OUTDOOR CORNER: HUNTING, FISHING PERMITS SEE CHANGE

As 1995 draws to a close, hunters and fishermen begin to make plans for the coming year.

Those plans often include the selection of vacation time to coincide with special hunting seasons such as those for deer and turkey. Maintenance of existing equipment or, with Christmas upon us, the selection of new items are common activities. Hunting and fishing permits are pieces of "equipment" that are often given or received as gifts by outdoor enthusiasts in Missouri.

For 1996, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has initiated a number of changes with regard to permits. Some of those changes include: a new expiration date, a new method of issuance and changes in the price of some permits. Some permits will be dropped, others changed and new ones added.

Beginning in 1996, the calendar year for hunting and fishing permits will begin March 1 and end the last day of February the following year. To allow for this change, 1995 permits that show an expiration date of Dec. 31, 1995 will remain valid through Feb. 29, 1996.

Beginning in February, permits will be issued through a point-of-sale (POS) system. The POS system utilizes an electronic device similar to a credit card scanner. If you have a Missouri Conservation Heritage Card, it will be passed through the scanner and the vendor will enter the name, address and other information along with the desired permit type. Depending on the types of permits that you purchase, you will be asked several survey questions. Data recorded will supply valuable data that will allow MDC to better manage the fish and wildlife resources of the state.

Some permit prices are scheduled to change, including a $1 increase for hunting, fishing and combined permits. The price increase is not to pay for the new electronic POS system. Hunters and anglers have always received special services from MDC because their permit fees help to fund Department programs. Prior to 1977, permit sales generated the majority of the annual Department budget.

In 1995, almost 2/3 of MDC funds were derived from the 1/8 percent sales tax that all Missourians pay. Only 20 percent of the budget came from permit sales. Surveys conducted by the Department indicate that hunters and anglers don't want to be a declining percentage of MDC programs. The increase in some permit prices is intended to keep the percentage of revenue from permit sales from falling as inflation continues to push other revenue higher.

Resident Small Game Hunting and Fishing permits will cost $9 each. A Resident Hunting and Fishing (Combination) permit will cost $15. There will be several new permit options available next year, including annual combination permits that allow multiple privileges at lower cost than item-by-item purchasing. For the first time, Missouri residents will be able to obtain lifetime hunting and fishing permits.

An Annual Wildlife Conservation Permit will be available for a $70 fee. It will be valid for all legal hunting and fishing activities for Missouri residents. It includes fishing, trout, small game hunting, waterfowl and migratory birds, spring and fall firearms turkey, archery deer and turkey and either a firearms or muzzleloading deer. A Federal Duck Stamp is also required for those hunting waterfowl.

A variety of new permit types will give hunters and fishermen more options than ever before. In addition to saving a few dollars, permit purchasers will be able to obtain all their permits for the year with one quick transaction. For those choose to do so, individual permits will be available.

Should you choose to purchase your permits one at a time, each additional permit purchased will include all previously purchased permits for that permit year. Therefore it will only be necessary to carry a single piece of paper that will show all permits purchased up to that point.

The POS system, as well as 1996 permits, are scheduled to be available in early February. 1996 permits are valid from the date they are sold.

~Gene Myers is a Missouri Conservation Agent in Cape Girardeau County.