mossy oak

Today, September 28 is “NATIONAL DAY OF CONSERVATION”.

Mossy Oak Properties has extended the challenge to the entire outdoor community to spend time today engaging in conservation activities. 

When most think conservation, we think of passing it on. Handing down the land that we love to the next generation better than we found it. We think of the conservation efforts that have revived and the critters that we love back to thriving numbers. We know a portion of every license and piece of equipment goes towards conservation. 

There are numerous ways to get involved. 

• Go for a walk and pick up trash.
• Invite someone to join you on an outdoor adventure. 
• Clean out your closet and give a new hunter some of your gear.
• Teach someone how to fish.
• Cook up venison for a neighbor.
• Plant some wildflowers with the kids. 

My question is are you conserving yourself? When we talk about conservation it gets me to thinking, are we conserving the outdoorsmen. The outdoorsmen that have brought the deer, turkey, elk, trout, and so many more species back to thriving populations from the edge of extinction? 

Is the outdoorsmen the next endangered species?

Not do we have a part in it but are we actively making sure that we are conserving outdoorsmen? I have set my focus on the conservation of outdoorsmen. To help those that love the outdoors to spend more time and more years doing what they love with those they love.

As an outdoorsman, a critical way to help others and be part of the conservation of outdoorsmen is for each of us to hunt more and hunt longer. This means improving our health. To extend our capabilities and our lifespan. 

When we are able to hunt more and longer we will be able to introduce more people to God’s creation. We will be able to pass on a hunting heritage and leave a lasting legacy in the outdoors. 

Dedicate time to exercise and get in better shape. Make time to improve your health and get better. 

So here is my challenge to you. Similar to the executive order handed out in 1908 by Theodore Roosevelt, walk 50 miles. Teddy Roosevelt challenged the military to march 50 miles in 20 hours over a 3-day span. He placed this directive due to the lack of physical fitness, preparedness, and decrease in what he deemed living a ‘Strenuous Life’ from the United States military of the day.

John F. Kennedy, throughout his presidency, often referred to the lack of physical fitness of the United States as being the biggest risk to our nation’s safety and freedom. In a Sports Illustrated article titled “The Soft American” wrote:

“For physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” 

John F. Kennedy

JFK challenged the military of the early 1960s and the nation in general, to improve their health and fitness by completing 50 miles in less than a 20 hour period. This challenge came after finding documents of Teddy Roosevelts Executive Order and that some Marine’s during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency completing 50 miles in 20 hours straight.

And so it is today for us. 

The biggest conservation effort we can make is to conserve outdoorsmen. To first look to improve our own health, but then invite others to join us as we improve our health and the health of the land we love to roam and the animals that we love to chase.

So I challenge you to walk 50 miles in the next month. Put 50 miles on the ground by the end of October. Not just 20 hours but a month to get 50 miles in. Tracking is easy with cell phones today, or use a pedometer, a watch, or any number of apps you like. Keep track and share it on social media such as the Go Wild App or in your @Instagram stories. Tag @HealthyHunterTV and @DrBrooksTiller plus use #HealthyHunter and #HealthyHunter50 to see others that are conserving outdoorsmen with you!