Missouri Outdoors

Big Springs Non-Profit Wins Grant to Clean Up Tires on Mark Twain National Forest

2012-01-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

DONIPHAN, MO – Big Springs Resource Conservation and Development Council recently received a Missouri Department of Natural Resources grant to help clean up dumped tires on Mark Twain National Forest.

The grant from Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Solid Waste Management Program will focus on cleaning up Mark Twain National Forest around Ripley, Shannon and Carter Counties.

Raben Tire, Poplar Bluff, has partnered with Mark Twain National Forest and Missouri Department of Natural Resources and will be handling the collected tires for recycling.

Missouri citizens generate an estimated five million scrap tires a year; many wind up discarded on public lands.

“An environment free of scrap tires is important to public health and the environment,” said Mark Twain National Forest Eleven Point District Ranger Tim Bond. “Scrap tires harbor mosquitoes and snakes. Many disease carrying pests flourish in the stagnant water that collects inside tires.”

Chief culprits are mosquitoes that can carry deadly diseases such as the West Nile virus and encephalitis.

There are other, less visible costs.

“Dumped tires also contaminate our soils and waterway systems, are toxic to plants and wildlife, and then there’s the loss of aesthetic beauty,” Bond said.

“One of our organization’s objectives is to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment,” said Big Springs Resource Conservation and Development Council Manager Becky Paxton. “This is a worthwhile project because it will help reduce dumped tires on Mark Twain National Forest on three counties in our district.”

Recycled tires are used as fuel; they are also recycled into products such as rubber-modified asphalt on Missouri highways.

Mark Twain National Forest is the largest public land manager in Missouri with 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in southern and central Missouri. Mark Twain National Forest’s mission is to continue to restore Missouri’s natural communities and maintain a healthy, working forest.

Archery deer, turkey harvests up from last year

2012-01-27T18:17:00.000-08:00

Counties bordering urban areas had the biggest totals.

JEFFERSON CITY–Bowhunters posted increases in both deer and turkey harvests during Missouri’s 2011-12 archery deer and turkey hunting seasons, topping the previous year’s figures by more than one-third.

Hunters checked 52,671 deer during the four-month archery season. That is an increase of 10,299 (24 percent) from the previous year. Archers checked 2,923 turkeys, an increase of 739 (33.8 percent) from the 2010-2011 season.

Jason Isabelle, a resource scientist for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), said two factors probably contributed to the increased archery turkey harvest.

“I attribute the increase in harvest to the good hatch that we had last year in most of the state and to increased archery permit sales,” said Isabelle. “There were both more turkeys and more archers in the woods in 2011 than in 2010.”

MDC sold 110,647 archery hunting permits and issued another 82,486 no-cost landowner archer’s permits last year. The total of 190,133 archery permits is a record and continues a long-term trend of increasing interest in archery hunting.

“More people discover the enjoyment of archery season every year,” said Isabelle. “The challenge of bowhunting appeals to many hunters who start with firearms. For others, the attraction is a huge increase in hunting opportunity. For quite a few hunters, opening day of deer season can’t come soon enough and closing day comes too soon. Taking up the bow and arrow allows them to pursue their outdoor passion all fall and into winter.”

MDC Resource Scientist Jason Sumners said the reason for this year’s increased archery deer harvest is harder to nail down.

“Over the past decade we have seen a steady increase in the number of archery hunters and a resulting increase in archery harvest,” said Sumners. “However, that doesn’t explain the fluctuations we see in archery harvest from year to year. There are likely other factors at work that create annual variation in hunter effort or success. We had very mild weather last fall, and that might have caused hunters to spend more time pursuing deer. But there is still a lot we don’t know about the relationship between weather and hunter behavior and other factors that affect archery harvest.”

Sumners said he hopes to explore those factors in the future to gain a better understanding of what causes sizeable archery harvest fluctuations like those that have occurred over the last four years. For example, the deer archery harvest increased from 44,434 in 2008 to a record 51,972 in 2009 and went back down to 43,281 in 2010.

Missouri’s 2011-2012 archery and firearms deer harvests total 291,592. That is up 6 percent from the previous year. The 2011-2012 firearms and archery turkey harvests total 52,226, down 3.8 percent from the previous year.

The top archery deer-harvest counties were Jefferson with 1,092 deer checked, Franklin with 1,088 and Jackson with 1,040. Top archery turkey-harvest counties were Callaway with 76 turkeys checked, Franklin with 67 and Jefferson with 58.

