NEW SYSTEM ALLOWS HUNTERS TO 'DUCK' PAPER APPLICATIONS

JEFFERSON CITY -- The waterfowl hunting reservation system introduced in Missouri last year remains in effect for the 1999-2000 hunting season with a few changes. Foremost among those changes is the elimination of paper applications.

Don Martin, wildlife programs supervisor with the Missouri Department of Conservation, says eliminating written applications will make applying for reservations at waterfowl hunting areas more convenient and efficient.

"Hunters can make their reservations starting Sept. 7," says Martin. "They can call or visit the Conservation Department web page any time of day or night, seven days a week until midnight Sept. 26. I think people will be pleased with how easy it is to get their applications in this year. All you need is a touch-tone phone and the conservation identification number from your hunting permit or Conservation Heritage Card."

Hunters can apply for reserved hunting slots by calling 1-800-829-2956. Computer users can submit their applications at the Conservation Department's home page, <www.conservation.state.mo.us/hunt/wtrfowl/reserve/>.

If you don't have a hunting permit or heritage card, you can get your conservation identification number from any hunting permit vendor statewide.

Hunters may apply for anyone living in their immediate households. However, reservation holders must be present at the hunt for reservations to be valid.

This year, applicants can apply for reservations at as many as three conservation areas. You can request the first available weekend date, the first available weekday or the first available date. Asking for the first available date offers the best chance of getting a reservation. The choices for the first available weekend or week day date are new this year. Last year the only choices were first available date or first available date on a particular day of the week.

Applying early is a good idea. Phone lines may be busy as the deadline approaches. The toll-free number is only for applying for reservations. For answers to questions about the reservation system or hunting areas, call the nearest Conservation Department office or the office where you want to hunt.

Four Rivers Conservation Area (CA) has been added to the waterfowl reservation system this year. For information about this area, call 417/395-2341. Other CAs under the reservation system are: Ten Mile Pond (573/649-2770), Otter Slough (573/624-5821), Eagle Bluffs (573/884-6861), Montrose (660/693-4666), Grand Pass (660/646-6122), B.K. Leach (573/248-2530), Fountain Grove (660/646-6122), Ted Shanks (573/248-2530), Duck Creek (573/222-3337), Schell-Osage (417/432-3414), Marais Temps Clair (314/441-4554) and Bob Brown (660/646-6122). The Swan Lake Public Hunting Area (660/646-6122) also is under the system.

Applicants can call the toll-free reservation number starting Oct. 5 to learn the outcome of the drawing. Again, they will need their Conservation ID number.

Reservations will be issued for half the hunting opportunities at each area. The remaining hunting slots will be allocated to hunters without reservations on a walk-in basis. Each day, reservation holders and walk-in hunters will take part in early-morning drawings to determine where on the area they hunt.

Detailed instructions for waterfowl blind applicants are available in a waterfowl reservation application information sheet, available wherever hunting permits are sold or at any Conservation Department office.