Happy 4th of July!

I will tell you that Independence Day, or the 4th of July, has always been my favorite holiday.

Maybe that tells you that I have a pyromania streak in me?

Anyway, we have big plans for spending the holiday with family and I imagine most of you do too.  Be safe with the fireworks, wear your life-jacket, have fun!

In the middle of all the celebrating, take a moment and remember what we are celebrating.  We are truly blessed to be free and live in the greatest country on earth.  While you contemplate that, think about what it means for hunters, anglers and trappers.  Back in the “Old World”, back where our forefathers came from, fish & wildlife resources did NOT belong to the people.  Back in the “Old World” fish and wildlife and the privilege of pursuing those fish and wildlife belonged to the few aristocrats that owned the land, fish and wildlife.  Common folks like most of us were considered poachers if they snuck onto the king’s land and shot a grouse or two or caught a trout.

As you know, our forefathers came to the “New World” and established an entirely new system; a system of freedom and democracy, a system of land ownership for the many instead of the few, and also a system where the fish and wildlife and other natural resources belonged to THE PEOPLE.  As you recall those first 3 words of our United States Constitution, “We the people. . . ” consider that WE, you and me, are “the people” and our fish & wildlife resources belong to us!  That has resulted in the greatest fish & wildlife management system that the world has ever known, http://www.prairiefirenewspaper.com/2010/07/the-north-american-model-of-conservation , http://www.prairiefirenewspaper.com/2010/08/the-north-american-model-of-conservation , and it has also resulted in the hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities, and traditions that so many of us are able to enjoy, that are part of who we are, of who I am.  Wow, I am thankful for that!

Is this a great country or what?  God bless Nebraska and God bless the U.S.A!

My son Daniel with a big sandhills largemouth bass from last year's Independence Day holiday weekend. I know we have lots of family activities planned for this year's celebration, but we will try to take some time to sneak out and dry at least one off while we are at it!