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| The unfortunate reality is that within the next few weeks the future on Muskie fishing will be determined and all the work of all the people who have fought to make this plan a reality and build on the work that a handful of visionaries created in the past will be swept under the rug.
I have my thoughts as to how many will actually care on that day because they will be on the "HOT" bite on Mille Lacs, etc. or it would be their last vacation day, maybe they may not get paid to take a day or half day off.
The time is now, we've written all the letters, we've made all the calls, it's time for us to show the MN DNR just how much we care about our foundation and the future, you as Muskie fishermen MI members or not it really doesn't matter have a choice to make if you want to see the MN Muskie program crumble.
Sure you'll be able to reap the rewards of previous stockings over the past 26 years for a few more before it starts to rapidly deteriorate as it most assuredly will if this plan is defeated through the mechanics of a handful of anti Muskie anti fishing fanatics.
I have heard all the PETA this and that on every site and in every circle of outdoorsmen and women, the truth is you don't have to worry about the PETA freaks, you have to worry about, the 2 people that camp out at the state capitol the guy that's been appointed by our Governor to the Conservation Legacy Council to recommend the appropriation of funds for your fishery, he is also leading the Anti Muskie fight.
If you care about the future of Muskies in MN and across the range I would take a few hrs to act.
MN DNR needs to know how much this means to our fishery and to us or you'll be getting better acquainted with the Longville Walker area and 3-5 hr drives to a Muskie lake, these people are serious and they are organized.
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! |
Here is my take,
based on where i am at in my life financially i cannot justify expendatures on banquets, tournaments and the like. i have my membership to MI and fully support catch and release.
i do not think by today's fishermen enjoying what those that came before us "re-built" for us to enjoy is wrong. am i spoiled? not hardly, and i really appreciate the work that goes into creating and MAINTAINING the current fishery. it was rebuilt to be enjoyed and i feel no guilt for that.
however, there are fishermen who just catch for fun and only put money into their equipment and time are not wrong in doing so. i guess i respectfully disagree with the mentality that if they dont dump money and time into preservation, other than C&R, they are wrong. it is their right to choose how they spend their money and if they decide to not financially support MI, yet carefully release every fish they catch they are maintaining the resource and doing their part.
i cant afford to excessively put money into programs like MI and the like. and that has lots to do with where im at in my life, but i dont think that is wrong. I enjoy the MN musky fishery and i do my part by buying a MN fishing liscense and releasing every fish i catch, therefore i am doing my part and if many others do the same, they are doing what is needed!
we are enjoying what others created, but it wouldnt last if it wasnt maintained, we are needed to keep the current fishery where it is! |
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| Are we spoiled with the fishery we have?
of course we are.
and thank God for that! (and Muskies Inc, and the state DNR's...)
i can understand Treats' frustrations: they work hard to help develop and preserve a fishery and then see loads and loads of others benefiting from it without so much as a "thanks for the memories" as they drive out of state.
i also agree with Matt and Cory's counterpoints: complaints such as those are best kept to the level of "musings among friends" that Treats referred to, whereas the very "public" face shown by the leaders such as Treats of various Muskies Inc groups is best kept positive and encouraging rather than negative and blaming. not saying those frustrations aren't real, just that a negative tone in public isn't the best tool for the goal of inspiring people to step up to the plate.
At that time less then 2% of all anglers fished muskies. At that time a much larger % of people who fished muskies were in MI, and a larger % of those members contributed.
what's the real numbers?
how many actual members did MI have 20 years ago?
how many actual members does it have now?
heck, each of those members currently pays something like $35/year for their membership...where is THAT money going to? lol...
if a much smaller group, spending a lot less money accomplished so much 20 years ago, just how much more could MI accomplish now if it were able to mobilize its membership?
doing THAT is a function of leadership, and denigrating those members about being tight-fisted will be less effective than complimenting and encouraging them to achieve great things...identify the specific goal and LEAD the people to it - that's just how people function.
