Wild fish?

[birdhunter]

In water that it was legal to do so, would you keep a wild fish?

[Jerry Dove]

These are dumb questions!! How about if their were enough wild fish, or if the stream had no problem supporting enough wild fish. We all know if we had our druthers we would be fishing for wild fish,becouse there were a lot of them and fishing for them would not harm the run. In the mean time lets raise a lot of hatchey fish and fish for and keep all we eat.

[Fish Hunter]

The results should be interesting. You have to pick the closest answer to what you would do. The circumstances that you consider to keep or release a fish can vary a great deal. Would make for a very complicated survey.
Got me thinking on how I would vote if there were a ballot measure for mandatory wild steelhead release in Oregon. I don't favor taking these decisions out of the hands of our state fish and wildlife dept.

[birdhunter]

These are dumb questions!! How about if their were enough wild fish, or if the stream had no problem supporting enough wild fish. We all know if we had our druthers we would be fishing for wild fish,becouse there were a lot of them and fishing for them would not harm the run. In the mean time lets raise a lot of hatchey fish and fish for and keep all we eat. <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">So sorry to post such dumb questions Jerry. Rather than an attack on your precious North coast hatcheries, I had intended to get some insight from the poll on peoples opinon regarding wild chinook and steelhead. I've found that many people will freely admit to keeping wild chinook and think nothing of it. Those same people would never consider (or never admit) to keeping wild steelhead. Remember the attempted wild steelhead C&R regs for Washington earlier this winter? Right now 8 of 11 would keep a wild steelie. Huh. That's a lot higher than I would have expected.

The "waters where it is legal to do so" refered to those streams that have populations the state determines can sustain some sport harvest. You know, the Roque and N. Umpqua for steelhead, the Wilson, Kilchis, Elk, Sixes and many other costal rivers for Fall Chinook. Even the Columbia for URB's and Tules.

If you take the time to look at my previous posts you'll see that I not only advocate hatcheries, I actually use science to back up my claims. Seems like the kind of person you'd want on your side. Your attitude about my questions and the purpose of hatcheries and causes me to seriously reflect why I'd even bother helping.

I realize that there are a lot of circumstances that might affect your decision on any of the questions. If you feely strongly about them, please post what extenuating circumstances would be necessary. Or post a more specific poll on that question. This post was intended to stimulate discussion.

[ 04-03-2002, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: birdhunter ]

[Thumper]

These kind of polls are simplistic and meaningless. Would I keep a wild salmon or steelhead if the runs were adequate to allow a consumptive fishery? Yup. Eat em right up.

Would I harvest a "wild" deer if populations were adequate to allow reasonable harvest? Yup.

What is the difference?

[STGRule]

The caveat for the questions was "when legal". I don't feel that wild steelhead are any more special than wild chinook. Sorry if that offends. If it's legal and I think the run is good, I will harvest a wild fish. There is a myriad of reasons I would let a fish go and keep one. If the point was steelhead vs. chinook, I'm in the "It doesn't matter" camp. I know that doesn't put me in the popular thinking slot, but at least I'm honest. graemlins/icon_argue.gif (Let 'r rip)

[birdhunter]

Thumper,

Remember this (http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008492)?

Just trying to get a new perspective on a the issue. I don't see the difference and I know many others don't. But that is also my own personal decision. If someone wants to keep chinook and release steelies, fine not my problem. Honestly that's what I'd probably do just because it's how I'm conditioned. I'll still support a take on wild deer and wild fish if the population can sustain it. You want that science decided through voter referendum/special interest groups or by biologists?

[Robert]

How do you know for sure with out a doubt that a non finclipped fish is a "wild" fish.

[Jennie@ifish]

Polls to top, as if they'd stay!
graemlins/1zhelp.gif

[baitslinger]

I know exactly what you mean "bird". Many people I know think of a wild steelhead as almost sacred and would't keep them even if legal, but don't have a problem at all with keeping a wild salmon?
I saw lots of wild silvers gut hooked/released on diver/bait last year(mostly by guides), but then the same people get so self righteous if anyone uses diver bait for steelies? It's funny. I say kill em all, let God sort um out! Just Kidding!!
Interesting post.