Dec. Commission Meeting

[Multidigits]

Here's the items on the up coming Commission meeting. Ther're open for discussion. Members can discuss in the closed section or here.

1. One small game season in the state. From Nov.1 thru Jan.1

2. Two weeks of small game season in Feb.

3. Split deer season Two week in Nov. or nine days.

4. One week of fall turkey season, week before Thanksgiving

5. Two weeks of deer season in Dec.

6. Coon season (which may not be on the agenda) eight month of taking coon, and four months of closed season.

7. Users fee on WMA's

8. Kill more deer, DOES

[Walt K]

It's about time they uniformed the small game season for the entire state at one time. Never made sense to me.
I think it's great about coon season too. They think deer are overpopulated? I think the coon population has reached epidemic proportions! They're everywhere! On my porch eating dog food, in the garbage,splattered on the highways, and of course..in the deer feeders!
Haven't made up my mind on that late gun Dec. season, I would assume for does only, and is it to be incorporated alongside the Dec. muzzleload season?,,,should be.

[Multidigits]

ttt These items will be decided in December. If you want to contact your Commissionor, nows the time to do so. Some of these are some big changes from th status quo. Please get involved!

[grouseguy]

Guys, the following is a copy of the letter I faxed today to my commissioner. I chose to fax since my commissioner is very hard of hearing and I was afraid he would miss something important over the phone. It's extremely important that we contact our commissioners and insist that they represent OUR interests at the meeting on the 6th.

December 2, 2002



VIA FACSIMILE
606-474-0648

Dr. Robert C. Webb
8th District Commissioner
KY Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

Re: Proposed season changes

Doc:

As you are aware, I am a dedicated small game hunter residing in your district and as such, hereby request that you represent my interests on the following subjects at the next Commission Meeting on December 6, 2002. Two topics that are scheduled on the agenda for this meeting are near and dear to me, and could greatly impact my ability to enjoy the sport that I love.

First, I would hope that you would oppose further expansion of the firearms deer seasons. In my opinion, additional days of firearms deer seasons will not impact the total harvest since most hunters are able to harvest as many deer as they can use during the current season structure. If the KDFWR wants to increase the overall harvest, they need to be looking into gaining access in urban or otherwise closed areas for special “quota hunts”, along with increasing funding for programs like “Hunters for the Hungry” so that hunters can have an economical outlet for their excess venison.

Secondly, I would hope that you would support a proposal by 4th District Commissioner, Ron Southall, whereby rabbit and quail small game seasons would be combined into one statewide season beginning after modern rifle deer season (roughly the Monday before Thanksgiving) and running through the end of February.

I am aware of Deputy Commissioner Roy Grimes’ efforts opposing the statewide small game season. However, I would request that you try to look at this from the small game hunter's perspective rather than strictly biological. The front end of the small game seasons are being effectively eroded by the expansion of fall deer and turkey seasons, and I want to emphasize "effectively", since the small game seasons are technically open, but small game hunters will not utilize the opportunity during open firearms big game seasons. Most small game is pursued with the use of dogs and most small game hunters will not turn their dogs loose during open firearms big game seasons. Firearms deer season typically brings out the worst element of hunters, that normally only hunt during firearms deer seasons, and are often referred to as "slob hunters". Most small game hunters will not risk their dogs and the inevitable conflict that would follow by having to deal with this element. Therefore, expanding firearms big game seasons effectively shorten small game seasons.

Also, due to the expense involved in keeping dogs throughout the year, if this erosion of the small game season continues, I anticipate a decline in small game hunter numbers, which in turn affects the Department's revenues, but greater still, it will affect the resource itself. As you are aware, hunters are the best friend that game species have, who by their spending habits and conservation efforts provide the funding and necessary elements for the game to survive and prosper. Therefore, with firearms deer seasons running through the middle of December, and the current small game seasons only running through the end of January, or December if Mr. Grimes is ultimately successful in his efforts, then small game hunters will only be able to utilize a 2 - 6 week window to effectively pursue their sport. There is more to this equation than just biological concerns, which by the way, I question the current data that Mr. Grimes cites, in keeping a thriving small game program, including hunters and game in Kentucky. From the small game hunter's perspective, it’s not nearly as important when the season technically begins, because in reality it begins when firearms deer season ends, than when it ends, and I support February 28th.

