Sportsmen gather to oppose pair of bills

The crowd was estimated to be at least 900 sportsmen and sportswomen who showed their displeasure with the two proposals that would, for all purposes, kill hunting and fishing in New Jersey.

Bills A3275 and S2014 would reduce the present Fish and Game Council from 11 members to seven, all of which would be appointed by the governor. Gov. Corzine and his appointed DEP commissioner, Lisa Jackson, are not considered friends of the sportsmen, especially those favoring a black bear season.

It was not a political meeting but was attended by just about every politician in our area, both incumbents and "wanna-bes." In a rare experience, all agreed and stated publicly and with emphasis, that they would not vote for such a measure and also do their best to see that it does not pass. However, one of those opposing the incumbents started to hurl barbs at others attending and was rapidly booed off the stage. The entire meeting was expertly emceed by Ed Cuneo.

The crowd was very orderly, but showed their approval loudly whenever those speaking vowed to oppose the bills. Some sportsmen came from as far as Sussex County, but by far the majority were from South Jersey. Politicians attending and speaking included; Steve Sweeney, Doug Fisher, John Burzichelli, Doug Rainear, Nick Asselta, Jeff VanDrew, Fred Madden, Nelson Albano, Matt Wilson and Agnes Gardiner.

"We have lawyers on bills concerning lawyers, morticians on bills about morticians and doctors on bills about medicine, so why in the world would we have anybody but sportsmen on the Fish and Game Council," remarked Sweeney.

"We represent one million dollars to the state," said Fisher, who added, "This is more than all those opposing the bill count together."

The guest speaker of the meeting was Bassmaster Fisherman Of The Year, Mike Iaconelli. Mike was his usual vibrant self, noting that his livelihood and that of all other fishermen would be taken away if these bills pass. Iaconelli was raised in Runnemede and began his fishing career locally, but is now one northern fisherman making a name for himself in an area generally owned by those from the South.

The meeting was sponsored by the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Gloucester County Chapter and introduced the newly-formed New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, which encompasses hunters, shooters, fishermen and trappers.

They are planning another meeting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28 in Clarksboro, Monmouth County, which is right in the center of the anti-sportsmen's groups in the state.

In addition to Tuesday's meeting being covered in local papers, KYW-3 also showed shots of the large group and speakers. It's about time that such a gathering gets news coverage when only a couple of dozen animal rights radicals make the papers and television.

The first few days of the Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Tournament has been a blue fisherman's heaven. As of Wednesday morning, the 578 registered anglers had entered 24 blues, but nary a striper. The blues did not arrive until Monday as no fish of any kind were put on the books Saturday or Sunday. There are two identical leading bluefish, both weighing in at 14 pounds, 9 ounces. One of these was beached by Sewell's Matt Bodine on bunker at Shipbottom. Of those bluefish entered, by far the most fell to bunker baits.

In Delaware Bay, everyone is waiting for the stripers as well. With the water temperature hovering around 70 degrees, it's anyone's guess when they will appear.

Meanwhile the weakfishing plus small bluefish and some croakers are the only game in town. For those still able to obtain shedder crab, the mouth of Back Creek is still giving up trout and the waters less than one mile south of the two and three buoys in the Maurice River Cove is seeing some decent weakfish action, with several limit catches reported. In addition nice catches of kingfish are taking place, with one boat taking 22 of these gamey specimens.

Ralph Knisell is the outdoors writer for the News. His column appears on Thursday.