Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?

Never mind glitzy, glamorous, star-studded and A-list events such as the Grammys and the Oscars.  For Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? host, Jeff Foxworthy, he'd gladly pass those up over a couple of events he considers of greater appeal – hunting and fishing.

"It just drives my wife crazy," Foxworthy said laughing.  "She goes, 'We get invited to the Oscars.  You turn that down.  We get invited to the Grammys.  You turn that down.  But you never turn down a hunting or fishing trip.'  I always explain, 'Well, if I have my choice of putting on a tuxedo and going out to L.A. and sitting around with people I have nothing in common with, or going out to Kansas to hunt a monster whitetail…uh…it's not much of a chin-scratcher.'"

The multi-talented comic, recording artist, popular radio host, best-selling author and current Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? schoolmaster was named this year's honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day which took place last Saturday, September 22.

"I'm flattered to be asked to serve as 2007 honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day,” Foxworthy said.  “Without question, sharing hunting and fishing trips with my family had a profound impact on my life, and undoubtedly shaped and molded the person I am today."

Foxworthy began hunting and fishing as a boy when he would join his father and grandfather on their trips in Georgia.  He started with birds such as quail and small animals like squirrel.  He became hooked on the hobby after spotting his first deer track as a teenager.

"I was only 14, but I can take you right now and show you where that deer track was, on the edge of a soybean field out behind our barn,” Foxworthy recalled.  “I was totally fascinated that an animal that big could survive on its own without someone taking care of it."

While his favorite pastime may seem like a total polar opposite to the more politically correct thrust toward eco-friendliness, protection and conservation, Foxworthy is actually a champion of the land and all its inhabitants and creatures.

Growing up, this presenter of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? realized that there were people taking care of deer and other forms of wildlife.  He also came to understand the strange relationship between hunters like him and the conservationists and professionals charged with caring for the animals.  Ironically, in North America, the sale of hunting and fishing licenses as well as special excise taxes on hunting and fishing gear account for the bulk of funding for conservation efforts and programs.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: National Hunting and Fishing Day
(Image Courtesy of National Hunting and Fishing Day)