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Post by tenring on Aug 4, 2010 12:45:06 GMT -5
DNR plans five deer-rule open house meetings
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has scheduled five open house meetings to share information about proposed changes to deer hunting regulations.
A rules package put forth by the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife received preliminary approval from the Natural Resources Commission in July. The rules package is open to public comment and will be the subject of official public hearings sometime in early 2011.
“We think it’s important in the meantime to inform deer hunters and the public about the reasons behind the proposals,” said Mark Reiter, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “With the feedback we’ve received so far, it’s clear there is some misunderstanding about the goals of our management strategy and how the various pieces fit into our plan.”
Dates, times and locations for the open houses are:
-- Aug. 16, 2-6 p.m. at Pike Township Public Library, 6525 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis
-- Aug. 18, 2-7 p.m. at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area, 4320 W. Toto Road, North Judson
-- Aug. 18, 2-7 p.m. at Jennings County Public Library, 2375 N. SR 3, North Vernon
-- Aug. 19, 2-7 p.m. at DNR Northeast Region Office, 1353 S. Governors Dr., Columbia City
-- Aug. 19, 2-7 p.m. at Sugar Ridge Fish & Wildlife Area, 2310 E SR 364, Winslow
Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists will be present to provide information in an informal discussion format. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions to learn more about the proposed changes.
Attendees also will be able to submit written comments, which will be delivered to the DNR Division of Hearings and the NRC.
The proposed changes include reconfiguring the traditional 16-day firearms and muzzleloader seasons to nine days each while adding new antlerless-only “seasons”—two days in October in designated counties, and eight days in late December statewide.
Another change would extend urban deer zone hunting through Jan. 31. Under current rules, the urban zone season ends the first Sunday in January. Other changes would allow hunters age 64 and older to use crossbows in the early archery season, allow hunters of any age to use crossbows in the firearms, muzzleloader and urban deer zone seasons, and create a new nonresident youth deer license.
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Media Contact: Phil Bloom, DNR Communications, (317) 232-4003.
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Post by thecommissioner on Aug 4, 2010 12:55:18 GMT -5
A five hour meeting?  ? HOLY Cow! This is proof positive the DNR is feeling the heat. They will not tolerate criticism from the 'new' stakeholders that there wasn't an opportunity to make themselves heard. Anyone willing to take a one to two minute speech written by me and read it at the meeting? Attendance is impossible for me.  |
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Post by hornharvester on Aug 4, 2010 12:57:04 GMT -5
Hey by golly, they are finally having a meeting I don't have to drive 100 + miles one way to attend. I'm going and take my video camera cause maybe I can get enough footage of the big free for all to sell to the TV stations........LOL h.h.
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Post by whiteoak on Aug 4, 2010 13:23:11 GMT -5
10-4 on not having to drive a 100 miles. Sugar Ridge is a mere 5 miles from my house.
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Post by steve46511 on Aug 4, 2010 13:26:29 GMT -5
Might want to take your own chair.......just in case none are left! Someone take notes! Ill be at work.
God Bless
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Post by throbak on Aug 4, 2010 13:51:44 GMT -5
the 18th. will see me in North Vernon and the 5th at the same place to here what Gene Hopkins has to say should be good , and could have a few questions at both
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Post by firstwd on Aug 4, 2010 13:53:19 GMT -5
Sounds like it might be like the INDOT meeting in Greensburg before Honda was built. They had "officials" there to answer questions, but mostly it was big posterboards with the information on them and some hand outs.
I remember almost 20 years ago going to these meeting about changing the doe permit method and it was an actually group sit down and go through everything with everybody.
I'l be in North Vernon on the 18th.
I just wonder if these meetings are being held to give people a chance to vent their frustrations and miss the "official public hearings" in 2011?
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Post by racktracker on Aug 4, 2010 14:53:34 GMT -5
These are "open houses" not "meetings".
I don't think the DNR wants a two hour real meeting where there are 50 to 75 deer hunters in the audience. They are going to try and take us all on one at a time. My suggestion is to type out all your questions to ask them and take notes of their answers. I'm sure that they are being drilled now with the company line as we speak. Take a couple of Dramamines and get ready for some serious spinning.
