It was about this time
of year, a few fall seasons ago, while doing my best to exemplify proper
driving technique on my way home from school with a certain woman harboring no
reservations for calling me out, that I was graciously reminded through the
storm of previously-kempt hair whipping in the wind from the open windows that
trees, in fact, grow in people’s yards—not in the road—and that I should avert
my gaze—stat.
The logic I readily
offered, that foliage is of primary concern while driving in the fall (Just ask
Yankee magazine), as it’s fleeting
while cars will drive the road the year-round and pavement remains the same
dull gray in all seasons, was accepted and dismissed with the same look, which
I’d rather not describe. It was
obviously lost on her, as the windows went up immediately.
Over my many years of
driving experience, I’ve come to understand one key principle. Driving is equal parts vehicle operation and
observation. Outdoorsmen, I believe,
know this best; and for us it is a vital concept.
Whichever outdoor
activity that’s on your mind, it pays to be observant; for scouting is central
to success in any such endeavor, and a practice to be taken seriously.
Enter, the 20th
Century invention of motor vehicles, and driving.
During no other daily
activity does one cover as much ground as when driving. Simply by driving to Charlottesville from my
Fluvanna County home, I cover roughly 25 miles of good deer and squirrel
habitat, and cross several streams that I believe to hold fish. For the same reason that mail carriers often
know the location and patterns of deer and other game along vehicle travel
corridors, outdoorsmen who pay their dues being observant drivers may enjoy
more success in the field, if not on the road.
VDOT was obviously in
on this strategy, as our roads typically traverse beautiful country, follow
closely to rivers, and are bordered by fields that seem to be deer
magnets. Interpreting the clues that
these sly, state-agency outdoorsmen embedded in the creation of roadways will
help simplify the scouting process further.
Often times, the more
treacherous the road, the more valuable it is as a scouting route, as hilly
country typically outshines flat in the eyes of outdoorspeople—holding more
streams; bigger, tougher game; and more pleasurable hiking.
Deer crossing signs are
largely misidentified by the non-sporting public as warnings, though sportsmen
know the truth. In effect, these signs
are state-imposed ratings of the quality of the peripheral habitat; and the
more signs present, the more you should pay attention to your
surroundings. The frequency with which
deer actually inhabit the road is far lower than that with which they inhabit
the marginal land; but should one venture into the road mistakenly and collide
with your vehicle, you will have tremendous insight into the physical
characteristics of the local herd.
A high-mountain road
that follows the course of a stream is as blatant a sign as they come. Often nicknamed “fire roads,” these paths
were originally created as tools for emergency teams to quickly reach remote
streams and assess their fishability with respect to water volume and clarity,
simply by peering out the window. Should
a forest fire break out in the surrounding hills, emergency respondents were
close by and ready for action, just as quickly as they could break down their
rods. These tools can and should be
utilized by the fishing public, who need not interrupt their fishing efforts in
the event of a forest fire.
When traveling and
scouting such roads, mainstream driving instruction that advocates for keeping
your gaze fixed 20-30 seconds ahead on the route of travel is a common pet
peeve of mine. This practice rarely
provides insight into the local outdoor opportunities, and serves no other
effective purpose, save for avoiding accidents.
I find my 1:2 rule much
more suitable. In a three-second loop,
focus your attention on the road ahead for one second, adjusting course and
speed, and locating potential hazards.
Use the following two seconds to assess your surroundings, whether a
field, woodlot, or stream. Then
repeat. As a ratio, should you need more
time for vehicular operation, the rule allows you to simply double that time
and devote it to observation. For
example: If you should need four seconds
to effectively operate your vehicle, designate eight to scouting. This ensures adequate safety and maximum
information gathering.
Good driving is a skill
that comes naturally to most outdoorspeople, but that often gains criticism
from the non-sporting public. For more
successful days afield, keep your eyes open and focused on your surroundings,
drive a car with good safety ratings, and have your local ambulance service on
speed dial.
*Originally published in the Rural Virginian
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