OzarkFishman

Justin, You hit the nail on the head. This one showed a propensity to roam more than the others. Thanks you for stating it WAY better than I did.

http://www.news-lead...dyssey=nav|head Read the article. “We can’t afford to buy an easement this big, but the O’Reillys have that conservation mindset so they were willing to donate it." At the end of the article, it says that at least one other landowner is thinking about a similar easement. Great stuff!!!

Do you believe that the elk was already in Arkansas? Or, do you have a different hypothesis (or do you actually KNOW)? I am a firm believer in transparency, but we all know that true transparency never happens in the "real world". The more quality information that we can all gather, the better we can judge the actions that MDC has made (they will make bad decisions/actions ... we ALL do).

Ness, That was my word choice, not theirs. I was trying to make a long conversation into a shorter post. That is my bad word choice, but good point. I actually thought the same thing when I had that part of the conversation. The person that I was talking to said something to the point of the elk "getting away" and never being found again. Don't see that happening with a beautiful (but needed) collar on, but I don't understand the situation totally. You all have a good day and enjoy your cool day tomorrow, it will only get worse over the weekend.

Agreed on all accounts Daryk. I still have not 100% jumped on the elk restoration bandwagon. Like all of you, I am learning about this project. I will say that I am always a little skewed towards defending MDC (they have done some pretty amazing stuff), but I also know that every agency/company/department makes good moves and bad ones. It is so easy to look at anything in life and make it what you want. If you want to see only negatives, great ... if you want to see only positives, great. But, maybe .... just maybe, some people will step up to the plate and look for positives and negatives in most situations and then try to get as much information as possible before determining an opinion (objective information if possible, but that isn't always the case). The deer comment seems to be a little off-base. MDC never promised the state that deer would not be found on their land. This project has many more variables in a WAY more complicated world than when the MDC SAVED the deer population for this great state. Ness, I agree ... the warm-fuzzy feeling is gone for me as well. Again, complicated world ... what seems to be infinite opinions, no perfect solutions. Chief, again ... complicated. How would a Missourian tell the difference between an Arkansas elk and a Missouri elk. Right now, it would be that big, old beautiful collar. Later, it won't be that easy. If MDC made a promise to keep the elk population in the "area", then what are they to do. Public perception ...

Now that is an idea that no one can argue. Nice tip Daryk.

Here are the responses I received for the last 2 unanswered questions ... 1)What would happen if an elk crossed the state border? I am assuming elk from Arkansas to Missouri. We may allow nature to take its course, but we may also decide to eliminate the elk as per our Elk Restoration zone. There is a small group of elk near the Drury Mincy Conservation Area of which we don’t know their origins. There is an elk ranch there, so they may be escapees; we are doing investigation to find out their origin and what will come of that heard remains to be seen 2)What happens if deer with CWD are found on Pecks Ranch to the elk herd? First, the possibility of CWD found at Pecks Ranch is very remote; the deer in the Macon area most likely contracted CWD from the captive deer ranch nearby. Research has shown that CWD is more easily transmitted in confined areas such as a deer ranch versus open range deer. Saying that, if there was CWD in the deer at Pecks Ranch we would take steps to thin the deer herd at the epicenter of the disease and most likely begin testing the elk immediately. One of the reasons MDC abated the Elk Reintroduction program in 2000 was the inability to test live deer/elk for the disease. We are able to do that now which allowed us to test the elk in Kentucky for CWD.

Nice system ... those words of encouragement would get me nowhere with my wife ... With 2 boys, I just say that I am taking the oldest with me (works every time). When the younger one (20 months now) gets a little older, my wife will have plenty of shopping time. I have found that shopping time for my wife is as important, if not more important, as fishing is to me. Give a little, take a little is my motto.

