CONSERVATION ACTION

News of the April 28, 1999 Conservation Commission meeting
Contact: Jo Radmacher, (573) 751-4115;
E-mail: Jo.Radmacher@mdc.mo.gov

The Conservation Commission met on April 28 at Department Headquarters in Jefferson City. Commissioners present were:

Randy Herzog, St. Joseph
Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City
Ronald J. Stites, Plattsburg

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission was set for the afternoon of May 24 and on May 25 at Department Headquarters, Jefferson City.

PRESENTATIONS
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 to (573) 751-4467, at least 10 working days before the meeting date. The Commission heard presentations by:

· Area Planning Team of conceptual plan for development and management of Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Saint Louis County.

· Dr. Peter C. Hoch, Curator of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis, and Secretary General of the 16th International Botanical Congress, about the Congress scheduled in the America's Center in Saint Louis on August 1-7, 1999.

LAND ACQUISITION
The Commission acquires land only from willing sellers and makes annual payments to compensate local governments and schools for lost tax revenues at assessment levels current when acquired. Public access to acquisitions is appropriate only after closing of real estate transactions, at which time boundaries have been marked and further information is available. The Commission approved proceeding with:

· purchase of approximately 129 acres in Holt County from as a new conservation area.

· exchange of an approximately 270-acre portion of Big Creek Conservation Area in Adair County for approximately 26 acres in Adair County owned by Truman State University.

· conveyance of approximately 1.36 acres of Barn Hollow Natural Area in Texas County to an adjacent landowner to correct the area boundary.

The Commission accepted the Report of the Regulations Committee and approved the following 1999-00 firearms and archery deer (and turkey) hunting seasons and special managed hunts: (More detailed information about the deer seasons and other regulations-related matters will be provided in All Outdoors.)

FIREARMS SEASON
Dates: November 13-23
December 4-12 (Muzzleloading firearms only portion)
January 8-11 (only in units 1-17, 20, 22-24, 58 and 59)
Hunting Hours: One-half (¿) hour before sunrise to one-half (¿) hour after sunset

ARCHERY DEER SEASON
Dates: October 1-November 12
November 24-January 15
Hunting Hours: One-half (¿) hour before sunrise to one-half (¿) hour after sunset
Limit: Two deer of either sex, except that only one antlered deer may be taken before the firearms season
Area: Statewide

ARCHERY TURKEY SEASON
Dates: October 1-November 12
November 24-January 15
Hunting Hours: One-half (¿) hour before sunrise to one-half (¿) hour after sunset
Limit: Two turkeys of either sex.
Area: Statewide

Several changes approved in 1998 will be effective for the 1999-00 deer hunting seasons. The resident and nonresident muzzleloading firearms deer hunting permits have been eliminated, and the muzzleloading season becomes the December portion of the firearms season. Two new permits were established-the Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permit and the Managed Deer Hunting Permit. Separate transportation tags have also been reestablished.

Of special note to hunters is-the sale of any-deer and bonus permits in units with unlimited quotas will close at midnight on November 7-the Sunday before the November portion of the season opens-and then reopen on November 24-the day after the November portion of the season closes-and be available through January 11, 2000-the last day of the January extended portion.

The Commission also approved changes in 26 rules of the Wildlife Code that will become effective March 1, 2000. (More detailed information about the rule changes will be provided in All Outdoors. In addition, the rule changes will appear in the June 15, 1999 Missouri Register and are open for public comment for 30 days.)