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On Remote Airstrips-
Posted by Michael Strahan on Jan 13 2006
Mark,
I agree completely. I, like you, have put in a few "strips" as well, though most of them involved just tossing off some of the bigger rocks into some of the holes. Most were very short Cub strips in river bottoms where they were flooded out the following spring. I think this sort of strip is about the closest thing to a "leave no trace" ethic you'll find in the world of building airstrips.
At any rate, you're 100 percent correct about the unwritten code of respect that has traditionally governed this issue. The problems I see now mostly involve individuals and commercial operators who are totally focused on their "rights", and who are willing to assert those rights over those of someone else. While I don't think the preservation of the old ways falls entirely in our hands (that would certainly be an arrogant claim), I do believe it falls to the present generation of hunters to collectively put our foot down when these things happen. This is why I have always maintained the view that there are "laws" that govern our behavior that fall well outside the written law. I believe this is exactly as it should be, and it's refreshing to see that others support that concept too.
You'll get no argument from me as to who owns the land. But the real issue is about respect and to find ways whereby we can treat people the way we'd like to be treated. You can't write laws to enforce those values, and for that reason there will always be people out there who will take advantage of every kindness offered, sometimes even turning it against you if it's to their advantage. About all we can really do about it is to shame such actions in public places like this. I derive great encouragement in knowing that many of the hunting "greats" of the past said many things that were unpopular in their day, but they stood for what was right and history has proven the value of their words and the way they lived their lives. While I'm certainly not of the calibre of these men, and often find myself merely repeating what I learned from them, it's my sincere hope that our words are finding ears that hear, and that we are, in some small way, having a positive effect.
Keep warm out there!
-Mike
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