05-12-2006, 08:13 PM
[reply]
... the RAC meetings are very counter-productive when compared to how Web sites and the Internet could be used to assess greater public opinion.
Plus, it seems like all the RAC meetings are anymore are forums for the outfitters and organizations like Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (with their very deep pockets) to "lobby" for what best suits their needs.
[/reply]
Just a couple comments on this subject.
1. Utah was the first state to institute a system like the RAC. Most of the western states have watched Utah's system grow, and are now implementing systems very similar to Utah's. I constantly hear how far behind Utah is in it's wildlife management. Truth be known, Utah is far ahead. The RAC process is only one example.
2. Ironically, outfitters and SFW have learned VERY quickly how to USE the RAC program. They should NOT be criticized for learning the system, and using it to their advantage. Now, it is time for fishermen to utilize this process. The problem is that fishermen rarely see eye-to-eye with each other, and cannot organize to fight for a common goal. Until fishermen can learn to organize themselves, they will never be as successfull as SFW and Don Peay.
If the system were changed, we would be in the same boat a few years down the road. The same groups (SFW) would organize, and utilize the system, while the rest of us sits back and complains about a broken system.
For those of you complaining about the RAC, I would suggest organizing yourselves, and learning to utilize the system. It works. Just ask Don Peay.
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... the RAC meetings are very counter-productive when compared to how Web sites and the Internet could be used to assess greater public opinion.
Plus, it seems like all the RAC meetings are anymore are forums for the outfitters and organizations like Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (with their very deep pockets) to "lobby" for what best suits their needs.
[/reply]
Just a couple comments on this subject.
1. Utah was the first state to institute a system like the RAC. Most of the western states have watched Utah's system grow, and are now implementing systems very similar to Utah's. I constantly hear how far behind Utah is in it's wildlife management. Truth be known, Utah is far ahead. The RAC process is only one example.
2. Ironically, outfitters and SFW have learned VERY quickly how to USE the RAC program. They should NOT be criticized for learning the system, and using it to their advantage. Now, it is time for fishermen to utilize this process. The problem is that fishermen rarely see eye-to-eye with each other, and cannot organize to fight for a common goal. Until fishermen can learn to organize themselves, they will never be as successfull as SFW and Don Peay.
If the system were changed, we would be in the same boat a few years down the road. The same groups (SFW) would organize, and utilize the system, while the rest of us sits back and complains about a broken system.
For those of you complaining about the RAC, I would suggest organizing yourselves, and learning to utilize the system. It works. Just ask Don Peay.
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