OUTDOOR CORNER: MISSOURI'S OUTDOORS USHERS IN NEW YEAR

New rules, permit year take effect Monday.

If you hunt or fish in Missouri, then today is a sort of "new year's eve" for you. That's because tomorrow, March 1, marks the beginning of the new permit year. Monday, March 1, is also the day that the 1999 edition of the "Wildlife Code of Missouri" goes into effect.

Last month, in this column, we discussed the "Code" in general; why we have rules and regulations; how a regulations committee reviews and amends those rules; and how you, as an individual, can participate in the formulation of those rules.

This month, we will discuss a few of the 58 rule changes from the 1998 "Code". Now, 58 rule changes sounds like a whole bunch but that's not really too far from average.

More than half of the code changes (35) involve permits. Prices for many permits will change in 1999, while others either remain the same or even decrease (see the Wildlife Code for details).

For Missouri residents, the combined permit fee adjustments represents a 12 percent increase over 1998 prices, while nonresident permits will increase by approximately 22 percent overall. The increase in nonresident permit fees reflects the need to maintain parity with surrounding states with respect to what Missouri sportsman are charged for nonresident permits in other states.

Not all permit changes deal strictly with price changes. Some significant changes deal with deer and turkey hunting. A brand new "Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permit" will allow persons under 12 years of age to hunt firearms deer and turkey.

Previously, young people under 11 years of age were not allowed to purchase firearms deer and turkey hunting permits. Now youngsters will be allowed to take one (1) firearms deer, one (1) male turkey or turkey with visible beard during the spring turkey hunting season; and one (1) turkey of either sex during the fall firearms turkey hunting season.

That's a whole lot of hunting enjoyment from a $15 permit. Individuals hunting with the Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permit must be in the immediate presence of a properly licensed adult hunter who has in his/her possession a valid hunter education certification card.

Another significant change in deer hunting permits allows both resident and nonresident deer hunters to use either a modern firearm or a muzzleloading firearm on a single permit. Hunters will no longer be required to choose one type of firearm over the other prior to the season.

The December portion of the firearms deer season will still require the use of a muzzleloader, but the change provides nine days of additional hunting opportunity during December for hunters who elect to hunt with modern firearms during the November portion of the firearms deer season.

Yet another permit change for deer hunters is the establishment of both resident and nonresident Managed Deer Hunt Permits. These permits will be used for special managed hunts that take place at special times or on areas not normally open to deer hunting (parks, refuges, etc.).

Other regulation changes involve seasons and methods. The opening date for both squirrel hunting and fishing for black bass in streams is now the fourth Saturday in May. This regulation change should eliminate confusion about whether reference to Memorial Day (the traditional opening weekend) refers to the traditional date or the official observance date of the holiday.

Public comments about any regulations are always welcome. Written comments should be directed to the Regulations Committee, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 56102-0180.

For specific information about regulations, consult the 1999 Wildlife Code of Missouri, the 1999 Summary of Missouri Hunting & Trapping Regulations and the 1999 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations. These publications are available from permit vendors statewide.

So, there you have a brief summary of some of the changes for the upcoming "outdoor year". I think that I speak for all of the MDC employees with whom I share this space when I wish you a happy, enjoyable and safe "new year".

Gene Myers is a Missouri Department of Conservation agent in Cape Girardeau County.