We Have Huge Issues - Smallmouth Poaching

[mic]

Can I have all your gear?

To soon?

[mic]

Well that sucks, he was taking me fishing in a few weeks. Hey Mitch, you available? Wife and kid are out of town.

[lee G.]

Yeah, dont leave us hanging. We need to know.

[hoglaw]

The prosecutor has zero extent to direct the actions of the MDC.

Now they can certainly give the local agent a call and say "hey, I have been getting calls about such and such, didn't know if you knew." Which the agent would likely say, " yeahme too. I am looking into it"

The sad part is it is the proecutors that have the power, once the agent writes the ticket, to stick it to the perp. And if the dummies would think about it, they get the money, for the schools, not the MDC. So why plea out and basically let them walk? It is the prosecutors that can make it real tough in their county on people stealing wildlife and destroying nature. All it takes to get it stopped is a few examples of what will happen and this crap will stop! But that is not what happens.

Look, I'm not here to argue about the darn separation of powers, I was just trying to offer a friendly suggestion in getting the attention of someone who could get something done. I'm not a prosecutor, but from time to time I have done misdemeanor prosecution which includes game and fish violations in Arkansas, and I suspect in Missouri. And I often find myself in a position of needing to get things done for people, some of which includes dealing with government bureaucracy and law enforcement.

If you don't think a prosecuting attorney has the ability to call up a police chief, sheriff, section chief, whatever - and say "I've been getting a lot of complaints about X and I'd really like you to look into it" and get more traction than the average citizen calling up a non-elected official, then you're mistaken (upon further review Chief, you agreed the prosecutor can do exacly that). But beyond just a call where they say "yeah me too," sometimes that prosecutor has a relationship with law enforcement that will make them work. I'm not attacking or defending MDC, local law enforcement, or anyone. All I am saying is that if someone is serious about wanting to see some action taken on this, then there is another avenue worth exploring. I guarandamn100%tee you that if there was some serious wildlife poaching going on in Washington or Benton County, and I didn't have any connection to AGFC already, I could call up the elected prosecutors for those respective counties and get them on the phone with AGFC and have something done. It may not be the end all-be all fix to the problem, and it may not even result in a conviction. But it would be better than me as an average citizen calling local law enforcement on my own. It would really be better in conjunction with that call.

This isn't an arguing point. I was offering a suggestion for those who want to do something to try an alternative route. My suggestion is not a point for debate about how things work, or whether lawyers get paid, or whether law enforcement is lazy. If this is your deal and you want to get something done, then go through all logical avenues. Not just one.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Look, I'm not here to argue about the darn separation of powers, I was just trying to offer a friendly suggestion in getting the attention of someone who could get something done. I'm not a prosecutor, but from time to time I have done misdemeanor prosecution which includes game and fish violations in Arkansas, and I suspect in Missouri. And I often find myself in a position of needing to get things done for people, some of which includes dealing with government bureaucracy and law enforcement.

If you don't think a prosecuting attorney has the ability to call up a police chief, sheriff, section chief, whatever - and say "I've been getting a lot of complaints about X and I'd really like you to look into it" and get more traction than the average citizen calling up a non-elected official, then you're mistaken (upon further review Chief, you agreed the prosecutor can do exacly that). But beyond just a call where they say "yeah me too," sometimes that prosecutor has a relationship with law enforcement that will make them work. I'm not attacking or defending MDC, local law enforcement, or anyone. All I am saying is that if someone is serious about wanting to see some action taken on this, then there is another avenue worth exploring. I guarandamn100%tee you that if there was some serious wildlife poaching going on in Washington or Benton County, and I didn't have any connection to AGFC already, I could call up the elected prosecutors for those respective counties and get them on the phone with AGFC and have something done. It may not be the end all-be all fix to the problem, and it may not even result in a conviction. But it would be better than me as an average citizen calling local law enforcement on my own. It would really be better in conjunction with that call.

This isn't an arguing point. I was offering a suggestion for those who want to do something to try an alternative route. My suggestion is not a point for debate about how things work, or whether lawyers get paid, or whether law enforcement is lazy. If this is your deal and you want to get something done, then go through all logical avenues. Not just one.

I agree. My only point was that you made it appear that the local prosecutor has the power to direct the MDC on what they will do, if said prosecutor sees fit. I didn't want someone thinking that they can call their local prosecutor and have them force the MDC to come get Joe Blow on X charge. Other than that we are on the same page.

[lee G.]

Very well said, hoglaw.

LEO's will listen to both the people and officer's of the court.

[exiledguide]

Sounds like he got stabbed in the back. Now you know why I have no respect for any law enforcement in the state of Missouri or Arkansas. Don't give up Smalliebigs take a little time , think it over and get back here We need people who can channel there righteous indignation into positive action. Don't let the $%^&#@s win.

[fishinwrench]

******* Update******

I have deleted all my comments pertaining to this and am done with river fishing for Smallies. I have had it with the lack of ethics of Missourians and the apathy on most people behalf on trying to bring loosers like this to justice. The conversation I had with a MDC agent today has spelled out clearly how most feel in this state in regards to Smallmouth Bass.

So all you city slickers that fish rivers with in 100 miles of St.Louis consider yourselves lucky, those rivers and streams won't be getting nailed by me anymore......I will now be going back to my old addiction Golf.........I am done banging my head against the wall for no reason.

MISSOURI WILL NEVER CHANGE.....so good luck to all of you chasing a bunch a 16 bass if your lucky, you won't be hearing from me on here anymore unless your in my golf cart or walking 18 with me.

See ya

LMAO! You think fishing is bad, just wait until the PGA refuses to take immediate action on a questionable birdy.

[ozark trout fisher]

******* Update******

I have deleted all my comments pertaining to this and am done with river fishing for Smallies. I have had it with the lack of ethics of Missourians and the apathy on most people behalf on trying to bring loosers like this to justice. The conversation I had with a MDC agent today has spelled out clearly how most feel in this state in regards to Smallmouth Bass.

So all you city slickers that fish rivers with in 100 miles of St.Louis consider yourselves lucky, those rivers and streams won't be getting nailed by me anymore......I will now be going back to my old addiction Golf.........I am done banging my head against the wall for no reason.

MISSOURI WILL NEVER CHANGE.....so good luck to all of you chasing a bunch a 16 bass if your lucky, you won't be hearing from me on here anymore unless your in my golf cart or walking 18 with me.

See ya

I feel your pain man, I really do. It's incredibly hurtful to see people being totally apathetic towards what we are so incredibly passionate about, and to see people not caring when destructive behavior towards our rivers like this is going on. It tears all of us apart.

With that said, you can't quit fishing, my friend. It's pretty obvious that chasing smallmouth bass is pretty close to your first love and as painful as some of these situations are, it will make you a MUCH less happy person overall if you just give it up. There have been times in my life where I haven't fished much for months at a time and it's pretty awful. We need people who care as much about the resource as you do with us or we're in a ton of trouble.

[exiledguide]

And if a golfer upsets his wife ......9 irons hurt a lot more than a 5wt rod.......just ask you know who