Justin Spencer

Boy am I feeling the love! Most things you are asking of outfitters are not expected in other businesses. If I rent a car is the rental company responsible for my actions just because I rented a car from them? If I rent a backhoe and go dig up your yard is the rental company responsible. I provide a service to people and most are respectful and cause no problems. Some do, I can't profile people and not rent to them because they have a mustache or tattoos, or are Asian, or black, or stupid. I sign a permit with our wonderful government that states I cannot discriminate. I have turned people away that are being disrespectful, or are already messed up, and have blacklisted many others that I no longer will rent to. It's not worth my time to argue this because I understand wanting the river to yourself, when I float I always see very few people and love it, but the river should be open to anyone, and in the summertime the primary use is not for fishing. Leave it to law enforcement to decide what is and isn't allowed, how can I be responsible for someone peeing in a yard? Some of your comments are just plain dumb. I know there are some bad outfitters out there, but even they don't want problems to happen on the river because that hurts the industry as a whole. I'd love to make a living off of big groups that don't drink and sing church songs down the river while picking up trash, healing the wounds of gigged smallmouth, and crapping in ziplock bags to take home with them, but that ain't gonna happen.

Awesome, good looking lad!

Don't think that defense will hold up in court.

I agree they aren't as passionate as some fishermen, but there are a lot more of them. I don't think there will be anything said and done and things will stay the same (nice and confusing). I must say I bet most river fishermen would take the party crowd on Saturdays over 20 catch and keep fishermen on their favorite stretches of river, the fishermen would cause much more damage to the resource, and would also be acting legally.

That is something you are very wrong about. I don't expect anyone who is not an outfitter to understand how passionate most of these people are about their vacations to the river. Most of these people come from the cities where they work hard to make a dollar. Camping and canoeing or renting a cabin or RVing is an affordable way for them to take their families, or get together with a group of friends and enjoy the outdoors. You don't get to see the excitement these people have on Friday nights when they get to the river and go sit in it in a lawn chair and drink a few beers getting away from the stresses of their normal lives. Many people tell me this is the highlight of their year and they look forward to it all year long. The majority of the problem floaters are those from nearby areas that come out for the day, wreak havoc and go home. It isn't fair to the majority who are out behaving themselves to be lumped together with the rest. It is like getting rid of fishing because some people poach.

#1 thing with all politicians is the money. I think both parties will rule in favor of more money for the state especially when it is on the side of small business, over that of individual property rights. A lot more people use the rivers than own property on the rivers. It won't be an issue in the National Scenic Riverways as it is already govt. owned along those streams.

Doubt it.

Whoops I already forgot about what I had previously said. Sad that if the cousin was the one that wouldn't stand down, the other guy paid the ultimate price. Note to self, leave guy that won't stand down behind, he's probably just trouble anyway. During the height of our season I probably deal with anywhere from 500-700 people a week. Out of these I have one or two people per year that are belligerent. Unfortunately these are the people that are remembered. Most of the people have friends and family with them and are out to have a fun time and are not looking for trouble. Most landowners know what they are getting into when the buy on the river and are very accommodating, a select few are bat crazy! Seemed like the wife was very forthcoming about what happened, and if it went down like she said there has to be prosecution. I could see the jury acquitting on self-defense, but seems pretty far fetched depending on how the law is worded. Sorry, this jumped around a bit, but just a few thoughts.

Note to self, a guy shoots up in the air he's crazy, leave gravel bar, don't grab for his weapon, tell cousin to put down the rock and get gone.

Fishing was tough here too from what I heard even with the rain. I would have thought it would be good. Glad you weren't shot!

Spent an evening talking with Tom at a bar in Pittsburg one night while in college. Down to earth guy that loves talking hunting and fishing and never seemed annoyed by the throngs of people wanting to get an autograph. He can still strike it too!

Agreed! opinion is the key word here, I was going off what was said in supreme court case, and assuming from the story it is a popular part of the Meramec where this occurred.

