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Post by djkimmel on May 4, 2004 11:14:26 GMT -5
Well it looks like the MDNR doesn't actually talk to bass anglers. They don't understand them very much.
Their 'secret' paper has been delivered to a few people (not me) and apparently says they are recommending catch-and-release bass (maybe statewide) starting on the last Saturday of April (like walleye/pike/trout) BUT moving the entire regular opener to the same as St. Clair.
We lose the April 1 opener even on the 6 test lakes AND we lose the existing 3 weeks of regular bass season.
I realize different types of anglers will feel differently about this proposal, but it ignores even their own studies.
It would be so nice to live in a state where the DNR valued bass anglers such as Pennsylvania where they meet with a generous variety of them once per year to work together on management. They also look at the studies that exist and gave the bass anglers more fishing which is what bass anglers in Michigan are asking for.
There is a possibility that the MDNR wants someone else to be the 'bad guy,' and propose and push for a more 'generous' season. I bet we can come up with some volunteers if that is the case. It would be easier if they'd just come out and say it.
Watch the May 16 issue of Michigan Outdoor News and possibly this weekends Booth Newspapers for more.
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Steve
Junior Member
Posts: 46
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Post by Steve on May 4, 2004 11:56:13 GMT -5
Did the DNR say what was the reason they came to the this conclusion? I think they are shooting from the hip with these proposals and new regulations. Do they not read their own studies?
I really think they are going at this all wrong. I've been bass fishing on Lake Erie for 10+ years and haven't seen that much of a change in the bass fishery. Matter of fact i think it's gotten better over the years.
Let me ask you this question. Why do every time i go out on Erie, I always see someone taking an illegal bass? And why do i get the cold shoulder when i do my part and let a MDNR officer know about the problem?
It seems to me that the DNR needs to do a better job on educating the public on catch and release. Not to mention enforcing the laws that they help write.
I think the bottom line is that a true "bass angler" is the best thing for the fisheries. It's the people that abuse the fish that are the problem.
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Post by djkimmel on May 4, 2004 20:46:16 GMT -5
The Michigan DNR seems to have a big problem with bass tournament anglers and they seem to think the only studies to look at are done in Maine and Ontario (the only places they can find a few sympathetic researchers who try to prove the opposite of what the rest of the world has already shown).
I'm getting a copy of their proposal within a few days. Expect to see some publicity in numerous places about it that will not flatter the MDNR. I'm not the only one who is very disappointed in them.
Their backwards, ultraconservatism and tournament-bias make them look like the Medieval DNR. It's a shame because their are some real decent people who care mixed in with the biased and political ones.
The reason I sometimes name specific names of people in the MDNR who are the problem is because I don't want to throw them all out - the baby with the bathwater.
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Andy
Full Member
Posts: 92
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Post by Andy on May 6, 2004 6:00:00 GMT -5
Were is this unflattering publicity going to show up, got any ideas. What about the big shooters at BASS have thay helped in this matter
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Post by djkimmel on May 6, 2004 21:13:56 GMT -5
We are in the process of making everyone aware of what is going on. The MDNR bass season paper looks more like a 'we don't like tournaments very much' paper. I'll have an article in the May 16 Michigan Outdoor News about my proposal. Eric Sharp had a good article in the Free Press. Bob Gwizdz will be doing articles on it. He hopes to get some national publicity in Bassmaster too. Ron Spitler and I should be on the Bob Bauer 97.1 radio show on Saturday May 22 talking about real bass biology and management too. Tom Sokolowski of Bass Pro Shop set that up. He and other large tackle shop reps plan on going to the MDNR and telling them that taking away 3 or 4 more weeks of the open season will have a significant adverse impact on their businesses. Tackle shops, resorts and other related businesses could be great allies to us against taking opening day and moving it later in the year. It's just not necessary. Not opening the catch-and-release season until the end of April is too late also. It doesn't solve the issue of anglers out pike and walleye fishing on St. Clair legally before the inland opener. We do have a game plan. One option being discussed on lakestclair.net is even doing a large bass boat convoy to the Capital, but I think that only becomes a necessity if the legislature gets involved and isn't favorable. The best thing every one can do is tell their friends. If you want, the MDNR has posted their 53 page 'study' on the DNR website. It's a big pdf so I just sent this to the link to the document. It takes a bit to download. If you like opening day where it is and especially if you like tournaments, it will probably make you more than unhappy with it's content. Their's is not the final word.
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Post by djkimmel on May 19, 2004 22:09:55 GMT -5
The lineup is set on Bob Bauer's Outdoor World for this Saturday. We'll be on from 7AM until 11AM.
It will be Bob, me, Ron Spitler, Bill Parker - Editor of Michigan Outdoor News, and Kelly Bridgewater from KD Outdoors. Should be a lot of fun. I hope they have lots of coffee there.
They will be taking calls for some of the show, Bob says. So if you're in the SE Michigan area, tune in if you get a chance.
After we're all done, I hope to swing over to Cass Lake with cameraguy and catch some of the bass we'll be talking about. After all, that's what this is all about - doing what we love - bass fishing!
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Post by PoorBoy on May 20, 2004 7:45:08 GMT -5
hey lt dan, tell kelly i said hi. tell her i said "we're related" she should understand. fortunately i have to work saturday so i will get to listen to the show. the only good thing about workin saturdays is outdoor world. bob rules. PoorBoy himself
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Post by Eric on May 20, 2004 8:00:36 GMT -5
Having a medium like radio can be a very valuable thing for us. We are all very confident that your message will be effective and professionally delivered. But.....if you use the old fashioned "Dan Kimmel" name, will anybody recognize it. Everyone knows the famous "Uncle Silty." People are already saying who's this Homer guy. Doesn't he know that there is only one real Uncle in bass fishing. ;D
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Post by djkimmel on May 20, 2004 19:24:11 GMT -5
I'm not sure what I'll call myself yet Saturday, but I have an idea what a few people might call me!!! ;D
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