Better than a dozen deer hunters were huddled around a bright and crackling campfire at one of the campgrounds near Mutau Flats in the back country of Los Padres National Forest. It’s an area where great trails wander forever through some very pretty mountains.
About a quarter of the people around that campfire, both men and women were from the Goleta/Santa Barbara area. Others had driven for many hours from hither and yon to get there.
Evenings can turn chilly in that area, even in the early part of the local deer season, so we were all bundled up in jackets and blankets. Many of the hunters in the camp had joined together around a common campfire, and to share one of the joys of hunters since mankind first began to hunt … swapping hunting stories. The topic of the stories however was quite different from the topics of our ancestral hunters.
We were discussing sharing the trails with mountain bikes.
Careful observation of the mountain bikers and hunters throughout the camp told the tale, just as well as the lively discussion. One biker was sitting among us, enjoying pats on the back, good fellowship, and his share of special treats such as jerked venison from last year’s hunts.
Other bikers had their own campfires and groups of friends and enjoyed casual interaction with nearly everyone in the campground.
Yet others were drinking hard, yelling loudly, breaking glass in camp, and remaining drunk and loud until very late, which bothered the hunters who needed to be up early.
The biker who was the guest of honor of the hunters had earned the respect he was being shown. He was extremely courteous on the trails we all share. He rode off in another direction when he spotted hunters working an area near a trail. He was quiet while riding through areas where he saw hunters had taken stands. His considerate nature was noticed and appreciated.
Other bikers were good decent people who didn’t purposefully do anything to bother other users of the forest. They claimed their right to use the trails, and when their use impacted what others were doing, they simply did their own thing. Occasionally, there would be a harsh comment made between the two groups, but there was general respect.
Some hunters recognized that the bikers tended to make deer move, which made them easier to spot.
The hard-partyers naturally caused the most problems, because when they finally got up and worked out their hangovers (which sometimes required more alcohol), they were ready to barrel through the forest bellowing and not giving a hoot about the interests of others.
It’s only fair to note that the hunters were similarly divided, when it came to vices and social graces, and the greatest problems usually occurred between the fringe elements of both groups, who seemed to get going about the same time in the late morning.
All-in-all, most folks moved over for each other and recognized one another’s rights, as well as one another’s needs. For the most part, I was proud of the people in that camp.
There are multiple recreational uses for our local resources, and it sure helps to modify our behavior enough to minimize our negative impact on the recreational pursuits of others. Best to share and share alike.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
