MO-KS_hunter

In Kansas it would cost you 350 or so to hunt as well. That's not the point I'm getting at here. What's going on is a tit-for-tat border war between states and we're the ones getting screwed. I will be writing my local Kansas state representative about this problem as well. I'm not sure if I'll get anything changed butI need to try. Pretty soon no-one (other than rich people) will be able to hunt in each others state. If the said state wants to limit the number of non-resident hunters then it should institute some kind of a lottery system. Instead the MDC is just trying to milk hunters for more of their hard earned dollars.

Mizzouhunter

I agree. Missouri didn't fire the first shot in this war. I support MDC's decision. Yes,non-residents wanting to hunt in Missouri are getting screwed. But Missouri residentshuntingout-of-state were getting screwed more. Now, everyone is equally screwed.

As far as increasing the landowner requirements from 5 to 80 acres, it was probably the prudent thing forMDC to do.

Grasshopper13

I agree as well, just thought the jump from 5-80 was a little broad. I hope they'll revisit this and make it somewhere around 40 acres.

And yes Mo-KS we're all getting screwed but you can't lay much of the blame on the MDC, IMO. They still aren't charging what other states are.......

GH

Mizzouhunter

As far as the acreage requirement goes, I don't feel like I/we can complain too much. The alternative would be to eliminate the no-cost tag for landowners.

Plus, if you are required to use the free tags on the qualifying land...how successful (or safe) can you be on 5 acres? Perhaps a 40-acre threshold is more appropriate though.

wallhangr

Didn't even know they were considering those changes. I don't see how they are out of line though. MO is still one of the easiest/cheapest places for OOS tags, especially when you consider what you get. Now the 5 - 80 change..... I could see where 50 acres would have been more reasonable.

Grasshopper13

In most instances, I'd whole heartedly agree, but I happen to know of a guy who bow hunts a spot that's no more than 4 acres and he takes a nice buck there every year. It's a small timbered draw, between two larger blocks of timber. It's actually a dynamite spot. However, rifle hunting should be at least 40 acres. That's what's bothering me about the 80 acre jump. I actually do most of my hunting on 51 acres. I put in food plots, manage the timbered areato help wildlife and my family might take 5 deer total each year. Some years it's more like 3. Now, the MDC's herd in my area is benefitting from the work I do, yet they have decided that 51 or even 40 acres is nothing. Let me be clear, I hunt mostly on my own land, but I do purchase resident tags as well that allow me to hunt places other than my own land. If nothing else, I wish they'd allow us to purchase a landowner's permit in addition to our resident permit if we have less than the 80 acre minimum, but say at least 40 acres.


Good discussion guys!

GH

MO-KS_hunter

Apparently more people are upset about what the MDC is trying to do. Check out this article in the Kansas City Star yesterday.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/867838.html

Mizzouhunter

From the Kansas City Star Article -
“If this goes through, I might not ever hunt deer in Missouri again,” said Andrews, 33, who is a network consultant living near Cook Station, Mo. “I might even move to another state.

....Really? You would move to another state over this?!?! I understand why people are upset (Idon't think they really should be) butregardless, this reaction is a little over the top.

Re:hunting on small acreage -My biggest buck thus farhas come from a 30 acre farm.

In thearticle, it notes that the freetag system started in the80's....as the clichegoes....all good things must come to an end...

I'd rather have MDC be flush with money than have to start selling public land, eliminating conservation agents, etc. I'll pony up$17, $50, $100, whatever it takes to keep MDCfiscally sound.

Lanse couche couche

I was gonna ask about the acreage change in Missouri since i just saw an article on it yesterday. In Illinois the minimum requirement is 40 acres which I dont think is fair. It all really depends on the terrain. In some places one acre might be all one needs and in others, 80 acres may not be enough. Of course.I must admit a little bias since I only own 29 acres in Illinois so dont qualify for a landowners permit. I like Ohio's approach, in that any landowner hunts for free on their land. And Ohio seems to be doing pretty good in terms of game management and fiscal policy.

whitetailaddiction

It's very hard if not downright impossible to single handedly fight for the rights of nonresident hunters who are the victims of beaurocrats, adminins and politicians who are hungry for power and funding.
As an Illinois resident I take no pleasure in seeing nonresidents getting overcharged by the Illinois DNR. (Dept. of Natural Resources)
This creates opportunity for other state agencies to fan the flames of hunters who are upset about the mistreatment they received and want to retaliate.
There is also an element of apathy and complete dislike for nonresident hunters by home staters.
These things work out collectively to our own destruction.
The outcome is I too get penalized for something I have neither done nor agree with.

How do we reverse this trend?

We need to organize, unify and transcend state lines in an effort to be come advocates for one another.



The following are transcripts of communication between me and MO DOC back in 2001:

Oct 11 2001
Dear nonresident deer hunter:
Our records show that you bought a Missourri nonresident deer hunting permit for the 2000
Missouri firearms deer hunting season. We hope had an enjoyable and successful hunt.

The Missouri Conservation Commission has been concerned in recent years with steadily increasing

nonresident deer hunting prices in states adjacent to Missouri, and has received numerous
complaints from Missouri residents about the cost to hunt deer in other states. Missouri's prices for
nonresident deer hunting have during this time remained relatively low in comparison.


The Conservation Commission is considering adopting a "reciprocal pricing policy" for deer hunting that
would allow Missouri to charge the same permit fee to a nonresident that his or her home state would
charge for a Missouri residentto hunt. (This reciprocal price would be triggered only when the other
state's nonresident deer hunting permit exceeds Missouri's fee by 25%.)
The current Missouri nonresident any-deer hunting permitcosts $125. But under a reciprocal
pricing policy, an Iowa resident would pay $308 for the permit; a Kansas resident would pay $271; an
Illinois resident would pay $256; and an Oklahoma resident would pay$296.
We're seeking your ideas on this issue. Please take a few minutes to fill out the enclosed questionnaire
and return it in the postage paid self-addressed envelope. This input will help our Regulations
Committee to develop a recommendation for Missouri's Conservation Commission.
Any eventual decision may not please all parties, though we'll do our best to be fair and consistent.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Xxxx Xxxxx
Fiscal Services Supervisor



My reply:


Reciprocal Deer Tag prices are going the wrong direction.
All states need to lower their prices.
As a Non-Resident hunter in MO, I am already paying nearly tenfold what residents do.
I hunt Spring Turkey, Fall Archery and Firearms seasons. I also do a little fishing now &
then.
Collectively, I am paying in excess of $300 per year and not always filling these tags.
If the prices go up, then I will simply be priced out of the woods, and MO will lose this revenue.
Sadly, I could then honestly say that hunting has become a rich man's sport.
What attracts me to Missouri is that fact that I have family that owns property in the state.
(I would rather hunt private property for obvious reasons.) I also enjoy hunting with
family.
If states want to limit the amount of hunters for safety and conservation reasons, that is
fine, just do it. The outrageous PRICE GOUGING that you have brought to my attention,
looks like PURE GREED to me.
Indirectly, I am being forced to be an advocate for the hunters of Missouri who wish to
hunt in these states at a reasonable price.
I have scanned the letter that you sent me and will e-mail it to the DNR/DOC of each
state i.e. Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma. I will be asking them about the reasons
for these prices.
Feel free to use this message in any way that will help the average hunter.
Respond if you like...I'll be in the woods...I'm afriaid it might be my last year!
An Illinois resident.