Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation Commission were created by Article IV, Sections 40-42 of the Missouri Constitution. The article was adopted by the voters of the state in 1936 as Amendment 4 to the constitution. The Commission is responsible for control, management, conservation, and regulation of fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state. The Department of Conservation owns and oversees hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, and reservations. They also enforces the state wildlife code. The Commission consists of four individuals appointed by the governor of the state to serve unpaid 6-year terms. No more than two of the individuals may be from the same political party.