Fly Tying Extra Credit

Plus 1 extra credit point for having the 4th best fly in the class! :)

Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?

Mana the band.
Here is the address to a music video by the music group Maná

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlW2OdoA36A). 

Maná is a rock group from Mexico who are very environmentally conscious. They care about the condition of this Earth and about how we as humans are treating it. Many of their songs are about the environment. The song in the video is called, "Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?" Which in english translates to "Where will the children play?". The song talks about an old man who spoke of a world essentially free of pollution and contamination. A world where he would run and play by clear streams and breathe clean air. 

The songs goes on to say that this is no longer the case on this earth and that we are slowly killing it. Their lyrics speak of a sky that is screaming and an earth that is falling apart due to the destruction that we are implementing on our planet at such a rapid pace. Here are the lyrics thanks to the site: "Lyrics Mania"

Lyrics to Donde Jugaran Los Niños? :
"Cuenta el abuelo que de niño 
El jugó 
Entre árboles y risas y alcatraces de color 
Recuerda un río transparente si olor, 
Donde abundaban peces, no sufrían 
Ni un dolor 
Cuenta el abuelo de un cielo 
Muy azul, 
En donde voló papalotes que él 
Mismo construyó 
El tiempo pasó y nuestro viejo ya murió 
Y hoy me pregunté después de tanta 
Destrucción 
Dónde diablos jugarán los pobres niños? 
Ay ay ay! en dónde jugarán 
Se esta pudriendo el mundo 
Ya no hay lugar 
La tierra está a punto de 
Partirse en dos 
El cielo ya se ha roto, ya se ha roto
El llanto gris 
La mar vomita rios de aceite 
Sin cesar 
Y hoy me pregunté después de
Tanta destrucción 
Dónde diablos jugarán los pobres 
Nenes? Ay ay ay. En dónde jugarán? 
Se esta partiendo el mundo 
Ya no hay lugar" 

http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/mana_lyrics_2596/donde_jugaran_los_ninos_lyrics_7342/donde_jugaran_los_ninos_lyrics_85734.html

Some Ways to Reduce our Carbon Footprint!

Below is a list composed of many little things we can do to reduce our carbon footprints and become more ethically and ecologically mindful.

• Reduce water use by turning off the sink and shower in between times when you are doing things such as: brushing your teeth, washing dishes or shaving your legs, etc.
  
• Use reusable, cloth shopping bags. 
• Organize and host a community or neighborhood tree planting.
• Buy local agriculture products.
• Plant a garden in your backyard or utilize a community garden. 
• Buy organic products
• Shop to support local growers by utilizing farmers markets and the Moscow Co-op.
• Unplug appliances when not in use. 
• Keep your refrigerator stocked in order to use less energy. 
• Use online bills and bank statements so as not to waste paper. 
• Use reusable coffee mugs instead of paper ones.
• Have a compost pile in your backyard. 
• Turn off lights when not in use. 
• Fix leaky faucets, bad insulation, etc. in order to make your house more energy efficient.
• Make sure that your tire pressure is at the right amount of pounds.
• Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. 
• Make your own clothes using materials like wool. 
• Make use of hydroponic gardens, especially during winter months. 
• Gather food from your surrounding area. 
• Eat raw food (good for your health).
• Recycle batteries or use rechargeable ones. 
• Recycle plastic, aluminum, paper, etc. on campus and at home. 
• Donate clothing.
• Watch the stores where you shop by utilizing sites such as "Betterworldshopper.com" in order to find out what stores and/or products are environmentally and ethically responsible.

These things are a short list of hundreds of things that each of us can actively choose to do in order to reduce our carbon footprint, help our environment and become healthier and consequently more fulfilled citizens of this earth. It is by paying attention to the little things that will add up to help the human race to thrive rather than burn out by our irresponsible use of precious natural resources. 

Seven Devils Field Trip Proposal

Name of Designer: Tayler Harrington                        Date Submitted: September 17, 2009

Field Trip Destination: Seven Devils Mountains, Idaho

Description: Seven Devils is a series of mountain peaks in Idaho. They are a part of the Hells Canyon Wilderness and managed by the Payette and Nez Perce National forests. The mountains offer an extensive number of hiking trails and gives one plenty of wildlife and plant life to observe.

Location: It is about 120 miles south from Lewiston to Riggins. From Riggins, it is about 17 miles west to the Windy Saddle trailhead. Total Travel Estimates: 2 hour 56 minutes / 140 miles.

