Missouri Hunting Code Hogwash!!!

StalkingWolf308

StalkingWolf308

New member
This is something I found in the Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulation 2008. It is effective March 1, 2008.

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/Documents/2116.pdf


It is on Page 11. It refers to the use of artificial lights.



"Artificial light may be used only to hunt bullfrogs and green frogs, or to hunt raccoons and other furbearing when treed with the aid of dogs. Using lights and other night vision equipment to search for, spot, light, harass or disturb other wildlife is a violation of the Wildlife Code. This rule does not apply to landowners or lessees on property under their control."

Which my assumption was that it allowed landowners that wanted to reduce the numbers of coyotes on their property could use a spotlight. But according to Tim with wildlife protection, this rule is reference to landowners checking on cattle and such but the code regulation does not specify about what you can use it for.

Just wandering what others thought of this regulation.


Thanks /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
It reads like private land holders are legal to use lights.

However, we had a similar situation here. We can use up to .30 caliber on private land, but in public land we were always limited to rimfire only. They changed the wording this year so we called for clarification, and every other person gave a different answer. Shortly there after the commotion started, there was a letter sent out to the wardens that the code reads what it says..... No centerfires. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif



Our Game and Fish posted this code in the regulations.

20.02 FIREARM RESTRICTIONS ON WMAs. It shall be unlawful to possess any buckshot; rifled slugs, muzzleloaders larger than .40 caliber, center fire firearms or rim fire firearms larger than .22 caliber on any wildlife management area other than during any open modern gun deer, bear or elk seasons. (Ref. 06.02, Guns and Ammunition Prohibited During Modern Gun Deer Seasons; and 16.02, Killing Device Restrictions for Bear Hunting and 17.02, Weapon Restrictions for Taking Elk).
 
That's a long standing (and misguided) rule in Missouri. Like outlawing coyote hunting during turkey season, it's primarily designed to make life easier for game wardens.

We need to band together to overcome this sort of rule. The problem is sportsmen are far too willing to quietly accept regulation.
 
I question anything that makes "Law Enforcement" easier. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I totally agree with you on that.
 
I don't know how it works in AR, but here in MO it only takes a ruling by the Conservation Commission to enact rules that carry the threat of fines and imprisonment. Such is the case with the two rules I cited. Neither of these make any sense and there are several others.

Coyotes are not considered a game animal, yet we've enacted rules that create sporting methods for taking them. Only sportsmen would stand for such nonsense.
 
Just a little to add to this. I phoned our local warden on this excact code of artificial light here in Missouri. The land owner was having some predator problems so he put in some dusk to dawn lighting thinking this may detour some of the preds well no dice it almost seemed to increase. I phoned the warden to let them know I would be out there in the night hunting. Thinking I would use the light to help see. Well here comes the crazy part. I was told all the lights had to be turned off in the farm yard befor I could hunt I could not use street light barn light yard light etc. Being he already knew I was going to be out there he could make a drive by and check out the light and see if I was using it or not.
 
See and the technicality could be if someone wanted to pushed here in Missouri I believe that they could win. If they were to use a light then they could get away with it because of this code and could also get the game warden for trespassing because of if the person hunting uses lights and they are the landowner then the game warden didn't have probable cause to enter onto the property. **Now Of course this is just hypothetical if someone wanted to push it.***
 
Once you ask, you eliminate any possible defense. It's hard to say for certain, but I believe most judges would be more reasonable on this issue than the overzealous possum cop you contacted. The game wardens are not the only ones that can interpret the Wildlife Code. In fact, the courts are the final interpreters.
 
Quote:
center fire firearms or rim fire firearms larger than .22 caliber on any wildlife management area other than during any open modern gun deer, bear or elk seasons. (Ref. 06.02, Guns and Ammunition Prohibited During Modern Gun Deer Seasons; and 16.02, Killing Device Restrictions for Bear Hunting and 17.02, Weapon Restrictions for Taking Elk).



Larger than .22 caliber? So the 17 rem. is legel then eh?
 
We thought that to. But they say that this wording prohibited the use of centerfires. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
The regs in Missouri have been that way for years now..but it did not used to be so. What happened was you have all those guys out driving around spotlighting deer, shining thier lights into homes at night and in some cases bullets coming close to hitting or actually hitting a home from a poacher..not everyone shinning was poaching, but the phones to the warden would ring off the hook either way and the MDC got tired of making useless trips out to make sure it was not poachers..
 
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