Missouri Conservationist Insults Hunters And Trappers

[Chief Grey Bear]

You call that lady a "lunatic" - but in my eyes it is more "lunacy" to kill 5 browns over 6 pounds each on one fishing trip and post the pics here on the board as one of our own sportsman members did recently. So once again it's all perception.

JS

It appears to happen with regularity. It also appears that vast numbers of all sizes and species fall victim to this sportsman. Of all of the posted fish, I wonder how many haven't been documented that went to the freezer.

[Trav]

My Father, Grandfather, his 6 brothers, my Great Grandfather, and all of his 14 brothers must have been crazy as loons then. They kept and ate everything they caught. Nothing got put back. And that was back before there was limits. I have heard tales of 4 brothers catching 500 fish in a single day. They fed the entire neighborhood and everyone was appreciative.

Now, I must have gotten some genes from another family since I let EVERYTHING go.

Haha, Maybe I should get a genetics test done and make sure Im not adopted.

[Daddy Carp]

Whenever you get fed up with the MDC, just move to Kansas and deal with the fish & game commission out of Pratte, Ks. I lived in Kansas for most of my life but hunted and fished Mo. most of the time. That is one of the most screwed up politicaly driven agencies you can find. They put almost "Zill" back into conservation of game or the lands it controls. If you get more than 20 yards from your truck on public land, you'll never find your dog. Trust me, you'll be back here within a year wanting to kiss & hug the MDC for the good work and management they are doing. And yes, I do practice "catch & release"........so far, I'm still practicing cause when I get a quail or peasant, I throw them 4 or five times but they just won't go back to cover or take off!!

[ak9065ak]

http://www.takebackthemdc.com/

[Greg]

I think probably almost everyone on this board over the age of 40 knows someone that kept every fish they caught (or did that themselves) back several decades ago. I certainly kept a lot of big fish back in the 60's and 70's. But I wouldn't even think about doing that today. I'm not against keeping a few fish for the frying pan. But I just don't think that routinely keeping bigger bass, bows, or browns routinely is the responsible thing to do even if it is legal.

I can distinctly remember one day of fishing on the Finley River back in the late 70's. I had so many big bass (both small and largemouth) and several big channel cats that I literally could not lift the stringer and had to separate them into 2 stringers. I kept every fish. It was legal to keep all of those fish but when I think about it today it kind of turns my stomach. But that was the mentality back then.

Regarding the MDC - I think everyone knows they are a far from perfect organization. But I think they do a great job with the resources they have. I read their publication every month and I have not noticed an anti hunting agenda. I think they are just trying to present all viewpoints. As someone pointed out they are a "conservationist" organization first and foremost.

Greg

[crappiefisherman]

QUESTION HERE??????? If you keep fish and dont eat them , what do you do with them all?I know they arent all mounted.I am a fisherman, I fish for enjoyment, and Food.Why waste time bickering about this subject.Im getting ready to go mushroom hunting shortly and I gaurentee I aint throwing anyback,,,,,,,,,,no matter how big they are.

[Greg]

QUESTION HERE??????? If you keep fish and dont eat them , what do you do with them all?I know they arent all mounted.I am a fisherman, I fish for enjoyment, and Food.Why waste time bickering about this subject.Im getting ready to go mushroom hunting shortly and I gaurentee I aint throwing anyback,,,,,,,,,,no matter how big they are.

I think part of the fun of this board is the bantering back and forth (what you call bickering) with different viewpoints. As long as no one makes it personal where is the harm? And no one is forcing anyone to waste his/her time by getting involved.

Greg

[Kayser]

Mmmmm... Morrels.

The bantering is fun, but as you said, not when people take it too seriously.

I think everyone has to responsibility to respect and conserve what natural resources are available to them, whether it be fish, game, forests, or other. Yes, I do occasionally keep fish to eat, from the lowly buffalo to catfish to smallmouth, but I cannot remember the last time I kept any trophy fish. The smallmouth that I have kept have been in the 12"-14" range, nothing larger, and all the rest have been quickly released. I have never kept a trophy largemouth or catfish, either. Also, I do not let any fish go to waste if I keep it. If I personally won't be able to eat it, I will either freeze it for another day or give it to some more than gracious friends. It is my duty to be sure it is not wasted.

Everyone has the right to keep any legal fish, and should not be looked down upon for it. The problem arises when they disrespect the resources by wasting it, poaching, or otherwise lessening the quality of the resource directly through their own personal actions. I do not condemn people who legally keep larger and trophy fish, the regulations were installed so that this opportunity could exist. Senseless waste and stealing (poaching) are only things that I will condemn.

Rob

[gonefishin]

I think the big problem is that the MDC turns its back more and more on hunters and fishermen everyday. Hunters and fishermen always have and still pay the largest share of money to the MDC every year and, with good reason, a lot of them feel feel they are being treated unfairly by MDC.