An Endangered Species?
Winter 2025
By DaWayne Spires
In the time before the written word, we told of the first great hunt by drawing on cave walls with charred sticks and clay stones. As spoken language evolved, we told that same story that was saved by our ancestors around a tribal fire every night.
We learned it by heart and passed it on from generation to generation. We were there as the tribesmen on the plains of Africa chose an antelope that was old and passed its prime and began the chase. Persistence hunting as it is referred to today started slowly. It may last just hours or sometimes even days. They continued the chase until the beast succumbed to exhaustion. The hunters gathered around the animal and gave honor to it. By giving its life, it in turn, gave life to the tribe with its flesh and hides.
Once again, we told the story, not missing a step taken or stream crossed. We were there when the first hook was carved from a piece of bone. We described how and why he did it. Little did the maker know the implications of his invention, but we did.
Centuries passed and we archived nature. Through the songs of bards, the parables of prophets or just the simple views of ordinary people, it was saved. Sometimes it was embellished; sometimes it was not; but it did not matter. We were always there. We championed conservation efforts. Some battles we unfortunately lost, then again others were rousing victories. We were the voice of the outdoors.
Into the new millennium, times have become harder, but we have evolved to meet the challenge. Now, we do not only tell how, when, and where; we also explain why. Our numbers decrease daily and replacements are few, but we persevere. We will be the voice of the outdoors until we have no breath left in our souls. Who are we? We are the outdoor writers, and we will take you where the wild things are.
“We will conserve only what we love, we love only what we know, and we will know only what we are taught.” An excerpt from a poem by Baba Dioum.
DaWayne Spires is a freelance writer who makes his home in Toccoa. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association. He can be contacted at redneckironchef@gmail.com.