1 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:06,880 Speaker 1: From Mediators World News headquarters in Bozeman, Montana. This is 2 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: Cal's weekend review, presented by Steel Steel products are available 3 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: only at authorized dealers. For more, go to Steel Dealers 4 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 1: dot com. Now here's your host. Ryan cal Callahan. 5 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:24,799 Speaker 2: A New York Man, was caught red handed last month 6 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 2: by environmental conservation officers after neighbors reported seeing red squirrels 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 2: at the neighborhood park. And when I say red, I 8 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 2: don't mean the species that is named a red squirrel, 9 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 2: or you know, like a communist squirrel. He've been trying 10 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 2: to kill moose and scader for ty five years, never 11 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 2: even come clone exactly. I mean gray squirrels spray painted 12 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:50,159 Speaker 2: bright red. That's what I mean when I say red squirrels. Anyway, 13 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,960 Speaker 2: According to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, officers 14 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 2: conducted surveillance in the town of Patterson and observed a 15 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: bright red squirrel crossing the street less than a block 16 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:03,040 Speaker 2: away from suspects residents. They interviewed the suspect, who has 17 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,960 Speaker 2: not been named, and he admitted to live trapping the squirrels, 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,199 Speaker 2: painting them red inside the traps, and releasing them back 19 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 2: into the neighborhood. He said he was doing it to 20 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:14,440 Speaker 2: keep track of which squirrels were returning to his yard 21 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 2: and causing his dogs to bark. As frustrating as barking 22 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 2: dogs can be. His actions were still illegal, understandable though 23 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 2: from a biological perspective it's like a mark and recapture 24 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 2: study he was running, but he was cited for violations 25 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 2: related to the trapping, transporting, and liberating of wildlife, as 26 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:35,600 Speaker 2: well as for the mistreatment of animals. It's also unclear 27 00:01:35,640 --> 00:01:38,559 Speaker 2: how knowing which squirrels were coming into his yard could 28 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 2: have helped his situation without the intent to maybe transplant 29 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:47,400 Speaker 2: them or dispatch them. I understand trapping news and squirrels, 30 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:52,760 Speaker 2: but why red paint his backyard super large? Couldn't he 31 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 2: have done something a little more subtle. If anyone has 32 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 2: any insight into this, you know where to find me 33 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: as case, at the meat eater dot com. Okay, this week, 34 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,840 Speaker 2: we've got legislation and lots of it. It's that time 35 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 2: of year, so buckle up, hunter safety and a croppie 36 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 2: record deal. But first, I'm gonna tell you about my 37 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 2: week in My week was pretty darn interesting as always, 38 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 2: flew into Kansas City, Missouri, with some friends. Firstop was 39 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 2: to Joe's Convenience Store for brisket, sandwich and some dirty rice, 40 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 2: then onto Roger's Sporting Goods. I only mentioned this store 41 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 2: because it was refreshing and awesome to see a place 42 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 2: with such an incredible selection of waterfowl. We just don't 43 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 2: get that. Montana. Then drove out to a spot I 44 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,000 Speaker 2: never thought I would go, and this is where things 45 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:47,399 Speaker 2: get spoiled. Ended up the world famous habitat Flats. It's 46 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 2: a large, very well known, I would say world famous. 47 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 2: Like I just did waterfowl hunting operation. I think they 48 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 2: can hunt like sixty hunters a week out of each lodge, 49 00:02:57,919 --> 00:03:00,919 Speaker 2: which is a lot of guns, guys and ammo. This week, 50 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:04,239 Speaker 2: fortunately for me, the operation was not going full tilt 51 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 2: as they were in between duck season which had just ended, 52 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,519 Speaker 2: in the conservation season, which is you know the crazy 53 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 2: stuff that you see on the YouTube and the TV 54 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 2: about emptying fifteen round extended mags at tens of thousands 55 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 2: of snow geese and you know it looks super fun. Anyway, 56 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: we did not beat up the geese very hard during 57 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 2: our three days of hunting, but it was still super 58 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,800 Speaker 2: fun and because we were primarily decoying Canada geese, and 59 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 2: I had happened to have had a few really good 60 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 2: days shooting geese back home. I sat back and watched 61 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 2: as everyone else did most of the shooting, which was 62 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 