Conservation Department proposes permit changes

While Missouri deer hunters were taking 98,565 deer over the opening weekend, a topic related to deer and turkey hunting was going hot and heavy. The proposed changes in landowner permits were being talked about by landowners of less than 80 acres.

The number of emails and phone calls I have received this past week shows real concern by many landowners/hunters. The Missouri Conservation Department is proposing changing the way landowners of less than 80 acres will not be eligible to receive free deer and turkey permits as they have in the past.

If approved, more than 75,000 Missouri landowners would be affected. When first set up, the program was an effort to reward landowners who contribute a place for the deer and turkeys to thrive.

Comments I have heard range from mild approval to downright fighting mad protest. One landowner said the MDC had the right idea to give landowners of small acreage a reward while another landowner of 60 acres said, "I know of a hunter from Kansas City who bought five acres in the Ozarks just so he could get a free deer and turkey archery and firearm permits. I know for a fact he not only hunts on his five acres, but also a hundred or more adjoining acres around him. One day just prior to the start of the deer season, I saw six camping places on the five acres and at least a dozen men planning on hunting. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that with that many hunters on just five acres, it isn't going to work. If I was in charge, I would still give free deer tags to landowners of at least 40 areas." With a budget of more than $150 million, it would seem the need for more revenue wouldn't be necessary. However, MDC officials say they are feeling the economic crunch like everyone else and are looking for ways to raise the revenue so other programs won't suffer. The change, with more Federal money, plays a big part in the reason for the changing small landowner free permits.

The proposal, if approved, would start on 2009. There is a 30-day comment period for anyone to contact the MDC and voice their feelings which will be reviewed before final action is taken.

Meanwhile, cool weather has helped deer hunters find success. Jack Thomas, Warrensburg, was hunting in Benton County and said he saw more deer than he thought were in the county. "From 7 a.m. to noon, we counted 16 deer including four big bucks. Just before the season started, when the weather was much warmer, we only saw four deer all day. With the cooler weather and hall the hunters in the woods, the deer are moving." The top three counties on the first weekend of the 2008 firearm season were; Macon with 1,992, Benton with 1,967 and Callaway with 1,693.