Resident Law-breaker

[hoglaw]

So Russ helped me do a float in his area that I've always wanted to do. My girlfriend and I put in on slightly high water and prepared for a long day of fishing new water. There wasn't another boat in sight, and only a single vehicle at the put-in that didn't look to be fishing. We floated about 15 minutes when Kelly said "there's a ranger waving at us up here." My heart jumped into my throat.

I nearly forgot that I had crossed state lines, being so close to home. I had a non-resident annual permit, but it expired recently. It had completely slipped my mind to renew it. The MDC fellow was nice, but nailed us just the same. He let us share the ticket, and requested that I walk back to his truck so he could check my identity and issue me the citation. We proceeded to hike through a quarter mile of brush and pastures, hopping a fence or two, and finally reaching his truck. Then it dawned on me. We were possibly the only people to float this section on this particular day, and if any others did float behind us it certainly wasn't many. We took our time getting ready and putting in, and drug an anchor all the way down to him. This guy saw my Arkansas tags at the put in, and went through all this trouble to check my license which, as it turns out, was expired. So, to all of you who don't think these MDC guys do anything other than bust drinkers, this guy went the extra mile.

I'm not pissed about the ticket. It was an honest mistake, and I should have had a current license. I get my Arkansas licenses on the same day every year, and I should probably start doing the same with Missouri and Oklahoma as well. I'm a little pissed that Missouri charges non-residents more for tickets than residents, but it's not worth the fight.

Wacky, thanks for the shuttle. That float is a good one, and we'll be back to an overnighter when the water drops out. Everyone else, double check your license.

[wacky worm]

dude i am sorry

never crossed my mind

i will have to make a mental note

did he let you keep your poles

it looked like to me that cowskin was closed

i need some info about that float

did you fish after that or just float

i went to an outfitter meeting last year with the mdc as a host

this year i was unable to attend

but they said they are trying to make a presence

and from what i have seen they are

the mdc boat went by at least three times yesterday

we saw him running up the indian creek from the elk

they are probably having a blast running the river with there power boats

also i a m hearing alot of stories about dumping boats and boats hung up in trees

when you have stupid

then you pour alcohol on it

its a bad combination

keep in touch

russ

p.s you got a $5 credit on your next time

p.s.p.s we had just went to the beach when you pulled up

because red said he drove around you

[Chief Grey Bear]

I'm not sure who actually sets the rate for the tickets. A buddy of mine got busted one time in Barton County. Since he was from Jasper County he had to pay a higher rate. It seemed like during the conversation with the agent, he alluded to the fact that the county judge set the rate. But don't quote me. That was about 8 years ago.

His fine was $150. Does that compare to yours?

[hoglaw]

I'm not sure who actually sets the rate for the tickets. A buddy of mine got busted one time in Barton County. Since he was from Jasper County he had to pay a higher rate. It seemed like during the conversation with the agent, he alluded to the fact that the county judge set the rate. But don't quote me. That was about 8 years ago.

His fine was $150. Does that compare to yours?

My fine is $150 also.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I'm a little pissed that Missouri charges non-residents more for tickets than residents, but it's not worth the fight.

I'm a little more pissed that they don't. Nothing personal, but I think non-residents should pay a higher fine. Now if the resident and non-resident tag prices were the same, I might think differently.

I'm not sure because I haven't checked into it, but I believe Mo has one of the lowest price for non-residents tags. And probably the same goes with the fine. I have heard some real horror stories come out of OK for getting busted. I don't think KS goes to easy either.

[soggyfeet]

I know that Mo non-resident tags for fishing and a trout stamp are 47 bucks. That I dont mind but the hunting is a little different. Deer tag 175 bucks. Turkey 175 bucks. This I could understand if the person doesnt work or have lived a good portion of their life in Mo. I lived in Mo for 29 yrs and just moved to Ks 2 seasons ago. Still work in Mo so I still pay MO taxes just dont pay property taxes. I dont see why they dont set the price off tax returns and so some kind of prorated deal. I have 200 family acres that I used to hunt but cant now cause the price is too high. We still still pay the property taxes on the land in Mo just dont reside there.

[bojack]

was told that missouri raised their tag prices due to the fact that the surrounding states raised theirs to missouri resadents. don't have facts to back that up.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Still work in Mo so I still pay MO taxes just dont pay property taxes. I have 200 family acres that I used to hunt but cant now cause the price is too high. We still still pay the property taxes on the land in Mo just dont reside there.

I'm confused here. Do you or don't you pay property taxes in MO?

[soggyfeet]

No I dont pay Mo property taxes. I live in Ks but work in Mo so I pay income taxes in Mo

[Chief Grey Bear]

I think the only tax monies the MDC gets comes from sales tax. And at that rate it is only 1/8 of one penny of tax paid.

Math is not one of my strong points, hell lets be honest here, there are days its not even a medium point, but if I am thinking correctly, for every 7 or 8 cents in sales tax you pay if you buy in MO, the MDC will get one penny.

It would be interesting to keep a tab of all the sales tax we pay in a week to see how much we contriuted to the MDC.