Thread: Fish stored at home

I think you just called me a fence post... . The wife would agree.

naw, you have a sense of humor and that disqualifies you as a fencepost ,,,,,,,now if you want to meet a true fencepost look up a guy on here goes by the name of "oleslanderside" or sumpin' like that

60 in Mo. 100 in kansas, 100 in Mississippi 80 some in Ok. 59 in arkansas, add em all up label them and hope for the best. having said that, if you brag to your buds, yap at the coffee shop, on how many, and how your stocking up for winter, and so on and so on, your probably gonna get a call from the agent in your area, just be civil about it.

I got a total of 12 crappie in the freezer, could go up and seine the pond and get 100 pretty quick. am I breaking the law? I bought the fish from Arkansas,fed the minnows that fed the crappie, am I legal, I fish arkansas catch 20 on beaver lake,bring them home freeze same, do this couple times then head to OK. bring home 37 freeze some eat some, it's adding up,,, catch some in springriver 30 bring home freeze, now I am getting a bunch... am I still legal , Over the MO. limit of 60 in my possession,but not all are Mo. fish,,,, now what.....


the above is just a thought, not real, well the 12 crappie in the freezer is real the other is just food for thought, but it could happen....

I think it's a good question, Gordon. It's been addressed on here before, but now with a CA board, perhaps it can be answered more.....authoritatively?

I'd like clarification on kids 15 and under who don't have a license #. So long as you label with their name, you're okay?

Also, what if I fish MN or KS and have fish properly labeled with that state's license number. Can I keep a possession limit of fish from several different states, provided they're all labeled properly?

(Bear in mind, all of this is moot for me. I struggle to get a limit, and we eat it pretty quickly.)

This is not a complete reprint of the code, but should contain info that helps to answer your questions…

3 CSR 10-4.137 Wildlife Identification

The taker and/or possessor of any wildlife shall keep the wildlife separate or distinctly identifiable from wildlife taken or possessed by another. When not personally attended, the wildlife shall be plainly labeled with the full name and address of the taker and/or possessor, except as provided in 3 CSR 10-6.405, 3 CSR 10-7.431 and 3 CSR 10-7.455.

3 CSR 10-4.135 Transportation

(1)Wildlife legally taken by sport hunting and fishing may be possessed and transported into, within, or out of this state as personal baggage of the taker, who has in his/her possession the required permit, or by other lawful possessor. Except for deer and turkeys taken in Missouri, persons possessing wildlife taken by another shall plainly label that wildlife with the full name, address and permit number of the taker and the date taken, except that Missouri limits shall apply on Missouri waters unless otherwise provided by reciprocal agreement. Deer and turkeys reported in accordance with established procedures, when labeled with the full name, address, date taken, and Telecheck confirmation number of the taker, may be possessed, transported, and stored by anyone. Wildlife legally taken and exported from another state or country may also be shipped into Missouri by common carrier, except cervid carcasses or cervid carcass parts. The importation, transportation, or possession of cervid carcasses or cervid carcass parts taken from or obtained outside of Missouri is prohibited, except for meat that is cut and wrapped; meat that has been boned out; quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached; hides or capes from which all excess tissue has been removed; antlers; antlers attached to skull plates or skulls cleaned of all muscle and brain tissue; upper canine teeth; and finished taxedermy products. Carcasses or parts of carcasses with the spinal colunm or head attached may be transported into the state only if they are reported to an agent of the department within twenty-four (24) hours of entering the state and then taken to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within seventy-two (72) hours of entry. Licensed meat processors and taxidermists shall dispose of the discarded tissue in a properly permitted landfill.


3 CSR 10-4.136 Giving Away Wildlife

Wildlife legally taken and possessed may be given to another only by the taker after completion of the day’s fishing or hunt. Any wildlife given to another shall continue to be included in the daily limit of the taker for the day when taken. Wildlife, except deer and turkeys taken in Missouri, shall be labeled with the full name, address and permit number of the taker, species and the date when taken. Deer and turkeys taken in Missouri shall be labeled with the full name and address of the taker, the date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of the deer or turkey. Wildlife received as a gift shall be included in the possession limit of the recipient.


3 CSR 10-4.140 Possession, Storage and Processing

(1)Wildlife legally taken or acquired may be possessed and stored, preserved or under refrigeration only at the possessor’s home, camp, place of lodging or in a commercial establishment. Turkeys may be possessed or stored not later than February 15 next following the close of the season when taken.

(2)All stored wildlife, except deer and turkeys taken in Missouri, shall be labeled with the owner’s full name, address and permit number, as required, species and date of placing in storage. If taken in another state or country, it also shall bear the export certificate, if required. Stored deer and turkeys taken in Missouri shall be labeled with the full name and address of the taker, the date taken, and the Telecheck confirmation number of the deer or turkey.

3 CSR 10-4.150 Legality of Wildlife Taken Outside of Missouri

The laws in effect where wildlife is taken shall determine the legal take and possession limits, except that Missouri limits shall apply on Missouri waters unless otherwise provided by reciprocal agreement. Fish taken in another state on a sport fishing permit by methods not permitted in Missouri may not be possessed on waters of the state. This Code shall apply immediately when wildlife is transported into Missouri, except for interstate shipment neither originating in nor destined for Missouri.

Guess I am half a fence post, still don't figure what the rules say, on the water...... can we talk poor old dumb azz talk so I could understand it? think I will stick to the 16 I have cleaned all year and eaten already.......

Well MDCAgent, why is it so hard to just answer the question? This still leads to interpretation and opinion. So, you're an office of the law, a person has more than 120 crappie fillets in this "possession" at his residence. All bags are labeled with the species and date and lake taken from. Is this person breaking a law?

The closing sentence of 4.136 leads one to believe he/she may be breaking the law. Right? Wrong?

At the same time, 4.140 says nothing about stored wildlife being counted as a possession limit as per the earlier mentioned section.

The laws in effect where wildlife is taken shall determine the legal take and possession limits, except that Missouri limits shall apply on Missouri waters unless otherwise provided by reciprocal agreement. Fish taken in another state on a sport fishing permit by methods not permitted in Missouri may not be possessed on waters of the state. This Code shall apply immediately when wildlife is transported into Missouri, except for interstate shipment neither originating in nor destined for Missouri.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure if its just me or but when I read that I see you can catch the legal limit from another state and have your permit from that state but if you stop at a Missouri lake on you way home and fish you're gonna get a ticket. And to kcbrown's point, I'm still not clear if (and for me a BIG IF) I have 60 in the freezer and I go to Eufaula for the weekend and come home with 37 crappie, bag em, tag em, and freeze em, I don't see in anywhere in that section where I'm legal