Thought you might be interested in knowing that I (along with some of the other forum participants) attended the IFW public hearing on Migratory Game Bird Rules last night at the Augusta Civic Center. Upon walking into Lincoln/Oxford I was first surprised by the low number of people in attendance. There were probably 30 people in the room with approximately 20 being IFW employees or consituents. So, to make sure we made an impression and weren't lost in the huge mob the crazy guys I were with sat us right in the front row! In attendance on the panel were the IFW Deputy Commissioner, State Biologist, and the NEW replacement State Biologist.
As with ALL public meetings, individuals from the audience were asked if they wished first to speak in favor of the proposed regulations. . . no one spoke. Next the Commissioner asked those in oppositions to speak. . . .it was at this point that I was sadly disappointed by the unprofessional nature in which the event was conducted. IFW appeared to conduct a "Smoke and Mirror" show which in the exact words of the state BIOLOGIST the choosen harvest numbers are NOT based on science BUT purely on public comment. So let me recap here, the state BIOLOGIST is saying that he does not employ any statistical analysis or look at breed populations, aerial counts, etc. in his determination of bag limits. . . why are we paying this guy??? While he was completely unwilling to hear about changing the puddle duck bag limits to 6 or even 5 to keep up with the rest of the entire eastern seaboard he WAS perfectly happy to keep the sea duck (Eider) bag limit the same even though accoring to the FEDERAL count there are extremely low numbers this year . . . is this guy getting a kick back from the guide services?
In last months DU magazine there is an excellent article that explains how the federal government set standards for waterfowl bag limits. In this article a huge team of biologists and conservationists employ HARD science to determine what is considered low, moderate and high bag limist. These guidelines are based on extensive aerial counts, brood counts, looking at the national water fall index, etc. etc. this information is then used to assist states in designing their own policies for the taking of migratory game birds. The state of Maine HOWEVER would rather just use people's OPINIONS in determining bag limits.
While the more vocal members of our group were stating their opinions, I was somewhat shocked when a member with the local waterfowl advisory council said that if we wanted to "Wack-em and Sack-em" that we were appearently in the minority and that most of the state would rather take a more conservative approach. (What is this guy a member of PETA!?!) This guy also apoligised AFTER the meeting when he wasn't around so many ears. The state biologist also mentioned that if we decided on more liberal limits, 4 guys out hunting could "potentially" be driving around with 32 dead geese in the back of their truck and that in most people's OPINIONS this was unacceptable.
We were also told that we were "to late" in trying to impose any changes to the bag limits and that these decisions were already made months ago. . . so why did I attend this meeting?? In order to have a more effective voice in next years meeting it is vitally important that we foster support with the local waterfowl advisory councils which appear to "assist" IFW in making the determinations.
I guess to recap this was a real eye opening experience in how state government operates. I think that by next year we should have our own waterfowl advisory council that meets evey Friday night at Johnathan's in Augusta and works to formulate OPINIONS on how to set next year's bag limits. I also pledge to be more "prepared" for next years meeting so that I can also voice my opions as effectively as the other member of the attending cru. . . good job guys!
As with ALL public meetings, individuals from the audience were asked if they wished first to speak in favor of the proposed regulations. . . no one spoke. Next the Commissioner asked those in oppositions to speak. . . .it was at this point that I was sadly disappointed by the unprofessional nature in which the event was conducted. IFW appeared to conduct a "Smoke and Mirror" show which in the exact words of the state BIOLOGIST the choosen harvest numbers are NOT based on science BUT purely on public comment. So let me recap here, the state BIOLOGIST is saying that he does not employ any statistical analysis or look at breed populations, aerial counts, etc. in his determination of bag limits. . . why are we paying this guy??? While he was completely unwilling to hear about changing the puddle duck bag limits to 6 or even 5 to keep up with the rest of the entire eastern seaboard he WAS perfectly happy to keep the sea duck (Eider) bag limit the same even though accoring to the FEDERAL count there are extremely low numbers this year . . . is this guy getting a kick back from the guide services?
In last months DU magazine there is an excellent article that explains how the federal government set standards for waterfowl bag limits. In this article a huge team of biologists and conservationists employ HARD science to determine what is considered low, moderate and high bag limist. These guidelines are based on extensive aerial counts, brood counts, looking at the national water fall index, etc. etc. this information is then used to assist states in designing their own policies for the taking of migratory game birds. The state of Maine HOWEVER would rather just use people's OPINIONS in determining bag limits.
While the more vocal members of our group were stating their opinions, I was somewhat shocked when a member with the local waterfowl advisory council said that if we wanted to "Wack-em and Sack-em" that we were appearently in the minority and that most of the state would rather take a more conservative approach. (What is this guy a member of PETA!?!) This guy also apoligised AFTER the meeting when he wasn't around so many ears. The state biologist also mentioned that if we decided on more liberal limits, 4 guys out hunting could "potentially" be driving around with 32 dead geese in the back of their truck and that in most people's OPINIONS this was unacceptable.
We were also told that we were "to late" in trying to impose any changes to the bag limits and that these decisions were already made months ago. . . so why did I attend this meeting?? In order to have a more effective voice in next years meeting it is vitally important that we foster support with the local waterfowl advisory councils which appear to "assist" IFW in making the determinations.
I guess to recap this was a real eye opening experience in how state government operates. I think that by next year we should have our own waterfowl advisory council that meets evey Friday night at Johnathan's in Augusta and works to formulate OPINIONS on how to set next year's bag limits. I also pledge to be more "prepared" for next years meeting so that I can also voice my opions as effectively as the other member of the attending cru. . . good job guys!