Take back the MDC website

[jdmidwest]

Here is a link to the Take Back the MDC Website that gives another side of the political BS at the MDC. I can see why there have been some grumblings on here about the workings of the department. Interesting read, it seems to affect all that fish or hunt in the state of MO.

TAKE BACK THE MDC

[brownieman]

That's a good read JD...IMO someone (with a little yank) finally trying to get to the crux of the bisquit so to speak.

IMO this is the trend and has been happening for awhile now but if you rock the boat you're out.

Many things have taken presidence that should not even be a consideration...there is good and bad but when it comes to how are tax dollars are being utilized we have little say...IMO personal agendas and motives and the 'Good Ole Boy Network' play far to big a role in most arenas...it's pretty apparant to this old boy. JMHO

bm

[Terry Beeson]

Good and very interesting read,,,

This, sadly, is an ever-increasing trend in our world today. One quote that really caught my eye was one concerning "only 10% of students want to fish or hunt." We are becoming a society that puts more value on competitive sports than on the sportsmanship and stewardship of our natural resources that hunting and fishing promote.

But we EXPECT MDC to be the recruiters of new hunters and anglers when it is the responsibility of parents and the hunters and anglers themselves to introduce young people to our passion. How many of us have taken the time to take a youngster to the woods or the water (outside of our own family?) Do you volunteer for fishing derbies, classes, shooting events, etc. that cater to this?

DU, FFF, and other organizations offer programs geared to the development of young people who ARE THE FUTURE of hunting and fishing. "Tree huggers" and hunters and fishermen CAN co-exist and SHOULD do so. We all value our natural resources even if we disagree on many finer points. But those individuals who disregard regulations only add fuel to the fire used by those opposed to hunting and agling. This will continue until these people change and begin to understand the value of self-regulation.

The MDC website states:

"Our mission...

To protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state,

To serve the public and facilitate their participation in resource management activities,

To provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about fish, forest, and wildlife resources."

Yes, the MDC is for ALL of us... Fishermen, hunters, trappers, and everyone else. Yes, we must all share the MDC. However, the definition of "sharing" seems to be clouded by those who oppose hunting and fishing. We have a duty to educate those people as well. No, you will probably not change the views of someone who supports PETA. But at the same time, we must take the lead in promoting the sports as just that - sports - and not the brutal inconsiderate actions many view them to be.

Our government operates on the system of special interest groups and the almighty vote. Money does talk and a huge campaign contribution will buy a lot. For this reason, we must all do as much as we can to support those special interest groups that will be OUR voice in Jefferson City and Washington. Joining and contributing to (money AND time) the NRA, FFF, TU, DU, NWTF, BASS, and other organizations will give you a voice in the political arena.

I encourage you to write, call, or email Gov. Blunt if you disagree with his appointments to the commission. It may not change things now, but if he sees a trend of voters turning to someone who WILL support our beliefs, he might think twice about future appointments.

[gonefishin]

I posted this site before but everyone wanted to lynch me. I don't want to disban the MDC, I just want to breakup the political croonies and get it back to reality.

[jcoberley]

Everyone wanted to fight with me about the MDC needing a little watching over, now things are starting to show up. The water wasn't as clear as people thought.

[Daddy Carp]

THE MDC IS NOT ALONE!!! THE DAY WHEN KIDS COULDN'T WAIT FOR A WEEKEND TO GO FISHING WITH DAD, GRAMPS OR THEIR BUDDY IS ALMOST GONE. THERE IS STILL A FEW LEFT. IT IS UP TO US TO ONCE AGAIN TAKE ON THE SYSTEM & CORP. AMERICA AS WE DID IN THE 40'S & 50'S. KIDS ARE & HAVE BEEN TOLD FOR ABOUT 25 YRS. THAT THEY HAVE TO BE THE BEST, HAVE THE MOST OF THE BEST AND PUT DOWN ANYONE WHO TRIES TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE "LOCK-STEP" ADVOCATED "NORMAL OR BEST". AS TERRY BEESON SAID, THEY THINK IT HAS TO BE A COMPETIVE SPORT OR THEIR NOT INTERESTED. OUR GOOD CORPORATE SPONSORS AND TOURNAMENT FISHERMEN ARE MUCH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LACK OF INTEREST IN FISHING TREND. WHEN YOUR TOLD & SHOWN THAT TO BE A GOOD BASS FISHERMAN: YOU HAVE TO..... HAVE A SPONSOR-RIDDEN UNIFORM, 20 OR SO $200 REELS ON $150 RODS, EVERY LURE ON THE MARKET IN EA. COLOR @ $4-$20 APIECE, A $40,000 BASS BOAT WITH ABOUT $3,000 OF ELECTRONICS ON BOARD AND THE MONEY TO PULL THEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PRE-FISH & FISH IN A TOURNAMENT 3-4 DAYS EVERY WEEK, WHAT ELSE CAN KIDS & NEW-COMERS FEEL. THEY KNOW THEY WILL NOT EVER ACHIEVE OR AQUIRE THIS SO WHY BE AN INFERIOR OR LOOSER IF THEY JUST WANT TO FISH. I AM TOTALY FOR BOYCOTING THE MFGS., SPONSORS AND PROMOTERS OF THIS "HIPE" FOR THEIR OWN SELFISH MONITARY MOTIVES. WE NEED TO PROMOTE THE KIDS & BEGINNERS DERBYS, FORUMS AND OUTINGS. I HAVE, DO AND WILL MOVE OVER TO LET A KID OR NEWCOMER HAVE MY SPOT. GLADLY SHARE & SHOW WHAT I CAN TO THEM SO THEIR TRIP WILL BE A FOND MEMORY THAT THEY WILL WANT TO REPEAT FOR YEARS.

