Ducks, Wetlands and Clean Water Rally

[lumbertick]

Just a thread to keep everyone up to date on the rally. Check out the HSOforum www.wetlandsrally.org. I hope that a pile of guys from this site plan on attending and bring along reinforcements. I fear that poor attendance will show that no one cares.

If you notice on the site, there is quite a coalition of conservation groups.

lt

lt

[doser]

You can now print a small poster off the site for advertising purposes. I printed up about 10 the other day and started hanging them around town in convenience stores and other businesses.

[Farley]

FishingMinnesota is a sponsor. Just recieved an email from a buddy this morning about it. Here's what it says:

Attention waterfowlers, conservationists and environmentalists! It's time to RALLY!!

Hunters and anglers will join with environmentalists in an effort to jump-start a broad-based overhaul in the way wetlands, wetland wildlife and water are managed and conserved in our state.

Legislature will consider bills that are critical to the future of ducks, wetlands and clean water this session and sportsmen and women and environmentalists must rally in support of new and existing legislation.

I am on the executive committee for the rally planning. A big consideration was whether we could actually get the traditionally complacent sportsmen off their (Contact US Regarding This Word) and to the Capitol. If we don't show up in masses, we will forever take a back seat to legislative consideration because we couldn't organize constituents.

This is the first rally of its kind. The chance to impact your quality of life in the outdoors on this scale may never come again. Be there to show you cared.

Get more info at www.wetlandsrally.org

Please forward this e-mail to anyone and everyone you know. If your not there, you don't care.

Josh Holly

Research Specialist

Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.

[kpj5br]

I was very glad to see FM prominently as a sponsor.

One of the great things about this event is it is bringing many sportsmans groups together.

I've posted this here before, and so has jlabsnduck many times, but for any of you, #1 please participate in this rally, and #2 if you are a waterfowl hunter in the state of Minnesota you need to register with the Minnesota Waterfowl Association...at this moment in time, those are the best two things you can do to ensure this lifestyle for us and our children.

[MattKeller]

"#2 if you are a waterfowl hunter in the state of Minnesota you need to register with the Minnesota Waterfowl Association"

What is the MWA doing?

Where is the money going??

I just want to know where my money is going!!!!!!

[FOOT]

kpj5br, you are probably a big supporter of MWA, and that's a good thing, but don't forget there are other wetland conservation organizations doing work in Minnesota as well.

Ducks Unlimited - Delta Waterfowl - Woodduck Society. We need a concentrated effort from all organizations to save the resource.

Hunters should be encouraged to join at least one of these organizations and ashamed if they don't. I know DU has about 50,000 members in Minnesota but there are well over 100,000 duck hunters. I am sure the other organizations membership don't comprise the other 50,000 plus members. I for one belong to a couple of these organizations.

As I said if you chase waterfowl, even just on opening day, you should pick one organizations and send in your membership dues each and every year.

Stand up and be counted.

[kpj5br]

To MattKeller (re: What is MWA doing?):

A lot, but let me hit the main two. First, applying continuous pressure to the legislature and the DNR on two fronts, the game lake designation laws enacted many years ago that have not been enforced by the DNR as the legislature charged them with by law, and pursuing additional wetland protection and re-establishment legislation. This is at a state-wide level.

Second, by doing localized projects that benefit wetlands, waterfowl, and hunters. For example, my chapter has a large project at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, we have restored about 200 acres of prime waterfowl habitat there that was in shambles 10 years ago. These type of projects go on every day around the state comprising thousands of acres.

To FOOT,

I agree 100%, DU and DW are great waterfowl organizations, the difference being that MWA focuses on Minnesota, all the money raised is spent on projects within Minnesota. This is in contrast to say for example DU, which is a massive organization and only a very small percentage of their raised dollars come back to Minnesota. Again, this is not a totally bad thing, DU does wonderful work, just look at what they have done with nesting grounds in Canada, but again the MWA focuses solely on Minnesota. I should also add that DU and the MWA are very close partners, you'll see this in the papers a lot, when projects are publicized you'll usually see that both DU and MWA sponsored it.

MattKeller I really hope that helped answer your question.

Thanks

[doser]

I just think that anyone who hunts or fishes should at least join some sort of coservation oraganization whether it's PF, DU MWA, Delta. I don't care who or which one just join one at least. If your going to take from the resource at least give back.I know alot of people that hunt and fish every weekend, but I'll be darned if they ever go to a banquet or enroll in a organization. These people are the first to complain about not enough hunting land,ducks, pheasants and what not. I know one guy that hunts and fishes for everything under the sun, but has never been a member of any organization or gone to any banquet...that really chaps my arse.I asks and encourage him all them time,but he just doesn't get it. I think people need to look in the mirror and say "What have I done to help with conservation"? Ok...I'll get off my soap box.

[FOOT]

kpj5br, You are correct that only a portion of the money raised by DU comes back to Minnesota BUT DU has spent more money in Minnesota 15 million which is more then all of the other conservation organizations have.

The way I understand it is:

DU concentrate on habitat.

DW concentrates on predator control.

MWA concentrates on habitat within Minnesota.

WoodDuck Society contrates on WoodDucks.

With each group doing their own thing it is bound to have a positive effect.

I'm not totally sold on predator control or spending money just in Minnesota. BUT I recognize each organizations importance to better waterfowl production and will support as many of these organizations as I can.

