Share comments with MDC on gigging on Ozark streams

[Phil Lilley]

Comment on gigging Ozark streams at mdc.mo.gov under GIGGING FEEDBACK by June 15.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reviewing regulations of the Wildlife Code of Missouri regarding gigging on Ozark streams and wants public input through a brief online survey regarding timing of the season, season length, and comments.

Share input on gigging on Ozark streams through the MDC homepage at mdc.mo.govunder GIGGING FEEDBACK. Please take the survey by June 15.

Gigging consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line. It is primarily a nighttime activity and is most effective in shallow, clear water. Learn more at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/get-started-fishing/fish-gigging.

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Gigging consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line. It is primarily a nighttime activity and is most effective in shallow, clear water. Share input on gigging on Ozark streams through the MDC homepage at mdc.mo.gov under GIGGING FEEDBACK.  

[Johnsfolly]

I added my two cents on gigging regulations.

[Al Agnew]

I'll certainly comment, but I don't expect anything much to be changed.  Illegal gigging is what it is.  I'm as convinced as ever that it has a significant effect on the numbers of BIG game fish, though I agree with MDC's position that it doesn't affect overall populations.  Gigging 5 or 10 smallmouth over 18 inches from a wintering pool over the season is removing a tiny, tiny percentage of adult bass, so it won't matter for the next year's spawn, but it removes a far more significant percentage of smallies over 18 inches from that stream stretch.  But most giggers are law-abiding, and probably nobody is going to be for punishing them for the transgressions of the few pinheads.  So I don't expect to see anything like shortening the season or closing certain stream stretches.

Maybe what we should be pushing for is for MDC to spend a lot more money on law enforcement.  If there were two or three agents per county instead of one, that would free up one agent to concentrate on policing the stream stretches in that county during gigging season instead of having to spend most of their time on all the hunting going on during that same time period.  Enforcing the law, patrolling the streams away from the public boat ramps where most illegal giggers operate, and somehow convincing county courts to get serious about fines for illegal gigging would go a long way toward solving the problem.

[fishinwrench]

I am all for eliminating a number of worthless money-sucking programs and using that money to put more agents out there, pay them overtime and having them actually doing something.    And yes, sometimes that means they might miss a few late night TV shows.   It's ok, they can record them. 

[Gavin]

I do not want eliminate someone else's fun, but recommended a shorter season and more enforcement. Don't start the gigging season until rifle deer season is over. No chance of enforcement until most of the deer tags are filled.

[snagged in outlet 3]

To go along with Gavin What if they managed it like a duck or dove hunt at the parks?

Have the agents onsite for the deal. 

[tjm]

 Is there an agent present at all bass tourneys? In my they are kinda the same thing, I don't think either can be adequately policed unless they are banned entirely.  Either accept that some  bass are going to die from haulage and sorting or ban those things; either accept some bass are going die from gigging or ban that.  The most effective control over gigging small mouth might be to close all the public ramps and or ban the jet boats on streams? I used to wade and push the tub and hold the light while Dad & Clayton did the gigging in water 3' deep and they could fill the tub pretty quick for a fish fry. 

I guess my thoughts run like; gigging is an old tradition in  the Ozarks, but jet boats are not. Not too long ago killing passenger pigions on the roost was an Ozark tradition, Grandpa showed me where they roosted and told me how he and other boys loaded the wagons with the dead birds the men killed. Some traditions just die out, I don't know of a single market hunter in this county.

I did not take the poll yet and might not, I want to see all the questions at once and they want to sort the responses question by question. A process designed to  get a predetermined outcome, imo.

I also think public opinion should not be a part of the process, we pay scientists  to manage; make them do it according to science. Once the opinions over rule the science the AR groups will rule out all seasons, C&R will go first. 

[fishinwrench]

8 hours ago, tjm said:

 I want to see all the questions at once and they want to sort the responses question by question. A process designed to  get a predetermined outcome, imo.

That's actually a good point.   If you want your response to be considered then you should probably answer YES to the first question (Do you gig?).

[tjm]

I'm not so sure of that fishinwrench, only seeing one question at a time it's impossible to gauge the slant of the survey. All over the country the fish and game divisions are being infiltrated by animal activists that are more or less against hunting and fishing, the questions and the manner in which they are asked could either favor increased gigging opportunity or elimination of gigging as a sport.

Pollsters slant questionnaires all the time to show support for whoever hires them. 

Maybe do it twice once answer Yes I gig and the other answer No I don't gig and see if the remaining question are the same.   I bet they don't ask any questions that elicit answers contrary to the desired outcome.

[fishinwrench]

They might be choosing who is included in the survey.   I got the survey emailed to me, but my daughter, neighbor, and one other friend did not get the email.  And the MDC does have all of their email addy's on file.