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Posts: 341
| In light to recent CPR, release tools and overall protection articles, it occurred to me that further education and action is needed. Why don’t we start a muskie fund? Muskie first members cover the best muskie waters across the USA. Wouldn’t it make sense to add additional info at all boat launches using 16”x16” sign covering Muskie basics and CPR instructions? It might even be considered public protection for the beginners and novices.
As a bonus motivator to the public we throw in a teaser for emailed release shots 40” or higher receive Muskie First/LAX merchandise points. The teaser works as a marketing barometer for our efforts,
A sign that size would be approximately $12.00-16.00
I have time to explore if you think this might help?
Idle time
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| Sounds like a good project for Muskies, Inc. Are you a member in your local chapter? |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Muskies, Inc. already has this sign built. Scroll down to the sign below the KTD sign:
http://www.muskiesinc.org/ss/site/content/MINC%20Images/MINC%20form... |
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Posts: 1636
| I'm the graphic designer for a large sign company and would be interested in helping out with this. I could make a LARGE amount of signs out of pvc and send them to those that could put them up. Let me know if you are interested in working on this.
Edited by Reelwise 11/1/2007 3:52 PM
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Posts: 341
| Abosultly, I like the second page from muskie inc, but have never seen any of these signs postedmy waters.
I'll shoot you a pm when I'm off the water, gotta love technology and working out of the boat with suckers out.
Edited by muskycore 11/1/2007 2:54 PM
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Posts: 1636
| Can't wait to get my iphone  |
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Posts: 2024
| BSHEP,
You can send some down my way, I'll see if folks around here would let me put some up. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | I'd be more than happy to throw some up around the Point area. |
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| Great idea, there are lakes all over that could use such signs |
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Posts: 20
| I have a cabin on Lost Lake in Vilas Co. and know the president of the lake association. I'd be happy to see about getting a sign like that up at the landing!
PM me for my address....if someone can send me the sign, I'll get it up. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | We'd be all for sponsoring this project. Let's see what it costs and find the funds. MuskieFIRST will make sure the placards are sent out to whomever wants them for display at landings, sport shops, eetc. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | muskycore - 11/1/2007 3:51 PM
Abosultly, I like the second page from muskie inc, but have never seen any of these signs postedmy waters.
I'll shoot you a pm when I'm off the water, gotta love technology and working out of the boat with suckers out.
We've placed these signs at all the Gander Mountain stores in Michigan near their muskie selection. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Reelwise - 11/1/2007 3:46 PM
I'm the graphic designer for a large sign company and would be interested in helping out with this. I could make a LARGE amount of signs out of pvc and send them to those that could put them up. Let me know if you are interested in working on this.
Cool!!
My suggestion would be to start with the Muskies, Inc. signs for indoor use or use in Kiosks. If Reelwise can print that sign on plastic or aluminum for a reasonable price then we'll all have an option for outdoor use. |
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Posts: 1636
| Allright. I priced the signs for full color. If we decided on 100 signs, the individual price would be cheaper than if we went with 50. Retail price for each would be around $14 dollars. Now wholesale pricing will be about half of that My treat.
We have a giant flatbed printer so the signs will be printed directly onto pvc.
If any companies would like to sponsor this, I will include your name and website on the sign.
I'm not sure if we could use the Muskies inc sign. Sean, could you give Kevin a call?
Either way, I have to redo it.
Edited by Reelwise 11/2/2007 9:11 AM
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Posts: 1636
| http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/faq.asp?id=19
This is perfect. Could I use this and slightly modify it? |
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Posts: 341
| Nice work sir. Do you need help designing the sign, if so let me know.
Paragon Micro would be honored to sponsor 14 signs and display them in PI, N. IL, S Wis areas.
Will DNR have any issues displaying without their consent?
Edited by muskycore 11/2/2007 11:09 AM
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| this is really great guys.
it's nice to see everyone coming together on something we all agree on!
nice job, and thanks to everyone giving of their time, talent, and money.
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Posts: 341
| Besides proper release techniques, it might also be used as a deterrent to trophy keepers. A couple of bullet points on the sign should make the point:
Rough examples
*Age of a 45" fish
*Others put this fish back for you to experience, join the team
*Real skin mounts fall apart and need maintenance work or head shrinks, cost of ownership amounts to the same after a couple of years
*Etc
Does anyone work for the DNR and have a good contact to get this cleared first?
