Rockafeller - Mud Hole Closed

[Pat Babaz]

I'm not trying to blame all of the worlds ills on the "Communist in Chief" by any means, but has anybody else noticed that in the last 2 or 3 years acess to Federal lands seems to be less acessable. Not trying to hatch a consipiarcy theory, but I know these trash problems have been going on for many years now and I can't remember them ever shutting everyone out for the reasons of "public health hazard". I think Salazar may be been instructed to limit hunting and fishing opportunities on Federal lands as much as possible in an effort to pander to the liberal base(animal rights people). Obama told the libs at a rally that his justice department was "doing things under the radar to effect gun control" maybe this is also happening with the hunting and fishing too?? There are too many other ways to control this problem without running everyone off of federal lands. Maybe this new approach to an old problem is just a concidence, but I am suspicous nontheless.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Pat Babaz

I'm not trying to blame all of the worlds ills on the "Communist in Chief" by any means, but has anybody else noticed that in the last 2 or 3 years acess to Federal lands seems to be less acessable. Not trying to hatch a consipiarcy theory, but I know these trash problems have been going on for many years now and I can't remember them ever shutting everyone out for the reasons of "public health hazard". I think Salazar may be been instructed to limit hunting and fishing opportunities on Federal lands as much as possible in an effort to pander to the liberal base(animal rights people). Obama told the libs at a rally that his justice department was "doing things under the radar to effect gun control" maybe this is also happening with the hunting and fishing too?? There are too many other ways to control this problem without running everyone off of federal lands. Maybe this new approach to an old problem is just a concidence, but I am suspicous nontheless.

You might be right......but if that were the case, I would think they would have just closed all of Rockefeller and say it was due to "health" issues.

[Pat Babaz]

Originally Posted by Gerald

You might be right......but if that were the case, I would think they would have just closed all of Rockefeller and say it was due to "health" issues.

Baby steps my friend, baby steps.... These people have the patience of Job and think long term when it comes to nudging and prodding our country into their direction. Can you imagine the outrage if they shut down Sabine, Lacassine, Cameron Prarie and the Rock to all hunting and fishing activities all at once and for good. The people would never stand for it. But if they can close this section "temporarly for our own good" or ban that activity or slap so many regulations in the pamplet that people just say the heck with it I'll start golfing or bowling instead, then over time(years, maybe a generation or less) they will have weakened the outdoor culture to the point where they can close or ban anything they want and no one will be outraged or even care. I hope and pray that never happens

[Hebert]

Originally Posted by Pat Babaz

has anybody else noticed that in the last 2 or 3 years acess to Federal lands seems to be less acessable.

yes..I have...especially after being gone from Louisiana for 20 + years.....what I notice now is the systematic loss of the average cajun's god given rights to our wildlife and fisheries......littering is NO REASON to shut off access to our nature's resources....boat or no boat....bank or no bank!.. enforce the current laws!!

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by Pat Babaz

I'm not trying to blame all of the worlds ills on the "Communist in Chief" by any means, but has anybody else noticed that in the last 2 or 3 years acess to Federal lands seems to be less acessable. Not trying to hatch a consipiarcy theory, but I know these trash problems have been going on for many years now and I can't remember them ever shutting everyone out for the reasons of "public health hazard". I think Salazar may be been instructed to limit hunting and fishing opportunities on Federal lands as much as possible in an effort to pander to the liberal base(animal rights people). Obama told the libs at a rally that his justice department was "doing things under the radar to effect gun control" maybe this is also happening with the hunting and fishing too?? There are too many other ways to control this problem without running everyone off of federal lands. Maybe this new approach to an old problem is just a concidence, but I am suspicous nontheless.

Rockefeller Refuge is a state refuge. It is different than Lacassine and Sabine that are federal and its different than other state owned Wildlife Management Areas. Rockefeller is supported by an endowment from the Rockefeller trustees basically from oil and gas royalties (which is why they have a bunch of really good equipment). The whole point of Rockefeller was for a wintering ground for waterfowl and for public fishing opportunity. This is what gets me, its for the public to enjoy, so... Go in plain clothes write a few tickets have some volunteers clean up the mess, and be done with it.

