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Viewing 1 - 6 out of 6 Blogs.
Clayton Cresswell Dovey Jr. died on Nov. 5, 2008. But, he's far from gone. He lives through the immortality of his influence, which was intimate, caring and always positive. At Dad's funeral, I can't count the number of people, of the 200-plus who attended the service of a very elderly man, the number of people who said, "If it weren't for your Dad..." My devastating grief waned, and joy filled my heart -- as I realize that Dad wouldn't live just through me or his granddaughter, but through hundreds, maybe thousands of others -- old and young. Dad's death also renewed my firm belief that reaching out to others, caring, mentoring, teaching and passing along positive influence are the actions that not only bring the greatest joy and pride -- but yes, immortality. I hunt because he did. Others hunt because I do. I fish because my parents did. Others fish because I do. I write because my parents encouraged me to. Others write because I do. Life and death -- when you live understanding the power of the immortality of positive influence -- are good.
In honor of my father (and deceased brother Clayton Cresswell Dovey III -- who is another immortality story), a group of my Dad's friends (young -- and a few older like me) who attended his service and gathered afterward to remember, laugh and draw comfort from each other, launched the Clayton C. Dovey Immortality of Influence Society (CCDIIS). The mission of the CCDIIS is to have a positive affect on others and define the organization’s and individual members’ success based upon the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson. “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.” Visit us online, and if you have an interest in becoming a member of the society -- click on Contact Us and send a request for information. God bless, shoot straight, positively influence someone today! LLD
Tags: Positive Influence Immortality Sharing Helping Giving Teaching
Bushnell's Back Track GPS was a big hit during a recent hunt. It's a smal, compass-sized unit that allows the user to mark his/her starting point and then run wild in the woods. When it's time to head home, the incredibly easy-to-use unit simply gives you an arrow pointing you home. No complicated waypoints to negotiate, no big unit to carry. Simple, sweet, the perfect solution for anyone who recklessly follows blood trails or chases turkeys then realizes they don't know where they are or how to get back to the truck. Some History on Hand Held GPS Units
In 1987, my then partner and I were hired to do focus group studies for a huge company regarding hand-held GPS. We had a prototype unit and it offered many bells and whistles -- which it needed to do considering the necessary (proposed) price tag (upwards of $700) of the very first units to be introduced. We interviewed several hundred hunters and fisherman and complied all kinds of data.
The overwhelming request of the focus group participants, 20 years ago, was, "I just want to mark my truck or the hunting cabin or the RV and then have the unit give me an arrow that points home." They also hoped from a price tag of under $200.
Bushnell's Back Track Unit
Congratulations, Bushnell. Back Track is the dream product of all those folks who were some of the very first consumers to even hear about GPS and possible sportsmen uses of it.
 From my personal perspective:
I've not been responsive/interested in hand-held GPS much, although I've written about them, because I didn't want to take time to learn how to use the units. Back Track is simple. I needed about three minutes to "get it" and then two more minutes to remember the steps.
The unit is the perfect size -- big enough that I easily find it in my pack or jacket pocket, but light and small enough that I will take it with me everywhere.
Three waypoints -- perfecto. Don't need more, don't want more. I just want to get safely out of the woods after chasing a turkey all over God's country in the spring or mindlessly following a blood trail. And, maybe from time to time, I'd like to mark another spot for some reason.
This unit gives me confidence that I don't have to be afraid about getting lost (remember I'm a total blonde) -- as long as I have spare batteries in my pocket. And, studies confirm that the number one fear of sportsmen or want-to-be sportsmen is getting lost. It's the main reason folks won't venture into the wilderness or travel deeper into the wilderness where opportunities for hunting success and enjoyment of pristine environments is greatly enhanced. Bushnell, hits a home run.
Tags: Gps Hand Held Wilderness Navigation System Simple
Shelly Moore works for the Professional Outdoor Media Association's (POMA) executive assistant. When she started with POMA a little over two years ago, admittedly the outdoors and the traditional outdoor sports were, at best, a peripheral and distant part of her life. Her husband had hunted and fished in the past but her daughters had not expereinced any of we hold dear. Working for POMA, you receive mega-dose exposures to the outdoor lifestyle. It's POMA's way of life -- and if you don't live it, you probably can't understand the psyche of the organization's members. So, one year ago, Shel and her family received some fishing equipment through POMA friends and she took the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation Angler's Legacy Program pledge to take someone fishing. She kept her promise. With a family friend, the four hit the water -- and caught fish. Immediately, they were hooked (of course pun intended). Last year, Shelly shot rifles, shotguns and her first AR-style rifle during a POMA event. She shot again this year. Upon arriving home from the early August event, Shelly and her husband pulled out the old BB guns and started to teach the kids about firearms safety and shooting. Again, instant addiction. Best of all, in October, Shel will be heading to the woods for her first ever hunt -- antlerless deer with a crossbow. No recoil, no big bang, warmer weather and fun with friends. I can't wait to share camp with her. What's my point? One -- one person -- that's all you need to focus on. Get one person from beyond our avid sportsmen corps -- and ONE IS NO LONGER THE LONELIEST NUMBER! One turns into two, two turns into three, three into four and so on.
OK -- I'm done preaching. Let's go shoot some air rifles or catch some bluegill.
Tags: Mentor Teach Share Introduce Grow
Last week I had the good fortune to attend the Professional Outdoor Media Association business conference at Sioux Falls S.D. In attendance were a group of college students that rocked my world. They're young people looking for a way to get involved in the outdoor industry -- dying for opportunities. Their enthusiasm and desire to become successful at a wide range outdoor careers reminded me how the future of the traditional outdoor sports depends on us -- we old foggies -- working with young folks and mentoring them -- but not just teaching them how to hunt, shoot, fish or trap. We need to teach them, from early on in their lives that there are also great jobs and careers in the outdoors -- as writers, editors, photographers, videographers, pr people, business leaders. Let's ensure the future of our heritage sports and the outdoor industry by helping young folks get involved in the outdoors.
Tags: Youth Youngsters Industry Heritage Ensure Future
POMA is the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Check it out at www.professionaloutdoormedia.org or send a message to poma35@professionaloutdoormedia.org. The POMA Web site offers a list of internships and also student memberships for college students interested in careers in the outdoor industry, specifically communications -- writing, editing, photograph, broadcast, public relations. Two weeks ago, 12 students attended the POMA business confernece and met and were mentored by outdoor personality Jim Zumbo, Field & Stream deputy editor Jay Cassell, North American Hunter's television host Bill Miller, Larry Weishuhn TV host and wildlife biologist, outfitter and renowned magazine photographer Judd Cooney. Check it out. Join us. Let POMA help you find your dream job.
There's life in the outdoors -- as in life long careers. Young people, is your dream job one that allows you to work in the hunting, fishing, shooting sports industries? If it is, there's a place for you -- and there are people who want to help you get started. POMA
Tags: Job Career Writer Tv Video Photographer Young College Students Int
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