Make your voice heard at in-person spring hearings

Letter to the Editor

Make your voice heard at in-person spring hearings

Dear Editor:

What a great turnout at the Spring Hearing held on April 13 in St. Germain! 

Over 100 attendees filled the meeting room, reminding me of the attendance we used to have pre-Covid. I have told many people that the reason to come to the meeting is to ensure that your input is received by the Conservation Congress and the DNR, and that if you don’t, you may get a rule change you don’t want or not get one you wanted.

Well, truth be told, probably 80% of the folks were there because about three years ago, there was a citizen resolution presented at the hearing asking to move the Northern Zone muskie opener from Memorial Day weekend to the general opener the beginning of May. That resolution got a lot of support and worked its way through the rule making process, getting overwhelming support each time. 

It was brought up at the 2023 Congress meeting for final acceptance. Kurt Justice was the Vilas County chair and he, along with Oneida County, made presentations that resulted in the proposal being voted down. 

Unfortunately, it was brought up the following year, and passed. So, this year, muskie season opens with the general opener. A resolution presented Monday night asking for support to change it back was overwhelmingly supported. However, to successfully make the change will take a couple years if there is statewide support for it.

Perhaps, this could have been headed off a couple years ago if folks would just invest one evening in our natural resource management. I, for one, was impressed and thankful to see the turnout, please come next year; your Conservation Congress representatives appreciate and want to hear your input.

Duane Harpster

Boulder Junction