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Posts: 3147
| Guest - 6/20/2008 7:08 PM
Can someone tell me the last time the MN fishery was expanded? I am interested in say the last five lakes and the first year they were stocked.
guest
many point lake in central Minnesota by Park rapids was just recently introduced and stocked with muskies
Rice lake by Brainard and part of the Mississipi always had muskies but numbers were low so now ih as been boosted with stiockings the last few years
there was a private stocking effort allowed on girl or child lake 'cant remember which" by longville |
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Posts: 556
| BenR - 6/20/2008 5:55 PM
I don't think we are spoiled at all. I really believe if you were not fishing at least 15 years ago, you are missing out on what muskie fishing was all about. It is so commercialized and socially regulated, it is more of a sorority than a fraternity at this point...I guess you could feel spoiled, it depends on what is important to you...Ben
well i was born 15 years ago does that count for me? 
Edited by guts 6/21/2008 9:11 PM
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Matt;
I've never been rude to any of the anglers I see on the water.
I just don't hand out fishing info to guys that don't want to be involved anymore.
It's not my job to tell people how many fish I'm seeing, where I'm seeing them and what they are hitting on.
That's info reserved for people that are involved, that are friends, etc.
I tell many, many guys I see out there flat out to join our local MI club to learn more about fishing and get involved with our club outings etc.
Some do, but most don't.
So I don't know where you got the being "purposefully rude" notion from, but that's not how it is.
JS |
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Another point; taxes and liscenses don't pay for much in the muskie world in MN.
Many Point lake is being stocked with FM Muskie Inc. money to the tune of $5000 grand a year.
Obviously the TC chapter spends thousands, hundreds of thousands over the past years on stocking.
So many, many fishermen are reaping the benefits of a great fishery that has been built by lots of work and money not from the general public, but from involved people.
JS
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| john skarie - 6/22/2008 1:11 PM
Another point; taxes and liscenses don't pay for much in the muskie world in MN.
Many Point lake is being stocked with FM Muskie Inc. money to the tune of $5000 grand a year.
Obviously the TC chapter spends thousands, hundreds of thousands over the past years on stocking.
So many, many fishermen are reaping the benefits of a great fishery that has been built by lots of work and money not from the general public, but from involved people.
JS
John, that should be very rewarding for the people that put in the time and money. That is why they do it correct? To create a great fishery for people to enjoy. Otherwise it would be a silly investment for public waters. However I will mention that whenever people ask for help with the DNR or Homeowners associations the masses step up. If you want to alienate them because you put more time and money into it...that could seriously backfire. To many folks it already has...Ben |
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | john skarie - 6/22/2008
So many, many fishermen are reaping the benefits of a great fishery that has been built by lots of work and money not from the general public, but from involved people.
JS
which is exactly why they did it in the first place.....
guess im not getting your gripe....
all any musky fisherman is REQUIRED to do is purchase a state liscense and follow length limits! if they do that, then they are doing their part. those that do extra, kudos to them, i appreciate it, but we cant expect everyone to be that devoted. thats just plain unfair...... |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | Just got back from Lake X and chucked a little at some of the people's interpretation of my post.
The two general themes were:
1. Does the fact that we have a great fishery now give people a false sense of security about the continued success now and in the future? Do others ever wonder/care why it got where it is today? Does anyone know/care what it takes to maintain it? Does anyone even care enough to get off their duff to do the smallest measure to help themselves?
2. The general apathy that muskie anglers exhibit today vs. 20 years ago. Is that due to how good the fishing is? If it was worse would people rally like they did a couple generations ago?
Not trying to knock people's financial situation, but when guys who are running $50,000 Rangers fishing on lakes where they catch 10-20 fish a year brush you off for $2 to stock that lake is a little off by anyones standards.
Points of clarification:
- The fisheries budget comes from licenses sold not from the general John Q Taxpayer in most instances.
- MI membership hasn't changed more the 10-15% in many years. Don't have the hard data handy.
- Lambeau, I'm on the Finance Committee for MI now and it's tight. There's not a lot we can cut unless we go for the mag. Don't want to get into that.
