Texas Bass Guide

Support your future generations by helping to promote the sport of bass fishing and the outdoors to the inner city children or adolesence. They will benefit from your knowlege and participation. If you love bass fishing or just fishing in general there are many wasys that you can help pass this love on to future generations. Take the time to read the facts below.

In the 1970s, 40 percent of Minnesotans age 16 or older went fishing. Today, that number has dipped to 29 percent.

· The agency, for example, will contact lapsed anglers - anglers who previously purchased a fishing license but did not do so in 2006 - to encourage them to fish again. Lapsed anglers are more likely to buy a fishing license than someone who has never bought one. About 1.3 million people buy Minnesota fishing licenses.

· DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten has asked anglers to join him in taking the Anglers' Legacy Pledge to introduce someone to fishing this year and provide them with a good-quality experience. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Holsten will try to net new anglers at the Governor's Fishing Opener, where they also will promote the pledge. The pledge is part of a national campaign based on research that suggests most people would gladly go fishing if only someone would ask them.

· In addition, six digital billboards in the Twin Cities will provide a daily countdown to the fishing opener - a reminder of sorts, courtesy of the DNR. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, working through the DNR, will rent another 16 billboards to catch the eyes of motorists streaming north into

lake country. These billboards will remind parents and grandparents to take their kids fishing by promoting a national campaign called Take Me Fishing.

· Also new this year is the training of teachers and nonformal educators in a new DNR fishing and aquatic education curriculum. The curri-culum, developed by DNR MinnAqua education specialists with the Department of Education, includes 39 lessons correlated to the state's academic standards. This new body of work - fish and plant identification keys, stunning graphics and engaging activities - is likely the most comprehensive and visually compelling fishing and aquatic education curriculum in the country. The curriculum is part of the DNR's long-term strategy to increase environmental literacy, conservation stewardship and angling participation through partnerships with schools, scouts, and other organizations.

The DNR is taking these actions, and more, because of broad societal trends that show declining interest in traditional nature-based pursuits, such as fishing, hunting and visiting parks. The precise reasons for these declines are not clear, but nature-based recreation generally decreases as populations grow older, become more urbanized or become more ethnically diverse - all of which are fa60 percent of the state's population growth is expected to be 60-plus.

· Some 50 percent of state's anticipated population growth by 2030 is expected to be in the Hispanic or nonwhite populations. Historically, these populations have lower fishing participation rates than whites.

Also, younger anglers are not wetting a line in the numbers their parents and grandparents did. From 2000 to 2005, for example, there was a 10 percent decline in fishing participation among people ages 16 to 44. This decrease at the front end of the recruitment pipeline has the potential to result in a double whammy: fewer young anglers entering the sport; a future wave of baby boomers leaving the sport.

The net result of these trends, based on current data, is a potential decline of 100,000 anglers by 2015. Fewer licenses will be sold, decreasing a vast majority of the funding for DNR fisheries habitat, management, research, stocking and other efforts.

The state also stands to lose federal reimbursement funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These funds are based on a formula that includes total license sales and the geographic size of Minnesota.

This forecast means the current natural resources funding model, in which an anticipated shrinking percentage of hunters and anglers will be expected to shoulder the costs, needs to be changed.

Angling participation is not a new issue. Seventeen years ago, the DNR began the Minn Aqua program, which introduces youth to aquatic education through the hook of fishing. Over the years, MinnAqua clinics have taught thousands of kids how to fish and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. The clinics are held throughout the state, often in partnership with community organizations.

Similarly, the DNR implemented the Fishing in the Neighborhood program six years ago. This program has increased kid- and family-friendly urban fishing opportunities by stocking neighborhood ponds and providing places for people to fish from shore.

The DNR offers angling experiences to adults, too. The agency's Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, for example, offers fly-fishing classes along southeastern trout streams to sturgeon fishing at Lake of the Woods. A new BOW program this year combines kayaking and bass fishing on the Mississippi River near Brainerd.

The Governor's budget proposal for the next two years includes $150,000 to bolster angling and hunting recruitment and retention activities. Lack of mentors is a significant barrier to participation. The initiative would include marketing efforts to link kids who want to go fishing with mentors who know how and where to fish.

The challenge in all of these efforts, however, is simply getting families out the door and into a nature-based activity. It isn't as easy as it once was.

Work and family obligations are the two main obstacles to fishing, according to a study by research firm Responsive Management. Its studies show lack of time is the primary constraint for parents who would like to take their children fishing. Other key barriers to participation include:

Many of these societal trends surfaced in last year's best-seller "Last Child in the Woods," in which author Richard Louv links the lack of nature in children's lives to increasing obesity, attention disorders and depression.

