what happened to morals!!?

[crappie55409]

Sorry, this is a bit of a venting posting but here goes....

Im 29 years old and i enjoy the outdoors immensely (fishing, hunting, camping). I've been excited about participating in these activities (especially fishing and camping) since i was a little kid but my grandfather was the person who i looked up to and the person who showed me the way. My grandpa was always the life of the party and enjoyed drinking and having fun but if there was any principal which he honored more than any other it was a respect for your fellow man and the law. He has recently passed away but what he passed on to me was the motto 'do good by other people'. He believed in this and he followed it to a T and i try to do the same. I'm frustrated because lately all of the people my age that im meeting that enjoy the outdoors are anything but moral. They are racist, they break laws regarding drinking, they are disrespectful, and generally focused on everything but what i grew up understanding was to be gained about spending time outdoors. Im starting to wonder if this is just a product of my generation and something that has died out with the older generations? Dont get me wrong, i'm not a "square" and i enjoy partying and having fun too but with respect towards others.

Discontent,

crappiehunter

[Twins Guy]

Sounds like you're in a bit of a rut 55409. There are lots of good ones out there though. Met a bunch at cool cats last weekend. Drop me a pm sometime if you wanna fish, I'm 55406. Planning to do some cat fishing this weekend...open invite

tg

[Toba]

You were learned those things at home as well. Key word Learned at Home.

[Stick in Mud]

Eh. Kids have always been trouble. When haven't there been racists? Or when haven't kids broken the law? It sounds like you grandpa was an amazing man...but don't assume that everyone was like him. Obviously they're not, though I'm sure it'd be a better world if they were.

[fish_eat_sleep]

Agreed.. I'm 19 and I too am disappointed with SOME of the younger guys out on the ice, boat, and trail. I am not perfect but will never understand how some people leave trash behind or "go fishing" as an excuse to drink. Oh and those guys I fish with that text girls the whole time.. It ruins the whole outdoor experience. I have fished hundreds of hours on the metro lakes last summer. I made it out 43 days in a row.. Because thats what I love to do. To me a day without the great outdoors isn't much of a day. Yet, I got my line run over twice by other boats. got rocked with waves countless times by inattentive boaters. I know everybody that buys a license should have equal rights to the water and land. BUT too many people I come across on the lake and trail appear to show no sportsmanship at all. especially the younger crowd. We have to bring back the respectful law abiding sportsman. I'm not sure if this disrespect is new as I'm not old enough to see it any other way but its disappointing. I'm venting too now.. just sharing my similar experience.

[fishersofmen]

Completely understand what you are saying and I feel for you. All I can say is continue to be an example.......PM sent

[SkunkedAgain]

What you're seeing from other 29 year olds is what they learned from their parents. When you're in your teens you are very impressionable. However, sometime in their twenties most young adults settle down into their adult pattern of life. What they are doing at 29 is likely how they are going to act for a good while - maybe not forever but a good while.

[Down Deep]

Your generation has no corner on lack of moral behavior. I've been around almost 60 years and encounter people on a regular basis who think it's OK to break game laws, not take care of their children, beat dogs, stand by while someone goes into harms way because they ought to know better, overreact and start berating a teenager because they made a mistake and gave them the wrong hamburger, use excessive profanity in public, complain about everything and on an on. Fortunately the majority of people of all ages are good people and make huge contributions to the betterment of their families, neighborhoods, youth programs, workplaces, etc. You are one of these people, so don't get sidetracked by the losers.

[Stick in Mud]

Nicely put, Down Deep.

[Knoc]

Im 32 and most of the guys that I met on the ice who I get along with the best are guys in their 60's and 70's. I actually met a guy who fished out in front of my house quite often and we've gotten to be pretty good friends and fish together pretty frequently. I tend to be very old school, so I guess it kind of fits. I guess I just find their stories more interesting as well. Id rather listen to past fishing trips 20 years ago than some kid talk about getting so wasted they...

I have seen my fair share of pot smokers (of all ages) as well as underage drinkers on the lake, but honestly the drinkers of age probably cause as much annoyance as the underage kids. Usually the pot smokers keep pretty much to their selves. But they also tend to be the ones to play their music loud, but I like the Steve Miller Band, so it dont bug me..haha.. I seen a kid earlier this year with what had to be at least a 4 foot bong in his shapperell when I thought Id stop in to see how fishing was. Wasnt hurting me, so I dont care.

[harvey lee]

We live in a different world today.

Go back to the 50's and the dad worked and in the biggest masjority of the homes, the mother was at home to see the kids off to school and was there when they got home.

Today, money and material goods seem to be a bit more important than being home with the kids.

There have been moraless people back then, now and more than likely will always be.

I truely believe it is all in your upbringing. I still see many kids today that have great values.

[Stick in Mud]

This is an interesting thread....I've seen lots of people older than I am (I'm 29) do lots of bad things while in the outdoors--smoke pot, litter the ice, drink and drive, keep illegal fish, fish with four rods, keep 20 walleyes, root for the Yankees, etc. etc. etc. But I've also seen lots of people older than me pick up trash and be great stewards of the resources we (still) have. I guess we just have to choose which class of people we'll be in--those who respect the resources or those who don't. Many people younger than me DO respect them, and many who are older don't. And many who are younger than me DON'T respect them, and many who are older do. I think it's best to avoid generalizations and make friends with those who are honest. At least that way it's easier to confront the numbskulls out there, yound and old alike.

