WE WIN!!!!! SB 869 was passed by the house and sent back to the Senate. Great job Dan and others!
Does this mean no more closed season? Or is there more to come?
Does this happen now - not needed as season is only a week away. Or, is this just a done deal for 2015?
It would start in 2015... provided they get it all done and approved in time to make the 2015 version of the of the state Fishing Guide.
Will we still have a portion of the season be catch and release??
All SB 869 does is REMOVE the old bass season limits from state law clearing up the technicality of those limits so now the Natural Resources Commission has the necessary authority to create whatever bass season we can get through the public meeting process and the NRC process over the next few months.
The existing bass seasons still live in active Fisheries Orders. The NRC has the authority to issue Fisheries Orders (as long as we win the www.citizenswildlife.com petition drive!).
There should be 2 or 3 options coming out shortly that will go very soon to public meetings around the state. We will need to make sure the meetings are well attended, and represent a consistent front.
Then the MDNR will take the feedback from the public meetings to come up with the final option that goes to the NRC for a reading at one meeting - maybe September and then the NRC can vote on it the next meeting - hopefully October - to potentially create a new bass season Fisheries Order to replace the old Fisheries Orders and seasons.
I will have a report shortly on the last meeting about options. I can share that all options that came out of that Warmwater Resources Steering Committee process likely to be presented to the public contained some version of year-round bass fishing.
If there are no snags or surprises we should have a new bass season for 2015 and likely a year-round season of some type.
There is still work to do through the MUCC state convention resolution process in June, and the upcoming public meetings and NRC meetings.
AND we have to get this petition drive over the 300,000 signature hump ASAP - only a few days left - and make sure we've raised enough money (http://www.citizenswildlife.com/donate/) so we get the Michigan Legislature to also pass the complete Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act (http://www.citizenswildlife.com/petition-info/) so the NRC KEEPS the authority to name fish and game species, and manage them scientifically or they may lose the authority to change our bass season in the November elections. Which would suck to put it lightly...
We do all of these things over the next few months and maybe we earn a year-round bass season. Maybe a really good year-round bass season.
Oh, and technically we need 2 things to still happen with SB 869 - the Senate needs to enroll the bill in their journal - considering the awesome support we have in the Senate with Senator Hansen and other leaders I expect no problem there.
Then, Governor Snyder needs to sign the bill into law. I expect that to happen based on comments the Governor made several times last year including when he and I briefly talked last May, when he went fishing with MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough in September and when he met with Kevin VanDam in October.
I have an awesome helper who is going to try to touch base with the Governor tomorrow as a check. I will be calling the Governor's office tomorrow and I will talking to his staffers. I think we will have it covered. We continue to have discussions with various people about a possible new quality public access site on Belle Isle too.
Things are looking real good. Better than they have ever looked. And tons of people and groups are helping. Just be prepared for the public meetings soon.
Great job Dan! This is some pretty exiting stuff, do you have an idea and where the public meetings will be held?
Not yet for the public meetings. The various fishing groups asked that they be spread out well around all parts of the state so everyone has a chance to make a meeting. I will definitely share a schedule as soon as it's available. Need you all there! And there. And there. :)
;D
Sweet this will open up a bunch of tournament fishing activities haha. Lets just hope they dont throw some crazy culling rules into the mix...
We're working on that too (culling / possession definition) - mostly the MDNR Fisheries Division is doing that without being asked directly, which is nice.
Chief Jim Dexter read the draft definitions to me a week or two ago and they sounded pretty good. He hopes to have all the new definitions and clarifications done this fall in time for the 2015 season.
Why would we want to start the catch and kill season any earlier in the state of Michigan if I understand this right?
Or is this all catch and release before MD weekend proposed bill?
The Senate Bill 869 does not change the bass season. There are Fisheries Orders that still exist covering our present season.