2: very entertaining and very relaxing. Oddly enough, as it happened 63 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: on my very first day, the last group of geese 64 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:50,080 Speaker 2: that came into the spread, one bird peeled cleanly off 65 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 2: to my side after all the guns had gone off, 66 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 2: so I decided to shoot, and that bird happened to 67 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 2: be banded, which my first ever gooseband and my only 68 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 2: shot of the day, which is pretty funny how that 69 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 2: works out. Bird banding has been around for roughly a 70 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 2: couple of centuries at this point, but as we know it, 71 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 2: the banding of migratory birds started in early nineteen hundreds, 72 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 2: and for those who are listening and are totally unawares, 73 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,120 Speaker 2: aluminum bands are placed around the legs of birds that 74 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 2: are typically captured during the molting process when they cannot fly. 75 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 2: Each band has a series of numbers stamped into it. 76 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 2: Those numbers correspond with where and when the banding took place. Now, 77 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 2: these bands are like mass produced, and they're not produced 78 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 2: like specifically for one spot, so you can have very 79 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 2: similar band numbers from birds that were banded in very 80 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 2: different parts of the country. So a bird banding operation, 81 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 2: they get a bunch of bands in and then they 82 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: record those bands the series of bands that they have, 83 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 2: and then they go out and band birds. Got it cool. 84 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 2: The bird that I shot was killed in Tama County, Iowa, 85 00:04:55,320 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 2: near Dissart, which is spelled Dysart, so straightforward, but I'm 86 00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:04,719 Speaker 2: sure I'm screwing it up in where to find me anyway. Dissart, 87 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 2: Iowa is about I don't know, let's call it two 88 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 2: hundred miles as the goose flies from where I was 89 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 2: at Habitat Flats, Canada. Geese can fly about thirty miles 90 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 2: an hour, a little bit faster with the tailwind, a 91 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:20,719 Speaker 2: little bit slower with the headwind, and they will jump 92 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 2: when they're migrating about fifteen hundred miles in a day. 93 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 2: So if you factor that all in, there should be 94 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 2: a really tender goose. Right, we weren't dealing with a 95 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:34,479 Speaker 2: real overachiever. Talk to me goose, and it was. The 96 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 2: thighs were turned into ragu which were delicious. Goose thigs 97 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:41,160 Speaker 2: are fantastic, by the way, and we grilled and sliced 98 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 2: the breast thin on top of morell mushroom risotto. Better 99 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,480 Speaker 2: than anything I've had in the restaurant in a long time, 100 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 2: tell you that much. All right. Like I said earlier, 101 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 2: buckle up, it's time for the legislation desk. No legislation 102 00:05:58,920 --> 00:06:05,240 Speaker 2: all right. We rely on you folks to stay on 103 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,479 Speaker 2: top of all the outdoor related bills and proposals being 104 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 2: considered in states around the country. For this week's legislation desk, 105 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 2: you sent us so much good stuff that were only 106 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:18,320 Speaker 2: covering stories submitted by listeners. I'd already heard about a 107 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 2: few of these, but most of them were totally new, 108 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 2: which is why we got to keep talking. We're kick 109 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 2: ass community when we connect, so let's keep it up. 110 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 2: Several of you sent me a bill in Nebraska that 111 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 2: takes money from the state's various wildlife and habitat funds 112 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 2: and diverts it to the state's general fund. LB one 113 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,280 Speaker 2: four one three steals seven million dollars from the state 114 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 2: Game Fund, two and a half million dollars from the 115 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: Nebraska Habitat Fund, another two and a half million from 116 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 2: the State Park Cash Revolving Fund and six and a 117 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:50,520 Speaker 2: half million dollars from the Water Recreation Enhancement Fund. These 118 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 2: funds are used to purchase and maintain habitat and hunting ground, 119 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 2: manage wildlife species, promote outdoor recreation, and many other things 120 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:02,279 Speaker 2: the outdoorsy folks in Nebraska support. What's more, diverting the 121 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,680 Speaker 2: funds in this way it jeopardizes the twenty million dollars 122 00:07:05,760 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 2: the state receives from the federal government through the Pittman 123 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 2: Robertson Allocation. It's just not a good idea. Gang like, 124 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 2: once you lose this stuff, it's gone. Every hunter in 125 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: angler Nebraska should contact their state senator and voice their disapproval. 