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Reform CA - Nonresident Overload

19K views 339 replies 43 participants last post by  Bryan Heimann 
#1 ·
Been trying to do a little bowhunting on Reform over the past few weeks. It's only 15 minutes from my home so it's convenient but I have to say, both last season and this season, I have felt like a nonresident. Nonresident hunters easily outnumber residents by 3 or 4 to 1 this time of year. Can't be any deer hunters left in Louisiana...pretty sure they're all in Missouri! I'm pretty sure a lot of local hunters just get frustrated and give up and just let them have it. I did a little recon this morning and counted a total of only 3 Missouri licensed trucks and around 15 trucks licensed to other states with most being from Louisiana. From my experience, 2-4 hunters per nonresident truck. I never see any MDC personnel so I have to assume MDC doesn't care about the amount of pressure Reform receives or whether local residents have a quality experience. I contacted MDC and expressed my concerns and was told "that's Reform"....as if that's just the way it is and will always be...shut up and don't bother me about it. Oh well, just getting worn slick with it. We can't all afford to own or lease property. Been a serious bowhunter for almost 40 years and I'm seriously thinking of hanging it up. Sorry for beating that to death but had to get it off my chest.
 
#2 ·
Was out there last weekend quail hunting for the first time. Which I’m sure was pretty unpopular. Noticed a lot of out of state folks as well from Mississippi and Louisiana. In fact, stumbled upon a hell of a 14pt that someone had just shot and tagged. Should say my dogs found it, noticed the tag and looked to me like the hunter headed back for a cart to get it out.
 
#139 ·
I haven't read the rest of these responses but I am in the wonder why reciprocating costs aren't a thing. I guess the debate of lost revenue from the out of towners coming in. I doubt it hinders them that much. As it doesn't stop those from MO hunting other states. Just seems like common sense. I've dealt with some good and bad out of staters. No worse than some of the locals.


If you really want to fix the problem carry some roofing nails and toss a few under the tires on your way out of the parking lot. You're welcome. :cool:
 
#22 ·
I have no problem with nonresident hunters. I have bit of an issue with unlimited nonresident hunters. Other states control those numbers by implementing drawings. I personally think MO should do the same.

There are plenty of people that can’t afford to lease or buy their own land. I believe residents should have priority over nonresidents on public land within MO. I have private land to hunt as well as public land I frequent. But with the impact of every TV show promoting MO as a state for NR hunters because of unlimited tags and a generous bag limit, something needs to be done.

Even if limiting tags were implemented, a majority of those people could still all end up at reform CA. So what do you do??
 
#27 ·
I have no problem with nonresident hunters. I have bit of an issue with unlimited nonresident hunters. Other states control those numbers by implementing drawings. I personally think MO should do the same.

There are plenty of people that can’t afford to lease or buy their own land. I believe residents should have priority over nonresidents on public land within MO. I have private land to hunt as well as public land I frequent. But with the impact of every TV show promoting MO as a state for NR hunters because of unlimited tags and a generous bag limit, something needs to be done.

Even if limiting tags were implemented, a majority of those people could still all end up at reform CA. So what do you do??
Thanks for your reply NoLuck. I agree with you. I would never expect that this issue can be fixed perfectly and I fully support nonresident hunters coming into our state but not in unchecked numbers. I can't say with absolute certainty but I'm pretty sure that MDC has no idea about the specific numbers of hunters using our public land unless it's a managed hunt. I'm sure they could tell us how many nonresident permits are sold but probably no data on where they hunt. It would appear that the management strategy for our public lands is to allow a "free-for-all" with no regard for quality or safety. I would like to see a study conducted that focuses on this issue and allow resident hunters the opportunity to comment to see if change is wanted or needed.
 
#26 ·
Seriously, the only way to control the amount of pressure on public land, is to do draw only hunting. You see how much the duck hunters whine about Quick Draw for duck parks, has it come to that point for places like Reform?

I will say this, certain WMA's get hit harder than others. If you want solitude you may need to get out a MDC map, and find a couple other places worthy of a look. Sometimes smaller places, attract fewer hunters. Or, start knocking on doors, reaching out, and trying to tie up a lease. It's pretty much come to that if you want to be left alone when you hunt.

In the end, it's public land, you never know what's going to happen there. You might have someone pull up and build a campfire right next to you, etc.

As for the out of staters....... You can't really be more upset with them, than resident hunters. They are just hunting, following the regs, etc. I've never understood NR hate thing. We are all Americans. As long as they are following regs, and not being aholes.... They are fine by me. Now, If you want to be upset at MDC for making it so easy for them, that's ok by me, although I don't like, and never will support outrageous prices on NR tags, no one should ever have to pay more than $100 for a freak'n deer tag.

It's the way of public land hunting, be it for ducks, deer, rabbits, quail whatever.... You don't own it, you don't control it, and it's there for all of us to use and enjoy.

Just the way it is....
 
#31 ·
I haven't hunted Reform in probably 15 years and it was a mad house back then around this time of year. Figure out which CA's get talked about the most on the internet or in magazines and then avoid them like the plague this time of year. After rifle season is over with, you can probably go back in and have most of it to yourself again. Get ya a tree saddle setup and one of those electric bikes and you can reach areas that aren't as accessible to most folks. Several guys I know who hunt a lot of public land have gone to those and it has increased their success. Neither is cheap, but it's still a lot cheaper than buying ground.
 
#36 ·
There is a small, 40-50 acre place near me..... It's bow only, and no one hunts it at all. There are some nice deer around there too. Look for small WMA's, do some scouting, you can find places on public land, it just takes more work. So, it's either time or money. Spend time scouting and find a place, or spend money one a lease or buying your own place.
 
#33 ·
It's just like hunting public ground in Montana.... The stuff that is easy to get to via truck or UTV gets hammered. You spend a little time in your boots, getting into places where the only option is to hike the deer out on your back, and you can kill nice bucks. :D You might get lucky and kill one next to the road, but it's a lot more rewarding to go after them on foot. :D
Sky Cloud Snow Bedrock Slope
 
#42 ·
I see your point, but do you hunt other states, or fish? I think all states can go that route and not let nonresidents in. I am from Minnesota and thought it would be nice to not compete with nonresidents on my favorite fishing spot, but then realized my friend who owns a resort would go bankrupt!
 
#61 ·
Thousands of acres in Mark Twain National Forrest.
 
#64 ·
I'm well aware of that. My discussion was aimed at unlimited nonresident permits and access to public ground and whether that needs to be studied and if any changes need to be made. Yes, I can change hunting areas but that doesn't address what I see as a problem. Thanks for your reply.
 
#65 ·
I count at least 5 large CA's in this small area..... Whetstone, Reform, Danville, Daniel Boone, and Little Lost crick. Surely, somewhere in all that acreage is a place to get away from NR's like Antlercrazed... :D
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#66 ·
Well 99 percent will not go outside 1k yards of parking any damn way. Do your sit for an hour or two then get off your *** and go find them the bed
 
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