Hunter Safety a part of Thanksgiving tradition
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Hunter’s Safety is an important course to take, especially in a strongly farm-based town like Brodhead. Many prefer not to hunt because it does not interest them, or they just think it is cruel to hunt any type of game. To other people, hunting is an adrenaline rush, a sport, and to many, a lifestyle. No matter the preference, Hunter’s Safety is said to be an important class for anyone to take. It not only teaches how to use your gun safely, but also how to tell the range of the gun in use and what types of guns are used best for certain types of animals. In most places the requirements to join the course include: twelve years of age and (depending on age and extent of class) it’s free or fifteen dollars. A gun is not necessarily required to bring because the instructors can usually provide one to borrow for the class periods and the final test. The teachers will give all the various names of the ways to carry a gun. Other than the basic terminology and learning all the different parts of a gun, everyone is taught how to load and unload a couple different types of guns. Depending on the type of gun being used, different bullets and shells will briefly be explained. Anyone born after January 1st, 1973 is required to take some type of hunting program. 49 states have a hunter’s safety course that is required for anyone who wants to get their hunting license. The courses are offered two times a year; early spring and mid-summer. Those who haven’t taken the class and are under the age 18 have to have a guardian or company with them 18 or older. If a person has taken the class, they can begin to hunt and hold rights to own a firearm at age fourteen. The classes are, at a minimum, ten hours worth of lessons. The requirement is at least to have ten-one hour classes. It is also possible to take the classes on the computer by CD-Rom, but it won’t have as much hands-on experience. The courses are said to be very easy to take, easier than drivers-ed, and in many cases, cost nothing. If the opportunity ever comes about, taking hunter’s safety would be strongly recommended.
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| Thanksgiving Traditions have changed
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The Pilgrims originally were the first to celebrate Thanksgiving. They would give thanks to God during this religious calibration and ask for God’s blessing. Today we have strayed away from the early reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving. Now we use Thanksgiving as a reason to have the day off, eat lots of food, go shopping, and most American’s favorite watch football. In the time of the Pilgrims, life was hard, and many people would not survive the cold winter due to a lack of food, poor living conditions, and little to no medical knowledge. In today’s society, we have all that the Pilgrims did not, so we keep the tradition going for a little break from life and a lot of food. The day after Thanksgiving, when many people begin their Christmas shopping, is known as “Black Friday”. Many stores claim this to be “Buy nothing day,” due to the supposed great prices. This is one of the traditions that many people participate in during Thanksgiving week. During the time of the Pilgrims, this day was a celebration of a good summer and hope of a not too harsh winter. Now, all Americans get together with their family members and extended family members and eat food until they pass out in some instances. Despite the tradition of every American having turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, at least one turkey will survive and be released by the President. When the turkey has been pardoned, it is sent to a peaceful farm where it will live the rest of its life. This dates back to Harry Truman in 1947, but according to some historians Abraham Lincoln was the first to start this tradition. These turkeys now receive a first class flight on United Airlines to and from the Whitehouse. In recent years, the president has released two turkeys, and the public has been invited to vote for the two turkeys’ names. Some of the names that our fellow Americans have come up with are Stars and Stripes in 2003, Biscuit and Gravy in 2004, Marshmallow and Yam in 2005, and the Turkeys of 2006 were Flyer and Fryer. Football has become a major part of most Americans Thanksgiving during the last century. Since 1934, the Detroit Lions have hosted a game every Thanksgiving day with the exception of 1939-1944 due to World War II. As for the National Football League, they have played every day since their creation, which is referred to as the “Thanksgiving Classic.” Therefore, if you are an average American, most people can probably guess one tradition that you will take part in. Whether it is naming a pardoned turkey or watching a game of football, we have something that we all enjoy.
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