Letter to MODOC Please Read

[Goofy]

Good job John. Please add our names as well.
Sherry Nees
Ray Nees

[NANNER]

Here is a letter I'm sending to the Missouri Department of Conservation. If you believe in its content PLEASE make a post with your First and Last name so I may include your name on the list to Jefferson City. You DO NOT have to be from Missouri. Thanks for your support guys. Together we can make a difference.

December 16, 2008

David W. Erickson
Assistant Director
Chairman Regulations Committee
Missouri Department Of Conservation

Kevin Sullivan
Resource Scientist
Missouri Department Of Conservation


Dear Sirs,

Thank you for the opportunity to write to the Missouri Department Of Conservation in regards to regulation and protection of our great states Catfisheries. Specifically, our Blue, Flathead and Channel Cat Species.

The names attached to this letter represent a group of proud sportsman that sincerely believe positive change is necessary to protect these great fishes. These names are from proud, hard working Americans that dedicate their time, hard earned money, and efforts to the great sport of Catfishing. We are willing to make sacrifices in length and creel limits to the level necessary to sustain these great fishes so that our children and their children may enjoy this fishery as much as we do. In the short term, we strongly encourage the Missouri Department Of Conservation and Department for Regulatory Change to institute a 1 fish daily possession limit for all catfish over 34 inches in length. This is to include Commercial Fishing. I refer you to the very successful implementation of this program in the state of Tennessee.

http://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/Commercial/TN_com_reg_08.pdf

We are gravely concerned with the current level of fish being taken from our river systems for commercial purposes such as resale, or to be taken alive and sold to pay lakes in Illinois, Ohio, and other states including our very own state of Missouri.
1. We feel the current regulations regarding commercial fishing are much too lenient and provide a huge stress on the previously mentioned catfish populations. Our current 12 dollar fees for an annual Missouri State Fishing License allow us a daily creel limit of up to 5 fish, yet a commercial fisherman can spend 25 dollars and may take any number of fish. Unfortunately, these commercial fisherman are running huge gill, trammel, and seine nets during the winter season when the fish school together in massive wintering holes, which allows them to harvest 10’s of thousands of pounds often in a couple days of fishing. Here on the Mississippi River, we recently observed a boat full of Blue Cats that exceeded several thousand pounds. It was more fish harvested in a day, then I have caught by rod and reel in the last 3 years. And this gentleman can keep several thousand pounds of Blue Cats merely because he spent 13 more dollars? The Blue Cat populations are being decimated every winter with these long and unforgiving nets, and our Flatheads are are being pummeled with hoop nets during the prespawn season.
2. This past season alone, I had to remove two nets from my boat prop. This is a problem that is becoming rather common unfortunately as the numbers of these nets increase, and are left unattended.
3. Some of these fisherman are working illegal nets, and illegal net placements as there is no enforcement on the Mississippi River to speak of. Our tributary entrances our often encased with these nets, even thought the regulations specifically indicate no such net placements are allowed within 300 yards of a tributary entrance. Our conservation agent doesn’t even have a boat. We are forming a watch dog group to start regular patrols on our sections of river, and will be calling Game Thief Repeatedly, however we realize the department is understaffed, under funded, and under resourced.
4. As you are well aware, the invasive species of Asian Carps that have saturated our rivers is on the increase as well. Our Catfish are using the Asian Carp as a food source, especially in the summer time and a reduction in the numbers of Catfish, equals an increase in the numbers of Asian Carp. We are diminishing the numbers of slow reproducing catfish, and increasing the numbers of the prolific spawning carps, which is obviously not a good combination.

The current rate of the taking of our large fish is already having very detrimental effects on the Mississippi River. These fisherman are targeting our larger fish, which our very own fisheries biologist indicates is our breeder fish and are critically important to the ecosystem.

We salute the Missouri Department Of Conservation for its past legislation banning commercial fishing on the Missouri River. Recent reports indicate that this has already had a very positive effect on the Catfisheries in this river system.

The Mississippi River is currently being targeted by very large numbers of commercial fisherman. We realize that the Mississippi River is bordered by other states, and change can be difficult to implement. However, we feel two wrongs don’t make it right, and positive change on OUR side of the river will eventually bring positive change on the other.

