The Proverbial Soapbox

[Tim Roberts]

#5620

This is a something that has been on my mind for a lot of years, and am curious as to what others would do?

First off this is not a thread to bash Game Mangement Agencies. This is a thread asking what you would do and if you are so inclined, feel free to explain your response.

The question:

If you were totally dissatified with the decisions, and course of action your State’s Game Management Agency was going would you quit hunting in your home state, and hunt else where, even if it meant not buying a resident license again?

Thanks,

Tim

[Fallguy]

#42779

Be thankful that you have trained professionals making the decisions on game management. In my state the politicians make all the decisions with no basis in reality they only listen to the loud mouth with the most cash.

[David Coulter]

#42837

I’d keep buying a license and keep hunting. It’s like voting. It might not carry a lot of weight, but it gives you the unquestionable right to complain. dwc

[JodyS]

#42851

Tim, hmmm…that is a good question. I have three thoughts in response:

1. At times, I am not satisfied with the decisions of my Game/Fish Agency. It seems that some decisions are made on sound biology while others appear to be borne out of politics. Either way, as a law-abiding citizen I am bound to follow them.

2. I live close enough to several other states such as Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Tennessee that have good hunting that I could drive to, and have at times, to hunt if I want to. The option of having states that border, or are close to, my home state is a blessing and a luxury. They are a possibility for hunting, but not my preferred one. I go to them for the sake of a new adventure, not as a primary place for hunting.

3. I can’t stop hunting in my home state, and on my family’s property, because it is my home and heritage. I love the woods that I have known since childhood and hunted with my dad and granddad. While my first reason was a moral one and the second was a matter of preference; this reason is one that is spiritual/emotional: I am just too darn connected to the woods that I hunt to forsake them. It may sound a bit sappy, but it is true.

With all of that said, I do believe that my connection to where I hunt, and the state that I love, are two solid reasons to be active, assertive, and intelligently vocal in matters of conservation and hunters’ rights. To me, loving your state and its hunting opportunities means digging in more to help improve it, rather than leaving it to those decision-makers who have values, passions, and principles that are less pure than yours.

Just my opinion…

Jody

[Stephen Graf]

#43227

In North Carolina, the wildlife commission is managed by the wildlife commissioners. There are 9 wildlife districts in NC represented by 18 commissioners. None are elected. All are appointed. All are big donors to the party in power.

Needless to say, conservation and ecology play a very small role in the decision making process.

North Carolina IS the Boss Hog State.

But it is not be possible for me not to hunt.

As our country swings through its anti-intellectual, anti-ecology, anti-contraceptive stage I am just going to buckle down and wait for the population correction. What’s good for the rabbits is good for the rest…

[Bounty Hunter]

#43246

I’ve been know to climb on this soapbox from time to time over the past years due to some really dumb decisions made here in Texas. I know Texas isn’t alone in all of these matters and it seems to be a trend that decisions are being made more on politics and less and less on bio data gathered. Here in Texas we have a big state and very diverse hunting where one rule doesn’t fit the whole state, but the folks making the decisions don’t see that. I am sure that we are not the only state with this problem.

Now with that said, would I stop hunting in Texas and start hunting another state? The answer is heck no, I’m going to hunt in Texas come hell or high water. Do I also hunt in other states, yes when the timing and money is right. I would recommend you do the same. Don’t let dumb politics keep you from hunting in your home state. Follow the rules/laws and voice your opinion every chance you get. That may be the single biggest problem, we don’t jump up and down and yell loud enough. We don’t form one very big voice to make the knotheads at the top listen. So join your states hunting or bowhunting associations and get active, it is the only way we can make a difference.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#43339

Without knowing any specifics, all I can say is that I would seek out like-minded hunters who are willing to speak up, and schedule meetings with the agency to let them know your point of view. Cite good examples from other states that demonstrate what you’re advocating for. Research whether there are any sportsman’s groups already working on these issues, in your state or elsewhere.

That may take some effort and be time-intensive, but it sure beats not hunting in your own state.

[David Petersen]

#43430

What Jody and Smithhammer said! Whether you hunt or not will make about as much difference to the Powers That Be as a drop of water in the ocean. If you want change, you have to work for it, probably long and hard. In addition to organizing “Utah Sportsmen for/against” etc., write letters to agency leaders and elected officials. And if/when those fail to make a positive difference, start a letter-writing campaign to major newspapers across the state. Too often, I find, you have to put public pressure on these people to get them to do anything. That’s how the system works. Either we stand for something, or we stand for nothing. IMHO

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