Just a couple tips to all you guys and gals that run lines ... Cut bait works and is easier to bait, but 3 - 5 inch LIVE bluegill and sunfish work even better. Just lip hook them (make sure you get enough "meat" to hold the bait). I use 7/0 octopus/circle hooks. Some people go up to 10/0 and others go as small as 4/0 for set lines (personally wouldn't go any smaller than 4/0 if you plan on getting into bigger catfish). You can set the bait anywhere in the water column, but ALL dissolved-oxygen breathing fish will die if they stay below the thermocline too long. I run 2 hooks on my anchored jug lines (5 feet and 12 or 13 feet). I would not recommend going any lower than 20 feet deep for the hooks. We caught 9 out of 10 jug fish at 5 feet. Set the jugs at any depth, just be careful on where you put the actual hooks (with swivels and leaders). I ran a trot line this weekend also and it caught 10 out of the 20 fish. We set 2 anchored jugs in 30 feet of water, then connect the 2 jugs with a line at 12 feet (looks like a big H if you saw the whole thing at once). We put 7 swivels spaced evenly over 100 feet. The last morning we ran the trotline, there were 4 catfish including the 18.5 and a 10+. It is always fun pulling up a catfish and knowing there has to be something bigger on down the line. Let me know if any of you all have any questions. PS - Thanks Daryk

The elk that was shot Why could they not sedate the elk that was shot? From the information I gathered, it seems 2 things played into the decision ... 1) The shot was difficult and more than likely would have missed if a tranquilizer gun was used (range of weapon). Obviously, this would rule out the net gun. 2) MDC promised the state that the elk would be kept within the area (if not, the elk would be dealt with swiftly). This particular male showed a yearn to roam and not come back (yes, all elk roam ... this one roamed more than the others). The MDC came to the conclusion that this elk was not coming back and made a decisive action. Where had the elk been roaming (actual data from collar)? The actual data will NOT be released. Historical or live data of where the elk are roaming could lead to plenty of problems (poaching, trespassing, etc.). This elk was out of the "area". Elk area/range What is considered elk area? Follow the link that is provided in the post above this one. What is the standard protocol for an elk that strays from the "area"? The protocol is to sedate or net gun the elk. If necessary, lethal measures will be taken. There are many sides to this issue and MDC does its best to do what is best for the most. What would happen if an elk crossed the state border? Still working on finding the answer ... Sustainability/environmental impact What is the projected number of animals before viable hunting season is allowed? How will a hunting season be established? Who will be allowed to hunt for them? When is the hunting season forseeable? Time will tell, but it looks like hunting is somewhere between 5 and 10 years out. That is too long out to answer these specific questions. What if the Arkansas and Missouri elk Breed? This is not a problem that is foreseen (the unforeseen happens daily ...). What happens if deer with CWD are found on Pecks Ranch to the elk herd? I will be asking this question in an email I send later today. CWD has not been shown to transfer from deer to livestock, but I do not know about deer to elk transfer possibilities. FROM MDC WEBSITE ... "Other states with successful elk restoration projects have followed similar health protocols that have resulted in no cases of disease transmission to livestock or wildlife." How much is this project going to cost over 3, 5, and 10 years and where is the forseeable break even point or self sustaining point? I did not ask this question. This project is still in the building/maturing stage.There are grants out there and some have shown interest in helping the MDC offset some of the costs. Still too many variables to answer this question (IMHO). What weeds do the elk eat, and how will it improve the forest ecology it will habitat in? One of the guys I talked to worked in 2 other states with elk populations. He stated that elk will eat crops, just not most of the crops we have here. They like peas, alfalfa and many other things that are not abundant around here. Fescue damage has been shown to stay at a minimum. The biggest problem this guy encountered in other states was property damage (elk tend to go through fences from time to time). Some states offered to repay the landowners ... As far as the weeds and forest ecology, time will tell. All animals will eat what satisfies them the most with what is available. Again, time will tell. So ... I have 2 more questions to get answered (see above). This may have been a waste of time, since most of the nay-sayers will stay nay-sayers ... BUT, I gained a lot of good information for my conservation class and I developed a few more connections with MDC! Enjoy your day guys and gals!

