I talked to a friend that used to be on the state board, but still attends the "open" meetings. The biggest opponents to extension are GW's and small game hunters.
He said over 75% of the people that showed up for one of the public opinion forums last year were small game hunters. They were arguing that deer hunters won't let them rabbit hunt during deer season, and thus FEB is their month. They also stated they had JUST as many rights as the deer hunters. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy rabbit/squirrel hunting as much as anyone, but that really ticked me off. They DO have the same rights! Next time a 600 acre tract pops open at $12 an acre, LEASE it! Rabbit hunt every day from Oct 15 through Feb 28.
I don't think anyone is looking to squeeze out rabbit hunters. But, if you took the 8 or 10 counties at the southern end of the state and gave them a week or two in Feb, would it really ruin the rabbit hunting for the residents of those counties? This whole argument is laughable.
Last edited by longspur69; 01/02/12 11:02 AM.
