The Four C's of Hunting

My introduction to Missouri deer season occurred in 1975 during my first year of teaching in Ripley County, “We have an extended school break for WHAT?” I’ve not heard a consistent answer that makes sense to ME, but I did learn that no one messes with that part of the school calendar without a lot of hassle, and maybe a bad dream or two.

In honor of the season we’re in the midst of, I thought I’d think beyond the creative writing assignments I counted on - mistakenly, I should add - to pacify kids in my English classes during the last couple of days before break. A few teachers and kids found loopholes to policy (some legit and some not), and disappeared early while those of us sticking it out tried to settle down and make do. I thought I’d see if there were any major changes in this honored time.

In my googling I came across the 4 C’s of hunting. I learned about hunting in the most informal of settings with the most informal of methods (the back pasture aiming at a soda can) but I was aware of the C concepts if not the memory trick. The 4 C’s of hunting encourage all to be Careful, Considerate, Capable and Courteous.

Definitely paramount while roaming around the deer woods, but good advice for all of us every day. Who wouldn’t enjoy fewer jerks lurking about in AND out of the forest?

I could certainly use a way to introduce the C’s to my cats. Since the time changed last week, they’ve morphed into feline jerks. They pounce off walls, zoom down halls and multiply the number of objects they make fall. It was comical for a second or two.The gradual shift to the new schedule aggravates them and me.

Be safe out there! Happy hunting! (Maybe Mother Nature will apply the 4 C’s to do her part).