It does not appear that they are backing off one bit from their shorten and move the gun seasons proposals. My guess is that they buffaloed the NRC with their spin and now it is business as usual.
" Attendees also will be able to submit written comments, which will be delivered to the DNR Division of Hearings and the NRC."
Be sure and take yours.
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Post by colts1888 on Aug 4, 2010 14:53:00 GMT -5
I'l be in North Vernon on the 18th. I just wonder if these meetings are being held to give people a chance to vent their frustrations and miss the "official public hearings" in 2011? I don't know, i thought i read about 2 weeks ago on "another site" that these meetings were supposedly only going to be informational meetings and public comments were not going to be taken. This says they will take questions, but says comments need to be written and will be sent to the NRC. So my guess is they aren't going to want to listen to any griping. They just want a chance to ram all this down your throat without you complaining, but at least you can ask questions, supposedly. That may change too by the time the meetings come around. |
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Post by racktracker on Aug 4, 2010 14:58:59 GMT -5
I'l be in North Vernon on the 18th. I just wonder if these meetings are being held to give people a chance to vent their frustrations and miss the "official public hearings" in 2011? I don't know, i thought i read about 2 weeks ago on "another site" that these meetings were supposedly only going to be informational meetings and public comments were not going to be taken. This says they will take questions, but says comments need to be written and will be sent to the NRC. So my guess is they aren't going to want to listen to any griping. They just want a chance to ram all this down your throat without you complaining, but at least you can ask questions, supposedly. That may change too by the time the meetings come around. You cant always believe what you read on "another site".  I think they caught a lot of flack on the one way dialogue and the "stakeholders" being participants in these open house "meetings". This is their ugly baby now, not the "stakeholders". The taking comments in printed form is for the NRC. Type up your comments and present it to the DNR after you ask your questions. . |
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Post by mrfixit on Aug 4, 2010 15:14:02 GMT -5
So are these going to be the only "meetings" in which we can comment albeit in written form or is there supposed to be more? When I spoke with one of my elected officials about all this mess he said he requested them to have a meeting in his district.
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Post by colts1888 on Aug 4, 2010 15:21:27 GMT -5
So are these going to be the only "meetings" in which we can comment albeit in written form or is there supposed to be more? When I spoke with one of my elected officials about all this mess he said he requested them to have a meeting in his district. I thought there was supposed to be 2 meetings for public comments, one in the northern half of the state and one in the south. Maybe that has changed now. As far as i know these aren't really meetings designed for public comments, they are just open houses with information on the proposed rule changes and you can supposedly ask questions but i think they want any comments either supporting it or against it to be in written form at these open houses. So i don't think they want to get into any debates here. |
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 4, 2010 16:06:32 GMT -5
A five hour meeting? ? HOLY Cow! This is proof positive the DNR is feeling the heat. They will not tolerate criticism from the 'new' stakeholders that there wasn't an opportunity to make themselves heard. Anyone willing to take a one to two minute speech written by me and read it at the meeting? Attendance is impossible for me. Yeah, forward it to me. Be sure and have you name and address on it.. |
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Post by whiteoak on Aug 4, 2010 16:07:33 GMT -5
The e mail states attendees are encouraged to ask questions to learn more about proposed rule changes, but the ones who have the power to do something about it will be hiding out in their bomb shelters waiting for the paper versions of these request safe and sound.
Kind of like a companies CEO sending the first shift lead man to an angry union meeting.
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 4, 2010 16:11:34 GMT -5
So are these going to be the only "meetings" in which we can comment albeit in written form or is there supposed to be more? When I spoke with one of my elected officials about all this mess he said he requested them to have a meeting in his district. There is more.. This is the DNR. The NRC will have more public input meetings along with still taking input via email and and letter form. |
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 4, 2010 16:14:31 GMT -5
So are these going to be the only "meetings" in which we can comment albeit in written form or is there supposed to be more? When I spoke with one of my elected officials about all this mess he said he requested them to have a meeting in his district. I thought there was supposed to be 2 meetings for public comments, one in the northern half of the state and one in the south. Maybe that has changed now. As far as i know these aren't really meetings designed for public comments, they are just open houses with information on the proposed rule changes and you can supposedly ask questions but i think they want any comments either supporting it or against it to be in written form at these open houses. So i don't think they want to get into any debates here. I think that you are right. Racktracker hit it with his post - Have your name and address on your printed input.. |
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Post by featherduster on Aug 4, 2010 17:42:52 GMT -5
It states that attendees are encouraged to ask questions.