All of the top counties for archery deer and turkey harvest were in or near metropolitan areas. Isabelle and Sumners agree this probably is largely because all four counties are within easy driving distance of large numbers of hunters. Also, Callaway and Franklin counties are larger than average, and both have excellent deer and turkey habitat.

“Those four counties are natural choices for folks who live in nearby cities,” said Isabelle. “Franklin and Callaway counties are between the St. Louis and Columbia-Jefferson City areas and have some of the best turkey habitat in the state. Jefferson and Jackson counties are right at the edge of the state’s two largest metropolitan areas, so it’s not surprising that lots of archers would spend time hunting there.”

MDC recorded eight firearms-related deer-hunting incidents during the 2011-2012 hunting season. One was fatal.

-Jim Low-

Nikon ProStaff 3 & ProStaff 5 Rangefinders Video Interview at SHOT Show!

2012-01-26T18:14:00.000-08:00

We have a lot of SHOT Show Video Interviews coming out today, so I’m going to keep on rolling them out as quick as I can. Here we have our second interview with Nikon representative Jon LaCorte. Jon shows Steve two new rangefinders displayed by Nikon at SHOT Show. Both models are part of the Nikon ProStaff line of products, and will give you quality performance at a great price.

Watch as Jon first shows off the Nikon Prostaff 3 Rangefinder. With one button operation, it doesn’t get much easier to operate, and it has a very fast processor for quick range finding. This is really important when you’re out hunting and finally spot a buck after hours of waiting. You won’t want to miss that shot because you were waiting for the rangefinder to figure out the distance. It has a great range of about 550 yards, and the optics are nice and bright, so you’ll have no trouble seeing your intended target. 6x power is just right for finding distance, and the tough construction is both waterproof and fog proof, so you don’t need to worry about it breaking on you when you need it!

The Nikon ProStaff 5 Rangefinder was even more impressive. The ProStaff 5 is actually a fair bit smaller than any other Nikon Rangefinder, and as Steve points out, though you may not think about the size very often, it makes a big difference when you’re trying to put it in or take it out of a pocket. While the overall size of the Nikon ProStaff 5 is smaller, they made the ocular bigger, so you’ll have an easier time seeing your target. An additional feature that really sets the ProStaff 5 apart is the LED illumination. This LED can be turned on with a single button press, and your reticle will be illuminated for easier use. This is especially welcome in the morning or evening, when light is scarce.

I’ve been really impressed so far with everything Nikon brought to SHOT Show this year. I’ll have another video interview with Jon LaCorte up soon that talks about the Nikon Monarch 3 and Monarch 5 binoculars, so stay tuned!

http://www.opticsplanet.com/gearexpert/nikon-prostaff-3-prostaff-5-rangefinders-video-interview-at-shot-show-810

Restoring southwest Missouri’s natural resources focus of meetings, restoration plan

2012-01-26T14:42:00.000-08:00

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., JAN.24, 2012 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have developed a regional restoration plan to restore southwest Missouri’s natural resources injured by hazardous substances. The agencies will hold a series of upcoming public meetings and are seeking comments on the restoration plan.

Representatives from the department and Fish & Wildlife Service will explain the Draft Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment at public meetings in Springfield, Joplin and Neosho. During the meetings, the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and formally comment on the restoration plan, available online atdnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/sfund/nrda.htm.

The Springfield Plateau ecoregion includes major portions of Cedar, Dade, Jasper, Newton, Lawrence and Greene counties; portions of Polk, Webster, Christian and Barry counties; and minor portions of St. Clair, Hickory, Barton, McDonald, Stone and Douglas counties.

The public meetings will be held:

· Jan. 25 in Joplin at MSU’s Billingsley Student Center, 3950 E. Newman Rd.

· Jan. 26 in Neosho at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, 520 Park Street.

· Jan. 30 in Springfield at the Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell Ave.

The meetings will start at 6 and end at 8:30 p.m.