Seven DevilsSite Size: 214,000 acres

The Seven Devils Mountains contain some of the highest peaks in Idaho some of which are given names like, “He Devil, She Devil, The Ogre, Tower of Babel, Twin Imps, The Goblin, Devil’s Throne and Devil’s Tooth”. (http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/171143/ seven-devils-mountains.html). The terrain ranges from 1,000 feet in elevation to a 9,240 foot elevation at the summit of “He-Devil”

Selected Subjects for Study:

Birds: The Seven Devils are famous for various types of birds that inhabit their eco-system such as: raptors, shorebirds, songbirds, upland birds, waterbirds and waterfowl (Idaho fish and game). Some main birds to look for are Red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, pine siskin, northern goshawk, etc.

Rocks: The Seven Devils show various types of sedimentary rocks as well as igneous rocks created from volcanic eruptions.

Flora/Fauna: Due to the vast changes in elevation, the area around Seven Devils ranges from desert to high alpine and as a result there is a diverse population of plant and animal life.

Lakes: There are about 45 lakes that can be found in the Seven Devils wilderness area and they also add to the population of different plants and animals that live and thrive in their ecosystem.

Inner health and wellness: Learn ways to utilize nature in order to become a more healthful and ethical human being.

Goals and Objectives of Trip:

            To encourage students to venture out into our Seven Devils and Hells Canyon Wilderness and take advantage of the pristine preservation that we are able to enjoy. By doing so, students will learn some of the history of why areas like this were established in the United States and what ethical and ecological implications they have to people. Learn about the native food sources in the area. Also, encourage students to exercise because of an ethical obligation to be healthy both physically and mentally.

Strategies for obtaining goals:

Hiking,/backpacking camping, journaling, yoga stretching and meditation and research about the history of wilderness areas in the United States.

Hook:

            Arrive at Seven Devils Mountains and complete the 27-mile hike that leads them by all of the major peaks.

Rationale:

·      The healthcare system in the United States in currently in a crisis and its government is looking for ways to reform it in order to get coverage for more people. If we can learn ways to stay more physically fit then each of us can do our own part to decrease the negative effects on our healthcare system.

·      It is important as a student to do things that challenge you and get you out of your comfort zone so that you are able to grow and develop as a person. By doing this hike with fellow classmates one can learn how to bond with others and also build their mental and physical strength.

Activities and Procedures:

Prior to departure:

·      Learn about safety procedures for backpacking trips.

·      Be taught how to properly pack for a backpacking trip.

·      Study the flora and fauna of the area, specifically relating to edible food sources.

·      Plan and pack for meals and meal preparation utensils.

On Site:

·      Take photographs and write in journals.

·      Complete the 27-mile hike in 3 days.

·      Learn how to meditate and stretch according to the yogic tradition.

·      Identify various types of rocks, plants and wildlife and how they fit into the ecosystem, including their importance.

Post trip:

·      Complete poems representing knowledge and understanding gained from the trip in relation to ethics and ecology.

 

Assessment:

            Keep a journal of the time spent on the sight and of any research done about the history of U.S. wilderness areas. Then on the return of the trip, complete 2 poems about the time spent and knowledge/wisdom obtained at Seven Devils in relation to ethics and ecology.

            Keep a weekly log of physical activity, attempting to get AT LEAST thirty minutes of moderate activity and 30 minutes of easy physical activity a day in an attempt to become a more physically fit individuals and help fight the high obesity rates in the United States.

Resources:

http://away.com/gorp/location/id/id_mtns/sevdevil.htm

http://www.ouachitamaps.com/Seven%20Devils.html

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ibt/site.aspx?id=N56

http://www.summitpost.org/area/range/171143/seven-devils-mountains.html

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=seven%20devils%20mountains%2C%20idaho%20map&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Report on Trip to "The Traditional Sportsman"

Learning to Appreciate the Unknown

            I am not a person who knows a lot about hunting or being outdoors. Due to my lack of exposure to and general interest in hunting up to this point in my life, I have not learned a lot about the sport in general. However, I recently visited a hunting supply shop in downtown Lewiston and was able to look around and also to interview the owner. As I was looking around I noticed an automatic bow and although I had seen one before I had never really closely examined one. After talking to the owner of the store about his personal preference for hunting (which was bow hunting) I decided to research some of the history in hunting with a bow and arrow.

