MONROE - Cub scouting is all about service - to community, to country, to God. And all along the trail, scouts nourish that commitment by engaging in a seemingly never-ending array of experiences designed to develop character and personal responsibility.
Several members of Cub Scout Pack 101 from Monroe spent a recent Saturday learning about conservation and the many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, led by some of the area's most knowledgeable adult role models.
Greg Gogin hosted the event at the family's 237-acre property just off County Highway J northwest of Monroe. He serves as the den leader for Den 5 which includes his 8-year-old son, Grant.
It's important, according to Gogin, to encourage conservation in scouting. "But we have to rely on the community to help out."
"If the boys are going to get involved with any of these activities, they need to connect with people who know how to do them," he insists.
Few could meet the criteria better than the group of experts assembled at the Gogin's this fresh spring morning among the verdant hills and valleys of Green County. The team includes turkey hunter Bob McClimans, "Trapper Pat" Holmstrom and Green County Conservation Warden Nick Webster.
McClimans, 52, still has his original hunter safety card. In addition to being an avid turkey hunter, he remains a strong advocate for scouting. "My son was a scout, and I believe it's a great experience for kids."
About turkey hunting he said, "Once they experience it, they're hooked from that first gobble."
He identifies the characteristics of an adult male bird, versus a hen or a one-year-old "Jake" and demonstrates the use of various turkey calls. It would have surprised no one if the clucks, yelps and purrs emanating from Bob McClimans' precision calling would entice a gobbler or two to emerge from a nearby woodlot.
"Turkeys have excellent sight and excellent hearing," explains McClimans, "but not a very good smelling sense."
Warden Webster provided instruction on hunting, fishing and trapping regulations and discussed the habits of various mammals using a collection of furs as an aid. He is the first encounter with a conservation warden for most of the youngsters, who learn that Webster's job is like a "sheriff for hunting."
"If I can explain to you why we have the laws we have, you'll be more likely to follow those laws," he suggests.
"There are two different kinds of fox," he explains, holding up specimens of both to demonstrate the difference. "The red fox has black feet."
"It's interesting," he adds, "the gray fox is able to climb trees."
Webster explains that small rodents make up a large part of the diet for foxes and coyotes. In response to a question about what foxes eat during the winter, he explains, "They listen for them quietly as they move beneath the snow, then they pounce."
"This guy is an especially mean one," says Webster, as he hoists a fisher pelt. A suddenly inquisitive scout wants to know if there are "any fishers around here."
"Nothing to worry about here," the warden advises. "There aren't any fishers in this area. They like bigger woods."
Meanwhile, Holmstrom has set up an arrangement of traps to show how to harvest fur-bearing animals. He explains the strategy for conducting a successful trail set.
"Barricade the trail to direct the animal's pathway," he suggests. "It's important to narrow the trail."
Holmstrom discusses various trapping regulations, including a requirement to keep at least 50 percent of a trap under water when trapping animals such as beaver. Later, Grant Gogin revisits the issue with Warden Webster who confirms the instruction is correct and notes the attentiveness of the young scout.
Trapper Pat emphasizes the need for safety. "It's the biggest mistake trappers make," he noted. "They're so eager to catch something they lose sight of safety."
He also stresses the importance of avoiding the possibility of trapping the wrong species. "The smaller the piece of equipment used the better," he says. "You're less likely to catch a non-target species."
Nine-year-old Jacob Setterstrom liked the trapping activity.
"He taught me how you catch coyotes and other animals," said Jacob. He also learned from Warden Webster's animal hides showing "what kind of animals there are around Wisconsin."
Greg Gogin summarized the impact of scouting on the development of young boys. "Scouting allows boys the opportunity to learn about their community, government, religion and the environment, and gives them challenges they may not otherwise receive. Scouting is extremely family-oriented and gears them towards being leaders even at this young age."
Anyone interested in more information about getting involved with Pack 101 should contact David Waller at 329-6381.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
Several members of Cub Scout Pack 101 from Monroe spent a recent Saturday learning about conservation and the many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, led by some of the area's most knowledgeable adult role models.
Greg Gogin hosted the event at the family's 237-acre property just off County Highway J northwest of Monroe. He serves as the den leader for Den 5 which includes his 8-year-old son, Grant.
It's important, according to Gogin, to encourage conservation in scouting. "But we have to rely on the community to help out."
"If the boys are going to get involved with any of these activities, they need to connect with people who know how to do them," he insists.
Few could meet the criteria better than the group of experts assembled at the Gogin's this fresh spring morning among the verdant hills and valleys of Green County. The team includes turkey hunter Bob McClimans, "Trapper Pat" Holmstrom and Green County Conservation Warden Nick Webster.
McClimans, 52, still has his original hunter safety card. In addition to being an avid turkey hunter, he remains a strong advocate for scouting. "My son was a scout, and I believe it's a great experience for kids."
About turkey hunting he said, "Once they experience it, they're hooked from that first gobble."
He identifies the characteristics of an adult male bird, versus a hen or a one-year-old "Jake" and demonstrates the use of various turkey calls. It would have surprised no one if the clucks, yelps and purrs emanating from Bob McClimans' precision calling would entice a gobbler or two to emerge from a nearby woodlot.
"Turkeys have excellent sight and excellent hearing," explains McClimans, "but not a very good smelling sense."
Warden Webster provided instruction on hunting, fishing and trapping regulations and discussed the habits of various mammals using a collection of furs as an aid. He is the first encounter with a conservation warden for most of the youngsters, who learn that Webster's job is like a "sheriff for hunting."
"If I can explain to you why we have the laws we have, you'll be more likely to follow those laws," he suggests.
"There are two different kinds of fox," he explains, holding up specimens of both to demonstrate the difference. "The red fox has black feet."
"It's interesting," he adds, "the gray fox is able to climb trees."
Webster explains that small rodents make up a large part of the diet for foxes and coyotes. In response to a question about what foxes eat during the winter, he explains, "They listen for them quietly as they move beneath the snow, then they pounce."
"This guy is an especially mean one," says Webster, as he hoists a fisher pelt. A suddenly inquisitive scout wants to know if there are "any fishers around here."
"Nothing to worry about here," the warden advises. "There aren't any fishers in this area. They like bigger woods."
Meanwhile, Holmstrom has set up an arrangement of traps to show how to harvest fur-bearing animals. He explains the strategy for conducting a successful trail set.
"Barricade the trail to direct the animal's pathway," he suggests. "It's important to narrow the trail."
Holmstrom discusses various trapping regulations, including a requirement to keep at least 50 percent of a trap under water when trapping animals such as beaver. Later, Grant Gogin revisits the issue with Warden Webster who confirms the instruction is correct and notes the attentiveness of the young scout.
Trapper Pat emphasizes the need for safety. "It's the biggest mistake trappers make," he noted. "They're so eager to catch something they lose sight of safety."
He also stresses the importance of avoiding the possibility of trapping the wrong species. "The smaller the piece of equipment used the better," he says. "You're less likely to catch a non-target species."
Nine-year-old Jacob Setterstrom liked the trapping activity.
"He taught me how you catch coyotes and other animals," said Jacob. He also learned from Warden Webster's animal hides showing "what kind of animals there are around Wisconsin."
Greg Gogin summarized the impact of scouting on the development of young boys. "Scouting allows boys the opportunity to learn about their community, government, religion and the environment, and gives them challenges they may not otherwise receive. Scouting is extremely family-oriented and gears them towards being leaders even at this young age."
Anyone interested in more information about getting involved with Pack 101 should contact David Waller at 329-6381.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