WHERE DO WE START? IN THIS AREA, THE MDC IS A GOOD PLACE ALONG WITH BASS PRO, PRO BASS, INC. AND THE OTHER "HIGH-DOLLAR" NBA'S OF FISHING. NOT AN EASY THING TO TURN AROUND BUT WITH A LITTLE TIME AND EFFORT WE MAY BE ABLE TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS A LITTLE. BEST PLACE TO START IS AT HOME. LESS DEMANDING FOR COLLEGATE SPORTS PERFECTION, STOP THROWING MONEY & GIFTS TO WIN OUR KIDS FAVOR BUT SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME TEACHING, SHARING & JUST LETTING THEM KNOW WE CARE. MAYBE THEN INSTEAD OF SMOKING GRASS, THEY'LL BE SITTING ON IT WITH A CANE POLE & STRINGER OF FISH.

[brownieman]

Well said DC,

Most kids these days would just as soon catch a fish on a video game of better yet chop some deviant dragon warriors head off.

I raised 2 daughters and the environment was about the farthest thing from their minds no matter how hard I tried...now they see being parents themselves. They sure never complained about a little fried deer tenderloin, quail of fresh fish for dinner.

I bird hunted for years, mainly quail and about 20 years ago a friend gave me a Brittany from a fantastic bloodline...Lucas, he was my friend and hunting, fishing companion and a darn good one. When I first got him I used to kill about 150 birds a season or so mostly on private land...the last couple of years he was able to hunt we were lucky to bag 20-30 birds a season...many days never raised my gun. I never killed coveys out, took a few and left plenty for seed...it's tough enouph being at the bottom of the food chain.

The decline of quail was more than apparant with much more emphasis by the mdc placed on deer and turkey. Farming practices, fescue and loss of habitat has taken it's toll on the small game.

Always read about the decline but have seen little effort and little incentive offered to save small game by the mdc. Seeing the same decline of quality fishing especially smallies in our Ozark streams I have to wonder where priorities lie. Tag sales seems to get much more attention due to the money generated.

We have become a push button society...convenience above all else.

I reckon as long as our kids can see a tadpole or a fish in a nature center or animals in a zoo that's good enouph...it's really too bad but mans tendancy to control or interveen on mother nature...well, it just don't appear to be workin too good.

The almighty dollar seems to take presidence above all else...seems to be the way of the world anymore.

With wealth comes greed, corruption...I don't care for it. Unless efforts are made we will pay to successfully hunt, fish...just to enjoy the outdoor activities we used to consider fairly cheap. Game ranches, trout parks, fees on everything...we teach our kids to respect nature but by the time their adults there will not be much nature left...something has to give and I see the almighty dollar winning out...whatever, I for one do not like the world we are leaving our children. OK, off the soapbox, sorry for the ramblins, JMHO

bm

[Chief Grey Bear]

The decline of quail was more than apparant with much more emphasis by the mdc placed on deer and turkey. Farming practices, fescue and loss of habitat has taken it's toll on the small game.

The MDC has no control over any land other than the land they own or manage(which I think they may really pay a lease. I'm not for sure) for other agencies such as the Corps of Engineers. At that, in relation to total land mass in the state of Missouri, that amount is very little. Farming practices and land use (housing developements and such) have a great deal to do with quail decline. It is now with the help of the MDC that land owners are learning to use new land use practices that are enhancing quail. It is a slow process, but progressing non the less.

Now with last years devestating ice storm in SW Mo, I am afraid that any progress that has been made was lost. I know in my area the ground was covered with ice/snow for 3 weeks. Some did survive though as I have seen some small covies. Small meaning 6 or less birds.

[Al Agnew]

Declining numbers of hunters and anglers is a symptom of our society. I look at how I grew up in a small Ozark town, and how my nieces and nephews grew up, and how their children are growing up...all in the same type of small town. No comparison. VERY few children are exposed to nature anymore, whether it be because of the popularity of video games, organized sports, growing urban and suburban populations, "poor" parenting, Disneyesque stupidity, fear of letting kids explore on their own, or rampant consumerism. I don't know the answer. Yeah, you can take a kid hunting or fishing if you can pry them away from the video games and malls. Maybe it will pay off in the future. But unless they are exposed to the outdoors and outdoor pursuits on a continuing and regular basis, I doubt the value.

All MDC can do is provide the places to go and the educational opportunities. They are trying, yet a lot of you probably question the money they've spent on urban conservation centers, which may be the only places a lot of urban kids have a chance to be exposed to nature. I don't have any answers, but I certainly fear for the future of hunting and angling, not so much from the animal rights idiots as from apathy in the general population.