So a friend of mine calls me to tell me his father-in-law took a very large ten point buck over the gun season opener in Michigan. It's the third buck he has taken this year. First was a 6, followed by another 6, and now this huge 10. The problem is that in MI you are allowed two bucks during the season. The first can be anything even a button buck, but the second must have 4 or more points of an inch or larger on one side, hence a 7 or 8 point minimum. So not only has this guy poached the third deer (10 point), but he shouldn't have taken the second 6 point either. To top it off he is now bragging and showing off his trophy.

What has happened to doing your best and accepting the outcome? I am all for striving to achieve goals or competing for a prize. I am not very good at it mind you but none the less; as long as everyone knows the rules and the playing field is level, go for it and may the best one win. Growing up, most of us have probably heard the saying, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game." Today that no longer rings true. It seems that to many people, winning is all that matters, and any means justifies the end. This is an ethical decay that pervades our society of late and it isn't just hunting or sports. It's in business, it's in law, it's in (insert item here) cause the list goes on and on.

I am by no means a perfect person and never have claimed to be. But when it comes to playing by the rules I do my best to start there and try to stay in bounds all the way through the course. And I wouldn't have a problem with DQing myself if I messed up. Otherwise, what's the point in it all? I just have never understood a sense of satifaction that comes from an achievement, reached through cheating. Anyone can do it wrong. Right?

If you'll excuse me now, I have to go shoot some juice and do some training. I've entered the 100 yard dash in the special olympics. Can't wait to hoist my gold medal and get my face on a box of Wheaties.