dnr schedules another meeting for N.E. michigan

[east bay ed]

due to the large number of people who attended the roscommon meeting and complaints from area residents the dnr has scheduled a deer population meeting for alpena on february 1. the meeting will be held at the alpena convention and civic center. starting time will be 6pm according to a story in the alpena news.

for all you folks like me who didn't get over to roscommon this is your chance to voice your concerns.

[buckslayerII]

Also, for those closer to Gaylord, they've scheduled one for February 2nd at 7:30 at the Northland Sportsman's Club, which is on the southern shore of Otsego Lake. Might want to check the time, but that's what our local paper listed.

[Fletchman]

What are the complaints?

[east bay ed]

a lot of people in this area ( NE mi.) felt that having the meeting on a weekday up to 2 hrs away from the area that was effected was not good.

[Fletchman]

a lot of people in this area ( NE mi.) felt that having the meeting on a weekday up to 2 hrs away from the area that was effected was not good.

Makes sense,

But what was the overall beef?

[Ferg]

Makes sense,

But what was the overall beef?

People that wanted to comment on the deer population goals from NE Mi couldn't get the meeting in Rosscommon - so they are being accomodated with another meeting in Alpena -

ferg...

[giver108]

I wasn't at the meeting but from reading posts in the original thread about the meeting in Roscommon, there were so many people that the room couldn't accomodate everyone who showed up.

[giver108]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124199


Here's the original thread about the meetings. Read it and find out. I can guarentee you the one main thing everyone complained about was a lack of deer.

[marty]

I went to the roscommom meeting and they had so many people show up they had to have another meeting in the basement. Upstairs it was standing room only. Although I went to the one in roscommom I'm going to do everything in my power to be at this one. Just a warning for the weak of heart . I have a feeling the hunters are going to be all over the DNR like flies on feces. I want to go cause so far they haven't answered my question yet. I have to see what's on the agenda but I'm going to try and do my best to be there. They wanted hunter input I have a feeling the DNR is going to get their wish. I will make sure this get posted in out local paper as well.........m;)

[fairfax1]

A poster above wrote: "Just a warning for the weak of heart . I have a feeling the hunters are going to be all over the DNR...."

Yeah, I think he's probably right...judging by the posted report on the earlier meeting in this area. But, here's a thought:

What would a non-hunter ...someone who is not anti-hunting but just doesn't hunt........what if someone like that went to one of these meetings. What would their impression be of folks like us? Do we hunters...as a whole...come across well?

Judging by the reports I've read...and even in the one meeting I attended...I can't get a positive impression about most hunters. Surely, not by the majority of those that got up to speak in my meeting. I found most of them to be whiny, chip-on-the-shoulder complainers..........the kind of people I move away from when I'm having a cold one in the local bar. The meeting itself wasn't as bad as I expected but still.....with some of those folks I wanted to go over and give 'em a wedgie.

Here's another hypothetical: And let's use that old reliable Michgan deer-hunter's boogeyman......insurance companies.

What if an insurance company executive stood up in one of these meetings and berated the DNR personnel --- in the same tone and manner as some of our hunting compatriots have ---and that insurance guy carried on about the DNR sucking-up to the hunters simply because they get big dollars from lisence sales. And the DNR is clueless about how many more deer really live in Michigan than what the DNR thinks. That their goals for the size of the herd are way way too high. That the DNR is negligent in not killing more deer; and is directly responsible for the deaths, injuries, and costs of drivers crashing into the overpopulous deer.

How would we feel in that situation? Would the insurance folks come across as even tempered reasonable people? Would we feel like defending the DNR?


I guess one of the points I'm trying to make is that how we...or our compatriots..... conduct themselvees in these public meetings goes a long way in creating an impression ---good or bad ---of the kind of people who are drawn to hunting.

[Liver and Onions]

With your vast knowledge Fletchman, I'm surprised that you haven't been recruited by some state for their Wildlife Division. I'm curious, what degrees do you hold in wildlife management ? How many years of actual hands on experience do you have in wildlife management at the state level ?
If you think that our DNR doesn't have a clue, you should go back and read that thread on baiting. Some "inteligent" hunter, I forget who now, actually said that baiting causes deer to go nocturnal. What do we do to educate the hunters who just have no idea what they're talking about ?

L & O

[marty]

With your vast knowledge Fletchman, I'm surprised that you haven't been recruited by some state for their Wildlife Division. I'm curious, what degrees do you hold in wildlife management ? How many years of actual hands on experience do you have in wildlife management at the state level ?
If you think that our DNR doesn't have a clue, you should go back and read that thread on baiting. Some "inteligent" hunter, I forget who now, actually said that baiting causes deer to go nocturnal. What do we do to educate the hunters who just have no idea what they're talking about ?

L & O

L&O a quote from the meeting in roscommom from the DNR. " we don't always get it right" Now aren't these suppose to be the experts???

Another fellow there from the DNR stated that there's way too much politics in the deer mangement. I ask him his name but he stated he'd rather not.
..........m;)

[Nimrod1]

L&O a quote from the meeting in roscommom from the DNR. " we don't always get it right" Now aren't these suppose to be the experts??? Experts, yes but you must remember their human and when it comes to our deer herd they are walking a trail no one has gone before.

Another fellow there from the DNR stated that there's way too much politics in the deer mangement. I ask him his name but he stated he'd rather not.
..........m;) When did this exchange take place Marty? I was at that meeting and never heard it. All the folks from the DNR were wearing name badges, couldn't you have just read his name?

[marty]

Experts, yes but you must remember their human and when it comes to our deer herd they are walking a trail no one has gone before.

When did this exchange take place Marty? I was at that meeting and never heard it. All the folks from the DNR were wearing name badges, couldn't you have just read his name?

This took place after the meeting. He had a coat on. I didn't press the issue but iMHO he was right as rain. If you don't think politics are in the deer herd you better look around cause it happens all the time. Also a lot of DNR folks are afraid to talk out in the open.....m

[Ed Spin04]

Marty, You couldn't be more right. I have had extensive contact with MDNR personnel for many years. My personnel impression of the majority is the following. They are well above average in intellegence, they are seriously concerned obout the welfare of the habitat and wildlife, they not only work hard at their job, they know their job very well.

The downsides are also there and it mostly trickles down from superiors. There is too much interdivsion , Wildlife versus Forestry, rivalry. way too much protection of the status quo, too few bold moves in new directions to find out what will work and the political pressure on the field personnel to stay in line is atrocious. Yes, Marty, you heard it right from that DNR dude and he was venting, this I know personnaly.

[Whit1]

Let's get this thread back on topic. Discuss those types of DNR issues in another forum thread.

Thanks for posting the info on the additional meeting(s).

[Mueller Optics]

Also, for those closer to Gaylord, they've scheduled one for February 2nd at 7:30 at the Northland Sportsman's Club, which is on the southern shore of Otsego Lake. Might want to check the time, but that's what our local paper listed.

I just received my monthly schedule for the club and the DNR meeting is schedule for the same time as our monthly club meeting (7:30pm)and no where does it say its open to the public. I wonder how they're even going to work this in conjuntion with our regular meeting when our meeting says they plan on focusing on an upcomming Fishing Derby.