Poaching Story

[SpoonDog]

We've had this discussion before Wrench, and you still don't seem to grasp that your feelings are worth precisely as much as everyone else's. 

But just for funsies, let's say we convinced the state fish and game agency to pull the plug on walleye and paddlefish- two species that wouldn't persist without stocking.  The state agency in charge of protecting fish and wildlife has now taken the position that it's alright to allow populations of native sportfish species to decline, even disappear, within large portions of their native range.

You've just eliminated any justification for restrictive smallmouth regs.  If zero's an acceptable population size for walleye, and an acceptable population size for paddlefish, it's an acceptable population size for smallies.  No need for creel limits, for size limits, no reason to manage otters or giggers.  We've set a precedent that sportfish will be fine, even if they're no longer present. 

MDC isn't perfect, but they're legally obligated to protect fish, forests and game.  Eliminating that obligation doesn't strengthen it.

 

[MoCarp]

1 hour ago, SpoonDog said:

Only if you don't fish for walleye, you don't fish for paddlefish, you have no interest in elk, if you dont read the magazine,  and if you don't stroke out in the back end of a conservation area where the only guy around is in a little Jeep Liberty- and he can't get to you.

It's real easy to say MDC should cut the programs we don't like to pay for the programs we do like.  I think it's deeply, profoundly stupid that MDC spends ANY amount of money on quail- when every Dick and John in the county plants corn and soybeans from one fencerow to the next, when they spray said field with enough Roundup to make certain there's nothing alive for quail to eat, slapping a bumper sticker and heading to the Quail Forever meeting to lament the bird's plight and share how, in the olden days, they used to go  out every day of the season and shoot a limit, or pert near.  I don't know how many times I've heard a line to that effect, spoken sincerely, as though it's never dawned on them the relationship between killing every quail you see and then having none left.  It's the only thing anyone's ever said that made me understand why passenger pigeons and Carolina parakeets are no longer around. 

There's probably some dude up near Kirksville who loves catfish and crappie but has never seen a live smallmouth, never fished for smallmouth, no interest in smallmouth, thinks spending any money on smallmouth is stupid and a waste of money.  It doesn't matter, because it isn't an a la' carte menu.  I pay taxes for schools I'll never attend and for roads I'll never drive on, it's part of basic citizenship.  There's nothing unreasonable about paying conservation sales taxes, even if it means funding projects you receive no direct benefit from. 

If you've driven many roads in the state I know you know they're not outstanding.  Education's middle of the road.  Missouri isn't at the top of most lists when it comes to government services...under no circumstances should we be looking to most of them as a model of government efficiency or constituent services.  The author of the article isn't discriminating between cost and value.  Other state agencies are good because they're cheap- even it means someone can't access healthcare.  MDC's bad because they're expensive- they purchased 50 properties for me to hunt and fish on, when they said they'd only buy five.  It's that convoluted, bean counter-y logic that's got us among the worst roads in the country, mediocre education, etc. 

You get what you pay for.  The priorities don't change with less money, you just have less money.  Eliminating that much of MDC's budget doesn't reshuffle the priorities, it means the low priorities get cut.  And MDC can very easily do less for smallmouth management in the state.  Even if management biologists wanted to redo a study or revisit regs, they couldn't- Missouri's smallmouth anglers would have taken that option off the table.  The next big political fight and MDC's not going to rock the legislator's boat when it comes to gravel mining or stream access, leaving anglers to struggle with a legislature heavily influenced by ag and private property rights.

It's easy to get mad, to stomp your feet, to cut off your nose to spite your face.  But it may have unintended consequences.

WOW spoon well said..I agree with you..I know that seems weird but...

51 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Fishing for walleye at LO is a waste of time even though they've poured millions into making it worthwhile.  It's way past time to give it up and put that money and effort elsewhere.  

The Spoonbill program......I ain't even going there.  If you don't see the insanity in that then you're ate up.

If anyone in Mo. has an genuine interest in elk then they go West to satisfy that itch.  Nobody here gives two hoots about those collared, pen raised cows and 5x5's they are raising here.  

You can read the magazine online.  It is Sophomore level writing at best.  Not even worth the effort to print.

My daughter has a Jeep Liberty.  With good tires they'll go anywhere that a 3/4 ton Chevy will go.....And if you get it stuck two guys can darn near pick it up and get it some traction.  Put a winch on it if you suck at off-road driving...still way less expensive to buy and to operate than a fully loaded Silverado, and considerably friendlier to the environment.. if you care about things like that.  Hopefully we aren't paying for EMT training for Conservation agents. If we are then that could be cut too.  There's another 8 Mill.

I have 2 walleyes that I landed on LOZ the biggest 4 walleye limit I ever caught was in LOZ...they are there just need to know how to catch them

I have caught a few paddle fish..its fun having a huge fish pulling your rod down....we destroyed their spawning grounds, so we kinda need to help a bit

Magazine is interesting, though kinda antiquated in this day and age, but my nephews when they where 4-5 would spend hours going over the old copies, that alone was worth my tax $ as far a quality I think they have one a few national awards

I know people that work for the MDC, and they are outstanding well trained people, that do their jobs from their passion for the outdoors, they are not overpaid and work hours most people would turn up their noses.... they certainly deserve reliable transportation, when someone gets hurt in the boonies they are not getting there in a stripped down Hyundai with 200k on the odometer

Wrench your just cranky...perhaps you can bid on an MDC boat contract next time, and then you can boast on how great they are....

bet you spent halloween yelling GET OFF MY LAWN!!!!! life is too short go out and have some fun...slap around a few carp anglers, pee of the front of someones boat..even eat some bass for dinner...if it makes you happy

 

[fishinwrench]

15 minutes ago, MoCarp said:

Wrench your just cranky...perhaps you can bid on an MDC boat contract next time, and then you can boast on how great they are...

I've worked on their boats plenty.    

The last time they called me it was to an abandoned cabin cruiser at Beauty View that the 80 gal. fuel tank had ruptured and the auto bilge was emptying it into the lake.   I could have blown myself up..... Sent them a modest bill and never got paid.   

I only get cranky when they ignore important (to me/to us) things while spending STUPID money on things that are just plain ignorant.     Fine, do things for Spoonbill and walleye, but just do equally for other native critters.  

Just to be clear, I'm not against walleye stocking, I'm just against the DEGREE that they do it HERE because I see it as a total wasted effort and a huge waste of money.   

As thorough as you are I'm calling your bluff on the limit of "big walleye from LO".  Pics or you're full of it.  😎

[MoCarp]

7 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Sent them a modest bill and never got paid.   

As thorough as you are I'm calling your bluff on the limit of "big walleye from LO".  Pics or you're full of it.  😎

wow no wonder your cranky towards the MDC...

 

[fishinwrench]

Naw that's really no biggie. I mean it COULD BE, but truth be known I've done quite a bit of stuff for them without compensation...and I'd do it again.    Not "for them".... it's more like "for us".