Too Many Rules?

[fishinwrench]

wrench you might want to check on the rules for giving fish to another person. There is more to it than just giving fish away.

Let's hear it. I'm not looking it up.

Point is; Ron was NOT in violation of any rule/law.

[rFisherk]

One of the things I think all of these rules do, is discourage young people from getting into hunting and fishing. I've tried to help and instruct a number of youngsters besides my own to get involved, and I've learned not to go into regulations with them, because when I've done so, they get a sort of blank stare and go back to their video games. They get more than enough rules in school.

[Terrierman]

If you think MDC has too many rules get into the water and wastewater business and then you can learn what it's like to need to please EPA, Missouri DNR, The Missouri Public Service Commission, your County Commission and your City Council. Often at the same time.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Actually, I've thought for some time that the laws and rules governing hunting and fishing have become too complicated. Seems every species in every lake or stream has a different set of rules. Hunting is very much the same way. Maybe this is why in my "golden years," I seen to enjoy the simple and uncomplicated pastimes of hunting squirrels and fishing for bluegill. Reminds me of a time when escaping to the outdoors was escaping the complications and red tape of civilization.

Over the decades, various rules have been added gradually and built up to something resembling the tax code.

Now, I understand the biological and management reasons for these various rules in various places, but you almost have to be a lawyer to be sure you are legal, unless you fish for the same thing in the same place all the time. I like to do most everything most everywhere, and much of the time I'm a little paranoid about whether I know and am following all the rules.

A case in point: I was fishing for crappie on a small lake around here a couple of years ago. We were doing well, and since I was running the trolling motor, I put my friend in charge of stringing the crappie. The agent comes motoring up after an hour or so and checked us, and after some friendly conservation, he asked who caught the crappie. Seems that even though we hadn't yet filled one person's limit, we were breaking the law by using the same stringer for two people. I felt terrible about not knowing this particular statute, or that my name was supposed to be on the stringer as well, and I felt terrible about actually breaking a rule.

Actually the MDC is in discussion about simplifing the fishing regs. From what I am hearing, I don't think the MSA is going to be happy.

Sorry to hear about the stringer incident. But there are very good reasons for it no matter how much our local G-man haters feel.

[Claybuster]

Actually the MDC is in discussion about simplifing the fishing regs. From what I am hearing, I don't think the MSA is going to be happy.

Sorry to hear about the stringer incident. But there are very good reasons for it no matter how much our local G-man haters feel.

Wait?

What?

Haters? Is that really a word?

[Dutch]

Let's hear it. I'm not looking it up.

Point is; Ron was NOT in violation of any rule/law.

Yes he was. You have to keep your fish separate or identifiable from any one else's fish. Theirs weren't.

You can only give fish to another person after you have finished for the day. It is part of their possession limit not daily creel. You also have to give them your name address and license number along with the fish.

[rFisherk]

I rest my case.

[jdmidwest]

Rules have always been complicated. Remember the point system for ducks?

The ones that have baffled me are somewhat confusing.

Waterfowl must retain a wing and head from field to home for id and transport. A motel is not home. A cabin you own in the field is, from the cabin to your real abode is free sailing. But a motel to your real abode is taboo.

Possesion of underlength fish in a lenght regulated area. Go to Montauk and catch a few stockers, toss them in a cooler and drive down below the park to fish for real. Fish in cooler are now illegal. They actually have a freezer at the lodge for this where you can store them, but it is a little known fact.

Quietly fishing the catch and release area at Montauk and the wife decides she wants to drop a dime, buy some fish food, and pass the time while patiently watching me fish. I raised a little stink over that one and they took them out. She was not chumming, and I was not catching any more than normal if she was not hanging around.

[rFisherk]

No, JD, rules have not always been complicated. For a good part of my early life, they were very simple, and the outdoors was a real escape from the complicated world.

[fishinwrench]

Yes he was. You have to keep your fish separate or identifiable from any one else's fish. Theirs weren't.

You can only give fish to another person after you have finished for the day. It is part of their possession limit not daily creel. You also have to give them your name address and license number along with the fish.

That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. If that is truly a rule/law then it gets ignored/broken all the time.

Has anyone EVER been cited for it ?

So once you give someone a fish you are in violation if you make another cast before Midnite. That is Funny !

And boats with only one livewell are illegal for two guys to fish out of?

Again, funny.

A cooler of ice is illegal if two guys are in the boat too, right ?