Bass Fishing!

[Bird Watcher]

 I can lecture about inbreeding depression until my students fall asleep (usually within five minutes), but to really know the subject, it would be useful to live in southwest Missouri or Arkansas for a period of time.

[trythisonemv]

One thing I'll say is at least they are encouraging people to keep fish within regulations. More aimed at management. If they trick a few people who already keep them with this, then it is a positive.

[trythisonemv]

I think the sentiment among many locals is along the lines of "these fancy pants scientists don't fish these here waters ever day like I does, so why should they make the rules? "

I kind of see that logic.

I'm a biologist, published in molecular genetics. I'm currently a genetics professor. I can lecture about inbreeding depression until my students fall asleep (usually within five minutes), but to really know the subject, it would be useful to live in southwest Missouri or Arkansas for a period of time.

I thought scientists were supposed to take the high road and be classy? Lol shame on you

[Al Agnew]

I have a lot of respect for biologists. Those I have known that were with MDC have cared deeply about the fisheries they were studying, and have done their best to obtain and disseminate valuable data to help those fisheries improve. But they have blind spots, in my opinion, which concern the reliability of some of their methods. Just because a method is supposedly the best available doesn't mean it's reliable and is providing good information. That's where those of us who have spent a lot of time on the Ozark rivers for many years often disagree with the results of studies...in our minds, our experience trumps their brief study time. As Gavin has pointed out, sample size is important. There will always be problems, real or perceived, when small sample sizes are used to make broad generalizations. But there are also problems with relying upon anecdotal "evidence" from people like us, who come to the table with our own biases.

Do the biologists listen to us? Some do. In my dealings with them, they always want to hear what we have to say, and they listen to our opinions. But they are trained in the scientific method, and in the end they are going to rely on their study methods more than our anecdotal evidence.

[mjk86]

For a biologist to impress me he'd have to teach me something that I can't learn from a Google search.

In trade I'd be happy to teach him/her a few things that they couldn't Google.

Where does the "reliable" information contained in a google search come from? I say reliable cuz well...its not like the internet to mislead anyone. Also...you can google most motors, or at least get the manual, its what ive done with my boat and hasnt failed me yet....knock on wood.

[Mitch f]

I have a lot of respect for biologists. Those I have known that were with MDC have cared deeply about the fisheries they were studying, and have done their best to obtain and disseminate valuable data to help those fisheries improve. But they have blind spots, in my opinion, which concern the reliability of some of their methods. Just because a method is supposedly the best available doesn't mean it's reliable and is providing good information. That's where those of us who have spent a lot of time on the Ozark rivers for many years often disagree with the results of studies...in our minds, our experience trumps their brief study time. As Gavin has pointed out, sample size is important. There will always be problems, real or perceived, when small sample sizes are used to make broad generalizations. But there are also problems with relying upon anecdotal "evidence" from people like us, who come to the table with our own biases.

Do the biologists listen to us? Some do. In my dealings with them, they always want to hear what we have to say, and they listen to our opinions. But they are trained in the scientific method, and in the end they are going to rely on their study methods more than our anecdotal evidence.

My thoughts exactly!

I could've tried a dozen times and wouldn't have been able to explain it this well?

I'm mute, I'm mute!

[fishinwrench]

Where does the "reliable" information contained in a google search come from? I say reliable cuz well...its not like the internet to mislead anyone. Also...you can google most motors, or at least get the manual, its what ive done with my boat and hasnt failed me yet....knock on wood.

Y'all keep trying to compare MY career to a biologists career. I didn't design or invent outboard engines, but I can sure enough point out areas that need improvement moreso than the areas the designers are spending all their time on. And you can't Google that.

You CAN Google the intelligence of the design.....but nothing comes up concerning the shortcomings.

MDC biologists always come to the conclusion that they are regulating resources perfectly, and that no changes ever need to be made. Ironic isn't it?

[mjk86]

Y'all keep trying to compare MY career to a biologists career. I didn't design or invent outboard engines, but I can sure enough point out areas that need improvement moreso than the areas the designers are spending all their time on. And you can't Google that.

You CAN Google the intelligence of the design.....but nothing comes up concerning the shortcomings.

MDC biologists always come to the conclusion that they are regulating resources perfectly, and that no changes ever need to be made. Ironic isn't it?

No comparison can be made. I can google the shortcomings of my outboard, also its chapter 3 in the clymer manual...troubleshooting. Takes care of about everything that can go wrong. ALso the MDC does not come to the conclusion that they are regulating resources perfectly. They come to the conlclusion that based on the science and data available these are what the guidelines should be. Is the data perfect? no way, there are way too many variables to account for, that would be impossible. That said, all the MDC hate seems to come from people who have no other data to share...just speculation.

[mjk86]

Y'all keep trying to compare MY career to a biologists career. I didn't design or invent outboard engines, but I can sure enough point out areas that need improvement moreso than the areas the designers are spending all their time on. And you can't Google that.

You CAN Google the intelligence of the design.....but nothing comes up concerning the shortcomings.

MDC biologists always come to the conclusion that they are regulating resources perfectly, and that no changes ever need to be made. Ironic isn't it?

ALso....where does the fisheries information found on google come from?

[fishinwrench]

What fisheries information ?