Hats off to local shooting program

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Remember the true reason why we celebrate this holiday and spend as much time as possible with your family and loved ones, especially in light of the recent horrific events in Connecticut.

My first try at a column this week was a commentary on one of society’s failings which, in my opinion, has contributed to the mass shootings we’ve experienced over the last four years. I submitted it to the publisher and after some discussion, the column became an opinion piece. Hopefully, you’ll see it on the Opinion page shortly. We do need to begin a discussion about how to prevent these tragedies, but gun control should come toward the end of the discussion. We have around 20,000 gun laws in this country and these shootings still continue.

I heard once that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result than before. Perhaps we have finally reached a point where attempts to control an inanimate object are beginning to be recognized as a non-solution to the root problem of mentally troubled individuals causing harm to innocent people.

Enough of this. Let’s talk outdoors stuff.

I attended the annual Palmer ADF&G Christmas party this past Friday night. I really enjoyed talking with several current and retired staff members about both fish and wildlife issues, along with a little borough politics and life in general. I spoke with Eowyn Ivey, our very own internationally recognized and award-winning author, for a few minutes. For those of you who haven’t been following this column from the beginning, Eowyn was the person who got me started at the Frontiersman. She gave me some pointers on writing and put in a good word for me with the then-managing editor.

I learned from the wildlife guys that last winter’s deep snows were not as devastating as first thought to our local moose populations. Preliminary surveys this year show good numbers of animals in Unit 14. Barring another tough winter, they plan to issue a good number of antlerless moose permits for the 2013 season, assuming the Board of Game reauthorizes the antlerless hunts come January’s board meeting in Wasilla. I hope you got your drawing hunt application in because the acceptance period ended Monday at 5 p.m.

Last Saturday saw Alaska’s first ever high school clay target championships in trap and skeet shooting held at Grouse Ridge Shooting Facility, north of Wasilla. I had been invited to attend, but some back issues (getting older is really not much fun) prevented me from making an appearance. Some of the special guests who did attend were Deena Paramo, Mat-Su School superintendent; Valley legislators Mike Dunleavy and Lynn Gattis; and Mike Boyd, the Colony High School athletic director.

The high schoolers put on quite a show from what I understand, shooting more than 2,300 clay targets over the course of the championship matches while handling their firearms in a safe and proficient manner.

After the matches, an awards banquet was held and 23 high school students received their school letters in the shotgun sports — a first in Alaska history. The overall team trophy was awarded to Colony High School, again another first.

In light of recent national events, having a shooting program like this in the school system is a major accomplishment. My hat is off to Neil and Lindy Moss for their tireless efforts to make this happen. The support of the school board, administrative staff and coaches who are also to be commended and gratefully acknowledged. The students participating in this program will understand how the proper use of a firearm can build character, potentially provide scholarships to further educations and provide a lifelong outdoor recreational activity that can be shared with family and friends.

I was hoping to get in some ice fishing before the weather turned nasty cold (it’s -34 at my house in Big Lake as I write this), but I didn’t make it. Now I probably won’t get out until a little later in the spring. My ice fishing partner for the past several years, Gnarly Dan, just had shoulder replacement surgery and I might be looking at some type of surgery to eliminate my back problems (I have a ruptured disc in my neck).

Cherish your time in the outdoors because, physically, it will never get any easier than right now for you. Time waits for no man.

Howard Delo is a retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by emailing sports@frontiersman.com.