Legislature is pondering big changes for hunters, anglers

 
Major law changes affecting hunters and anglers are brewing in the Legislature, and the full Senate will vote this week on a bill (SF1029) with several key provisions. Among them:

• Portable deer stands could be left unattended on wildlife management areas overnight. Sen. Gary Kubly, DFL-Granite Falls, said hunters now have to erect their stands in the morning darkness, which can be dangerous and scare deer. The bill says erecting the stand doesn't give a hunter exclusive right to the area, but that's exactly what the Department of Natural Resources and others fear it would do.

"It's a serious pre-emptive issue,'' said the DNR's Mike DonCarlos. Tom Keliher, a lobbyist with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA), expressed the same concern and said he feared it could lead to hunter confrontations.

• Scopes would be allowed on muzzleloaders. "My constituents would really like to use scopes during the muzzleloader season,'' said Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids. The DNR is neutral on it. "We think it's a social issue,'' said Steve Merchant, DNR wildlife program manager. The MDHA supports it.

• The 16-foot height restriction for permanent deer, elk or moose hunting stands would be eliminated, meaning hunters could use stands as high as they want, as they can now with portable stands. Some are concerned that could lead to more severe injuries for hunters who fall.

• Motorists who hit and kill a deer with their vehicle would get the first right to the carcass. They still would need to acquire a DNR permit to possess the dead deer.

• Active service members or those who have received a Purple Heart or have a 100 percent service-related disability would get first preference in game and fish license lottery drawings. The special preference wouldn't apply for permits to hunt moose, elk or prairie chickens.

Fishing changes?
• The 20-year-old northern spearing ban on Cass Lake would be lifted. Supporters said there's no reason to retain the restriction; opponents, including the DNR, said to do so would likely significantly reduce the numbers of big northerns.

• The number of Minnesota lakes with special fishing regulations intended to boost the size of northerns -- now 125 -- would be reduced to 90 lakes. The move is supported by spearing groups, which say the regulations, most of which impose protected slots, deter spearing. But others, including DNR fish biologists, say the regulations have increased the size of northerns and reduced the number of small fish. They say the local lakeshore associations and other groups have supported the regulations. Another bill would exempt spearers from northern size restrictions.

Other bills
• Open-water anglers could use two fishing lines -- a controversial idea that has been kicked around for years, under a bill (HF16) by Sen. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar. "I think it's a good idea,'' Hackbarth said. "You can only keep so many fish.'' He doesn't believe the change would hurt fisheries. However, the DNR, which doesn't support the bill, said it would have to reevaluate bag limits if it passes.

• Ice fishing houses left on the ice overnight would be required to have working carbon monoxide detectors, under another bill (SF517) authored by Kubly.

There was a portable home made deer stand left in the WMA acrossed the street from us where we deer hunt.  Actually, it could have almost qualified as a permanent.  So, how would the DNR interpret this?
It isn't there anymore because it was finally after many years removed.  But with the old rule, if I was in it, I would be subject to a fine, because either it was left our, even though not by me, or it would be considered permanent and not allowed in WMAs.
This is why it was removed by us.  No sense in taking the chance, as it was not that deep in the woods and right off the trail. 
So, in effect, this is a good one, except I can see in the Carlos Avery scenario, there being some trouble brewing. 
It will also be easier for those that get their deer near sundown, can drag the deer out, and then go back the next morning and remove their stand instead of trying to do both after dark.
As far as the height restrictions and the carbon monoxide rules, that is why we now have kill switches on lawn mowers and other equipment.  The government needed to protect the stupid.
Don't have an opinion on the rest.

I agree Pat, that makes no sense to me at all. You don't catch more fish just because you have two lines. You still, believe it or not, actually have to be a decent fisherman to catch them.

I agree 100%. I kind of feel the same way with some of the advancements that have taken place in bowhunting over the past 10 years or so. If a bowhunter is willing to spend the money they can get a great advantage over those that are a little more traditional. Scopes on Muzzleloaders really take away from the tradition if you ask me...

That probably true, but just because you can doesn't mean you have to use two lines.  There are alot of senarios that I would never even think about using the second line but there are also times when I think it would be benificial (such as fishing catfish on the river)

 

How did netting get into the equation?
I've said it before under the 2 line topic and since it was brought up here I'll say it again. 2 Lines per person in my opinion will affect lake fish populations.. Period. The DNR knows this.
Adding one line per person will effectively double the fishing pressure. You can not argue that.
I know a lot of you guys do not think that catch and release has any impact on fish but it does. I won't argue this point with anyone farther then this post.  I see a lot of fish floating during the "hot bites". Why do you think that is?? I have from Monday to Thursday off and a lot of that time is spent on the water. I see things that most folks do not see since they are back at the office come Monday morning after a weekend of fishing.  I think a lot of fishermen feel they are doing a great job by catch and release (and they are) but I feel that what they do not understand is that even if they release the fish, there is still a huge impact on the likelyhood that that fish will survive. For once I agree with the DNR..


You and I, as well as many other responsible fishermen think that way BK. Trouble is, Most of the people out there ( the same ones that throw their pop/beer bottles in the rivers and lakes) will take full advantage of this.  To me its just one more way for the dishonest and unsportsmen like people to rape our natural resources..

Don't need 2 lines IMO, but that is just me. I will use on occasion 2 lines on the ice, but most times 1 is enough when their biting. (I like hole hoppin)
I can also see the idea of 2 lines in certain situations. I can also see issues and problems that would occur with 2 lines. As BuckKiller said. More than likely more hassle, then its value.

I don't wanna seem like a dink but does that lake get as much pressure as an average metro lake? Im not sure what border its on. 

I would say Big Stone is pressured equally as much as Waconia during the open water season. Tons of tourneys on the lake from the Border Walleye Challenge all the way down to some club fishing. The limit on Big Stone is also only four walleyes which is fine with me. If the whole state would go to four eyes with one over twenty and use two lines I would be totally in favor. Once you catch your four fish you would be done for the day and it could be your choice to use one or two lines. This management would be a lot more beneficial for the health of our fishery population than worrying about two lines being out.

2 lines will never hurt a fishery. The Croix and Sippi (my main two fishing places) are two lines. There are always fish, always!!! The population is not hurting. Growing up in ND, it's always been two lines. Never have I heard there's a decline in the fishing in ND. It's one of the best fisheries around. Ice fishing is two lines, do you keep more than your limit because of using two lines? Do you ALWAYS catch your limit because you have two lines? How many fish do you mortally wound because of two lines?

You won't see any affects of two lines to a fishery. I see more fishing floating of Mille Lacs in the summer because of folks catching fish out of deep water and not taking care when doing so than I see in an entire year on the rivers. You can only use one line on Mille Lacs but can use two on the river.