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Post by johnrockwood on Jun 30, 2015 21:42:33 GMT -5
Good News Folks!
Today, myself, Al West, and Bill Schwerd met with Gordon Batcheller and Michael Schiavone. We were informed that due to the quality and consistency of the comments they (NYSDEC) received from trappers during both the comment period for the Draft Fisher Management Plan and the comment period for the regulations proposal as published in the NYS Register that there will be NO trapping regulations changes for this season (2015-2016). The JTI Committee will be meeting with the NYSDEC Furbearer Management Team again in the near future to discuss potential changes to the regulations proposal. As soon as those changes are finalized the new proposal will be placed in the State Register for public comment. This process is expected to move along fairly rapidly. We will need trappers to submit their comments once again when the new proposal is listed in the Register.
Today's meeting, and the future joint meetings between the JTI Committee and the FMT to discuss possible changes, should be proof enough that this system does and will work if trappers become active and involved. We are not yet aware of exactly what changes may be effected, but we have been assured that the Department will work with us towards a proposal that maybe we can all more readily agree with and support.
The JTI Committee views this as a very real success for us, for the trappers who took the time to respond, for those trappers we represent, and toward the proper conservation and wise use of the affected species. To all whom submitted comments and helped bring about this potential for change - THANK YOU!
John Rockwood JTI Committee Chairman New York State Trappers Association
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Post by REDNECK on Jun 30, 2015 22:05:32 GMT -5
Way to go keep the heat up and stick together boys
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2015 22:11:37 GMT -5
A big thanks to John, Al, Bill and everyone else involved in todays decision. Feeling confident future changes will be beneficial to all.
Mike
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Post by mole on Jul 1, 2015 2:01:13 GMT -5
Good news for sure.
Thank You
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Post by flatiron on Jul 1, 2015 2:24:27 GMT -5
Thank you JTI! Al and John, I hope blood pressure levels have returned to normal.
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Post by johnrockwood on Jul 1, 2015 5:32:58 GMT -5
This issue is not over yet, but we are going back to the table to talk about it and changes will be considered. Regaining a working relationship and resolving this stalemate proves we can be successful when enough trappers become active and participate. How much change can we effect? That remains yet to be seen. This also proves the Department is concerned about getting these things "right" before implementation. Their "right" could differ from ours somewhat, but we will be working together towards a better product for all concerned.
John
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austinp
#3 Newhouse
the next fur season is never far from our minds :)
Posts: 3,008
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Post by austinp on Jul 1, 2015 6:33:10 GMT -5
My faith, hope and trust in the symbiotic working relationship has been restored. Needless to say myself and others out there had become frustrated to wit's end over what appeared to be a one-way bargaining street. Kudos to the DEC decision makers for their respectful consideration. If everyone on both aisles would pause to really think about it, trappers are the #1 conservationists of furbearers. Nobody out there in the public realm cares more about the welfare of general populations than we do. The average citizen doesn't even know what a fisher is. The majority of turkey and small game hunters would like to see all fishers dead. The majority of average citizens will never lay eyes on a live fisher or otter in the wild. The majority of stream fishermen want all otters dead. The majority of everyone outside our trapping world wants all fox and coyotes dead. We the licensed trappers are the majority group who value the furbearer resource for what it is. How in the world can any effective management plan NOT have our collective stamp of approval? We are the field force, the end users, the majority who matter. And we truly care about the overall populations, too. Not to mention the fact that we work practically for free, given the state of wild fur prices at this present time :/ Once again, thank you all to those who've spent so many hours of time on the road, on the phones, writing drafts and everything else that brought us to where this is today
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Post by uncledoug on Jul 1, 2015 6:33:20 GMT -5
It's good to know we have a voice. Thanks to all involved.
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wcs
Posts: 1,159
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Post by wcs on Jul 1, 2015 8:12:14 GMT -5
thanks mr rockwood and all those that spent time and money on our behalf. The future looks brighter already
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paintedpaw
Retired NYSDEC Lake George Ranger
Posts: 691
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Post by paintedpaw on Jul 1, 2015 11:14:00 GMT -5
I, in particular have been very, very frustrated and angered regarding the fisher management plan process. I have been particularly concerned about what I considered a complete abandonment of the Joint Trapping Initiative. Consequently I have been far too outspoken and said things out of frustration that I should not have, and for that I do apologize to the DEC biologists. This website is a great avenue for communication and that is a positive, however, it is far too easy to sit behind a computer screen and call people names, and that is bad. I think there were mistakes made on both sides and I apologize for my part of that. I am greatly encouraged that the trapper comments were heard and that DEC has responded. I truly hope that we can put this behind us and work cooperatively together in the future to produce the best plan possible for not only fisher management, but other species that will be coming up. JTI did recently suggest some compromise in order to break the stalemate, and DEC's Furbearer team has invited us to meet with them. I am optimistic and truly hope that a common sense, science based, plan can be produced that represents the best stewardship for fisher as well as recognizes trapping interests to allow the harvesting of quality pelts.
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Post by whartonrattrapper on Jul 1, 2015 12:55:07 GMT -5
This is very good news. Thanks to all who worked to get this stopped before it was implemented.
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Post by trappermac on Jul 1, 2015 12:57:59 GMT -5
Today, myself, Al West, and Bill Schwerd met with Gordon Batcheller and Michael Schiavone. Nice job gentlemen, we appreciate your efforts! Paintedpaw and Papabear - you guys were vocal, yes, but also very informative. Thank you guys also for not being afraid to speak out and helping to lead the charge. Thanks to all those who did write a letter - I know many did not because they felt it was falling on deaf ears, well apparently that didn't happen. Effort = results sometimes, never hurts to try.
