01-06-2006, 08:38 PM
Ooohh, political hoopla! I would make the case that fishing and access to water is a free, God-given right, not a priveledge; but instead I'll get back to reality, and I'll admit that some form of fisheries management is necessary.
Reality: Anytime you have any branch of any state or federal government managing anything . . . there's going to be fraud, waste, and corruption. FACT. Governments and legislatures simply cannot function efficiently as they are set up, but that's our democratic system. They're all dirty. Republicans and Democrats. National and local. Money talks. Logic and efficiency walks.
Having said that, name how you can get more enjoyment over a year for $30 bucks. (resident fishing). Most of us pay far more for non-resident fishing licenses elsewhere, and some hunters pay considerably more for one shot. We all pay federal excise tax on every item of tackle we buy. Gas taxes. Property taxes. Etc...
It would be nice to see license money more well-spent, and more general fund money steered into the DWR, but it will never happen. We're lucky to have the fisheries we have, especially since Utah is a desert with relatively little fishing water compared with most of the rest of the country. For the price of 12 gallons of gas, we can fish all year, with very few closures and restrictions. It's still a bargain.
Ever hear or read about trying to fish in Europe, Asia, or Russia? I'll still take our corrupt system over those alternatives. There somehow seems to be enough tax dollars to cover the waste and keep things somewhat up and running. Only some kind of private corporation may be able to be more efficient, and that's not a guarantee either. (remember Enron?) Without some kind of profit motive, we're stuck with bureaucrats, but we can buy a fishing license for a couple of bucks a month. Pay it and go fishing.
Jim
[signature]
Reality: Anytime you have any branch of any state or federal government managing anything . . . there's going to be fraud, waste, and corruption. FACT. Governments and legislatures simply cannot function efficiently as they are set up, but that's our democratic system. They're all dirty. Republicans and Democrats. National and local. Money talks. Logic and efficiency walks.
Having said that, name how you can get more enjoyment over a year for $30 bucks. (resident fishing). Most of us pay far more for non-resident fishing licenses elsewhere, and some hunters pay considerably more for one shot. We all pay federal excise tax on every item of tackle we buy. Gas taxes. Property taxes. Etc...
It would be nice to see license money more well-spent, and more general fund money steered into the DWR, but it will never happen. We're lucky to have the fisheries we have, especially since Utah is a desert with relatively little fishing water compared with most of the rest of the country. For the price of 12 gallons of gas, we can fish all year, with very few closures and restrictions. It's still a bargain.
Ever hear or read about trying to fish in Europe, Asia, or Russia? I'll still take our corrupt system over those alternatives. There somehow seems to be enough tax dollars to cover the waste and keep things somewhat up and running. Only some kind of private corporation may be able to be more efficient, and that's not a guarantee either. (remember Enron?) Without some kind of profit motive, we're stuck with bureaucrats, but we can buy a fishing license for a couple of bucks a month. Pay it and go fishing.
Jim
[signature]