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Ok, so I really don't get it. You are saying you DO want to be limited in method of take for alternative season, but you want that limitation to be a pistol brace?

I'm still not clear why you are not saying "there should be more rifle season and no alternative season"

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It's working fine right now, but people keep talking about how we should change it.    It's another deer season, that weeds out a lot of the people whose only hunting each year is the November portion of deer season, so why not just enjoy it? Why try to change or justify everything? If we start going to traditional/primitive, there will be the same arguments on how far to carry it. Some would say not to use an Atlatl, unless it's made using only period correct tools.

MDC; Here's a season where you can hunt deer again.

Me; Thank you.

Many others; Why? Why with that weapon? Why not with my favorite weapon? Why not make it like the November portion? Why not eliminate all the weapons I don't have or want? Why not make it all primitive? How do you define primitive?

Black powder sounds good. Maybe, but sticks have been around longer than powder. Maybe we'll allow it, but only loose powder. No pellets, no 209 primers, etc.
Inlines? They've been around for a while, but flintlocks/sidelocks are truly primitive.

Archery sounds good. Yeah, but no crossbows.
Okay, we'll use compounds. Hey, why those fancy compounds? Primitive bows didn't have wheels.
Hey, no recurves either; they came along after long bows.
Long bows? Only if you make them out of wood (not those fiberglass things), don't use those store-bought bows, and don't use any kind of sights/release.
Metal/carbon arrows? That's not primitive. You should make your own wooden arrows and do some flint knapping to make your own broadheads.

Pretty sure we should be making our own hunting clothes, not carry any kind of electronics, no optics unless they're period correct, etc.

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But the weird thing is, it's like you are saying: heck yeah it should be a limited season, but it should be limited to exactly what 67Firebird hunts with.
No, I said leave it as is, and I didn't say that it should be limited either. When asked if it could be another rifle season, I said Okay.  I do utilize a couple of the methods, but I never said limit it to those or anything else. I specifically said that having more choices is better.
I haven't seen anyone in this thread suggest that for alternative season the hunter should have to make their own bow, just that what amounts to basically rifles should be excluded.
I didn't say that either, but I was pointing out where it usually goes when people start talking what opportunities they think should be taken away.
If they're not excluding what are basically modern firearms, then it's kinda pointless to have an alternative season.
Why? It's another season we can hunt. Why do you want to take it away, just because you have a problem with terminology?  

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That escalated quickly

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I personally hate the four point rule.

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Better yet get enough people to raise hell so we don't have to put up with their liberal bullshit.

When they figure out people are going to use 10" barrels instead of 12" they will change the regulations again.

MDC is run by liberal scum. The director is a lifelong Democrat who has has been working within the party for most of her adult life.

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MDC has pissed off a bunch of people in the last few years. Increasing acreage for landowner permits, banning hog hunting on public ground and now this.

A bunch of unelected bureaucrats shouldn’t be able to change the law without consequences.

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No, not a done deal.

https://mdc.mo.gov/about-us/about-regulations/wildlife-code-missouri/definitions

NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed amendment with Regulations Committee Chairman, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or via the department's website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. To be considered, comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register. No public hearing is scheduled.

Comment on this proposed regulation
Official public comment period: April 02, 2020 to May 01, 2020

---------------------------
All current proposed regulations here:

https://mdc.mo.gov/about-regulations/wildlife-code-missouri/proposed-regulation-changes

Good for a bookmark.

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I don't know if you can open this without being a member, but here's another thread on this topic;

https://www.missouriwhitetails.com/threads/ar-pistols-no-more-in-alternative.236677/

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The way i see it is they either have a deer population problem that they want hunters to help with...or they dont.

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Agreed. There are so many deer that they don't even require check stations anymore, yet these people advocate further restrictions on weapon types. I just don't get why anyone would seek further government control like that.

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I told them they are singling out ar pistols for political reasons since they admit there have not been any “issues” and they are seeking to classify them out of the handgun category based on measurements even the atf doest recognize.

The response:

“There are several meanings of 'handgun' in common usage, which is confusing for hunters.  This proposed definition incorporates relevant portions of the definition from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and statutory firearms definitions to establish one, consistent definition for the purpose of hunting during the alternative methods portion of the firearms deer season.

