Danno
PMA Member
Yes it is legal and streams have been a water source for cattle since the state was settled. Do cattle crap in the stream? Do deer? The negative effects of cattle on streams depend on a lot of factors. Are there other sources of water in the pasture? Is all of the shade along the stream? Are they there to drink or it their only way to cool off on a hot day. ? Good beef producers are asking these questions and finding answers.
Cows and Streams 1
Cows and Streams 2
Eliminating cattle from ripiarian areas would get rid of a large chunk of the cow-calf operations in the state.
Sorry I see a bunch of I hate cows posts coming and I wanted to beat them to the punch. I don't care if anybody likes cows or not, let's not try to outlaw them.
Cows and Streams 1
Cows and Streams 2
Eliminating cattle from ripiarian areas would get rid of a large chunk of the cow-calf operations in the state.
Sorry I see a bunch of I hate cows posts coming and I wanted to beat them to the punch. I don't care if anybody likes cows or not, let's not try to outlaw them.
Skully
PMA Member
Ironwood hates cows.
I didn't ask the question to start a cow-hating post but I'm just curious because I live near South Skunk River and there is a section about 100yds long where you have to wait on the cows to move so you can get your boat through. "About 40 head or so". If I was a cow I know I'd never get out of the river on these hot days. Just have to wonder what effect they have on the fish we catch and eat.
Fishbonker
Life Member
On another note, Muddy, how do you get access to these streams? Do you have to ask the landowner for permission? Do you guys have some sort of legal access even if the land owner tries to run you off?
The 'Bonker
The 'Bonker
muddy
Well-Known Member
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How bout posting some pictures of what you found there.
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We didn't find anything noteworthy there, just cows, cow pies, silt, and smell. 75% of the fish had sores, lesions, and eroded fins.
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Muddy, how do you get access to these streams?
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We go through Platt books and call the landowners for permission to access their land. Just cuz we're state doesn't mean we get special treatment.
How bout posting some pictures of what you found there.
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We didn't find anything noteworthy there, just cows, cow pies, silt, and smell. 75% of the fish had sores, lesions, and eroded fins.
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Muddy, how do you get access to these streams?
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We go through Platt books and call the landowners for permission to access their land. Just cuz we're state doesn't mean we get special treatment.
Fishbonker
Life Member
Anybody ever deny you permission?
The 'Bonker
The 'Bonker
WVBOWHNTR
New Member
Muddy - I am affiliated with Trout Unlimited here in WV. Most of our reclamation projects begin with fencing both sides of the creeks to keep cattle out. It it amazing how quickly the banks spring back to life with vegetation. Vegetation provides shade and bank stabilazation. In fact, there are so many federal programs availble to landowners that pay for most of the fencing material and labor, if not all of if. Good stuff.
Speaking of poo, we have some major nutrient problems with some of our rivers in the eastern part of the state. Chicken poo used as fertilizer that ends up in the streams after heavy rains has been blamed for fish kills and sores found on the fish.
Speaking of poo, we have some major nutrient problems with some of our rivers in the eastern part of the state. Chicken poo used as fertilizer that ends up in the streams after heavy rains has been blamed for fish kills and sores found on the fish.
mmatthes90
Member
Do you have anymore info on these programs for fencing streams?
M. Phillips
New Member
Muddy, I work for MI DNR fish div. At one time we had agreements with two different property owners on two seperate trout streams to maintain cattle fence on both stream banks to exclude cattle from the river. We then built and maintained crossing gates at a few select locations on the streams which provided access to watering and narrow stream crossings to seperate pastures. This provided about 5 stream miles, total, of undisturbed stream bank cover and very good trout fishing (access available to the public as long as they remained in the stream). After initial installation, it would require 1 to 2 weeks of maintenace work every July.