EdB

I think it comes down to pay for how you want to play. If you want to play for higher prize payouts, you're going to have to pay more to get in. The big tournaments have higher entry fees but have high payouts going down the leaderboard with multiple place payouts. Anglers also have the lower cost options of the local fishing league tournies with low entry fees but correspondingly low winning payouts/prizes. You can go where your budget and desire wants to take you. The current model and fee structure for the big tournaments seems to work since they keep holding them and are successful.

Nice job Rob!

Welcome to GLF!

Welcome to GLF. That was very sad what happened to your dad and bringing up that post is good reminder for all of us. If you ever make it down to Ludington, your welcome on my boat with my wife or daughters. Just send me a PM here. If your hubby likes to golf, we play a lot of that in Ludville in the afternoons. We fish the mornings, maybe take a nap, hit the course and then have cook out/potluck with my neighbors. I can't wait for summer.

Welcome to GLF.

Sounds like a great program, nice work!

Nice catch Jason!

Welcome Capt Larry, sure will be nice to hear from your end of the lake. I fish the western basin during June.

Welcome Dan, I remember your posts from many years ago on the now defunct Greatmich.com.

II just looked at all your picture going through your profile. I checked my gallery pics and they are there. How are you trying to view them...through gallery and my stuff?

Welcome to GLF Kevin.

Welcome aboard Randy.

I was at the meeting today and I'm pleased to announce the Ludington Charter Boat Association has endorsed this petition drove.

I copied these pics off the internet. Ever wonder how a buck broke his rack when you get one with a busted off tine. Check the buldge under his right eye. Now check it out after skinning:

Here is an article that appeared in Outdoor Life on this: http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/open-country/2013/12/michigan-hunters-ready-defeat-hsus-wolf-battle December 10, 2013 Michigan Hunters Ready To Defeat HSUS in Wolf Battle - 5 by Tony Hansen The Humane Society of the United States is a veritable ATM of anti-hunting cash. Michigan hunters, however, are on the verge of proving that all that HSUS cash still can't buy you love. Or the ability to strip us of our hunting rights. According to the Federal 990 reports to the Internal Revenue Service, the Humane Society of the United States stockpiled nearly $523 million in donor support from 2007-2011. With that cash in hand, HSUS has been attacking the rights of hunters and anglers across the nation. As a Washington-based lobby group, HSUS understands how political games are played. It understands that ballot initiatives are the very best route to achieve its goals. Why? Simple. Money wins. Here’s how it works… The Money Game First, HSUS will identify an area of vulnerability. Usually, this comes in the form of a newly-created hunting season or the hunting of a new species that hunters have not yet developed an allegiance to. It then follows up by creating a "citizen's" group that includes the name of the state in it to make it appear as if local residents are the ones behind the actions. HSUS will seek out local "hunters" willing to speak out against the hunting of the new species. Then it spends money. The group will flood the airwaves and mailboxes with propaganda that contains very little truth. As an example, during a fight over dove hunting in Michigan a few years ago, HSUS spent millions on TV ads that made the following claims: No one hunts doves. Hunters don't eat the doves that they kill. The above formula is the precise path the group is taking in Maine where HSUS is funding a front called "Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting." Despite the home-grown title, the group's mandatory campaign finance reports show that of the $85,000 reported in the group's 2013 report, all but $881 of that came directly from Washington-based HSUS. It's the same story in my home state of Michigan. A group labeled "Keep Michigan Wolves Protected" is attempting to repeal a law that designates wolves as a game animal and created the state's first regulated wolf hunting season. The Keep Michigan Wolves Protected group also touts itself as a Michigan-based organization. Campaign finance reports clearly prove that it's anything but. Of the half-million raised by the group in 2013, $260,000 came directly from HSUS and another $200,000 came from another Washington-based animal rights group, the Doris Day Animal League. Fighting Back But there is something afoot in Michigan that HSUS clearly has not accounted for. A movement that no amount of money can defeat: Hunters are standing up for their rights. Michigan's hunting community has already handed HSUS a stinging defeat on the wolf issue. After the state's legislature named wolves a game species and opened the door for a hunting season, HSUS announced it would run a ballot referendum to overturn it. The group spent some $300,000 to pay for signatures in Detroit and other urban areas of southern Michigan (where no wolves live) to put the issue on the ballot. The group was already notching it up as another victory at the polls. But a group of hunters and conservation organizations, opted not to play the cash game. Instead, they played smart and worked with the state legislature to pass a second bill that allows the state's Natural Resource Commission to share authority with the legislature in the naming of game species. This coup rendered HSUS' initial ballot referendum null and void. HSUS' response? It filed yet another petition for a ballot referendum and once again stacked cash and collected signatures, convinced that it had the funding to win. But it seems the group has once again been outfoxed. The Final Blow Earlier this week, the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved petition language for the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act as part of a citizen-initiated law. This effort, which is being spearheaded by a newly-created committee called the "Citizens For Professional Wildlife Management," requires the group to collect 258,000 signatures in 180 days. If successful, the law would be presented to the legislature for approval. The law would maintain the Natural Resources Commission's authority to designate game species using sound science, maintain free hunting and fishing license for active military members, and appropriate $1 million for rapid response measures in the event that invasive Asian carp are confirmed in Michigan's Great Lakes waters. If approved by the legislature, HSUS would finally lose the wolf battle in Michigan. As proposed, the citizen-initiated law is not subject to ballot referendum and no amount of HSUS money could change that. Michigan is just a few hundred thousand signatures away from delivering a final blow to HSUS. And, it will be a blow delivered not by cash but by the stroke of the pen and the conviction of Michigan's hunting community.

