Malmason WMA McIntyre Scatters Draw

[Po Monkey Lounger]

I (and others), in previous posts on these type topics over the past several years, tried to warn you folks about all these regulations many of you are so fond of ---perceive a problem, propose a regulation to solve it --- limits on number of shells, launch time limits, limits on hp, limits on noise level, etc. etc. ---all proposed and implemented to attempt to solve some complained about problem. I sometimes think some of you must have self-imposed limits on your brain. Well, this is where all this whiney complaining and knee jerk micromanagement of our hunting has led --- a draw system. The MDWF&P obviously does not want to police all these complained about "problems" and hasn't the manpower to enforce all the regulations the complainers have proposed. Thus, the easiest thing to do, from the department's perspective, is to implement the draw. Or in other words, the MDWF&P just waived the white flag and said "f$%k it". This was entirely predictable, unless you live life with your head up your booty. You reap what you sow.

I'm not in favor of the draw, or any of the other over-regulation policies that are ruining hunting and fishing. Keeping things as simple as possible with respect to regulations, enforcing those basic regs and teaching proper behavior for sportsmen through example are always the best policies. And I will send my letter to the department objecting to the draw --- yet again. But, there is a segment of our fellow hunters who could screw up a f$%^ing anvil. And they have done their screwing well this time. Thus, I fear these efforts for sanity may be in vain at this point.

Once the draw is in effect, it will be interesting to see what the whiney complaining crowd blames next for their lack of hunting success ( as opposed to old age, laziness, and a case of "good ol days syndrome"). Continuing with the latest trend, we should anticipate the following further regulations sought by the complainers: those drawn to hunt should enter the area by paddling in quietly with a canoe or peroe, leaving not even a ripple in the water, with no more than two persons, carry no more than 6 decoys, no robos, no duck calls allowed, less than 12 shells total in the boat, use shotguns with silencers, leave the hunting area no later than 8:30 am, harvest limits of two ducks per person, stay at least a mile away from the nearest private land hunters, and no more than one hunt per season.

So there. And the beat goes on.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

The Notice of Intent does not indicate that a public hearing will be held on this matter. But, a public hearing is required IF ten or more persons request it. An attorney representing those ten or more persons can submit the request on their behalf, listing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons.

The Notice of Intent filed by the MDWF&P, as found on its website, has a filing date of April 9. The time limit to request the above hearing is 20 days from this filing date --- which is April 29th --this Thursday. Thus, time is of the essence.

I am an attorney. And I can make this request on behalf of myself and at least ten other persons. If you would like for me to represent your interests in this matter (no charge) and request this public hearing on your behalf, please PM to me your name, address, and telephone number. Upon receipt of ten or more names no later than tomorrow at lunch, I will make the formal request to the Dept. so that is is received by April 29th.

With regard to the draw, I note the following observations:

If you look at the chances of getting drawn from the other WMAs using the draw system, the odds are very slim --- approx. 20% or less chance. And it appears that this is the approx. odds of getting drawn to hunt just once during the season. The remaining hunting under this system would likely be on a "standby draw" basis, similar to other standby draws on other draw system WMAs, but I cannot confirm this from any publicly posted information about the proposed Malmaison draw, nor can I get anyone with the MDWF&P with knowledge to return my call. If it works like some of the other draw systems, the draw would likely be at 4:30 am, and standbys would not be guaranteed a spot.

For those of us who have invested in cabins and camps near Malmaison, and have been waterfowl hunting this area for many years, this is a disturbing development --- one that should not be enacted without some departmental explanation, potential alternatives and specific details about what is being proposed and how it will work. For those who invested a lot of time, energy, resources, and money to make sure that portions of this waterfowl hunting area remained available to and accessable to the public, it is even more disturbing --- a slap in the face even.

IF this draw system is enacted, I have a plan "B" in mind, but it won't be very popular with many who post on this site, particularly those who stirred all this schit up in the first place. I'll just leave it at that for now.

[gator]

pm to ya max........and, i'll go on and say, my plan B will be me sitting there still............draw, license, steel shot or not.

i suppose it's just time.............justin

[Don Miller]

Okay folks, here is the deal. We appear to have gotten the oral proceeding according to an email I recieved this afternoon from the MS Dept of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks. They are asking all interested parties to come to the Commission Meeting on Wednesday May 19th @ 12 noon to discuss the proposed draw waterfowl hunts on Malmaison.
I know it will be tough for a lot of folks to take off work and be there but for those that can it is very important that you do so if you the public really wants to have a say so about these proposed changes.

[teul2]

Where will the meeting be held?

[RLJames]

The oral proceeding you are requesting will be held at our next Commission meeting which is Wednesday, May 19, 2010 @ 12 noon. The location is our main office at 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS. We suggest you may have a spokesperson for your group so we can limit the time it will take. We have other groups who have asked to speak as well.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Gator, my plan "B" is called "Operation Scatterbust", which has been in the planning stages for years, but never implemented, due to the hope that such action would never be needed. It may indeed "be time". This plan is based upon established MS common law, but would first be dependent upon brave "soldiers" willing to volunteer to take back their rightful public hunting waters in the face of adversity and local "Barney Fife" law enforcement. Sounds like I might have my first volunteer.

[deltadukman]

I'm there Po Monk. And I will also be at the Public Meeting...good lord willing and the creek dont rise. This is getting rediculious. Who is going to be our spokesperson? I, for one, am no orator. I say lets get as many people on board beforehand, set a gathering prior to the May 19th meeting, dicuss and get a game plan together.

