Lets Purpose An Admendment.

[Al Agnew]

Don't want to be argumentative, but except in localized areas in other parts of the country where local chapters are dominated by antis, Sierra Club is NOT one of the groups trying to ban hunting or fishing. In fact, they have been doing some articles in their magazine that are from people coming from a hunting and fishing tradition. They are also getting some flack for it from some of their members, but the organization is making an attempt to reach out to sportsmen, realizing that our goals are, or should be, similar. We all benefit from clean air and water and protected wild country.

Sierra Club and Audubon Society are two organizations that I'm proud to belong to, just as much as I'm proud to belong to the Smallmouth Alliance, and the MO Conservation Federation. Each organization does a lot of good. There is a big difference between them and the PETA type people. And if MORE sportsmen belonged to those groups and were vocal and active in them, they would be even more likely to avoid working against our interests.

As for the amendment proposed, I think it is a good idea...as long as nothing in it serves to limit what MDC can do to regulate hunting and fishing within the broad guidelines of the amendment. For instance, if there was a specific statement in the amendment affirming the right of the public to gig, then the blue ribbon trout streams would have to be opened to gigging. Point is, the amendment would have to be very carefully worded.

There are a lot of former "traditional" activities that are no longer allowed due to their impact on other people or on natural resources. With an ever-growing population, who knows what may need to be limited in the future? I hope we can continue pretty much as we are now, and I'm all for an amendment that will keep the animal rights idiots at bay.

[flytyer57]

Here is a list of states that have right to fish and hunt amenments pending or have passed.

You can click on the bill for your state to se what is being done and how to support it.

Right To Hunt and Fish Laws

[troutfiend1985]

I guess my big question would be why? And I'm not asking this to start fights but honestly I would like to know of when one of us has been denied the right to hunt or fish. It seems to me that fishing and hunting rights in Missouri are doing fine. As for hunting with guns, I don't see that ever stopping. Guns are fundamental to our society, and the Supreme Court has stated this as recently of May this year in McDonald v. Chicago.

However, if there was an amendment, what would fishing include? Would fishing be open to gigging? If gigging would be considered under the fishing umbrella of law, would people be able to gig on Native Smallmouth Streams and Blue Ribbon Streams? You can count me out on that one, I sure wouldn't want to open the door to possible gigging on Crane Creek.

I guess I just don't see the use of an amendment except for the one California drafted that basically states if the state sells the land the people of the state can still hunt/fish there. I would be up for that(although that would open another can of worms with landowners rights), but I'm not sure I would be up for stating gigging as a fundamental right of every Missouri citizens.

Now that I have opened a can of worms, I bid you goodnight. LOL

[Buzz]

Doesn't MO already have a statute making it unlawful to interfere with hunters and anglers as they pursue their sports?

What about this??????????????????????????

This is the one thing I have going for me, other than concealed carry!!!!!!!!!!!!

[exiledguide]

If I were you I'd call my State representative State senator and the Governer and ask them to pass the laws you feel we need and let us know how you did. Believe it or not a few years ago when I was living in Arkansas I called Representative Lamont Cromwell, State Senator Shane Broadway and Gov Mike Beebe In January and got "Helments to Hard Hats" legislation passed by the end of that session. I also would suggest that you be ready to be dissapointed by the answer you get but don't loose your cool listen to their reason for not supporting our right to hunt and fish and then let us know. All the reasons that I have heard can be worked out with proper legislation.

[powerbaiter]

The state of Missouri does indeed have hunter harrassment laws, i have only heard of one case of it being used, but it is there.