Thanks Kabet. There should be petitions at the Novi show. They may be at a separate booth than the MUCC booth, I'm not positive on that. If so, the MUCC folks can point out where they are. This is not a sole MUCC initiative. It's led by a coalition of sportsman's group under the name Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management. They are trying to organize collectors to be at every big sportsman show coming up this spring.

Dr. Hook, I can understand why you feel it appears naive and unfocused but based on how Michigan law is written, the reason for adding the Asian carp appropriation and benefits for active duty military was well thought out and strategic. Not many people, especially in the LP, have much interest in hunting wolves. I know I have no desire or intentions to hunt wolves. If wolves were here in south central MI, I'm sure I'd feel differently and perhaps pursue them. I bet many in the LP feel the same way. If this was solely about the wolf hunt, not sure this initiative would get much interest from most MI residents who don't live in wolf country. That is what the anti's are counting on. Once they get their proposal to stop the wolf hunt on the ballot, they'll dump in loads of money for inaccurate TV and radio ads and most likely convince the non-hunting public and sportsman who don't care to vote to stop it. This was the model they used to stop the dove hunt and other successful campaigns in other states where they got trapping and hunting methods banned. They are counting on hunters and anglers not being united to oppose them. By adding the benefits for active duty military in our initiative, it will help get more signatures from people who really don't care about wolves, hunting or fishing. I know a number of people who aren’t hunters or anglers that I collected signature from signed it for this reason. Based on Michigan law, by adding in the appropriation for a rapid response to Asian carp, the stops the anti's from launching ballot drives to prohibit any type of hunting or fishing approved by the NRC or Legislature. This is the real key part of this whole campaign. It not only protects the wolf hunt, it protects all the hunting and fishing activities we enjoy. I know Dan was concerned on taking away voting rights but I don't see any negative impacts to anglers or hunters over this. The representatives we vote for in our legislature can change this law at any time. There have not been any sportsman’s ballot initiatives in the last 50 years that this law would curtail. The main benefit from this law is that it will stop animal rights groups from attacking hunting and fishing at the ballot box. Keep in mind, hunters and anglers are a minority in this state. If this is successful, we block HSUS and PETA from winning in Michigan ever again. I hope people can see the big picture that this is not just about wolf hunting.

Dan, the link you cited on military licenses only applies to MI residents. This citizens initiated law will apply to all military members. So if a person from another state is active duty military stationed here or visiting on leave, they can hunt and fish for free. I think that is a good thing for the sacrifices they make for our freedom. You may not agree but there is no BS on this aspect of this proposal. I'm sorry you got lead poisoning. How did you get it? I don't know anyone who did from handling lead fishing tackle. You can order non lead tackle through the internet if you prefer at a very substantial price increase. I think most anglers who use lead fishing tackle would agree it does not pose a risk to our health from using it as intended. Now if you are going to eat it, it will cause problems. This initiative is not about lead tackle but I shared that information to illustrate how anti hunting, anti fishing animal rights groups will attack fishing methods at the ballot box as they have done in other states. If you dont think our hunting and fishing rights are threatened from out of state animal rights groups I guess you wont be signing this petition. That's your choice and that's ok.

No, did you view the attached link or the list of angling and hunting organizations that support this? Do you have any questions?