126 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:23,480 Speaker 2: Listener Jim Laane sent me a bill being considered by 127 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 2: the South Dakota legislature that would allow residents to abandon 128 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: cats if they've been spade or neutered. That's the cats, 129 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 2: not the residents. 130 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: Film's favorite toy. 131 00:07:33,120 --> 00:07:36,440 Speaker 2: He cried when I took it away from him. Current 132 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: South Dakota law prohibits anyone who is responsible for the 133 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 2: care of an animal from neglecting, abandoning, or mistreating that animal. 134 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:45,880 Speaker 2: That makes it illegal for people to implement trap neuter 135 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 2: release programs designed to control populations of feral cats from 136 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 2: pro creating. Anyone can capture a feral cat, but they 137 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 2: are not allowed to return that animal back to the street. 138 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 2: If this bill passes, that would change. Individuals and nonprofit 139 00:07:59,480 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 2: groups would be allowed to round up feral cats, spay 140 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 2: or neuter them, and send them on their merry way, 141 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 2: where they would be allowed to kill native birds, mammals, reptiles, 142 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 2: spread disease, and just basically be nasty. The bill number 143 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 2: is SB one seven two. It is far from perfect. 144 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 2: Huh you see what I did there. It passed unanimously 145 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 2: in the Senate Local Government Committee, which is just crazy 146 00:08:24,920 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 2: for a state that is like the sportsman's paradise, not Louisiana, 147 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 2: but South Dakota is amazing. This bill like directly threatens 148 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 2: pheasant populations, grouse populations, and that's what the economy of 149 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 2: South Dakota seems to be built on. You can watch 150 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,720 Speaker 2: my Pheasonomics episode on that meat Eater YouTube channel. If 151 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: you don't believe me. SB one seven two is awaiting 152 00:08:45,679 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 2: a vote in the full Senate. Get on the horn 153 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:53,360 Speaker 2: and talk to your representatives in the state legislature. My goodness. 154 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 2: The Utah Wildlife Board is considering a proposal that would 155 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 2: require a special permit for harvesting shit antlers. At their 156 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 2: January meeting, the board heard presentation from the Shed Antler 157 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 2: Gathering Committee, which had been tasked with updating the state's 158 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 2: rules about shed hunting. The committee is recommending several significant changes. First, 159 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,679 Speaker 2: while Utah residents would be allowed to look for antlers 160 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:17,760 Speaker 2: year round, non residents would only be allowed to shed 161 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 2: hunt from May thirty first to December thirty first. Resident 162 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 2: and non resident hunters would be required to obtain a 163 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 2: permit based on their age. Kids eleven and under would 164 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:29,360 Speaker 2: not be required to get a permit, while kids aged 165 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 2: twelve to seventeen could shed hunt on just a regular 166 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:36,360 Speaker 2: hunting license, but anyone eighteen years of age or older 167 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,960 Speaker 2: would have to obtain a shed antler gathering permit. There's 168 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 2: no word yet on how much this permit would cost, 169 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 2: and some of those decisions will have to be made 170 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:47,559 Speaker 2: by the state legislature. The board didn't vote to change 171 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 2: anything at this meeting, but they seem open to some 172 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 2: kind of adjustment to the status quo. As shed hunting 173 00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:56,200 Speaker 2: becomes more popular, many Western states are considering or have 174 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 2: already passed proposals that would restrict when and where people 175 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: are allowed to look for antlers. The good news for 176 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: Utah residents is that you have plenty of time to 177 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 2: weigh in. The Wildlife Board plans to vote on changes 178 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,240 Speaker 2: this summer, which means now is the time to let 179 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 2: them know what you think. The state legislature will also 180 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,319 Speaker 2: have to pass legislation to work out some of these details, 181 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 2: so you'll have a chance to weigh in at that 182 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 2: time as well. Listener Dawson Hurst send us that story 183 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:24,679 Speaker 2: and he asks that I share my thoughts on the issue. 