MDC proposed fee increases

[Phil Lilley]

https://mdc.mo.gov/about-regulations/wildlife-code-missouri/proposed-regulation-changes

I don't think I've seen this on the forum. 

Comments?

[Quillback]

Looks like mainly they are going to raise non-resident license fees.  It's not a big enough increase that I would look at and make a decision to not buy a permit, but I sure don't want to pay more.  And they state the reason for the proposed increase is that the CPI has gone up, so let's raise our fees to keep up with inflation.  Increasing fees (taxes) to keep up with inflation only encourages more spending.  Give any government entity more money and they will spend it.  And spend it on what?  Can't tell from the proposal.

[TroutRinger]

Agreed. While it is for non-residents, I am firmly against any government agency getting more revenue unless they have documented a history of cost reduction first. 

The rate increases is the change I am least concerned with. Raising the minimum acreage for landowner hunting tags and creating a landowner registry are BS.

There is also a proposed requirement that would essentially require you to butcher your deer in the field if you live in one county and hunt in another. You wouldn’t be able to transport the carcass home to butcher if you have to cross state lines...you could only take it to a taxidermist or licensed processor.  There’s a place where I hunt where I may be in Boone County one hunt and Callaway the next depending on the spot. In either case, I am 20 minutes from the house. CWD doesn’t follow county lines, if you are putting a restriction like this in place (which I don’t support in any form), at least make it a mile radius so people that hunt close to home in different counties or have land that is in two counties don’t get screwed. 

[jdmidwest]

Missouri spends alot of money trying to promote tourism, as do other states.  Right now, TN out of state license tops them all, over $100 for all species with trout.  Arkansas is pretty steep too.  Il is cheap considering what everything else is in that state.

You would think sporting fees would be kept lower to encourage tourism, but all of the "natural states" seem to think along my lines.

[jdmidwest]

12 hours ago, TroutRinger said:

 Raising the minimum acreage for landowner hunting tags and creating a landowner registry are BS. 

The land owner thing has been abused.  Many that own 5 acres have killed deer elsewhere and tagged them as land owner.  Seriously, how many deer can you kill on a 5 acre property without shooting a neighbor????

Creating a landowner registry is BS.  They have one already, its called the tax registry.  People pay taxes on the property they own.  Well, they don't really own property, they pay the government annually for it.  And there is a record.

[fishinwrench]

25 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

Seriously, how many deer can you kill on a 5 acre property

Around here?   You'd be surprised!

Actually I can give you a genuine answer ......9 to 14 is quite possible without baiting at all.

[jdmidwest]

True, if you live in a refuge like yours. But on most barren lands of rural Mo. It would be hard during the day, without bait, to consistently kill on 5 acres during gun season.

 

[TroutRinger]

10 hours ago, jdmidwest said:

The land owner thing has been abused.  Many that own 5 acres have killed deer elsewhere and tagged them as land owner.  Seriously, how many deer can you kill on a 5 acre property without shooting a neighbor????

Creating a landowner registry is BS.  They have one already, its called the tax registry.  People pay taxes on the property they own.  Well, they don't really own property, they pay the government annually for it.  And there is a record.

It probably has been abused but what does raising it from 5-20 do? Poachers gunna poach regardless of what the law says. 

[jdmidwest]

52 minutes ago, TroutRinger said:

It probably has been abused but what does raising it from 5-20 do? Poachers gunna poach regardless of what the law says. 

True.  But what reason do they have to raise the acreage, has that been stated?  It was the only thing I could think of.

[Phil Lilley]

MDC said landowner permits have been abused.  They've ran checks and found over 35% of permits given out are not even to landowners at all.  That's why they need the registry.

I need to double check the 35% figure....

They've received very little push back on increasing to 20 ac.