-The % of anglers in MN comes from the Esox Management Plan. It was roughly 150,000 in state anglers. MI has around 7000+/- total and roughly 3000+/- in MN last I checked (could be wrong)
As far as LEADING Lambeau, what do they say about that horse and the water? If I was wanting to denigrate the members of my organization or the organization as a whole the email would have looked a lot different. This problem is larger then a club issue. Maybe it's generational, I don't know. All I know is that we've been doing, saying, and publicizing the "right thing" for some time now and it isn't taking hold. Often times it takes the cold slap of reality to get someone to get the picture.
What is important is what do the people who are fishing today want to do for themselves and for their children. That is where the "spoiled" comes in. Some people got it and some didn't.
I personally don't care what people think of me for this thread, my fishing ability (pretty poor lately FYI), the hours I volunteer, etc. NONE of that matters to me. What's important is my family and living right. For those that took shots at me, fine, I've got skin thicker then anyone on this site. It just shows me that you're looking too hard at the messenger and not the message. It's not about me, John, or John; it's about the resource that we're all enjoying right now and what we're going to do with it tomorrow.
The plain hard fact is that if people continue to be a part of MA (Muskie Apathy), then the fishing is going to get worse. If people want to take their destiny into their own hands then it'll get better.
Now putting on my fireman's jacket. Flame away XXOO.
P.S. Thanks for all the encouragement from the people who posted and PM'd. They out scored the negative by 10-1. |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | Decent article in the Communist Daily
http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/19932084.html?page=3&c=y
Treats, thanks for all you do. I wish we had more people as passionate about the fishery as you. It took only a few weeks in South Dakota and 1, 1.5 hours trip to the nearest Musky lake to make one realize how good those in Minnesota especially the Twin Cities have it. I would urge all those Minnesota residents and those potentially traveling to MN for a Musky trip to write the DNR we need to come out and let the DNR know how many of us are out these because I guarantee every Darkhouse guy in the state has already written them.
Edited by marine_1 6/22/2008 11:06 PM
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For the people who choose not to chip in time (which can be a simple as a letter, e-mail or a body at a public meeting) money etc., often the best way to get them involved is with a little guilt.
You guys seem to be misinterpreting that with alienating, or being "mean" to anglers that don't get involved.
There is noting wrong with saying "hey man, if you like fishing so much, than get involved with keeping it around for future generations."
This also isn't about sitting on a high horse because one is involved.
This is about the big picture, and doing what you can to get others to give a crap.
If you want to use the excuse that becaus you buy a liscence you're doing your part, than that's fine.
But when the DNR says "we got no money for expanding muskie waters" don't complain about it.
JS
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| For the people who choose not to chip in time (which can be a simple as a letter, e-mail or a body at a public meeting) money etc., often the best way to get them involved is with a little guilt.
in your opinion, that is.
just speaking for myself, i put a lot of money into various fund-raisers ran by my local Muskies Inc club as well as the local non-MI muskie club that i also belong to. i support efforts that i believe in because they've been presented as beneficial and appealing, not because i feel guilty about freeloading off the work others have done to build the resource.
a "common sense" approach makes using guilt seem appealing, but research on the effective tools of social influence suggests that shame tactics are actually counterproductive in the long run, and that inspiring people toward approach-goals is way more effective. the key is figuring out how to inspire them to do so. it's the same issue encountered by many churches: a fiery "shame on you" sermon will increase donations from people in the pews on that day, but a positive campaign showing the benefits of planned giving reaps much higher rewards over the course of a year.
This is about the big picture, and doing what you can to get others to give a crap.
and people like Treats are the "do-ers" in an effort that benefits others in ways that are vastly underappreciated. thank you for doing it.
ultimately, you'll decide what approach and techniques you're going to use for your efforts. it might be worth looking at those groups (both within MI and outside of it) that are effective at fund-raising and modeling on what works for them. take well-intentioned advice for what it is: suggestions that might help you resolve the question about how to "get others to give a crap."