We will continue to do our part as fisherman by practicing Catch and Release and Selective Harvest. We implore the Department of Conservation to join us and steadfastly pass legislation that restricts the large amounts of fish being taken from our river system for the benefit of a few mens wallets. After all, our rivers are a public resource. You can count on us to be a part of any future meetings or work groups where the public is invited to attend. We are committed to our goal to protect these fishes and we will do whatever it takes to assist the Department of Conservation with change to its Regulations.

Sincerely,


John M Allen
Gateway Cats President/Board Of Directors
Contributor, Brotherhood Of Catfishing
Lifetime Member North American Fishing Club
Member ACATS
Member USCATS

314.853.4000 Cell
gatewaycats@yahoo.com


Fellow Brothers, If you believe in what I have mentioned in this letter, please make a post with your First and Last Name so that I may include your name on the list that goes to Jefferson City. You don’t have to be from Missouri. The time for change is now. Together, we have what it takes to protect these great fishes. We cant allow the current commercial harvest rates to continue. Thank You for your support. Cuz

[jlingle]

Well said, Cuz. I sure wouldn't mind seeing this implemented in Oklahoma as well. There are far too many folks who don't respect the waters that we have, and they'll keep every big fish that they catch, while throwing back the smaller ones. Selective harvest in reverse, if you know what I mean.

Jerrod Lingle
Altus, OK

[catfishscotty]

count me in scott brown my dad said count him in as well don brown

[H2O Mellon]

Bryan Mellon
Dayton, OH

I am PM'ing you other names of folks in my household.

[tomflatcat]

Count me in and keep us updated with the reply.

Tom Turner
Hampstead, NC.

[BKS72]

I'm in. Nice job on the letter. Branden Stombaugh.

[NANNER]

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

John Allen
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh


KEEP EM COMING BOYS
Thanks a Million

[DRC]

please add my name to your letter .
i agree with the concerns stated in this letter and
hope to help make a differance.
i think it is plain wrong to use a net to collect catfish like this
if they want a lot of catfish meat to sell
they can grow them , then use all the nets they want
to get em out , this is rapeing resources indiscrimenantly with no care or concern for the future of fishing or the devestation that it will cause .
anything that is going to be a plus for the asian carp is a huge negative for any other species.
darryl carter
sons and fellow fishermen jarrod carter and matthew carter

[jedamy]

jed shields fayette mo

[spoonfish]

Good work John. Count me in.
Troy Greenwood

[poisonpits]

im all for restricking the size of fish you can kill.
johnnie mckee
mena arkansas

[brad kilpatrick]

Brad Kilpatrick president Kansas City Catfish
Kansas City Ks.

[NANNER]

Thanks Guys. Spread the Word to your other states if you dont mind.

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick

[BAM]

Buck McClendon
Murfreesboro, TN

[olddriller]

CUZ , Thanks from all of us for your time and efforts in this matter. I think that if the MODOC cant stop or put some restrictions on the commerical fishermen , I think a permit should cost $3,000.00 for a commerical one. That should weed out a few of them. Paul Lawrence & Jeanette Lawrence Crawford county Missouri. Please put our names on your list. Paul

[Rusty]

Count us in John. Great job on the letter.
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Spickard Mo.

[Skunk Master]

Count me in and also include these names.. Harold H Hicks. Ann Hicks, Bobby J Hicks, Patrick R. Hicks, and Charles Albert..

[WylieCat]

As the president of the Carolina Catfish Club, I understand your struggle to get legislative change.

One suggestion is to sit down and talk with the biologists about the process for changing the regulations. Find out from them how to go about getting the laws change. Every state is different, but the biologists from the NCWRC were very helpful in walking us through the steps for initializing the process.

The key is to make sure that your goals and intentions are on the same side as the biologists in your state. Without their support, no matter how many folks are with you, change will never happen.

Add my name, Dieter Melhorn, and I will forward this link to our membership. In return I ask that you view our thread here on the BOC on similar legislation and log onto the NCWRC website and vote in favor of the 32” regulation in North Carolina.

Here is the link: http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66058

[NANNER]

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper

[Kutter]

Add My name to your list.

[NANNER]

As the president of the Carolina Catfish Club, I understand your struggle to get legislative change.

One suggestion is to sit down and talk with the biologists about the process for changing the regulations. Find out from them how to go about getting the laws change. Every state is different, but the biologists from the NCWRC were very helpful in walking us through the steps for initializing the process.

The key is to make sure that your goals and intentions are on the same side as the biologists in your state. Without their support, no matter how many folks are with you, change will never happen.

