Fishing Licensing Exams?

[OldTimer]

All the chest pounding, whining, and rants in the world on this small forum will never change or improve things. But they may make you feel better I suppose.

IMHO:

Condemnation of actions that are not illegal is only one’s personal opinion or preference at best. Personally I hate the New York Yankees, The Montreal Canadians, and mutton……….. Do you really care or want to hear it?

I’m all for angler education – but at the same time I cannot support additional big brother involvement and control in my life or my children’s.

On tests: Does this mean that those under 18 years old can’t fish without passing a test…………..? They don’t need a licence and many seem quite oblivious to the regulations. (Particularly those damn 4 year olds and their great grandparents……….….smile)

Those throwing rocks and making sweeping condescending remarks should at least be quite familiar with, have experience in, and have historically abided by the current regulations.

Even though small, this forum helps educate and promote fishing ethics and law abiding behaviour. As do others. Good stuff.

Furthermore, parental guidance and mentoring on the “right” way - is key to diminishing violations. More Good stuff.

I would support general public awareness advertising campaigns in the press and medias so that all persons (not just those fishing) know what is illegal - thus vastly increasing peer, and family pressure for all to comply. I doubt anyone wants to look like a criminal jerk to their family, spouse, friends, and kids.

We really do have some suitable angling laws – unfortunately we don’t have the support network or sufficient MNR field personnel for effective enforcement. YES - This area could stand to hire a few more officers at least during the soft water seasons. Along this line - I would support much tougher penalties within these laws under the criminal code of CANADA (not just Ontario) with harsh minimum sentences including stiff fines, imprisonment, permanent loss of fishing equipment and privileges, and loss of passports or the ability to get one. Violations may decrease if offenders understand they will lose freedoms, their job, time, and money, while acquiring a permanent criminal record that will follow and impede them forever in all of this country while cancelling all future trips outside of it.

And……… by the way………. In spite of driver and hunter education, and licencing……….. These laws are broken every day. 100% compliance in any regulation may be wishful thinking and perhaps folly.

In the meantime “let's all be friends and enjoy fishing”………….all my friends obey the fishing laws while we enjoy it.

…………….Or take up another pastime that you might like better………… all that frustration, hatred, and anger is not good for you.

“Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!”


Cheers,

OldTimer