LEGALIZATION OF BAITING

[MSDuckmen]

My post was a generalized view of my opinion when it comes to post like this and the spawning off of posters who take sides one way or the other.
It was not directed at anyone person just the group as a whole.

If it came off any other way it was not intended that way.

The entire point of my post which somehow still seems to be lost in the mix is:

If you don't like what you see do something about it. Hammer is right things are changing and unless we as a group stand together we will all lose. However if laws or legislation is passed making it legal it is time to except it or get off your bottom and make a difference. Otherwize it is just talk.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I plan to join MWF this year. They seem to be on top of this situation and appear to provide a good vehicle through which to assert a collective position against "baiting". (The group also appears to offer a lot of services to landowners wanting to implement conservation actions on their land ---appears to be a good organinzation to join).

Also, as I usually do on issues I get get really fired up about (I am just that kind of guy ---can be a pain in the booty), I plan to send out some letters to the folks that matter during the next legislative session re the baiting issue and the right to hunt and fish amendment. Letters sent to your legislators and to chairmen of the appropriate committees, as well as the house speaker, Lt. Gov. and Gov CAN have an effect. State your position clearly and with respect. IT might be ok to dog some politician when discussing these things on this board, but if you want to communicate with them in a way that will get their attention, do not include personal attacks in the letter. Clear, succinct, and respectful is the way to go.

[Cotten]

Re: LEGALIZATION OF BAITING

I must confess a total failure to understand the mind sets of those who want to legalize baiting for deer hunting. Anytime something this 2 + 2 is being debated I can not help but ask “what in the world am I missing?” Do we live in a world of “I’ve got to have it now” so much so that Timer Operated Corn Feeders will become legal? Are folks these days so unwilling to pay the price of being a “HUNTER” that they will resort to just being a “SHOOTER?” Somebody please, please tell me what I am missing!

[Cotten]

Re: DEER HUNTING WITH DOGS

I grew up deer hunting with dogs and some of the best times of my life as a kid were with my dad running our dogs. Back then (late 60's, early 70's) you needed dogs to find the few deer that existed in most of Mississippi and listening to our dogs was a beautiful sound. Obviously needing dogs to find deer in Mississippi is not the case today.

I have no desire to hunt deer with dogs today since sizing up bucks being chased by dogs is almost impossible. And shooting a 2 & ½ year old buck is about like kissing a sister.

I think dog hunters like running their dogs much more than killing deer and I have absolutely no problem with them; UNLESS their dog(s) is/are on my property running off my deer and screwing up my still hunt.

[Cotten]

Re: SPINNERS

I spoke to a hunter who DEER hunts one of the premier hunting properties in Mississippi and asked him about the BAITING issue. His response was classic. He stated that baiting was a joke and he and his camp were very much opposed to it. Then, without any hint of hesitation he remarked "of course if they do legalize baiting deer we will have to start baiting in order to compete and keep our deer on our property." And I don't blame him!

We can debate Spinners until the cows come home but until Spinners are outlawed the same attitude will exist with spinners as the attitude above with baiting deer.

Let's outlaw Spinners nationwide!

[Money]

I plan to join MWF this year.

The "Monkey Wrestling Federation " ???

[Po Monkey Lounger]

yep, thats the one "monkey wraslin" would be a pretty good description of tangling with many of these legislators