My dad, his buddy and I went for our annual setline trip to LOZ. We only ran the lines for 36 hours, since they were hitting our hooks at close to 50% (we checked the lines 3 times). Ended the weekend with over 130 pounds of blues (18.5, 14.5, 14.5, and 2 others over 10 ... plenty of others less than 10). We set the release limit at 15 pounds for the weekend, so the 18.5 went back. What a great weekend, next year I will bring along my oldest boy!!!

river angler man is correct. The access point above the dam (warm water outlet) and below the dam can be fished at night, as well as Southwood (the boat ramp under 65 bridge). The parking lot just across the bridge is closed at dark (heading from the power plant over the bridge, the parking lot is on your right). I have been stopped at that parking lot right before dark. The cop pulled in and turned on his lights. He asked for my license and went back to the car and ran my information. He "informed" me that the parking lot closed at dark and let me go. Before leaving, he told me the area is known for drugs and that is why they keep such a close eye. jaskea8 - use circle hooks and do exactly as you said. I believe you are only allowed 3 poles, so it would make sense to set 2 catfish poles and bass fish with one (don't venture too far away if the poles are not secured to something).

It is always nice to catch a personal best. Sounds like a great morning.

Smallie ... I can't thank you enough. This year will be a little different than last year. I will have a few more mornings by myself (which I am looking forward to ... focused fishing). One more question ... is 30 pound braid enough to cast 2 - 4 ounce jigs OR would you go with 50 - 65? I will be taking 2 Penn spinning reels. Obviously, I would never cast anything close to that big in the James or Finley where I frequent. I don't plan on throwing the big jigs the whole time, but they sure can cover to water. Last year I had a ton of success with blues and ladyfish, but this year I am ready to step it up a little (if not the blues will be biting). Anymore info is welcome. Let me know if you need me to PM you my email.

The last 7 words of F&F's post are definitely "that's what she said" material ...

I will definitely post some pics. Thanks for such a detailed response! Sounds like I have everything I need. I just need to rent an ocean yak while I am down there and explore those wrecks. I had a blast last summer catching blues and ladyfish (along with a few stingray). Like you, I can't stand bait fishing in the ocean. What rod do you use to cast in the surf? Do you use a different rod for the big 2 - 4 oz red and white jigs? Thanks again for the information.

Smalliebigs, What were you throwing at them??? I will be going to Gulf Shores in July and plan on throwing jigs, big cranks and a few topwater plugs. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks, OzarkFishman

Those days happen to all of us. Can't help that some people are rude and inconsiderate. What were you throwing ... maybe we could give you some advise ... Good luck next time on the water.

Put in around 6:15 on Saturday morning. It was a great morning weather wise. Fished all sorts of baits, but I didn't get a fish boated until 9:00. The guy with me caught fish all morning (probably 20 - 25 total). After 9:00, I caught around 15 (most being smallmouth). We got into a few groups of spots around submerged timber, we doubled up once. None of the fish were huge, but it was a great float. The one on the paddle is my personal best smallmouth and it came within 1/4 mile of the take out.

It was supposed to be a joke, guess it wasn't funny ... YES, I do understand what you were/are saying. Back to the actual conversation that is going somewhere positive.

No response yet, but here is a link ... http://mdc.mo.gov/di...ion-backgroun-0 Some of you won't believe a word on the page ... believe what you want.

Greasy B, You are exactly correct. I speak on that point when teaching Hunter Education.

Just so everyone knows. Fine $$ goes to the county schools fund ... I don't think that $$$ should be taken (at least the hunting fines, I can check on the fishing fines ... I would think it would be the same). The parking ideas is a pretty good one, but it would stop some people with less $$$ from going to those parks. No perfect solution, but I like the idea.

I will send the email tomorrow. Just don't see anymore constructive comments being posted on this thread.

You dream of poppyseed ... I don't judge much, but that is very weird.