Chief Grey Bear

I always liked Spring better. I went across cowskin bridge Tuesday. It was still really foggy and I couldn't see real good, but I did see the funniest thing on the water I have ever seen before. It looked like an oil streak running with the channel. It wasn't an oil slick. It looked like just one streak of the lake had turned over. I really don't know what it was and I don't know if anybody else is an area that day that could report on it.

I am happy to report that because of my multiple postings on social media of HB955 to get the word out, I was just contatcted and gave an interview with the Springfield News-Leader. He is also making other contacts for a report on HB955 and he hopes to have it in the Friday edition. I think I gave him more than he was looking for in that I went all the way back to the deer farm rukus and why we have this agency assult. I think my best quote was: This is the type of politics you expect in Washington DC not Missouri. We are supposed to be more mature than this.

Here is one response I have received so far. Britt, I attended a 3 hour hearing on HB 955 Monday evening. There were camp owners and outfitters from all over the state there to hear the bill. Rep Ross has no intention of changing any statute regarding public use of our streams and rivers. His bill deals with clarifying statutes regarding ownership of land adjoining the waterways. There are conflicting rules and laws dating back to statehood that are in dire need of clarification. Before his bill advances, there will be several amendments added to remove and clarify language that might be confusing. To address the MDC proposals, the Capitol liaisons for the department caused an undue amount of grief for several Senators and Reps last year during the debate over captive deer. At one point in a Senate hearing the Director told a room full of Senators they couldn't touch their funding because it was protected by the Constitution. Human nature being what it is, there will be some payback. This has just about run it's course and things are getting back to normal. I'll keep you posted on the movement of 955, but don't be concerned about losing stream privileges, if anything, this bill will help increase them. Bill

I just wanted to say that even if you do not live in Missouri, I encourage you to please contact all legislators you can. Let them know that you are an avid hunter and\or fisherman from out of state and that one of the reasons you come to this state to spend your money is because of the great management work done by the MDC. Let them know that you are not satisfied with the current state of attacks being lodged against the MDC and that you can and will take your hard earned money to other states that work with their conservations programs. I thank you and so do all of the bussiness' that are supported by your generosity.

I have also saturated social media sites with the information on all these bills. You all may want to do the same.

Hope so.

I agree. I have always been on the frugal side. Those $20-$30 reels work just as good and last just as long as the $100 ones. Now of course they won't last forever, but neither do the high dollar ones. But I can get a good 5 years usually. I didn't get any more than that out of the top of line ones.

This may very well make it all the way to Jay's desk. Since he is a huge proponent of the MDC, he may just very well play hardball no matter what they attach to the bill. I'm pretty sure he is not amused one bit with what is going on. And the sad part is, even if these were to pass, these jerks will not be voted out. People will not hold this against them. Not enough of them anyway.

Wait a minute. The Reps are pissed at the constituents because they, the very people that elected them to do what we want, are not supportive of this? Is that correct?

Outstanding pics Greasy!!!

Excellent!! Thank you for asking those questions and thank you for posting!!!

Thanks for the update. Can you share some of his thoughts on the CWD and the attacks on the MDC?

Got it now. Thanks Matt!

Matt Just checked and the last emails I have from the MSA are from two on 2/6, 2/10 and 2/16. Is there some I didn't get?

Will do Matt. I just received the latest edition of the BBN the other day.

Has anyone heard anything from the MSA on all of these bills? I know I have heard plenty from other conservation organizations.

I didn't vote for a one of them. And as Al has said on numerous occasions right here, if your values are more towards conservation, voting for anyone with an R following, is most likely not a good choice.

I think you're absolutely correct Randy. I am not so much trying to stir the pot as I am trying to raise awareness that any attack on the MDC affects all of us. Not just what pertains to what our personal uses of the outdoors are. Maybe if we had all been on board and expressed our displeasure with the legislators when the Deerfarm ruckus started, they may have perceive that as a "hey we better stay away from this". Instead there was little pushback and we now find ourselves with an all out assault on everything that we love about the outdoors and those that manage it. All I'm saying is we need to remain in solidarity on every issue that the legislators bring up against the MDC! And not cherry pick it to the ones that will affect us personally. We are all in this together and we all stand to lose.

It doesn't take much.

Glad you decided to get on board with this. But just as you pointed out, you don't get involved in politics until it affects you personally. And it is sad that people are like that. With the all out, no holds barred, assult on the MDC, we all need to stand united on every issue. Ron has tirelessly kept all of us abreast of the lasted information since he has graciously returned. So its not like we didn't know of all of the attacks on the agency. I told you all a year ago when it started with the deer farms that this was coming and it was dismissed. We almost lost that issue. It was within one vote! We have to rachet up the heat on these legislatures on every attack they wage on the MDC, not just the ones that will affect us personally.

This may get some traction!

I don't mind at all getting mine yearly and by doing that I continue to help the state recieve federal funds accounted by the number of permits sold every year. Once you get the lifetime, that's it.

Got mine today. Got yours yet?

No cussing No republican bashing That about covers it.

I think it all depends on how you look at as to whether it is stupid or not.