Take Back The MDC
A Gathering Point for True Sportsmen
Fading Hunters Into The Background
Monday, May 21st, 2007
Its obvious to most of us who contribute to this website and others that new leadership is needed at the Missouri Department of Conservation. But lets explain how we got to our conclusions.
For the last few years, the MDC led by Director John Hoskins has been ignoring the wishes and ideas from the hunting community. But we can't make a statement like that without backing it up with some facts.
Just a short time back, the Missouri Department of Conservation conducted a study (with your tax dollars) that concluded that 84.8% of upland hunters and 71.7% of other small game hunters opposed nontoxic regulations for all small game. However, the department ignored those findings and as of March 1, 2007, lead shot is now banned for all types of hunting on the following Missouri Conservation Areas:
B. K. Leach Memorial
Black Island
Bob Brown
Columbia Bottom
Cooley Lake
Coon Island
Duck Creek
Eagle Bluffs
Fountain Grove
Four Rivers
Grand Pass
Little Bean Marsh
Little River
Marais Temps Clair
Montrose
Nodaway Valley
Otter Slough
Schell-Osage
Settler's Ford
Ted Shanks
Ten Mile Pond
Yup, that means no more squirrel hunting, rabbit hunting, turkey hunting(leadshot), coon hunting or any small game you would normally hunt with a shotgun unless you're using the very expensive steel shot varieties.
What's even more frustrating is that talk is now going around that these hunting restrictions will be EXPANDED for all public land in 2008!
Folks, lets call this what it really is. A Hunting Ban. We and others have been trying to warn the public about the increased anti-hunting attitude that is present at the MDC and finally people are starting to wake up! The MDC Director John Hoskins has said in the past that they are looking for new ways to involve more hunters but anyone with a third grade education understands that more restrictions will mean less hunting. The dangerous truth is that this is their desired result. It's well known that the Division Leader of Outreach and Education, Lorna Domke does not hunt and many have reported her saying that "Less Hunters May Not Be a Bad Thing." She is into bird watching.
Of course the heat is being felt at the MDC and they are in full smoke and mirrors mode. They are holding an Outdoor Family - Hunting Skills University this year and using it as a way to fire back at critics and say, "See See, we care about the future of hunting!" O&E division leader, Lorna Domke even attended this years legislative shoot in Jeff City even though she has stated that she does not hunt. It was obvious to many including legislators who attended that event that she was there on orders of the directors office to appear supportive of hunting and gun rights.
Of course, those who know Lorna, know better. We have recently been provided information that shows she in fact gave money to a democrat candidate in 2004 that does not support gun rights and in fact supports the renewal of the "Assualt Weapons Ban." Lorna has also in the past invited Martin Hamburger to speak at an MDC employee event. Mr. Hamburger is responsible for raising millions of dollars for Sen. Carl Levin who supports a total gun ban and has an A+ rating by the Brady Campaign. Furtunately, we have heard that a number of conservation employees stood during the Hamburger speech and turned their backs to him.
Why does the MDC have someone leading their Education and Outreach Div, that doesn't hunt or shoot? Isn't this the division that is in charge of hunter education?
Maybe that is why the Annual Hunter Education Conference will no longer be held every year. Thats right folks. The MDC celebrated their 50th year of hunter education by canceling their support of the annual conference of the Missouri Hunter Education Instructor’s Association (MHEIA).
The MDC has co-sponsored these meetings since 1992, as a way of keeping in touch and thanking the dedicated volunteers who have helped make hunting safe and the job of the MDC easier.
Its gone.....over. Thank you John Hoskins and Lorna Domke for your concern for Hunter Education Volunteers.
In fact, you look at the website titled the "Next Generation of Conservation" located here, (http://mdc.mo.gov/about/next_gen) you won't find any mention of hunter education on the entire website. Is this the direction of the Missouri Department of Conservation that we want? If you look closer, you won't find any mention of hunting at all in the "Introduction" section, the "What We Believe" section or in the "Letter from the Director" section.
You also might enjoy the photo of the hunters on this page. http://mdc.mo.gov/about/next_gen/heritage I guess John Hoskins thought that it might appear politically incorrect to have people on this new website holding actual firearms.
Does all this make you upset? It sure makes us upset. The current MDC leadership is not listening to the hunting community. Please call Gov. Blunt and leave a message at this number (573)751-2019 and politely urge him to appoint commissioners at the department who will respect the views of the hunting community. Your phone call will make a difference.
Sen. Dan Clemens Remarks
Just last month State Senator Dan Clemens made remarks on the Missouri Senate Floor expressing his concerns with the current leadership at the MDC. Please read his remarks and forward them on to others who may wish to read them. Click Here
Report to Elected Officials
Please download and pass on the Take Back The MDC report to elected officials concerning the current state of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Please call your state elected representatives and senators and tell them that you are concerned with the Leadership at the MDC. Tell them you want change!
Download HERE