Then it says attendees will also be able to submit written questions.
This might mean, you come and listen and if you have a comment you write it down and submit it.
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Post by HuntMeister on Aug 5, 2010 8:04:50 GMT -5
I sent an email to Mr. Bloom about the open houses and his response was...
Thanks for the email.
The open house format is designed to be very informal in order to allow you and others to come and go at your convenience. There is no formal presentation planned, and no structured question/answer/comment period.
Instead, you will be able to visit with our wildlife biologists, engage in face-to-face discussion, ask questions, get answers, and come away with a better understanding of the reasons behind the proposed rule changes. We understand some folks may still not agree with the proposal, but at least they will know what we’re thinking in DNR.
Sincerely,
Phil Bloom
Director of Communications
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington St. W255B
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317/232-4003
pbloom@dnr.IN.gov
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Post by omegabl on Aug 5, 2010 8:25:58 GMT -5
“We think it’s important in the meantime to inform deer hunters and the public about the reasons behind the proposals,” said Mark Reiter, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “With the feedback we’ve received so far, it’s clear there is some misunderstanding about the goals of our management strategy and how the various pieces fit into our plan.” BS
This statement makes it clear that we are all idiots and have no understanding of what they are proposing.
I for one have no misunderstanding of their management strategy and do not disagee with the stategy just the PLAN. WE (this site) has the DATA that shows the number of antlerless shot in firearms and muzzleloader seasons. The DNR also possesses the survey that says, "91 PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO HARVEST ONE ORE MORE ANTLERLESS DEER IF MONEY WERE NOT AN ISSUE"
MONEY, is the issue for 91% of the hunters, NOT THE SEASONS!
The DNR needs to LOOK at the DATA they have and base the changes on it. Where is the DATA to support the effectiveness of the proposed changes.
They really need to pull their head out of their sand and start asking some pertinent questions.
First: I always shoot does in gun and ML seasons BECAUSE of the length of the season and ability to get out of an area for a few days. I will PROMISE you that if I have not shot the buck I want when these are in, I WILL NOT SHOOT A DOE. I will wait until the last season! NO URGENCY HERE, except for the last season. Every one I have spoken to said they will do the same. How many other hunters will do the same? I will not do this as defiance, I will do it because I hunt for a nice buck, that is my FIRST objective. My second objective is to get 6-8 does.
Looking back over my hunting records, I shoot the most deer and have spent more time in the woods, when I do not have my buck.
If I get my buck in early bow, my time hunting drops 75% compared to years that I have not gotten a buck or got it late in muzzleloader. The DNR will never change my motivation for hunting, and that motivation is for the thrill of the big one.
Once that motivation is gone, one drop of rain, a slight breeze on a 29 degree morning and 100 other excuses allow me to stay snuggled under the covers. But if I do not have my buck, look out, because I'm going no matter what.
Again, I always shoot my fair share of does, but shortening the seasons will surly equate to less time in the woods for me, and most likely will force me to WAIT to shoot does until the final week.
They better not try to push this thing through under the claim that the HUNTERS do not understand it and we know what is best for them.
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Post by swilk on Aug 5, 2010 8:30:48 GMT -5
I sent an email to Mr. Bloom about the open houses and his response was... Thanks for the email. The open house format is designed to be very informal in order to allow you and others to come and go at your convenience. There is no formal presentation planned, and no structured question/answer/comment period. Instead, you will be able to visit with our wildlife biologists, engage in face-to-face discussion, ask questions, get answers, and come away with a better understanding of the reasons behind the proposed rule changes. We understand some folks may still not agree with the proposal, but at least they will know what we’re thinking in DNR. Sincerely, Phil Bloom Director of Communications Indiana Department of Natural Resources 402 W. Washington St. W255B Indianapolis, IN 46204 317/232-4003 pbloom@dnr.IN.gov That answer makes it seem as though their mind is made up and the meetings are just there to offer an explanation as to why they are doing what they are doing. |
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