184 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,520 Speaker 2: Oh boy, I used to do a ton of shed 185 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 2: antler hunt, really really enjoyed it. A great way to 186 00:10:31,440 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 2: stay in shape, and honestly, it's a great way to 187 00:10:33,880 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 2: know the patterns of the animals that we hunt. So 188 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:41,079 Speaker 2: I would hate to see it go away. But the 189 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 2: pragmatic part of my brain says that the Good Lord, 190 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 2: Mother Nature, whatever pagan spirit you believe in science did 191 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 2: not design these animals. Evolution did not design these animals 192 00:10:55,520 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: to drop that mineral, nutrient, calcium rich thing on the 193 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 2: ground to have it be turned into you know, some dudes, 194 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:10,120 Speaker 2: libido medicine or you know, an antler chandelier or something 195 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 2: like that. God knows, we don't need another cribbage board 196 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 2: out there. The other part is, as we've seen through 197 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 2: decades of human beings operating on the free market with 198 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 2: wildlife being able to pick this stuff up and sell it, 199 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:30,200 Speaker 2: turns some people into monsters. They break laws, They push 200 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 2: sensitive wildlife, even on harsh winners, into areas where there 201 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:36,719 Speaker 2: is no feed or it just happens to be that 202 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 2: last burst energy before they tip over. Deb that can 203 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 2: be very destructive on our wildlife herd. So, like most laws, 204 00:11:45,320 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 2: and you know, maybe you're calling me chicken shit for 205 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 2: saying this, they probably don't need to exist if it 206 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:53,880 Speaker 2: weren't for the bad actors. If the state intends to 207 00:11:54,040 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 2: use these funds generated by this shed gathering license to 208 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 2: put more enforcement out there and regulate the behavior of 209 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 2: just these couple of bad actors, yeah, you know, I 210 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,959 Speaker 2: can kind of see it. I can kind of see it. Yeah, 211 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 2: right in, let me know what you think. In Pennsylvania, 212 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 2: the legislature will once again have a chance to remove 213 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:22,880 Speaker 2: all prohibitions on Sunday hunting. Under current law, Pennsylvania hunters 214 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 2: can only go out on three Sundays every year. Senate 215 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 2: Bill sixty seven would replace that statute with language that 216 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:32,760 Speaker 2: permits hunting on all Sundays invests rulemaking authority with the 217 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:35,959 Speaker 2: Pennsylvania Game Commission. The sponsor of the bill points out 218 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 2: that limited Sunday hunting has been extremely successful and exceptionally safe. 219 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,959 Speaker 2: The bill has been introduced the past two years without success, 220 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 2: but if enough Pennsylvania hunters make their voices heard, I 221 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 2: think this could be the year. Thanks to listener Todd 222 00:12:48,559 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 2: Webster for sending that one in. In Illinois, House Bill 223 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:56,800 Speaker 2: four seven zero eight would expand water access rights across 224 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 2: the state. Current Illinois law allows access to only about 225 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:03,599 Speaker 2: one thousand of the state's eighty seven thousand miles of 226 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 2: rivers and streams. HB four seven zero eight would change 227 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:09,920 Speaker 2: that paradigm by allowing public access to a lake, river, 228 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 2: or stream that is capable of supporting use by commercial 229 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,400 Speaker 2: or recreational watercraft for a substantial part of the year. 230 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,959 Speaker 2: This wouldn't give anglers the right to trespass on private land, 231 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:22,640 Speaker 2: but it would align Illinois with many other states in 232 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 2: prohibiting landowners from restricting access to public waterways. Man hat's offty. 233 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 2: If you can get that passed, I think it would be, 234 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 2: you know, the way it should be. Nobody asked for 235 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 2: my opinion on that one, but public access to water 236 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: seems like no brainer to me. Big thanks to Drew 237 00:13:41,760 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 2: Kazinski for sending us that bill and for his work 238 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 2: on this issue for the Illinois Chapter Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. 