Missouri Situation

I want everyone to know that these new regulations were completely expected. We have been telling our legislature that they want to put us out of business and on Monday April 28th,  2014 they proved it. With only 3 weeks left in the legislature, It was really a surprised that they gave us the regulations in time to use them. And we have and will certainly continue to use them to show our legislators their intentions.


 


These regulations are a long way from becoming law. They simply got voted out of the regulation committee. They have to go through the director, the commission, out for comment, and then back to the commission. The problem of course with Missouri is that they don't have to be approved by the legislature or anyone that has any common sense. And MDC is an overly rich propaganda machine. And they are led by a radical director that was formerly the state lobbyist. And they believe  they are the Kings of Missouri and can get whatever they want. They pour millions of our tax dollars into lies and propaganda and into organizations like the Conservation Federation, Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and about 50 others. Last year they gave about 17 million dollars to these organizations to have their members become their personal puppets. Then when they need something they ask to return the favors. Then they claim that the citizens of Missouri want whatever it is they want. Its a great example of what happens when you give government too much money and not enough accountability.


 


With out giving to much away we have already been fighting this through the legislature. We have bills going through both chambers that move us to Ag. Our message is that  it is clear that we can no longer survive under the jurisdiction of MDC. And the MDA already does 95% of all our programs. So the move is simple. We will know if we are successful in the next 3 or 4 weeks. There is a small chance this might work. But in this case we have to rely on politicians to do whats right. And MDC has a ton of money they can pour into this. They have so much money they have a full time lobbyist that monitors every move at the capital. And the director is there constantly. An example is that yesterday they both saw us at the capital and immediately put out that mass email. Its just plain crazy!


 


Of course if this doesn't work we will fight the rules. And if they don't withdraw them, then we will sue, have an injunction put into place and fight them through the courts until we win. It could take 2 to 3 years. Its expensive and a long process but we are already preparing for that. So rest assured, there is no backing down, and no more negotiating.


 


I won't post often, I simply don't have the time but will try to keep everyone up to date on here. I will also be reaching out to states and all organizations if and when we need help?


 


Sam

Thanks for the update Sam.  We all wish you guys the best.  I have talked to several of my board members in Minnesota, and if goes to court, we will step up and help you out.  Our sales to Missouri, from Minnesota, are very important to us.  You are not alone down there.  Keep up the good fight.


Gary Olson

Sam,


Thanks for the update. Just remember there are a lot of us out here that are willing to fight for what is right and not their own personal agendas. I just read part of the program standards discussion on the changes and I have to believe that the wording in the discussion can only help us . They state that CWD is Low risk and that transportation is not viewed as a risk at spreading disease from certified farms.

I also want to say thanks Sam for the update. Missouri is a very important state to allot of us for many reasons, I can't speak for the entire IWDA board at this time, but I would expect that when the time comes we will be there for you... Like Gary says, you are not alone down there...

sam, i believe you are on the right course. makes you wonder if this is still america! kansas deer farming is just a hobby for me, but, tell me who and where to send my monetary support. also, i personaly challenge everyone else, who hasn't already, to donate for this cause. sincerely , tom l

Thanks Sam,

Hang in there!

The only advice from a Hoosier deer farmer who has witnessed multiple pieces of our legislation go through committee, the house, and be amended to the point the bills were no longer good for us is: Do NOT let your conservation department have any input on your bill! Keep it as short and simple as possible. If it's amended and lengthened you will lose. Stand on their necks! Remove the MDC as completely as possible from any over site or jurisdiction over your agricultural deer. They manage the wild cervid herd. Some of our board members here in Indiana think it is a good idea to keep our DNR involved so they let Indiana state senator Crider have input in our last bill. Crider was affiliated formally with our DNR. He deceitfully sabotaged & ruined the legislation. If your governor is against you all he will have someone in place to yank the carpet out from under your legislation. David didn't just stop after he hit Goliath in the head with his slingshot stone. He took his head off. That's how a winner does it! Beware,your MDC will rear its ugly head again! If you don't separate from it your industry. We had no one with any backbone or satchel stones,let alone a King David on our IDEFA board so we got....

