2006 DNR Conservation License Plate Design Contest

[Scott M]

Well, does this mean more anglers will buy the plates now? Will any of you buy one? If it looks better, I would, otherwise I'm getting loons on my next plate. Hopefully there will be an image for us to see soon....

[Weed Shark]

My initial reaction is positive. They're taking the steps to get it right. I'm glad Mr. Melquist is gets that opportunity, he should.

I did advertising illustration for 15 years, revised half of it to some extent. "The client loves it...just move the bear from the left to the right and make it summer instead of winter...by the way, same deadline."

Nobody said it would be easy.

[stmichael]

I had to get new plates this year... last month.. two days ago. I asked about these plates. There was a couple comments made about the "look" of the fish on the plate, and, that officers after looking at the plate said that there would be issues with the color of lettering, mixed with the background. I did not want a deer I only hunt deer a couple weekends, I do not hunt loons yet, but, I am still waiting for the season to open. (for those of you in tight knitted undies, settle down I was just kidding), I do fish a lot though. If I was going to get a critical habitat plate I want it to be what I want to show off. Other than that I donate. Can a person go in anytime and get these plates? If it is okay to do that I will probably get one when they come out. If I cannot well there is always next year.

[DTro]

Well it's a step, but why a Bass, better yet, why a Largemouth?

I might actually put a smallie on my vehicle, but a green slop fish....naw I don't think so.

Sorry, but if it's a fish, then it has to be a Walleye.....it's a no brainer.

I'm not even a Walleye guy, but it comes down to dollars and cents and a Walleye will outsell any other fish hands down.

[Bobb-o]

I still dont see how those walleyes on the rocks didnt win the contest!

[sparcebag]

I just saw the plate its a walleye jumping like a bass I guess the DNR is refusing to let it out.They say its an embarrasment.

[polarsusd81]

Well at least we no longer have to look at walleyes jumping. I agree with the decision to make the revision and as a bass angler, I will be in line to pick up a pair. I am glad someone spoke up and got them to think about what they were doing, cause when that plate was selected a couple months back, I nearly became sick.

Next we need an ice fishing plate!

Tom

[cliffy]

Quote:

---

Next we need an ice fishing plate!

Tom

---

Now that is a good idea!!!!

[Weed Shark]

Quote:

---

Well it's a step, but why a Bass, better yet, why a Largemouth?

I might actually put a smallie on my vehicle, but a green slop fish....naw I don't think so.

Sorry, but if it's a fish, then it has to be a Walleye.....it's a no brainer.

I'm not even a Walleye guy, but it comes down to dollars and cents and a Walleye will outsell any other fish hands down.

---

I agree. The Walleye is the state fish and undoubtably the most popular. I, too, would prefer a Smallmouth to a Largemouth now that you mention it; more of an up-north image. Honestly, I'd stick with the loon over either bass.

If the contest was done differently to start with, they would not have found themselves between a rock and a hard place. Name your favorite in-state artist....he/she isn't entering. It IS a step, at this point, not sure what else they could do. I hope it turns out to be a popular design for them.

My dream...the next one is a walleye plate, and they make it worth the big name artist's time, and we say "...WOW!!!"

Will we EVER get another fish plate?

[McGurk]

I'll pass on the Bass, and stick with the loon. The change is a step in the right direction by listening to the DNR, but who made up the voting public in this? If that is how the majority of voters see fishing in a plate contest, we have a long row to hoe for getting better state funding allocated for our lakes that actually deals with fishing and not solely with recreational boaters.

The next plate contest will probably show a guy hugging a tree, and we'll get to vote on the type of tree!

[Duffman]

I think it all came down to one thing----$$$$

The DNR probably came to the conclusion that the original plate design wouldn't be a big seller, so they made the right call and changed it.

[Weed Shark]

Quote:

---

I'll pass on the Bass, and stick with the loon. The change is a step in the right direction by listening to the DNR, but who made up the voting public in this? If that is how the majority of voters see fishing in a plate contest, we have a long row to hoe for getting better state funding allocated for our lakes that actually deals with fishing and not solely with recreational boaters.

The next plate contest will probably show a guy hugging a tree, and we'll get to vote on the type of tree!

---

Gotta shake your head at the voters (as well as the contest organizers). At least the habitat stamp contests have judges from the art and nature fields. Although, the ability to count pheasants in a ditch, does not make you good judge of color and eye-flow; that system would be an improvement over what they used here. Can we send out a questionaire to all who voted, regarding their fish knowledge, art knowledge, personal backgrounds, and ties to Minnesota heritage?

...Then post the answers on FM for a good laugh.

[ozzie]

$$$$ probably plays a part but do you think the bass will bring in anymore cash flow.......I just don't see us as a bass state and don't see it being a big seller.....walleye on the rocks was a good looking plate and I like the idea of having an icefishing rendition that would be cool!!!

[GlassEyeangler]

let's look at it this way...

if we lived in another state...

TX - Largemouth Bass

AK - Trout

AL - Catfish

LA - Crawdad

....

....

MN - WALLEYE...it makes sense, and the fish should be a clear EXACT version of what a walleye looks like - is it that hard??!? what are the politics here...i don't get it??!?

In MN, most anglers don't even recognize a largemouth as a fish. Personally, i think they're kinda fun to catch, but i don't fish for them on purpose.

i would'nt mind a Musky or Snot Rocket, but a BASS...come on, something stinks here??!

[LEECH21]

Still think mine shouda won!!!

What do you guys think? Sorry its so small if you go back to like the second page of this thread you can click on it and make it bigger....not sure why this one doesn't allow that??? Some of the plate on the left side got cut off when I was scanning it also.

[Northlander]

I agree Leech. The one they have now is a frickin joke! Come on this is Mn. I would rather see a Eelpout than what they have now.

[Slyster]

Had anyone seen the new bass plate yet? I can't seem to find pictures of it anywhere... got any links?

[Weed Shark]

We all want a walleye....sorry, we won't get it.

Mistakes were made by the State at square one:

1) Not hiring an artist or having a contest that attracts top-notch artists.

2) Not having better judges. Whether its because urbanization , immigration, or whatever...the general public isn't capable of this (too many think eagles are big, white-headed blackbirds).

As an artist myself, I was annoyed when I read and threw the contest rules, and ticked though not surprised when I saw the end result.

With a fraction of the money the State wasted on this, they could have made a top-notch artist a happy person and had a professional looking plate. Nobody wants to pay for art. Its fun, so someone will do it for nothing, right? The artists I worked with, who did "Return of the Jedi" posters for Coke, and "Henry the Eighth-feasting" portraits for Anheiser-Busch, always said..."I don't enter coloring contests!"

I think they got more than they paid for! The State should be embarrased and have their noses rubbed in it. Unfortunatley, habitat, taxpayers, Mr. Melquist, and other Minnesotans suffer for their bungles.

That part is all water under the bridge now. What to do with the mutant fish?

Should they tell Mr. Melquist that he isn't the winner after he won fair and square half a year ago?...How about change the fish AND the background so the winner is a totally knew piece of art, basically commission him to do an underwater walleye? The good news is we lost the mutant fish...the bad news, we're getting a Largemouth.

I feel for Mr. Melquist, probably a good guy. I bet he is great company in a boat. Might have some rough talent. He was just inspired and wanted a feather in his cap, like every other novice that entered. How could he know what he was getting into...hanging onto a state made godzilla by the tail?