May 2023 Conservation Commission Action

The Missouri Conservation Commission met May 18 for a workshop and closed executive session and May 19 for its regular open meeting. All were held at Washington City Hall Council Chamber, 405 Jefferson St. in Washington, Mo. Commissioners attending the open meeting in person or online were:

  • Mark L. McHenry, Chair
  • Steven D. Harrison, Vice Chair
  • Margaret (Margy) F. Eckelkamp, Secretary
  • L. (Barry) Orscheln, Member

PRESENTATIONS

The Commission received the following presentations/reports:

  • Director’s Comments— Sara Parker Pauley, Director
  • Louis Region— Julie Stone, St. Louis Regional Administrator
  • Wildlife Diversity and Natural Community Conservation: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities— Kelly Rezac, Wildlife Diversity Coordinator
  • Canine Badges— Randy Doman, Protection Branch Chief
  • Report of the Regulations Committee— Jason Sumners, Deputy Director and Chair, Regulations Committee
  • Recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Code regarding rules pertaining to all portions of the 2023-2024 deer hunting season— Jason Isabelle, Cervid Program Supervisor
  • Permit Proposal— Aaron Jeffries, Deputy Director
  • Financial Report— Andrew Bond, Chief Financial Officer
  • Major Construction Projects Status Report— Jacob Careaga, Infrastructure Management Branch Chief

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

  • Approved associated action items from the Report of the Regulations Committee.
  • Approved recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Code regarding rules pertaining to all portions of the 2023-2024 deer hunting season.
  • Gave initial approval to proposed permit adjustments.
  • Approved bids for construction of the Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery Renovation project located in Laclede County.
  • Approved the naming of the approximately 228-acre Rockhold tract in Adair County the Rock Lake Conservation Area.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately 32.4 acres in Livingston County as an addition to Fountain Grove Conservation Area.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately four acres in Greene County as an addition to Bois D’Arc Conservation Area.
  • Approved the purchase of approximately 2,469 acres in Shannon County as an addition to Rocky Creek Conservation Area.         
  • Approved MDC recommendation for approval to suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of 24 individuals for cause:
    1. Christopher S. Baker, New Bloomfield, Hunting, 1 Year;
    2. Brennon L. Brame, Ellington, Hunting and Trapping, 2 Years;
    3. Calin B. Buckley, Kentwood (LA), Hunting, 1 Year;
    4. Ryan S. Chiasson, Marshfield, All Sport, 1 Year;
    5. Joshua D. Coleman, Foley, Hunting, 1 Year;
    6. Christopher A. Davis, St. Charles, Hunting, 1 Year;
    7. Thomas S. Edwards, LaPlata, Fishing, 1 Year;
    8. Cory D. Hawkins, Fulton, Commercial Deer Processing, 1 Year;
    9. Charles A. King, Chillicothe, Hunting, 2 Years;
    10. Jonathan M. Lyman, Seymour, Hunting, 3 Years;
    11. Michael W. McMahan, Galveston (TX), Hunting, 1 Year;
    12. Sean-Paul G. Maupins, Excelsior Springs, Fishing, 1 Year;
    13. Daniel R. Meier, Roach, Hunting, 3 Years;
    14. Brett A. Neal, Schell City, Hunting, 1 Year;
    15. Thomas H. Pryce, Wildwood, Hunting, 1 Year;
    16. Sean M. Puleo, Wright City, Hunting, 1 Year;
    17. Trevor A. Reese, Perry (KS), Hunting, 1 Year;
    18. Mike T. Sanders, Sullivan, Hunting, 1 Year;
    19. Mark J. Soehngen, St. Louis, Fishing, 1 Year;
    20. Richard Soehngen, St. Peters, Fishing, 1 Year;
    21. Aung Thang, Rocky Comfort, Hunting, 1 Year;
    22. Shane A. Vratney, Quasqueton (IA), Hunting, 1 Year;
    23. Samuel E. Walter, Canton, Hunting, 1 Year; and
    24. Dalton C. West, Ironton, Hunting, Add 1.5 Years Hunting and Fishing to current hunting suspension.
  • Approved MDC request for reinstatement of fishing and trapping privileges for Brad Smith.
  • Approved MDC recommendation to suspend or revoke hunting privileges for four years and require completion of hunter education for Kevin S. Howell of Columbia, who inflicted injury to another person by firearm while hunting.
  • Set the next regular meeting for July 14, 2023.

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.

+ see more - show less