[Top Dawg]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

Rockefeller Refuge is a state refuge. It is different than Lacassine and Sabine that are federal and its different than other state owned Wildlife Management Areas. Rockefeller is supported by an endowment from the Rockefeller trustees basically from oil and gas royalties (which is why they have a bunch of really good equipment). The whole point of Rockefeller was for a wintering ground for waterfowl and for public fishing opportunity. This is what gets me, its for the public to enjoy, so... Go in plain clothes write a few tickets have some volunteers clean up the mess, and be done with
it.

I agree. U can only put so much blame on the dummies trashing it. You gotta put most of them blame on our tax funded agents sittin on their dead azz drawing a check and not takin care of business. It's a lot easier for them to just shut it down and draw a check than actually gettin out in the heat and doin their job. Put a 3 year ban on anyone littering. Second offense lifetime ban and jail time. Simple. More and more in all these refuges you see it. They threaten to shut em down for differen reasons and ain't wrote the first ticket. Ok I'm done!

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Top Dawg

I agree. U can only put so much blame on the dummies trashing it. You gotta put most of them blame on our tax funded agents sittin on their dead azz drawing a check and not takin care of business. It's a lot easier for them to just shut it down and draw a check than actually gettin out in the heat and doin their job. Put a 3 year ban on anyone littering. Second offense lifetime ban and jail time. Simple. More and more in all these refuges you see it. They threaten to shut em down for differen reasons and ain't wrote the first ticket. Ok I'm done!

I don't think this statement is called for.....IMHO. The "Dummies" are 100% to blame for the mess while there. The agents "JOB" is not watch people to see if they are breaking the rules while cast netting.

I have not gone to Rockefeller very often [it is ~75 miles from my house], but on several trips....I have seen the game warden out patrolling the waters.

I have read reports of "plain clothes" GW out at the weirs giving tickets.

[Top Dawg]

Originally Posted by Gerald

I don't think this statement is called for.....IMHO. The "Dummies" are 100% to blame for the mess while there. The agents "JOB" is not watch people to see if they are breaking the rules while cast netting.

I have not gone to Rockefeller very often [it is ~75 miles from my house], but on several trips....I have seen the game warden out patrolling the waters.

I have read reports of "plain clothes" GW out at the weirs giving tickets.

Wrong. IMO it is the agents job to make sure they're not littering. In the pamphlet there's a rule that say something along the lines of must throw back all bycatch. If they're not doing it enforce the rule. Don't shut don't the refuge for your convenience.

[elebouef]

Originally Posted by Pat Babaz

I'm not trying to blame all of the worlds ills on the "Communist in Chief" by any means, but has anybody else noticed that in the last 2 or 3 years acess to Federal lands seems to be less acessable. Not trying to hatch a consipiarcy theory, but I know these trash problems have been going on for many years now and I can't remember them ever shutting everyone out for the reasons of "public health hazard". I think Salazar may be been instructed to limit hunting and fishing opportunities on Federal lands as much as possible in an effort to pander to the liberal base(animal rights people). Obama told the libs at a rally that his justice department was "doing things under the radar to effect gun control" maybe this is also happening with the hunting and fishing too?? There are too many other ways to control this problem without running everyone off of federal lands. Maybe this new approach to an old problem is just a concidence, but I am suspicous nontheless.

Your way of thinking might not be all the time right.
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A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to expand hunting opportunities would allow waterfowl hunting on Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Sportmen’s Alliance announced yesterday (July 13).

The move is part of a plan to provide additional hunting opportunities on 10 refuges across the country.

“The proposed expanded hunting opportunities on these Refuges are a testament to the long-term work of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, and shows how both organizations fill a vital need for sportsmen,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA and USSAF’s President and CEO.


In 1997, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance pushed for changes in laws ensuring that hunting and fishing were priority public uses on compatible refuge lands. The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act was signed into law, and has been essential in opening new Refuge lands to sportsmen.
More than 300 National Wildlife Refuges allow hunting.