I'm with you, why can't we all just get along. I think if we replaced the alcohol with weed the world would be much more laid back. I never have to fight a stoner!

I tell people not to stop in someone's front yard, or in posted areas, but I think you are mistaken in your interpretation of the law. Basically it gives the right to camp and portage in areas that can be covered with water under normal river conditions (which means not flood stage) or in simpler terms the high water mark. I have people camp on my gravel bar who are on two day trips and have no problem with it. If they walk up and use my bathrooms then they are trespassing, but as long as they stay below the high water mark they have the right to be there. It is true that I profit from the tourism, but so does the entire state in taxes, and many different suppliers from many fields. Fuel companies, ice companies, boat companies, t-shirt companies, soda companies, beer companies, the list goes on and on. This is a huge industry for our state and much of our business comes from out of state and helps add to Missouri's tax base as well as pumping big money into the poorest counties in the state.

Typical drunk behavior, 10 foot tall and bulletproof, that's why the river is no place for a gun. Obviously they should have left the gravel bar, as you never know how crazy someone is. The shooter seems nuts and needs to be put away now or he will really feel empowered next time someone steps on "HIS" gravel bar. The interview shows how even law enforcement's interpretation of owner rights is varied, which only leads to more confusion.

A bunch of college kids who were camping here got stopped by water patrol and the underage ones were issued minor in possessions this weekend. Second year in a row so I guess they are slow learners. As for trying to reason with drunks there is usually one problem person that cannot be reasoned with even by his friends. I see it from time to time and no one can talk him down. Always ends with him being kicked out if he is staying here and often ends with him on the ground getting a stern talking to in order to get him to leave. It never involves a gun being pulled but sometimes does require law enforcement.

Finally getting some rain here and looks like more this week. River now running slightly above normal, fish should be eating. 3 more crazy weekends and the fishermen should get their rivers back.

Here was my comment that I evidently should have made differently. I was trying to make the point that I hope Missouri doesn't set a dangerous precedentby allowing deadly force to be taken when it could eaily have been avoided. Sorry I used the Florida case as a comparison, the facts and trial will show us where this state stands.

Agreed, I would like to see some facts, hard to believe witnesses haven.t showed up all over the news by now. Seems a little strange.

X2

I don't live life in fear and therefore don't feel like I need to always carry a weapon to be safe. If sometime I get beat up or killed because I'm not packing heat so be it, I guess I was wrong. Let's wait and see what actually happened in this case and then we can intelligently discuss it. As for you Brian, just because you believe something doesn't make you right. I guess if we were all as smart as you the world would be a much better place. Try opening your mind a little and think for yourself, don't believe everything the far left, or far right is preaching. Both sides are idiots.

I hope this is what happened, and not just a needless shooting of a belligerent drunk. I'm sure the guy was drunk, I deal with it every day, and some get lippy and want to fight. If I carried a gun with me I promise you I would have shot several people by now, therefore I don't tempt fate. I guess we should all wait to see what really happened before we comment, but I think we all agree that taking a gun to a boxing match and ending the fight is pretty cowardly. This ain't the wild wild west, and if the victim was unarmed the shooter needs to be put away for life. Use your phone to call the cops before you pull the gun.

If the deceased was black and in Florida the shooter would be free. This better not be tolerated in our state, an butt whoopin is one thing, killing is another.

Thank you rps for your service to our children. My kids go to school where most get free lunches and many live with grandparents. The entire school body gets free school supplies and not many go to college. Many teachers or aides I talk to at the school don't use proper English and while Amy and I help the kids when they need it I don't feel like we do anything special. They always do well on what ever standardized test they are taking so I guess the teachers are doing a good job with them. I do think the things we did with the kids before they started school probably got them off to a good start, those that start out behind tend to stay behind I'm afraid.

They still use the paddle in Dora, but check with parents first for liability reasons I'm sure. There will always be good schools and bad schools, I too blame the home life more than the schools. The important thing is to have the teachers in place for those who want to learn, the rest will unfortunately live on our dime either in jail, or by feasting on the govt. cheese.