Rusty S. 07.04.22
This Independence Day, we at OHUB would like to share some of the Outdoor Freedoms we are thankful for in the United States of America. When one looks at modern politics and finances and the current situation we have in this country, there’s a lot that is grim and negative. It can be almost to much to bear sometimes. Just like getting outside and recreating, taking the time to be grateful can help one focus on the big picture of the freedoms that we have, and we have quite a few to be thankful for.
Outdoor Freedoms to be Thankful for
From The Editor:
#1: Our Natural Resources
One of the most oppressive notions of pre-revolutionary America was that natural resources-and most of the land-belonged to Royalty and the landed gentry. Here in America, wildlife is considered to belong to the public at large. Granted, it’s an imperfect system. Sure, state and federal agencies manage this public resource, including trees and forage on public lands, and some of us (hunters, fishers, and gun owners) pay way more than our fair share for this management while other users don’t pay much at all. Sure, sometimes wildlife and wildland management is clumsy or wrong-headed, but the overarching concept of wildlife and wild lands being a resource for all is something to be thankful for.
I’ve hunted and fished in a few other countries, and the culture of vast swathes of land and animals belonging still to the gentry and ruling political class is still very much the norm. We’re grateful for the freedom to hunt, fish, farm, and be in nature in America without having to ask the king’s permission.
#2: The Second Amendment
The Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution guarantees us the right to keep and bear arms. We know that the reason we have the Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting or outdoor recreation. It enshrines to us a means of defense of our person, our family, and our country. However, without the Second Amendment, massive barriers would be in the way of our access to all sorts of hunting and fishing technology. “Arms” can encompass everything from a club to a rifle. We have a lot of thanks to our Founding Fathers for placing this right in the Constitution, for, without it, we would not be able to be guaranteed arms to effectively and quickly harvest game, or to defend ourselves and our families when in the great outdoors.
#3: The American Outdoor Industry
We are thankful for the innovators, visionaries, and manufacturers who strive to improve outdoor gear and bring American the best possible products. This goes double for companies who provide American jobs in the outdoor industry, and when their products are 100% American made, like Henry USA, who’s motto is “Made in America, or not made at all”. From your underwear to your ATV, there’s Americans out there working hard to improve your outdoor experience.
#4: Outdoor Pioneers:
From the hardy folk who crossed the Bering Strait to the homesteaders of today, we are thankful for those who came before us and passed on the knowledge of how to survive and thrive in the outdoors. Hunters, explorers, trappers, farmers, and homesteaders scratched their existence out of nothing, and learned their lessons well if they wanted to live. From tools and weapons to all the tradecraft and techniques of turning solar energy into food, we are thankful for the hard-learned lessons and knowledge base of those who came before us.
From Morgan Rogue:
“I’m grateful for all of the wild edibles that are provided in the great outdoors”. Morgan knows a thing or two about maximizing wild food resources, check out her pieces on this subject:
From Nicolas Lenze:
“I’m grateful for the connection I feel when I stand in the middle of nature. It’s like hitting the reset button on my soul.”