            First of all, arrows have been used as hunting tools and weapons for tens of thousands of years and bows for at least five to ten thousand years (Brissee). The original appeal of the bow and arrow system was that one, it was made from wood that was generally easy to access and two, it was effect from a longer range so the hunter didn’t have to get as close to his prey. Throughout most of the world’s early history, the bow and arrow were the main weapons used. It was not until the early 1500’s when the musket was invented that some of the shift happened (Brissee). However, people continued to use bows and arrows.

            As I mentioned earlier, bows and arrows were originally made of wood.  Many cites that I have looked at said that cedar arrows are some of the best quality arrows to use. As I was interviewing the owner of “The Traditional Sportsman”, he also told me that he prefers cedar arrows as opposed to fiberglass or metal ones. He stated that although metal and fiberglass arrows are often more uniform and precise, he prefers the way that cedar arrows break once they enter into the animal (Lamb).

            Likewise, I learned a lot about the different materials that are used for making bows. Although they too were traditionally made from wood, they are not also made of fiberglass, laminated carbon and aluminum (“Types”). There are also about seven different types of bows that are used today, which vary on operation type (manual/automatic), material, and curve and use of bow. I was unaware of the numerous types of bows that were out there. So why is this important to ethics and ecology?

            Well, as I was speaking to the owner of “The Traditional Sportsman”, he gave me a lot of insight into the types of hunting that people do. What he told me was that at least in his opinion, bow hunting was more ethical than hunting with a gun. This went against what I would’ve assumed so I asked him to expand on that for me. He explained to me that first of all, there is an ethical responsibility to the animal that the hunter have good aim, which diminishes the suffering of the animal. Assuming that this is the case, the owner told me that if the shot of the arrow is good, the animal will bleed out faster that with a gun shot and that it administers less shock to the animal’s system. He also relayed the knowledge that bow hunting can leave behind less debris (shotgun shells, gun powder, etc.) than gun shooting and that in general because you must get within such a close range, bow hunters tend to follow their prey and not leave part of the body shot off and leave the animal. All of these things made good sense to me (Lamb).

            Another point is that often, specifically wooden arrows are made by hand and a lot of time and craftsmanship goes into making them well. So if you are using handmade arrows or bows for that matter, you are probably supporting small and hopefully local businesses, which is good for your town and your fellow citizens. It also means that you did not have to ship them, which reduces the amount of oil in the form of gasoline used to get them there and also reduces greenhouse gas emissions (every time you choose not to use a car).

            I feel that it is important to be knowledgeable about the materials that you are using when going hunting in order to be sure that you try to do things that disrupt the animal’s environment and ecosystem as little as possible. Also, the hunter has an ethical responsibility to the animal to kill it as quickly and efficiently as possible so as to avoid an extended period of suffering. I never knew that so much went into the materials and ethics of hunting, but I now know that if I ever become a hunter I will do my best to do it ethically – both in my preparation and weapon choice and use.

Works Cited

Brissee, Tom. "History of Archery." Strictly Bow Hunting N.p., 2000. Web. 4 Oct. 2009 .

Lamb, Mark. Personal interview. 2 Oct. 2009.

"Types of Bows and Arrows." Think Quest N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2009 .

Using Knots from Class

After learning how to tie a series of knots in class about two weeks ago, I found that I had an opportunity to use them. Some girls on my cross country team and I were making beaded anklets for all of the girls on our team in order to promote team unity. As we were discussing the best way to tie the knots so that they would stay I found that the blood- knot was very effective. It was rewarding to be able to put something so practical to use outside of class.

Visit with Mark Lamb, Owner of "Traditional Sportsman"

I recently received an assignment to walk downtown in order to visit the store, the Traditional Sportsman. I have to admit, I was hesitant at first as to whether I would enjoy the trip or not because I do not know very much about hunting and fishing. However, I was very pleasantly surprised and not only did I learn a lot, but I was able to speak to the very wise, knowledgeable and passionate owner of the store. I had a series of questions for him:

Q1. What do you think the most ethical type of hunting is? (Me)

A1. That which uses a camera because you are still able to experience the stalk and see the animal up close but you are not killing it. However, if speaking strictly of killing, then I believe that bow hunting is more ethical than gun hunting because there is less shock introduced to the animal. (Mark)

Impression: This was an interesting answer to me because I would never have thought of photography as a type of hunting and in the traditional sense most people would deny that it is hunting. However, it was intriguing to me that this was his first response. We then later talked about the fact that he believes hunting is also only ethical if you consume most of the meat that you kill. 

