The state Department of Conservation is proposing rate increases for hunting and fishing permits for 2025. If that news sounds familiar, it’s because the state raised the rates for most licenses this year, after nearly two decades years without a change.
More regular increases to keep pace with inflation and rising costs is probably the right strategy, but it is likely to get negative attention when adjustments are announced annually. The process requires public input, so you can use this link to comment until Aug. 1.
The majority of the changes will affect non-residents, and even the department’s biggest detractors are usually on board for putting the pinch on people from outside of Missouri. It is one of the most common complaints I hear about hunting permit prices. “We don’t charge as much as” Iowa, or Illinois, or etc. do when our state’s hunters and anglers travel there for outdoor recreation.
The rationale in Missouri has been that most of the non-residents who come to the Show-Me State are family members and former residents. Permit prices should not be a major deterrent to allowing an opportunity for reunions that follow the rules. The proposed increases for 2025 still keep the state below the average rates that our eight neighbors charge us when we visit.
If approved by the conservation commission in September, non-residents will pay $243.50 for a spring turkey hunting permit compared to the surrounding states’ average of $255.22. Firearms deer hunters from out of state will be asked to buy an any-deer permit for $288, which still is much lower than the $374.31 average of our neighbors for a reciprocal opportunity. Archers face the greatest disparity with a recommended non-resident permit price of $288 to hunt in Missouri compared to $436.69 elsewhere.
Residents will be asked to pay more for their annual trout permits with a proposed hike from $10 to $12. Because trout are a non-native species, all fish caught by trout anglers in Missouri have hatchery heritage. In most cases they are stocked regularly for anglers. The annual permit is required for fishing in Lake Taneycomo and other waters outside the state’s trout parks. Anglers in the trout parks must purchase a daily tag for $5.
“Costs continue to increase for habitat management and improvements, cost-share funding, fuel, equipment, contract and construction work, and other aspects of the work MDC staff does,” said former conservation department director Sara Parker Pauley. “We need to keep up with rising costs and can do that by adjusting permit prices. Even with the minor price adjustments we propose, Missouri permit prices remain good bargains when compared to surrounding states.”
The state Conservation Commission gave initial approval to the proposed permit price adjustments at its May 24 meeting. Public comments are welcome through August 1. Online input will be considered by the conservation commission at its meeting September 6. Visit mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities to submit comments. If approved, the price adjustments would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
According to conservation department data, permit sales account for about 16 percent of the department’s budget. The Conservation Sales Tax provides about 61 percent, and federal taxes and reimbursements make up about 17 percent. Sales and rentals, interest, and other sources result in the remaining 6 percent. On average, Missouri residents pay $26 annually for conservation through the one-eighth of one cent sales tax.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.
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