Busch Wildlife Area

[UltraLight]

Abuse in The Busch Wildlife Conservation Area

At first I thought about making a plea for help from fellow Sportsmen and Anglers across the state. What's the point? It seems that this area has long been the site of novice weekenders, party minded barbecueing, wanabe city dwellers gone outdoors, and other almost plundering fools on foot in the wild. Waste and debris causing idiots with selfish self-interested greed filled needs and desires to poach, violate, and generally break every code or principle imaginable. If you know the area then you certainly know the troubles associated within.

I started fishing the area back in the very early 70's as a young man, it's conveinience to the St. Louis and St. Charles area make it very popular. Sadly it has a reputation based on the long term abuse caused by those who "plod" through nature. In general the wildlife area should be a case study in sociology that would represent man in nature at his worst.

I know people care, I am one of several. After 30 plus years of using this wonderful and highly exploited area I feel I must give back in more ways then just acting as an example, complaining, reporting people, etc... What I've seen and heard though is excuses. Every single agencey in the state has suffered from cutbacks and the new excuses are just fuel added to a long time core problem called APATHY.

Excuses and cutbacks in funding just lead to more and more justifications in an age old problem that is summed up in one word, APATHY. Less patrolling, less enforcement, less reporting, over-looking this and over-looking that, break this rule, break that rule...WHO CARES?

I care and you care or I wouldn't take the time to write about this and you wouldn't take the time to be reading it. To fight APATHY what we need to do is care and follow that up. Ladies and Gentlemen do you want to help fight APATHY? Then don't care, don't agree with me or the general state of things in this situation, don't tell anyone about this, don't even discuss it or continue a thread. That's right because feelings, talk, discussion, or caring won't cut it. The time has come to take actions and we all know that actions speak louder than mere words:

I propose three weapons to fight APATHY. The camera, the phone, and contacting authorities. This is not about becoming a "tattle-tale" or a "whistle blower". This about shedding light on a subject. APATHY is not about other people and how they choose to ignore the things around them. APATHY is about you and I, our own level of tolerances, and when we finally decide there is a line crossed that requires action.

The Conservation Department, the Government bodies, and agencies all tend to have one thing in common; they are primarily 'reactionary'. Without input, without factual information they are rudderless.They can't possibly see evrything, and what's worse without people saying anything our own APATHY is their very own basis for action. If feeling is that the public likes things they way they are, so be it. Is it their fault? No way! It's our own APATHY at fault, that's a guideline created by the general public input.

I'm not proposing to create a society of do-gooder tattle talers. I am proposing to create a less tolerant society than the obvious one that exist around the Busch Wildlife Area that let's the Conservation Department and other agencies know that people care, are concerned, and willing to help by providing facts, evidence, and information to prove the problems are worth fixing. APATHY will wind down the other way when people start making effort. A no excuse fact filled battle that kills two birds with one stone.

Will you join a non-organized effort to change something? Membership is free and there are no dues, no fees, no contribution... except for the contribution you make within yourself to ward off your own APATHY.

Wreckless, destructive, and speeding types of driving

Several accidents in a wildlife conservation area

Trash is deplorable

Wads of crap; fishing line, bait boxes, bottles, and garbage lined along the banks.

Needless killing of other wildlife in fishing areas; snakes, turtles, Racoons..

Fishing limits not observed, gross over limits taken, length limits not observed

Catch and release principles not advertised or promoted

Little to no patrolling

Wading in lakes

driving off roads around lakes, parking next to banks, driving on dams, parking on rock jetty's

picnicing on shorelines

multiple poles and lines (up to 15 and 20 at a time)

urinating in lakes and drainages

destruction of vegetation,trees and shrubs to use as pole holders, to clear access

Here's one that thrills me...open bragging and out loud declarartions that "I have no fishing license, com'on and try to catch me"

Lake 7,a favorite for catfish,is without a doubt the single most abused lake in the system. It's becoming a virtual dump. Sadly this lake produces very large and healthy species of other fishes. For some reason the water level has dropped between 3 and 4 feet since spring 2005. This is the type of lake within the system that requires immediate attention and cries for you to view the abuse. The heavy fishing pressure and abuse that surrounds this lake is study of what's wrong throughout the system. Ask why no patrols happen Friday through Sunday....ever. Ask why the State Highway patrol doesn't patrol the roads, ask why St. Charles doesn't patrol, ask why the lake is so low compared to adjacent lakes, ask why no license or creel checks are performed... asking will cause presence, presence will curb abuse, curbed everything will save this lake... take pictures of Lake 7, report abuse, send information to legislators, agent offices, law enforcement, etc...