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Posts: 2089
| John,
Just sent a message to Treats as well. Thanks for all you do and have done and thanks for telling it like it is. Had John Underhill in the boat on Friday and we had lots of good discussion. Keep fighting the good fight. Steve
Edited by Steve Jonesi 6/23/2008 9:00 AM
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | 
Edited by THA4 6/23/2008 9:04 AM
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For people you know, and are friends with "preaching to them" works just fine.
Obviously you want people to be involved because they precieve a benefit from said involvement.
But when you have guys who KNOW the benefit, and KNOW they should be involved then I see nothing wrong with pressing the issue as to why they won't get involved.
The biggest part of the problem isn't that people don't know why they should be inolved, it's that they have so many excuses not to be.
Anyway, this is going in circles at this point.
Fortunately guys like Shawn and John U are stepping up to the plate for all of us.
JS
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Location: Contrarian Island | I can see both sides of this debate..good topic...there are those like THA4 that don't have the time or money to do "a lot" but they can still get involved. There have been posts by Treats and others on the boards to send emails to the MN DNR guys to show support for more lakes/ more stocking etc..now if the guys that fish MN or will in the future don't take the 2 minutes it takes to send an email, then yah, they are not doing "their part" imo... each of us, should do what we can with the time/money we have...if we don't then we have no reason to complain about anything....Muskies Inc is a good organization and costs roughly the cost of a new bait a year...imo all musky fishermen at a minimum should either be in MInc, or another local club or at a minimum donate at least the cost of one bait or 2 per year to stocking...that isn't much but it does help. How many musky fishermen are there and if each one of us, every single one donated $25 per year that went directly into stocking the waters we fish...think what that could do...I get what Treats is trying to say and I get the flipside...we should all do our part and help influence those around us to do the same in a positive manner..whether it's sending an email to support musky stocking etc or joining a club, or donating time and money to help the sport...
Edited by MSKY HNR 6/23/2008 10:12 AM
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Posts: 8779
| Are we spoiled? I haven't been at this game long enough to answer that. I believe the people who were doing this 20 years ago when they tell me about the work that's been done. I hear about work going on behind the scenes, I read all the discussions here, I think I know who the names are who are actually getting things done. What have I done personally?
I've sent letters and written e mails, etc. in support of places (MN) I don't even fish. I've probably given a few thousand bucks to muskies inc. over the past few years between raffle tickets, club tournaments, donations, banquets... Now that I think about it there's a lot of moeny that I don't know where it went or if it helped anything.
I like to THINK all the internet discussions and feeble attempts at C&R education (i.e. bar talk) have made some difference in the world of fishing, but I don't know.
I don't KNOW much. I THINK a lot, but one person's opinion is just that. Here's what I do know:
I live 2-1/2 hours from muskie fishing. Because of the demands of my job as of late, I am lucky to fish 10 days a year. I can write pretty well, but in person I'm just not very effective. I don't like crowds, I hate speaking in public. I am quick to anger, and I tend to offend people. I have little patience for that which I consider wrong, stupid, misguided, ignorant, or otherwise objectionable.
Some people, like Mr Kellet for example, can be "that face". They can work together with others to collectively accomplish great things. They can mediate, they can motivate, they can speak their mind intelligently in the face of opposition. They can educate, patieltly and get things done. I am NOT that person. I can make enemies and fight with people. I can escalate otherwise civil discussions into chaos. I can use the f word 15 times in a sentence and direct it at you. But being the person who is out there getting things done? Not in person, not me. I only get along with people who agree with me.
That said, I have great admiration for those folks. I don't know how anyone can be that level headed. I don't know how they can be nice enough.
I provide financial support where I can, and I hope that does some good. I attend what I can in my club. I try to educate people where I can and be helpful where I can.
But I don't pretend to be a "do-er" Even if I were able to "play well with others"?? Well, I'm not one to take initative. I'm not responsible enough, driven enough, or motivated enough.
I'd rather go fishing.
Now, if I could take that money I give to muskies inc. and buy a muskie? If I could actually write a check, and know that three fish, or 5 fish or whatever would be stocked with that money?
