Several proposed changes to Missouri hunting rules that put the Missouri Department of Conservation in the cross-hairs of irate hunters and a regional land rights group have been dropped.
Public comment about proposed rule changes has prompted the Missouri Conservation Commission to drop a proposal that the resident acreage for no-cost deer and turkey hunting permits be increased from five acres to 80 acres, the department announced after the commission met Friday. The proposal has received stiff opposition from many in the area, including Rep. Don Wells, R-Cabool.
The commission also stopped proposed resident permit price increases.__
While department director John Hoskins said the department wants to support landowners at a time when acreages are getting smaller, and he said the decision to stop the permit price increase was due to the current economic climate.__
The commission also supported ending the proposal to establish a senior “forever” permit. The commissioners were told public comment indicated the permit rules were confusing.
During their meeting in Jefferson City, commissioners supported the proposed recommendations regarding gathering basic essential landowner information, but delayed implementation until 2010.
Commissioners also supported a minimum legal age of six years of age for deer and turkey permits and simplification of youth permits and cutting the cost of youth deer and turkey permits by half.