Field Trial/Hunt Test regulations proposed by MDWFP

[GulfCoast]

Here is the link. It is unclear if the permit is required for any hunt test/field trial, or just those on WMA's:

http://www.mdwfp.com/Level2/Wildlife/pd ... 20dogs.pdf

[Nash]

From my experience this is for all Field Trials and hunt test. I got one for are hunt last year in Crowder under the assumption that is was for WMA only but I was told by the GW that it is for all properties, public and private.

Biggest thing is that this permit, when filed, has the state offices send out a notification to each of the local GW and lets them know what is going on. It included detail as where it is gonna be, what type of tame game that is gonna be used and it provides them with documentation of the game being tame and not wild.

The fee is nominial and the paper work in one page. When I filed it it took less than 2 weeks to get the permit back.

If this is what it take to avoid an issue down the road then I am all for it.

[Frank B]

I just was on the phone to the MDWFP. According to that office, this proposed rule does include Field Trials and Hunt Tests held on private lands. This is not the way this proposed rule started. Also, according to the person I talked to, the license requirement is a MS license for all participants.

There is still time to comment and create change on this rule. I urge you to contact the department in writing and let it know the hardships they are creating on the retriever community. You can also speak at the next Commission meeting on July, 11 at 8:30AM in Jackson, MS.

This has the makings of being a really big deal to all of us. I am upset that it went this far without our catching it. As I said before this rule has changed a lot from how it statrted out.

Frank

[goosebruce]

lemme get this straight... all particpants are supposed to have ms liscenes now? does that mean handlers, or judges as well? this can be a real problem, as past history in nc means nothing happens until a gw decides to enforce it, and shows up with a bus to take everyone to get liscenes or tickets.... real burden indeed, gonna be a goat roping. travis

[Frank B]

According to the person in Jackson that I talked to.......Yes. Unless you fall into one of the exemptions that are unrelated to what we do.

Frank

[GulfCoast]

Who/what department did you talk to in Jackson? I can show up at that meeting, once I get my ducks in a row.

[sbakerz71]

SO,me being from alabama and if i were going to participate(run my dog)
in a akc or ukc test in Ms i would have to purchase a permit( liscene)to do so, on top of the premium payed to the club for the test.
I would guess depending on the cost of this fee,this could really hurt the hrc clubs in Ms.

[GulfCoast]

As I read the proposed regulation, all out-of-state hunt testers (unless exempt) would be required to buy a $30.00 7-day small game hunting liscence (that is the cheapest one). If the test/trial were on a WMA, then they would need ANOTHER $30.00 MWA permit, for a total of $60.00 in extra dollars, which is about the same as the premium to run 2 days.

To be exempt as a MS resident, you would have to be younger than 16, older than 65, blind, paraplegic, multiple amputee, have a VA total service related disability, or a SSA total disability.

The proposed regulation mentions pen raised quail, but makes no express provision for shooting live flyer ducks, even if pen-raised.

Looks like Miss Code Ann 49-7-42 should be amended to take into account ducks, pheasants and other birds used to train "bird dogs" other than quail to provide some cover for trainers, too.

[Jeff]

Boy I hope our rocket scientists over here in LA don't catch on to this. This could make all dog games for the well to do now and not just field trials. It could get expensive real quick.

By the way it's nice to have a non Klumpi or DIB/HGH battle post in the dog forum.

[Frank B]

I just spoke with Dr. Sam Polles, the Executive Director of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. He verified to me that the regulation covers events held on private lands and that the regulation will require the purchase of a valid Mississippi hunting license for all participants. Additionally, if the event is held on a state WMA all participants must have an Annual WMA User Permit. If you are convicted of a violation of the rules you will be barred from participating in field trials for 12 months.

He said that the small game trip license in MS is $30. He then asked me if that was going to created an "economic hardship" on participants. I answered that it would just be one more cost that would impact a person's decision to come to the state, stay in motels, buy meals, gas , and such.

He then told me the rationale for the permit and license fees was to help pay for the cost of regulating these events with personell, paperwork, etc. I explained to him what other states were doing in this area and that Mississippi was the only one around here that required the state hunting license.

He politely thanked me for my remarks, invitied me to put them in writing and also appear before the commission if I wanted. I did get the impression their is some "wiggle room" left in this regulation.

So there you have it. I suggest that we all start calling and writing. You can bet that nothing will change if they do not hear from anyone.

Frank

[goosebruce]

frank, you got an addy for us to write? travis

[gator]

frank, you got an addy for us to write? travis

frank, please post it.

sadly, it's been my experience that if it comes to bare in paper form w/ the bunch that oversees the MDWFP, it's DONE -- "wiggle room" or no.

but, this, IMHO, is a serious issue...regulating state WMA'S is one thing, BUT, regulating FT/HT's on private land is another vegetable all together.....

who decides what's what anyway? somone w/ 2 teeth, a gun, and a high school education? what if 10 folks get together to train (not uncommon)? is this a FT? will it stop there, or will training be regulated too? what happens is travis, bama, wesley, decide to come over and train.......are they in violation b/c they don't have a mississippi liscense? this is a viscious cycle that could have drastic implications.

i'll do whatever i have to, whenever i need to on this issue. if it's write someone, fine. if it's showing up to meetings, fine. SIGN ME UP.

honestly, and i don't have a clue how folks that are running this show get to these positions, but considering the mahanna deal and now this, it might be time to find out how to get RID OF THEM.

sincerely, justin harrison

[goosebruce]

gator, we where going to do just that... but you had to work that weekend! ha. travis

[sbakerz71]

Please post the addy!!
There is no way im going to buy a hunting license to run a test and not actually hunt.

[GulfCoast]

We need to both write (the addy is on the link I posted, just read it), and call, and show up in person in July. Go ahead and put it on your calanders. I am as concerned about what it does NOT say as what it does.