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We experienced some very interesting events while hunting in ND last week. Each day (lunch and sometimes dinner) we would eat in small town cafes.
Over the past 25 years hunting in ND (as a res & NR) we would often eat at the local diners. We would enter in our hunting garb (as clean as possible), sit down, order, eat, and leave. Often we would get a few passing stares in our direction. :shake: Conversations with the locals were rare and only happened if we initiated them.
This last week we were approached in 4 different cafes in three separate towns by locals. Often approached multiple times at one sitting. Sometimes it was grandmas coming up to talk. One even opened up a free jar of home canned pickles to share. Wow.
They all asked if we were nonresidents. I always answer yes, but with ND roots. Once they heard yes we were asked to join their tables, told of areas to hunt or places to stay, and some apologized for any organized negative attitudes toward us visiting ND to hunt.
I am serious - it was really, really strange how well we were accepted as strangers in these places. Last year - same cafes - just glancing stares.
Some mention Eddie - and how he used this issue just to stir up his ratings and separate ND people - not to seek resolution.
Most all said they did not see a problem with NR hunters sharing the resource and helping their economy.
When I said plenty of residents help out the small town economies too - they said they buy there gas in the big towns, shells in the big towns, not eating here today are they ??
When I mention - quality of the hunting experience. Most seemed unconcerned or did not believe it. Often they said we are trying to survive out here - not just a ghost town with one or two bars.
Not sure what to make of all this - but next January should be very interesting in Bismarck.
Over the past 25 years hunting in ND (as a res & NR) we would often eat at the local diners. We would enter in our hunting garb (as clean as possible), sit down, order, eat, and leave. Often we would get a few passing stares in our direction. :shake: Conversations with the locals were rare and only happened if we initiated them.
This last week we were approached in 4 different cafes in three separate towns by locals. Often approached multiple times at one sitting. Sometimes it was grandmas coming up to talk. One even opened up a free jar of home canned pickles to share. Wow.
They all asked if we were nonresidents. I always answer yes, but with ND roots. Once they heard yes we were asked to join their tables, told of areas to hunt or places to stay, and some apologized for any organized negative attitudes toward us visiting ND to hunt.
I am serious - it was really, really strange how well we were accepted as strangers in these places. Last year - same cafes - just glancing stares.
Some mention Eddie - and how he used this issue just to stir up his ratings and separate ND people - not to seek resolution.
Most all said they did not see a problem with NR hunters sharing the resource and helping their economy.
When I said plenty of residents help out the small town economies too - they said they buy there gas in the big towns, shells in the big towns, not eating here today are they ??
When I mention - quality of the hunting experience. Most seemed unconcerned or did not believe it. Often they said we are trying to survive out here - not just a ghost town with one or two bars.
Not sure what to make of all this - but next January should be very interesting in Bismarck.