239 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 2: Every Illinois angler should be weighing in on this one, 240 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 2: so hop on the phone with your state reps. At 241 00:13:54,679 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 2: least two states are considering legislation that would remove protections 242 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:01,760 Speaker 2: for hundreds of thousands of acres of waterways. In Tennessee, 243 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 2: listener Chris Berg told me about HB one zero, five 244 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 2: to four. This bill would prohibit the state from classifying 245 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 2: an area as a wetland if that property is not 246 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:14,320 Speaker 2: classified as a wetland under federal law. Considering the recent 247 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 2: Supreme Court decision that narrowed the definition of wetland at 248 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 2: the federal level, this bill would eliminate protections for four 249 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 2: hundred thousand acres. Developers and landowners would no longer have 250 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 2: to get state approval and pay mitigation fees before filling in, dredging, 251 00:14:28,880 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 2: or otherwise disturbing wetlands. These permets are important because they 252 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 2: prevent developers from harming wetlands that provide a habitat for 253 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 2: wildlife a buffer against drought and flood mitigation. The bill 254 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:42,479 Speaker 2: is being opposed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, 255 00:14:42,800 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 2: along with several other environmental and conservation groups. The Indiana 256 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:52,400 Speaker 2: legislature is considering a similar bill. Lucas Frickey and Amanda 257 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:55,800 Speaker 2: Atkinson both sent me information about HB one three eighty three, 258 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,880 Speaker 2: which just past the state House. The details get a 259 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 2: bit complicated. What you need to know HB one three 260 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 2: eighty three thirteen eighty three. It would be another way 261 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: to say it would redefine how wetlands are classified in 262 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 2: the state. To reduce the number of highly protected areas. 263 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 2: The legislature passed a bill in twenty twenty one that 264 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 2: rolled back protections for over half of the wetlands in Indiana. 265 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 2: Now it looks like they're trying to reduce the protections 266 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 2: even more for these vital ecosystems. The Indiana Chapter of 267 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 2: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers points out that the state has 268 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 2: lost eighty five percent of its wetlands in the last century. 269 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 2: That's eighty five percent fewer acres that support waterfowl, filter 270 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:36,240 Speaker 2: drinking water, and soak up rains that cause floods. If 271 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 2: this bill passes the state Senate, it will be easier 272 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 2: for developers to come in and drain these areas. One 273 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 2: Senate committee has already passed this bill, and it's possible 274 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 2: that it will have passed the full legislature by the 275 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 2: time you hear this. If that's the case, it's time 276 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 2: to contact Indiana Governor Eric Holcombe and ask for a veto. 277 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 2: A Right to Hunt and Fish resolution is working its 278 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 2: way through the Iowa legislature. While it failed to gain 279 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,200 Speaker 2: enough steam to pass last year, sponsors are hopeful that 280 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 2: they'll see more success this time around. The resolution amends 281 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 2: the Iowa State Constitution to give Iowa residents the right 282 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 2: to hunt, fish, trap, and harvest wildlife using traditional methods. 283 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,880 Speaker 2: These methods can be subject to laws and rules by 284 00:16:16,920 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 2: the state legislature and the Natural Resource Commission, but those 285 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 2: rules must maintain the resources for public use and preserve 286 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 2: the future of hunting, fishing, and trapping. In order for 287 00:16:26,760 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 2: the constitution to be amended, a resolution must pass the 288 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 2: legislature two years in a row and then be approved 289 00:16:32,320 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 2: by a majority of Iowa voters. Big thanks to listener 290 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 2: Nick Sorenson for sending that one. In Moving North of 291 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 2: the Border, listener Steve Robinson told me about a proposed 292 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 2: spring bear hunt in Nova Scotia. The provincial government is 293 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 2: proposing the hunt as a pilot project and is asking 294 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 2: residents to weigh in. Nova Scotia is currently the only 295 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:55,720 Speaker 2: province with a black bear population that does not have 296 00:16:55,760 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 2: a spring hunt. The Natural Resources Department is proposing a 297 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 2: hunt that will last five weeks from May to June 298 00:17:01,560 --> 00:17:04,400 Speaker 2: of this year. Hunting will not be allowed on Sundays, 299 00:17:04,560 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 2: Killing females with cubs will be prohibited, and the yearly 300 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 2: bag limit will remain at one bear. The hunt will 301 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 2: be open exclusively to Nova Scotia residents, who must obtain 302 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:16,919 Speaker 2: a bear hunting license