Stream access Rally?

[shoots-straight]

Wondering how many Hunt Talkers are planning to go to the rally in Helena on Tuesday to protest SB 309 and/or to testify? We need a big turn out. We need to let Representatives know that we won't tolerate taking away our access, to stop them from micro managing our Fish & Game,.

 

[onpoint]

I'll be there. I notified KBZK news staff about the rally...no reply as of yet. Hopefully some media will show up. Really hope there are a lot of people.

 

[onpoint]

shoots-maybe your thread should have been titled "stream access really?". On another humorous? note, I see the spearchucking bill is being heard by the house FWP commitee at precisely the same time/date as the HB 309 Senate Ag commitee hearing. Is the best case scenario that we trade big game critters running with wood hanging from their asses for being able to fish Huey Lewis' place? Oh, and hey, while we're at it...lets reclassify mountain lions into varmints, jack up conservation licenses to fund wolf mgmt, etc.... So many idiots to battle, so little time. Gonna be a busy week.

 

[tjones]

Really if you read the bills, you couldn't make this stuff up.

 

[shoots-straight]

article in Ravalli Republic, concerning the rally.Doesn't look like many Hunt Talkers are going. Apathy rains big fat rain, when sportsman are concerned. You can bet the Livestock, and ag Industry will be there to drowned out our voice.

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/news...cle_b72592f4-4867-11e0-b528-001cc4c03286.html

 

[onpoint]

article in Ravalli Republic, concerning the rally.Doesn't look like many Hunt Talkers are going. Apathy rains big fat rain, when sportsman are concerned. You can bet the Livestock, and ag Industry will be there to drowned out our voice.

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/news...cle_b72592f4-4867-11e0-b528-001cc4c03286.html

yeah but hey, lotsa Montana talk of hunting stories and pics of horn on other threads......maybe not much on this thread because tuesday is work day....there I go again, dog musta pissed in my cheerios

 

[Ben Lamb]

AS of right now, the fb page for the rally has 90 people attending. We're hopeful that we hit that mark.

There are buses in Missoula, Butte and Billings. If anyone wants a ride, pm me and I can get you the contact info.

 

[onpoint]

The honorable? Dillon legislator Debby Barrett posted a letter to the Missoulian editor on 3/3/11 concerning, in part, HB 309. She stated at this years legislature, Trout Unlimited has ".....pursued it's agenda regardless of the actual facts". Pot, kettle has proclaimed that you are black. I'm glad that Barrett and her cronies are the the ones in the know when it comes to "actual"(?) facts. These people need to not return for the next legislative session.

 

[shoots-straight]

onpoint, maybe I'll catch up with you over there I'll be with the Ravalli County crew. We're doing our part. This is where the supreme court case came from, so it's the least we can do, and this is for our kids future. I'll be the one with all my hair pulled out with a very large red nose, and the smell of alcohol on my breath. Guess I picked the wrong legislative session to get on the wagon.

 

[BuzzH]

Wish I could be there...I'll send some letters and make some calls tomorrow.

Good luck and thanks to all those that are taking the time to get involved.

All the slackers can thank you later.

 

[Hunts]

Two of us driving up tomorrow morning from Bozeman.

 

[Big Fin]

Cleared my schedule for the day. Will be on the bus when it leaves River's Edge here in Bozeman.

 

[Hem]

I'm going to try and make it,good reason to head north and maybe work in a few casts on the Missouri.

 

[RockyDog]

Thanks to all of you guys who are going to helena today!

 

[Big Fin]

The chamber is packed. Standing room only and people lining the halls. Been doing this for 15 years and never seen it like this.

These Senators may vote for it, but they are on notice that stream access is a powder keg..

Lots of Hunt Talkers here.

 

[thecrittergitter]

Good Work guys! couldn't make it but glad you are all there for us.

 

[Hem]

Rats,wanted to make this but tied up with obligations.Thanks to all who made the sacrifice to be present.All of us owe you a debt of gratitude.Give 'em hell.

 

[Big Fin]

It is very clear who supports converting public rights into private property. In this case, converting publicly accessible streams into private ditches.

Anyone who listened to the testimony quickly realized this is about changing the definition of a stream to a ditch.

If you hunt, you need to read what this bill does to the hunting access the Montana Stream Access Law provides hunters.

One of the most blantan public takings attempts I have ever seen.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Folks,

Just a quick update before I find a beer and settle in watch season 2 of OYOA (Courtesy of Big Fin!).

Shoots Straight, On Point, Fin and I were there. Not sure if there were other Hunt Talkers, and if there were, I apologize for not meeting everyone.

We had estimated before the rally that about 150 people would show up and oppose HB 309. After Michael Gibson of Montana TU and I did a quick count, we came up with approximately 400 people who showed up.

400 people came to Helena today to speak up for access. It is amazing to see so many give up their time and come to Helena.

The halls and galleries were crammed with folks in their hunting and fishing garb. Several legislators who walked by did not escape the influence wielded by such a crowd. One openly opined, "they better they kill this in committee." Others stood up and testified against the bill. Those included Senator Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings), Senator Steve Gallus (D-Butte) Senator Jim Shockley (R-Hamilton).

Overall, the supporters (Montana Farm Bureau, United Property Owners of Montana [UPOM], Montana Stockgrowers, and the Montana Woolgrowers) brought their best. Interestingly enough the testimony by UPOM which I felt was openly hostile to hunters and anglers, and almost threatened more retribution should this not pass. The testimony should be online tomorrow for folks to listen to if they didn't listen today.

BTW - the Tea Party rally last week had about 24 people in it. "For the Love of Montana," a rally from all the conservation groups who work at the capitol (MWF, MTTU, MCV, etc) had about 600 people attending. Hopefully the legislators see where the strengths are in their constituencies.

 

[tjones]

Great work guys!!