Make Litter Pick-Up Part Of Outdoor Experience

LEWISTON - With schools of salmon anglers now lining the banks along many of Idaho's rivers, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game encourages all outdoor enthusiast to make litter pick-up a part of their outdoor routine. "Not only is it something good to do, but it will demonstrate to the public the sportsman's commitment to conservation," said George Fischer, IDFG conservation officer. "Plus filling a sack with litter will also prevent you from going home skunked." Litter pick-up efforts will not only help clean up natural areas, but outdoor traditions will be enriched as future generations learn to be good stewards of the land. Youth learn very quickly from their parents to either be good caretakers of the land, a positive role model for hunting and fishing, or slobs. Leaving trash is not unique to fishing areas, but one that plagues all areas, alongside roadways, hiking trails, campgrounds, vehicle pullout areas - basically anywhere people go outdoors. While the vast majority of outdoor enthusiasts are good about taking their trash with them, it only takes a few leaving their mess to destroy an area for the rest. "One of the most common reasons landowners don't allow hunters and anglers on their property is littering," Fischer said. "Yet people who spend a good deal of time outdoors have an important responsibility to keep the outdoors clean."