[CrappieNight]

Times have changed, Harvey. As a joke I printed and posted the May 1955 Housekeeping Monthly "The Good Wife's Guide" on the fridge, certainly, it didn't go over well.

[EMAGDNIM]

I have seen my fair share of pot smokers (of all ages) as well as underage drinkers on the lake, . Usually the pot smokers keep pretty much to their selves. But they also tend to be the ones to play their music loud,

Haha thats funny . sounds like my roommate when he comes out with me. But im a younger guy and respect my lakes and other anglers and take pride in my ice fishing. I like talking to people out on the ice too if they're willing. The last few weekends have been nice and warm so alot of people out of the houses. Always Fun to share stories.

[gr82fish]

"I've seen lots of people older than I am (I'm 29) do lots of bad things while in the outdoors--smoke pot, litter the ice, drink and drive, keep illegal fish, fish with four rods, keep 20 walleyes, root for the Yankees".

...root for the Yankees??? So that's the cause of society's moral dilemma!

[Supercrew]

Two words for ya...... Common sense.

The apple does not fall far from the tree.

Nice to see some young people with operating minds for the good of our sport, without them we are in a downward spiral, my sons have the gift of respect and consideration, and I proudly take credit for their learning.

Pass it on..... pay it forward.

[Eastwind]

There are those, of all all ages, that think about how they leave the ice, water, golf course, etc. for those that will come behind them. Then there are those that only care about themselves due to laziness, ignorance, self centeredness, etc. I will turn my boat around to go back for floating trash others have let blow out of their boatsd if I see it. I often pick it up off of the ice ( but only ice fish Mille Lacs once or twice a year) and even fix extra ball marks on the putting greens when I golf. Unfortunately, we have amongst us a % of self centered slobs that just don't care. All we can do is set a good example for others and choose to do the right things ourself.

Cheer for the Yankees??? I just don't get warped behavior like that.

[Gordie]

The best way to change them is being a good example of what to be like and it sounds like your on your way to being a good sportman.

[tgruenke]

Great thread. I will be 30 tomorrow. I can see where people are coming from. I was invited to go ice fishing with some guys my age a few years back. My idea of fishing was not theirs. I'm unpacking my rods and they are unpacking their beer. To each their own, but let's all remember to be respectful. Sunday I'm hitting Mille lacs with some guys that I think will be much better.

[reinhard1]

there is an old saying "you are who you hang around with". it's an old saying just like " show me your friends and i'll show you your future". you sound like someone i or probably many would like to fish with. all you can do is set an example to others and be who you are. doing this will attract people just like you or those that want to be with someone who shows leadership in ethics and morals. good luck.

[BigDogRob]

This reminds me of a story I seen online once about a neighbor who threw his trash out in his lawn and let it blow into others' yeards and would always stop at a gas station in the morning and then throw his trash out the window on his way to work and the "good neighbor" would stop and pick it up. After a year the neighbor proceeded to take all the trash of the crumby neighbor and cover his car with it... long story short it buried the car... I try to always pick up my stuff off the ice when fishing, and have even made a trip back out there to grab a 1lb cylinder that fell off the cover of my sled on the way in. (learned to put them inside now before putting the cover on)

[randallt]

The best way to change them is being a good example of what to be like and it sounds like your on your way to being a good sportman.

Nicely said Gordie - My advice as well. Be a leader and other will follow!

[cavalierowner]

Your generation has no corner on lack of moral behavior. I've been around almost 60 years and encounter people on a regular basis who think it's OK to break game laws, not take care of their children, beat dogs, stand by while someone goes into harms way because they ought to know better, overreact and start berating a teenager because they made a mistake and gave them the wrong hamburger, use excessive profanity in public, complain about everything and on an on. Fortunately the majority of people of all ages are good people and make huge contributions to the betterment of their families, neighborhoods, youth programs, workplaces, etc. You are one of these people, so don't get sidetracked by the losers.

+1...I'm coming up on 63 and all I can say is some things just don't change. Heck, I gave up on permanent fishhouses in the late eighties because of all the break-ins. I left nothing in my house and it was designed to be broken into without doing damage.

Just stick to your values and high morals, stay away from those who are trouble and hopefully some of the bad ones will turn around. I've seen it happen.

[Down Deep]

As a joke I printed and posted the May 1955 Housekeeping Monthly "The Good Wife's Guide" on the fridge, certainly, it didn't go over well.

I posted it on the mirror in the bathroom. She didn't seem to have the same sense of humor about it that I had. Especially since, at the time, her income was about double mine. I had a good laugh when I read your post.

[pathogen]

The dirtbags and other ne'er-do-wells always draw attention and therefore stick in your mind. Certainly the proportion of honest sportsmen far outnumber them. But as the number of ice fishermen increase, so do the numbers of jerks.