April 2025 Conservation Commission Action

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:
  1. Derek J. Abeln, Kansas City, Hunting, 1 Year;
  2. Chadd L. Allen, Doniphan, Hunting, 1 Year;
  3. Kyle C. Bampton, Cape Girardeau, Hunting, Add 10 Years to Current Revocation;
  4. Nicholas S. Bateman, Kirksville, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping, 1 Year;
  5. Buster D. Belt, California, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping, 1 Year;
  6. Payton A. Cogdill, Hartville, Hunting, 4 Years;
  7. William C. Dowling, House Springs, Hunting and Fishing, Add 11 Years to Current Revocation;
  8. Derek L. Easter, Rushville, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  9. Jonathon B. Edgin, Kennett, Hunting, 1 Year;
  10. Brennen Forbess, Covington (TN), Hunting, 1 Year;
  11. Keyton A. Francis, Maryville, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  12. Dustin H. Goulder, Munford (TN), Hunting, 1 Year;
  13. John D. Hamilton, Goodson, Hunting, 2 Years;
  14. Don R. Keller, Saint Amant (LA), Hunting, 2 Years;
  15. Daniel J. Lawson, Mountain Grove, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  16. Harold W. McIntosh, Urbana, Hunting, 1 Year;
  17. Robert J. Monroe, Farmington, Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping, 1 Year;
  18. Randy A. Morgan, Neosho, Hunting, 1 Year;
  19. Darin C. Morrow, Hornersville, Hunting, 3 Years;
  20. Kyle E. Needham, Bolivar, Hunting, 1 Year;
  21. Ethan L. Prater, Mexico, Hunting, 2 Years;
  22. Joseph C. Prinster, O’Fallon, Hunting, Court Ordered, Revoked until 1/22/2027, and Hunting, For Cause, 5 Years, to run consecutively;
  23. Steven A. Prinster, O’Fallon, Hunting, Court Ordered, Revoked until 1/22/2027, and Hunting, For Cause, 5 Years, to run consecutively;
  24. Twana A. Quadir, Kansas City, Hunting and Fishing, 1 Year;
  25. Dalton W. Roark, Annapolis, Hunting, Add 4 Years to Current Revocation;
  26. Randy L. Rudd, Loose Creek, Hunting, 1 Year;
  27. Javier A Santamaria Hernandez, Fayetteville (AR), Fishing, 1 Year;
  28. Gregory A. Schafer, Marshfield, Hunting, 1 Year;
  29. Brandon D. Schenk, Fresno (CA), Hunting, 2 Years;
  30. Khristian K. Sommerfeld, Fordland, Hunting, 3 Years; and
  31. Joey J. White, Unionville, Hunting, 1 Year.
• Set the next open meeting for May 16.