[nodakoutdoors.com]

Spring Game and Fish Meetings to Focus on Waterfowl Hunting Options (4/24/02)
North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board members will hold a series of eight open house meetings starting in mid-May. The meetings will help the agency gather public input on a variety of options and alternatives that relate to waterfowl hunting in North Dakota in 2002 and beyond.

The meetings are structured as open houses or working sessions, rather than formal hearings, according to game and fish deputy director Roger Rostvet, so interested citizens can attend, learn about the proposals, and provide either written or personal comments.

"An open house is an effective forum at which citizens can provide meaningful input," Rostvet said. "People can come and go as they please, take time to evaluate information on various options, then talk one-on-one with agency representatives or advisory board members."

Three major issues on which the game and fish department is seeking input involve: 1) the potential for an extended duck season that would allow the state an opening date one week earlier than in previous years; 2) options for managing nonresident waterfowl hunter traffic in 2002; and 3) options for managing nonresident hunter traffic in the future. Game and fish waterfowl managers are currently working on a variety of options and proposals for public consideration. Those proposals will be completed on May 13 and distributed to interested individuals, and also posted on the agency's web site at http://www.discovernd.com/gnf (http://www.discovernd.com/gnf). Game and fish will consider comments submitted through the web site, as well those offered at the meetings.

Input gathered at all meetings around the state will allow game and fish to formulate recommendations for the 2002 waterfowl proclamation, after receiving final framework packages from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rostvet added. While waterfowl hunting is the primary theme for this spring's advisory meetings, citizens who want to discuss or learn about other game and fish programs are also invited to attend. Meeting locations and dates that have been scheduled are listed below. Game and fish will update the schedule as information becomes available.

Monday, May 13 - Devils Lake, Memorial Building, 4-8 p.m. District 3 Advisory Board member: Barb Ash, Devils Lake, 701-662-3989.

Tuesday, May 14 - Minot, Holiday Inn, 6-9 p.m. District 2 Advisory Board member: Gary Melby, Bowbells, 701-377-2803.

Wednesday, May 15 - Grafton, District 4 Advisory Board member: Richard Price, Tolna, 701-262-4782.

Thursday, May 16 - Bismarck, Game and Fish Auditorium, 4-8 p.m. District 7 Advisory Board member: Duane Schatz, Elgin, 701-584-2937.

Monday, May 20 - Fargo, O'Kelly's Inn, 5-9 p.m. District 5 Advisory Board member: Ken Toop, Casselton, 701-347-4960.

Tuesday, May 21 - Medina, American Legion Hall, 4-8 p.m. Distict 6 Advisory Board member: Rita Greer, Marion, 701-669-2315.

Wednesday, May 22 - Mott, District 8 Advisory Board member: Jerry Jeffers, Rhame, 701-279-5885.

Thursday, May 23 - Williston, MDU, 4-8 p.m. District 1 Advisory Board member: Merle Jost, Grassy Butte, 701-863-6727.

 

[Eric Hustad]

Should be no problem making the Fargo one. This is a chance for people to ante up. I hope everyone who has been posting on here goes to a meeting. I challenge people to list the meeting they went to and give their comments on it. If people don't like the direction hunting is heading here then go to a meeting and be heard, putting a post here doesn't do any good if people are going to back it up with their voice. Also try to brig others. Get ready to explain the big city resident hunter comments Mr. Toop!!!!!

 

[nodakoutdoors.com]

We'll try to get a table for the nodak crew for those who will attend. I hope it's not the same room at O'Kelly's as last fall. If so it'll be VERY tight for room.

The board, G&F and legislature have a very difficult issue to consider. I really hope they can come up with the proper "balance" that I know they've been discussing.

 

[Fetch]

Have you ever been to Tolna :roll: ??? I think this is a bad location - But I will be there - & they wonder why (in the past) these meeting are so poorly attended ??? ??? ??? & how many do we need to get the points across. It's as if - if you don't like the the 1st two, keep having them, until enough get weary & others that only are hearing the latest negativity - can now come & spew their misinformed & misguided anger.

[ This Message was edited by: Fetch on 2002-04-25 18:22 ]

 

[zogman]

Fetch
If you go to Tolna you'll be mighty lonely. The meeting is in Grafton. You really have to slow down in your reading and try harder to hear what the rest of the world is saying.

 

[zogman]

Ah shoot and double darn I should of let you go to Tolna

 

[Fetch]

Your right - It's too bad they cannot do this online somehow to. It's not easy for anyone to drive that far on a week night - It is not reaching all it could or should. That was my point

Thanks (we all make mistakes) but what I have said, I stand behind. It seems many like to attack ideas & people, without really knowing what they believe.

But I guess that comes with having a Hot Topics page (within reason)

What are your solutions to the problems / issues ???

 

[zogman]

I agree with most of your solutions. Give me time to reveiw and I'll let you know where I disagree. Online wouldn't work for me my keyboarding is too slow.
Sweet dreams!!
[ This Message was edited by: zogman on 2002-04-25 22:51 ]

[ This Message was edited by: zogman on 2002-04-25 22:53 ]

 

[muzzy]

You will be able to put in comments online this year. There should be a news release when this is up and running

 

[KEN W]

Yes...from what I've read the proposals will be on the GNF site before the meetings.This will allow discussion.

