The Conservation Commission met in closed session at 2:30 p.m. June 1 at Dogwood Canyon and in open session at 9:30 a.m. June 2 at Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo.
Commissioners present were: Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis, Chairman Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, Vice-Chairman Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, Secretary Stephen C. Bradford, Cape Girardeau, Member
The next meeting of the Conservation Commission was set for July 6 and 7 at Conservation Department Headquarters in 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 573/751-4467, at least 10 working days before the meeting date. The deadline for the next meeting is June 22.
- The Commission heard a presentation by Dudley Brandom, Branson, about a potential land transaction.
- The Commission heard a presentation from Fisheries Division Administrator Steve Eder about black carp.
- The Commission presented an award to Elizabeth Behle for 2,000 hours of volunteer service at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center.
REGULATIONS:
The Commission approved 2005 deer hunting regulations, including: Firearms Deer Season
- Urban counties portion, Oct. 7-10 in selected counties
- Youth portion, Oct. 29-30
- November portion, Nov. 12-22
- Muzzleloader portion, Nov. 25-Dec. 4
- Antlerless portion, Dec. 10-18 Archery Deer and Turkey Season
- Sept. 15-Nov. 11 Nov. 23-Jan. 15
The Commission also voted to:
- Keep the availability of antlerless permits the same as last year.
- Keep antler point restrictions in 29 counties but consider additional counties in 2006.
- Implement changes in deer hunting regulations on conservation areas to meet population objectives.
- Hold 91 managed hunts on 47 public areas.
- Follow normal protocol for enforcing antler point restriction regulations.
- Set the youth portion of firearms deer season two weeks before the November Portion. (Last year it was one week before.)
- Provide lessees who live on leased land the same privileges as landowners regarding individuals accompanying persons hunting on Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permits.
- Allow the use of rimfire .22 cal. and smaller firearms to hunt small game during the November and antlerless portions of firearms deer season.
- For Telechecking deer and turkey, require hunters to write the confirmation number on the main portion of the permit and immediately attach it to the animal.
- Require hunters to check deer and turkey by 10 p.m. the day they are taken.
- Require hunters to check deer or turkeys before leaving the state.
- Require landowners having property in more than one county to conform to bag limits in each county. All deer and turkey taken during the 2005 seasons must be checked through the Telecheck system.
The Commission approved early migratory game bird hunting seasons, contingent upon approval of federal season frameworks. Season dates are:
- Mourning dove, Eurasian collared doves and white-winged doves: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 (70 days); limits-12 in the aggregate daily, 24 in possession.
- The population status of the blue-winged teal will not be known until late July. If the blue-winged teal breeding population index is below 3.3 million, teal season will be closed. If the population index is at least 3.3 million but less than 4.7 million there will be a nine-day teal season Sept. 10 through 18 with a daily limit of four and possession limit of eight. If the population index is 4.7 million or greater there will be a 16-day season Sept. 10 through 25 with the same limits.
- Sora and Virginia rails: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 (70 days); limits
- 25 in the aggregate daily or in possession.
- Common snipe: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16 (107 days); limits-eight daily, 16 in possession.
- American woodcock: Oct. 15 through Nov. 28 (45 days); limits-three daily, six in possession.
ADMINISTRATION:
The Commission took the following action:
- Approved the Conservation Department's Fiscal Year 2006 internal budget request.
- A pproved a low bid of $423,231, plus a contingency fund of $42,000 from Flynn Drilling Co., Inc., of Troy for the construction of the B.K. Leach Conservation Area (CA) Kings Lake Wells Project in Lincoln County.
- Approved personnel reclassifications.
- Approved the purchase of 200 acres in Scott County as a new CA to be named Sand Prairie CA.
- Approved the transfer of 123-acre Riverwoods CA in St. Louis County to the City of Bridgeton for incorporation into the Missouri River Greenway project. Approved the transfer of 1.38 acres of Lost Valley Hatchery property in Benton County to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to straighten a curve in Highway 65.
- Approved extension and modification of the Five-Year Plan to Eliminate Black Carp from Missouri through June, 2009.
- Approved renaming the Kansas City Discovery center the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center.
- Suspended or revoked hunting and/or fishing privileges of 18 Missouri residents and one Iowa resident for Wildlife Code violations. Those whose privileges were suspended are:
| Douglas W. Benedict | St. Joseph | 1 year | all privileges |
| Zachary W. Famuliner | Carrollton | 1 year | all privileges |
| Cody N. Ferguson | Carrollton | 1 year | all privileges |
| Donnie J. Fifer | Keokuk, Iowa | 1 year | all privileges |
| Austin D. Gold | Crane | 5 years | all privileges |
| Travis L. Hammons | Elkland | 1 year | all privileges |
| Dustyn C. Hazel | Advance | 4 years | all privileges |
| Michael L. Henry | Lilbourn | 1 year | commercial fishing |
| Jonathan K. Holtzman | Exeter | 3 years | all privileges |
| Roger N. Keeton | Platte City | 2 years sport fishing 5 years commercial fishing |
|
| Larry L. King | Orrick | 1 year | all privileges |
| Daniel W. Manley | Hayti | 1 year | all privileges |
| Ryan F. McMullin | Washington | 3 years | all privileges |
| Jerry E. Quick | Salem | 1 year | all privileges |
| Bryan Raygor | Milan | 1 year | all privileges |
| Kevin W. Scott | East Prairie | 6 years | all privileges |
| William N. Singleton | Mill Springs | 3 years | all privileges |
| Roscoe Walker | Polo | 1 year | all privileges |
| A juvenile | Jefferson City | until 11-22-05 | hunting |
- Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 84 Missouri residents who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws. Suspended or revoked all hunting privileges of one Missouri resident for two years for injuring other persons in firearms-related hunting incidents.
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