By Ty Pope / Staff Writer

Waterfowling has been a way of life in the United States for centuries. Ducks, geese, and swans have been depicted in ancient cave paintings, illustrating their significance in our history. While it’s no longer the primary means of putting food on the table, waterfowling remains a cherished hobby, or some might even say an addiction, for many Americans today. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi flyway, Missouri stands as one of the premier destinations for duck and goose hunting across the country. With over 645,000 acres of wetlands spread throughout the state, Missouri boasts exceptional resources for waterfowling. However, despite these advantages, it has become increasingly challenging for resident waterfowlers to find productive hunting opportunities within the state. As a consequence of rising waterfowl numbers and a burgeoning hunting industry in Missouri, I firmly believe that the Missouri Department of Conservation should prioritize the establishment of more public waterfowling opportunities across the state.

Just north of Marshall, Missouri, along Highway 65, lies a 5,301-acre wetland managed by the MDC, primarily designated for public waterfowl hunting – Grand Pass Conservation Area. Being a passionate hunter in close proximity to this area, I decided to pay it a visit. To secure a hunting spot in this area, one must participate in online draws or the poor-line draw, which occurs on the day of the hunt. Typically, there are around 30 spots available for hunting, while consistently more than 80 parties vie for these same spots. Last year, I attempted to secure a hunting opportunity at this location for 45 out of the 60-day hunting season in Missouri. Out of these attempts, I was fortunate enough to be drawn only five times. As a hunter, being able to hunt for just five days throughout the entire season is profoundly disappointing. This means I had a mere 11% chance of hunting throughout the season. This situation underscores the urgent need for more public waterfowling locations in Missouri.

Many waterfowl hunters, including myself, are growing increasingly frustrated with the state of public hunting in Missouri. Waterfowling contributes nearly $1 billion in revenue to the state, along with approximately $126 million in tax dollars. This presents a compelling argument for expanding these opportunities. By doing so, we can expect a substantial increase in these financial contributions, as it would incentivize hunters to participate throughout the season. Resident hunters are currently bearing the brunt of overcrowded hunting areas due to the surge in non-resident hunters. Expanding these opportunities could also help Missouri attract and retain a larger population of waterfowl, influencing migration patterns to move further south from their previous northern hold.

In summary, it is evident that Missouri’s public land hunting sector needs to offer more opportunities for resident hunters. Public lands are experiencing overcrowding, and the chances to hunt are diminishing. Providing additional hunting opportunities is in the best interest of both the MDC and the state of Missouri. This expansion will not only benefit the hunting industry but also the communities that host these areas.