You can only control yourself.

I'm going to quickly go into some history. This last season I went out to get into my tree stand that I had chained to my favorite tree. When I got there, it was gone, chain and all. Had I left it on public land that would be one thing, but this was on my own private property. I proceeded to simply climb a tree and continue my hunt else where, pulling a muscle in my back in the process.

It was about a month or so after the hunting season had ended that my father and I received a letter in the mail from the town our land is on. It was from one of our neighbors. It turns out he had been noticing that poachers had been drifting through our land, and racing four wheelers on it. Now, he was kicking them off of his land, but seeing he didn't know us, couldn't stop them from using ours, because they very well could have permission. So he wrote us, and we called him. We had no idea who those people were and he told us from now on he would keep an eye on our land for us. Another one of our neighbors even wanted to plant corn on it.

That, in my eyes is the classic example of those who take, and those who give back. Now, this is a site for outdoors men and I realize that we are not all hunters, however the one common thread is that we all do love the outdoors. And that being the case, if you enjoy something, you should take care of it.

Sadly, not everyone does this. There are those who like to poach, drive four wheelers on property that is not theirs (which can destroy it and harm the ecosystem), or disturb hiking trails, or maybe leave a fire burning. The other sad point is there really isn't much you can do. If you find someone doing such a thing, be a good witness. Get an accurate description of the person and call your local police as soon as   possible.  

Past that, we can really only control ourselves. And so I invite everyone to maybe take a day off on the weekend and use it to give back in some way. Perhaps if a farmer allows you to use his land, help him for a day. Get some of your buddies who hunt to plant some trees at a local park. Or talk to your local parks to see if they need help clearing hiking trails.

No, responsible people can not always stop the irresponsible from being irresponsible, but we cam help reverse the damage that they do. Weather it's damage to the wildlife or damage from perception. After my tree stand was stolen do you think that I had a good feeling about the town my land was in?  Trust me, after talking to my neighbors I have a whole different one.

If anyone has any additional ideas on how to help out or give back around your community, stories about those who give vs. those who take. We would love to hear them!