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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I was pointing to the State revenues from gaming. |
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| Right. I (apparently mis)understood that to be a rebuttal of sorts to a negative perception you perceived me to have about indian gaming. Sorry if that wasn't the case, please ignore that portion of my last diatribe. 
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Location: Green Bay, WI | Any news as to how it went today?
TB |
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Posts: 665
Location: Twin Cities, MN | I am pretty sure he went before a 3 judge panel so I am sure it will be at least a little while before we hear any decision especially with the awareness this case could see at higher levels in the courts. |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I see... It will be an interesting decision, for sure.
TB |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Absolutely. Will 'set the temperature' for the future. |
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| To all who have worked so hard to get our sport to where it is, I thank you! I love fishing muskie's since 1968, and have released every fish since 1988 !!!!!!!!!!! I can tell you that I have lived in the northwoods of Wis. and personally know and have seen what goes on and it is very sad, BUT if we all get behind these few who are trying to change a mind set, and to do it soon as all of our states have less and less money to help stockings, we need numbers and a lot of thought on ways we can put pressure on this issue, so my grand kids some day can enjoy what makes me look forward to moon sets, tornado watches and fall! thanks again for all who are trying! Don |
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Posts: 321
| Big Muskie Don - 4/13/2012 11:50 AM
To all who have worked so hard to get our sport to where it is, I thank you! I love fishing muskie's since 1968, and have released every fish since 1988 !!!!!!!!!!! I can tell you that I have lived in the northwoods of Wis. and personally know and have seen what goes on and it is very sad, BUT if we all get behind these few who are trying to change a mind set, and to do it soon as all of our states have less and less money to help stockings, we need numbers and a lot of thought on ways we can put pressure on this issue, so my grand kids some day can enjoy what makes me look forward to moon sets, tornado watches and fall! thanks again for all who are trying! Don
You can be a champion for the fishery without being against the treaties. It is only one side or the for some people. As an American I honor the treaties and bill of rights, it shows we are a respectable people of our word. H |
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Posts: 8781
| I don't worry about the treaties as much as I used to. Angler harvest is estimated to be 9-10x what the tribes harvest. If there's a problem with the quality of the fisheries, it's US causing it. I figure the best route is to educate those who would otherwise not release their fish, and those who contribue most to delayed mortality, and do what we can to release our fish safely. And with over 500mil in casino revenue, I don't expect the tribes to spear and net at near the rates they have in the past. There's a lot more money in gambling than there is in selling fish. |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I have no real problem with the concept of Native Americans harvesting fish in their native tradition either. Actually, I think it's a great thing if they teach their children their heritage. And I definitely agree that non-natives can and do have more of an impact on the total *harvest* of gamefish. However that being said, I do have a fundamental problem with WHEN they are harvesting the fish--solely from the standpoint that they are taking the biggest fish they can find, at a time when the fish are spawning. I realize that's the only real time they are going to get access to these fish of course...when they are in the shallows to spawn. And when they started the traditional of spearing, it was purely for subsistence. Taking the largest fish from the fishery back then made more sense--get the most meat with the least amount of energy expended. I get that. Now days though, it seems like something different.
Our government entered into a treaty with the Native Amercians, and it is what it is. I respect it because I am an American, and (when it comes right down to it) we really have no other choice. And I am certainly not going to be out their trying to provoke a confrontation with those exercising their treaty-provided rights. But while I am not an attorney and therefore couldn't tell you what chance anyone would have to reverse the prior agreements made between the two governments--I do believe that the reasons once used to justify spearing, are no longer as relevant. Therefore I would REALLY like to see some sort of arrangement whereby the size of the muskellunge being taken is limited somehow. Maybe allow a few more smaller fish to be taken in exchange for not taking the largest fish that can be found?
With all due respect to the tradition being practiced through spearing--showing a responsibility to the resource by not harvesting the very largest fish at a time when they are spawn-laden, is a very valid way to pass on a tradition of stewardship to the younger generation. And this even more true when 99% of muskellunge caught by hook and line get released by non-native anglers. You really do not need to rely on harvesting muskellunge in this day and age...especially given the concerns for the bioaccumulation of such things as mercury. Who really wants their family consuming that stuff?
So I will certainly be very interested to read about the outcome of this case--not that it will necessarily result in huge changes. But at the very least it might serve as a barometer for how the majority still feel about this issue.
TB |
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Posts: 8781
| Well, Tom, that I agree with. And I really question why ANYONE would want to eat a large muskie. Based on all the research on PCB and mercury accumulation, and the advisories of what, no more than one meal a month? Sorry, but if the government says that it's only safe to eat something once a month, I don't think I want to eat it at all! |
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