Judge rules much of Mississippi River off limits to anglers

[mudsucker]

Dutch Dog,
Why rag on the Walker's? I have met his mother and am here to tell you there is not another finer or nicer lady in the state of Mississippi! I am sure the apple did not fall to far from the tree and he was just trying to protect what is their's on Cottonwood Farms. The fisherman in question might have been "pushing the envelope" of what was seasonably flooded and what was flooded timber. There are TWO sides to this story and "Louisiana Sportsman" magazine did a story on this and I think it said the guy was a commercial fisherman!

[YazooValley]

The Walkers are fine people.

He's a punk for trying to keep trespassers off his property?

[Deltamud77]

Is this the same Cottonwood Farms that is for sale in Issaquena County on the River? Roughly, 3000 acres =/-? If so, or if not, enlighten the unenlightened about the issue the Walker's face with their land. Thanks.

[Nitro Mag]

I don't know the Walker's, but I do know they have a fine place for hunting and I imagine what has not been put out in the open for everyone to see is that these "fishermen" were probably suspected to be shooting deer and turkeys. I do not know this for fact but that is what it sounds like to me. I really don't think there is a reason they would be trying to stop fisherman from fishing the place in highwater. When the water is up you will have all kinds of outlaws trying to sneak in and kill your animals that you have worked so hard to manage and if they can make it to your camp by boat they will steal anything they can get and fit in the boat. Now, once again I don't know if this is what the Walkers are trying to stop, but I bet I am not far off. JMO

[Grommet]

I don't know the Walker's, but I do know they have a fine place for hunting and I imagine what has not been put out in the open for everyone to see is that these "fishermen" were probably suspected to be shooting deer and turkeys. I do not know this for fact but that is what it sounds like to me. I really don't think there is a reason they would be trying to stop fisherman from fishing the place in highwater. When the water is up you will have all kinds of outlaws trying to sneak in and kill your animals that you have worked so hard to manage and if they can make it to your camp by boat they will steal anything they can get and fit in the boat. Now, once again I don't know if this is what the Walkers are trying to stop, but I bet I am not far off. JMO

In my experience this is usually the case with outlaws claiming to be commercial fisherman. We used to get that excuse alot. But I don't think that the law should be setup to protect landowners in this case if it hurts the general publics interests at large.

[Jelly]

I don't know the Walker's, but I do know they have a fine place for hunting and I imagine what has not been put out in the open for everyone to see is that these "fishermen" were probably suspected to be shooting deer and turkeys. I do not know this for fact but that is what it sounds like to me. I really don't think there is a reason they would be trying to stop fisherman from fishing the place in highwater. When the water is up you will have all kinds of outlaws trying to sneak in and kill your animals that you have worked so hard to manage and if they can make it to your camp by boat they will steal anything they can get and fit in the boat. Now, once again I don't know if this is what the Walkers are trying to stop, but I bet I am not far off. JMO

In my experience this is usually the case with outlaws claiming to be commercial fisherman. We used to get that excuse alot. But I don't think that the law should be setup to protect landowners in this case if it hurts the general publics interests at large.

So, the trespassing law is stupid? It's not in the public's best interest to have to stay off private land.

[Skeeter]

Let me pose a situational question:

IF the MS River at Vicksburg sits at 36 feet, which is considered a normal river level, Chotard Lake/oxbow moves deep into timber....some of which is claimed by Tara, and some by others around that area....we love to hunt these areas.....never have we had a problem, and others do it too, but we just figure one day the problem would arise....with this being said, as long as we are not at flood stages on the MS River at Vicksburg (43ft), than we are not breaking any laws?...

D

[Jelly]

Let me pose a situational question:

IF the MS River at Vicksburg sits at 36 feet, which is considered a normal river level, Chotard Lake/oxbow moves deep into timber....some of which is claimed by Tara, and some by others around that area....we love to hunt these areas.....never have we had a problem, and others do it too, but we just figure one day the problem would arise....with this being said, as long as we are not at flood stages on the MS River at Vicksburg (43ft), than we are not breaking any laws?...

D

I would agree....

[Grommet]

I don't know the Walker's, but I do know they have a fine place for hunting and I imagine what has not been put out in the open for everyone to see is that these "fishermen" were probably suspected to be shooting deer and turkeys. I do not know this for fact but that is what it sounds like to me. I really don't think there is a reason they would be trying to stop fisherman from fishing the place in highwater. When the water is up you will have all kinds of outlaws trying to sneak in and kill your animals that you have worked so hard to manage and if they can make it to your camp by boat they will steal anything they can get and fit in the boat. Now, once again I don't know if this is what the Walkers are trying to stop, but I bet I am not far off. JMO

In my experience this is usually the case with outlaws claiming to be commercial fisherman. We used to get that excuse alot. But I don't think that the law should be setup to protect landowners in this case if it hurts the general publics interests at large.

So, the trespassing law is stupid? It's not in the public's best interest to have to stay off private land.

No not at all what I am trying to say. I just think a knee jerk decision like this one saying no one can fish on the river is a little absurd. I have to be honest. I have been playing devils advocate with most of my posts on this topic. I can understand that opinions are going to vary with wether you own land along the river or not. I think that any responsible outdoorsman should understand the difference between what is moral and what is not this thread just goes to show that it is not that obvious to everyone.

[Nitro Mag]

Let me pose a situational question:

IF the MS River at Vicksburg sits at 36 feet, which is considered a normal river level, Chotard Lake/oxbow moves deep into timber....some of which is claimed by Tara, and some by others around that area....we love to hunt these areas.....never have we had a problem, and others do it too, but we just figure one day the problem would arise....with this being said, as long as we are not at flood stages on the MS River at Vicksburg (43ft), than we are not breaking any laws?...

As long as you don't have an anchor sitting on the bottom or have the boat tied to a tree you are in the clear......I think. We do the same thing on oxbows around here and on the river. That is when the river actually does get high enough to get in the trees.

[waterbug]

I believe the place where these guys were hunting was Gassoway Lake which is 3 and 1/2 miles from the main channel of the Mississippi River.

[mudsucker]

The Walkers are fine people.

He's a punk for trying to keep trespassers off his property?

Great FIRST POST! Name calling and everything. Who are ya and what are you(as we say on the vhf radio on the river when called by an UNKNOW party)?

[grik]

Skeeter,

Under my interpretation of Mississippi law, I would argue that you were legal -- other opinions may differ.

[torch]

Skeeter is correct, except you have to stay inside the natural banks. This has always been a [b]GREY[/b] area. Judges always seem to tule in favor of the landowners. All of ya'll know that my motto is "A tresspassing ticket is cheaper than a guided hunt."

[YazooValley]

The Walkers are fine people.

He's a punk for trying to keep trespassers off his property?

Great FIRST POST! Name calling and everything. Who are ya and what are you(as we say on the vhf radio on the river when called by an UNKNOW party)?

_______

What? Read it again. I wasn't calling anyone names. I was defending a good and decent guy who was accused of being a punk a** something simply because he doesn't allow trespassing on his property.

Who am I? No one of consequence.

And it's not my first post. It's my first post after having to re-register the other day.