That's something I'd be excited about. I'd even drive to wherever to help. I'd get a huge kick out of personally buying and stocking fish. And I believe a lot of other guys like me, who can't stand the politics, and the (necessary) dealings with the opposition, paperwork, phone calls, etc. If they could just send a check to buy 10 muskies and have them stocked somewhere?? That would be huge.
Edited by esoxaddict 6/23/2008 10:22 AM
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Location: oswego, il | I agree in the statement that 10% do 90% of the work and I am not sure that will ever change. I think it is a great thing that we have guys like Shawn, John and John leading and caring about our fisheries and it would be great if all musky anglers had the time to put into it. Some don't care for sure and take things for granted, that's not everyone but it only takes a few apples to make the buschel look bad to some.
M.I. is doing alot but in reality only on the chapter level and I think this is M.I.'s biggest problem. I know our new president is looking to change all of that and I hope he gets that ship righted. I will say this, it's hard to get people involved on the chapter level when the international side does not appear to take up the same causes. If you seached their website for size limits and the things we are talking about here vs other stuff, it would appear and probably true that the international side seems more intersted in chapter challunges and memorial tournaments than it doe issues of stocking, expanding fisheries and size limits. Did anyone see ANTYTHING!!! in the M.I. magazine this year about the spring hearings? Does it ever? You could read every detail about those chapter challunges though. I am not saying those challunges are not important, fun or anything like that. I am saying the international side is missing the target completely on many things that should be important.
I bet ducks unlimited and pheasants forever get out their messages of conservation and the importance to their recourse. It makes them strong, gives them purpose and sells itself. |
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Posts: 580
| Muskie Treats:
I hope you don’t think that I was being negative towards you. That wasn’t my intent. It sounds to me that you’ve done excellent work, and your post does a great job of creating awareness to the obstacles facing the fishery. Your efforts in this regard are much needed and greatly appreciated.
My point was simply that the tone of your post, and some of the posts that followed, could be construed BY SOME to be a bit overly negative, and perhaps a bit condescending, and perhaps even a bit self-entitled.
There are lots of reasons for all muskie anglers to get involved and help out to the benefit of the fishery, as you point out. I’m sure that there are plenty of muskie anglers who also are “on the fence” about joining up with a Muskie Inc. club, or have been thinking about helping out/getting involved, but for whatever reason haven’t taken that next step. As Lambeau points out, as LEADERSHIP goes, you need to figure out how to motivate these people. Perhaps placing a negative label (such as “spoiled”—or “thankless” and “selfish” like John Skarie said), might not be the best approach to inspire the masses, or, at the least, that message should also be balanced against a positive approach.
Lambeau also had the excellent analogy of the church sermon. Like he said, the “fire and brimstone” approach (you are all sinners and inches away from going to hell), might be effective for the collection plate on that day. But a preacher who only preaches that sermon probably won’t get a lot of long-term support. (People don’t enjoy being told that they are horrible sinners every Sunday—even if it is actually true). It’s not necessarily bad to preach the “fire and brimstone” sermon, but it should be countered with a strong inspirational message of REDEMPTION!
That’s really my only point. Don’t forget that a very effective, and perhaps the best, way to generate support is through a positive message.
Here’s another example of what I’m trying to say. Have you ever watched the pledge drives on public television? Have you ever heard the announcer/spokesperson say:
“This generation of viewers is the most spoiled and ungrateful that we’ve ever seen. We know that there are lots of viewers, and our programming is the best it’s ever been, yet we are hardly getting any donations. Don’t you know how hard we’ve worked over here? And you can’t even send in a measly $5 per month? What a bunch of selfish and self-centered people you are! Ungrateful free-loaders…Now, please call and give us the money that you should have given already and also donate your time by volunteering so that we can continue to bring you this tremendous programming…”???
Probably haven’t heard them say that? Instead, during their pledge drives, they put the best shows on TV, and then break in to extol the virtues of their shows, give other examples of their great programming, brag about how great their shows are, and then indicate, humbly but assertively (and truthfully), that they need your money to keep doing what they are doing.
