The Conservation Commission met May 17 and 18 at Conservation Department headquarters in Jefferson City.
Commissioners present were:
- Stephen C. Bradford, Cape Girardeau, Chairman
- William F. "Chip" McGeehan, Marshfield, Vice-chairman
- Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis, Secretary
- Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, Member
The Conservation Commission set its next meeting for June 28 and 29 in Jefferson City.
PRESENTATION
Commission meetings are open to the public. Those wishing to be placed on the agenda for a presentation or other business must send a written request to Director, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or FAX (573) 751-4467, at least 10 working days before the meeting date. The deadline for the next meeting is June 14.
The Commission received a presentation about the history of the 1946 State Forestry Law and consideration of a process for developing future revisions by Forestry Division Chief and State Forester Lisa Allen.
The Commission presented a Special Achievement Award to Accounting Technician Pat Rockelman, Russellville, for her assistance in saving the life of a potential drowning victim.
REGULATIONS
The Commission approved recommendations from the Regulations Committee to:
Set the following hunting seasons:
- Archery deer and turkey season - Sept. 15-Nov. 9 & Nov. 21-Jan. 15
- Urban counties portion of deer season - Oct. 5-8
- Youth portion of deer season - Oct. 27-28
- November portion of deer season - Nov. 10-20
- Muzzleloader portion of deer season - Nov. 23-Dec. 2
- Antlerless portion of deer season - Dec. 8-16
- Set managed deer hunts and special regulations for deer hunting on conservation areas.
- Continue the trial of four-point antler restrictions for deer in the same 29 counties as last year.
- Create a Youth Firearms Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit for youths age 6 through 15 during any portion of the firearms deer season.
Set the following early migratory bird seasons:
- Dove - Sept. 1-Nov. 9 (12 daily, 24 possession)
- Woodcock Oct. 15 through Nov. 28 (3 daily, 6 possession)
- Common snipe - Sept. 1 through Dec. 16 (8 daily, 16 possession)
- Sora and Virginia rail - Sept. 1-Nov. 9 (25 daily and possession)
- September teal season - Based on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service framework and the estimated blue-winged teal population. If the population index is below 3.3 million birds, the season will be closed. If the index is 3.3 million to 4.7 million, the recommended season will be Sept. 8-16, (4 daily, 8 in possession). If the index is 4.7 or greater, the recommended season will be Sept. 8-23 (4 daily, 8 in possession).
ADMINISTRATION
The Commission took the following action:
- Approved the Fiscal Year 2008 operating and capital improvement budgets.
- Approved the exchange of 10 acres of Ketcherside Mountain Conservation Area (CA) in Iron County for 10.36 acres of land in Iron County.
- Approved the sale of 81-acre Blattner CA in Montgomery County.
- Approved the donation of 0.3 acre of Roger V. and Viola Wachal Smith CA to Cole County for road improvement;
Suspended hunting and/or fishing privileges of 13 Missouri residents for Wildlife Code violations. Those whose privileges were suspended are:
| Bradley J. Apodaca | Kirksville | until 1/8/2009 | hunting |
| Leon R. Chitwood | Reynolds | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Julie A. Donahoo | Stewartsville | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Timothy J. Eddy | Kirksville | until 1/8/2009 | hunting |
| Ray D. Glore | Mineral Point | 3 years | all sport privileges |
| Travis G. Kennedy | Bourbon | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Stephen D. Painter | Kansas City | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| James H. Piatt | Bunker | 6 years | all sport privileges |
| Troy E. Sarnowski | Morrison | 3 months | all sport privileges |
| David L. Smith | Holt | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Armond Vonsande | Lake Ozark | 6 months | all sport privileges |
| Robert E. Welker | Naylor | 1 year | all sport privileges |
| Dustin G. Wilson | Brimson | 1 year | all sport privileges |
- Suspended or revoked all hunting and fishing privileges of 120 Missouri
residents and 1 nonresident who are not in compliance with applicable child
support laws.
Suspended the hunting and fishing privileges of 33 nonresidents under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
