• Dear Santa

    Nearly fifteen years ago this week, a past outdoors columnist for the Sun-Times penned a Christmas wish list for concerned outdoorsman and women throughout Grey and Bruce. That article written by Grant Ferris hit home for many as it highlighted the most imperative needs and wants for those who devote much of their time to the outdoors. Fast forward to 2012 and Christmas is days away and a new year is about to begin. Although I no longer send Santa my annual wish list, nor do I wait up trying to catch a glimpse of ‘Ole Saint Nick I believe now is an excellent time to ask the jolly fellow for a few favours for an outdoor family.

    Dear Santa,

    Please ensure mother nature sends a little more snow fall to the Great Lakes region this winter. I know we have been blessed with fairly balmy weather in December from Lake Superior to the shores of Erie. No snow means no water, and I would really appreciate it if you could send some “north pole” weather our way. Without snow our lake levels will continue to drop and come spring there will be no water for the trout to run the rivers in order to spawn. Send snow ASAP, I promise I will not complain! No blizzards are warranted however, as the deer and turkeys seem to favour a “normal” winter, and I saw more deer in WMU 82B this year than I have in a long time, maybe next year additional tag allocations will once again be available for that region.

    Please see to it that the Ministry of Natural Resources looks into some of their current policies and programs on the same terms as those who use the resources. All too often I feel that the government agency which looks after the fish and wildlife we cherish is too wrapped up in politics to cater to the public. Santa, please scrap the Atlantic Salmon program for Lake Ontario, please see to it that Lake Trout do not become the apex predator in Lake Huron, and please drop off some information for policy makers about bear populations, nuisance bear issues and possibilities for a renewed spring bear hunt in certain parts of the province. You never know, maybe a few of Rudolph’s cousins (woodland caribou along Superior’s north shore) will thank you! If you have time on your Christmas eve travels could you possibly drop off a couple million dollars in the MNR stockings above the fireplace. They seem to be pretty empty as of late and the downsizing of the Ministry will only spell doom in the long run. Please be good to my friends in the MNR enforcement sector. I guarantee you the Conservation Officers across the province have been “nice” dealing with all the “naughty” poachers they run into. If you really want to go out on a limb, could you drop off a few fishing rods and firearms under the trees of the pencil pushers who dictate the policies that shape the MNR. It would be really cool if ALL those decision makers were actually outdoorsman and women.

    Santa, I know my acquaintances in numerous fish and game clubs in Grey/Bruce do not ask for much. Funding for CFWIP clubs is being cut back by the Provincial Government which will have a great impact on the conservation projects these volunteers carry out. So, could you please pad the accounts of these clubs who do so much for our local fish and wildlife. One more wood duck box and one more hatchery raised salmon go a long way in making some young person who enjoys the outdoors very happy. Please be generous to the Lake Huron Fishing Club, the Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen, the Sydenham Sportsmen, the Georgian Triangle fellas and the Ontario Steelheaders. If possible, instead of having children dream of nothing but Sugar Plum Fairies have a few dream about joining these great volunteer organizations. We all know the average age of those who carry out these conservation projects is on the high side and new blood is required to keep the incredible work moving ahead.

    While making the rounds to the numerous communities in our region, could you please make a stop at every City Hall and County Office. While there, it would be great if you could drop the bug in the ear of those who shape our communities. Far too often we seem to forget that we live in a rural area which is full of life when it comes to the woods and waters. Santa, please see to it that our tourist dependant communities promote fishing and hunting, active outdoor lifestyles and less dependency on motor vehicles to get around. More trails, more public transit, less road salt and better environmental policies would go a long way in preserving the future sustainability for the towns we call home.

    Santa, please see to it that all my friends who do so much for the environment are blessed with good health in the coming year. You do not have to check your list twice for the hard workers like Grant McAlpine and his legion of volunteers at the Denny’s Dam fish ladder on the Saugeen. Dedicated folks like Jody Schiefly, Shawn Carey, Larry Miller, Mike Prevost, Karl Redin, Al Wilkens, Mike Hahn and Darryl Choronzey are near the top of the list for good “doers” as well. It is a long list Santa so please don’t forget the ones I forgot to mention here!
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