Since the Commissioners are supposed to represent the voice of the average sportsman in policy making decisions, and the Department is dependent on hunter support, I would think that the wishes of the small game sportsmen would be the primary factor in determining small game seasons, since they have the most to loose if a flawed policy is enacted.

Doc, these issues are VERY IMPORTANT to me and other small game enthusiasts, and we will be watching closely the outcome of the Commission Meeting on the 6th. If for some reason you cannot support the small game position outlined above, I would like to request that you contact me to further discuss this matter.

Very truly yours;



Mark Rogers
695 W. Sunset Hill
Grayson, KY 41143
(606) 474-0403 home
(606) 475-5190 office

cc: Ron Southall

[CPA Hunter]

I see it now Grouseguy. Those seasons are ugly and in no way would those dates have the small game hunter in mind.

[GSP]

...some more <b>GOOD</b> reasons to open small game during deer season.
(from this site)
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Xi, didn't you shoot at the dogs? Mans best friend thing should be at home. When they are running deer they are called target practice<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I'll second that! Dogs are great as long as they're not chasing deer. When they start that, they're as good as dead if they get within range of me!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">(they're as good as dead if they get within range of me!)
I'll second that,.... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I am not advocating anyone allowing dogs to run deer. I don't know anyone that wants their dogs running deer. But dogs will run deer at times. A lot of times people are out working dogs on coon, rabbit, fox, etc and the dogs chase deer. It happens.
This is the main reason that I do not run my dogs in gun season. They don't chase deer, but you never know what will happen.

Also, just for everyones records. Chances are this time of year, the fellow that is out looking for the dog that was just shot by someone deer hunting, will be packing a 12 ga semi-auto!!!!!!

[Multidigits]

I agree. I know men who would murder over a dog...no doubt.

I hunt with a fellow that didn't murder, but he did get even. A man shot one of his beagles. The dog was in bad shape and the Vet suggested that it needed put down. After it was, my friend went looking for the man who shot the dog. The fellow wouldn't come to the door so my friend staked out the house for several days and nights trying to catch him and give him the ass whooping he deserved. Finally, he gave up on trying to catch the guy outside, so he waited till dark and went into the guys barn and shot a perfectly good milk cow with a .357. Then went to a phone and called the guy up and told him what he did. That was paybacks are hell.

[yotekiller]

GSP,no doubt you drilled this one!

[GSP]

Multi, you going to the commis meeting?

[GSP]

I don't agree with shooting cows either. I wouldn't ever harm someones animal.

I think I can honestly say that no animals have been harmed in any way with the forming of Cyber-Hunters.[:D]

[Multidigits]

Myself and Rick H. will be there. Anybody else?

The story I told was true. The best part was the guy answered the phone and asked -"what kind of s.o.b. would shoot a man's cow". The answer was "the same kind of s.o.b. that would shoot a man's dog"

The point is, this guy probably would think twice about cutting down a beagle,running a rabbit, that crossed his property. It's a sad thing about the cow, but it's better than having to go to prison over a dog. Before you shoot someone's dog, you better think about what might happen because of it.

[Xtreme]

Well gentlemen let's go to neutral corners here and let bovines and canines rest in peace here.

Multi: The meeting is 8 oclock. I know where the building is. We should meet maybe at the new BP store just outside of Rineyville on 1600. Say 6 oclock? I will try to call you or email you later to finalize our plan.

No dogs or cows were harmed during the composition ot this message[:D]

[yotekiller]

I didn't sleep any at all last night thinking of that poor cow,probaly a good cow,just standing in a barn chewing it's cud.

Poor poor cow[V]

[Multidigits]

hey, what about the beagle!

[GSP]

Yote, I wish I hadn't brought this part of it up. But it does help re-enforce the problems that arise by placing a 9 day gun season in December. My dad had his lab killed during gun season 6 years ago.
Talk about shutting down hunting areas!!!

[yotekiller]

I think yal are doing a fine job.At least yal are active and work for the little man.I may have been way too harsh with my comments and i apologize[:I].I think small game hunters should definately have some say so in season dates and i know a few people who have lost a few dogs during deer season.I really didn't think there were that many people who would shoot a beagle for running deer,but i guess i was wrong.I wish i could say my beagles won't run deer but i really don't know what goes on in their little heads.Heck with all the bologna my kids feed them they might chase an Oscar Meyer truck[:D]