Also on the list for new hunting opportunities are:
• Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge (MS) – would allow migratory bird hunting of ducks and geese; upland game hunting of squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon; and big game hunting of deer and hogs
• Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (CO) – would allow elk hunting
• Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (MN) – would allow deer and turkey hunting
• Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (MN) – would open new areas to migratory bird, upland game, and big game hunting
• Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (MN/IA) – would open new areas to migratory bird, upland game, and big game hunting and allow additional species of migratory birds and upland game to be hunted
• Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (MN) – would allow turkey and deer hunting and would open new areas to migratory bird hunting
• Currituck National Wildlife Refuge (NC) – would allow deer and hog hunting
• Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge (TX) – would open new areas to deer, feral hogs, rabbit, and squirrel hunting
• Ouray National Wildlife Refuge (UT) – would allow turkey and elk hunting

Recently, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and other defendants, won an important court victory protecting hunting on Refuge lands. The case, filed by anti-hunting groups, sought to stop hunting on a number of Refuge

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by elebouef

Your way of thinking might not be all the time right.
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Recently, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, along with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and other defendants, won an important court victory protecting hunting on Refuge lands. The case, filed by anti-hunting groups, sought to stop hunting on a number of Refuge

PETA had a big lawsuit on refuges and the legal costs and man hours were ridiculous fighting this lawsuit. Even refuges like Tensas were part of this, kinda hits home. We think these wackos are only out west, but it affects us too. This had nothing to do with Obama (good or bad), he missed court that day for golf

[1fastmerc]

Originally Posted by Duck Butter

Rockefeller Refuge is a state refuge. It is different than Lacassine and Sabine that are federal and its different than other state owned Wildlife Management Areas. Rockefeller is supported by an endowment from the Rockefeller trustees basically from oil and gas royalties (which is why they have a bunch of really good equipment). The whole point of Rockefeller was for a wintering ground for waterfowl and for public fishing opportunity. This is what gets me, its for the public to enjoy, so... Go in plain clothes write a few tickets have some volunteers clean up the mess, and be done with it.

Agreed but the volunteers should be in orange jumpsuits.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by 1fastmerc

Agreed but the volunteers should be in orange jumpsuits.

I agree! Talk about some rough community service in that stinky environment

At least they did not shut down the other wiers and just the one. The only thing I can see why they would shut it down and not let anyone back their is that there may be some sort of health hazard with all the rotting fish. Maybe in a few weeks the dead fish disappear and they reopen it. Not taking up for the GWs but maybe? there is some other reason and they are covering their azzes. Imagine if someone contracted a disease, the refuge may be shut down to the public all together. I do like the idea of plain clothes GWs out there, BUT he would be too busy with DUIs!

[weedeater]

if they are shutting down areas like this due to trash and such when will they start shutting down our roads? It is a shame that trashy people are ruining the things we enjoy and places we enjoy taking our families. If the GW's and cops want to cry for over time and the state wants to cut their pay then let them get a group of inmates or some of these low life welfare recipients out there and put them to work since they already rob our tax dollars.

[kenmore_mo]

I think it is 100% the trashers fault. You can't blame any one else for the mess. I go there often and I can tell you, there are crab strings and trash all over the place. The ones that are leaving this mess should be banned for life from going. I for one will be keeping my eyes open for trashers. I went to rollover a few months ago and saw a dead pelican wrapped in trashers crab string. This crap needs to stop. They are not doing the crabs and birds a favor by leaving there crap there, if you brought it there, bring back home with you.

[RAKEDLAKE]

I agree fully with picking up the trash. The problem is you will have to take it for a ride with you cause there are no trash bins to place the refuse.

[cabwiz2]

They have had several "sting" operations in the past. over 100 vialations were written in one weekend. It slowed people down for maybe 2 weeks then the crap starting building again. I don't know the answer to the problem but just sitting out and writting a littering ticket isn't it. Maybee some comunity service but that probably wont work either because people forget easily. The best thing to do in the meantime is kick in the by-catch around you when you leave and grab the trash there to. I know it sucks but if we dont there wont be any places left to enjoy.

[Pat Babaz]

Animal rights people like PETA have made it thier life's mission to shut down hunting and fishing. Liberal lawmakers pander to and agree with people like PETA. Liberal lawmakers are in charge of running our country right now, that is why I am sucpicious when things like this happen.