Q2. Why do you hunt? (Me)

A2. To feed my family. I am not a trophy hunter. (Mark)

Impression: I thought that this was a very noble and straightforward answer. I also respect this motivation for hunting because it is something that does not produce vast amounts of wasted resources like most trophy hunting does. 

Q3. What is your favorite thing to hunt? (Me)

A3. Elk, because they are a challenge. You must stalk them for long periods of time, move in very stealthily and have good aim. (Mark)

Impression: I could identify with the idea that he enjoyed hunting for the challenge because that is how I feel about running cross country. I think that it is important for people to have hobbies in their lives that challenge them and cause them to exert themselves in ways that they wouldn't do without the activity. It makes you a more well rounded individual and allows you to have a broader perspective on life sometimes. 

Q4. What method do you usually use when hunting? (Me)

A4.  I use a traditional bow because it requires one to shoot from 20 yards or less and I feel that it is more rewarding than gun hunting. I also use cedar arrows because the are heavier and slower and they break off as the animal runs off, which causes the animal to bleed out more quickly and consequently allow it to die sooner. So it is really better for the animal in my opinion. (Mark)

Impression: I was interesting to hear about the techniques that you can use hunting and after talking to Mark it made sense that one would use a bow and arrows because it is a more traditional and primitive way of doing things and people have been doing that type of hunting for tens of thousands of years. I thought that it was honorable that he chooses to hunt this way even though there are many devices that make the sport of hunting much easier.

Q5. What is the most common mistake among people who are new to hunting? (Me)

A5. The most common mistake that people make is that they underestimate the animal and are not prepared for the outdoor conditions. (Mark)

Impression: These mistakes both made sense to me because sometimes, as humans, we get overconfident about things that we have never done before and don't do a good job of preparing for them. It is a good thing to point out that animals do have instincts to stay away from predators like humans and we tend to overestimate the stupidity of the animal. This can lead to accidents, getting lost and various other obstacles. So Mark says to make sure that you are educated on everything (or as much as possible) that you may encounter.

Q6. Is the equipment or the skill more important? (Me)

A6. Hands down the skill and lots and lots of practice. (Mark)

Impression: This is a good way of going about things because from an ethical standpoint, it is the responsibility of the hunter to know what to do in order to cause the animal the least amount of pain and to make the most effective and efficient kill. If the hunter has not practiced and does not have the skills (and knowledge) about what he is doing then the hunt will not go well and he may leave a mess behind him. 

Q7. Do you feel that hunting disrupts the ecology of the animal's living spaces or habitat? (Me)

A7. "There are two types of hunters in this world: Ones that are there to take (who are not a friend to the environment) and those who are there to experience (more in tune)". Those that are there to take and take only often leave trash and animal carcasses and other waste around that disrupt the habitat of the animals. However, those who are there to have an experience are most conscientious and attempt to leave their hunting territory just as they found it (minus and animal or two). (Mark)

Impression: This was an interesting concept to me in regards to hunting but it is also one that I understand very well. I am a firm believer in doing all that you can to leave nature as pristine as possible when visiting wilderness areas and people who don't respect that are not ethical in my opinion. They are selfish and care only about their wants and do not regard the rest of humankind or nature as important. I got a little fired up when discussing this topic because I feel that as humans it is our duty to try and take care of the world the best we can and to care about the other inhabitants on this planet.

Q8. Is hunting "natural" in your opinion? (Me)

A8. "Man has in him to hunt - go and kill." It was not necessary to hunt before the "Fall of man" however since then man has it in his nature. So it is a two-fold answer. No, it is not from man's original nature but yes, it is in his nature as we know of man. (Mark)

Impression: It was mind-opening to see this question answered in this way. I like the way that Mark brought his religion into the answer because he told me that hunting is sort of a spiritual release and I think that we are made as spiritual beings in our own unique ways. 

Q9. How do you feel after you make a kill? (Me)

A9. "Relieved to have succeeded followed by an overwhelming knowledge of the work I have in front of me". It is a series of emotions that stream from elation to the overwhelming sensation of a massive amount of work that is to be done. (Mark)

Impression: I can relate to Mark with this feeling. It is almost a bittersweet moment but one that keeps him coming back and therefore allowing the good to outweigh the bad in a sense. All in all, I was very enlightened in the ways of hunting and also got a feeling for the competition, emotion, skill and work that go into the sport.