Post by Woody Williams on Oct 15, 2010 17:58:14 GMT -5
ISR Alert
Friday 14th, October 2010
Meeting Minutes from October 4, 2010 Indiana Sportsmen's Roundtable Meeting
The Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable meeting was held October 4 at Fort Harrison State Park.
Gene Hopkins, ISR president, called the meeting to order at 06:30pm. A new member was introduced, the National Muzzleloader Rifle Association represented by President Bob Voegele and Terry.
The first item of business was Gene addressing the members that the purpose of the ISR was for the membership to set the policies. The ISR board was merely to act as facilitators and administrators. It is to be the membership that steps up and through consensus, sets the ISR policies on the issues of concern.
New Program Initiation - Public Outreach Programs
The next item was on the expansion of the ISR memberships. It was recognized that the sporting public is decreasing and that there is considerable competition for youth development. The ISR members need to not only focus on the legislative activities necessary, but also on outreach activities to recruit and retain sportsmen and women through awareness, resources, and mentoring. What was presented was the concept of having regionally located mini Hoosier Outdoor Experience events. These would be a conglomeration of the ISR members providing activities and presentations of what they do and offer. It was recognized that this was a new undertaking for the ISR, so it was imperative that the first of these events needed to be successful. These events will target introducing new participants to the outdoor sports as well as promote positive media awareness to the non-hunting public. A task force is currently being raised to focus on this endeavor. Liz Dice will chair the Task Force. Anyone wishing to assist in the planning for these events, please contact Gene Hopkins gene@archerycollecting.com
Partnership with the Indiana Wildlife Federation
The ISR relation with the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) was the next topic of discussion. Under the guidance of John Goss, the IWF has provided the ISR with administrative support in a strong partnership model. With John having recently left the IWF to pursue other ventures, this support needs to be reviewed. We are exploring an option for the ISR to become more standalone and to pay an annual fee to the IWF for administrative support rather than the current partnership model. This will require the IWF to develop a costing structure for ISR Board to review before any action is taken .
Even though our model of working with the IWF may evolve from to a less formal alliance for the future, with the challenges of work-day meetings, lobbying restrictions, and with keeping our annual filings current it will be important for the ISR to have access to staff assistance. It is hoped that the ISR and IWF will continue to work in harmony for the benefit of both organizations. Anyone with any thoughts or suggestions relative to our future working relations with the IWF is asked to contact Gene Hopkins (gene@archerycollecting.com) or any of the current ISR Board of Directors.
New Smallmouth Bass Size Limits
The smallmouth bass size limit restrictions were the next order of business. There were three specific criteria being evaluated: a 14 inch minimum size limit combined with a 2 fish bag limit; a 12-15 inch restrictive slot limit also with a 2 fish bag limit; and to maintain the current size restrictions as they stand. It was agreed that the ISR membership would support the recommendations of the fishing organizations that are members of the ISR. It has been requested that these organizations submit a letter stating their combined support for one of the evaluated criteria (it was thought they would most likely support the 14 inch min size) and provide a statement listing their supportive reasons. This would be shared among the ISR membership and the ISR would support this criteria as the go forward proposal to the DNR.
Update - this has since been distributed to the ISR membership via email for review, with positive feedback from the remainder of the ISR membership. The ISR will now adopt a policy to support the recommendations of this Task Force, and will be presenting a position supporting such at the next NRC meeting in mid-November.
Deer Hunting Rule Changes
Next on the agenda was a review of the proposed changes to the deer rules. Though the proposed changes were earlier supported by a task force that represented a wide range of Indiana sportsmen, there has been significant negative public feedback at the public input meetings. This negative feedback dealt with three main areas of the proposed changes: shortening the muzzleloader season, breaking of the 16 day firearm season, and moving the firearm season to a week later.
It is known that the Natural Resources Commission will be making ammendments to the earlier proposals during their mid-November NRC meeting. In preparation for that NRC meeting, the ISR voted at the Oct 4 membership meeting to present a set of our own recommendations to be considered by the NRC to be added to the package. Following is a summary of the discussion and consensus from that Oct.4 ISR meeting:
> Passed was the proposal to recommend a hunters first gun tag becomming an either sex deer tag. This would allow the harvest of an antlerless deer with a firearm tag without the necessity of purchasing an additional antlerless license.
