Yes the meetings are still important. I am actually surprised the DNR relented on the EAB issue as soon as they did. I have heard that a bunch of state assembly members and state senators have caught an earful from hunters and others (hotel owners, bar owners, and other establishments that rely on hunting season for a good portion of their revenues) and apparently started making it known to the DNR that they had to change their approach or else...

I don't know for sure if that is true, but I have heard it from a pretty reliable source. Either way, I give credit to the DNR for listening.