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 May 14, 2003.

The Conservation Commission met the Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center, Missouri Highway 19 South, Salem, Mo. Commissioners present were:

Howard L. Wood, Bonne Terre, Chairman
Stephen C. Bradford, Cape Girardeau, Vice-Chairman
Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis, Secretary
Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, Member

REGULATIONS:

The Commission approved the following changes in the Wildlife Code effective March 1, 2004:

• Added the Eastern and Ozark hellbenders to the state endangered species list.
• Opened the waters of the James River below Lake Springfield Dam to snagging and grabbing.
• Reduced the daily limit and increased the minimum length limit on black bass on the Elk River in McDonald County and on smallmouth bass on the Big River in St. Francois County.
• Reduced the daily limit and established a minimum length limit on flathead catfish at Longview Lake in Jackson County.
• Prohibited the possession of paddlefish on the banks adjacent to waters where paddlefish snagging and possession are prohibited and opened the James River from Lake Springfield Dam to the Highway 160 bridge to the harvest of paddlefish.
• Eliminated the experimental rock bass harvest regulations on part of the Big Piney River and established an 8-inch minimum length limit on rock bass on the Big Piney River and its tributaries.
• Amended the Wildlife Code to allow furbearers to be pursued any time with electronic calls, but without the aid of an artificial light.
• Amended the Wildlife Code to allow the use of any shotgun not larger than 10 gauge with slug to hunt deer.
• Amended the Wildlife Code consistent with section 270.400 of Missouri Revised Statutes to define "feral hogs" and allow feral hog hunting during the firearms deer season and firearms turkey seasons by methods and permit requirements allowed during those seasons.
• Amended Wildlife Code provisions concerning field trial permits, commercial fishing permits, Swan Lake migratory bird preservation permits, taxidermy permits and dog training area permits.
• Opened Hunnewell Conservation Area (CA) to waterfowl hunting.
• Legalized the taking of rough fish by gig, longbow or crossbow in the wetland pools and other impounded waters of Columbia Bottom CA.
• Amended the Wildlife Code to allow groundhogs to be taken during open season with cage-type traps, by the holder of a hunting permit.
• Amended the Wildlife Code to establish outboard motor use regulations consistent with the current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations on areas managed under agreement with the Conservation Department.
• Amended the Wildlife Code to provide additional hunting opportunity on Truman Lake management land and Drury-Mincy CA.
• Amended regulations on fishing at Perry County Community Lake, Odessa City Lake, the City of Jackson's Rotary Lake and Coot Lake (James A. Reed Memorial CA).

ADMINISTRATION:

The Commission also took the following action:

• Accepted the bid of $1,587,050 from Dar-Beck, Inc., of St. Louis to build the Columbia Bottom CA Visitor Center, St. Louis County.
• Suspended all hunting, fishing and trapping privileges of the following people for cause: David Butler, Quincy, Ill., one year; David A. Dourty, Clinton, Mo., one year; Mitch Hoelmer, Hermann, Mo., one year from termination of child support suspension; Ernie R. James, Hooks, Texas, two years; John D. Meyer, Peculiar, Mo., two years; John L. Pickens, Fisk, Mo., one year; Linda K. Race, Corning, Mo., one year.
• Suspended or revoked all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.
• Revoked hunting privileges of Greg L. Niffen, Clarksville, Mo. for 2 years for inflicting injury on another person with a firearm while hunting.
• Revoked hunting and fishing privileges of 183 people in accordance with the terms of the Wildlife Violator Compact.
• Approved the sale of 17.2 acres to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for expansion of Highway 412, adjacent to the Little River CA, Dunklin and Pemiscot counties.
• Approved the sale of 4.12 acres and associated buildings that served as the former West Plains Regional Office and maintenance facility.
• Approved transfer at no cost easements for sewer line, lift station and necessary road and utility lines, across the August A. Busch Memorial CA in St. Charles County to the Duckett Creek Sewer District.
• Set its next meeting for May 28-29 at Conservation Department Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd. Jefferson City, Mo.

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