Last May we passed Public Act 21 which gave the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) authority to issue Fisheries Orders along with other clarifications on their authority for managing fish and game in Michigan using sound science working with the MDNR, other experts and user groups. Public Act 21 helped to fix some issues that kept us from fully enacting all of the intentions of Proposal G that was passed with the support of 63% of Michiganders for scientific management way back in 1996.
SB 869 fixes just one technical issue where state law still exists that conflicts with the authority given to the NRC. The NRC can't create a longer bass season if it is scientifically supported unless we remove the specific bass season earliest opening days from state law.
Once Governor Snyder signs SB 869 the NRC will have the flexibility to make whatever bass season we get out the public meeting process when added to all the previous discussion and work. There should be 2, maybe 3 options for the public to review. I don't have final language yet from the MDNR. All of the options have scientific support to back them up but as usual some social management (what people think verses actual science) will have an effect on the final outcome.
In years past working with fisheries with Dave Johnson and others I was somewhat well versed in current fisheries changes and events but am not up on much today....Also I was part of the hearings when we proposed catch and release on Gun Lake and if anyone remembers or knows Gun Lake was not chosen to be one of those lakes...
Also our Gun Lake Bass Club was working with Plainwell fisheries to give them fish samples at random to help also.
Anyhow I am all in favor of correct fish management but I do not understand yet what this thread is about so I guess I will have to wait and see...
I will go on record however and not support a harvest/kill before the last Saturday in May as it is today unless items change as I knew them in the past.
I guess I will have to wait and see what this brings and not say anything unless I want to get involved...
Quote from: JBASS on May 19, 2014, 12:23:13 PM
In years past working with fisheries with Dave Johnson and others I was somewhat well versed in current fisheries changes and events but am not up on much today....Also I was part of the hearings when we proposed catch and release on Gun Lake and if anyone remembers or knows Gun Lake was not chosen to be one of those lakes...
Also our Gun Lake Bass Club was working with Plainwell fisheries to give them fish samples at random to help also.
Anyhow I am all in favor of correct fish management but I do not understand yet what this thread is about so I guess I will have to wait and see...
I will go on record however and not support a harvest/kill before the last Saturday in May as it is today unless items change as I knew them in the past.
I guess I will have to wait and see what this brings and not say anything unless I want to get involved...
Gun Lake not getting chosen during the test catch-and-release season starting in 1988 had nothing to do with science. I spoke at most of those meetings and heard what people had to say. The past is the past. Things are starting to get real now and happen a little differently. Finally...
I explained what SB 869 will do above. That's all there is to SB 869. There is other work to do yet in getting the bass season options to public meetings soon, and also through MUCC at their June state convention with a similar resolution.
Everyone who chooses to will get a chance to voice their opinions yet at the public meetings once they are scheduled and announced. If you read through the posts on the Michigan Bass Season forum on this website you can find out more.
PS: the MDNR is now officially on record at two government hearings as stating we can have a longer bass season because our bass populations can support it. Their statement is referred to under the Michigan Bass Season forum or you can quickly find the article under Conservation news - www.greatlakesbass.com/conservation - MDNR Says Earlier Bass Season Good For Michigan (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/conservation/index.php/2014/04/17/mdnr-says-earlier-bass-season-good)
As far as what any MDNR person told anyone in the past, as I just said above - the past is the past. Things are different now.
Quote from: JBASS on May 19, 2014, 12:23:13 PM
In years past working with fisheries with Dave Johnson and others I was somewhat well versed in current fisheries changes and events but am not up on much today....Also I was part of the hearings when we proposed catch and release on Gun Lake and if anyone remembers or knows Gun Lake was not chosen to be one of those lakes...
Also our Gun Lake Bass Club was working with Plainwell fisheries to give them fish samples at random to help also.
Anyhow I am all in favor of correct fish management but I do not understand yet what this thread is about so I guess I will have to wait and see...
I will go on record however and not support a harvest/kill before the last Saturday in May as it is today unless items change as I knew them in the past.