Time for MI Anglers and Hunters to Step Up and Stop the Anti's. The Citizens for Professional Wildlife is underway with a petition campaign that will stop anti hunting and fishing organizations like HSUS from launching ballot drives to stop hunting and fishing methods like they did with dove hunting in the past and are trying to do with wolf hunting now. Here is a link to the website and more info on this: http://www.citizenswildlife.com/ The wolf population has been steadily growing in the UP of MI and has exceeded all population goals for their recovery. Conflict with humans has been increasing and the DNR established the first controlled hunt this year with a very conservative quota for 43 wolves to be taken. The anti-hunting group HSUS has a petition drive going to place a ballot initiative to stop this hunt forever on the 2014 Nov. election. If it gets on the ballot, they will pour in millions of out of state money to run misleading TV and radio ads that focus on emotion and not scientific wildlife management. Urban voters in SE Michigan will buy into the misinformation and stop the hunt, much like was done with the dove hunt a few years back. The real concern is if they are successful, they will raise even more money from anti-hunters and come back and attack other hunting and fishing activities. Right now they have a campaign going on in Maine to ban the use of lead for fishing. They will probably do something similar here or go after trapping, hound hunting or baiting one by one if they win. Our initiative will stop these anti-hunting and anti-fishing ballot activities once and for all in MI. Here are the key points of our initiative: The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is a citizen-initiated law to: Ensure that decisions affecting the taking of fish and game are made using principles of sound scientific fish and wildlife management •Provide for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for active members of the military •Provide appropriations for fisheries management activities within Michigan necessary for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp A citizen-initiated law requires over 258,000 valid signatures to present the law to the Michigan Legislature. If the Legislature passes the law without change within 40 days, then it becomes law. Features of the Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act: •“Game†means any species of wildlife designated by the Legislature or the Natural Resources Commission as game. •“Conservation†means the wise use of natural resources. •The Legislature or bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may designate a wildlife species as game, but Natural Resources Commission orders must be consistent with its duty to use sound science. •The bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may take testimony from DNR biologists and other experts, and review scientific literature and data to support its duty to use sound science. •Only the Legislature or Natural Resources Commission may establish the first open season for game. •Only the Legislature may remove wildlife from the game species list, but the Natural Resources Commission may decline to authorize a hunting season if it conflicts with sound science. •Declare that the fish and wildlife populations and their habitats are important to the citizens of Michigan. •Declare that the conservation of fish and wildlife populations depend upon the wise use and sound scientific management of natural resources. •Allow active duty members of the military may obtain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses free of charge. •Declare that aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp, represent a significant threat to the state’s fisheries, aquatic resources, outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and public safety. •The Natural Resources Commission has the exclusive authority to regulate fishing. It must use principles of sound science and may take testimony from DNR personnel, experts and others, and review scientific literature, data and other sources in support of its duty to use sound science. •Appropriates $1 million to the DNR for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp. If Asian carp get into MI waters, the appropriation will be important to help the DNR assess and try to contain them. If we are successful, the way MI law is written along this initiative, the anti-hunters and anti-anglers will not be able to use ballot drives and emotional arguments ever again to alter hunting and fishing rules. We need to collect 258000 valid signatures on our petition for this to be successful To put it another way, if 1 out of 10 hunters or anglers got 4-5 signatures from their family and close friends, we would have enough. The key is to get the word out and petition forms to as many of our fellow sportsman as possible. This is a grass roots initiative of MI citizens. Here is a growing list of the supporters of this, a number of angler groups are involved. Kirk Gibson - Former Detroit Tiger and current Arizona Diamondbacks Manager Jimmy Gretzinger - Host of Michigan Out-of-Doors TV Mike Avery’s Outdoor Magazine Wild Michigan – Outdoors Radio Show w/ Duran Martinez Michigan Outdoor News Haggard’s Plumbing and Heating State Sen. Tom Casperson (R – Escanaba) State Rep. Ed McBroom (R – Vulcan) State Rep. Scott Dianda (D – Calumet) James A. Lorenson – President of Gogebic Community College – Ironwood, MI Michigan United Conservation Clubs U.P. Bear Houndsmen Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance Michigan chapters of Safari Club International Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association Michigan Hunting Dog Federation U.P. Whitetails, Inc. Michigan Bear Hunters Association Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation U.P. Whitetails, Inc. of Marquette County Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen’s Association Michigan Bow Hunters Association Great Lakes Council – Federation of Fly Fishers Trapperman Trapping and Nuisance Control Saginaw Field & Stream Conservation Club Negaunee Rod & Gun Club Frankenmuth Conservation Club North Macomb Sportsmen’s Club North Oakland Sportsmen’s Club Please sign the petition or better yet, get some petitions and collect some signatures from friends and family and turn them in. You can get petitions from the website I linked in or send me a PM and I'll get some mailed to you.

