Missouri SB 56 and HB 710 are dead

[Terrierman]

Sincerely,

John Gotti, III"

^^ Nice signature.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Amazing what these guys will say when backed into a corner, even if it makes them look stupid. I don't think it is coincidence that Munzlinger backed off this bill at the crest of a media and letter/email writing campaign by concerned outdoorsmen, and I want to commend everyone here who participated. The bill, however, is not dead; it's changed. What do you think of the changes?

The Department of Conservation said the original bill filed by Senator Brian Munzlinger (R-Williamstown) would have cut its budget by nearly $45 million by eliminating fees for hunting, fishing and trapping permits for Missouri residents. Munzlinger revised the bill after doing some research and speaking with the department and fellow lawmakers.

“I visited with (the Department) and found out that there actually has to be a sale of the permits,” said Munzlinger.

The federal Pittman-Robertson Act created an excise tax that provides funds to each state to manage wildlife and their habitats. The Dingell-Johnson Act provides financial assistance for state fish restoration and management projects. Department of Conservation Deputy Director Tim Ripperger says the actual selling of the permit brings federal aid dollars back to Missouri.

“That’s over $20-million to this state that other states would be receiving if we weren’t selling those permits,” said Ripperger.

Munzlinger’s bill no longer eliminates permit fees for Missouri residents, but it does provide a discount for non-resident landowners. Those with at least 80 acres of Missouri property would only have to pay 50 percent of the non-resident fee for hunting, fishing, and trapping permits. Non-resident permit fees for deer hunting are currently $225 and $130 for turkey hunting.

“I thought this was a lot better bill at this time to move forward,” said Munzlinger. “It actually helps provide an incentive for those non-resident landowners to come and enjoy their land here in Missouri.”

So he just admitted that he has no clue about anything about the MDC, he just started slinging bills??

Its getting smellier!!

[Smallieguy87]

I don't think we need to focus on out of state sportsmen. I feel that if they want to come and fish or hunt Missouri lands and waterways then they will pay they fee they have been.