Hits close to home

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

So if you don't like the stream or don't fish it or have never been there (myself)  does that make the poaching okay? I may be misreading these comments but it sounds like some are saying "not my creek, it don't matter"?

I don't think it matters where the poachers came from originally nor how they filed their paperwork, the crime of concern is the poaching. The report doesn't even mention that they might be Honduran or Chinese or Hungarian and I'm sure the fish don't care. It's surprising that the issue of being native redneck versus imported redneck is even mentioned here, fishing violations are equally harmful and equally serious regardless, and it must be just as serious on someone else's creek as it would be on "my creek". 

So, what will be the outcome? a small fine and revoke their fishing permits (which they weren't using, probably didn't have) and tell them in a stern voice "y'all behave now". Not much teeth in our game and fish regulations, hardly worth the Agent's efforts.

Well I’ve also watch local country folks shoot smallmouth off the nest with a bow and arrow last year. So I get what you’re saying. Just go take a float on the Huzzah now and you’ll observe it for yourself. 

[fishinwrench]

Back in the 1970's my dad shot a wood duck out of season, and got busted.   It cost him 500.00......which was a lot of money back then.   

That was my brother and I's. LESSON about following game laws, when growing up. 😳

I would love to know how much those clowns get fined.    

[jdmidwest]

10 hours ago, tjm said:

So if you don't like the stream or don't fish it or have never been there (myself)  does that make the poaching okay? I may be misreading these comments but it sounds like some are saying "not my creek, it don't matter"?

I don't think it matters where the poachers came from originally nor how they filed their paperwork, the crime of concern is the poaching. The report doesn't even mention that they might be Honduran or Chinese or Hungarian and I'm sure the fish don't care. It's surprising that the issue of being native redneck versus imported redneck is even mentioned here, fishing violations are equally harmful and equally serious regardless, and it must be just as serious on someone else's creek as it would be on "my creek". 

So, what will be the outcome? a small fine and revoke their fishing permits (which they weren't using, probably didn't have) and tell them in a stern voice "y'all behave now". Not much teeth in our game and fish regulations, hardly worth the Agent's efforts.

I don't think there is a fishing permit for taking smallmouth bass with spears.

I never knew that little stream had any bass in it.  Just loads of drunken floaters that raise the water temp each weekend in the summer with urine.  I had always avoided it because of the massive float camp on it.  I choose the Courtois and found the same problem when I took a shot at it, groups of floaters on a marginal floatable stream that kept coming by and running into me.  You can only push off a certain number of boats standing waist deep in water before it gets to be work.

[Terrierman]

1 hour ago, jdmidwest said:

I don't think there is a fishing permit for taking smallmouth bass with spears.

I never knew that little stream had any bass in it.  Just loads of drunken floaters that raise the water temp each weekend in the summer with urine.  I had always avoided it because of the massive float camp on it.  I choose the Courtois and found the same problem when I took a shot at it, groups of floaters on a marginal floatable stream that kept coming by and running into me.  You can only push off a certain number of boats standing waist deep in water before it gets to be work.

Thus, Hidden Gems.  👍

[DADAKOTA]

JD push them off with a pitchfork

[jdmidwest]

6 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

JD push them off with a pitchfork

You would think the pistol and open carry would shy away the city folks, but when they come at you backwards they miss the clues..

Speaking of pitchforks.  Remember the old days when we used to complain about giggers taking bass?  Now it spear fishers.  Technology is ruining the world as we used to enjoy it.

[Flysmallie]

8 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

You would think the pistol and open carry would shy away the city folks

Why? I see more open carry in convience stores in cities than I do out in nature. And just because someone is carrying a weapon doesn't make me scared of them. 

[BilletHead]

8 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

Why? I see more open carry in convience stores in cities than I do out in nature. And just because someone is carrying a weapon doesn't make me scared of them. 

           And it shouldn't it doesn't me either. They are not going to attack or shoot you just because. The ones you should worry about is those who carry for nefarious purposes. You will never see that gun. 

[fishinwrench]

12 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

Why? I see more open carry in convience stores in cities than I do out in nature. And just because someone is carrying a weapon doesn't make me scared of them. 

It does ME. 

Just because you're FREE to carry doesn't mean that I assume you are doing so PROPERLY.   

[tjm]

Scared people are often more dangerous than armed people, because the emotion governs actions. No telling what a scared person might do. It's a good bet that the armed person is aware of the consequences of using that weapon in public. Scared people are scary.