JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Conservation Commission met May 15 for a workshop and closed executive session and May 16 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
- Recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Coderegarding rules pertaining to all portions of the 2025-2026 deer hunting season — Jason Isabelle, Cervid Program Supervisor
- Recommendations for the 2026-2030 duck zone boundaries and season date formulas — Reid Viegut, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator
- Furbearer Regulation Review and Sideboard Considerations — Nathaniel Bowersock, Furbearer Biologist
- Financial Report — Melanie Crane, Chief Budget Officer
- Major Construction Projects Status Report — Jacob Careaga, Infrastructure Management Branch Chief
ADMINISTRATION
The Commission:
- Approved items on the Consent Calendar.
- Approved recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Coderegarding rules pertaining to all portions of the 2025-2026 deer hunting season.
- Approved several regulation changes for deer hunting. Changes include increased harvest limit for early youth portion, increased firearms antlerless permits, and increased resident landowner firearms antlerless permits.
- Approved recommendations for the 2026-2030 duck zone boundaries and season date formulas.
- Gave initial approval to the Furbearer Regulation Review and Sideboard Considerations.
- Approved the Department’s Fiscal Year 2026 Internal Expenditure Plan.
- Approved the bid for construction of the Roaring River Fish Hatchery Oxygen Line Replacement, Propane Line Replacement, and UV Improvements project located in Barry County, Missouri.
- Approved the purchase of approximately 5.9 acres in Franklin County as an addition to Engelmann Woods Natural Area.
- Approved the donation of approximately 158-acres in Barton County from Ida Lorene Higgins.
- Approved the suspension or revocation of one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 20 individuals for cause:
- Ty W. Adams, Chesterfield, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Joyce F. Anders, Oxly, Hunting/Fishing/Trapping, 1 Year;
- Mark A. Bolerjack, Columbia, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Christopher R. Boucher, Warsaw, Fishing, 2 Years;
- Scott P. Burdick, Nixa, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Jack W. Cloven, West Plains, Hunting, 3 Years;
- Issac D. Cox, Olean, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Shawn L. Crosser, Ottawa (KS), Hunting, 1 Year;
- Kyle C. Galanaugh, Atlanta, Hunting, No Recommendation;
- Rayden S. Hart, Springfield, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Aden L. Johnson, Pottersville, Hunting, 3 Years;
- Brandon D. Manton, Kahoka, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Creed T. Mathews, Lebanon, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Dusty L. Medcalf, Everton, Hunting, 3 Years;
- Briar L. Pruiett, West Plains, Hunting, 3 Years;
- Jason M. Rogers, Phillipsburg, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Wylie S. Satterfield, Everton, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Alisa M. Schumer, Perryville, Hunting/Fishing/Trapping, 1 Year;
- Steven Sherrillo, Fenton, Hunting/Fishing/Trapping, 1 Year; and
- Jeffery S. Sowder, Republic, Hunting, 1 Year.
- Approved the reinstatement of fishing privileges for Leland E. Barnes of Warsaw.
- Set the next open meeting for July 18.
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.