I'm starting with the worst and starting now. I'm not out to get any group or individual. I'm out to bring the condition to the attention of someone somewhere. I'm out to continue bringing this attention non-stop. I will not become complacent. I urge someone with access to pamplets to visit and place them on windsheilds. I urge you to care and take action.

HELP SAVE LAKE 7 IN THE BUSCH WILDLIFE AREA AND FROM HERE WE FIGHT BY ENDING APATHY EVERYWHERE!

[Phil Lilley]

I am ignorant when it comes to this place. I am a bit familiar with St Louis County Parks, not sure if they are related. I don't want to make light of this issue but first I'd say some of us on this board needs some education.

Who runs it? How is it funded? What's its history? I assume the Busch family donated the land. Is there another website or forum where people can talk about Busch Wildlife Area?

I don't mind lending time and space on OAF if there's interest.

[FRENZEL]

Phil, The Busch area was one of my favorite spots to visit when I still lived in St. Louis. My dad still visits it weekly. I have noticed that every year when I go back with dad it gets progressively worse. It is mainly the city dwellers and the I'm gonna do what I can get away with attitude that is destroying that place. They throw junk out the windows, toss cigarette butts, leave bait containers,cans,bottles. They will do it right in front of you and don't care. I say someone needs to go out with a video camera and document how bad the problem is. Send a copy to the area manager and the MDC. The land is too good of a resource to let it be abused in such a manner.

[MoCarp]

Its all about Enforcement, but when people use a area as a place for cheap grocerys, then you get users and abusers

put and take fisheries bring those kinds of fisherman out in droves--its amazing the impact just a handfull of people can have on a fishery if they are always pulling out limits..the trash left is a byproduct

JMHO

Mo

[UltraLight]

I'm delighted that people read and actually respond to postings listed here, awareness is the key to solving any problem.

"City Dwellers" is too specific as a term. A problem exist and pointing fingers at a select group of people will not bring the proper attention to a situation. The problem is caused by people and it effects people.

We all know that in today's world there are far too many lines drawn in the sand as it is. Dividing people into groups only creates more issues and will ultimately shadow the real issue with arguments, defense, and changing the course of what's needed.

I like the video camera idea. I have suggested that the camera is a vital weapon to fight a problem yet on the other hand I have implied that I am not out to get any group or individuals. Let me explain:

As a former legislator serving on a city council as an elected official I learned something very important. When presenting issues and making an impact that last longer then a persons alloted speaking time, facts, documentation, and visual evidence are necessary tools.

A group of people banded together (the larger the better) with a shared concern can make an impact that gains attention and creates actions. In this situation it is obvious that people care and some people have noticed. The concern has not reached a critical level though. No organized efforts, no groups protesting or complaining have come forward, and no media attention at all towards the conditions. The ultimate goal should be to reach this critical level but it's not close at this time. My purpose is to help "people" simply become aware of a problem regardless of whether they have seen the conditions or not. Hopefully the people I effect will go out and effect other people. By taking pictures, documenting, and/or reporting back to this thread. It's creating momentum. Either apathy is rooted deeply within and people are unwilling to take the next step or they are not.

For the time being the attention to the situation is very small and there are reasons for that. It's OK to take pictures, it's OK to document things, and it's OK to express your own findings and other observations..... the first fight is to fight apathy. Once again, this is not about the individual actions by an individual or group, this is about the problems, the things left behind, the trash, the damage from vehicles, the careless acts and what they create or leave behind so that factual, documented, recorded, information can presented to the public and later laid in the laps of those in charge for making decisions that increase patrols, enforcement, manpower, education...and everything that is necessary to address a problem in order to solve it.