Written comments on the restoration plan must be postmarked no later than Feb. 24. Comments and questions or requests for copies of the plan can be directed to:

Frances Klahr John Weber,

Natural Resources Damages Coordinator Restoration Coordinator

Missouri Department of Natural Resources U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

P.O. Box 176 101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite A

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 Columbia, MO 65203

573-522-1347 573-234-2132 (x177)

Frances.klahr@dnr.mo.gov John_S_Weber@fws.gov

Copies of the restoration plan are be available for on-site review at the Joplin Public Library, 300 S. Main Street, Joplin; Neosho Public Library, 201 W. Spring Street, Neosho; Springfield Public Library, 4653 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 101 Park DeVille Dr. Suite A, Columbia; and Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 1730 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are charged, primarily through federal Superfund law, with assessing injuries to and restoring natural resources that have been injured by environmental hazards such as oil discharges and hazardous substances releases. This process is referred to as Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration. Citizens have the right to use and enjoy natural resources and states have the duty and responsibility to protect these resources.

CWD found in two free-ranging deer from Macon County

2012-01-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Two positive results for Chronic Wasting Disease are first for free-ranging deer in Missouri.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) received two positive test results for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from 1,077 tissue samples taken from free-ranging deer harvested by hunters in north-central Missouri during the 2011 fall firearms deer season. Both positive test results were from adult bucks harvested by Missouri hunters in Macon County, and are the first CWD-positive results for free-ranging deer in Missouri.

MDC plans to obtain more tissue samples for CWD testing by harvesting additional deer in the immediate area where the two infected deer were harvested.

“Teamwork among landowners, hunters and MDC staff allowed us to detect this infection early,” said MDC Deer Biologist Jason Sumners. “We will be working with local landowners to harvest additional deer for tissue sampling. This is a first step and one of our best hopes for containing, and perhaps even eliminating, what we believe to be a recent localized event.”

MDC staff have contacted the two Missouri hunters who harvested the CWD-positive bucks to inform them of the situation and answer questions.

CWD is a neurological disease that is limited to deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family, known as “cervids.” CWD is spread by animal-to-animal contact or by animal contact with soil that contains prions from urine, feces or the decomposition of an infected animal. Deer and other cervids with signs of CWD show changes in natural behavior and can exhibit extreme weight loss, excessive salivation, stumbling and tremors. CWD can spread through natural movements of infected animals, transportation of infected live captive animals, or the transportation of infected carcasses.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) says there is no evidence from existing research that CWD can spread to domestic livestock, such as sheep or cattle. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) says there is no scientific evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans through contact with or the consumption of deer meat.

MDC conducted its tissue-sampling effort during the fall firearms season in November in response to two cases of CWD found in captive white-tailed deer at two private, captive-hunting preserves in Linn and Macon counties. A third captive deer at one of the preserves tested positive for CWD in December. The two earlier cases of CWD found at the private hunting preserves were detected in February 2010 and October 2011. The two free-ranging bucks that tested positive were harvested within two miles of the Macon County preserve.

CWD in deer can only be confirmed by laboratory testing of the brain stem or lymph tissue. Tissue samples collected by MDC were tested by the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Laboratory of the University of Georgia, Athens, with confirmation by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

The disease was first recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado. CWD has also been documented in both captive and free-ranging deer in neighboring Kansas and Nebraska. It has been documented in free-ranging deer in neighboring Illinois. CWD has also been documented in both captive and free-ranging members of the deer-family in Colorado, Minnesota, New York, South Dakota, Wisconsin and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Maryland, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming also have documented cases of CWD in free-ranging members of the deer family. Michigan and Montana have documented cases of CWD in captive members of the deer family.

CWD is transmitted through prions, which are abnormal proteins that attack the nervous systems of these species. These prions accumulate in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen, and lymph nodes of infected animals. While there is no scientific evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans or animals other than deer and other cervids, health officials caution that consumption of these parts is not recommended. They also advise people to not eat meat from animals known to be infected with CWD or that exhibit signs of any disease.

While CWD is new to free-ranging deer in Missouri, MDC has been testing for it for years. With the help of hunters, MDC has tested more than 34,000 free-ranging deer for CWD from all parts of the state since 2002.

Missouri also has a Cervid Health Committee to address the threat of CWD to Missouri’s free-ranging and captive cervids. The Committee is composed of wildlife biologists, veterinarians and other animal-health experts from MDC, MDA, MDHSS and the USDA.

Capping pipes can save birds’ lives

2012-01-23T15:07:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Open vertical pipes and posts take a toll on wildlife.

JEFFERSON CITY–Do you have a fence with hollow posts made of PVC or metal pipe? What about a metal sign post? Bird experts say these and other open vertical pipes can be death traps for birds and other wildlife.

