I could spare a few bucks each year.
I already made my donation for this year.[pirate]
Excellent idea. I would be more than happy to give some mony to another entity besides the government.
Especially when it benefits f&g.
Sounds like a good idea. As was staited at the class last night, if the opportunity is not taken now there may not be one.
Looks like no one here is opposed. A suggestion might be add a little box you can check when getting your fishing license and add a $$ or two voluntarily.[;)]
I am 100% in favor.
Great ideas…all for it…
Why don’t we try and get a box to check on the state tax forms? I am not sure how to go about it and I don’t know if the state takes a portion of the funds gathered…
We just need easy ways to gather the funds…and create a Board of Directors (volunteer) to manage the funds…
All for it TD, and since this is going to benefit my kids, I’ll just donate their Christmas money to the fund. I’m sure they’ll thank me someday [sly]
I’d throw a few bucks in for the present/future preservation of our great waters. Lets try to make it as easy as possible to donate. Also let the data be collected and available as to where the funds are going.
As long as it is spent wisely I would be all for it - especially as it is my kids who will benefit!
well Dude this is something.. i’m trying to see how something like this would work out for fisherman south of provo like me a 100’s of others.. and i’m not seeing how it will help much! seam to me if the lake is not called stewberry or utah lake or is some slime rockit river it’s not going to see any of the money i would gladely be giveing..
I think we all can afford a dollar or two at some point during the year. I for one would gladly contribute.
I do have a couple of concers.
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Who would manage the fund?
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Would all water sheds, lakes, streams, and rivers be treated equally? By this I don’t mean 10 dollars to each. But equal as needed for habitat.
We have waters that do not need much if any attention, they get no pressure and very few humans. Others get no pressure because they have no structure for fish to breed in. Then theres Strawberry who already gets the bulk of the fishing monies becuse of all the fishing hours placed on that body of water. -
How would we keep the greedy politician from getting their hands on it? And how do we get their support?
At any rate I would be willing not only to throw a couple of bucks in that direction but some of my time also.
All valid questions and concerns. They echo those of other anglers who think favorably of the project…at face value.
Utah Anglers Coalition is completely free of attachment to any governmental agency. If UAC champions the fund, and sets up the procedures for collection, administration and spending, there will be no funds spent on “people”…just on fish.
While the majority of the emphasis at this point is on reclaiming and improving native species (cutthroat) habitat, all of the waters downstream will ultimately benefit too. Just do not expect any of the money to go toward stocking wipers in Willard or catfish anywhere. Those programs will still be administered by DWR.
Because some “targeted” lands and streams are still closely held by family or government entities, they may never become available no matter how much money is in the fund to throw at them. But, there are more than a few that are ready when we are and we hope to be able to take advantage of them before some big commercial interest snaps them up.
I feel safe in assuring all who have responded that the answers will be in place before anybody is asked to fork over any money. At that time you can decide for yourselves whether or not you are satisfied with the program, as it has been set up, and then donate according to the level of your personal commitment…and budget.
This sounds like a great idea but I have one main concern. That is getting the majority to join in with us. I’m sure a good couple hundred anglers from BFT are all for this but what about the other hundred thousands of utah fisherman. It seems to me we might need some enticement.
Perhaps set up a drawing to win a free expense paid trip to Fish Lake, FG, Powel or somewhere exciting for those who donate. Maybe do this at the end of each year. (This might even generate money from non anglers for a trip like this.)
Or give several lucky winners $40 to pay for a license and second pole permit. Or gift cards or something which would keep the money within the state.
There are hundreds of ideas I’m sure floating through peoples minds what they would like to have as a reward. Unfortunately I strongly believe it will take something like this to get the masses involved.
Ultimately, that is what it will all boil down to. Not many anglers would publicly say bad things about such an obviously worthy program. However, what will they do when someone puts their hand out for the money?
We have had an overall good response to the survey on this forum, and similar surveys have been posted on other websites. Most serious fisherfolk seem to be in favor and most share the same concerns we have voiced…about methods of collection, administration and accounting.
Those are the issues that must be settled before such an undertaking can be launched. Good people in the right places are working on them and will let us know when it is time to put our money where our votes are.
TD–This is interesting. A few questions to consider that are circling in my little brain. Not necessarily for you to answer right now, but just thoughts to consider:
How will funds be held?
How will project priorities be identified?
Who will administer funds?
How will fund administrators be held accountable?
How will success be measured?
How will program admisitrators be selected (election?)
How will these efforts be different from other non-governmental habitat programs? (eg. Trout Unlimited, etc.)
How will the program be marketed and anglers approached?
Will this be the beginnings of a new non-profit group? (Many begin this way…then evolve into larger organizations) Or will this fall under the jurisdiction of a current npo?
Just a few questions that seem pertinent. On the whole, I’d love to see some habitat work, land access, and instream flow improvements. Just want to see exactly what we’re talking about.
lurechucker
(PS- I’ve been in Vegas for a month, and I’m finally headed to the Bass Pro Shops in a few minutes)
Thanks. I think your response best sums up the feelings of all who have replied. We are basically in favor, as long as there is a responsible system for administering the program and some accountability to the contributors.
**I have forwarded the responses to the chairman of Utah Anglers Coalition. If he wishes to respond or has additional information I will post it **
When and if we get the ball rolling we hope everybody will pitch in where they can.