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | Great idea, I started work on a project similar to this a couple of years ago and came up with the following wording for a sign. My first draft was on 8 ½ by 11 paper, I then added a few more items and the size grew to 8 ½ by 14. I had simple graphic’s musky picture at top and bottom, that won’t show up in this cut and past.
I came up with this to post at lakes were the DNR was looking at designating as having trophy potential, so that is why the wording is the way it is. Please feel free to modify to your hearts content. Not sure whose permission is needed to post at landings but I think if it’s a state landing the WDNR needs to provide permission, or the sign could be removed.
Good luck I will help anyway I can.
Nail A Pig!
This lake has been identified as having TROPHY MUSKY POTENTIAL. This lake and others like it have a tradition of producing trophy musky, natural reproduction and the forage base necessary to produce trophy musky.
This lake has a forage base, such that increasing the number of quality musky will not negatively impact the walleye or panfish populations. A concern of many anglers. A stomach content study of over 1000 musky has shown, that in lakes with abundant forage of sucker, cisco, and other soft rayed fish, musky predation on walleye is negligible.
Please help with this strategy by healthily RELEASING these future trophies to be caught again and again. It takes 10 to 20 years to grow a trophy musky. Some of the biggest are as old as 30 years. These fish will get bigger if allowed to age.
Additionally, it has been shown that SINGLE HOOK SUCKER RIGS cause significant damage to internal organs, of gut hooked fish. Recent studies have shown that cutting the leader and releasing the fish, in most cases still results in a DEAD fish. When fishing with live bait, use QUICK-SET RIGS so that fish are more likely to be hooked in the jaws and not the throat or stomach.
Tips on releasing muskies
1. Play the fish only as long as necessary. The longer you play it, the weaker it will get.
2. If possible, leave the hooked fish in the water while you unhook it.
3. Carry long-nosed pliers, hook remover, jaw spreader and a strong wire cutters. If it appears that hook removal could cause injury to the fish or fisherman (e.g., too time consuming or hooked near the gills, throat, or stomach) cut the hook and remove the pieces from the fish.
4. If a musky must be brought into the boat, lay it on a wet, soft surface and keep the fish moist. The longer a fish is out of water, the less likely it is to survive; make photo sessions brief.
5. Never hold a musky by the eye sockets or gills. Always hold a fish horizontally to support its weight.
6. Once the hooks are removed, hold the fish upright in the water and allow it to fully revive, let it swim away under it’s own power.
The future is in YOUR hands!
THANK YOU!
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Posts: 8837
| I'd be happy to look into making this happen in Northern Vilas County. If I can obtain permission to put up signs I have a few people who would probably be happy to contribute. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Since we've worked this with our own Know the Difference signs here in Michigan I'll offer some advice.
Don't place any advertising or sponsors on the sign. You'll be dealing with state, county, city and private parties at access sites that will probably not approve of the signs having advertising. If there's a single sponsor maybe but only if it's a conservation org., we have our chapter logo on our KTD signs but that's it. Any logo from a "for profit" company is frowned upon. Also, once you start listing private sponsors you alienate people. For example; a sign with a Gander Mountain logo probably isn't going to get the best response at Cabela's or Bass Pro.
Liability is a real issue. Suppose someone gets injured because of this sign who's going to get sued? Everyone that had anything to do with the sign, that's who. Which is why I stick with using the Muskies, Inc. sings as their liability insurance will cover any lawsuit against parties responsible for printing, placing and maintenance of the signs.
Edited by Will Schultz 11/2/2007 12:30 PM
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Posts: 8837
| Will, are you serious? "I caught this muskie and it bit me, so I'm suing the people who made that sign at the launch telling me not to kill it for $10,000,000 because I got a boo-boo on my pinky" ???
I got another sign for you, it says "This is a muskie. It's got lots of sharp teeth that it uses to mangle and kill its food before it eats it. If you put your hands, feet, nose, or any other of your members or digits in the way of those teeth, don't be surprised when it bites you and turns your fingers into hamburger. If this happens, and you're looking for someone to blame, remember who it was that put their (insert human extremity here) too close to the mouth of an angry toothy fish!"
Also, please take the sign below that says "yes, I'm a complete moron" and attach it firmy to your hat so others know to stay far away from you. The future of fishing depends on it!
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Posts: 1636
| esoxaddict...i think he meant if someone gets hurt BY THE SIGN...not by a fish because of the information on the sign. wtf? lol |
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Posts: 8837
| Ohhhh! Well, in that case, I believe a sign like this may do the trick:
Attachments
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 sign.bmp (225KB - 112 downloads)
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | esoxaddict - 11/2/2007 1:41 PM
Will, are you serious? "I caught this muskie and it bit me, so I'm suing the people who made that sign at the launch telling me not to kill it for $10,000,000 because I got a boo-boo on my pinky" ???