Wildlife Ecologist Brad Jacobs with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) learned about the problem from Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve.

“They discovered it by accident,” said Jacobs. “Audubon staffers went to remove a 20-foot-long vent pipe that had rusted and fallen over. The lower seven feet of the 8-inch pipe were filled with the decomposed bodies of hundreds of birds and other animals that got inside and couldn’t get out. It was a horrible sight.”

Victims of the irrigation pipe, which had been in place more than 50 years, included bluebirds, woodpeckers and kestrels – small birds of prey. Other animals, such as lizards, also perished.

The death trap was part of an abandoned irrigation system. After the macabre discovery, the Audubon staffers began noticing similar hazards on their preserve and neighboring land. They found dead animals in pipes ranging from 1 to 10 inches in diameter and set to work removing or capping the pipes to prevent further carnage.

Jacobs says he fears that similar hazards exist throughout Missouri.

“It isn’t something we ever considered before,” he said. “But now that we know about it, I think it’s important to let everyone know, so they can take action to prevent needless losses of wildlife.”

Solutions include capping pipes or covering open ends with screen wire or hardware cloth. Removal is an option for pipes that no longer are needed. More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org/workinglands-pipes.php.

Jacobs said anyone, even conservation groups, can unintentionally contribute to such problems. He noted that for several years MDC and Missouri Stream Team have encouraged concerned citizens to construct disposal bins for used fishing line at popular fishing spots. The bins consist of PVC pipe mounted vertically on posts with caps on the bottom and uncapped elbows on top. Anglers can place scrap line in the pipe, preventing it from becoming a hazard to wildlife.

“This was a commendable effort,” said Jacobs. “When it began, no one considered that the recycling bins might be hazards to cavity-nesting birds. However, tree swallows and prothonotary warblers have been found dead and entangled in fishing line inside similar receptacles in other states. The birds apparently explore the plastic tubes as potential nest sites and get tangled up in the used line inside.”

Line-recycling bins can be retrofitted with covers with a slit that still allows insertion of used fishing line without letting birds get inside. The covers are made from tire inner tubes or rubber roof sheeting held in place by pipe clamps. See http://mdc.mo.gov/node/16060/ for details. MDC is refitting all its fishing-line disposal bins.

Volunteers needed to continue to Document Historic Trail of Tears

2012-01-22T08:37:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

ROLLA, Mo.– Mark Twain National Forest is looking for volunteers to continue to document historic Trail of Tears on Mark Twain National Forest’s Poplar Bluff Ranger District March 26-31, 2012, including weekends.

Applications to volunteer are due by Monday, February 13, 2012.

The week-long project is the second phase of a Passport in Time project. Passport in Time is a USDA Forest Service volunteer archaeology and historic preservation program.

Please visit: http://www.passportintime.com/Click on “Current Projects” and then click on “Mark Twain NF” MO-4059 project to apply.

Passport in Time’s goal is to preserve the nation’s past with volunteer help. Volunteers work with professional Forest Service archaeologists on diverse activities such as surveys and excavation, rock art restoration, historic structure restoration, analysis of artifacts, and more.

In the 1830s, approximately 100,000 American Indians from the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, and Choctaw nations, among others, were forcibly removed from Southeastern U.S. homelands and marched to reservations in what is now Oklahoma.

Many suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation while en route to their destinations, and many died, including 4,000 of the 15,000 relocated Cherokee.

Approximately 30 miles of the Old Military Road (a.k.a. Natchitoches Trace) that served as this sad pathway crosses Mark Twain National Forest as part of the Benge Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Almost half of that land is managed by Poplar Ranger District.

“Thanks to a successful Passport In Time project last year, nearly all extant trail segments through the Forest have been identified and their locations have been accurately mapped with a resource grade GPS unit,” said Mark Twain National Forest Heritage Program Manager Keri Hicks.

In this second phase of the project, volunteers will help photograph and document each segment in detail, including preparing individual feature forms that will be used to supplement the existing site record.

“We will also sweep a metal detector across the surface and perform cruciform shovel testing to determine presence/absence of a sub-surface component,” Hicks said. “We will also record width, depth, terrain, vegetation, and any disturbances to the Trail and the cultural landscape. We will make particular note of segments in need of immediate management action. This is an important project and, once again, one that promises to be as fun as it will be interesting. “

Volunteers need to be at least 12 years old; under 18 accompanied by a responsible adult.

