MDC to increase prices for some nonresident permits starting in 2020

MDC to increase prices for some nonresident permits starting in 2020
Prices not raised in over a decade, adjustments needed to keep up with increasing costs.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will increase the prices for some nonresident hunting and fishing permits starting in 2020. According to MDC, permit prices have not been raised in over a decade and adjustments are needed to help keep up with increasing costs of providing conservation programs and services around the state.

The price increases were given initial approval by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May 23 meeting. As part of the rulemaking process, MDC asked for public comment on the changes during July. The Commission then considered input received and approved the increases during its Aug. 23 meeting.

The effective date will be Feb. 29, 2020, for these nonresident permit price increases:

NONRESIDENT PERMIT PREVIOUS PRICE NEW PRICE

Daily Fishing (1 Day) $7 $8
Daily Fishing (3 Days) $21 $24
Annual Fishing $42 $49
Furbearer Hunting/Trapping $130 $192
Annual Small Game Hunting $80 $94
Daily Small Game (1 Day) $11 $14
Daily Small Game (3 Days) $33 $42
Conservation Order $40 $47
Spring Turkey Hunting $190 $224
Fall Turkey Hunting $110 $130
Firearm Deer Hunting $225 $265
Archery Hunting $225 $265
Managed Deer Hunting $225 $265

Nonresidents account for nearly 100% of daily fishing permit purchases and daily small-game hunting permit purchases. As part of the changes, MDC will also limit daily fishing permits and daily hunting permits to 1 and 3 days and eliminate daily fishing permits and daily hunting permits for other numbers of days (2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days).

MDC permit sales account for about 17 percent of the agency's annual revenue and help fund numerous conservation efforts around the state. Other significant revenue sources include the Conservation Sales Tax at about 61 percent and federal reimbursements at about 16 percent. Sales and rentals, interest, and other sources make up the remaining 6 percent of MDC revenue. According to MDC, the average Missourian pays about $19 annually for conservation efforts through the Department's dedicated sales tax revenue. MDC receives no funding from property taxes, tickets or citations (which go to local school districts), or the state's general revenue budget.