a day in the mid 20’s and it felt as though we should be walking around in a t-shirt. It may sound like i’m complaining and yes that would be the right assumption. I’m ready for Spring to hit this great part of the World.

I have the privilege to work at a facility that overlooks a lake. It has to be one of the most beautiful spots in Maine. The other day as I looked out the window and saw the snow covered ice with the wind howling across, I was thankful to be inside with the heat working. Although there was people outside having to work on the bridge. How cold that must have been to be working outside in that stuff. It made me wanna invite them in, give them a hot cup of coffee and let them rest for awhile.

This brought to mind times in my life that God must have looked through the window of my heart. It must have been a similar experience for him. My heart cold to his voice and direction. With my own thoughts, actions and neglecting to include him in my life. How God must have felt to watch me struggling out there on the ice of life. The wind of hardship drilling me in the face. How badly did God want me to hear his invite to come in out of the cold.

In short time I will look out my window and see open water. Sun shining off the water, looking so brilliant. What a sight that will be. I will look out to see boats on the water, people swimming and enjoying the water.

Where are you at in your walk with Christ. Is your heart frozen over to what God has in store for you? Or is your heart open to what God has in store for you?

God is inviting you to come in from the cold and hardship. Take a rest with him. Then open your heart and enjoy the fun that comes along with being open to him.

Well it is hard to believe that it’s the end of February. Where has the first couple months of this year gone. Those that enjoy ice fishing are finally able to get out safely and attempt to land a plate full of fish. At times this year it appeared as though we’d have open water throughout. I don’t mind ice fishing once in a while. Although, not a real avid ice fisherman. I never have attempted to hit the Jackman area in an attempt at the coye dogs, which is a big hit for those interested this time of year. I’ve attempted my hand at tying flies. Let’s just say I need some major practice. So what is there to do during this time of year.

Well, February to me is the time I use to mark my vacation calendar at work. This is when I make sure I request that week off in November in order to pursue my favorite animal to hunt, the great whitetail deer. Then there are those few days needed for long weekend fishing trips. This year I will also be going after a new endeavour. I will be trying my luck at scoring my first turkey. Then there’s those times needed for setting up baits for bear. Those couple extra days needed to sit over those baits.

So, I guess February to me is the time to sit and reflect on last years experiences. Then focus on those that I have in store for me this year. Heck, I can get lost in those thoughts of warm summer nights about this time of year fairly easy.

Take this time to plan your outdoor adventures throughout this year. I’m not saying every outing should be planned ahead. I’m not that organized. Of course there will be those times your buddy calls you up and says “I’m gonna go fishing that “sweet spot” tonight. Wanna go?” Those times that your kids will look at you with complete boredom in their eyes and you know its the perfect time to load the bikes up and head for a carriage road trail. Those sunset hikes with that special someone.

Whatever you choose to do this upcoming year in the great outdoors of where you live. Take the time to enjoy it with family, friends and also focus on time for you and God.

Anyone out there have any big outdoor adventures planned for 2007, I would love to hear about them. May 2007 be a great year for you and the great outdoors.

Hey y’all. Sorry for not being around for a couple months. We had some technical difficulty with the computer and finally was able to get back up and running. Although I was unable to post I have done some great planning and thinking about how to make the blog better. So we’re up and running again. Hang on because we’re gonna have a great ride.