Add my name, Dieter Melhorn, and I will forward this link to our membership. In return I ask that you view our thread here on the BOC on similar legislation and log onto the NCWRC website and vote in favor of the 32” regulation in North Carolina.

Here is the link: http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66058


Consider it done Dieter. Thanks for your help.

[primitivefrn]

I'am in we have to start some where.
Jim Wainwright
Collins Mo.

[akwolf41]

CUZ:

Add us to the List. Great Letter.

Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers

[NANNER]

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Harold Hicks
Ann Hicks
Bobby Hicks
Patrick Hicks
Charles Albert
Dieter Melhorn
Tom Pelikan
Jim Wainwright
Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers


Guys its telling me I have given out toooo much love in the last 24 hours. :smile2: Dont think I'm ignoring ya.

[FREESPOOL]

Very very good job. It was beautifully worded. Thanks for your efforts. I'm proud to have you head up the Gateway Cats Cuz. Great job!! I've got a few people that would like to be included on the list.

Daniel Ferrari
Tia Ferrari
Michael Ferrari
Carl Ferrari
Ryan Compton
Scott Compton
Tara Fetter
Tony Pieri
Dara Pieri
Nick Daniels
Jessica Daniels

[bearcat]

Add my name.
Tim DeWerff

[NANNER]

John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Harold Hicks
Ann Hicks
Bobby Hicks
Patrick Hicks
Charles Albert
Dieter Melhorn
Tom Pelikan
Jim Wainwright
Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers
Daniel Ferrari
Tia Ferrari
Michael Ferrari
Carl Ferrari
Ryan Compton
Scott Compton
Tara Fetter
Tony Pieri
Dara Pieri
Nick Daniels
Jessica Daniels
Tim DeWerff

[Pennsylvaniacatchaser]

Please add the following names to your list:
Scott Williams
Mary Williams
Lauren Williams
Kelli Williams
Heather Drane
Samantha Drane

We are located in Sarver, Pa

[big-muddy]

Shane Henry
St. Louis, MO

[slider]

you can add these names cuz tim branstetter ,troy wallace

[slimcat]

Cuz, I fish the mississippi river in missouri several times a year. Please add my name to your list, I commend you for going forth with a letter to your state officials. Its time some of us Kentuckians band together and start banging on the doors. Thanks again.

[brad kilpatrick]

John,
Be sure to include the names of the various catfishing groups that some of us are leaders in. I know that the MDC holds such groups in high regard as We are stakeholders in the conservation of these rivers.

[NANNER]

John,
Be sure to include the names of the various catfishing groups that some of us are leaders in. I know that the MDC holds such groups in high regard as We are stakeholders in the conservation of these rivers.

Thats a great idea Brad. I'll post some now, yall let me know what I have forgotten.

[NANNER]

Gateway Cats
Missouri Acats
KC Catfish.com
Carolina Catfish Club
John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Harold Hicks
Ann Hicks
Bobby Hicks
Patrick Hicks
Charles Albert
Dieter Melhorn
Tom Pelikan
Jim Wainwright
Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers
Daniel Ferrari
Tia Ferrari
Michael Ferrari
Carl Ferrari
Ryan Compton
Scott Compton
Tara Fetter
Tony Pieri
Dara Pieri
Nick Daniels
Jessica Daniels
Tim DeWerff
Scott Williams
Mary Williams
Lauren Williams
Kelli Williams
Heather Drane
Samantha Drane
Shane Henry
Tim branstetter
Troy Wallace
Demetrius Kinnis


I'm probably going to start attaching a spreadsheat as an attachment so you guys can see the names. The thread will run too long if I keep posting like this.

[Skunk Master]

Did Mrs Cuz slap you in the back of the head and ask you how come you didn;t think of that first...hehehe

[EricM]

Eric Maurer
Cleveland, TN

[Malichi1970]

You know me and Debbie support this John add our names to that list as well.

Michael Butler
Debra Purkerson

Brendan Butler
Melissa Butler
Laura Butler

[metalman]

Cuz,
Excellently crafted letter. You can count us in...W

WINSTON BUSH
PHYLLIS BUSH
Sheridan, IN

[alands94]

Count my family and I in as well:

Aaron Lands
Kristen Lands
Larry Lands
Mabel Lands
Terry Amburgey
Rebecca Amburgey

Thanks!

