Alert - The Conservation Congress Continues To Try To Push Snowmobilers Out Of The Woods - Alert

February 21, 2009 - Not very long ago, the snowmobile season traditionally began on December 1st. Mother Nature always plays the biggest role in when we can actually start riding. Only a couple of times in the last 25 years have we been able to ride much before December 15th. With this in mind, when the Conservation Congress proposed a 10-day muzzle loader season to begin after the regular 9-day rifle season, a "gentleman's agreement" was struck. No gates would open until after the muzzle loader season was complete. Then, the DNR added a 4-day antlerless hunt after the muzzle loader season. Well, alright, let's aim for the 15th.

Now, if enough wasn't enough, the Conservation Congress is proposing more muzzle loader season for December. There are two proposals on the table. It isn't one or the other, by the way. We may all vote "NO" on both. Here are the questions:

QUESTION 60 – Would you support a 10-day muzzle loader deer season opening on December 22nd, no matter what day of the week, running through December 31st?
60. Yes _____ No _____

QUESTION 61 – Would you support a 16-day muzzle loader deer season opening the Saturday before Christmas, and continuing through the Sunday following New Years Day? (Example:12/19/2009 until 1/3/2010)
61. Yes _____ No _____

Here is what you can do: The Conservation Congress is meeting at the Sayner Town Hall on April 13, 2009. The meeting is open to anyone and everyone. You can register, at which time you will be handed a survey where you can vote on those two questions or proposals. You have to register to be heard. You can also ask for your name to be put on a list to speak before the board and everyone present, but you are not required to speak.

We need to unite and take a very strong stand on this one. There are roughly 22,000 members in the AWSC. The hunting groups collectively number in the hundreds of thousands.

It will also help if you join a club if you haven't already. When you join a club, a portion of the fee goes for an AWSC membership. If you are already a club member but know someone who isn't; plead with them, beg them, or if you have to - shame them into joining a club. I'd love for that club to be the Sayner Barnstormers, but if it isn't, PLEASE join one, no matter which one.

This is no joke. People have screamed about no trails until December 15th. Imagine no trails until January 15th.............

Act now and be heard!!!