Open letter to the MDWFP

[torch]

Gentlemen:


We, the concerned fishermen of the State of Mississippi, are asking for new legislation to curb the exploitation of our natural resources. We asking to envoke possession limits on all game fish in Mississippi. If the science represents declines in certain species we are asking for limits to be reduced regardless of outside pressures. Right now we are having truck loads of fish being transported out of state for profit. We ask for possession limits to be twice the daily limit and stiff penalties for violators. We want our grandchildren to be able to enjoy the natural resources our state has to offer.

Thank You,


Future Generations

[Spoonallard]

All in favor?
I

[torch]

I'm in favor even if they have to reduce limits. You know the biologists wanted to lower the crappie limit on Grenada to 15. If they had done that and a possession limit would be 30 that would solve alot of problems.

[MSDawg870]

I agree, and lower the transport limit from 7 times the daily limit to 3.

[rjohnson]

Still need more lawmen to enforce it.

[timberjack]

My 'ol man and some friends went to the meeting at Grenada last year when the limit reduction was being considered. He said that 95% of the fisherman there were vehemently opposed to it. They were very vocal about it too, so I think the biologists still have that in mind. It needs to be done but you've got to get many, many more people on board.

[RebelYelp]

are you proposing statewide legislation ? or just the corps lakes in north Ms ? the reason I ask is where i grew up fishing crappie (oxbows, river lakes, etc) everyone chose to keep the Louisiana limit which at the time (and I believe still is) 60 crappie per person per day. I'd like to hear what at biologist has to say about lowering the limits, I know that crappie are probably the most prevalent reproducers in Mississippi waters.

[the doctor]

torch

I completely agree, but this goes back to my post earlier in the year about enforcement

lower the limits all you want and you will keep the honedst folks honest but with out any enforcement of our laws limits dont matter

wonder where we can find information about game violations in our state? does the MDWFP put out a crime report?

the doc

[missed mallards]

It's a lot more involved than the limit.

You would have to do extensive research on the impact of ooser's on the crappie population.

You would need the economic impact that they bring to the communities around these areas, plus the state.

I don't know the how the fishing lic revenue is destrubted(sp) but how would we pay for the officers to enforce the new law?

That's just some off of the top of my head. I do believe that the ooser's are rapeing our natural recources but lowering the limits aren't going to accomplish much.

[Spoonallard]

My 'ol man and some friends went to the meeting at Grenada last year when the limit reduction was being considered. He said that 95% of the fisherman there were vehemently opposed to it. They were very vocal about it too, so I think the biologists still have that in mind. It needs to be done but you've got to get many, many more people on board.

OK lets just lower the transport limits to 60. Then they can still catch and good limit of fish. Better yet. Just because these guys opposed it. That dosn't mean they know whats good for the lake. I'd rather take bigger fish and less than more and smaller. I have seen Grenada over fished before and it took a long time to get it back right. As a matter of fact it's still not what it was when I was in my twenties. It could be though!

Why don't they just check these guys when they leave the camp grounds. They have to go right thru the COE's shack? Great time to put a stop to this crap.
Just my two cents
Spoon

[torch]

I am not refering to Oxbows fed by the MS river. They are restocked everytime the water comes up. I am really trying to stop the transportation out of state to make a buck. If you are starving to death I don't have a problem catching fish to feed the hungry. But to fish everyday and then sell them makes my blood boil.

[tunica]

My 'ol man and some friends went to the meeting at Grenada last year when the limit reduction was being considered. He said that 95% of the fisherman there were vehemently opposed to it. They were very vocal about it too, so I think the biologists still have that in mind. It needs to be done but you've got to get many, many more people on board.

I would venture to say out of those 95 % r's you'd have about a 80% business owner thats bottomline is ruled by the number of X sold to fishermen. The other 15 % are those that dont care as long as they get thiers. It would be hard to win the battle for the fishes over the monies.

[Don Miller]

Here's something to think about.....do any of you remember when we were having to fight the Department of Interior for more days in the MS Flyway? To me, the argument is much the same. Days kill more ducks than limits. So, why not have a crappie season on the Corp Lakes. If you can only fish 175 days a year for crappie rather than 365, it is bound to make a big difference in the number of fish being taken out.
I'm not saying this is the solution, but just a thought.

[Ducks be us]

Though I agree with whats being said here, I would like some proof that our crappie are being sold over state line, not sayin' they aint, Im sure it happens...Ive just never seen crappie or bass on a menu

[torch]

It is legal in Arkansas and Missouri, I am 100% sure.