[river1214rat]

Count me in

Linda Drummond West Point, KY

[bigcatmaniac]

My family and i would all like to be added to your list John,

Ethan Starr
Jay Starr
Jody Starr
Kelli Henggeler
Nick Henggeler
Mike Hainline

[Dwednuts]

Add My name as well,
John Fisher
Pres. Ky.A.C.A.T.S "Ohio Valley Trophy Hunters"
Delores Fisher
Robert Fisher

[stlcatman]

Great job John. Ryan Casey Imperial MO
Hunter Casey Imperial MO

[ohiorivercat]

chad willett
tiffany willett

cuz good luck with this letter hope you can get something done.....this needs to be addressed to all states ..... i tried myself around a year ago i sent a very long and detailed email to kentucky fish and wildlife and i was wanting to know what could be done to do this in kentucky...it was replied to by three people and all pretty much told me our waters where over populated .....i even was told in one email that it was illegal to take away the way a person makes his living wether it be raping our waters or not.......i think ive still got copies of the email i sent as well as the replies if i can dig them up ill post them.......

[stlcatman]

Heather Stratman, Fenton MO
Kelly Casey, Imperial MO
Mary Casey, Imperial MO
Tony Birkenmeier, St. Louis MO
Dennis Casey, Cleavland OH
Brian Preston, Fenton MO
Kyle Fernandez, Fenton MO
Dave Heart, Fenton MO
Ben Roach, Fenton MO
Dustin Roach, Fenton MO

[Ruger 454]

Add me to the list.

Mike Knapp
LaGrange Ky.

[cat tamer]

Cuz, Thanks for all you are doing.

Kirk Kellough

[plainsman]

Excellent points, well written, similiar to what Minnesota has, we gotta do whats necessary, or nature will do it for us, meaning either we release some and have limits or we don't catch any. Let the commercial fishermen catch non game fish. Let hatcheries raise fish for pay lakes. Let farms raise game fish for sale.
Timothy Joseph Hady

[Michael Jake]

Great proactive step John, add my name... Michael Jacobs - Troy, Mo.

[NANNER]

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

Gateway Cats
Missouri Acats
KC Catfish.com
Carolina Catfish Club
John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jarrod Carter
Mathew Carter
Fernando Munoz
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Harold Hicks
Ann Hicks
Bobby Hicks
Patrick Hicks
Charles Albert
Dieter Melhorn
Tom Pelikan
Jim Wainwright
Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers
Daniel Ferrari
Tia Ferrari
Michael Ferrari
Carl Ferrari
Ryan Compton
Scott Compton
Tara Fetter
Tony Pieri
Dara Pieri
Nick Daniels
Jessica Daniels
Tim DeWerff
Scott Williams
Mary Williams
Lauren Williams
Kelli Williams
Heather Drane
Samantha Drane
Shane Henry
Tim branstetter
Troy Wallace
Demetrius Kinnis
Eric Maurer
Michael Butler
Debra Purkerson
Brendan Butler
Melissa Butler
Laura Butler
WINSTON BUSH
PHYLLIS BUSH
Aaron Lands
Kristen Lands
Larry Lands
Mabel Lands
Terry Amburgey
Rebecca Amburgey
David Ashby
Linda Drummond
Ethan Starr
Jay Starr
Jody Starr
Kelli Henggeler
Nick Henggeler
Mike Hainline
John Fisher
Delores Fisher
Robert Fisher
Ryan Casey
Hunter Casey
chad willett
tiffany willett
Heather Stratman
Kelly Casey
Mary Casey
Tony Birkenmeier
Dennis Casey
Kyle Fernandez
Brian Preston
Dave Heart
Ben Roach
Dustin Roach
Mike Knapp
Kirk Kellough
Timothy Joseph Hady
Michael Jacobs

[ShilohRed]

You can add me to the list also.
Pete Kildow

pickwick Tn

[ozzy]

Throw my name in the hat please. Mike Smith Las Vegas , Nevada.

[Piperat]

Heres My Group Cuz

Doug Vaughan
Tracy Vaughan
Joseph Vaughan
Austin Hyde

[rspd507]

John,
I support you cause 100% Id like for Indiana to follow suit due to the fact that we are having the same problems with these commercial fisherman.

