Well it finally happened. I have been flirting with this for the last 8 months. Coming dangerously close, several times but never crossing the threshold of no return. Then in late April, it happened for the first time, and again this past Monday. Yes I know I could avoid this by filling up when the tank is half full and avoid the risk of my fate in the story “One of Those Days”. However I am sometimes a creature of habit and prefer to let it get down toward the E” mark. In any event, no matter when I fill up the bottom line is that over a given time period it would still result in the same amount of money spent filling up my diesel truck. Which I might add gets 22 to 24mpg on the highway at 55mph. When the truck was young I replaced all of petroleum products with synthetics and saw an immediate 10% increase in my mileage. Not only does this save me money it makes me less dependant on foreign oil. This makes me feel good even if it is an infinitesimal amount in the scheme of things.

So what kind of effect does this have on me? Well I have gotten so I use my wife’s car more than I used to. I despise riding in small vehicles. I feel vulnerable in them. Face it, if in my 2500 dodge ram meets a moose the truck is going to suffer mightily but I stand a good chance of coming out of it ok, more or less. But, in economy cars there is a good chance that not only is the car going to die but you also, or with serious injury. However, it is something that I need to get used to because we need to change our life styles to use less oil. This is a new concept for us as Americans. Using less of something! We have been so fortunate for so long we tend to think it is our right to do what we please. To say what we please. To act as we please. While the First Amendment does guarantee our freedom of speech, to me, that does not mean that we always need to exercise that. In World War II, there was a saying that had a direct meaning and it became a colloquialism “Loose Ships Sink Ships”. During WWII, there were foreign spies amongst us and it was recognized that by talking about sensitive subjects  it gave information to the enemy that resulted in the direct action of sinking our ships. Thus, the saying “Loose Ships Sink Ships” came about. To bad today’s media does not have the same morality and feel that depth of patriotism and responsibility. We, as individual people and as a nation need to learn more discretion. To do with less. That the “what I want” may not only not be good for us but also not the best for the greater good, the nation.

Well folks guess what, we are still at war with the terrorists across the globe. Do not think for one minute that just because there have been no more attacks on American soil that they are not out to destroy us as a people and a nation. So what does a $100 fill up have to do with this and guiding? I’ll tell ya. The more we spend on foreign oil the more vulnerable we are to terrorists. The more money that is spent to purchase foreign oil, the more some of the profits find one way or another to flow to terrorists in their efforts to get us. So the less oil I use the less money I give them. It means directly to me as a guide that one I have to raise all of my prices to afford this. Since American families are spending more on gas and heating their home that means that, there is less money to be spent on luxuries like guided excursions and activities. It also means that when it comes to doing my homework and scouting for turkeys, etc, I have to plan when and where I go much more carefully so not to waste fuel. Wasting fuel in that event effects my profit margin for that job and for the company in the long run. It means that when I have clients in the truck that I carefully plan my routes to maximize my success for my clients. It means that when I am on the water I cruise at a fuel-efficient speed instead of opening her wide up. It also means that one again I must carefully plan my routes to & from fishing areas, I think will be most productive first. It means marketing that is more competitive. It means using synthetics in my boats as well as my truck. That way, not only am I saving money in running them because synthetic lubricants let equipment operate more efficiently, it also means like with my truck that I am not purchasing foreign petroleum products. Making me once again, less dependant on those foreign resources.

My business in it’s nature is fuel consumptive. With it becoming a more expensive business, need. I need to plan accordingly to keep that expense at a minimum. Many people that I talk with make romantic comments like, “ It must be wonderful being a guide. You get to run around in the woods all day, & you get to go fishing all the time” Those statements are so far from reality that it is laughable. Yes I do get to do those things, sometimes. However, those are actually only a part of what it is being a guide, a very important part, but only part. Like, I talked about above I as a guide not only need to do Resource Planning, but also Marketing, Public Relations, Financial Planning. Office time, and Equipment Maintenance. Thank the Lord for my most precious assets. My Wife Jo, who is a great assistance in the office, and wherever I may need help. She is always there with out question. Also my children, now Miranda & previously Zack, who help with the maintenance of the equipment. With out their help I would never be able to do all of the things necessary to run a guiding business.

So now, you see how the $100 fill up and all of the talk about dependence on foreign resources affects my world of guiding. Thought I would never get there did ya. Well I did, at least I think I did. I think.

It has been several issues since I told some of my stories & related experiences in the great outdoors. Therefore, I think that in the next few issues, that unless there is some pressing need to express my opinion. I will tell some stories, relate some experiences, and share some of my love of the outdoors. Perhaps also why I became a guide in the first place. My kids always loved it when I told my stories. I hope you will too.

 You all take care, & may you allow the Lord to help you make it a great day, for yourself and all those, you touch.