Take Back The MDC
A Gathering Point for True Sportsmen
"Hoskins Vs. Cauthorn" - The Battle for Hand Fishing Pt. 3
Monday March 17th, 2008
Let's start again with a handfishing video today.
We need to revisit the bottom line when it comes to hand fishing. The Missouri Department of Conservation has absolutely zero scientific evidence that the sport of hand fishing is harmful to the catfish population. None. Nada. Nothing.
In fact, as was pointed out in the last blog posting, nationally recognized fisheries biologist and experts including one that is slated to serve as President of the American Fisheries Society in 2010 say the exact opposite it true. Let's explore those facts for a minute.
In 2006, the MDC formed an Independent Science Review Panel of highly regarded biologist selected from other states. These blue ribbon panel members are some of the top fisheries biologist and aquatic scientists in the nation. Their task was to oversee and make recommendations concerning the MDC’s Catfish Harvest Evaluation (CHEP) project. On page 10, Preliminary estimates of hand fishing activities based on mandatory angler reports seem to indicate extremely low efforts and harvest. On page 9, likely low amount of additional fishing pressure due to hand fishing.
Dr. Bill Pine, University of Florida and a member of the CHEP Panel, has several catfish studies to his credit. He told me it was the M.D.C's decision to take the fish off the nest in the first 24 hours, not the C.H.E.P panels. He stated he was disappointed when the MDC did not follow the panel's recommendation and stopped the hand fishing portion of their catfish evaluations. It was explained to Dr. Pine that hand fishermen were only asking for 5 fish per person per year with locking tags and informational forms. Dr. Pine's response was, "If anyone bothered to ask him he would have supported that season".
Arkansas chief of Fisheries, Michael Gibson, stated,
"It is our policy to allow for a diversity of fishing methods as long as there is no biological reason to prohibit them. The number of persons utilizing hogging as a fishing method is very small and we have no evidence that suggests they are having a negative impact on catfish populations in the state."
"We don't have any biological information that noodling has a negative impact on populations," said Barry Bolton acting Chief of Fisheries for Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation.
Dr. Mark Morgan is a professor in the University of Missouri Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. In his 10 page study, the social hierarchy of fishing. "Myth or Reality?" Page 318. Are hand fishers similar to other anglers? What are their motives for participation? If unanswered hand fishers are being treated like the "Crazy Aunt" kept in the basement, simply because resource managers do not know how to deal with her. (Gill, 1996; Morten and Kranwich, 2001.
So its cystal clear that the MDC does not have a scientific leg to stand on and the evidence is overwhelming that they have tainted their own "in-house" studies to further their agenda to keep hand fishing illegal. But why?
What is going on here at the heart of the hand fishing debate is a personal animosity between Director John Hoskins and hand fishermen as well as Senator John Cauthorn who has since termed out of the state senate.
Gary Webb of Noodlers Anonymous requested a meeting with Director Hoskins in March of 2007. The meeting was to discuss why the department was ending the 5 year hand fishing trial period after only 2 years. At the end of the meeting, John Hoskins raised his voice and exclaimed, "John Cauthorn can't slap his hand on my desk and get away with it."
The MDC, especially those in a leadership position should be above making decisions concerning a resource based on (3) years of burning personal animosity.
This issue has had strong bipartisan support in the general assembly over the last 6 years. Representative Wes Shoemeyer (D) introduced a hand fishing bill which passed overwhelmingly 152 yes 5 no. He had since then introduced a hand fishing bill in the next 4 out of 5 years. Senator John Cauthorn (R), Agriculture and Conservation Committee, filed hand fishing bills in 4 separate years. Senator Cauthorn was a member of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee. This committee notifies interested citizens and organizations about upcoming legislation and hearings. This allows the public an opportunity to testify at these hearings, including members of the MDC and the CFM. Two of those bills overwhelmingly passed the senate.
Lets take a look at the recent support of handfishing in the recent past that has been completely ignored by MDC leadership.
National Forest Service Random Telephone Survey of Missouri Citizens
2004, - 67% support 7% oppose a statewide regulated hand fishing season
2006- 69% support 9% opposes a statewide regulated hand fishing season
2000-Resolution by the Missouri Farm Bureau for a regulated hand fishing season
2002 – Overwhelmingly passed the House by 152 to 5 a regulated statewide hand fishing season
2003 and 2005 passed the Senate by 28 to 5 & 22 to 7 a regulated statewide hand fishing season
2006 - House resolution sponsored by State Representative and Former MDC Commissioner Peter Meyers to allow a statewide hand fishing season
Mrs. Anita Gorman served for two terms (12 years) as a M.D.C. Commissioner. There is a large M.D.C. natural resource center in Kansas City named in her honor; Noodler’s Anonymous gave one of our first presentations in her second term at the commissioners meeting in 2003. Following our presentation on hand fishing, Mrs. Gorman made this comment, "I didn’t know hand fishing was illegal, my people have done this ever since I can remember."
So what does the future hold for the sport of handfishing? We don't know. But what we do know is that as long as you have power-drunk leadership at the helm of the MDC instead of regular hook and bullet folks who care more about the resource rather than the politically correct agenda of non-sporting beaurocrats, hunters and anglers are going to continue to be marginalized and even worse ignored all together on matters that are important to them.
(Next: Why the "Big Tent" idea is a Big Flop for Sportsmen)
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Sen. Dan Clemens Remarks
Just last month State Senator Dan Clemens made remarks on the Missouri Senate Floor expressing his concerns with the current leadership at the MDC. Please read his remarks and forward them on to others who may wish to read them. Click Here
Report to Elected Officials
Please download and pass on the Take Back The MDC report to elected officials concerning the current state of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Please call your state elected representatives and senators and tell them that you are concerned with the Leadership at the MDC. Tell them you want change!
Download HERE