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Post by chappy on Jul 1, 2015 18:18:49 GMT -5
As always very appreciative to the hardwork put in by NYSTA board, JTI members and those that took the time to send in comments. It was great to see DEC take another look at this. I wouldn't apologize Al, this isn't over. I'm not won over as quick as others. I believe the delay in this came from above Martens, from politicians and then handed down to Batchellor to make right. Or maybe he did it out of the goodness of his heart......if the nonsense continues I'm ready to chip in on the legal fund!!!!
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Post by pauljohnson on Jul 2, 2015 8:56:11 GMT -5
I thank you gentleman for all you do.
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Post by bobsheedy on Jul 2, 2015 9:43:56 GMT -5
Thanks to all who were involved with the direct negotiations and thanks to all who made their voices heard. If we all contiue to stay informed and offer constructive, positive comments, we will be able to secure a reasonable solution to our differences.
We must continue to unite the rest of the trappers and sportsmen in order to have a fair voice in future negotiations.
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Post by wannabegood on Jul 2, 2015 14:57:18 GMT -5
does that mean no fisher trapping in 7m?
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Post by johnrockwood on Jul 3, 2015 5:24:35 GMT -5
That means no fisher trapping in any of the expansion area WMUs across the SZ and Western NY until 2016.
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Post by wannabegood on Jul 3, 2015 7:05:44 GMT -5
then i say that it is not a good job done..we don't get a chance to trap any..
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Post by papabear on Jul 3, 2015 7:54:08 GMT -5
Dear Mr. Wannabegood, "then i say that it is not a good job done..we don't get a chance to trap any".. That's a shallow minded comment
For the expansion area, DEC set a LIMIT of one fisher per trapper. If that had been excepted who knows how long that limit will be imposed for! Also if implemented it could set the stage for acceptance for DEC to start imposing bag limits as standard practice in other areas of the state and quite possibly for other furbearers. Managing wildlife populations is better achieved through season lengths rather than imposing bag limits! It will prove out that a season with no bag limits is a better option in the expansion areas, just hang in there and be patient a bit longer. Regards
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Post by johnrockwood on Jul 3, 2015 7:54:31 GMT -5
You will get your chance in 2016. It is much better to get this whole regulations package as "right" as possible for all trappers than it is to rush it through and be stuck with regs that are overly restrictive for the next ten years. If we had supported this proposal, the Adirondack trappers would have lost 52% of the length of their season and the SZ trappers in the expansion WMUs would have only been allowed a nine day season with a bag limit of one fisher per season for the next ten years. We felt that was a pretty poor deal for trappers as a whole and that position was supported by a very large majority of the trappers in New York.
Just out of curiosity, did you send in your comments to the Fisher Management Plan earlier this year and did you send in your comments to the regulations proposal as posted in the NY State Register on May 13, 2015?
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Post by tony1967 on Jul 3, 2015 8:47:04 GMT -5
I agree with the above from Mr. Rockwood. We've waited this long, one more season to get regulations we can all stand behind is a small price to pay.
I know I sent my comments and I am glad that they listened to our concerns.
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Post by squash on Jul 3, 2015 16:14:59 GMT -5
Don't want to rain on everyone's parade, but I wouldn't raise the "mission accomplished" banner just yet. I'm willing to bet the reason there are no changes this year, is because they had not agreed what changes to make and the fish and game syllabus has already went to print.
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Post by herm on Jul 3, 2015 18:25:09 GMT -5
Where does the NYSCC fit in as far as the Fisher Plan? They claim they are the lead org. representing sportsmen in NYS and I believe that is written in law. They were in favor of the proposed Fisher Plan. Do they have the ability to get in the way of the NYSTA common sense counter proposals? I asked a NYSCC member who is on the small game committee that voted to approve the DECs proposed Fisher Plan, "why is the small game committee voting on a furbearer"? His answer," I don't know".
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Post by walleyed on Jul 3, 2015 19:39:13 GMT -5
Where does the NYSCC fit in as far as the Fisher Plan? They claim they are the lead org. representing sportsmen in NYS and I believe that is written in law. They were in favor of the proposed Fisher Plan. Do they have the ability to get in the way of the NYSTA common sense counter proposals? I asked a NYSCC member who is on the small game committee that voted to approve the DECs proposed Fisher Plan, "why is the small game committee voting on a furbearer"? His answer," I don't know". The NYSCC has proven to be a Den Of Weasels, and an Enemy of NYSTA, and the sooner the leadership of NYSTA and all the Trapping Affiliates That THINK NYCC fairly Represents them Realize that, The Better off They/We ALL will be. Chuck Parker should be Ashamed of himself for Selling out New York State's Trappers, and throwing Us under the Bus !!! walleyed
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Post by walleyed on Jul 3, 2015 19:48:20 GMT -5
I asked a NYSCC member who is on the small game committee that voted to approve the DECs proposed Fisher Plan, "why is the small game committee voting on a furbearer"? His answer," I don't know". If The NYSCC "Small Game Committee" knew how many Eastern Wild Turkey, Cotton Tail Rabbit, Varying Hare, Grey Squirrel, Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, and Spruce Grouse were Eaten Up by The Pekan, They would call for the Extinction of All Black Fisher Cat. walleyed
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