For novice outdoorsmen, it's not about the kill

Robert Saetta knelt beside the water's edge at Kenny's Beach in Southold. As a plump, orange-winged sea robin struggled to break free of his grasp, the angler deftly worked a long-nosed pliers into the fish's mouth and removed the hook.

"See that,'' he said to a pair of novice anglers watching intently as he eased the fish back into the water. "Any fish you catch and don't plan to keep - be it a sea robin, dog fish, fluke, bluefish or anything else - should be released in good shape.''

Saetta was introducing co-workers to the sport of fishing, and there were two points he wanted to make clear. The first covered the importance of treating any species of fish caught with equal respect. His second point focused on keeping things fun.

"If new anglers take away just these ideas,'' Saetta said, "they'll be back for more. It feels good to release a fish properly, and to play by the rules. Stay relaxed and you'll enjoy yourself even if the fish don't bite. Killing something, I think, is one of the least important aspects of our sport.''

It's interesting to note that Saetta's last statement also holds true for many hunters. On Wednesday, for example, I called on fellow scribe and longtime friend Glenn Sapir for a crash course in turkey hunting. There is no spring turkey season on Long Island, but many local hunters head upstate, where big birds are fair game for the entire month of May.

Sapir, director of editorial services for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the hunting and shooting sports industry, is a Putnam County resident and an expert turkey hunter. He has introduced many to the challenges of this growing sport and has written a book (Secrets of the Turkey Pros, $25. Ashmark Communications, Inc., PO Box 74, Shrub Oak, NY 10588,) detailing tips from some of the world's best turkey hunters.

"The foremost point I stress when introducing someone to any kind of hunting,'' Sapir said, "is the importance of hunting safely. No hunt is fun when something goes terribly wrong. After that, I want new hunters to experience the thrill of anticipation.''

As Sapir sees it, whether you are waiting for a fish to smash a surface plug or a wild turkey to answer your call with a loud gobble that raises the hair on the back of your neck, it is the sense something exciting is about to happen - that adrenaline rush - which draws sportsmen back for more.

"That, plus the camaraderie fishing and hunting partners often share,'' added Sapir.

Indeed, during our day afield, I learned much about using various turkey calls, gained a better understanding of the habitat and tendencies of these interesting birds, and came away with added confidence and anticipation as I plan for Long Island's second turkey hunt, coming this fall.

We didn't get a response to our shock calls, yelps or purrs but I left inspired, having spent quality time with a good friend, and realizing that I have yet another activity to add to an ever-growing list of pursuits that dominate my time afield.

"That," said Sapir with a smile as I thanked him for his time and patience, "is how things should be."

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