The proposed definition is not intended to prohibit the use of AR-platform handguns that meet the barrel and overall length requirements.

I will share your message with members of the Department of Conservation's Regulations Committee so they are aware of your opinions.

Thank you for your interest in conservation.”

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If the MDC goes back to muzzle loader season instead of alternative methods would the modern in line not be allowed?

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Otherwise, you really aren't a landowner.  

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As long as there is real estate tax, you don't truly own your property.

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Exactly true! Stop paying your real estate taxes and see how long the government will ALLOW you to live in your home...whether paid off or not!

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Sure, but an AR pistol in 6.5 Grendel with an optic and an SBA3 is a 600 yard gun. And if the shooter misses they can send 10 more in a pretty rapid fashion. You see how that's different, right? Do you think the average bow hunter wants to share their season with that?

I think the point of an alternative methods season was to give hunters who wanted more of a stalking challenge an opportunity to get out and use equipment that has real limitations. With the advent of the AR pistol, the categories of "handguns" needed to be clarified because the AR pistol does not have the same weaknesses as a .44 Mag wheel gun.

Isn't there the possibility that the rule change is based on the capability of the firearms, and not political will?

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Conservation Commission approved an updated definition of a pistol/handgun from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for the Wildlife Code of Missouri at its May 28 meeting in Jefferson City. The change provides a formal definition of handguns used for hunting during the alternative-methods portion of the fall deer-hunting season.

Originally called the “muzzleloader portion” of the fall firearms deer season, the portion was renamed “alternative methods” in 2012 and MDC added several hunting methods to provide greater opportunities for hunters. Under the Wildlife Code, methods allowed to take deer during the alternative-methods portion include muzzleloaders and archery methods, crossbows, atlatl, handguns, and air powered firearms .40 caliber or larger.

Long guns, such as rifles and shotguns that fire modern ammunition, are not allowed methods during the alternative methods portion, but are allowed during the other portions of the firearms deer-hunting season.

“With gun manufacturers creating new versions of and adaptions to firearms such as AR-style handguns and shortened versions of AR-15-style rifles, we needed to establish a clear definition of what a handgun is for hunting during the alternative-methods portion of the deer-hunting season,” said MDC Protection Chief Randy Doman. “We’ve had situations where hunters were confused about what defined a handgun and asked for clarification.”

Doman added that the proposed change does NOT prohibit the use of an AR-15 pistol.

“The updated regulation clarifies what a handgun is for deer hunting during the alternative-methods portion,” Doman explained. “We want hunters to be able to confidently identify what handgun configurations, with or without the addition of braces or other accessories, are legal to use during this portion of the deer hunting season. The essential distinguishing characteristic of a handgun is its ability to be operated with one hand, although a second hand can be used as a brace. Any firearm with a total length of over 26 inches is considered a rifle.”

The Commission considered and adjusted the definition based on public input received during a formal comment period in April.

The updated MDC definition of a handgun is, “Any firearm originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one (1) or more barrels when held in one (1) hand, and having a short stock designed to be gripped by one (1) hand at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore(s), with a barrel less than sixteen inches (16”) in length, measured from the face of the bolt or standing breech (excluding any muzzle device not permanently attached to the barrel), and an overall length less than twenty-six inches (26”) as measured between the muzzle of the barrel and the rearmost portion of the firearm (excluding any pistol brace, muzzle device, or other firearm accessory not permanently attached to the firearm). The use of a pistol brace is specifically authorized, and a second hand may be used for support when firing.”

“There are several meanings of ‘handgun’ in common usage, which is confusing for hunters and Department staff,” Doman said. “Our updated definition incorporates relevant portions of the definitions from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and statutory firearms definitions to establish one, consistent definition for hunting during the alternative methods portion of the firearms deer season.”

Doman added that the updated definition of “handgun” does not impact the right to own or possess firearms and is not intended to prohibit the use of AR-platform handguns that meet the barrel and overall length requirements. It also does not prohibit the use of pistol braces. The definition is intended to clearly define a legal hunting method during the alternative-methods portion of the firearms deer hunting season.

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I'm still confused to what the original confusion was.