Having worked for the Dept. of Indian Affairs for a number of years, and in respect of friendships, perhaps the appropriate comment from me is "Don't judge a man (person) unless you walk a mile in their shoes." Many, many people make coments mostly due to lack of information, knowledge, or communication. Let me remind all that there are good and bad apples in every barrel (Spartans, McIntosh, or even Green Delicious) ........ enough said from me.
Maybe all us can make some kind of inpact on fish stocks by adopting a similar approach taken by some (hopefully many) with Halibut fishing. While the smaller "chickens" are the most tasty, people are encouraged to release an 80+ Female due the the number of eggs she carries.
So ......... when your out fishing and hook into your next spring and it's over 20 pounds ...... ask yourself "IS IT A FEMALE?" Identify your fish before you drag it on shore with your net and bonk it on the head. My buddy and I released 2 reds this weekend ...... estimated at 27, 29, and also a 36 pound white ....... all we are pretty sure were females. The smaller ones are the nicest on the BBQ anyways.
Although not a fish I think I can speak from a male perspective ..... A new Buck to fertilize the eggs may always be around the next bend in the river ..... even a jack spring. But ....... once the eggs are removed from the system by killing the Doe ........ the reproductive capability is lost completely.
I hope you all at least consider this before you bonk your next fish and/or complain about another fishery. Some of my own ideas.
GOFISH 8)