to participate. The province is asking 303 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:20,280 Speaker 2: for feedback via an online survey. Veterans of the spring 304 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 2: bear wars in Washington State can tell you that anti 305 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:25,880 Speaker 2: hunting groups will be all over this, so it's crucial 306 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 2: then Nova Scotia hunters make their voices heard. In fact, 307 00:17:29,240 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 2: listener Steve Robinson sent me this story after he said 308 00:17:32,200 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 2: it being shared by anti hunting groups on social media, 309 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 2: so head on over to the meetear dot com forward 310 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 2: slash col where you'll find a link to the survey 311 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,800 Speaker 2: under this week's episode. You can also find it by 312 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 2: googling Nova Scotia Spring Bear Hunt Survey. The last day 313 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:52,679 Speaker 2: to submit a response will be February twenty fourth. Last 314 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 2: one for you. Steve Wyndham, who you may remember as 315 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 2: our guest in episode two thirty eight, sent me some 316 00:17:57,680 --> 00:18:00,439 Speaker 2: info on a proposal in Michigan that would end year 317 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 2: round coyote hunting. The state went to a year round 318 00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 2: coyote season in twenty sixteen, but this proposal would shorten 319 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:10,359 Speaker 2: the season to nine months, from July fifteenth to April fifteenth. 320 00:18:10,720 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 2: The move is being opposed by the Michigan United Conservation 321 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 2: Clubs because they say it's bending to social pressures rather 322 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:20,200 Speaker 2: than crafting wildlife policy based on sound science. The state 323 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:23,560 Speaker 2: Department of Natural Resources is remaining neutral on this issue, 324 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 2: but they did admit that going to a year round 325 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:28,920 Speaker 2: season had no impact on the number of coyotes harvested. 326 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 2: In other words, there's no biological reason to shorten the 327 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:35,160 Speaker 2: coyotes season if the same number of coyotes are harvested 328 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:37,520 Speaker 2: either way, why should we limit the time of year 329 00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 2: hunters can get out in the field. The Department's fur 330 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 2: Taker User Group wants to consider this change due to 331 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:47,400 Speaker 2: concern about quote, social perception and future loss of management 332 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 2: tools if the open season continues to allow coyotes to 333 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,200 Speaker 2: be taken when there are a dependent young present. If 334 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 2: too many people in the general public hear about coyotes 335 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 2: being killed while pups are being left on their own, 336 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:02,840 Speaker 2: and might trigger a larger backlash against kyote hunting more generally. 337 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,640 Speaker 2: That's the argument for their part. The Michigan United Conservation 338 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 2: Clubs worries that the Commission is headed down a slippery slope. 339 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:14,680 Speaker 2: The nucc's policy and government affairs manager Justin Tomai said, quote, 340 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 2: Acquiescing to social pressures will start a long downward spiral 341 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:21,159 Speaker 2: when we can't afford to go down as hunters. The 342 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 2: proposal was considered last week at a meeting of the 343 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:26,159 Speaker 2: Natural Resources Commission, and it could get a vote as 344 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:28,680 Speaker 2: early as next month. Get in touch with the members 345 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 2: of the Commission and let them know how you feel. Okay, 346 00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 2: there's lots more out there. There's definitely stuff that we missed. 347 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 2: But that concludes the giant legislation desk. Courtesy at COLS. 348 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 2: We can review listeners, get in touch with us if 349 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:46,199 Speaker 2: we missed anything. Most importantly, your takeaway here needs to 350 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:49,120 Speaker 2: be that if something's happening in a state near you, 351 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,679 Speaker 2: there's probably something happening in your state. You gotta be vigilant. 352 00:19:52,720 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 2: You gotta pay attention, and you got to weigh in, 353 00:19:55,760 --> 00:20:01,119 Speaker 2: write letters, make phone calls, get involved. If you want 354 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 2: to come to us for your information instead of typing 355 00:20:04,520 --> 00:20:07,879 Speaker 2: in a search in the Google machine, go to themeaeater 356 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 2: dot com, forward slash col and we'll have links to 357 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 2: where you can contact your representatives. All right, moving on 358 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:20,439 Speaker 2: to the survey desk. A new survey has found that 359 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:23,200 Speaker 2: eighty six percent of firearm owners and sports shooters who 360 00:20:23,240 --> 00:20:26,959 Speaker 2: do not hunt support using gun taxes for conservation. This 361 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:30,040 Speaker 2: might not sound surprising, but it's actually very