Maybe that’s a model that would be more effective? Just giving my $0.02…
I'll shut up now.... |
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Location: minocqua, wi. | a great example of fund-raising and generating champions for the cause is st. jude children's hospital. now, of-course the causes can't be compared and i don't for a second pretend to think they can. but, they are able to inspire passion ... and pride. if you are a donor to st. jude you become a disciple in the cause because 1. your cause is just, 2. your contribution is visual and 3. the people you share your passion with are those you would want to be identified with.
so, i ask those others out there ... not to compare the two causes, but ... do you feel the 1, 2 and 3 are being provided with your efforts to raise money. if-so, you probably have plenty of resources and if-not ... you may want to evaluate your organization, its methods and its corresponding results.
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When the cause is to let the MNDNR know that muskie fishermen care by sending e-mails, letters or attending a meeting how can anyone not feel that is "just", or worth being a part of?
You don't have to join MI to help out.
Whether you like MI or the people in it has nothing to do with showing public support for the muskie program when it is needed.
Some of you are taking the critism of inactivism among muskie fishers a little overboard, there is nothing wrong with pointing out realities.
JS
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Location: minocqua, wi. | i wasn't arguing john ... just putting out a suggestion for how fund-raising is done at the highest level and how it seems to work.
if it was pointed at me ... i'm a member of MI ... some questions yes but a member for many of the reasons mentioned by bnelson above.
maybe it's not the message but how it's being sent ... ?
you could beat the heck out of them so they could finally understand? ... being a bit cynical here, but that's what i get from your last post and i'm on the same team ... think of the impact you make on someone you might want to win over? |
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| Sources of Minnesota DNR Funding.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/aboutdnr/budget/whopays/fundingsources.h...
State taxes
For every dollar collected in total state taxes, less than one penny goes to pay for the DNR.
State taxes, the largest category at $266.0 million, provides just over half of the DNR's funding. State taxes can be further broken down by tax type.
* Individual income tax. Paid by individual Minnesota taxpayers, this source will provide $100.2 million in funding.
* Sales tax. Funding of $64.4 million comes from the state sales tax of 6 cents paid on the purchase of most goods--furniture, appliances, supplies and materials--and taxable services. Businesses and individuals, both residents and state visitors, pay sales tax on their purchases made in the state.
* Gas tax. Providing $32.2 million in funding, the gas tax is paid on the gallons of gasoline consumed by recreational vehicles?motorboats, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and off-road vehicles. It also includes the tax on the gasoline consumed by the off-highway operation of vehicles and heavy equipment in the forest industry.
* Lottery in-lieu-of-sales tax is the 6 cents of every dollar spent on state Lottery tickets and provides $30.3 million in funding.
* Corporate tax paid by corporations doing business in the state will provide an estimated $9.8 million.
* State property tax. A new tax category beginning in fiscal year 2002, this tax applies to certain classes of property and will provide estimated funding of $7.6 million.
* Motor vehicle sales tax. Taxes paid on the sale of new and used motor vehicles in the state will provide an estimated $5.9 million.
* Liquor and tobacco taxes are paid on purchases of liquor, beer, wine and cigarettes. This tax source will provide $3.9 million.
* Other state taxes. An estimated $11.6 million will come from other state taxes including deed and mortgage tax; insurance gross premiums tax; gift and estate taxes; medical provider surcharge; lawful gambling proceeds tax; and other special purpose taxes.
All this being 2002, 2003... I would think those living and owning a home in Minnesota contribute a lot by just living here. Something is wrong with less than a penny out of every dollar going to the DNR. Maybe it's your politicians.
The out of state fishing license is not what it should be, especially for out of state guides who are reaping the harvest of what others did 20 years ago. Will they still be here and keep coming back after the demise of the Minnesota musky fishery.
