Some landowners oppose state change in hunting rules w/ links to learn more about area hunting laws

By Andy Ostmeyer

aostmeyer@joplinglobe.com

MILLER, Mo. — Tammy Alger likens a new policy proposed by the Missouri Department of Conservation to a time when peasants couldn’t hunt the “king’s deer.”

“It’s really going back to feudalism. ... The state feels they own the deer,” said Alger, of Miller.

Her comment was prompted by a department proposal to raise the minimum number of acres needed for people to hunt free for deer or turkey on their own property from five to 80 acres.

Those, like Miller, who live on less than 80 acres would be required next year to buy a deer permit, which is something they haven’t had to do in the past.

“It just seems like our government wants to take more and more and more of our rights away from us,” she said.

Steve and Tammy Alger have 10 children between the ages of 5 and 27, many of whom like to hunt and often use the family’s 35 acres.

Under the proposed changes, they still would have basic small-game privileges — squirrel and rabbit, for example — for free. But each member of the family who hunts for deer would need to buy either a permit for antlerless deer or an any-deer permit.

Along with the acreage change, the department also is proposing raising the fees for residents from $19 to $22 for a basic hunting permit, from $7 to $10 for an antlerless-deer firearms permit, and from $17 to $20 for an any-deer permit.

The Algers were so upset that they wrote to state Rep. Don Ruzicka, R-Mount Vernon.

“This is unfair to small farm owners and families,” they wrote. “Why should only wealthy large landowners be able to hunt for deer and turkey on their own land at no charge to them? This is outrageous and we believe that the Missouri Legislature ought to make it impossible for the Missouri Department of Conservation to implement these changes next year.”

Ruzicka advised them to write to the department and voice their concerns.

If approved, the changes would take effect next summer, in time for the 2009 deer season.

‘Cheat the system’