Yes I went and there was a great showing. People want to know what I thought and how the meeting went.
The meeting was suppose to be a open discussion, similar to a round-table setting, to work on the issues brought up in the agenda. The original group from the first meeting back in the middle of 2012 was given the predator codes including the title 14 predator regs and was told to go through them. They were told to comment on areas they would like to see changed or felt needed updating. They were just looking for input and it didn't mean it would be used as a policy change but rather just comments for consideration. Then they would take those comments, go through them and discuss them at this meeting. That didn't happen because there was so many opposing comments from the public yesterday.
As we all know, the people that showed up at the first meeting have a different view than us hunters. BUT, and I say BUT, they showed up and we didn't (that is me included). That is our fault. Noelle, who is one of the Directors for the Farm Bureau, showed up as well and she gave input at the first meeting. She is on our side. But the majority who showed on the first meeting were on the opposite side of the hunters. They were given the codes and and were asked for their advice. We didn't like what they said, so we decided to show up in force at this meeting. I would say they got the point but it can’t stop here.
This is what I personally feel; everyone can take it as they would like. I feel us hunters have let each-other down. We must, MUST band together and have one common goal, and that is to keep hunting, on all levels, open in this state. We must be involved in the process. There were a lot of people at the meeting yesterday and I will guess that about 90% won't do the homework that we were sent home to do. They will be the ones that complain about the old days and how we used to be able to hunt everywhere and we didn't have to deal with these issues. Well that kind of thinking doesn't work people. It doesn't WORK. We must be involved and have one voice. I am a fireman, not a lawyer and I will do everything I can. But I can't do everything either. I am on multiple boards, have kids and want to spend time in the field like us all. But I will be involved and very involved in trying to help learn how to be part of the solution. That is what we were told yesterday in my opinion. We were told to go home and do some homework.
So this is what we were told to do:
I hope I have given you a starting point. I hope you get involved. We all know that this is just the start of a battle that will go on for years. Last year it was lead and bobcats, and this year it is predators in general. Who knows what next year will bring. Maybe it will be the deer or quail. One thing I will say, if you just sit back and let me, or someone else do all the work, it won't all get done.
You might be asking how can you be involved more? I would suggest if you are part of a hunting group or recreational group then connect that group with the San Diego County Wildlife Federation. Maybe this website SCH should be involved with them. http://www.sdcwf.org/
The reason why organizations need to be involved with the bigger group is because bigger groups have bigger voices than just one.
Sorry for rambling on and I am sure I missed some points of the meeting. Like I said I am a fireman, not a lawyer and this is all new to me but I am learning quickly.
Thanks
Robert Williams
The meeting was suppose to be a open discussion, similar to a round-table setting, to work on the issues brought up in the agenda. The original group from the first meeting back in the middle of 2012 was given the predator codes including the title 14 predator regs and was told to go through them. They were told to comment on areas they would like to see changed or felt needed updating. They were just looking for input and it didn't mean it would be used as a policy change but rather just comments for consideration. Then they would take those comments, go through them and discuss them at this meeting. That didn't happen because there was so many opposing comments from the public yesterday.
As we all know, the people that showed up at the first meeting have a different view than us hunters. BUT, and I say BUT, they showed up and we didn't (that is me included). That is our fault. Noelle, who is one of the Directors for the Farm Bureau, showed up as well and she gave input at the first meeting. She is on our side. But the majority who showed on the first meeting were on the opposite side of the hunters. They were given the codes and and were asked for their advice. We didn't like what they said, so we decided to show up in force at this meeting. I would say they got the point but it can’t stop here.
This is what I personally feel; everyone can take it as they would like. I feel us hunters have let each-other down. We must, MUST band together and have one common goal, and that is to keep hunting, on all levels, open in this state. We must be involved in the process. There were a lot of people at the meeting yesterday and I will guess that about 90% won't do the homework that we were sent home to do. They will be the ones that complain about the old days and how we used to be able to hunt everywhere and we didn't have to deal with these issues. Well that kind of thinking doesn't work people. It doesn't WORK. We must be involved and have one voice. I am a fireman, not a lawyer and I will do everything I can. But I can't do everything either. I am on multiple boards, have kids and want to spend time in the field like us all. But I will be involved and very involved in trying to help learn how to be part of the solution. That is what we were told yesterday in my opinion. We were told to go home and do some homework.
So this is what we were told to do:
- Go to the Commission Site http://www.fgc.ca.gov/ and click on the "Join our electronic mailing list to receive meeting agendas, including committee agendas, and announcements" . This way we show up like we should have the first time.
- Go to the Agenda http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2014/jan/011514wrcagd.pdf of yesterdays meeting and become familiar with what was talked about
- Then go to the Predator Policy Worksheet, This is from the first meeting and the comments were from the 15 people that showed up. http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2014/jan/Predator_Policy_Worksheet.pdf
- Read the regulations and code and make your own responses. You must bring some fact and do some research. This is what the Anti's did
- To see some examples you can follow what some of us did. http://www.fgc.ca.gov/meetings/2014/jan/011514docs.aspx
- The above link I added also shows comments people made about Lead Ban and other areas of the agenda
- You have a voice and I know we all know it isn't as big as HSUS but we have one, so use it.
I hope I have given you a starting point. I hope you get involved. We all know that this is just the start of a battle that will go on for years. Last year it was lead and bobcats, and this year it is predators in general. Who knows what next year will bring. Maybe it will be the deer or quail. One thing I will say, if you just sit back and let me, or someone else do all the work, it won't all get done.
You might be asking how can you be involved more? I would suggest if you are part of a hunting group or recreational group then connect that group with the San Diego County Wildlife Federation. Maybe this website SCH should be involved with them. http://www.sdcwf.org/
The reason why organizations need to be involved with the bigger group is because bigger groups have bigger voices than just one.
Sorry for rambling on and I am sure I missed some points of the meeting. Like I said I am a fireman, not a lawyer and this is all new to me but I am learning quickly.
Thanks
Robert Williams
