JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Conservation Commission met April 3 for a workshop and closed executive session and April 4 for its regular open meeting, all at MDC Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City. Commissioners attending the open meeting in person or online were:
- Margaret F. (Margy) Eckelkamp, Chair
- Mark L. McHenry, Vice Chair
- Raymond T. (Ray) Wagner Jr., Secretary
- Steven D. Harrison, Member
PRESENTATIONS
The Commission received the following presentations/reports:
- Director’s Comments — Jason Sumners, Director
- Report of the Regulations Committee — Laura Conlee, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee
- March Fire and Weather Response — Brian Canaday, Statewide Resource Management Branch Chief; John Tuttle, Regional Resource Management Branch Chief; and Travis McLain, Protection Branch Chief
- Recommendations for 2025 black bear season dates and quotas — Nate Bowersock, Black Bear and Furbearer Program Coordinator
- Recommendations for 2025 elk season quotas — Aaron Hildreth, Cervid Biologist
- Recommendations for 2025 dove season dates and limits; and 2025-2026 migratory bird season dates and limits — Reid Viegut, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator
- Financial Report — Melanie Crane, Chief Budget Officer
- Major Construction Projects Status Report — Linda Logan, Design Services Manager
ADMINISTRATION
The Commission:
- Approved items on the Consent Calendar.
- Approved recommendations for 2025 black bear season dates and quotas.
- Approved recommendations for 2025 elk season quotas.
- Approved recommendations for 2025 dove season dates and limits and 2025-2026 migratory bird season dates and limits.
- Approved the purchase of 15 acres in Jefferson County as an addition to LaBarque Creek Conservation Area.
- Approved the purchase of 160 acres in Dade County from The Nature Conservancy that will continue to be named Niawathe Prairie Conservation Area.
- Approved the purchase of 26 acres in St. Clair County from The Nature Conservancy that will continue to be named Lichen Glade Conservation Area.
- Approved the purchase of 80 acres in Vernon County from The Nature Conservancy that will continue to be named Little Osage Prairie Conservation Area.
- Approved the disposal of a 13.6-acre tract known as Capitol View Access in Callaway County, via competitive bid process to the highest bidder.
- Approved the disposal of a 20-acre tract known as Clark Conservation Area in Clark County via competitive bid process to the highest bidder.
- Approved the advertisement and sale of an estimated 2,025,598 board feet of timber located on 388 acres of Compartment 2, Logan Creek Conservation Area in Reynolds County.
- Approved the nomination of Ken Babcock for induction into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame.
- Approved the nomination of Dr. Susan Flader for recognition as a Master Conservationist.
- Approved the suspension or revocation of one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 31 individuals for cause or court ordered:
- Derek J. Abeln, Kansas City, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Chadd L. Allen, Doniphan, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Kyle C. Bampton, Cape Girardeau, Hunting, Add 10 Years to Current Revocation;
- Nicholas S. Bateman, Kirksville, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping, 1 Year;
- Buster D. Belt, California, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping, 1 Year;
- Payton A. Cogdill, Hartville, Hunting, 4 Years;
- William C. Dowling, House Springs, Hunting and Fishing, Add 11 Years to Current Revocation;
- Derek L. Easter, Rushville, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
- Jonathon B. Edgin, Kennett, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Brennen Forbess, Covington (TN), Hunting, 1 Year;
- Keyton A. Francis, Maryville, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
- Dustin H. Goulder, Munford (TN), Hunting, 1 Year;
- John D. Hamilton, Goodson, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Don R. Keller, Saint Amant (LA), Hunting, 2 Years;
- Daniel J. Lawson, Mountain Grove, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
- Harold W. McIntosh, Urbana, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Robert J. Monroe, Farmington, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping, 1 Year;
- Randy A. Morgan, Neosho, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Darin C. Morrow, Hornersville, Hunting, 3 Years;
- Kyle E. Needham, Bolivar, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Ethan L. Prater, Mexico, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Joseph C. Prinster, O’Fallon, Hunting, Court Ordered, Revoked until 1/22/2027, and Hunting, For Cause, 5 Years, to run consecutively;
- Steven A. Prinster, O’Fallon, Hunting, Court Ordered, Revoked until 1/22/2027, and Hunting, For Cause, 5 Years, to run consecutively;
- Twana A. Quadir, Kansas City, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
- Dalton W. Roark, Annapolis, Hunting, Add 4 Years to Current Revocation;
- Randy L. Rudd, Loose Creek, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Javier A Santamaria Hernandez, Fayetteville (AR), Fishing, 1 Year;
- Gregory A. Schafer, Marshfield, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Brandon D. Schenk, Fresno (CA), Hunting, 2 Years;
- Khristian K. Sommerfeld, Fordland, Hunting, 3 Years; and
- Joey J. White, Unionville, Hunting, 1 Year.
- Set the next open meeting for May 16.
This document is provided for public information only and is not an official record of the Missouri Department of Conservation or Missouri Conservation Commission.
To watch recordings of Commission meetings, go to http://on.mo.gov/2nodPJU.