Yes, it can be a slow process. Yes, even with every effort and efforts done as I have suggested things may not happen or even change...but you know what?

If we ban together and realize that apathy is the real enemy we have a start to pushing for something that could make a real difference and lead on to more differences. By taking the next step beyond just caring, you defeat apathy. In the end you take that step all the way to the voting booth. If things don't change and the efforts you provide go unnoticed then you vote the people out of office who won't pay attention, the people who cut funding, and the people who scoff at this States most prized possesion...it't natural resources. darn! I'm proud to be a Missourian! And even more proud of the spectacular natural resources, beauty, and spleder that are within our boundaries.

If we are going to point any fingers, let's point them at the men and ladies in office and let them know we are taking notice of your actions by how you respond to us, before we can even say there is an us though... we have to spread the word through pictures, documentation, and facts.

*

The Mineral Fork River area has many issues with swimmers/party people leaving trash behind.

The Gasconade River area has multiple problems of people fishing and doing much the same as reported at the Busch Wildlife area.

These are two examples, just two...they are not caused by "City Dwellers" or "Canoe Party" people either. They are caused by an apathetic society that has become far too tolerant in what they allow before they do something about it.

Enforcement is just one answer and try to use common sense when thinking about a lack of enforcement? Even if the State would increase agents 10 fold... they couldn't be everywhere all the time. 95% of situations or more would be something they would "find" after it happened. The purpose or intent is enforcement of the laws put in place. Patrol, presence, and observation is a mindset that hopefully "deters" people from violating the laws. Without solid facts that include documentation and pictures, law enforcement is mostly just lucky when it comes to discovering actual violators. That's not a reflection on their abilities, that's just a realistic fact. When people provide information that's good enough to use or simply just show, law enforcement has the ability to focus or zero in on problems. They learn, they develope strategy, they form trends and paterns to base on... WITH YOUR HELP.

I'm off my soapbox now, and want you to know...I'm no leader, no savoir, nothing special at all... I'll be posting pictures soon, I'm starting small with one area and a specific lake within that area... I hope I can help inspire someone or some someones enough to make our natural resources a major priority all the way to to that second floor and above of that old Mansion house in Jefferson City.

BTW, would it kill any one of us to carry a trash bag along and pick up a worm box, an empty Bud, or a wad of tangled mono line? Take that bag to the front office and say here ya go? I know it belongs in the dumpster, but if enough people did this maybe a message could be delivered that people are noticing and they want the Department to notice that they are doing more than just complaining or caring?

[UltraLight]

At the Busch Wildlife Area it has been customary in the past to bring that big catch or tale to the front office to record, photograph, or brag.

With that tradition in mind I'd like to try a challenge and see if it works?

(I'm open to having this idea tuned, btw)

Instead of bringing in fish, let's bring a big white trash bag. Mark it with bold letters in black magic marker "Caught on Lake 7, 32" long, 19 lbs, by John Smith, St. Louis, MO."

Lay it right on lawn? (sealed up) or take a picture?

Something like this could deliver a message, it could deliver media attention as well? Who knows?

I'm not opposed to any stringers of white trash bags either...

[Wayne SW/MO]

The Conservation Department, the Government bodies, and agencies all tend to have one thing in common; they are primarily 'reactionary'.

Possibly they would react to the suggestion that the 1/8 cent sales tax for land is no longer needed, if they can't protect what we already have?

I realize that funds are a problem, but the availability of retired law enforcement isn't. They could hire part time people to work under a regular agent and saturate an area like Busch. I would imagine that a dozen special agents could retrieve all their expenses in a weekend as long as the fines were applied to expenses.

This isn't my idea, but one that has been proposed before, and its time for the commission to get off their soft, don't irritate anyone stance. I would suggest that this Governor and future governors should feel some pressure to appoint commissioners that are firm in enforcement.