LOOKING BACK by RALPH BICE December 19, 1973

It seems so long ago that Morry Barr decided that he would become a newspaper man. I was sitting on the Regional Tourist Council along with Morry and a number of others when he told us of his new venture. I suggested that it might be a help if he was to have an outdoor column as some of the other weekly papers did. I did not hear of it again until several meetings later when he told me that he had decided my suggestion was a good one. Then out of a clear sky, he did not even ask, he told me that I was going to write said column. So just for the thrill and fun of writing I decided to tackle it. I think in almost thee years there have been only three issues without my offering and there was a good reason for the omissions.

It has been quite an experience and unless something unforeseen should happen they will continue. My offerings I know do not have any great literary value but I do write down some things as they happen and now and then a story from away back. I have never tried as I see in some of the more widely read columns to give any advice to anyone as to the methods of fishing and hunting. I have, and will continue to do so, found fault on numerous occasions on the way things are changing in the woods. Also I will continue to object to people living in the southern sections of the Province, some with very little in any knowledge of the woods, trying to tell us up here what we should be doing in our area. Too, I object to those young biologists who study for a few years, listen to lectures that are very biased and then by their attitude know more about the woods than people who have spent all their lives there. (Perhaps they do.)

I have developed an attitude on wolves and deer over the years and I should say that it has changed quite a bit in the last twenty-five years. True, conditions have changed in the woods as well as out of them, and we should adjust to the changes. But in all the columns I have written anything that I have had reason to complain about has been after carefully taking both sides into consideration. Those opinions are not necessarily the correct ones but I think they are at least as they affect local areas.

I have had a few people write in to the paper who did not see eye to eye with my opinions. Most have been on the pleasant side and I can truthfully say I have never felt the least bit of resentment toward any of them. Most I have answered and there are still a couple that will need a reply. But there have been many more, both in the paper and in conversation that liked what I was writing that the few who take issue with me do not count for much. And, as I said, if you weight the evidence most of the writers who are finding fault do not have too much knowledge of the woods. I especially liked when Mr. Trussler came to my defence with that rather nice letter recently. After all, he has been around a bit longer than I have and has noticed how things are changing in the woods.

So I will continue along the same lines. I think, and will continue to think, that the powers that be are a bit lax in the way things are managed in the woods. Fishing in spite of all the help with restocking from the Department is over the hill. Hunting pressure is increasing each year, and deer getting scarcer, also partridge and ducks. But there has been no change in controls. You just buy a license, and you are allowed to go hunting anywhere on Crown lands. Perhaps some day those who make the rules will waken up but it may be too late.

In spite of all my grumbling most of us will admit that Parry Sound is just about the nicest part of the Province. Only those of us who have been here a long time hate to see it disappearing. I mean the niceness of the woods and lakes, and the quietness. Guess that is what is called progress, and the next generation will have a different outlook.

I will continue to write things as I see them and I do not mind your criticism.