JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Conservation Commission met March 26 for an open workshop and a closed executive session and March 27 for its regular open meeting. All activities were held at Commission Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City. Commissioners attending the open meeting in person were:
- Margaret F. (Margy) Eckelkamp, Chair
- Raymond T. (Ray) Wagner Jr., Vice Chair and Secretary
- Edward C. (Ed) Clausen, Member
- Frank H.B. Kruse, Member
PRESENTATIONS
The Commission received the following presentations or reports:
- Report of the Regulations Committee — Laura Conlee, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee
- Recommendations for 2026 black bear season dates and quotas – Charles Anderson, Science Unit Supervisor
- Recommendations for 2026 elk season quotas — Aaron Hildreth, Cervid Biologist
- Recommendations for 2026 dove season dates and limits, and 2026- 2027 migratory bird season dates and limits — Reid Veigut, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator
- CWD Public Engagement — Jennifer Hoggatt, Public Involvement Coordinator
- Camping/Unstaffed Shooting Ranges — Tyler Blake, Recreational Use Program Specialist, and Justin McGuire, Hunter Education and Shooting Range Specialist
- Financial Report — Andrew Bond, Deputy Director Business and Operations
- Conservation Employees’ Benefits Plan (CEBP) Update — Andy Barnes, CEBP Chair
- Infrastructure Management Branch — Jacob Careaga, Infrastructure Management Branch Chief
ADMINISTRATION
The Commission:
- Approved items on the Consent Calendar.
- Approved recommendations for 2026 black bear season dates and quotas.
- Approved recommendations for 2026 elk season quotas.
- Approved recommendations for 2026 dove season dates and limits, and 2026- 2027 migratory bird season dates and limits.
- Approved construction of the Kendzora Conservation Area Lake Drain Structure Replacement project located in Edgerton.
- Approved the purchase of three tracts of approximately 277.50 acres within Lawrence, Jasper, and Barton counties from The Nature Conservancy. The new tracts will continue to be named: Mt. Vernon Prairie, Wah-Sha-She Prairie, and Pawhuska Prairie.
- Accepted the transfer of 384.79 acres in Atchison and Holt counties, from The Nature Conservancy as an addition to Deroin Bend CA.
- Approved the disposal of 11.07 acres in Butler County of Crane Roost Access via online auction.
- Approved the nomination of Tom Wekenborg for recognition as a Master Conservationist.
- Approved the nomination of Dan and Connie Burkhardt for recognition as Master Conservationists.
- Approved the suspension or revocation of one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 21 individuals for cause or court order:
- Josh R. Apel, Clark, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Richard D. Bays, Appleton City, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Gerhard Bierlein, Viburnum, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Anthony H. Colliver, Tina, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Gareth M. Greener, Chillicothe, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Charles D. Gresham, Bolivar, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Jeffrey A. Hubbard, Bourbon, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Dylan K. Jones, Sarcoxie, Hunting, 3 Years;
- Tracy W. Kelley, Arnold, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Luke A.J. Krogmeier, Kahoka, Hunting, 2 Years;
- Blain T. Lawson, Birch Tree, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Edi G. Lopez, East Saint Louis (IL), Fishing, 1 Year;
- Sean-Paul G. Maupins, Mosby, Fishing, add 5 ½ to Current Revocation;
- Seth M. Neeley, Lincoln, Hunting, Add 2 Years to Current Revocation;
- Corey L. Roberts, Linn, Hunting/Fishing/Trapping, add 2 Years to Current Revocation;
- Cody J. Shumard, Shelbyville, Hunting, 1 Year;
- Joshua D. Sohn, St. Clair, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
- Delmar J. Velasquez, East Saint Louis (IL), Fishing, 1 Year;
- Edward J. Verkuilen, Rockford (IL), Hunting, 1 Year;
- David W. White, Camden (TN), Commercial Fishing, 1 Year; and
- Joseph D. White, Big Sandy (TN), Commercial Fishing, 1 Year.
- Set the next open meeting for May 29.
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.