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November 3, 2000

Editor's Note: Welcome to the newest column in Texas Agriculture. From the Wildside, written by Extension Wildlife Specialist Dr. Dale Rollins, will run the first issue of each month. These columns are reprints of articles from the Rollins' newsletter of the same name. Enjoy.

By Dr. Dale Rollins
Extension Wildlife Specialist

New Year's Day of 2000 found me doing what I love to do best: hunting quail. This particular hunt was with three youngsters from the Bobwhite Brigade, and my role was as a guide and a photographer. The youngsters had the opportunity to hunt behind a number of different bird dogs, including my two setters Suzie and Doc. One of the young ladies on the hunt was Mary Wills of Godley. Mary stroked my ego when she told me, "I like to hunt with your dogs...they always look like they're smiling."

In my role as an Extension wildlife specialist, I meet a lot of people who are interested in wildlife. And, as the world's biggest quail, I really appreciate those who share a common interest in our wild colins. At a recent Quail Appreciation Day held in Canyon, I rode in the back of a pickup with a fellow who made my day. I cannot remember his name, nor where he's from, but I always will remember his comment.

"I know a surgeon in Amarillo who makes a thousand dollars a day," he said. "But he doesn't have a job as good as yours." All I could say, was, "Amen."

The tenth and final point of my bird dog Suzie's "10-Point Plan for Success" reckons that one should "be thankful that your vocation and your avocation are one and the same." I am.

Sometimes after I've given a presentation, a mother will come up and confide in me, "My son would love to have a job like yours. Could you tell me how he might get such an occupation?"

Let's see if I can recall the recipe.

First, I would tell her to raise her son in the country and make sure he was well supplied with a Daisy BB gun and unlimited ammunition for the formative years. When his voice changes, graduate him to a .22 and provide some unsupervised days on a prairie dog town. He should have a dog that is his confidant; the breeding doesn't matter as long as it will chase a rabbit and revere its time with its master. Allow plenty of time to cement the bond among the nimrod, the dog and the opportunities afield. The weld must be secure enough to withstand the distractions of girls, bad influences, and all the people along the way who will tell him he's smart enough that "he could've been a real doctor."

Next, impress upon him the value of an education, and that the world has many teachers, not all of whom are in the classroom. Show him by example there's nothing wrong with hard work, and that sweat and callouses are merit badges in their own right. Remind him that "the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary." Let him discover that experience is indeed a strict teacher, as she "gives the test first and the lesson afterwards." Have him align himself with friends and mentors who will savor time afield with him in pursuit of blue quail or coyotes. Imprint upon him that education is a lifelong process.

Cultivate in him a land ethic. Have him savor the aroma of a freshly plowed loam. Encourage him to dissect a sunrise while overlooking the Red River. Allow him the privacy to absorb the entire experience, from cicadas to crane music. Insist he ruminate on the trade-offs between a burgeoning demand on the land, and the land's finite capacity to accommodate such. Recite to him Will Rogers' notion that "America's good fortune can't possibly last longer than her natural resources."

Instill in him a sense of humor. As Forrest Armke of Melvin tells an audience of ranchers, "There's grouches and there's good timers; folks like to be around a good timer." Learn the art of humor in the written and spoken word, and be aware that it's a double-edged sword. See that he learns how to weave a story like Henry Welge.

Encourage him to hone his communication skills...in a variety of ways. Indulge his varmit and turkey calls when they annoy you. Have him appreciate that good speakers and good writers are usually made more than they're born. Provide him with examples, then push him to emulate those with particularly adaptive skills. See that he spends time with Toastmasters, bowhunters, Little Leaguers, an occasional curmudgeon, and folks who speak highly of dogs.

Remind him that he indeed is a product of the environment. See that he aligns himself with good dogs. Let him witness the eye of the tiger in someone who has a zeal for his mission in life. Have him observe folks like Barron Rector, Wyman Meinzer, Gene Miller, Bob Ramsey, Fred Bryant, Don Steinbach, Alan Heirman, Ron Tyrl, Paul Shero, Gerald Stewart, Kent Mills, Tom Ben Williams, and Tamara Trail. And did I mention my setter Suzie? Seek hybrid vigor.

Instill in him a sense of direction. His values and faith will be tested in many arenas. Without a compass and a commitment, he will be distracted and lose sight of his goal. If he endeavors to work in wildlife, there will be a thousand people along the way who will tell him to consider some other occupation that pays more or is in greater demand. Stay focused. Remind him that a hunch may indeed be "creatively trying to tell you something."

Finally, I would tell the mom to love her son in such a way that he never questions her support. Mine did.

If there is indeed a recipe for getting a job like mine, it is flavored by these ingredients. Simmer well and enjoy.