DNR wants input on bass tournament registrations

[Branson.Williams]

Hi everyone. I’m a biologist for MD DNR working with Inland Fisheries. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that MD DNR is considering a regulation that requires directors to register black bass tournaments. The public comment period is open from now until Wednesday, March 30, 2012. To view a summary and to comment, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/news/story.asp?story_id=207&title=Proposed-Regulation-Requiring-Registration-of-Black-Bass-Tournaments. Comment at .  If you have any concerns, comments, or criticisms, MD DNR wants to know. Your input is appreciated.

-- Branson Williams

[coldfront]

we do this in Iowa and have done this for a long time.

it helps them
a.  permit the TXTs and not end up with multiple clubs scheduled on the same water on the same day.
b.  know to whom to go to get catch information as part of their supplemental info gathering on waters

granted, it's now $25 to register a TXT with the state of Iowa


Having said all this...I've always looked at this as a great opportunity for Fisheries management folks and anglers to work closer together for the benefit of our fisheries...

[Creel Limit Zero]

Thanks for the information Branson.  I'll certainly stop by and give my opinion.  If this regulation is to help our fishery by gathering information on bass tournaments and the health of the fishery, great!  If it is another way to regulate what we do, and eventually tax/charge us a fee, then I do not like it. 

[CharlieD]

granted, it's now $25 to register a TXT with the state of Iowa

don't give them any ideas! lol we all ready pay enough BS taxes in this state.

[Kal-Kevin]

Michigan just stop doing this registration do to the cost of paper work and staffing, it cost them more then they got in.

[coldfront]

don't give them any ideas! lol we all ready pay enough BS taxes in this state.

charlie,
I've looked at the east coast a bit...in terms of 'what if I moved'...and the road tolls...the ramp fees...

holy carp!   

all we have here is a state license fee (fishing permit for the angler) and, in Iowa, a txt permit system.

if I had to drop money at every ramp just to put in...   



so yeah, I might want to retract my 'small fee' comment...after a while even small fees all add up...
but it's something to watch as every govt entity is going to be lookin at revenue streams...

gotta feed the monster!   

[clarker2000]

Coldfront, you dont even know man.  They keep adding more and more fees to everything here.  Our fishing license just about doubled a few years back, permits for a few of our local reservoirs doubled from $30 to $60 in one year and on top of that they deducted availble fishing days from that reservoir.  Add in tolls increasing by double in the next year or so and all the other BS that Maryland can come up with, its an outrage.   I wouldnt be shocked to see DNR impose a tournament tax/fee.

[finfinder]

If this is like everything else Maryland does they will hold tons of meetings to determine what they have preplanned to do,  that is tax more.
Then spend a fortune having public gatherings to hear everyone complain about how much it costs already to go fishing.  The state goons will nod their heads and tell you they feel you pain and understand what you are saying. While in the minds they know that the State is going to do it anyway.  I guess they just want to get a feel on how much they can shove it up yours before they do it.
Just the mere mentioning of it can be taken as a warning signal of what is to come.

Remember the meetings on the tolls???  AND what did they do?  Hummmmmmm

[Creel Limit Zero]

You are right finfinder.  This is just like when they came to the MD Bass Federation Pres. meeting early in 2007, and asked for support from MD Bass Federation to increase our License Fees.  We all said, no, we do not want to support and increase.  Then he said, but the State is going to "Match" all increased funds through Licenses, and all additional License fees will go directly to DNR.  We all then agreed to allow the increase, but then when it went to Legislation, they dropped the "Match" and passed the Legislation.  I'm not even sure if they took those additional fees they did get and keep the additional revenue in DNR. 

[finfinder]

Creel    I hear you.  You can't believe anything that comes from this crooked State.  They LIE big time.  We, Maryland Contractors,  were asked to support a gas tax increase and were told that the entire 5 cents would be put in a fund for road improvements.  Sounded like a good plan so we supported the bill.  Guess what?  When it passed it the money was put into the general fund and we never go a penny.

O'Mally's mentor Governor Spend Denning found out that the Toll Facilities Commission revenue from tolls was put into repairs and improvements to toll bridges and the tunnels.  They were self sustaining and made plenty to do so. He put the commission under State Highways and took the toll money to put into the general fund to spend elsewhere and now the tolls are going up and the repairs are at a minimum. 

finfinder

[wvbassangler]

we do this in Iowa and have done this for a long time.

it helps them
a.  permit the TXTs and not end up with multiple clubs scheduled on the same water on the same day.
b.  know to whom to go to get catch information as part of their supplemental info gathering on waters

granted, it's now $25 to register a TXT with the state of Iowa


Having said all this...I've always looked at this as a great opportunity for Fisheries management folks and anglers to work closer together for the benefit of our fisheries...

There doing almost the same here in WV however there now having trouble giving permits out, there are to many tours and not enough water. People are starting to get pissed.  The rage of bass tournament fishing are only growing, what are they going to do

[finfinder]

There doing almost the same here in WV however there now having trouble giving permits out, there are to many tours and not enough water. People are starting to get pissed.  The rage of bass tournament fishing are only growing, what are they going to do

Don't be surprised if you see some serious restrictions on bass tournaments.  Largemouth bass are a natural resource and like other resources they are going to be protected.   

[Creel Limit Zero]

Anyone else notice the comments do not seem to get updated anymore?

[wvbassangler]

Anyone else notice the comments do not seem to get updated anymore?

holy chit, I bet there not feeling all warm and fuzzy anymore