A boss I once worked for as a young newspaperman had an interesting approach to problem-solving. Instead of dealing with some problems head on, he would wait them out. He apparently had learned over the years that management problems – especially personal conflicts- would work themselves out over time if he simply left them alone to age.

For those of us who tend toward the Type A personality, taking a wait-and-see attitude toward nagging problems isn’t easy. Every now and then I find that if you just remain patient, the policy of benign neglect really can produce solutions. Here’s an example of what I mean.

A few months ago, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance urged all sportsmen, especially sporting dog owners, to boycott the Iams dog food company. Iams, a subsidiary of Proctor & Gamble, was underwriting Petfest America. This event was being sponsored by HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). HSUS is a notorious and well-heeled anti-hunting organization that is spearheading and bankrolling the referendum in Maine this fall to close down traditional bear hunting.

On my weekly outdoor radio program Maine Outdoors on the Voice of Maine News-Talk Network I used the airwaves to get the message out to sportsmen and dog owners. “Don’t buy Iams or Eukanuba pet foods,” I urged. “Every time you make a purchase of these pet foods, you contribute indirectly to an anti-hunting organization. The appeal was made by me more than once.

Little did I know that my broadcast “activism” would come back to haunt me personally. In fact, as fate would have it I unwittingly put myself on the horns of a dilemma.

My English Setter Sally, a tightly wound Type A not unlike her master, developed an intestinal disorder that was nothing to mess around with. Our veterinarian put her on a special brand of low protein dog food and told us to stick with it. Yep, you guessed it. Sally’s new diet regimen was Eukanuba, a pet food manufactured by the Iams Company.

Feeling like a first class hypocrite but rationalizing that Sally’s welfare must come before politics, I started buying the recommended pet food from the same company that I had denounced and urged Maine sportsmen to boycott. I winced, but I put the money on the counter all the while praying that a radio listener didn’t snag me in my hypocrisy.

Then today came some good news from a fellow sportsman and good friend Millinocket guide Wiggie Robinson. He is a veteran gundog owner who also supported the Iams boycott. Following a flood of sportsmen calls, faxes and letters protesting their support of the HSUS project, the Iams Company recently announced that it was severing its relationship with HSUS and apologized to America’s sportsmen and sporting dog owners. The press release said in part: “We want to inform you and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance that the Iams Company is officially announcing that we are not funding the Petfast America events with HSUS next year. We appreciate the feedback we have received from the sporting dog community and apologize for the frustration that this sponsorship caused.”

Iams is not the first national firm to end relationships with HSUS after sportsmen levied strong protests. General Mills, Accor Economy Lodging, Sears and Ace Hardware have also seen the light.

The Iams decision is good news, not only for me and my setter, but for all sportsmen. It demonstrates once again the power in unity and numbers when it comes to sportsmen waging the good battle to save our outdoor heritage from those who would take our sporting rights from us piece by piece. It is a lesson worth remembering here in Maine as we prepare to do battle with HSUS in the months ahead. Traditional bear hunting and our right as sportsmen to make our own choices are on the line. The Iams’ lesson is clear: we can send HSUS packing in November if we work hard and speak as sportsmen with one voice.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].