"Rodney" wrote in message ...

There is nothing wrong with just catching "fresh" fish to eat....
remember we are not actually "catching" sport fish we are catching
comerical fish, they are no limits on them, at least not in my state

Here in Arkansas, as well as Texas and Oklahoma, catfish are considered
"sportfish", at least as far as having limits enforced. Except for bullhead
catfish, for which I think there are no limits. It's slowly catching on
everywhere that catfish do have sporting value. The bait and tackle
manufacturers think so, anyway.

I know no one who C&R when trot linning or jugging, unless they are too
small, or they think they are too big...

I also release if they are too small...just not worth the hassle of cleaning
a little one when you've got 10-15 other nice fish in the boat. I always
try to handle them gently, take a moment to appreciate it's beauty, say a
little, thankful prayer for being allowed to share in natures bounty, and
ease him back in the water saying; "Alright now, go back and grow a
little....and while you're down there send your granpa up to see me."
Nowdays I think the concerns over mercury levels are pretty much universal.
If I catch anything over 10-12lbs. I whoop and holler for a minute or two,
always congradulate my fishing parter, and take a couple quick pictures
before turning them back. I don't think it's worth the risk to eat the big
ones, plus it puts them back in the gene pool, and maybe gives me, or
someone else the thrill of catching "Big Whiskers" again another day. Does
anybody know if, or about how much, a larger catfish of say 25lbs produces
more eggs than a smaller fish of say 3-5lbs?

harvest deer, they may claim they do it for the sport, I hate those who
do it and don't eat them, as you can't C&R a "dead" deer

WHOA NOW!! You're opening up a whole new can of worms here! No pun
intended. I don't even want to get started on that one. DOAH! Too late.
I have to agree with you again. I just can't wrap my mind around shooting a
deer just for sport. Yea, it is a heck of a thrill to match wits with a
deer in it's own environment. I can't say that I've ever known anyone whose
hand didn't shake a little, and their heart race when a deer appears out of
the bush. But why shoot it if you're not going to eat it?
If you want to challenge yourself, to experience the thrill of the hunt, but
you don't intend to eat the animal, why not just take a camera. Seems like
the same thing to me, maybe even harder: getting up early, putting on the
camo, checking your gear, going out to your spot, getting set up for the
stand, or for the stalk. But when it comes time for business, if you're
lucky enough to have Old Mossy Horns step out, try pulling up your camera
and setting up the shot. He's not going to stand there and say cheese.
He's still just as alert as ever, and shooting him with the camera isn't
exactly the same as putting the crosshairs on his tickle-spot and squeezing
the trigger. Plus, you may get multiple opportunities to shoot the same
deer, and when the shooting is done he/she gets to walk away, but you still
have a trophy to take home.
Ah, but I digress. I guess there's always different ways to look at
something. Different strokes for different folks, and who is to say which
is right? I think the bottom line here is about respect; respect for the
animal, the fish, and for yourself. Do not needlessly waist a life. If
you're going to fish for food, then fish until you have enough, and then
stop. Know when enough is enough. Then everything after that is for fun,
for the sport. It's the same with the deer, or with anything else. Kill a
deer for your food if you will, and give respect to the animal for what it's
life has given to you and your family. When you've got enough meat in the
freezer, stop, or at least for goodness sake give it to someone else who
needs it. Sport hunters alike. Don't let it go to waist. There are lots
of programs out there that will be gratefull for your donation of meat from
the hunt to feed the hungry. Be excellent to yourself, your fellows, and to
the fish and game that give us enjoyment, and nourishment.