> Passed was a proposal to recommend leaving the muzzleloader season intact at 16 days, as it currently is.
> Did not pass - support the extension of the pistol case cartridge from 1.625 to 1.8 inches in length. It was thought that this opened the door excessively to wildcatting. The 1.625 criteria has also only been in affect for 3 years, so knowledge of its impact is still widely unknown. It was also discussed to add straight wall criteria to this proposal, but that was not advised either.
> The ISR tabled the proposal of supporting the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle (BPCR). This would allow use of the “Quigley” guns 45/70 and such. It was noted that this sport is growing out west. Once more information is available, the ISR will revisit this issue for possible recommendation.
> Negotiated was the ISR stance on support for the opening of a gun season from Christmas to New Year. Guidelines for this dealt with support only if the current proposal of reducing the November firearm season was part of the go forward package (From 16 to 9 days). Without the reduction in the firearm season, there was not seen any reason to support this.
> The Members present voted to not support the October early anterless season if the firearms season is left at the existing 16 day length. There was considerable opposition to the October antlerless season during the recent rounds of public meetings which the ISR held, owing to the belief that most areas of the state are not inundated with an over-abundance of deer.
> A preliminary discussion of a true “traditional” muzzleloader season was held. Defined by criteria as being a caplock or flintlock ignition, external hammer, loose powder (not pellets), patched round or conical bullet, and no optics. Without knowing dates for the proposed season, the ISR is preliminarily supporting this.
> Did not pass was the proposition of adding crossbows to the early archery season.
Important - Please understand that these are recommendations that the ISR membership have voted to accept and support taking these to the NRC and NRAC for consideration. They in no way represent anything that has been accepted by the NRC, NRAC, or DNR at this time.
Fox - Coyote Pens
No action has been taken.
That concluded the ISR meeting. It was running extremely late. Gene called the meeting to a close with the knowledge that there were a couple of items left on the table that would need to be discussed at a later time.
Friday 14th, October 2010
Meeting Minutes from October 4, 2010 Indiana Sportsmen's Roundtable Meeting
The Indiana Sportsmen’s Roundtable meeting was held October 4 at Fort Harrison State Park.
Gene Hopkins, ISR president, called the meeting to order at 06:30pm. A new member was introduced, the National Muzzleloader Rifle Association represented by President Bob Voegele and Terry.
The first item of business was Gene addressing the members that the purpose of the ISR was for the membership to set the policies. The ISR board was merely to act as facilitators and administrators. It is to be the membership that steps up and through consensus, sets the ISR policies on the issues of concern.
New Program Initiation - Public Outreach Programs
The next item was on the expansion of the ISR memberships. It was recognized that the sporting public is decreasing and that there is considerable competition for youth development. The ISR members need to not only focus on the legislative activities necessary, but also on outreach activities to recruit and retain sportsmen and women through awareness, resources, and mentoring. What was presented was the concept of having regionally located mini Hoosier Outdoor Experience events. These would be a conglomeration of the ISR members providing activities and presentations of what they do and offer. It was recognized that this was a new undertaking for the ISR, so it was imperative that the first of these events needed to be successful. These events will target introducing new participants to the outdoor sports as well as promote positive media awareness to the non-hunting public. A task force is currently being raised to focus on this endeavor. Liz Dice will chair the Task Force. Anyone wishing to assist in the planning for these events, please contact Gene Hopkins gene@archerycollecting.com
Partnership with the Indiana Wildlife Federation
The ISR relation with the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) was the next topic of discussion. Under the guidance of John Goss, the IWF has provided the ISR with administrative support in a strong partnership model. With John having recently left the IWF to pursue other ventures, this support needs to be reviewed. We are exploring an option for the ISR to become more standalone and to pay an annual fee to the IWF for administrative support rather than the current partnership model. This will require the IWF to develop a costing structure for ISR Board to review before any action is taken .
