MDWFP Administration officials will not budge on how they operate or accountability unless the appropriate tool is used. This tool is called a "politician."
However, in order for said tool to start up and operate efficiently, the proper fuel and lubricant must be used. The fuel used is "publicity" and the lubricant is the "vote".
I have already been through this concerning my WMA. They are all in each others' pockets.
And they are a proud bunch. So proud, in fact, that their pride blinds them from common sense & reasoning.
But when it comes down to the "nut-cutting," the buck stops and starts with the word "vote." Meaning, if a large enough, pissed off enough constituent puts the politician's nuts in a strong vise, them the politician- in his panicked frenzy to relieve stress- will take action to do so.
The solution is simple: organize, mobilize, go public, drop a note in the politician's ear, and demand results. If the MDWFP and COE won't play ball, confirm that the politician's worst nightmare has come true: a PR disaster.
I only wish I'd of gotten the politicians more involved when the WFP, COE, NRCS, some old yankee dude from the USFWS, and even a DU representative thrown in there, decided they'd demand only two of the people represent the people while they all cornered myself and another fellow (older than me and on this board) with an attitude of, " This is how it's gonna be."
I also wish the other outdoorsmen who hunted the wma would have taken a more proactive approach in confronting the folks who so wisely drained our wetlands in the name of "mitigation." Unfortunately, most gave a fierce, albeit hollow, battle cry. And now, as they complain about the plight of the wma wetlands- and their duck season- it's too little, too late.
The picture below was taken yesterday. It is after 5 growing seasons. The goal of draining the wetlands was hardwood restoration. Granted, tress were dying- as a result of the COE and NRCS playing God with our hydrologic river systems and channelizing a stream that silted in areas and encouraged beaver infestations and unnatural standing water in places not designed for it. But when Mr. MDWFPCOENRCSUSFWSDU insisted that the wetland below had only been inundated with water for the last 20 years or so, all I could think of was pictures of my great uncle back in the 50's standing in the same swamp with a strap full of mallards next to him.
After 5 years, look at all that hardwood growth! Boy, at this rate, we will be drowning in acorns by 2500!
We better get on top of this or it could get worse. The MDWFP could go from an agency charged with being stewards of the people of Mississippi's land, to stewards of the people's exclusive hunting clubs like Canemount- or whatever the hell it's called.