He makes the case that exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development. Yet, he contends, our lifestyle is teaching kids to avoid direct experience with nature at the same time they are increasingly aware of global threats to nature based on watching television and other passive form of obtaining information.

Other states are having luck turning the trend around. Iowa launched a Take Me Fishing campaign and increased license sales 9 percent in targeted counties.

Michigan launched a Take Me Fishing discount card targeting lapsed anglers within a six-county region, resulting in a 7 percent license sales

ROLE MODELS

increase. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 64 percent of people who have fished were exposed to it by the time they were 20 years old. The agency's research also shows that if a boy's father did not fish, the boy was three times less likely to fish than the U.S. average. For daughters, the discrepancy was even greater - only 5 percent of girls fished when their father did not.

Retaining anglers is challenging, too. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data suggests that when people are young - ages 16 to 24 - they stop fishing mainly because of the demands of school. Later, during the primary child-rearing years of ages 25 to 54, lack of time is the top reason for quitting. Anglers age 65 and older drop out because of health and disability issues.

Most people would gladly wet a line if someone would only ask them. We - the avid anglers - can play a role in recruiting and retaining anglers: just take someone fishing and give him (or her) a quality experience. That simple act is at the heart and soul of the Anglers' Legacy program.

Apart from the statistics and studies, we as parents or mentors know instinctively fishing is important. Kids who fish learn new skills, independence and confidence. Most important, however, fishing builds a connection to the outdoors in a way that nothing else can.

Kids who spend summer days hovering over a bobber can't help but learn valuable lessons about water quality and fish habitat and the importance of protecting them. When we're gone, Minnesota's natural resources will be in the hands of our children. The decisions they make will be based, in part, on their experiences outdoors.

You say this can not happen in Texas! Wrong it already is happening. Ask yourself this question, are we putting enough back into our sport to provide for our kids. What are you going to do to help our sport and our kids?

Please do not let these statistics become facts for the State of Texas!

© 2007, Texas Bass Guide LLC.