You can answer that one yourself. |
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | seriously guys, the MN musky fishery is not going down hill.
i think many lakes are just like climate changes, they are phases.... some are better than others at different times...... so much depends on the water conditions, pressure, ect.....
with the growing amount of musky anglers, most of them will have been educated by a vetern at some point, and id be willing to bet 99% of veterns would say the most important lesson to be learned is boatside handling and releasing the fish....
maybe some of you oughta have more faith in the masses....
i will tell you this much from a guy who isnt fully devoted to the conservation (i.e. clubs, organizations, or other similar programs) i am not motivated by this post to join up and give of my very hard earned money to the organizations that "promote" the fishery! at this point, id rather just fish.... as it was said.
wanna build a following, learn to lead by example..... looking down on and being condescending towards those who dont give as much as you does not create a following. sure there is lots to gripe about when it comes to the current fishery in many states, but there is lots of good as well! i highly doubt the MN Musky fishery will crumble any time soon! there is by far, much more awareness out there now than there ever was and that i think is worth something!
Edited by THA4 6/23/2008 1:32 PM
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Location: Contrarian Island | for the guys like me who travel to MN and fish the lakes...it would be great info to know what clubs or funds we could donate money to that would put fish directly into the lakes we fish. I know I'd be happy to send a check each year to a fund or club that I knew was taking that money and spending it on stocking the lakes I fish.
With soooo many of us traveling there each one of us should open our wallets each year and give a little...
Edited by MSKY HNR 6/23/2008 1:57 PM
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Posts: 468
Location: Not where I wanna be! | fair enough, i might have strayed from the bottom line.....
i wont be guilted into supporting something, especially something i care a lot about and already take steps to MAINTAIN the current fishery. i will donate as i see fit and what i choose to give will prlly be more than average, but where i am at in my life does not allow for excessive giving, especially when im involved in so many passions, i.e. Turkey hunting, deer hunting, bass fishing..... the list goes on, but i think giving is more appreciated when it is determined by the giver, rather than an individual who makes you feel bad for not giving......
i will give as i see fit and i would hope the small amount i am capable of is looked upon with the same appreciation as the guy who donates as much as my annual salary.....
dont forget the little people |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | THA4 - 6/23/2008 2:31 PM seriously guys, the MN musky fishery is not going down hill. i think many lakes are just like climate changes, they are phases.... some are better than others at different times...... so much depends on the water conditions, pressure, ect..... with the growing amount of musky anglers, most of them will have been educated by a vetern at some point, and id be willing to bet 99% of veterns would say the most important lesson to be learned is boatside handling and releasing the fish.... So... if 2008 was the last year they were stocked how long would handling and release maintain the fisheries? Five or Ten years? Treats - Yes, in the vast majority of the muskie range we are indeed spoiled. We have better/more fisheries in most areas than ever. Many people don't fully appreciate it because they became muskie anglers due to the fisheries created by those before us or in many cases by "us". However, with nearly all the State DNR's suffering during tough economic times muskie programs go on the chopping block quickly. Most people don't understand that muskie anglers are a such a small percentage (WI excluded) that we need to be more vocal and more active in the politics/management than the bass or walleye angler. |
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Posts: 8779
| So the future of muskie fishing is...
US.
So in 20 years we're either going to be griping about how much better it was in the good old days, or we're going to be patting each other on the back, amazed at home great it has become.
Shawn, you're neck-deep in this stuff right now -- what it the most significant barrier to building and maintaining quality muskie fisheries? Is it money? If so, how do we change our fund raising strategies? As stated before -- I'd be much more inclined to donate money if I could directly buy fish for stocking. I believe people want something tangible for their money. Perhaps if fundraising efforts were geared differently, we'd have more participation?
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The point isn't to use guilt as a tactic for the masses, but for people who know better, and especially people you may know personally, there is no reason to not press the issue in a way that makes them think about why they won't pitch in.
MI members and chapters don't go around trying to make people feel guilty, so I'm not sure why some of you are potraying that picture, and criticising MI in that way.
For those of you that continue to use the "such and such is wrong with MI" excuse for not being involved, if you don't work on the solving the problem, than you're really just part of it.
It's kind of like the people who complain about the govt., but don't take the time to vote.
It seems a lot of you took this post kind of personally, even though nothing was directed at any individuals.
JS
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