Lets all help out

[Just Me]

I’m very disappointed!

I have been fishing some Metro Lakes these past few weeks and have already started seeing all the debris / trash left by so called sportsmen. I do what I can, by understanding that this will never “go away”, and by picking up what I can, on the way out. I have also instilled in my three young sons these same values. We have trash pick up days when the fish aren’t biting. I guarantee our family leaves a lake better than they found it, minus a few fish.

I’d like to see some responses (attempts to justify), on this post from the “sportsman who leave all this trash as to WHY! I know you’re out their reading these posts! I also wonder about the other sportsman who just walks past the trash with the “not my problem attitude” when in the big picture, it affects us all. Many hands make easy work.

I just had to grip some. It really bothers me. Just Me

[The_Duckslayer]

Concur! I always bring more trash back off the lake than what I took out there! I would like to think that all on this board would do the same, or at least start doing the same. Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[eyebjim]

I am disgusted by people who do this. I always pick up what I see on the ice/ground around me and bring it off the lake and many times if I see something half way across the lake I will go pick it up. I think that if everyone picked up what they see there would be a lot less garbage out there even if slobs still leave garbage on the ice.

[SDbowhunter]

I figure people like you will pick up after me.

JK! I too find myself picking up after everyone else on the lake. It drives me nuts that people who enjoy the recreational oppurtunities the lakes offer and dont have the decency to do thier part to keep it clean. If im fishing near someone and they see me picking up trash i try to make the point of commenting on how it bothers me. Hopefully I'm leading by example.

[Ferny]

We went up to the the lake place last spring just as the ice was going out. The kids and I picked up 4 bags of trash along the shore of the resort on Rush. It was really disgusting but we just couldn't take looking at it Ever since I went to the BWCA when I was 16 I pick up more than I brought in. It was a great experience and it really left an impression on me regarding litter.

On a related note the fam and I were leaving a restaurant a couple weeks ago. A ~55 yr. old guy opened his door and set a pop can on the ground. As we walked by I pointed it out and said "Hey you forgot your trash" He mumbled something then drove past us giving me the finger like I was the bad guy He couldn't get his butt out of his new Cadilac and walk 40 feet to the trash container! Man I was hot to say the least! I guess we were brought up differently!

We have taken peoples info and given it the the local CO when they moved there shack and leave a huge mess. Nothing happened yet but you have to keep trying! Sometimes when you mention it they will pick up other times they pretend it was someone else's!

This topic comes up every year and you still see litter on the ice! What can we do about it? It really makes all of US look bad as a group!

Ferny.

[Kodiak]

the city needs to put trash bins at the landings, i know i would carry other peoples trash away to the landing, i just dont want to pick a bunch up and bring it home with me.

[Shawnny B]

They use to do that, but there was those people that said, Im not paying the city to take my trash when I can take it to the lake and dump it off. Another problem was that at some of the landings the trash trucks would get stuck. I know I usualy swing by the gas station or somewhere and pick up a few sodas and candy and jerky, I ALWAYS ask for a plastic bag, I use that for the trash, I figure if I can fill it up I have done a little something to help that lake out.

All I can see us doing is makeing sure to point out those who do the littering, make our selfs shown that Yeah we are picking up after you, and make sure to do a lake clean up at the end of the year, and always make a good example to those that are around you that are not. Make sure they understand why you are doing it.

ShawnnyB

[slipperybob]

Those aren't sportsmen, those are litterbugs!

[mojocatt]

I keep little plastic grocery bags with me, for my trash and what I might find along the way.

As a smoker I catch myself flipping the butt without even thinking about it. Then swearing at myself and going after it.

But yeah, it can look bad sometimes. Some lakes do have dumpsters, I seem to remember Green and Spectacle in Isanti county had dumpsters.

[Just Me]

Hmmmmmm......311 views and only 8 comments. Makes a guy wonder. Have a very Merry Christams.

[Loogie]

I always end up trucking a large garbage bag of other peoples trash home with me. I wonder what is going on in heads of these a-holes, thinking it is OK to leave their junk on the ice.

Maybe there not thinking? There's probably not enough gray goo in their skull to actually think.

[DonBo]

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Hmmmmmm......311 views and only 8 comments. Makes a guy wonder. Have a very Merry Christams.

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It's all been said...what more can we add?

[Sutty]

I don't think the slobs will point themselves out. I think they fall into three categories (this is just a theory)

1) Town Drunks

2) My %$#@ don't stink

3) Immature kids

[BoxMN]

Sutty, I think your theory is right. And it is worse when #1 and #3 are the same.

I picked up soup cans and empty propane and tons of Mt. Dew and Coke cans of theice at Peltier last year. I am guessing that was a case of #3.

I haven't gone looking for trash yet, but I will drive off track to pick something up if I see it, and certainly check around my own area before, during and after fishing to make sure anything in the area gets picked up. I think I still have a MacDons cup and some gatorade bottles in my sled that I picked up after some litterbugs last trip out. We do the same in open water too, always have a trash bag along for junk, ours or others'.

