Squirrel Skulls

[townsendtaxidermy]

I was told by MDC that I could not buy/sell squirrel skulls. I don't agree with this, as they are simply a by-product of hunting. No different than selling antlers, or squirrel tails, IMO. I think it just falls into that area that no rules/regs exist because, like armadillos, and because MO has a permissive law, if it doesn't say you can do it, you can't.
Is it as simply as a formal letter to MDC to have it added, or am I dreaming that anything can be simple with MDC.
I'm working on my Christmas Store right now, and have ornaments, Christmas Tree Lights, and wreaths, all using squirrel skulls. It'd be nice to be able to sell them. The ones I have are squirrels I've killed, so I did write my CA to see if the rule (or lack thereof) only pertains to buying squirrel skulls, but I haven't heard back from him yet.

If you guys recall, I created quite a stink last year when I was buying squirrels for taxidermy. I was originally told that I could do it, but then a poop storm started brewing and it ended up I could only buy them if they were skinned.

[bigjohn]

I believe I'd be calling Jeff City and asking where,in the regs,it's shown to be illegal.
Taxidermist buy skulls,turkey heads,and such all the time.

[townsendtaxidermy]

Good point on turkey heads! I was told because it is an edible part of the squirrel...squirrel brains.+

[bigjohn]

If I'm not mistaken,Kim,the MDC had ann advisory posted about cautioning people on eating squirrell brains. Something about a virus one could get by eating them.
I'd call Jeff City. Wouldn't be the first time an agent got it wrong.I've had to call them before on a matter and kept the paperwork they sent me to prove it to the agent if it ever came up again.

[townsendtaxidermy]

That was from MDC

[bigjohn]

Who from the MDC?

[townsendtaxidermy]

This was last year when I was buying squirrels at Laurie. It supposedly went all the way up the chain of command at MDC. I'm going to try calling there today.

[bigjohn]

Kim,were you able to get an answer from the MDC?

[townsendtaxidermy]

Not yet John. Need to write it on my dry-erase (aka: my short term memory!)

[Robbie Page]

Kim,
If you have already contacted Jefferson City, you may have to call to set up a hearing date with the Commissioners to propose getting it added in the code book. I don't know the number to call but you can contact our Rules and Regs chairman, Kenny Wells with the contact information on setting up a hearing date. His contact information is on the MTA website at www.missouritrappers.com.

[townsendtaxidermy]

Oct 29, 2014 20:28:50 GMT -6 Robbie Page said:

Kim,
If you have already contacted Jefferson City, you may have to call to set up a hearing date with the Commissioners to propose getting it added in the code book. I don't know the number to call but you can contact our Rules and Regs chairman, Kenny Wells with the contact information on setting up a hearing date. His contact information is on the MTA website at www.missouritrappers.com.

Thank you!

[logger]

mdc.mo.gov/node/14806

Attn-Tom Draper
Regulations committee chair

[bigjohn]

Kim,any word on this yet?