Keep Politics Out Of Wildlife Management!

[awhuber]

Don't they allow centerfire handguns during regular gun season?

If it's a muzzel loading season, they should keep it at that.

Yep. center fire hanguns are allowed during regular season. IMO any way to kill more deer is ok with me.

[Outside Bend]

The way I read it, the NRA wanted to allow "modern handguns" (which I assume would be centerfire handguns, no?) during the muzzleloader season. Personally I don't see much value in that. And if folks with "modern handguns" were interested in using them during the muzzleloader season, they could just as easily petition the Conservation Federation/ Conservation Commission for a change in regulations, just like the atlatl folks and all the rest have done.

[Tim Smith]

Yep. center fire hanguns are allowed during regular season. IMO any way to kill more deer is ok with me.

And you'll let politicians over-ride the MDC on every issue from now on so you can pass this bill?

Looks like the anti-elk group has found a way to strike back.

[Tim Smith]

The way I read it, the NRA wanted to allow "modern handguns" (which I assume would be centerfire handguns, no?) during the muzzleloader season. Personally I don't see much value in that. And if folks with "modern handguns" were interested in using them during the muzzleloader season, they could just as easily petition the Conservation Federation/ Conservation Commission for a change in regulations, just like the atlatl folks and all the rest have done.

Exactly. Instead of going through established channels, they're working to set a precedent that will put politicians directly in charge of day to day decisions at MDC.

This has nothing to do with handguns and deer.

[awhuber]

If you guys dont think the legislators should pass laws that effect the daily operations of the MDC, should we repeal all the laws on the books that do so now?

[Outside Bend]

If you guys dont think the legislators should pass laws that effect the daily operations of the MDC, should we repeal all the laws on the books that do so now?

If there are laws which do that, and if those laws are in direct conflict of MDC's mission statement, then yes, those laws should be repealed.

I don't pretend to know more about cars than my auto mechanic. I don't pretend to know more about medicine than my doctor. I don't pretend to know more about growing food than a farmer. I don't see why it makes sense for the legislature to presume they know more about managing fish and wildlife than fish and wildlife managers. It's not pragmatic, it's political.

[Tim Smith]

If you guys dont think the legislators should pass laws that effect the daily operations of the MDC, should we repeal all the laws on the books that do so now?

It depends on the category of law.

Fiscal responsibility and things periferal to their mission that all state agencies have to obey, of course.

Decisions about how to manage natural resources? No.

[awhuber]

It depends on the category of law.

Fiscal responsibility and things periferal to their mission that all state agencies have to obey, of course.

Decisions about how to manage natural resources? No.

we will have to continue this at Parker. see ya tomorrow.

[flytyer57]

we will have to continue this at Parker. see ya tomorrow.

Take it to the OK Corral.

[jeb]

This bill is really pretty obnoxious.

Jeb, what the bill says is handguns are allowed during muzzleloader season, regardless what the Conservation Commission says. The key is the "regardless what the Conservation Commission says" bit.

So, if this becomes law, the NRA would say to the Conservation Commission, here you go, amend the Wildlife Code. And the Conservation Commission will say no, we are in charge of the Wildlife Code, not the Legislature. This will then end up in the courts, which presumably would decide who has the authority to set the Wildlife Code.

Yep, I got all that, thanks

The NRA apparently would rather the Legislature have the authority and not the Commission.

Here's the leap I have yet to get any understanding of. Why would the NRA want that? What evidence is there that their aim is shift all of that power back to the legislature? The answers may be out there, but thus far, and no offense, I have not seen anything but opinions and conspiracy theories. Is there a link to this NRA leter that supposedly reveals their real motives?