[ldw45]

Dean West, Illinois

[RIVER-RAT]

Great Job Cuz! Add the following names to your list my friend;

William S Rowe III
Sarah Fortenbury (Future Mrs Rowe)
Skylar Rowe
William B Whittaker


Thanks for all your efforts John!

[NANNER]

John,
I support you cause 100% Id like for Indiana to follow suit due to the fact that we are having the same problems with these commercial fisherman.

Thx Ross. I need your last name to add you to the list.

[NANNER]

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

Gateway Cats
Missouri Acats
KC Catfish.com
Carolina Catfish Club
John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jarrod Carter
Mathew Carter
Fernando Munoz
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Harold Hicks
Ann Hicks
Bobby Hicks
Patrick Hicks
Charles Albert
Dieter Melhorn
Tom Pelikan
Jim Wainwright
Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers
Daniel Ferrari
Tia Ferrari
Michael Ferrari
Carl Ferrari
Ryan Compton
Scott Compton
Tara Fetter
Tony Pieri
Dara Pieri
Nick Daniels
Jessica Daniels
Tim DeWerff
Scott Williams
Mary Williams
Lauren Williams
Kelli Williams
Heather Drane
Samantha Drane
Shane Henry
Tim branstetter
Troy Wallace
Demetrius Kinnis
Eric Maurer
Michael Butler
Debra Purkerson
Brendan Butler
Melissa Butler
Laura Butler
WINSTON BUSH
PHYLLIS BUSH
Aaron Lands
Kristen Lands
Larry Lands
Mabel Lands
Terry Amburgey
Rebecca Amburgey
David Ashby
Linda Drummond
Ethan Starr
Jay Starr
Jody Starr
Kelli Henggeler
Nick Henggeler
Mike Hainline
John Fisher
Delores Fisher
Robert Fisher
Ryan Casey
Hunter Casey
chad willett
tiffany willett
Heather Stratman
Kelly Casey
Mary Casey
Tony Birkenmeier
Dennis Casey
Kyle Fernandez
Brian Preston
Dave Heart
Ben Roach
Dustin Roach
Mike Knapp
Kirk Kellough
Timothy Joseph Hady
Michael Jacobs
Pete Kildow
Mike Smith
Doug Vaughan
Tracy Vaughan
Joseph Vaughan
Austin Hyde
Dean West
William S Rowe III
Sarah Fortenbury (Future Mrs Rowe)
Skylar Rowe
William B Whittaker
Ross ????

[catfishcentral]

Chris Glass
Bartlesville, OK

[theonecatfishbob]

Robert Simmons Wright City, Mo.

[tspergin]

Tony Spergin, Newark Ohio

[fishnfwl]

Great letter Cuz........ Great starting block, add us also.
Becca, Kirsten and Randy Ferris.

[dougc]

You know I'm in!

Doug Chapman
Independence, Missouri

[Douglas Foster]

Good letter, count me in.
Douglas Foster
Lawton, Oklahoma

[TONTO]

I'm all for it count me in
Earl R. Jacquot
Murphysboro, ILL.

[Stubby]

Carl Peetoom
Arkansas City, Kansas

[Katmandeux]

I'm in.

Dave Patton
McIntosh County, OK

[MO RIVER MAN]

Jake Reid Council Bluffs Iowa.

[777]

Great letter Cuz, You can add my name to the list. Johnny Key Natural Dam, Arkansas. Feel free to send this to the Arakansas Game and Fish Commission as well. This is also a major problem in this state.

[curdog]

Great letter Cuz, You can add my name to the list. Johnny Key Natural Dam, Arkansas. Feel free to send this to the Arakansas Game and Fish Commission as well. This is also a major problem in this state.

I agree with Johnny Key Something needs to be done in arkansas too.
Add my name to the list: Richard Kervin, Sheridan Arkansas

[Skunk Master]

Well Cuz, you're getting quite a few responses, but I thought it would be in the thousands by now.. Come on people this is a good cause and could be a start to something better... One State at a time... Lets go..

[kat in the hat]

Cuz...not to nit-pick, but I have found a typo in your letter. Please add my name to the list. I like to eat a big ol' flattie now and then, but 1 is plenty, and a length restriction would enhance all of our fishing experiences for years to come. Thanks for putting forth the effort to bring about change. Reducing the creel on blues, and banning commercial catfishing on the Missouri were great steps in the right direction. The Mississippi will be whole lot more difficult undertaking IMO, but a great idea nonetheless.