Our Senate bill passed today 23 to 9. That's the first step. Thanks to all who contacted their legislators and to our friend in Iowa that made a phone call about that MDC email. I don't think our legislators felt like that email was very appropriate! The director of MDC is claiming a low level employee sent that out by mistake...Ya Right!


 


Thanks for all the offers we have had so far. No need to send money yet, we will certainly let everyone know. We are planning another rally on the capital tomorrow. EVERYONE is welcome.


 


THANKS AGAIN


Sam

I'd say your MDC Director is a lying SOB. Him just making a bullcrap statement like that shows what his true colors are. Give people like that enough rope and they'll usually hang themselves sooner or later. Good luck down there and keep up the fight.


Cody Warne

We were about 60 strong at the capital today and got a great response from the legislature. Our house version of the bill was voted out of committee by a vote of 10 to 4. And that's a good thing. Thanks to all who came up to help us educate the legislators!!! The key seems to be just getting out the facts!


 


So far so good! 2 weeks left and we plan on being at it everyday!

[email protected]


I have e-mailed every single missouri rep to ask for there support on house Bill  HB2031!!!! I have had several replies supporting the bill others saying they would consider it and one saying there is no chance he would support it his e-mail is posted please flood his inbox

Email Sent...

roughcountrywhitetails917421399413539



[email protected]


I have e-mailed every single missouri rep to ask for there support on house Bill  HB2031!!!! I have had several replies supporting the bill others saying they would consider it and one saying there is no chance he would support it his e-mail is posted please flood his inbox




I sent one to all in the top list Shawn sent out and got no replies from any!

Thanks to everyone who is helping Missouri with their support. We really appreciate the letters, the emails, and the phone calls. We have everyone pulling the same direction.


 


Nadefa, the ACA, the big guys, the small guys, the preserves, the breeders, and even the competing auction companies are all sitting at the same table and pulling TOGETHER. All differences have been put aside to fight for this common goal.


 


Back to the capital we go tomorrow. We should know something by the end of the week. Say a prayer for us and for our legislators to do the "right thing".

Sam


 


Are you perhaps interested in moving to Michigan?

Todd,

Sam is from the show me state. All we have to do is be good copy cats.

We worked at the Capital again today.  It has been a real learning experience being involved in this process.  There is great value in talking with Senators and Representatives face to face so they can see how the issues they vote on effect real people. 


We keep our head down and our hat in our hand while asking for their support for our industry. 


I agree with Sam.  Now would be a great time to say a little prayer for those that get to vote on our legislation.  Most all of them know that supporting our legislation is the right thing to do, but they are under huge pressure from several powerful groups that would like nothing more than end our industry.


Thanks to everyone for all of the support.

We should find a way to target these groups such as editorials on how they get funding and what it spent on!

There is a very challenging arguement soon forthcoming that will be a game changer for us all in every state. Let us all not be soggy or forget that we negotiate from a position of strength whether in the legislature or the Supreme Court. We have America's founding principles behind us!!! Thankfully we are not raising our deer in Pakistan or the old Soviet Union. If we press on we will absolutely succeed and prevail! The equalitarianism of our opposition is un-American and they will not succeed at regulating us out of business if we expose their ideology for what it truly is to the legislature or our Supreme Court. When some of our industry leaders insist we must negotiate or allow the MDC or DNR etc. to be involved with the oversight of our privately owned agricultural deer on our high fenced private properties it sickens me the same as when I see those in our government who want to negotiate with radical Islamist. In whose eyes we will always be infidels therefore they will always look to saw our necks off with an old rusty knife. The MDC's, DNR's,and etc.'s of this country with their radical philosophies based on equalitarian conservation models will always attempt bit by bit to force their communist umbrella over our industry and effictively cut our industries throat the same way! I pray our industry leaders will not also be so soggy in the fight that's on the horizon!

Another step forward. An omni-agriculture bill with our bill attached passed the house on a 107 to 45 vote. It was a heated debate. Now we just need to finalize a senate version. Hopefully have good news soon.

Sam


I hope it is well documented which ones vote against the deer farmers. They should be heavily targeted, in my opinion, in the upcoming elections. We need to start sending real messages to these legislators.