Wayne SW/MO Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 I might actually be going to this event, but I don't know why anyone from the conservation department would care about what a little pee-on undergrad has to say. However, I will ask the biologist that is associated with the MSU chapter of AFS a few questions as soon as I can get a hold of her. I'm interested to hear not only what she has to say in regards to this subject but also her take on the smallmouth bass white paper summary. Maybe you could steer some of them to this site where they could ask questions and get opinions. They had a site at one time, but it was basically a seed to start interest. They sold it or gave it away and it remained successful until it was sold to an organization that put profit first. It was called the Conservation Cafe and I suspect they monitored it for a pulse on outdoor subjects. I still contend that any mention by the commission that they may be forced to close some rivers, because of violations, will bring about an immediate drop in violations. This is a cult in some ways, and you tell one, you tell most of them. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
msamatt Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 There are those people who choose not to gig smallmouth bass for any number of reasons and there are those who gig smallmouth bass. I don't gig smallmouth bass. How do I convince those who do to stop? The LAW can either catch them and punish them. Some of these criminals will stop, others will work harder to evade capture. How do we attempt to fix the root problem: those who feel that it is alright to gig smallmouth? I'm not sure. That's the rub. I'm going to try to figure out how some law abiding, ethical giggers, have convinced those who gig smallmouth to stop. In the meantime, I'm every bit as disgusted with those people who choose to gig smallmouth, large and small. Do I blame someone who mistakenly gigs a smallie? Nope, just add it to your catch. You made a mistake, man up and pay the price if you're caught. Those of you who intentionally gig smallies, and I know you're not reading this forum anyway, shame on you. I hope that your peers are also disgusted and let you know. Those of you who don't let them know, shame on you. Let's do what we can to make it socially unacceptable to gig smallies and other sport fish. Matt Wier http://missourismallmouthalliance.blogspot.com The Missouri Smallmouth Alliance: Recreation, Education, and Conservation since 1992
Chief Grey Bear Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 Just an observation over the last couple of weeks. In the previous smallmouth thread, the assult by a few C&R smallmouth anglers was aimed at those that like to keep an occasional smallmouth. The MDC also took a beating for not assigning an agent to every fisherman that fished the sacred waterways of the smallmouth. Apparently only smallmouth are kept as there is not one mention of largemouth or spotted bass numbers in decline in those same waters. Only stringer loads of smallmouth coming out of there. This week the assult is aimed at giggers. And of course the MDC. A reoccuring theme is that the only black species that is seen to been have been gigged, according to reports in this thread, is smallmouth. Not one mention of a largemouth or spot gigged. I may have missed the mention though. Another reoccuring theme is that more enforcment and more restrictions are needed. Is this the first thing that enters our mind when we hear of another store or bank being robbed? No it isn't. The first thing we think is "What a freaking idiot". Make all the laws you want, add all the enforcment you want, it will not stop. Matt is starting the correct thinking. Education. Take a chapter out of the M.A.D.D. playbook. Join with the enforcment agency and contribute not only in the education part but in the field. Stop pointing your fingers and take action. Why don't 4 or 5 of you get together and spend the weekend hitting the hot spot access' and make contact with all those fishing and let them know that you as a group are keeping an eye on this area and will report all violations to the MDC and show them your cell phone. We all have seen in the news about citizen's taking back their neighborhoods from the drugies, surley you can take back your streams. Or you can just open another bag of Cheeto's and continue yellowing your keyboard. Chief Grey Bear Living is dangerous to your health Owner Ozark Fishing Expeditions Co-Owner, Chief Executive Product Development Team Jerm Werm Executive Pro Staff Team Agnew Executive Pro Staff Paul Dallas Productions Executive Pro Staff Team Heddon, River Division Chief Primary Consultant Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Executive Vice President Ronnie Moore Outdoors
taxidermist Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 Driving down roads and shooting deer is the glue that holds Ozarkers (true Ozarkers) together. No seriously what good is gigging? I dont know of anyone in Arkansas that gigs anymore, finally stopped that, finally stopped the deer runnig with dogs. Noone makes the big family deer hunting drives, you know 10 people walking toward a couple of hunters moving deer their way.
Wayne SW/MO Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 Matt is starting the correct thinking. Education. Take a chapter out of the M.A.D.D. playbook. Join with the enforcment agency and contribute not only in the education part but in the field. Stop pointing your fingers and take action. Why don't 4 or 5 of you get together and spend the weekend hitting the hot spot access' and make contact with all those fishing and let them know that you as a group are keeping an eye on this area and will report all violations to the MDC and show them your cell phone. We all have seen in the news about citizen's taking back their neighborhoods from the drugies, surley you can take back your streams. Or you can just open another bag of Cheeto's and continue yellowing your keyboard. That would be a classic easier said then done. If you understand the process, you'll understand the frustration at stopping the illegal part. Most of the parties don't begin before 10 PM and there won't be any contraband coming ashore until the boats are assured they're safe. We can thank cell phones for that. As far as watching someone on the water, nearly impossible unless you want to follow a flotilla downstream in the dark. I think its a job that requires some legal authority, infiltration, as Kathy suggested, is certainly a possibility. I think the threat by the MDC to impose more regulations or even closure is also something that would have some effect. I suspect that before anything will be done sportsman will have to assure they are not going to let the Great Blue Heron carry the load and they want better answers, or action. Largemouth don't normally inhabit good gigging waters in any numbers nor do they wonder in open water. The giggers simply don't hunt the brush. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
fishgypsy Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 I'm sure other species are being gigged, CGB, and that's certainly a problem. It's no more right for a gigger to kill a smallmouth than any other black bass, or any other game or non-sucker species, IMO. But I think the gist of the thread gravitated towards smallmouth only because of the initial post. "I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people." - Jack Handy www.fishgypsy.wordpress.com
eric1978 Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 Matt is starting the correct thinking. Education. Take a chapter out of the M.A.D.D. playbook. Which do you think would be a more effective deterrent, CGB? Educating people on the dangers of drunk driving (which we all know), or life in prison if you're caught behind the wheel with a buzz? Me too. Why don't 4 or 5 of you get together and spend the weekend hitting the hot spot access' and make contact with all those fishing and let them know that you as a group are keeping an eye on this area and will report all violations to the MDC and show them your cell phone. Because that's THEIR job and is what THEY get paid to do. But it is a good idea, and if I was rich enough to spend lots of time on the river, I would do it. But I'm not rich, and the tiny scraps of time I get to go fishing is spent...fishing.
KCRIVERRAT Posted January 7, 2010 Posted January 7, 2010 We're all really, really sick of illegal fish being stuck and there are different OPINIONS on how to possibly deter the problem. Don't know how much further this thread will run, but I'm gonna hijack it just a bit and tell you all what I'm really, really sick of... THIS darn WEATHER! Blew into my hands three times to type this... Stay warm and drive safe guys and gals... KC HUMAN RELATIONS MANAGER @ OZARK FISHING EXPEDITIONS
ozark trout fisher Posted January 8, 2010 Posted January 8, 2010 We're all really, really sick of illegal fish being stuck and there are different OPINIONS on how to possibly deter the problem. Don't know how much further this thread will run, but I'm gonna hijack it just a bit and tell you all what I'm really, really sick of... THIS darn WEATHER! Blew into my hands three times to type this... Stay warm and drive safe guys and gals... KC This weather is kinda terrible. I am bound and determined to go trout fishing this weekend, if I have to wear a parka and a ski mask to do it. I haven't been able to get out in a while, and I hate it.
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