important. When 362 00:20:30,040 --> 00:20:32,600 Speaker 2: the Pittman Robertson Act was passed nineteen thirty seven, the 363 00:20:32,680 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 2: ven diagram of people who own firearms and people who 364 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 2: hunt was basically just two overlapping circles. In other words, 365 00:20:39,359 --> 00:20:41,639 Speaker 2: if you owned a firearm in thirty seven, you almost 366 00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:44,600 Speaker 2: certainly like to hunt. That's why the user pays, user 367 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:47,600 Speaker 2: benefits model made so much sense. If hunters were the 368 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:50,200 Speaker 2: main group of people at harvesting animals, they should fund 369 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,560 Speaker 2: the conservation of those animals using tax dollars collected from 370 00:20:53,560 --> 00:20:56,119 Speaker 2: guns and ammal But those two groups have shifted a 371 00:20:56,119 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 2: bit in recent decades. These days, it isn't uncommon to 372 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:02,920 Speaker 2: talk with someone who owns firearms and enjoys shooting them, 373 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 2: but doesn't hunt. Because of this split, there's been talk 374 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 2: of doing away with Pittman Robertson. We covered a bill 375 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 2: last year authored by Congressman Andrew Clyde that would do 376 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 2: exactly that. He argued that many gun owners no longer hunt, 377 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 2: and it violates their Second Amendment rights to impose attacks 378 00:21:19,280 --> 00:21:22,640 Speaker 2: on guns and AMMO. There wasn't much support for Representative 379 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:25,359 Speaker 2: Clyde's bill, and this survey should take the last breath 380 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,119 Speaker 2: of wind out of those sales, I would think, But 381 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 2: I have it on good authority that Representative Clyde was 382 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:37,120 Speaker 2: walking around shot Show talking about is now infamous idea. 383 00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 2: The survey conducted by the firm Responsive Management and partnership 384 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,240 Speaker 2: with the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, interviewed 385 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 2: twenty nine hundred and nineteen adult firearm owners and sports 386 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 2: shooters who had not hunted in the previous five years. 387 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:54,399 Speaker 2: Their responses indicated broad support for gun taxes among the 388 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:57,960 Speaker 2: people who Representative Clyde says are having their rights violated. 389 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 2: Nearly half of the respondents didn't know about Pittman Robertson 390 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:04,120 Speaker 2: before taking the survey, but fifty two percent said they 391 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 2: strongly support the program after learning more about it. Another 392 00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 2: thirty four percent said they moderately support it, while twelve 393 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,920 Speaker 2: percent remain neutral. On the other hand, only three percent 394 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 2: of respondents said they either strongly or moderately oppose Pittman Robertson. 395 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 2: That's good news for conservation funding. I think it's true 396 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:24,159 Speaker 2: that gun owners today would not support new taxes on 397 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 2: firearms even if the funds were going to wildlife conservation. 398 00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:31,200 Speaker 2: But even non hunting gun owners are happy to learn 399 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:33,959 Speaker 2: that they're a big reason why we have healthy habitats 400 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:37,159 Speaker 2: and abundant wildlife. It's not a perfect system, and I 401 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 2: think there's room to expand revenue sources for fishing game agencies, 402 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,080 Speaker 2: but our model has worked pretty well so far, and 403 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:45,679 Speaker 2: gun owners agree that there's no reason to change it. 404 00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:51,280 Speaker 2: Moving on to the hunter safety desk, and Iowa hunter 405 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:54,479 Speaker 2: is facing a misdemeanor charge after allegedly shooting his hunting 406 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 2: partner in southeast Colorado. Game wardens say the incident happened 407 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,040 Speaker 2: on a coyote hunt. The suspect was with two other 408 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:03,359 Speaker 2: hunters when he saw coyote about fifty feet away and 409 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:05,919 Speaker 2: fired his shotgun, but he missed the animal, so he 410 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 2: swung around and fired again, but instead of hitting his target, 411 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:11,959 Speaker 2: he hit his hunting partner. The partner, a seventy year 412 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 2: old man also from Iowa, was flown to a Colorado 413 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:19,200 Speaker 2: Springs hospital for treatment, but fortunately only sustained minor injuries. 414 00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:22,640 Speaker 2: The suspect faces a penalty between one hundred and one 415 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:26,879 Speaker 2: thousand dollars and an assessment of twenty hunting licensed suspension points. 416 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,639 Speaker 2: Another hunter is being charged with negligent homicide after he 417 00:23:30,680 --> 00:23:33,440 Speaker 2: says he mistook a person for a deer. Police in 418 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 2: Baton Rouge, Louisiana say fifty four year old Thomas Franklin 419 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:39,080 Speaker 2: was deer hunting in a wooded area when he fired 420 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:42,000 Speaker 2: his rifle and hit thirty four year old Jacob Altazan. 