Missouri Stream Access Law, One More Time

[Justin Spencer]

Unless they are on the forum I would bet most do not know, probably would take a defense attny. to point it out to them!

[exiledguide]

Justin and Drew,I don't think that argument holds any water at all. If you don"t know the law you shouldn't be allowed to have any part in the enforcement. That was the main reason the law was changed when I was a lot younger because abuses of the law were excused because at that time you could be a judge in MO without a law degree. Thatlead to people being imprisoned without ever commiting a crime.Law eforcement should be about protecting our rights and freedoms no serving as security guards for criminal drug manufacturing.Before any one rips me about my position just look at what happened recently over on the Current River with the Sherrif and one of his deputies ended up in jail with serious drug charges.

Let me add this that I am not trying to imply that law enforcement officers are crooked, far from it the two I mentioned are the only ones that I have heard of. I also have a niece in law enforcement and another niece whose husband is in in law enforcement. Also the last I heard it's against the law to harras or interfere with anyone legaly pursuing game in the state of Missouri. I believe that law was passed to PETA wack jobs from interfearing with hunting and fishing.

[drew03cmc]

Justin and Drew,I don't think that argument holds any water at all. If you don"t know the law you shouldn't be allowed to have any part in the enforcement. That was the main reason the law was changed when I was a lot younger because abuses of the law were excused because at that time you could be a judge in MO without a law degree. Thatlead to people being imprisoned without ever commiting a crime.Law eforcement should be about protecting our rights and freedoms no serving as security guards for criminal drug manufacturing.Before any one rips me about my position just look at what happened recently over on the Current River with the Sherrif and one of his deputies ended up in jail with serious drug charges.

You'll get no argument from me on this, but I stand by my previous statement.

[Justin Spencer]

I agree that they should know the law before going into a situation where there is a complaint, but I don't think most do. It needs to start at the top and our enforcement officers need to be educated, for some reason it seems like they don't want to be on this topic.

[Outside Bend]

To me this seems like an ideal undertaking for one of the FFF, TU, or similar groups in the state. Put together some workshops with local law enforcement, DAs/law types, and anglers- and make sure everyone's on the same page.

[drew03cmc]

I could see TU getting into it on waters which hold trout, but on streams like Shoal Creek, which is not a trout stream (yet they are caught every year), I would not anticipate a big TU push for understanding. Does anyone on here have any input with a Missouri chapter of TU regarding this? Maybe the MSA could do something like this as well.

[Outside Bend]

I think their may be a couple paddling groups throughout the Ozarks too. And I'd bet some Stream Teams, canoe liveries, campgrounds, and other folks may be interested.

[drew03cmc]

I think something should be done about this as well.

[Feathers and Fins]

Im no longer a resident of Missouri but seems a Resident should be able to write a letter to the states AG and ask them to clarify this law from the States stand point and then the author to send it on perhaps with signatures from concerned anglers to the MDC as a request to put in the Reg Booklet so we can carry it and in the event a LEO comes visiting because of a landowner we can show it to them to avoid problems while educating them so they can educate the land owners.

[drew03cmc]

Im no longer a resident of Missouri but seems a Resident should be able to write a letter to the states AG and ask them to clarify this law from the States stand point and then the author to send it on perhaps with signatures from concerned anglers to the MDC as a request to put in the Reg Booklet so we can carry it and in the event a LEO comes visiting because of a landowner we can show it to them to avoid problems while educating them so they can educate the land owners.

I am no longer a resident either, haven't been for over three years, however, I pay for my tackle in Missouri, still purchase my fishing license there and spend my vacation dollars there when I go to fish. FnF, we should have a say in this as well since we spend our money there too. They should make the laws less ambiguous and educate the dumb___ LEOs about it to keep them off of the law-abiding sportsmen's backs when we are enjoying public waters.