Government finances seem to be dominating the news lately. I would love to do a column on government waste, and misuse of tax dollars. However, I dont think this is the appropriate forum for that commentary. Rather, I would like to focus on some of the good things the government does with our tax dollars.
I need to explain before I go any farther that I am not a fan of the government providing free services to anyone who can afford to pay for them. I feel all government programs should be pay to play like the highway system and post office. They are both user pay programs, and work reasonably well. The highway system is paid for with license fees and fuel taxes. As users, all drivers pay to build and maintain the roads, so the more we use them the more we pay.
Most government programs are paid for out of the general fund, which means all taxpayers are paying for them whether we use the program or not. Even if we think it is a bad idea, or a waste of money, we still all pay for it. Unfortunately we are to the point that any special interest group that can afford a lobbyist can get government funding for just about anything.
One of the programs funded by the state of Ohio is the public parks system. There are more than 170,000 acres, owned by the state, that are available for us to use. That is a lot of land set aside for the public to hike, hunt, and fish on. This doesnt include the huge federally owned tracts of land, plus the county and city parks. Granted, some of this ground is treated as preserves and doesnt allow hunting. However, the vast majority is open to all outdoor sports.
Maps are available online from the Department of Natural Resources that give details about all the state owned parks. They show areas designated for hunting, hiking, and horseback trails. Parking and facilities are also shown on the maps. A lot of the parks have overnight accommodations for an extended stay. Some have a lodge or cabins to rent. Many have camping spots available, either primitive tent camping or camper hook ups. As with anything thats free, there are some drawbacks. Dont expect to park your car, walk a couple hundred yards, and not see any other hunters. Public hunting properties attract lots of hunters. If you do a little preseason scouting, and dont mind a little hiking, you can do very well on these properties.
The same goes for fishing. A big lake and a free boat launch draw a lot of boaters. If you want to fish, dont waste your time on a nice weekend. The lake will be churned up, and pleasure boaters will be blasting by you regularly. Try the same lake on an evening after work and you will have much better success, without all the commotion.
You are paying for these properties whether you use them or not, so you might as well take advantage of them.
Catch you later, Rick
