Bullhead Lenght Rule in the Game and Fish Bill

Bob Meier Asst. Commissioner, Policy & Government Relations for the MN DNR, told the President of MOHA that the Bullhead Lenght Law will be written into this sessions Game and Fish Bill.

If the bill is approved by the legislature, our 10″ change will become law May 15th of this year.

This assumes two things.
1) Mr. Meier gets the language into the bill as he’s promised.
2) The bill is passed.

The rule change process is still moving forward. With all the red tape to go through yet, the DNR’s time line is August if the Game and Fish Bill fails.

The above is actually paving the way for a more streamlined system for the DNR to change non controversial laws in the future. More on this to come.

That’s great news Brian.

I would like to personally thank you and Dirk (and anyone else that was involved) for keeping this going and seeing it through, Thanks!

Brian Peshel (SP?) and Don McMillian of MOHA have been unbelievable in getting this in front of the heads of the MN DNR.

It’s not very likely these people will ever use a bullhead whether it’s 7 inchs or 10, but they are going after this like it’s their goal in life.

Mention “bullhead” anywhere in the DNR office and you’ll hear bottles of Advil being open throughout the building.

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That’s great news Brian.

I would like to personally thank you and Dirk (and anyone else that was involved) for keeping this going and seeing it through, Thanks!

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X2. Thanks guys

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Brian Peshel (SP?) and Don McMillian of MOHA have been unbelievable in getting this in front of the heads of the MN DNR.

It’s not very likely these people will ever use a bullhead whether it’s 7 inchs or 10, but they are going after this like it’s their goal in life.

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A tip of that hat to all parties that have worked through this.
You might have to offer a trip for those two… Once nice Flattie on a big bullhead will show how its all worth it.

You better bring the advil just in case they get poked by one of those 10 inch bullies.

Good ‘ol BEEKS! Nice work!

Just reconfirmed via email from Sen. Satveer Chaudhary:

“Yes we’ll do this amendment.”

Building steam again!

Speaking of laws…I was wondering.

Since the definition of “dead fish” as it pertains to transportation, is “without enough water for them to live”. Couldn’t we transport bullies without any water and then add water once we get home. I doubt they would die.

So I can use bluegills and sunnies now?

A much younger person than I would have to tackle that with the MN DNR. I am still thinking about drafting a proposal to officially change the name of the 7″ bullhead lenght law to BK’s law as a memorial.

But for now I’m happy with “10 inch Bullheads vs The State of Minnesota”.

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X2

Hey Brian and all MN catfishermen/women,

As you have seen things seem to be moving in the right direction! We, the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance (MOHA), believe in helping groups like yourselves with issues that seem to fall victim to the bureaucracies of government. Don McMillan (MOHA President) and I have spent a lot of time recently (BrianK more so over the years) making sure this issue is corrected and you all get the opportunity to further enjoy your sport. I also have a personal story like Brian’s with the current rule change system. This system must be changed to ensure success for both MN sportsmen/women and the MNDNR when we have issues that make sense! Currently it is a system that needs improvement and it has become a personal goal of mine to make sure we change it to better serve all in the future.

We will continue to work with BrianK and assist as we can and hope this becomes a reality very soon for you folks.

Sincerely, Brian Petschl

Vice-President for the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance (MOHA)

Legislative Director for the Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association (LLBA)

Board member for the Anglers for Habitat (AFH)

Congratulations Brian on your persistence in working this through your DNR. I can only imagine all you’ve had to do to change this rule. I hope it makes it through the rest of the process for you. We have some VHS rules here in Wis. that are very difficult to live with if you’re a catfisherman. Such as not being able to refrigerate or freeze fish and use them for bait even if they are caught on the body of water you want to fish. It makes it so if you’re going to use cut bait, you have to catch fresh fish every time you want to go out fishing.

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on your persistence

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It truly should not be this hard.

Does anyone have a link to the Outdoor News article about Bully lenght?

Hey Brian, do you still consider me the greatest catfisherman of all time?

Yeah, no…there’s another one I hear.

2nd best?

You’re still my hero!

Looks like progress! Great example of patience paying off, I hope…

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We have some VHS rules here in Wis. that are very difficult to live with if you’re a catfisherman. Such as not being able to refrigerate or freeze fish and use them for bait even if they are caught on the body of water you want to fish.

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Didn’t realize you couldn’t keep the dead fish. As you know that’s no problem in IL, but we can’t keep our live bait shop shiners to fish another day wheras in WI you can do that. Whoever makes up these rules (VHS) probably doesn’t fish, and to your point Jerry definitely doesn’t catfish. First thing I would do would be to exempt fish that are not susceptibe species (green sunfish, yellow/black bullhead) from the transport restrictions…

Shawn

I agree Shawn it would make sense to exempt those. And that would be enough to make catfishermen happy. (at least this one).

One thing I’ve notice government biologists, MOST have a closed mind…again I say MOST.

…speaking from my arm chair, I feel I’m entitled to say that.

…and present company excluded.

I’ve recently learned you aren’t kidding about the closed mind bit. There isn’t a suggestion box for a reason.