Crossbows: Going to happen. kill more deer, no pissed off yuppies. Sunday hunting: Not happening. would piss off too many yuppies. Longer bow season: probably will happen. kill more deer, no pissed off yuppies because its not guns and they still have their sundays without hunters. Longer gun season: Not happening. would piss off too many yuppies. Antler restrictions: Not happening. more deer killed without them. More Doe tags: Going to keep happening. Means more deer killed
Some of you guys getting aggravated that the state isn't helping out hunters need to understand that they are never going to help us. We are a tiny percentage of the population. Since when do they listen to the minority? Especially in this liberal hell hole. They want all the deer gone without pissing off the yuppies. This is just how it is and I don't see any way possible for this to change. This is crappy to say but its a wasted effort fighting for some of these things. Name one incentive the state has for bettering the situation for hunters knowing that any pro-hunter changes will inevitably piss off way more non hunters than the amount of hunters that would be happy.
What is everyone's thoughts on this?
I know I'm still considered a transplant (only been here 11 years), and the fact that I come from CA is hilarious. But the rampant hypocrisy of this state never ceases to amaze me. No hunting in XYZ town cuz nature and wildlife, but no one bats an eye when 30 acres are leveled for another Lowes + Target + Mattress Store + Five Guys shopping area.
I don't expect anything to change here. It's sort of a "Sit down and shut up" type deal.
HOWEVER! During the monthly meetings at DFW, and with the matters concerning Fish/Game/Hunting. If as many as 8 people show up, they relay that information to the Legislature as "a crowd" (no kidding). If as many as 20 people show up it's relayed as "heavy VOTER representation." DFW is packed with a bunch of tools, but they know how to play the political game. If you want something to change, show up to the monthly meetings.
The next one is March 7th, 7:00 at the field headquarters in Westborough. Show up with your concerns and interest regarding whatever. The biggest issue is getting enough hunters to show regarding a single issue.
Given the data I've seen on the introduction of crossbows, I'm not worried about it. Z10 is difficult enough to hunt to really impact the deer population with the extra two weeks. I'm only really interested Sunday hunting and the change to 250' for bow hunters.
Anyone want to go to the meeting to support whatever? Can we get a group of 10?
I enjoy the debate. So far, and I'm convinced it's because there is a good crew of folks here willing to be thoughtful, the debates here have been good.
I think one key point to remember when thinking of this stuff, is that the overwhelming majority of employees - from top brass through the lowest ranks - at MDFW are avid sportsmen and women. They LOVE it. They scout all year. They fish the fresh and salt waters of our state. They hunt with different weapons for every species in the state... And those they work with are proud of and excited for the times afield they, and their fellow MDFW folks have. Those that own land make their own food plots, and do other habitat improvements. They "get" it.
When we think of MDFW, we need to remember, that they are us. I'd bet some are lurkers here actually ;).
Do all the decisions out of Westboro feel like the best ones to everyone? Nope. But is the brain power in place to make good decisions, sound decisions for "us" and the wildlife that lives here? Absolutely.
The catch, is that some of the best decisions will run into issues with the political food chain. For example, it makes no sense to have the legislature involved in wildlife management decisions if you want to talk about it from a purely biological point of view. the brain power in Westboro is 1000X that of the Leg on those issues. I'd say the same thing about research sciences, medical sciences etc. BUT, MDFW, while charged with "us", they are also charged with protecting and enhancing non game wildlife and habitat. IE, the bald eagle among other things.
Because they have that broad list of responsibilities, "everyone" wants a say. Thus the legislature is involved - which I still think sucks. It's like asking a plumber for vascular surgery advice since both professionals work on pipes (the legislature being plumbers and MDFW being vascular surgeons here :) - I'm figuring everyone got that :)).
This was all really turned to crystal for me after going to the big meeting at MDFW on the big sunday's. trapping, crossbows etc bill that we are all debating. MDFW was basically pushing for all of it. That's the stance of MDFW - WANT. It's the lobbyists who were against, and URBAN/Suburban politicians OF BOTH PARTIES. It's not an R D thing. I'm pretty "gray" as you all know, but if someone goes down that road with MDFW and Sunday hunting etc, that's your bias, not reality. This is an URBAN/Suburban v rural thing. rural legislatures generally are cool with it, but where's the voting power? Sub/urban areas... And with them, goes our hopes and dreams for letting MDFW execute sound practice.
We get frustrated because MDFW is our conduit of communication on these issues, and frankly, because they make some decisions which we disagree with. Grand scheme of things though, that's FINE, at worst, I feel like they are making decisions as a group of outdoors people, which have sound footing scientifically - whether I agree or not. I can live with that.
What is a pain, and muddies this, is that most often, when the decisions they make dont feel like they are what "we" would like, it's because legislative forces are stopping them from making sound decisions.
I should be able to make March 7th at 7 work. I don't drink mrw if you guys need a designated driver on your way to give them a piece of your mind, haha.
Bigwoods - nicely said. Overall, it's the challenge of being part of something bigger than ourselves I guess - we have to compromise. Compromise on "ethical" or "cultural" things makes sense to me... But sciences or similar fields... compromises should be calibrated to what the best evidence suggests and tuned a bit to fit cultural realities. If MDFW is trying to use science but that's basically tossed because of cultural beliefs on some issues, once the issues hit the legislature - that sucks. Goes for any part of the gvmt in my mind.
Frustrating.
That said, I'm glad those folks are doing what they do (even if I dont always agree). It's money well spent to me. Heck, if my only "value" was WMA's and the darn coldwater stream sampling and reporting they do I'd be happy with my "investment" in MDFW.
The willingness of sub/urban legislators to actually take coaching so as to make the best decisions, vs taking donor dollars / uninformed feedback to guide decisions when it comes to our wildlife... that would be nice.