 

[MRN]

My best understanding of these meetings is that these will not be forums with discussion and votes and such.

This is another boondoggle.

Us "prols" will gather in one room and one-by-one be allowed into another room to
talk with "some official". No notes will be recorded of the meeting. No one will have any idea what goes on. Several people with an agenda could show up early and take all the time to talk to "the officials".

As I understand it, this is a very bad thing. Please find out more and correct me if I am wrong.

M.

 

[muzzy]

[No message]

 

[muzzy]

The meetings are going to be an open house. Notes will be taken, and the whole idea is to get the publics ideas/wants/needs/opinions. The game and fish are trying to listen to all interested parties, and are even going to take comments on line. They are trying to do things right, and give them the benefit of the doubt. Remember, the people who work there are everyday hunters like the rest of us and want to see our way of life preserved.

 

[MRN]

Muzzy,

Please explain the open house mechanism and how the "one-on-one" thing will work. I am skeptical of bureacrats. I have yet to be pursuaded of the error in my ways.

"Remember, the people who work there are everyday hunters like the rest of us and want to see our way of life preserved."

Even if I did believe this, such statements are the preface to almost every man made disaster and ill-fated totalitarian regime in history. And, the govna doesn't appear to care about the rest of us. (at least Schaefer turned Cannonball down for a couple years.) Does "us" and "our" refer only to those with commercial hunting interests?

Not intended as a flame Muzzy, just a strong statement of disbelief.

M.

 

[Fetch]

Muzzy I'd like to - But where have they been until now - that the heat is being turned up ???

 

[muzzy]

I am one of those game and fish employees that want to preserve our way of life in ND. Before you start criticizing us, realize we are not calling the shots. I don't know too many people in our agency that is happy the way the current state of hunting is going. We got in this line of work because we love the outdoors and hunting and fishing. I don't know of anyone who wanted to go to work for the department in order to create the commericial resource monster that is going on now. I really have enjoyed this website since it doesn't censor like fishing buddy. However, since everyone here knows so dam* much it has gotten a little old. Try working with us a little bit instead of constantly complaining. Until the sportsmen recently got fired up about the crap that was going on we couldn't do anything. Now that the politicians see that the sportsmen give a hoot, we can actually recommend stuff and actually have the governor take the department seriously. I am done coming to this site, since nobody is going to believe what I say about the advisory board meetings or have any faith in the department.

 

[muzzy]

I forgot to add, that for years when important changes have come up, we could not get a handful of sportsmen to say boo either way. Some of the dumbest legislation has been brought up and nobody pays attention or figures someone else will take care of it. Finally the sportsmen have rallied, and I hope nothing but the best comes out of it. We don't have all the answers and we don't know everything, we are asking for your help. Nobody else is going to fight this for us. State agencies are not allowed to lobby, it is up to the sportsmen. Final Post.

 

[Fetch]

Muzzy - I did not know or remember you were a G&F employee. My comments have never been directed at the staff @ the G&FD - Unless they are policy makers.

Am I wrong that the Director can / could make alot of changes - implement solutions without the Govenor or Legislative action ???

Why can't the Director say what is right & what is wrong ??? Have all Directors been as political - or should I say stand off & wait & see where these things are going ???

I realise that is not his main job - But so many think he is there & is going to defend the sportsmens interests ??? & I do believe for the most part, in the past, they have. & I also think they have been proactive in many things - that were not as controversal. I do feel the Director could step forward & make alot of decisions. They may not be popular - & could effect the Depts income 30 or 40,000 X $90 is alot of $$$- but if he & the Dept. Heads are as concerned as you say - Why are we, where we are ??? No Doubt the Govenor screwed up - But I think the Residents of this state would respond overwhelmingly in favor of a strong Director - Especially if the decisions were made by professionals instead of by citizen advisors & the general public ( & for sure not the Legislature or Govenor)(WE DON"T WANT A POLITICAL G&FD)!!!

Please don't be so affected & hurt by mine or our comments. I believe you are basically on our side. & I think it takes courage to be here & say as much (or little) as you do.

Hey ??? Does Hilldebrand read this site ??? & why don't some of the top dogs respond & discuss things on line ???

I know my style, is not for everyone - but are my ideas really that bad ??? (I like to keep the Topics Hot) if all this site was - is a bunch of guys, that all think the same. How interesting would that be ??? I LOVE ND & have hunted just about every county of it. Should we, just as individuals, just follow the polite & normal channels of communications ??? Would that really get anyones attention ???

[ This Message was edited by: Fetch on 2002-04-26 20:32 ]

 

[MRN]

Muzzy,

Please explain the open house mechanism and how the "one-on-one" thing will work. Why was this adopted?

Hope you return and exchange information, rather than ask for blind trust. I hope the quick abandoment of us here isn't endemic to the entire G&F.

M.

 

[KEN W]

Muzzy...no one from the GNF has come here and tried to inform us as to what is going on.Everything is pure speculation.How will we know if you don't tell us.If you do work for GNF then please don't leave in a huff.Contribute your ideas.