I guess I don't get it, it is just as easy to carry your stuff back as it is to leave it there... makes no sense.

[The Grebe]

Was out fishing last night and picked up half a 5 gallon bucket of trash people just threw on the ice....no wonder lakeshore home owners get [PoorWordUsage]ed!

Pop cans and plastic bottles, beer cans sports drink cans, cooler parts, empty cig packs, even a couple of forks someone threw on the ice after they were done stuffing their faces...this is just the beginning of the season, for the most part! When people start driving out, the trash problem will probably grow! Littering is something that really gets me!

[I_icefish_in_my_sleep]

Not only stop and pick it up if you see it, but make a point of thanking others if they are doing it too. I've stopped my vehicle on the ice (last year) whether there was someone behind me or not and picked up trash. I usually don't find that people get mad they usually just give a thumbs up to you or drive around. It only takes a second to pick up trash you see, and even less time if it's your own.

[sjburnt]

Well JM, as far as numbers, I am not sure what you want people to post about.

I think we all pretty much echo your sentiments and hate to see the dump that is left.

The problem does seem to be everywhere you go.

I pick up dump and drag it home from nearly every outing I take, from deer season to fishing the local lakes. Makes for a dirty plastic bag in my canoe, sled, or truck, but it is just a price you pay for other people's attitudes.

Unless we see it happening, we can't do any more than be good examples.

I would like to think that every kid I take along sees me pick up that can, and that they remember, and follow suit.

[sjburnt]

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[sjburnt]

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[eurolarva]

When I was drinking years ago open bottle was a worry. I think this may be part of all the beer cans and bottles on the lake. I will take them as far as the landing where I park and leave those there. The smell of beer makes me nautious now so I cant put that stuff in my car. Funny after you quit smoking and drinking you tend to target those people more. Cigarette butts on the ice and in the lake even when smoking was a pet peeve of mine. I am sure there are a lot of readers and few posters to this thread. That is a good thing though. It makes people think more when they see these posts to maybe help police themselves up better.

[sparky88]

The first few words sums up your problem. There are no real sportsmen that live in a metro. Being a sportsman is not something you do on a weekend hunting or fishing trip, or by paying dues to some club or association. It's more of a total way of life. I enjoy watching deer grazing in my yard just as much as I enjoy trying to outsmart one and seeing him in my gunsights. Or taking my boys out pheasant hunting to later enjoy a good meal with my family. But equally important, to respect and enjoy listening to a rooster pheasant crowing in my grove at sunset. Or cussing the rabbits for getting into my garden. The only thing I have say to you people that trash out your "back yard" is: you crapped in your own bed now lay in it! Don't come to my place just cuz' I keep it nice!! Just my 2 cents worth.

[dartsportsteve]

The minority seem to ruin it for the majority in my opinion. It comes down to respect.

[sparkyaber]

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The first few words sums up your problem. There are no real sportsmen that live in a metro. Being a sportsman is not something you do on a weekend hunting or fishing trip, or by paying dues to some club or association. It's more of a total way of life. I enjoy watching deer grazing in my yard just as much as I enjoy trying to outsmart one and seeing him in my gunsights. Or taking my boys out pheasant hunting to later enjoy a good meal with my family. But equally important, to respect and enjoy listening to a rooster pheasant crowing in my grove at sunset. Or cussing the rabbits for getting into my garden. The only thing I have say to you people that trash out your "back yard" is: you crapped in your own bed now lay in it! Don't come to my place just cuz' I keep it nice!! Just my 2 cents worth.

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Wait just a minute, hold the phone, that is a pretty broad statement!!

You can't make a statement like that. Just because that someone lives in the city, does not mean that they can't be sportsmen. I could write an essay to argue your point, but I don't think it will change you mind. All I am going to say is that many fine people live in the city, also plenty of trash, just as in the country.

Where person hangs his hat has nothing to do with what type of person they are.

[SomethingFishy*]

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Where person hangs his hat has nothing to do with what type of person they are.

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Excellent post. Not everybody can live in the country, if we all did there would be no country just cities.

[kwiggy]

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The only thing I have say to you people that trash out your "back yard" is: you crapped in your own bed now lay in it! Don't come to my place just cuz' I keep it nice!! Just my 2 cents worth.

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Wow... Is your definition of "keeping it nice" filling your yard with old cars, tractors, and rotting sheds? I've seen some country homes that would classify as a landfill. Needless to say I am offended by your pitiful remarks. I was raised in Northern MN and have seen a lot of wasteful, sloppy locals litter the country side too.

Interesting how half the people responding to this post are from the metro area or live in a larger city.

Thank you to all who stop to pick up garage. I've always worried about my own mess, but your leadership by example will motivate me to help a bit more, as well as instill a sense of ownership in my children.

Let's keep it clean, green, and not be mean!