September 10, 2014 was a special day for the Conservation Federation of Missouri. It marked the 79th anniversary of the formation of our organization, and now also marks the day CFM helped end legislation that would have reclassified captive white-tailed deer from wildlife to livestock.
Public comments and dozens of public meetings showed overwhelming support for proposed regulations to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The Conservation Commission unanimously voted to approve proposed amendments to regulations regarding the operation of hunting preserves and wildlife breeding facilities that hold white-tailed deer, mule deer, their hybrids, and other members of the deer family, known as cervids, to prevent the spread of diseases, including chronic wasting disease, to the state’s deer herd.
Conservation is under attack. As you read this, legislation aimed at destroying the Department of Conservation by eliminating funding sources and altering the composition of the Conservation Commission is working it’s way through our State Legislature. For the past 80 years, the Conservation Federation of Missouri has fought against legislative attacks aimed at diminishing the authority and funding of MDC. This year will be no different. CFM will do everything in our power to ensure MDC remains the agency our founders fought to establish based on the belief that science, not politics, should govern the forest, fish and wildlife of our state.