In Brief

MDC Goes to the Fair

Discover Nature at the Missouri State Fair Aug. 8–18

MDC will be at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia all 11 days, giving you a chance to discover nature in the heart of the fairgrounds.

Visit the Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see live fish and other native animals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. See displays and learn about native plants that help butterflies and other important pollinators. Ask MDC staff conservation-related questions, get educational materials, and have fun. Join us Friday, Aug. 9 for Missouri Department of Conservation Day — a full day of fun and excitement sponsored by MDC! For more information, visit mostatefair.com.

Laura Conlee and Andrew Bond Named Deputy Directors

Congratulations to Laura Conlee on being named MDC deputy director of resource management and to Andrew Bond on being named MDC deputy director of business and operations. They join MDC Deputy Director of Engagement Aaron Jeffries in assisting MDC Director Jason Sumners in leading the state’s conservation department.

“While these two leadership positions are quite varied in their work and responsibilities, they are both critical to carrying out our conservation mission and executing our strategic priorities as a department,” said Sumners. “Laura and Andrew each bring their unique expertise, years of experience, and abilities to adapt to conservation and business challenges on the horizon. We are thrilled to have them on our leadership team!”

Conlee has been with MDC since 2016. She joined the department as a furbearer and black bear biologist. She was then named chief of the Terrestrial Section and then chief of the Science Branch before being named deputy director.

As deputy director of resource management, Conlee will direct statewide management and research to conserve Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife resources by providing executive leadership, direction, and counsel to MDC branch chiefs over Statewide Resource Management, Regional Resource Management, Science, and Protection branches. She will also serve as the Regulations Committee chairperson.

Prior to joining MDC, Conlee was the furbearer and black bear project leader and then assistant director of wildlife for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Conlee grew up in Roselle, Illinois, and received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in zoology from Southern Illinois University. She currently lives in Ashland with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, and gardening.

Bond has been with MDC for more than seven years with his most previous position being chief financial officer. Prior to joining MDC, Bond spent more than 20 years working for the Missouri Department of Social Services with his last position being chief financial officer for the MO HealthNet Division, Missouri’s Medicaid program.

As deputy director of business and operations, Bond will provide executive leadership, supervisory oversight, and counsel to four branch chiefs and one section chief over Business Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Infrastructure Management branches, and the Budget section.

Originally from Port Huron, Michigan, Bond received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northwood University and is a certified public accountant. He currently lives in Jefferson City.

Regulation Changes for Fall Deer and Turkey Seasons

MDC reminds hunters of regulation changes for the upcoming fall deer and turkey hunting seasons.

Turkey Changes

• Turkey permits will no longer be included with an archer’s permit.
• A new fall turkey hunting permit has been created. Both fall firearms turkey hunters and fall archery turkey hunters must purchase this permit to be able to take turkeys during fall.
• The fall turkey season is now divided into archery and firearms portions, and the harvest limit has been reduced from four to two birds of either sex (both portions combined).

CWD Updates

• Audrain, Boone, Cole, Dent, Douglas, Howard, Lewis, Maries, Monroe, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, Shannon, Shelby, and Webster counties have been added to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone.
• As with all counties in the CWD Management Zone, grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable products used to attract deer are prohibited year-round. Hunters must also follow carcass transportation regulations. All counties in the CWD Management Zone are open during the CWD portion of firearms deer season.
• Hunters who harvest a deer from Nov. 16–17 in designated CWD Management Zone counties must take the deer (or its head) on the day of harvest to a mandatory CWD sampling station.

Other Updates

• The antler-point restriction has been removed from Audrain, Boone, Cole, Howard, Lewis, Maries, Monroe, Osage, Phelps, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, and Shelby counties.
• Deer hunters may now fill four firearms antlerless permits in Dent, Douglas, Maries, Newton, and Phelps counties.
• Hunters may now use archery antlerless permits in Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot counties.
• New managed deer hunts have been added and others have been removed or modified.
• Deer hunting regulations have changed for some conservation areas.
• Hunters may now use aerial drones to track wounded deer and turkeys.
• Prices for deer and turkey hunting permits have increased.

Get more information from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

New MDC Hunting Booklets Available

Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from MDC’s new 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2024–2025.

The 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet has detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease (CWD) updates, and more. The booklet is available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

The Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2024–2025 has detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock. It also has information on needed permits and duck stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, and more. The digest is available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/permits, or through MDC’s free mobile app, MO Hunting, available for download through Google Play or the App Store.