Neighbor kid got hosed


whitetailtrax

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I'm a little bent out of shape about this and wondered what others thought. My neighbor and I took our kids out to a local ice fishing derby about a month ago and everyone pays to participate $10 adults and $5 kids - then they have prizes for adults and kids based on top 5 biggest fish (the kids also all get a door prize). With far more adults entered, the prize money for adults is WAY higher than the kids (1st place $1150 for adults and $60 for kids). Something I don't think they thought about is what happens if a kid catches the biggest fish of the whole tournament!?!?

Sure enough, the neighbor boy caught the biggest fish of the tourny!!! He walked away with $60 while the second biggest fish of the tourny took home $1150. Just doesn't seem right. We talked briefly about letting his dad enter the fish, but didn't want to teach the kids to be dishonest so we didn't. Oh well, just a little bummed for him. The kid will start hunting this year and that would have bought him a very nice rifle/scope combo.

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I'm a little bent out of shape about this and wondered what others thought. My neighbor and I took our kids out to a local ice fishing derby about a month ago and everyone pays to participate $10 adults and $5 kids - then they have prizes for adults and kids based on top 5 biggest fish (the kids also all get a door prize). With far more adults entered, the prize money for adults is WAY higher than the kids (1st place $1150 for adults and $60 for kids). Something I don't think they thought about is what happens if a kid catches the biggest fish of the whole tournament!?!?

Sure enough, the neighbor boy caught the biggest fish of the tourny!!! He walked away with $60 while the second biggest fish of the tourny took home $1150. Just doesn't seem right. We talked briefly about letting his dad enter the fish, but didn't want to teach the kids to be dishonest so we didn't. Oh well, just a little bummed for him. The kid will start hunting this year and that would have bought him a very nice rifle/scope combo.

I understand that you didn't want to teach the kids to be dishonest, but those kids will figure out that the people who ran it was not honest either. Giving that money he deserves would really promote fishing to young kids. They screwed up and should hold up there rules.

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Did they specify 2 biggest fish catagories upfront?

Maybe in the future, they should keep the entry fee the same as before ($10 adults, $5 kids) and just have one big jackpot for biggest fish overall. That would be the way to go.

The rules are vague. The just say there is prize money awarded for the biggest fish in the adult category and the kids category. We suspected he would not be eligible for the adult prize money since his entry fee was less and that is why we talked about having his dad enter it.

I can't complain too much, because my three boys came home with probably $75 in door prizes and I applaud the organizers for making sure all kids got a door prize.

I do believe they should have a seperate pot of money for the biggest fish overall, and then 2nd, 3rd, etc. for the adults and kids. BTW, this was a perch derby, so the neighbors fish weighed in at a whopping 0.87 pounds! Most miserable weather day of ice fishing I have ever had....and the 4 kids hogged the ice house!

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Most of you that have known me for awhile know I have a big mouth....I'm sorry but I wouldn't have been able to keep it shut. That kid got raked over the coals big time. The organizers screwed up, and the adult who took the money for 2nd biggest fish needs kicked in the cahoonies. You don't do that to kids! How can you award a kid on 60$ and adult over 1000$???? If you were me, you'd be having a serious discussion with the tourny officials next time and I wouldn't participate if they didn't fix it. What would you have done if it was your kid?

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I don't know. I think I'd like to see an official copy of the contest rules, before making my decision. too vague, so far. :confused:

Bad thing is, I don't think there are any official rules - believe me, I've looked! This is an annual derby to raise money for the local Lions Club. God bless the men and women that run our local club - they do lots of great things for so many. Unfortunatley, the club in general is aging and so the organizers of the event are all in their 70's and so you don't just take an old boy out behind the shed over something like this. Even though I'm bummed about the result, I do give them credit for running the derby - they do the best they can. What I need to do is politely speak with them before next years event and either get them to clarify the rules or change the rules.

I appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts - seems that most agree that the young man, who just turned 12 yesterday, got hosed!

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Bad thing is, I don't think there are any official rules - believe me, I've looked! This is an annual derby to raise money for the local Lions Club. God bless the men and women that run our local club - they do lots of great things for so many. Unfortunatley, the club in general is aging and so the organizers of the event are all in their 70's and so you don't just take an old boy out behind the shed over something like this. Even though I'm bummed about the result, I do give them credit for running the derby - they do the best they can. What I need to do is politely speak with them before next years event and either get them to clarify the rules or change the rules.

I appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts - seems that most agree that the young man, who just turned 12 yesterday, got hosed!

Knowing this, I think the best way to go about it is write a letter. Graciously stating your opinion on the matter and bring it to there attention. I find this is the best way to communicate with this age group.
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Hey Trax,

As some here on RT know, I am the NYS Director for National Teen Anglers www.TeenAngler.com I have been involved with youth fishing and I have been hosting fishing derbies for close to 20 years. I just coodinated a derby this past Saturday and I will have pictures from the derby on the web site tonight or tomorrow. I would be more than happy to share with you some tips and helpful hints for a successful derby next year. I am going to PM you my phone number. Call me some evening when you have a half hour to chat and we will iron out the wrinkles ;):D.

Edited by RangerClay
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Hey Trax,

As some on here on RT know, I am the NYS Director for National Teen Anglers www.TeenAngler.com I have been involved with youth fishing and I have been hosting fishing derbies for close to 20 years. I just coodinated a derby this past Saturday and I will have pictures from the derby on the web site tonight or tomorrow. I would be more than happy to share with you some tips and helpful hints for a successful derby next year. I am going to PM you my phone number. Call me some evening when you have a half hour to chat and we will iron out the wrinkles ;):D.

This is EXACTLY why this BB is the best on the net!

WTG Joe!;)

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