The solution is one that the ardent pgc supports dont want to hear, or at least dont want other hunters to hear, and thats because it is the only potentially effective means of nipping this thing in the bud once and for all. Its all about the legislators right now. Pgc has had more than enough time to do something and they flatly refuse. Legislative intervention is badly needed. The Game commission needed legislative means to become an agency, they need them to approve fee increases. They need the governors approval for their very existence. So dont buy it when people say legislators have no business getting involved. It makes no sense.
In carefully thought out emails Legislators should be told that we dont support the current deer management plan direction, we dont feel we are being heard at all by the commission. Maybe adding some accurate facts that have been discussed on internet boards, from pgc data or whatever that you may feel important and supports your views. Fairly short and to the point. Its not just about an individual trying to talk them into taking action. Its about numbers and adding another voice to the many who have already done so. And i wouldnt limit it to your local rep. I suggest a copy be sent to them all, copy and pasted addresses can be used in block form to hit em all at once. Then do the same with the senators for good measure. Then when you see the allocations for the year this spring and if they are the same ol same ol, do it again with a slightly different message and your feelings on the allocation.
It would also be a good idea, imho to include something along the lines of not supporting a fee increase until a responsible direction is taken.
It only takes a matter of minutes, and If a lot more people would do this, its very possible real change would come of it. So far, those doing exactly as Ive spoken of, have been responsible for the very few changes that have been implement, although relatively meaningless. It shows that the pressure is making them think at pgc. It also has to this point prevented the fee increase. They have plenty of income currently. They are in no danger of going immediately bankrupt. They do have to plan for the future though. They are simply holding out as long as they can but WILL compromise given the time to consider the alternatives.
Btw, dont overlook the power of the internet. Im not exaggerating one bit when I say I think youd be very surprised if you knew who views the posts made on a few of these boards. Happen to know for a fact some legislators, some upper pgc staff, boc members and others. We can give the false impression all is fine and dandy or we can let them know what we think on a consistent basis. Thats also exactly, i believe, why some very extreme types/environmentalists like to regularly make their voices heard on some of these boards.
Aside from those things, we are all just basically waiting for the results of that fraud audit so pgc can shovel the last of the dirt over our bones.
If anyone has anything better, or additional suggestions Im all ears.