The typo...

3. Some of these fisherman are working illegal nets, and illegal net placements as there is no enforcement on the Mississippi River to speak of. Our tributary entrances our often encased with these nets, even thought the regulations specifically indicate no such net placements are allowed within 300 yards of a tributary entrance.

...our should are.

Matt Smith

[Grumper]

Hey Cuz! Why ain't I on the list yet???:big_smile::big_smile:
Please add the following names:

Gary M. Vinyard
Gary R. Vinyard
Matthew Vinyard
Keith Gant

[catfeveriowa]

Thanks for taking the time and effort Cuz, add my name also Bill Daniels

[turtle1173]

Excellent Cuz!!

Shane Williams

[Flatheadhunter33]

Dameon Hawkins
Yuma, Az.

[NANNER]

Cuz...not to nit-pick, but I have found a typo in your letter. Please add my name to the list. I like to eat a big ol' flattie now and then, but 1 is plenty, and a length restriction would enhance all of our fishing experiences for years to come. Thanks for putting forth the effort to bring about change. Reducing the creel on blues, and banning commercial catfishing on the Missouri were great steps in the right direction. The Mississippi will be whole lot more difficult undertaking IMO, but a great idea nonetheless.

The typo...

3. Some of these fisherman are working illegal nets, and illegal net placements as there is no enforcement on the Mississippi River to speak of. Our tributary entrances our often encased with these nets, even thought the regulations specifically indicate no such net placements are allowed within 300 yards of a tributary entrance.

...our should are.

Matt Smith

Thanks Matt. I've found a couple of errors myself since I have printed and proofread it also. :confused2: Thanks for showing my errors so I dont look like an idiot with the powers that be :smile2::wink:

[NANNER]

Names That Support Change to Protect our Great Catfishes.

Gateway Cats
Missouri Acats
KC Catfish.com
Carolina Catfish Club
John Allen
Lisa Allen
Lauren Allen
Jackson Allen
Robert Hipes
Bobby Hipes
Anthony Hipes
Chris Hipes
Bryan Mellon
Jennifer Mellon
Gloria Mellon
Phil Mellon
Phillip Croy Mellon
Andrew Mellon
Vivianne Mellon
Jerrod Lingle
Scott Brown
Don Brown
Tom Turner
Branden Stambaugh
Eric Stambaugh
Darryl Carter
Jarrod Carter
Mathew Carter
Fernando Munoz
Jed Shields
Troy Greenwood
Johnnie McKee
Brad Kilpatrick
Buck McClendon
Paul Lawrence
Jeanette Lawrence
Russell Stamper
Claudia Stamper
Harold Hicks
Ann Hicks
Bobby Hicks
Patrick Hicks
Charles Albert
Dieter Melhorn
Tom Pelikan
Jim Wainwright
Gene Chambers
Helen Chambers
Daniel Ferrari
Tia Ferrari
Michael Ferrari
Carl Ferrari
Ryan Compton
Scott Compton
Tara Fetter
Tony Pieri
Dara Pieri
Nick Daniels
Jessica Daniels
Tim DeWerff
Scott Williams
Mary Williams
Lauren Williams
Kelli Williams
Heather Drane
Samantha Drane
Shane Henry
Tim branstetter
Troy Wallace
Demetrius Kinnis
Eric Maurer
Michael Butler
Debra Purkerson
Brendan Butler
Melissa Butler
Laura Butler
WINSTON BUSH
PHYLLIS BUSH
Aaron Lands
Kristen Lands
Larry Lands
Mabel Lands
Terry Amburgey
Rebecca Amburgey
David Ashby
Linda Drummond
Ethan Starr
Jay Starr
Jody Starr
Kelli Henggeler
Nick Henggeler
Mike Hainline
John Fisher
Delores Fisher
Robert Fisher
Ryan Casey
Hunter Casey
chad willett
tiffany willett
Heather Stratman
Kelly Casey
Mary Casey
Tony Birkenmeier
Dennis Casey
Kyle Fernandez
Brian Preston
Dave Heart
Ben Roach
Dustin Roach
Mike Knapp
Kirk Kellough
Timothy Joseph Hady
Michael Jacobs
Pete Kildow
Mike Smith
Doug Vaughan
Tracy Vaughan
Joseph Vaughan
Austin Hyde
Dean West
William S Rowe III
Sarah Fortenbury
Skylar Rowe
William B Whittaker
Chris Glass
Robert Simmons
Tony Spergin
Randy Ferris
Becca Ferris
Kirsten Ferris
Doug Chapman
Douglas Foster
Earl R. Jacquot
Carl Peetoom
Dave Patton
Jake Reid
Johnny Key
Richard Kervin
Matt Smith
Gary M. Vinyard
Gary R. Vinyard
Matthew Vinyard
Keith Gant
Bill Daniels
Shane Williams
Dameon Hawkins

Ross ????

