OutdoorMissouri.com

When I started bowhunting years ago, a fellow didn't have to check his deer in on a bowkilled animal. In fact, I think you simply had to send the tag in if I remember right. Rifle hunters still had mandatory check in stations and always have had until recently. From reading on other forums, it seems there are several other states that do not require the checking of deer. That is pretty much the jist of my questioning here. Like many other states, the MDC is tinkering with doing away with check stations altogether. In fact, I was told last year when I went to check a turkey that they were no longer going to check turkeys and that it would be telecheck for everyone. Now, I'm not certain if this will also be the case for spring season, but we will see. As a landowner, I was able to telecheck deer last fall, and I did like it because it saved me a bit of time. But, with the new antler restrictions and unlimited doe seasons that we are now having, I'm not terribly keen on the idea of telecheck. I'm not sure that it is fair to those individuals that do not own a parcel of land to have to sit through long lines at the check station during rifle season either, while I get to call my kill in. Personally, while I liked the fact that I didn't have to go to the check station, I kindof wish the MDC would do away with this idea of telecheck for those reasons stated above. Your thoughts on the matter?

sshhhhsss...Don't tell anybody but you can tele-check even if you aren't a landowner. Deer and turkeys, rifle or bow, spring or fall. - fish

That is what I have been hearing. I know a guy that did it and he didn't own a lick of ground. I was totally confused. What is it, did you stay home again today? Is this an every Friday ordeal?

fish is a short-timer. His days of working are numbered so he can do whatever he wants. He's probably "sick" once or twice a week.

Hell, fellas !!! It is a state holiday. Lincolns Birfday I think. Got the 21st off also, Presidents day.

Got a call from TTTim this week. Seems he joined our ranks down in JC.

Holly chit!! You mean TTTim is still alive??? Heck, I thought he had up and died on us or moved outta state or sumthin! I was kinda wonderin why I hadn't got an invite to a funeral, or asked to load funiture.



Uppity SOB, gets hisself a job high-rollin down there in Jeff and forgets us lil peoples!

I checked a doe in on the internet this past season. I head shot her, and didn't want to be the specticle of the day parading a deer around with a gaping head wound. It was very easy, and the MDC site gave a conformation # that was to be written on the trasportation tag. That was all there was to it, very easy, and I enjoyed not having to go to the checking station.

PA has no check in stations, and from what I read, their reporting rates are anywhere from 40%-55%, so how would an agencey know what the results of the season were without even an accurate estimation? I think that is a major issue with the credibility of the PA game commission, and why sportsman are fighting against the regulations that PA sets for the deer herd.

I have enjoyed going to checking stations and seeing other peoples kills etc, but it can be a PITA. Especially bringing the deer in out of the field, in one piece.

I definately like the telecheck idea for archery. I have mixed feelings on the rifle season.

I kindof like it for archery too. It would be going back to the old way of doing things.

Yeah, what Keith said.

Well I say get used to it. The check stations cost MDC millions each year. Tele-check would be about a third of the cost.

This is speculation on my part but I think you will start seeing some check station disappear in the future. Not in the near future but in the future. Depends on the publics acceptance to tele-check.

- fish

Fish: How in the heck does it cost that much $? Do transportation tags cost that much? I mean, the check station employees are pretty much employees of the store or quick stop at which the check station resides, correct? Does the MDC pay those folks cashish? Another issue that I was made aware of is that the protection division was tired of having to pick up the checksheets. That one came from a pretty good source. Don't know how true it is though. PS

Yep all of the above except the tag part. You will always have to purchase tags for transportation and that is big $$$ for MDC. I don't think the check sheet pick up is a big issue. It maybe to a few agents tho.

Having a check station at your bidness is a win/win sitution for the owner. You get paid for the bother of having it an most times the hunters will buy something while there. I don't have a clue how much they get paid. Some busy check stations MDC "employs" checkers for the busy times.

On a side note, I worked a day at a check station in Lewis Co where I didn't check one deer all day. Those are the ones that will fall off the map first. IMHO.

PS I would tell you that the guys you are worried about with antler restrictions and unlimited does don't check deer in now anyway. The kill em and cut em and nobody knows the difference. I like going to the check station to see all the deer and how the hunt is going in the area. fish, we usually do spend money at the check stations ifn they sell something. fish, pm your way.