I also urge, beg, plead and pester other hunters to join a conservation group. No longer will just your license fee cover the cost of improving wetland, upland and big game habitat. I think everyone who hunts can afford $25 per year to join an organization and improve wildlife.

[Brett Beinke]

I plan on being there with my 4 yr old and plenty of buddy's. I hear bus loads are coming up from IA. If they care we most certainly better!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Ok, um.............How do I join WMA?

[jbell1981]

My son, a friend and I are planning on attending the rally on April 2nd. Does anyone know what time things are supposed to get underway, I dont see any times on the HSOforum. Also, I have never attended anything like this before, do you need to get tickets somewhere to get into the area or is it free to get in (I am not a tightwad or anything I just want to know what to expect.)

Any info would be great.

Thanks,

Josh

[kpj5br]

boilerguy,

It's very easy, you can do it right on the web or call the office directly.

Since Rick has some rules about posting URLs, the easiest way for you to do it is to go the Wetland Rally HSOforum URL above, click on Participating groups, and there, along with FishingMinnesota, you'll see the icon for the Minnesota Waterfowl Association. Click that and you can join.

Thanks!

[lumbertick]

jbell,

The rally is free, it runs from 10 till 3. I am not sure about parking??? I will ask and post what the plans are...I know they are not on the HSOforum. Ihave heard rumors of busses going down, but I don't have any details. There will be food and stuff to buy on site...proceeds going to fund the rally, but most importantly show up!!!!.

lt

[jbell1981]

Thanks lumbertick

[lumbertick]

Just an update on the parking at the rally. The plan is to use the lots around the capitol. There will be info posted on the HSOforum soon. Also I have heard of several areas where buses will be chartered by various sportsman groups. I recomend checking the HSOforum often for information as it is being added constantly! Otherwise post up...I will be glad to answer.

lt

[chasinredeyes]

Get the word out boys. We need all the people we can get.

Make sure you are there for the start of the speakers (1pm), you will get to hear my two cents. I'll be the 21 year old male who follows the catholic priest. If you knew me, you would realize how ironic that is.

The HSOforum http://wetlandsrally.org (FM is a sponsor) is pretty up to date with what is going to happen.

This is my first time ever on this HSOforum, registered an hour ago, already posted a dozen times, this is great.

Dan Carroll

[kpj5br]

Dan, nice to see you here.

Also wanted to mention, that we (myself and several other MWA people) are planning to be at the Gander Mountain in Lakeville to take reservations for a bus ride from that store to the state capitol this weekend, Friday and Saturday. It's looking like the $10 range, and it saves on parking, etc. if anyone is interested.

[hanson]

Hey fellows.

I plan on heading over to the capital for this. If its to help the ducks, I'll be there.

My suggestion is us FMers need to be able to group up or find each other once we get there. I just stopped by Fast Track Embroidery after work tonight and ordered up my Fishing Minnesota ballcap. Finally. They said it should be ready by middle of next week. So I'll have an FM hat on.

Anybody have any other ideas to hook up with each other- meeting place, 2 way radios, etc?

[Farley]

I take it FM will not have a display or booth or something there for the event?

I dont know the capital area well so I have no suggestions other than maybee the 3rd Mini-Biff from the left. In front of it, not in it.

Does anyone know if MWA will have a booth there? If not, they'll probably have one at the sports show?

[tealitup]

Part of my job is to do some lobbying work for certain companies. I was just released by these companies for one day so that I can lobby for ducks and wetlands.

Monday is the day I will be talking to many people. Hopefully, it will be a great combination after the rally

[Farley]

Well, lots of good points and plans by good ol' TiPaw, we'll just have to wait and see if they follow through. It's gonna have to start with dedicated funding.

I got there in the middle of Bud Grant's speech, I wish I would have heard the whole thing. Good job to the organizers, I read 4000 people in the Strib and 5000 in the P.P. attended.

[hanson]

I thought the rally was a good time. The weather gods were definitely looking down upon the rally. What a gorgeous day!

I was on the lookout for FMers but only managed to find HoleHopper, or should I say he found me!

The speakers were very interesting and presented a good message. There is some great legislation working through the Senate & the House and sure hope it passes.

I can believe all of 5,000 people being there. What a crowd.

[Giant_Jackpot]

Quote:

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Well, lots of good points and plans by good ol' TiPaw, we'll just have to wait and see if they follow through.

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Farley,

Wait and see what happens? We need to write to our representatives and let them know how we want them to represent us. Right now the thing that is at the top of the list is the dedicated funding bill. I have written to both my Senate and House reps. I have heard back from Steve Kelly from the senate and unfortunately he does not believe in constitutional amendments for funding purposes. Maybe if he heard from other people in my district he would change his mind. I’m still waiting to hear back from Ron Latz in the House.

Please do not sit back and wait. Do a Google search on Minnesota Legislature and you will find out how to contact your reps. E-mail them a short note and see what they say.

That goes for anyone else reading this as well. Even if you are against the funding, get involved!

[Mark Christianson]

Thanks Dave(Aka GJ)!

For those of you that don't know Giant Jackpot, he has not hunted much at all in his life. He is 100% fisherman these days. Yet he is aware of the issues regarding natural resources and willing to push an important agenda that is being driven mainly by hunters.

Thank you Dave for continuing to drive this effort. It effects not just duck hunters, but also fisherman, wildlife fanatics, our kids, etc.... Its far reaching.