Even though our model of working with the IWF may evolve from to a less formal alliance for the future, with the challenges of work-day meetings, lobbying restrictions, and with keeping our annual filings current it will be important for the ISR to have access to staff assistance. It is hoped that the ISR and IWF will continue to work in harmony for the benefit of both organizations. Anyone with any thoughts or suggestions relative to our future working relations with the IWF is asked to contact Gene Hopkins (gene@archerycollecting.com) or any of the current ISR Board of Directors.
New Smallmouth Bass Size Limits
The smallmouth bass size limit restrictions were the next order of business. There were three specific criteria being evaluated: a 14 inch minimum size limit combined with a 2 fish bag limit; a 12-15 inch restrictive slot limit also with a 2 fish bag limit; and to maintain the current size restrictions as they stand. It was agreed that the ISR membership would support the recommendations of the fishing organizations that are members of the ISR. It has been requested that these organizations submit a letter stating their combined support for one of the evaluated criteria (it was thought they would most likely support the 14 inch min size) and provide a statement listing their supportive reasons. This would be shared among the ISR membership and the ISR would support this criteria as the go forward proposal to the DNR.
Update - this has since been distributed to the ISR membership via email for review, with positive feedback from the remainder of the ISR membership. The ISR will now adopt a policy to support the recommendations of this Task Force, and will be presenting a position supporting such at the next NRC meeting in mid-November.
Deer Hunting Rule Changes
Next on the agenda was a review of the proposed changes to the deer rules. Though the proposed changes were earlier supported by a task force that represented a wide range of Indiana sportsmen, there has been significant negative public feedback at the public input meetings. This negative feedback dealt with three main areas of the proposed changes: shortening the muzzleloader season, breaking of the 16 day firearm season, and moving the firearm season to a week later.
It is known that the Natural Resources Commission will be making ammendments to the earlier proposals during their mid-November NRC meeting. In preparation for that NRC meeting, the ISR voted at the Oct 4 membership meeting to present a set of our own recommendations to be considered by the NRC to be added to the package. Following is a summary of the discussion and consensus from that Oct.4 ISR meeting:
> Passed was the proposal to recommend a hunters first gun tag becomming an either sex deer tag. This would allow the harvest of an antlerless deer with a firearm tag without the necessity of purchasing an additional antlerless license.
> Passed was a proposal to recommend leaving the muzzleloader season intact at 16 days, as it currently is.
> Did not pass - support the extension of the pistol case cartridge from 1.625 to 1.8 inches in length. It was thought that this opened the door excessively to wildcatting. The 1.625 criteria has also only been in affect for 3 years, so knowledge of its impact is still widely unknown. It was also discussed to add straight wall criteria to this proposal, but that was not advised either.
> The ISR tabled the proposal of supporting the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle (BPCR). This would allow use of the “Quigley” guns 45/70 and such. It was noted that this sport is growing out west. Once more information is available, the ISR will revisit this issue for possible recommendation.
> Negotiated was the ISR stance on support for the opening of a gun season from Christmas to New Year. Guidelines for this dealt with support only if the current proposal of reducing the November firearm season was part of the go forward package (From 16 to 9 days). Without the reduction in the firearm season, there was not seen any reason to support this.
> The Members present voted to not support the October early anterless season if the firearms season is left at the existing 16 day length. There was considerable opposition to the October antlerless season during the recent rounds of public meetings which the ISR held, owing to the belief that most areas of the state are not inundated with an over-abundance of deer.
> A preliminary discussion of a true “traditional” muzzleloader season was held. Defined by criteria as being a caplock or flintlock ignition, external hammer, loose powder (not pellets), patched round or conical bullet, and no optics. Without knowing dates for the proposed season, the ISR is preliminarily supporting this.
> Did not pass was the proposition of adding crossbows to the early archery season.
Important - Please understand that these are recommendations that the ISR membership have voted to accept and support taking these to the NRC and NRAC for consideration. They in no way represent anything that has been accepted by the NRC, NRAC, or DNR at this time.
Fox - Coyote Pens
No action has been taken.
That concluded the ISR meeting. It was running extremely late. Gene called the meeting to a close with the knowledge that there were a couple of items left on the table that would need to be discussed at a later time.
