OUTDOOR CORNER: SOME RULES OF THE `GAME' TO CHANGE IN '96

With only seven days remaining in 1995, it might be appropriate to take a look ahead to the new year.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) issues a new edition of "The Wildlife Code of Missouri" on Jan. 1 each year. The "Code Book," as it is generally known, is a pocket-sized listing of the rules and regulations of the department and is subject to revision throughout the year.

If you obtain a copy of the 1996 "Wildlife Code," and open it to the first page, you will note a listing of rules that have been changed, added or deleted since the 1995 code. A total of 45 rules fall into this category for '96 and, while that number may seem large, the fact is that 45 rule changes is near average for any given year.

Many of those changes are of limited interest to the general public so we won't touch on them here. However, there are several rule changes that should be of general interest.

Anyone who purchases hunting or fishing permits from MDC needs to be aware that the calendar year for most permits will begin March 1 and run through the last day of February the following year. To allow this change, 1995 permits that show an expiration date of December 31, 1995 will remain valid through Feb. 29, 1996. In other words, don't throw your '95 permit away until the '96 permits go on sale in February.

While on the subject of permits, there are a number of new options for permit purchasers in 1996. Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from a wide range of permits that include daily, annual and even lifetime permits. Many of these individual permits were discussed in a previous column so we won't go into further detail at this time.

A rule change that may have an affect on a number of people deals with friendly spotlighting. In past years, MDC regulations allowed individuals to use an artificial light to observe wildlife (including deer) so long as they were not in possession of a firearm, bow or other implement whereby game could be killed.

As of Jan. 1, 1996, this will no longer be allowed with the exception of a landowner or lessee on property under his/her control. The reason for this rule change may not be apparent to many. While driving around at night looking at deer would seem to be a harmless pastime, it also caused some problems.

Rural landowners were frequently inconvenienced by spotlights shining across their fields. They couldn't know if the light was simply a friendly spotlighter or if it was a vandal or thief. Their reaction was often to call the local sheriff's office or conservation agent. In either case, both time and money were diverted from other duties.

Changes in the closing dates for some hunting seasons are among the 45 regulation changes. Archery deer, turkey hunters and squirrel hunters now have until Jan. 15 to pursue their quarry. In past years, both seasons ended on Dec. 31.

One of the changes for fishermen allows the use of underwater lights to attract fish while fishing by pole and line. In past years, an artificial light was allowed only above the water surface.

As previously mentioned, a list of all regulation changes can be found on the first page of the 1996 "Wildlife Code." If, after reading the new regulations, you have questions, you should contact your local conservation agent or the MDC Regional Service Center for southeast Missouri. The Service Center is located at 2302 Country Park Drive in Cape Girardeau. The phone number at that office is (314)290-5730.

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