Keith Lusher 03.04.26
Missouri lawmakers are weighing a proposal that would make hunting and fishing permits free for certain military personnel and disabled veterans, but the bill is facing criticism from both sides of the aisle.
The legislation, sponsored by Republican State Rep. Don Mayhew of Crocker, would require the Missouri Conservation Commission to issue free hunting and fishing permits to 100% disabled veterans who are Missouri residents and to active-duty military personnel regardless of residency. Eligible dependents, including spouses and minor children, would also qualify for certain free permits.
Mayhew said the measure is a way to give back to those who have served.
“For our disabled veterans, I think it’s the least that we could do to at least offer them the opportunity to go hunting at no cost since they have given so much to our country,” he said during a recent committee hearing.
Under the bill, the state would also waive hunter education certification fees for eligible applicants and provide a free lifetime combined hunting and fishing permit to military personnel or disabled veterans who have received a Purple Heart. Dependents could receive free deer hunting permits during youth seasons. Applicants would be required to provide documentation verifying their status.
Despite the proposal’s intent, members of the House Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources raised concerns about its financial impact on the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Democratic State Rep. Michael Burton of Lakeshire said the department already has projects planned that will draw down much of its budget and that remaining funds could be needed for emergency disaster response. He warned that reducing permit revenue could affect long-term stability.
“Missouri has one of the best, if not the best conservation department in the country,” Burton said. “People from all over the country, all over the world come to Missouri to hunt and fish. I don’t want to put that in limbo.”
Republican State Rep. Brenda Shields of St. Joseph also defended the department’s current funding structure, pointing to its conservation projects and nature centers. She said Missouri is “the envy of other states” because of its programs.
Army veteran Steve Jones, who testified on the bill, said he supports recognizing veterans but questioned whether the measure is necessary. Under current regulations, Missouri residents age 65 and older, as well as veterans with at least 60% service-related disability, already face reduced permit requirements, typically needing permits only for hunting large game and birds.
“To give a veteran like me the same benefits and recognition of those who spent time as a POW, or suffered the effects of service-related injury or illness strikes me as absurd,” Jones said.
The bill received a public hearing on Feb. 23 but has not yet advanced out of committee. Lawmakers have not indicated when it could come up for a vote.
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