State pulls plan to increase hunting, fishing permit fees for Missourians

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Bombarded with sometimes angry comments from Missouri hunters, anglers and landowners, the state Conservation Commission voted Friday to pull a plan charging more for hunting and fishing permits and requiring more land to qualify for free permits.

The Conservation Department proposed the higher permit prices in September, which was about the time that the national economy's woes grew more pronounced. Director John Hoskins said Friday the recession needed to be accounted for in deciding whether to push for the higher prices.

"In this unprecedented of times in the state and national economy, it is not the time to suggest an increase," he said.

The proposed permit fee increases would have affected both Missourians and nonresidents and would have varied for each type of license. But after Friday's vote, the price increases will apply only to nonresidents, effective July 1.

For example, nonresidents are to pay $225 for a deer license -- an extra $50 -- while residents will still pay $17. Missourians will continue paying $12 for fishing licenses while nonresidents will see a $2 increase to $42.

The proposed free permit provisions for landowners would have started requiring those hunting on their own property to pay for deer and turkey hunting permits if they own less than 80 acres. Currently, those who own at least five acres of land and the people who lease the property while living on it are entitled to the free permits.

The Conservation Department received nearly 17,000 comments during a 30-day public comment period that ran from Nov. 17 through Dec. 16. Commission members said the outcry was one of the reasons they decided to back off.

"We value the input that the people make, and the people are certainly not shy," said commissioner Don Johnson of St. Louis.

The Conservation Department intends to continue studying the most controversial elements and to work through possible alternatives with those who would be affected.

Besides rejecting the new permit fees, commissioners kept other elements, such as requiring holders of deer and turkey permits be at least 6 years old.

Conservation Department staff also recommended Friday that the same turkey hunting regulations be kept for the fall and spring seasons.

On the Net

Conservation Department: http://www.mdc.mo.gov