[LawDawg]

I nominate Gator!

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Many thanks to Don Miller who had already sent in a request for this hearing, along with names of those requesting it.

I am still going to send in my request, for whatever it is worth, with any names (and other info) submitted to me by noon today. If you were not on Don Miller's and others' list, and want to be on one, then send to me your info.

I am glad to see that the Dept. has indeed scheduled the public hearing, but disappointed to see that it is the same date as the regular Commission meeting already scheduled. Such does not appear to be a sincere offering for a true public hearing due to the time constraints that would obviously be applicable with so much other business on the agenda that day as well. Plus, making everyone come to Jackson during the middle of the week, as opposed to a handful of representatives coming to a more convenient location on a more convenient day of the week for those concerned about these issues, indicates a certain degree of apathy by the Dept. But, we are just the taxpayers who pay their salaries and apparently are an inconvenience to them --- an inconvenience that can be pacified by a token meeting squeezed into an already scheduled meeting full of other agenda items.

Combined with the fact that the Notice of Intent only barely describes the proposed new draw system, with no details at all, the response of the Dept. to the requests for hearing are underwhelming, to say the least.

[greenheadgrimreaper]

Scuse me....??? Wednesday at 12 noon? What is this jargon? I'm glad to see the department takes this seriously. Slooowly but surely the MDWFP is a snowball headed for hell; losing all credibility with each passing act of ignorance such as this. I'd be down for coming but ughh that ain't gonna happen at 12 noon on a Wednseday. Don and others I'll be there in spirit. I sent a 5 page letter in yesterday, I hope it gets read. Po Monk pm sent.

[Richard Dillo]

If you all really cared about it, you'd make the effort and attend the meeting to voice your opinion. Anyone can send emails, letters, and call in, but I bet a face-to-face meeting with the decision makers would carry more weight than the anonymity of letters and such. You probably burn vacation to hunt ducks, why not burn some to help dictate how you hunt them? I personally don't give a chit what happens at that despicable dump, but I might burn some vacation to go drink some beer and fish that day. Let us know how it turns out for those of you that attend.

Convenient location? What could be more convenient than the middle of the state in the middle of the highest population center of the state? Maybe if you offered up some lawn chairs and card tables, they'd have it in your garage for you. It's probably a bunch of DAs from Jackson that don't hunt the area who are most opposed to the regulations anyway.

-Richard

[greenheadgrimreaper]

Richy...Richy...Rich... if I had vacation time I'd be at Lake Washington bream fishing with no idea of what's about to transpire.

So err...if I REALLY cared, I'd go...seems I must not really care...or do I care?...I'm confused Richard can you help me; since you have my priorities down PAT.

For the record I've had my fair share of face to face meetings with MDWFP folks. Wouldn't be my first rodeo. Besides, if I read correctly we were instructed to send letters. My god Richard, if they won't even give us a viable time and day to have a meeting, much less a separate meeting altogether; what makes you think top officials with the law making pens will take time for a heart to heart with lil' ol me? Or are folks just asking to much...hell am I asking to much...I'm confused again, Richard.

Searching through your extensive posts it does seem you could care less- like you said. So I ask, if you "

personally don't give a chit what happens at that despicable dump

" then why the hell are you even commenting?

I'm confused again, Richard.

[quack_a_tack]

I bet Richard is from Bammer. I bet he is bout out of gum so someone is fixin to get there tale whooped.

[Po Monkey Lounger]

Regardless of the length of time given for the meeting, or the number of folks allowed to speak, and the apparent inadequacy of the meeting scheduled, EVERYONE concerned about this issue NEEDS TO ATTEND this meeting, if possible. I am clearing my schedule to be there ---moving some depositions to another date. Its a 3 hour drive one way for me, but I will make the effort. And my lost work time for a full day will cost me between $1000 to $1500. And I won't be the only person making a sacrifice to attend. So, I truly hope that the Dept. and Commission are sincere in their offering this opportunity to be heard. It is a serious matter to all of us that are concerned about it. And despite what anyone in the Dept. or on the Commission may say in advance, numbers WILL make a difference. It would be great if there were so many of us that there was not room for us all to sit.

I guarantee you there will be folks in attendance who are pushing this thing --- primarily the private landowners who would most benefit from significantly lowering the numbers of hunters and hunter hours on these affected areas. And there will be some lurking in the shadows behind the scenes --- key proponents with political clout who know and have the ear of the Commission. Some may already be so confident that the Commission will adopt the draw that they don't appear. So, a groundswell of opposition will be needed to stop this draw --- so much so that it becomes politically uncomfortable for those making the decision to do so. Like I said above, we need to flood the Commission with letters and show up en mass to this hearing/oral proceeding (whatever it is) ---standing room only, with folks lined up outside the door.

And SEND WRITTEN letters to the Commission, whether you can go to the meeting or not.

As far as Richard's comments, I don't know him and don't care. When issues affecting many hunters came up with the MDEQ several years ago re these same general hunting areas, the MDEQ scheduled a public hearing in Greenwood at the Civic Center, which was well attended. And since Malmaison is much closer to Greenwood, than Jackson, and most of those opposed to and with concerns about the draw live in and within easy driving distance of Greenwood, such a venue would make a lot of good sense ---probably too much to actually happen.