LMAO! Good set up for the sharp edge sign. If the writers strike in Hollyweird you could cross the picket lines and get a job on a sitcom. |
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Posts: 1636
| lol
I dont think anyone would be offended if we had the sign companies logo, muskiefirst, and a couple others on the bottom of the sign. Or maybe they would? Anyone else have an opinion? |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Reelwise - 11/2/2007 2:19 PM
lol
I dont think anyone would be offended if we had the sign companies logo, muskiefirst, and a couple others on the bottom of the sign. Or maybe they would? Anyone else have an opinion?
When you start placing advertising on government property you'll be surprised how petty people can get. |
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Posts: 785
| If the DNR would clear it I'd be happy to personally put up a sign on a number of musky lakes in the state of Iowa (5 to be specific). The other two are a long drive but I know some guys who go there often who'd do it. I might even chip in a few bucks to help if needed. |
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Posts: 8837
| Well, since you put it that way, there are already people killing fish, so why not just drop size limits all together, eliminate closed seasons, hand out single hook rigs, and encourage everyone to "Catch and Eat" instead of "Catch and Release", right? |
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Posts: 199
Location: Sandusky, OH | I'm a little disappointed; I started reading this thread thinking we were going to start administering EGH (Esocid Growth Hormone) to boost growth rates, and all I got was signage. Oh well LOL.
Eric
Can't wait to slather a bulldawg with the cream and the clear. |
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| This is an interesting topic. The Hoosier chapter built large permenant education kiosks at many area boat ramps a few years back. I would contact them for lessons learned. Don't underestimate how long these signs will stay up undamaged. Many of the Hoosier signs were damaged by vandals in spite of being secured behind plexiglass.
I see many posters saying they will "put up" signs. That begs the question, put them up where? Attached to what? The DNR has permenant kiosks at some boat ramps. You have to get permission to post on those, if space is available. If the DNR does not allow posting on existing structures, what do you guys propose to do? Attaching the sign to a stick, pounding it in the ground and hoping the guy that mows the grass or plows the snow won't remove it?
I would suggest investigating the rules of various DNR agenecies about posting before you go print $700 of signs. |
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Posts: 341
| Is this to over bearing? Very rough draft and I kept it tree hugger green.
Edited by muskycore 11/2/2007 6:14 PM
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CPR sign adobe 1.pdf (89KB - 154 downloads)
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Chuck,
As far as I know no one is talking about any 'company logos' on this poster.
In Wisconsin it will not be difficult to get permission to place the signs. Reference the Smallmouth bass release the fighter posters at landings all across the state. Those are distributed by the Madison Fishing Expo, I think.
Muskycore, that looks great.
I really like the piece Mike wrote, but question if many would take the time to read all of it at a boat landing...what do you think? |
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Posts: 341
| I hate marketing, but found even if a viewer digests a couple of words creates mind set. The more they see it the more they think about it.
You can bet VV (225 acre lake) will have these signs posted at launch and resort. To many casualties last year with five 48” plus fish taken out of there in 2006 alone, two of them kids throwing spinners with bass rods and ended up beaching them.
Thanks Mike for the info.
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Posts: 1636
| *deleted by Reelwise
Edited by Reelwise 11/20/2007 10:11 AM
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| Could you do some signs up with perch and crappie at the top as well? Some of the worst people on handling and harvesting are these anglers that have cleaned out our lakes. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | As for funds, why not have a fund raiser? I for one would be happy to donate some lures to the cause. More muskies released properly means more muskies in lakes which in turn means more people that need more lures which means more sales for manufacturers.... I see it as a worthy cause.
TackleBooty
PS-Great looking sign! |
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Posts: 341
| Nice work Reelwise! So what are we looking at dimension wise, material, and cost per sign? I can't see tree huggers having any problems with this design posted at the launch area's. I'll contact the WI DNR on Monday and see if this can be done legally. |
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Posts: 32934
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Chuck,
We are not discussing Crappie and Bluegill conservation. If you want to suggest something for panfish, get on over to IceFIRST and I bet you will get some support.. |
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Posts: 1636
| I put MRoberts release tips into a very simple sign. I thought about possibly leaving the name Muskie/Musky out of the entire thing so more places would be open to posting the sign, but I guess the whole point is to teach people how to release a MUSKY.
