In response to increasing cases of COVID-19 in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces that all managed waterfowl hunts will be designated COVID Red Level effective Wednesday, November 25.
A news release says the move is based on the recent Executive Order 20-19 from Governor Mike Parson extending the state of emergency in Missouri through March 31, 2021, along with consultations with local health departments and concern for staff and public safety.
Earlier this year, MDC modified the 2020-2021 waterfowl managed hunt process to assure the safety of hunters and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. MDC set the procedural levels for each conservation area: Red (most restrictive), Orange, Yellow and Green (least restrictive).
The move to COVID Red Level applies to all managed waterfowl hunts at: B.K. Leach; Columbia Bottom; Duck Creek; Eagle Bluffs; Fountain Grove; Four Rivers; Grand Pass; Marais Temps Clair; Montrose; Nodaway Valley; Otter Slough; Ted Shanks; and Ten Mile Pond.
Under COVID Red Level, these rules apply:
· No poor line or vacancy filling;
· No staff-hunter contact;
· No facility use allowed;
· 100-percent reservation allocation for residents only through in-season draw;
· Nonresidents only allowed to hunt with resident who has drawn a reservation; and
· Hunt positions will be preassigned.
MDC asks all hunters who have drawn a hunting reservation to go to huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/waterfowl-managed-hunts and follow these steps:
1. Use the pill number to find the respective hunting location on reservation date.
2. Find a map of the hunting location.
3. Print off the Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag (Green Card) and bring it on the hunt date.
4. Review the Red Level Procedures.
5. Review the area-specific regulations.
6. Hunters DO NOT need to show up at the Draw Time and can simply go straight to the hunting location no earlier than the established draw time found at: huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/waterfowl-waterfowl-draws/waterfowl-area-draw-times.
Photo courtesy the Missouri Department of Conservation.