RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT THE MICHIGAN UNITED CONSERVATION CLUBS’ 68th ANNUAL CONVENTION
June 17-19, 2005, Holiday Inn South, Lansing, MI
Resolution 8
Restoration of Darkhouse Spearing for Musky on Lake St. Clair
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC)
work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and Natural Resources Commission to review this closure and present scientific, research evidence that darkhouse angling (winter spearing) has a detrimental effect on the Lake St. Clair musky population.
Resolution 9
Restoration of Darkhouse Spearing For Northern Pike and Musky On All Waters Now Closed
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs work with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and the Natural Resources Commission to review these closures and present scientific, research evidence, that darkhouse angling (winter spearing) has a detrimental effect on northern pike and musky populations on these, “closed to spearing” bodies of water.
Resolution 10
Restoration of Darkhouse Spearing Opportunities on Wisconsin/Michigan Boundary Waters
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) works with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division and Natural Resources Commission to review this closure and present scientific, research evidence that darkhouse angling (winter spearing) has a detrimental effect on northern pike and musky on the Wisconsin/Michigan Boundary waters in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Kingfisher – The resolutions passed which means enough of the affiliate clubs voted in support of the MDAA proposals. The MUCC staff and the DNR oppose these efforts.
If Holmes had his way there would be open spearing on all water and a have a 30" size limit. I almost jumped over the table when he said that at a Coolwater Regulations Committee meeting. All he cares about are the right of people to kill and eat whatever they want.
…so I guess they'll also consider allowing snagging salmon..maybe dynamite ..or allow nets across the river/electroshcking ..since they/re dying anyway..and obviously will not be detrimental to salmon fishin..
(and by the way I cant prove Santa Claus doesnt exist..so therefore he must exist..the logic used by MUCC..ie asking to prove a negative)
As noted a spear in the back of a fish would generally be considered detrimental to the fish..
By the way, isnt one of those "C's" in MUCC "Conservation"??..or
is it "Consumption" now ..
Don't get too upset as these resolutions are going anywhere anytime soon. This was just a technical move and only advisory. I wrote one resolution a few years ago as a favor that was passed and never acted apon by the DNR. It was simply shelved which is common. I wasn't upset that it was passed, because I (and the DNR) knew it wasn't based on sound science. We can let these spearing resolutions sit on the shelf forever.
I talked with the president of Michigan Anglers Association (MAA) who voted "no" to all four resolutions on our behalf. He knew he was in minority at the time, but he also knew some musky biology through our MMA PR education . MAA and several other West Michigan organizations that are not active MUCC affiliates are in full support of our MMA organization because they understand the huge potential of the GLS program for their drown river mouth lakes. The MDNR biologists understand this well and they are the ones in authority with all the other organizations sitting ready to be called up to help the DNR with money and manpower when needed.
I agree with Hamilton Reef… I even have a little inside scoop that confirms this. I think this is more of notion to say that they will look into what is being proposed with the hope that this guy shuts up. I think it's a good tactic to use when small groups are petitioning against something that is not biologically sound and hurts the majority of the fishing public.
We have a fishing club here that had 3 members at one time and they wanted their voice to be heard to so the DNR would improve the walleye fishing on about 20,000 acres of water in our area. Of course this meant NO more muskie planting and planting the heck out of the wallleyes (which apparently don't need any forage to survive and don't affect the lakes biology in the least bit).
Forgive me if this isn't news, but I'm sorry to report that Mike holmes, of the Michigan Darkhouse Angling Assn., was at the Great Lake Folk Festival in East Lansing this past weekend (Aug. 12-14). I had an interesting coverstation with him – interesting in that I never disclosed to him that I was an MMA member, or even a muskie fisherman. Therefore I was able to get what I suppose was a sample of his "educational" type campaign. I wouln't say that he tried to intentionally mislead me about the effects of spearing upon muskie populations, but I certainly would say the we in the MMA would take issue with some of the facts of his argument. It is true that, as mentioned in the post(s) above, he came close to asking those who support spearing bans to prove a negative. In fact, he cited "seven" Minnesota studies that demonstrate a lack of detrement to muskie populations (from spearing). Apparently Minnesota interprets the results of these studies differently (last I knew, they don't allow spearing!). One possible good thing about my conversation with him is he didn't immediately launch into a talk about (spearing) muskies. After a few minutes of slowly working my way to that subject, he eventually let some of his true feelings out, albeit politely, with a measured tone. …And he did mention the MMA eventually by name! I don't think we're his favorite group.
I guess the point is just how dissapointed I am to see that he is active enough to make the effort to come all the way down to East Lansing during his off-season to promote his cause. It was just another piece of evidence, first-hand, as to why our group needs to keep up its work!
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