MDC's role in urban deer hunts

In 1936, voters created our science-based conservation agency as a response to depletion of Missouri's fish, forest and wildlife resources through unchecked hunting, fishing, and logging. Today, the Missouri Department of Conservation is respected nationally for science-based wildlife management, as well as hunter education and safety success.

In wildlife sustainability, hunting has replaced natural predators in deer management. Hunting plays an important role in population control, Missouri economics and cultural tradition. In urban areas, the most painful end a whitetail suffers is from a motor vehicle accident.

The MDC realizes urban hunting decisions are best made by city leadership, which is why mdc.mo.gov encourages citizens to contact their city administration, not MDC, about urban wildlife management. The MDC serves as a resource for information on hunting and other wildlife management methods.

The MDC received information requests from Dr. Stephen Stigers on March 14 and responded March 15. A second request arrived March 17 and staff responded March 19. Administration approval is required for names and addresses of citizens involved in accident reports. Basic incident report numbers are public information.

It is up to the citizens and leadership of Cape Girardeau to make decisions on wildlife management within the city limits. We appreciate the opportunity to share the facts about Missouri's Conservation Department and the Department's policies and stance in regards to hunting. Further information on the Conservation Department's view and policies on hunting can be found on my blog at www.semissourian.com.

Candice Davis, Missouri Department of Conservation, Cape Girardeau