421 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 2: Franklin told police that no one was wearing hunter's orange 422 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 2: when it happened, that he thought he was shooting at 423 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 2: a deer. But local media also reports that a third hunter, 424 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 2: who has not been named, quoted Franklin as saying the 425 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:55,200 Speaker 2: gun went off accidentally. That's not the only strange thing 426 00:23:55,200 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 2: about this story. One of Altason's friends told local media 427 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 2: that he was very conscientious about hunter safety and would 428 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:04,520 Speaker 2: never have taken off his vest in the woods. He 429 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:07,639 Speaker 2: claims Altason was wearing his vest when he went hunting 430 00:24:07,640 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 2: that morning, and he cast doubt on Franklin's version of events. 431 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:15,199 Speaker 2: This investigation is obviously ongoing. We'll keep you posted when 432 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:19,120 Speaker 2: we hear more. Moving on to the fishing desk and 433 00:24:19,200 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 2: get ready, because it smells crappy. A Kansas man is 434 00:24:24,119 --> 00:24:27,359 Speaker 2: crying foul after state officials confirmed and then rescinded a 435 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:30,200 Speaker 2: state record for a white crappie he caught last April. 436 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:32,480 Speaker 2: Several of you sent me this story and asked me 437 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:34,679 Speaker 2: to weigh in this point. I don't think we have 438 00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 2: enough to go on, but here's what we know so far. 439 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,920 Speaker 2: Bobby Parkhurst got a big old crappy at Potawatame State 440 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 2: Fishing Lake number two. On March five, twenty twenty three, 441 00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:47,240 Speaker 2: the fish was inspected and measured by the Assistant Director 442 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:49,800 Speaker 2: of Fisheries for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. 443 00:24:50,119 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 2: After the required thirty day waiting period, the fish was 444 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 2: weighed on a certified scale and clocked in at four 445 00:24:55,880 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 2: point zero seven pounds, five hundreds of a pound heavier 446 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:01,879 Speaker 2: than the pre state record, which was caught in nineteen 447 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 2: sixty four. Normally, that would be the end of the story, 448 00:25:05,240 --> 00:25:07,679 Speaker 2: but game wardens allegedly received a tip that there was 449 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:11,240 Speaker 2: something fishy about this crappy, so in late April of 450 00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:14,639 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three, they went to Parkhurst Home seize the fish. 451 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 2: Months later, in November of last year, they updated their 452 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 2: press release and the state records, removing park Curse catch 453 00:25:20,840 --> 00:25:23,439 Speaker 2: from the books. All they say in the press release 454 00:25:23,520 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 2: is that the fish quote could not be confirmed. A 455 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:29,880 Speaker 2: spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park said, 456 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 2: I thought that was a Catholic thing. Eh Huh, couldn't 457 00:25:33,960 --> 00:25:37,280 Speaker 2: get my father for I have said, that's putting it mildly. 458 00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 2: Never Mind, he didn't say that. I said upon re examination, 459 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 2: the original weight of the fish could not be replicated 460 00:25:43,920 --> 00:25:49,199 Speaker 2: or verified. Did Parkhurst somehow bamboozle a fisheries biologist. Not 461 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:51,640 Speaker 2: according to him. He posted on Facebook that he caught 462 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,159 Speaker 2: the fish legally and honestly and jumped through all the 463 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:57,280 Speaker 2: hoops he was supposed to. He calls the game wardens bullies, 464 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:00,640 Speaker 2: says they're dishonest and that they're slandering him. Kansas Parks 465 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 2: and Wildlife hasn't offered an explanation. They say the investigation 466 00:26:03,920 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 2: is ongoing. We don't know what the truth is here. 467 00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:10,119 Speaker 2: The stories can change quickly with just a few additional details, 468 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 2: but I can't tell you this. This is the most 469 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:14,480 Speaker 2: the nation's cared about white crappie in a long time. 470 00:26:15,040 --> 00:26:17,760 Speaker 2: So let's get to the bottom of this one. That's 471 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 2: all I got for you this week. Thank you so 472 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:24,680 Speaker 2: much for listening. Remember to write into askc Al that's 473 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:27,320 Speaker 2: Askcal at themeeater dot com and let me know what's 474 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,160 Speaker 2: going on in your neck of the woods. We really 475 00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:32,400 Speaker 2: do appreciate it. Let's keep these bad bills just as 476 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 2: bills and not from getting passed as laws or regulations. 477 00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:37,960 Speaker 2: It's up to us. Thank you so much, and we'll 478 00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 2: talk to you next week.