[NANNER]

Gentleman, (and Ladies of course) Thank you for all the support and the wonderful PM's. I am humbled by all of your desire to see postive change come to our archaic rules and regulations to protect these great fish. Change is not going to come easy, and I encourage each of you to be steadfast in your beliefs, and dont take NO for an answer. Tell all of your fishing buddies about this thread and forward me their names. I want no less than 1000 signatures on this letter. Keep at it boyz. Were going to get these rules changed for the better or I will die trying. :wink:

[Ulikedew]

Add 2 Hoosiers to the list

Brian Whitlow
Jason Whitlow

[NANNER]

Add 2 Hoosiers to the list

Brian Whitlow
Jason Whitlow

"Hoosiers" are gladly added to the list, and sincerely appreciated. :smile2:

[Skunk Master]

Psssst... hey cuz (he whispers) I didn't see JW and his clan and the KY Acats on the list..

[FishinPhil]

I'm not from Missouri, but I have fished there on occasion, and I certainly agree with your letter.

Phil Thompson
Machesney Park, IL

[sarSWAMPFOX]

We have a 1 blue catfish over 36" per person on Lakes Marion & Moultrie here is SC. I wish the rule was state wide, Maybe some day it will be.

Add these to the list,
JD Trammell,
Russell Trammell,
Lewis Cannon,
Andy Sorrow,

[Rockin' Blues]

Good job Cuz,you can ad Ron,Jim,Mike,Johnathan,Jacob and Monique Esche.Charles and Jackie Nack.Charles,Connie and Jacob Backs.

[Dave L]

I'm all for it, as well as my wife.

David LeTourneau Stacy, MN
Donette LeTourneau Stacy, MN

[RockyIII]

Great job John. James Walker

[bluejay]

J.C. Blackmon Independence, Mo.
Carl Sallee Blue Springs, Mo.
Gary Sallee Oak Grove, Mo.
Joan Blackmon Independence, Mo.

[NANNER]

Psssst... hey cuz (he whispers) I didn't see JW and his clan and the KY Acats on the list..

I know, where ol where could ol JW and the rest of the Canetuckeans be? I'll update the list when I get to Ft. Myers guys. I'm in Boston now on a public computer. Thanks for the support. Keep em coming

[slider]

here is some more names cuz Bruce, Kieth, & Randy Lawarance, Troy Chrans,Donald Moore & Donald Moore jr, Jeff & Kristina Windmiller, Jim Woods,Billy&Sara Haines,Eddie,Gail,Derrick & Ashely Branstetter Dan & Denies Carroll, Ann Wallace,Ray Brown thats it for now as i talk to more people i will try to get more thanks Tim

[stlcatman]

Jason Casey, Washington MO
Allen Casey, Washington MO

[SkipEye]

Well written letter Cuz! Did your mommy help you with that?:smile2:


You know I am in:

Darryl Vaughan
Winfield, MO.

[texasnitehunter]

Add my name to the list.

Terry Johnson
Texas

[micus]

Add my name Cuz:

Michael Stoops

And Thanks!

[cheapNdisgusting]

Russell Whitworth Sr.
St. Ann Mo

Russell Whitworth Jr (me)
Maryland Heights Mo

Russell Whitworth III
Agusta Mo

Stephen Whitworth
St. Charles Mo

My dad taught me to fish responsibly, I taught my sons, and am teaching my grand kids, and hopefully there will be plenty of good fishing left for them to teach their kids and grand kids.

[Grimpuppy]

Count me in.

Jay Smith
Kansas

[RIVER-RAT]

Here are some more John that wish to be added;

Joe McKinney
Megan McKinney
Dave Adams
Paul O'Rourke
Dave Lengenfelder

[e'villeman]

I have PM'ed you a list of everyone i can think of who agree's with the letter

[Dave53]

I would like to be on that list too,

David Sitton
Robertsville Mo.