I love how we like to humanize animals – even fish. We all do it. I wonder if it comes from having to explain to children about different animals and their social interactions with other animals. Good or Bad? I am not really here to talk about that except, I do want to talk about some of the buzz I am hearing from anti-hunting and fishing groups and even other forest/river/lake user groups. That is…that the animals/fish need a ‘rest’.

Hence, some of the apparent logic for fishing and animal hunting seasons. I don’t buy into the ‘day of rest’ arguement for fish or animals. However, I will believe that it is in wildlife mangement’s best interest (and therefore the angler’s and hunter’s) to set-aside certain weeks in the year to allow spawning and breeding seasons to run their course without added pressure.

There is an interesting article from sign on SanDiego about the pro’s and con’s of allowing a winter fishing season to occur on a particular body of water. Those against the extended winter season indicate (as one bad reason among some good reasons) that the fish need a ‘rest’. I chuckled at one man’s response (who is obviously pro-extended season),

“It’s a very appealing notion to let fish rest for months at a time without fishing pressure,” Lentz said. “But there is no rest in a fish’s life. Fish have to be constantly aware of predators, or they’ll be eaten by a blue heron, a merganser or a mink. Having a fisherman throw a fly at them is insignificant compared to the dangers that lurk for a wild trout in a stream.” Entire Article Here.

Even here in Huntsville, the rifle season for deer is 2 weeks of 52. I would say 50 weeks of serious hunting pressure is a pretty good break – if ‘pro-animal rest’ ye be. Granted, that bow season runs 8 weeks including the rifle season. Still 46 weeks is a long period of time the animals can ‘rest’. It also means that for all the non-hunting user groups out there – they get 46 weeks of land use without hunters in the bush. Which makes me wonder why non-hunting user groups get ‘bent-out-of shape’ when we (hunters) ask for and extra day of Sunday hunting? I guess that would be another post…

Getting back to article mentioned previously, the anti-extended season group’s other concern is the interruption to spawning habitat and fish-2-fish ‘interactions’ that this longer season may impact. I feel this point is credible – so long as the science shows that there is an impact. I think this should be the thrust of the debate – not a trout resting holiday.

Just my opinion, it doesn’t mean I am right.

Bill Anderson – Muskoka Outdoors