Legislative Column for the Week of Nov. 10, 2014

Share the Fall Harvest

Seems like only last week it was 75 degrees, and now this week, it’s below freezing. That statement is naturally common here in Missouri. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, too, and of course, deer hunting season is upon us.

Firearms season runs from Nov. 15 through Nov. 25 this year, although the archery season began Sept. 15 and runs to Nov. 14 and will resume on Nov. 26 and run until Jan. 15, 2015. Archery season for turkey this year runs the same as the dates for deer, although turkey season for firearms expired on Oct. 31.

Our district offers many areas and opportunities for hunting. The Missouri Department of Conservation website (www.mdc.mo.gov) provides information about all things hunting-related in the Show-Me State, including safety both in the field and in tree stands, as well as being respectful of others’ property lines and proper use of firearms.

I encourage you to visit the website and educate yourself before heading out into our state’s vast hunting areas to enjoy one of Missouri’s most celebrated pastimes. Missouri is full of beauty, and we owe it to ourselves to preserve and protect it for our future generations.

Hunting is not only a test of skill, but a strategically placed shot will fill a freezer with food for several families.

With this in mind, I’d like to encourage all deer hunters in Missouri to take an opportunity to help the less fortunate by sharing part, or all, of your kill through the Share the Harvest program.

When you take your deer to any participating processing center, tell them how much of your deer you would like to donate, either in pounds or the entire deer. They will see that your donation gets picked up by the local sponsoring agency who will take it to a charitable agency for distribution. The processing fees are the responsibility of the donating hunter, although there are often funds available to assist with those costs. You can call your regional MDC office for a list of participating processors. That center can then turn in the amount of your donation for reimbursement. Always talk to your local processor to determine if processing funds are available. It’s a great feeling to help someone this time of year, and to instill that same mindset onto our kids, for the future.

Always feel free to contact me throughout the year with any comments, questions, or issues by calling my office at (573) 751-5713 or by visiting www.senate.mo.gov/brown.

Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.