Muskellunge Record Program Press Release
Category: press release
May 19th, 2006 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified May 19th, 2006 at 12:00 AM
For Immediate ReleaseMuskellunge Record ProgramFinal Rules When Committee member Ron Linder reviewed the draft rules for the Modern Day Muskellunge Record Program, he asked whether we were making them too complicated. In hindsight, we were, however; the Committee had purposely made them stringent with the intention of backing off a bit once issues became apparent. Following the release of draft rules on April 2nd, the Committee anxiously awaited public reaction. We were pleasantly surprised. The Committee welcomed the considerable interest that was generated and used the publics input to enhance and help finalize the modern day record program and its rules. These final rules for application are now user friendly and still consistent with our mission to establish a procedure for qualifying credible and verifiable muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge modern day records. The Committee listened to the public and truly believes that the modern day record program is a product developed by muskellunge anglers for muskellunge anglers. Highlights of the final rule package include a post capture examination of the fish and certification, after weigh-in, of the scale used to weigh the catch. The Committee is confident that these precautions will discourage most shenanigans for record applications.In addition, the Committee decided to refrain from interjecting ethics and angling recommendations into the rules. We agree, as so many had commented, If it is legal, it is acceptable for record; therefore, if it is not illegal, it should not be barred within the rules. The final rules reflect this attitude.Catch and release record keeping too was a much discussed topic, both within the Committee and from the public. We will be looking into this very difficult aspect of record keeping in the future. For Revised rules, application and check list enter this link:http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/articles/05.19.2006/1072/International.Angling.Rules.and.Requirements/index.htmFor more information contact:Larry Ramsell, ChairmanModern Day Muskellunge Record Program715-462-9880 or email: [email protected]