Destruction Of Public Property

[Phil Lilley]

By Conservation Agent Charles (Buck) Nofsinger

Here in Taney County and the surrounding area we are lucky to have an abundance of public land, which we can use for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. There is land owned by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and other government agencies. Unfortunately all this public land shares some common problems. These problems include, littering, vandalism, and other destruction of the property.

Not only does vandalism and littering destroy the public property it also costs considerable money and time to fix. The more money and time spent to clean up and repair the areas is less time and money employees of these agencies have to spend on other work. While routine maintenance is expected and budgeted for the unexpected destruction of public property costs these agencies.

Unfortunately in the last few months while patrolling I have seen an increase in vandalism on public property owned or managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. This vandalism includes the destroying of signs, breaking down of gates, driving in unauthorized areas, and littering. While routine patrol and investigating these crimes helps to solve and prevent some problems with vandalism, private citizens can help. By reporting any vandalism of public property you can help solve some of these issues. You can report vandalism on Missouri Department of Conservation Areas by calling your local Conservation Agent, Department Office, or the Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111.

Vandalism destroys public property in Missouri. Do your part to help protect public property by reporting any vandalism. If you have any questions about conservation contact your local Department of Conservation or Conservation Agent. You can also find more information at mdc.mo.gov.

[SmallyWally]

Thank you for bringing this growing problem, more to our attention. We all need to do our part.

[oneshot]

I always figure I'm paying for what they destroy.

During Deer season I have seen several areas where vandals have taken out Gates and Cables so they can drive their ATV's back in there, some even drive their Pickups in. What is bad so many can use Boats to get in areas they go and be legal. Seen a Guy get a Warning not to be driving off road, couple days later he drove his ATV back in one spot to fish. The Agent that gave him the warning gave him a ticket.

Another thing I have seen is in Camp Areas, people step back in the woods and cook Meth.

oneshot

[Quillback]

Thanks for the info!

[jdmidwest]

It is happening everywhere. I have heard of a few remote campgrounds being destroyed in the past few months. Pit toilets, park benches, etc tore up. Out of work people just have too much time on their hands. Good time to bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps and make all the people that draw a check work a little for it and keep their hands busy else where.

[MOPanfisher]

The destruction of tables, benches, signs etc. has been around as long as there have been benches, signs, tables, courtesy docks etc. While it irritates the bejeebers out of me, I am almost immune to it anymore, I will happily spend your money to repair it. What still does irritate the dickens out of me is destruction to private property as well. Especially it seems during firearms deer season, gates, fences, trash, etc. Try to get permission from a landowner to hunt his property after a bad experience of poachers shooting a deer from the road and cutting the fence to get it, or accidentally shooting one of his cows, seems to anger them and make all hunters look like idiots. Same for fishing small streams that are accessible best by crossing private property, used to be easy to get permission but anymore a few who fail to stop and ask permission, park in front of his gate blocking it, and leave trash, dead fish, etc. all over the creek bank and it gets a lot harder, especially if the landowner doesn't know you. It used to be you pulled into someones driveway out in the boonies and they were sort of interested to talk to you, heck it was a break from doing whatever was going on, but now they look at you like you plan to steal something or want to sell them vinyl siding for their barn. An I am as guilty as anyone, someone pulls into my driveway that I don't recognize and instantly I go on full alert. Signs of the times I guess.

[SmallyWally]

AMEN MOPanfisher. Also, applies to getting access to hunt for arrowheads. People just don't have that trust in others they once had and I don't blame them a bit.

[blue79]

Its very hard to get permission to hunt for arrowheads because of other peoples actions.I have lost some good fields because of other people digging and littering.

[oneshot]

I had some Guys pull Spark Plug Wires out of my Car at Lamine River CA, throwed them in the river. Lucky my wife found them. Same area there was private property by the river. Use to be people could camp there, nothing said. Then they got to driving 4WD up and down the banks of the river, destroyed all the grass and burnt a Cabin there.

oneshot

[Hog Wally]

Seams like all the arrowhead hunters are tweekers anymore. What's up with that ?? They dig all night in overhangs I don't know but right now at boat ramp where I just took boat out at there was a full blown party going on