	Please do not let these statistics become facts for the State of Texas! Support your future generations by helping to promote the sport of bass fishing and the outdoors to the inner city children or adolesence. They will benefit from your knowlege and participation. If you love bass fishing or just fishing in general there are many wasys that you can help pass this love on to future generations. Take the time to read the facts below. The State of 10,000 Lakes Fishing is on the decline. Read why this is happening in a State that is known for its quality fishing lakes. *DNR to Minnesotans everywhere: Go fishing!* BY C.B. BYLANDER Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Division In the 1970s, 40 percent of Minnesotans age 16 or older went fishing. Today, that number has dipped to 29 percent. Because of this trend, the Department of Natural Resources is casting several new hooks at Minnesotans this year. · The agency, for example, will contact lapsed anglers - anglers who previously purchased a fishing license but did not do so in 2006 - to encourage them to fish again. Lapsed anglers are more likely to buy a fishing license than someone who has never bought one. About 1.3 million people buy Minnesota fishing licenses. · DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten has asked anglers to join him in taking the Anglers' Legacy Pledge to introduce someone to fishing this year and provide them with a good-quality experience. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Holsten will try to net new anglers at the Governor's Fishing Opener, where they also will promote the pledge. The pledge is part of a national campaign based on research that suggests most people would gladly go fishing if only someone would ask them. · In addition, six digital billboards in the Twin Cities will provide a daily countdown to the fishing opener - a reminder of sorts, courtesy of the DNR. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, working through the DNR, will rent another 16 billboards to catch the eyes of motorists streaming north into lake country. These billboards will remind parents and grandparents to take their kids fishing by promoting a national campaign called Take Me Fishing. · Also new this year is the training of teachers and nonformal educators in a new DNR fishing and aquatic education curriculum. The curri-culum, developed by DNR MinnAqua education specialists with the Department of Education, includes 39 lessons correlated to the state's academic standards. This new body of work - fish and plant identification keys, stunning graphics and engaging activities - is likely the most comprehensive and visually compelling fishing and aquatic education curriculum in the country. The curriculum is part of the DNR's long-term strategy to increase environmental literacy, conservation stewardship and angling participation through partnerships with schools, scouts, and other organizations. LESS PARTICIPATION The DNR is taking these actions, and more, because of broad societal trends that show declining interest in traditional nature-based pursuits, such as fishing, hunting and visiting parks. The precise reasons for these declines are not clear, but nature-based recreation generally decreases as populations grow older, become more urbanized or become more ethnically diverse - all of which are fa60 percent of the state's population growth is expected to be 60-plus. · In the next three decades, some 70 percent of the state's population growth is expected in the 11-county Twin Cities metro area. · Some 50 percent of state's anticipated population growth by 2030 is expected to be in the Hispanic or nonwhite populations. Historically, these populations have lower fishing participation rates than whites. Also, younger anglers are not wetting a line in the numbers their parents and grandparents did. From 2000 to 2005, for example, there was a 10 percent decline in fishing participation among people ages 16 to 44. This decrease at the front end of the recruitment pipeline has the potential to result in a double whammy: fewer young anglers entering the sport; a future wave of baby boomers leaving the sport. The net result of these trends, based on current data, is a potential decline of 100,000 anglers by 2015. Fewer licenses will be sold, decreasing a vast majority of the funding for DNR fisheries habitat, management, research, stocking and other efforts. The state also stands to lose federal reimbursement funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These funds are based on a formula that includes total license sales and the geographic size of Minnesota. This year, for example, the DNR will receive about $13 million from federal excise taxes on angling-related gear and motorboat fuel. This forecast means the current natural resources funding model, in which an anticipated shrinking percentage of hunters and anglers will be expected to shoulder the costs, needs to be changed. TARGETED PROGRAMS Angling participation is not a new issue. Seventeen years ago, the DNR began the Minn Aqua program, which introduces youth to aquatic education through the hook of fishing. Over the years, MinnAqua clinics have taught thousands of kids how to fish and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. The clinics are held throughout the state, often in partnership with community organizations. Similarly, the DNR implemented the Fishing in the Neighborhood program six years ago. This program has increased kid- and family-friendly urban fishing opportunities by stocking neighborhood ponds and providing places for people to fish from shore. The DNR offers angling experiences to adults, too. The agency's Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, for example, offers fly-fishing classes along southeastern trout streams to sturgeon fishing at Lake of the Woods. A new BOW program this year combines kayaking and bass fishing on the Mississippi River near Brainerd. The Governor's budget proposal for the next two years includes $150,000 to bolster angling and hunting recruitment and retention activities. Lack of mentors is a significant barrier to participation. The initiative would include marketing efforts to link kids who want to go fishing with mentors who know how and where to fish. MANY ROADBLOCKS The challenge in all of these efforts, however, is simply getting families out the door and into a nature-based activity. It isn't as easy as it once was. Work and family obligations are the two main obstacles to fishing, according to a study by research firm Responsive Management. Its studies show lack of time is the primary constraint for parents who would like to take their children fishing. Other key barriers to participation include: · Lack of mentors (someone to provide a positive experience). · Lack of skills (someone to show how to catch fish). · Lack of knowledge (understanding fishing regulations, fish species, etc.). Additional barriers, especially in minority cultures, include safety concerns about water and consuming polluted fish. Many of these societal trends surfaced in last year's best-seller "Last Child in the Woods," in which author Richard Louv links the lack of nature in children's lives to increasing obesity, attention disorders and depression. He makes the case that exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development. Yet, he contends, our lifestyle is teaching kids to avoid direct experience with nature at the same time they are increasingly aware of global threats to nature based on watching television and other passive form of obtaining information. Other states are having luck turning the trend around. Iowa launched a Take Me Fishing campaign and increased license sales 9 percent in targeted counties. Michigan launched a Take Me Fishing discount card targeting lapsed anglers within a six-county region, resulting in a 7 percent license sales ROLE MODELS increase. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 64 percent of people who have fished were exposed to it by the time they were 20 years old. The agency's research also shows that if a boy's father did not fish, the boy was three times less likely to fish than the U.S. average. For daughters, the discrepancy was even greater - only 5 percent of girls fished when their father did not. Retaining anglers is challenging, too. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data suggests that when people are young - ages 16 to 24 - they stop fishing mainly because of the demands of school. Later, during the primary child-rearing years of ages 25 to 54, lack of time is the top reason for quitting. Anglers age 65 and older drop out because of health and disability issues. Most people would gladly wet a line if someone would only ask them. We - the avid anglers - can play a role in recruiting and retaining anglers: just take someone fishing and give him (or her) a quality experience. That simple act is at the heart and soul of the Anglers' Legacy program. Apart from the statistics and studies, we as parents or mentors know instinctively fishing is important. Kids who fish learn new skills, independence and confidence. Most important, however, fishing builds a connection to the outdoors in a way that nothing else can. Kids who spend summer days hovering over a bobber can't help but learn valuable lessons about water quality and fish habitat and the importance of protecting them. When we're gone, Minnesota's natural resources will be in the hands of our children. The decisions they make will be based, in part, on their experiences outdoors. Let's make sure they love to fish. C.B. Bylander is outreach chief at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Division. You say this can not happen in Texas! Wrong it already is happening. Ask yourself this question, are we putting enough back into our sport to provide for our kids. What are you going to do to help our sport and our kids? © 2007, Texas Bass Guide LLC.
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