JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Gary Romine, R-Farmington, wants to encourage residents of the 3rd District to attend one of the upcoming informational meetings to be held by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). MDC is seeking public input on proposed changes to the state's deer hunting regulations for the 2016-2017 hunting season.
“Hunting is such a vital part of the lives and traditions of hundreds of thousands of Missourians, approximately 520,000 in fact,” said Sen. Romine. “I encourage my constituents to attend one of the upcoming Department of Conservation meetings to hear about the proposed changes and provide input. Considering the impact hunting has on so many individuals and families across the Show-Me State, it’s important to be a part of the process.”
For the fall firearms deer season, MDC proposes:
- Maintaining the current timing of the November portion but reducing the length from 11 days to nine days;
- Expanding the late youth firearms weekend from two days to three days and having it begin the Friday after Thanksgiving instead of early January;
- Reducing the length of the antlerless firearms portion from 12 days to three days and beginning it on the first Friday in December; and
- Eliminating the urban zones portion.
For the fall archery deer and turkey season, MDC proposes:
- Allowing crossbows as a legal method; and
- Reducing the limit of antlered deer during the archery season from two to one.
MDC also proposes simplifying conservation area regulations and also wants public comment on permit fees for nonresidents regarding a possible increase, decrease or no change in price. The proposed regulation changes are a result of public input and MDC deer management research and practices.
To explain the proposed changes and gather public feedback, MDC will hold the following public meetings around the state from 5 to 8 p.m.:
- Feb. 24 – MDC Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road in Blue Springs;
- Feb. 26 – MDC Powder Valley Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road in Kirkwood;
- March 3 – MDC Springfield Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way in Springfield;
- March 5 – West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. in West Plains;
- March 10 – MDC Cape Girardeau Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive in Cape Girardeau;
- March 12 – MDC Northeast Regional Office, 3500 S. Baltimore in Kirksville;
- March 16 – MDC Central Regional Office, 3500 E. Gans Road in Columbia; and
- March 31 – MDC Northwest Regional Office, 701 James McCarthy Drive in St. Joseph.
MDC also welcomes public comments online. To learn more about the proposed regulations, MDC's deer management plan, past public comments, and to provide comment, visit the department's website at www.mdc.mo.gov. Mail comments to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Attn: Policy Coordination, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. |