Attachments
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catchandrelease.gif (34KB - 103 downloads)
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Posts: 8837
| Very cool, Reelwise! I'd definitely stop and read it at the launch! If this gets off the ground, let me know, and I'll see about getting them up on my area lakes. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | I'm sure you're looking into permission from Muskies, Inc. and the use of the Virg Beck artwork.
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Posts: 341
| This is a non-profit campaign, so why would Muskies Inc have any say in the matter?
I'm in touch with the WI, IL Section Chief of Fish Polices and Operations to get this cleared and then on to state or county regulations.
1000 views on this topic. One dollar each and a stamp and we can get this funded.
A bag of ice to keep your beer cold costs more then that and who's to say that the sign someday could be why you nailed your next trophy.
Edited by muskycore 11/19/2007 3:50 PM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | muskycore - 11/19/2007 4:25 PM
This is a non-profit campaign, so why would Muskies Inc have any say in the matter?
I'm not stirring the pot here just making sure that it doesn't step on anyones toes.
I'm pretty sure the art reelwise used is Muskies, Inc. owned art from Virg Beck and is likely a copyright infringement regardless of non-profit status of the company/organization using the art. |
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Posts: 341
| I'm not sure where Brandyn got the pic, but we plan on doing this legally so the kinks will be worked out before the signs hit the press.
Thanks Will |
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Posts: 1636
| This is NOT the final sign...just a rough draft you can say. I could create my own muskie image, which I plan on doing, just for that reason. If not, I DO have permission from Joe Tomelleri to use any of his fish illustrations, which I got from him years ago. |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | That looks awesome Reelwise! Don't forget to mention "you may get splashed in the face pretty good, but it's worth it". Gotta love it! I can photoshop pretty well etc, but I think that is good enough up there^ |
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Posts: 714
Location: Rhinelander, WI | Great sign Reelwise, the image you used is a Virg Beck image, but it is also very prominent on the WDNR web site.
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/musky/muskywaters_illustration.html
So if the sign is being approved by the WDNR that may be good enough, should check with a lawyer. The Release tips I gave you originally also came from the WDNR, I believe I did a little tweaking.
Again great job.
Nail A Pig!
Mike
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| There is a recommendation on the first sign that says something like, "Don't hold fish by the gills." I'm concerned that the sign makes it sound like the lip-lock hold we all use is a no-no.
The second recommendation I have a concern is on the MRoberts sign. #4 talks about taking a fish out of the water. MUST a fish ever be removed from the water? It's never a must, and don't most people use a bump board to measure fish? I think repacing the words "must be" with "is" would take care of this issue.
So the question is, does this sign tell inexperienced anglers to handle muskies differently than an experienced angler? If an inexperienced guy sees this sign and then actually observes an experienced angler breaking all the "rules," what is he supposed to think?
I like the muskies inc. graphic that shows the proper angles for holding a fish. Can you get that on the sign? Overall, the MRoberts sign is a winner. |
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Posts: 1636
| I can work some release photos into the sign. I have a bunch that my friends and I have taken that would go good with it.
One thing we have to worry about now is funding for the signs. I'm making sure we get a huge price break on them. I wish I could get them for free, but cant.
I think it would be best to make sure we can put the signs up first.
I'm talking to someone from the IDNR about making some signs for them at the moment, so hopefully something can be worked out.
Thanks everyone! |
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Posts: 1636
| I have a lot of guys contacting me about these signs, so I think its fair to post the price, material, etc here. The sign posted above would be 12x18", full color, and printed on 6mil PVC. If we order 100, the price would be around $7 a piece. If we ordered more, the individual price would go down. Alluminum signs would cost a little more than that.
Edited by Reelwise 11/20/2007 10:34 AM
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | What about just one |
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Posts: 1636
| Not sure off the top of my head. We plan on printing 100 anyways, so if you want one, just let us know. |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | Great, thanks! Our lake association will let it be put up I'm sure...all we gotta work on next is the 40" size limit |
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Posts: 341
| That's exactly how we need to address this, at the county level. State regulated lakes require lot's of loop hole jumping. If the launches are owned by Lake Assoc or county it's much easier to get permission. The small mouth guys created the wall we now face. Here's the new WI DNR sign policy regulations .
My guess how this will play out:
• YOU getting county or Lake Assoc permission first on your favorite lakes
• Acquire a copy of sign to present to powers that be (PDF or print off of site)
• Place order through Brandyn
• When we hit 100 we print
• If we all work together they should be posted by next spring
Attachments
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WDNR sign regulations.pdf (82KB - 223 downloads)
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