I guess I will have to wait and see what this brings and not say anything unless I want to get involved...
This is the thinking we need to change.
Well, depending on who you talked to in the MDNR in many years past I could see how you can think things like that if you don't have the time to do independent research to confirm things.
As I say though, the past is the past. The future is now maybe and I hope we can convince enough people of that.
We'll find out soon I think at public meetings near you. And you. And you. And me... :)
Plus... that was 25 years ago. Things do change... slowly... very slowly.
Lately, they seem to be picking up speed though.
All I said was that I use to be in the know when I was very active in making a catch and release season in Michigan and helping the DNR with fish management.
Please do not beat me up for being concerned about our fishery here in Michigan as I think it is one of the best places in the country for bass fishing.
I don't think anyone is beating you up. As Dan stated the MDNR has used SCIENCE to prove we can have longer seasons. The Memorial Sat opening was chosen MANY years ago without any science being used.
Quote from: JBASS on May 20, 2014, 06:40:17 AM
All I said was that I use to be in the know when I was very active in making a catch and release season in Michigan and helping the DNR with fish management.
Please do not beat me up for being concerned about our fishery here in Michigan as I think it is one of the best places in the country for bass fishing.
JBASS, Thank you for being concerned about our fishery here is Michigan. It's nice to read posts from other people who truly care about the health and sustainability of our bass populations. I am right there with you with having concern and my concern, much like yours is rooted in a deep respect for the fish we chase every weekend. This is exactly why I trust the MDNR and the many highly trained and educated scientists/fisheries biologists they employee. These biologists are smart people who have spent many years studying, tracking, and documenting on the heath and well being of bass populations throughout the state. SB 869 is stepping stone to allow the MDNR and the NRC to make changes to our fishing regulations. As stated in an earlier post, in the past they were not comfortable with making changes due to the results of their studies, but things have changed. Because of the positive changes to the bass populations and the many years of hard work from guys like Dan, we are finally at a point where we can begin looking at making changes to our bass season that will not only increase opportunities for anglers like us to fish, but changes that will also ensure the continued health and success of our fisheries for years to come.
Scientific management of our Natural Resources is so critical to the success of the fish that we fish and the animals that we hunt. That is why I am a huge supporter allowing the MDNR and their staff to do the work that they do, and make decisions that not only supports our natural resource economy, but will allow us and enjoy successful hunting and fishing for years to come.
Well said everyone. I am ALWAYS talking to everyone (meaning anyone who might read these threads) even if it seems like I'm only talking to one person. I just say what I think.
I know it's hard to not take it personal because we each read the posts on our own so we think of them in our own frame of mind. Sometimes I think about that a lot before I post and sometimes I just let 'er rip... depends on my present frame of mind too.
There's a lot of frustration built up over decades on this topic so I understand there's lots of emotions swirling around the bass fishing world (I still chewed Genie out because I can... and because, though he is twice my size... I know he's a lover - sort of - not a fighter ;D).
I will keep saying the past is the past, more for myself maybe than anyone else.
I do hear from lots of people, including some 'influential' ones, who are worried about changes. Change is always hard for people and I am glad that some of the worry I hear is coming straight from the love of our bass fishing. I can completely understand that! I know that makes these changes even harder, but I'm actually glad to hear and see that.
It might make change tougher to get but it also shows other people that we care about the fish we love to pursue just as much as any other angler cares. Maybe more, if I can get away with quoting something KVD said recently. Not everyone believes that so it's probably good to see and hear it some.
All I can keep doing is looking at the big picture and working with like-minded people, and keep telling people that I would NEVER do something to hurt the sport that has meant so much to me throughout my life as far back as I can remember even though I know not everyone will believe me. That can't be helped when it comes to change. I've always known that. Lately, I've been around more people who understand these dynamics and that has been very refreshing.
Hopefully, we'll get through this latest round of change and all come out the other side still friends, still remembering more what we have in common.
Thanks for the positive comments....