As we’re reminded with increasing regularity these days, freedom is rarely free, even when it comes to the freedom of the outdoors.
The most recent cue comes in the form of a budget proposal to dramatically increase the amount it costs to go out and shoot at a duck, bumping the annual price of a federal waterfowl stamp to $25 after a 20-year run at just $15.
Combine that with the latest spike in gas prices, public land user fees and the assorted sparkly packaged sundries screaming out for attention from the well-merchandised aisles of the local camp store, and those outdoor dollars quickly begin to add up.
It’s times like these when we need to step back and remind ourselves that at least a few of the good things in life remain ostensibly free.
Cliches aside, the reminder of reference arrives as the annual Spring Fishing Classic launches this week at the Denver Bass Pro Shops location on Northfield Boulevard. Beginning Friday night and continuing on consecutive weekends through March 11, the Fishing Classic constitutes a living catalog of information, demonstrations and presentations that will appeal at some level to any angler who has ever strung up a fishing pole.
Most important among them, though, are those who have yet to become hooked.
“It really is a family affair,” said Simone Geoffrion, the one-woman marching band responsible for orchestrating the talent and beating the promotional drum. “There’s a catch-and-release fishing pond for kids, an entire ‘Next Generation Weekend’ on March 9-11 and a program by 4-H Sports Fishing where kids can learn all about the sport. Best of all, it’s all free.”
That’s how it starts, of course. Those slick peddlers lure the kids in with some hands-on fishing action, sprinkle in some nature- oriented arts and crafts and then cap it off with cool raptor presentations with live birds from Hawkquest.
Next thing you know, the toddlers are planning your family vacations to Delaney Buttes, sewing Colorado Master Angler patches on their vests and driving you back to Bass Pro for fly-tying seminars and presentations on how to catch trout and walleye like an eagle.
At least that’s the way tradition hopes it happens, which brings us to that aforementioned developments.
These days, the buzzwords within the chambers set aside for discussing the policies and politics of the great outdoors are “recruitment” and “retention.” It’s largely an economic debate, a pondering of where the money to fill the coffers required to manage wildlife and associated habitats will come from in the face of a reported decline of 1.5 million hunters and fishermen nationwide.
That could explain in part how the discussion has made its way to the retail world, not to mention the 66 percent increase in the price of duck. Yet, there’s clearly a philosophical element as well, a heartfelt desire among generations of outdoorsmen interested only in imparting the wisdom of lessons learned and insights gleaned through years in nature.
In efforts to explain the decline, blame is cast on everything from skateboards to iPods, along with the more likely culprit of the general urbanization of society.
These days, it’s a lot easier for most kids to ride a bike (or skateboard) to a strip mall (or to an Apple store) than to a fishing hole.
If there’s a patent remedy, my money is on quality mentors, folks willing to make the investment of time and energy to pass down knowledge and tradition to those still learning that passion originates as simple pleasure.
The beauty of outdoor entertainment lies in its simplicity and, generally speaking, the associated price tag. It costs little to walk outside and commune with nature where you can find it, whether that’s a downtown duck pond or a mountain meadow.
And, on occasion, it might actually be at a mall, as it will for 17 days this month and next at the Fishing Classic. No, it’s not nature enough to be confused with the real thing, but within a sea of city, catching a fish in an indoor pond could be all it takes for a kid to get excited enough to try it outside.
The only real price is time. But you’re probably going to want to bring your wallet along anyway, just in case.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