Time for MI Anglers and Hunters to Step Up and Stop the Anti's. The Citizens for Professional Wildlife is underway with a petition campaign that will stop anti hunting and fishing organizations like HSUS from launching ballot drives to stop hunting and fishing methods like they did with dove hunting in the past and are trying to do with wolf hunting now. Here is a link to the website and more info on this: http://www.citizenswildlife.com/ The wolf population has been steadily growing in the UP of MI and has exceeded all population goals for their recovery. Conflict with humans has been increasing and the DNR established the first controlled hunt this year with a very conservative quota for 43 wolves to be taken. The anti-hunting group HSUS has a petition drive going to place a ballot initiative to stop this hunt forever on the 2014 Nov. election. If it gets on the ballot, they will pour in millions of out of state money to run misleading TV and radio ads that focus on emotion and not scientific wildlife management. Urban voters in SE Michigan will buy into the misinformation and stop the hunt, much like was done with the dove hunt a few years back. The real concern is if they are successful, they will raise even more money from anti-hunters and come back and attack other hunting and fishing activities. Right now they have a campaign going on in Maine to ban the use of lead for fishing. They will probably do something similar here or go after trapping, hound hunting or baiting one by one if they win. Our initiative will stop these anti-hunting and anti-fishing ballot activities once and for all in MI. Here are the key points of our initiative: The Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is a citizen-initiated law to: Ensure that decisions affecting the taking of fish and game are made using principles of sound scientific fish and wildlife management •Provide for free hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for active members of the military •Provide appropriations for fisheries management activities within Michigan necessary for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp A citizen-initiated law requires over 258,000 valid signatures to present the law to the Michigan Legislature. If the Legislature passes the law without change within 40 days, then it becomes law. Features of the Scientific Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act: •“Game†means any species of wildlife designated by the Legislature or the Natural Resources Commission as game. •“Conservation†means the wise use of natural resources. •The Legislature or bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may designate a wildlife species as game, but Natural Resources Commission orders must be consistent with its duty to use sound science. •The bipartisan Natural Resources Commission may take testimony from DNR biologists and other experts, and review scientific literature and data to support its duty to use sound science. •Only the Legislature or Natural Resources Commission may establish the first open season for game. •Only the Legislature may remove wildlife from the game species list, but the Natural Resources Commission may decline to authorize a hunting season if it conflicts with sound science. •Declare that the fish and wildlife populations and their habitats are important to the citizens of Michigan. •Declare that the conservation of fish and wildlife populations depend upon the wise use and sound scientific management of natural resources. •Allow active duty members of the military may obtain hunting, fishing and trapping licenses free of charge. •Declare that aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp, represent a significant threat to the state’s fisheries, aquatic resources, outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and public safety. •The Natural Resources Commission has the exclusive authority to regulate fishing. It must use principles of sound science and may take testimony from DNR personnel, experts and others, and review scientific literature, data and other sources in support of its duty to use sound science. •Appropriates $1 million to the DNR for rapid response, prevention, control and/or elimination of aquatic invasive species, including Asian carp. If Asian carp get into MI waters, the appropriation will be important to help the DNR assess and try to contain them. If we are successful, the way MI law is written along this initiative, the anti-hunters and anti-anglers will not be able to use ballot drives and emotional arguments ever again to alter hunting and fishing rules. We need to collect 258000 valid signatures on our petition for this to be successful To put it another way, if 1 out of 10 hunters or anglers got 4-5 signatures from their family and close friends, we would have enough. The key is to get the word out and petition forms to as many of our fellow sportsman as possible. This is a grass roots initiative of MI citizens. Here is a growing list of the supporters of this, a number of angler groups are involved. Kirk Gibson - Former Detroit Tiger and current Arizona Diamondbacks Manager Jimmy Gretzinger - Host of Michigan Out-of-Doors TV Mike Avery’s Outdoor Magazine Wild Michigan – Outdoors Radio Show w/ Duran Martinez Michigan Outdoor News Haggard’s Plumbing and Heating State Sen. Tom Casperson (R – Escanaba) State Rep. Ed McBroom (R – Vulcan) State Rep. Scott Dianda (D – Calumet) James A. Lorenson – President of Gogebic Community College – Ironwood, MI Michigan United Conservation Clubs U.P. Bear Houndsmen Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance Michigan chapters of Safari Club International Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association Michigan Hunting Dog Federation U.P. Whitetails, Inc. Michigan Bear Hunters Association Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation U.P. Whitetails, Inc. of Marquette County Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen’s Association Michigan Bow Hunters Association Great Lakes Council – Federation of Fly Fishers Trapperman Trapping and Nuisance Control Saginaw Field & Stream Conservation Club Negaunee Rod & Gun Club Frankenmuth Conservation Club North Macomb Sportsmen’s Club North Oakland Sportsmen’s Club Please sign the petition or better yet, get some petitions and collect some signatures from friends and family and turn them in. You can get petitions from the website I linked in or send me a PM and I'll get some mailed to you.

Looks like a great hunt.

Great catch, that brown spawn is pure gold!