Helpful skills include previous archaeological survey and mapping, sketching, GPS use, and/or photography experience helpful, but not required

Tent and RV camping available at no charge at Markham Springs Recreation Area. Water, showers, vault toilets; lodge house available at Markham Springs Recreation Area; water, showers, flush toilets; rental fees apply.

Greenville and Poplar Bluff are full-service communities with motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment/lodging, meals, extra water, and transportation.

Current River Trout Fishing Trip

2012-01-21T06:40:00.000-08:00

My youngest son, David, and I took an excursion to the Current River last weekend before he had to get back to classes on Tuesday. We headed out from our home about 50 miles West of St. Louis on Saturday morning and were fishing by early afternoon.

Photo taken at Baptist Camp Access of the Current River in
February of 2010. The ice was hanging from the bluffs on our trip
beginning on January 14th of 2012, but there was much less of it.

We stopped by the Montauk State Park store to pick up a few beadhead eggs patterns and headed down to Baptist Camp. We headed on down to Baptist Camp and got our lines wet right away. I headed a little bit upstream and David headed downstream. There are no great spots directly above Baptist Camp, and me not felling like going way up there, I decided to join David.

By the time I reached David he had already put a couple of stocker sized rainbows in his net and gently released them. He caught several more before we left and I even managed to land one or two as well.

Typical Egg Pattern-
non-beaded
We used beaded egg
patterns to get deep in
the many deeper pools found
on the Current

We decided we would go down to our usual camping spot at Parker Hollow only to find it occupied. We decided a nearly empty campground at Montauk State Park seemed like a good alternative. We had gathered quite a bit of campwood for the fire down by Parker and it turned out to be plenty to get us through the weekend.

Saturday night was pretty chilly. We pitched our one-man tents and built a fire to roast hot dogs before turning in for the night. The one-man tents are nice because they are quick to set up and due to their small size, retain the body heat of the occupant. Combined with our zero degree sleeping bags, we slept quite well.

The next morning we woke to 17 degree temperatures and a pretty steady breeze. We knew it was supposed to warm to the fifties and the sun was out, so that made things seem a lot better. We warmed water on the fire and ate oatmeal and then David was ready to hit the water.

I love fishing, but no one has the level of dedication to it that David does. I took him down to the fly fishing portion of Montauk State Trout Park and turned him loose with the understanding we'd head somewhere else at noon. I stayed in the truck until 10 am and then headed up towards where David had headed.

There is a boulder garden a little ways up the fly area and this is where he wanted to fish. It turned out to be pretty heavily occupied so I found him fishing just down from there.

It had been a little while since we'd fished the park, and last year there were some pretty heavy floods that transformed the river in many places. We had noticed this the previous day below Baptist Camp, where some of the holes that had held some big browns were either gone completely, or had changed quite a bit.

Anyway, at this part of the trout park, there had been a low-hanging tree just below the boulder garden riffle where I would drift a fly underneath and land a trout on almost every cast. The tree was gone and it really made the area look different. The fishing was still quite good.

David Mann fishing Current River
between Baptist Camp Access & Tan Vat
Access - January 2012

When I met up with David, we decided we'd kind of fish our way back to the truck, and then head back to Baptist and then fish our way up to the Tan Vat access. We caught and released quite a few fish on our way back down.

We actually got to Baptist Camp and started upstream around noon. By this time the weather was outstanding, although a bit windy. We stocked up on a supply of granola bars and water, grabbed our headlamps in case of an after dark return, and headed off.

One of the nice stretches of water on the
Current River between Baptist Camp
and Tan Vat - January 2012

This stretch of river is characterized by fairly long stretches of slow and shallow water broken up by some nice fishing riffles that empty into great fishing deep holes that hold some nice fish.

All the way up and as far as we got back downstream before it was too dark to fish, we stuck with egg patterns. In reality, we could not solicit takes from the larger browns on these patterns, but the action was good enough on the smaller fish, we never switched to the nymph and streamer patterns that we typically do well on for these bigger fish. It was just what we felt like doing this day.

Small Rock Dam just below Tan Vat Access
January 2012

There is some quite beautiful water and surroundings in this stretch. There are small bluffs with small caves along the north bank of the river and on the south side there is somewhat of a trail that can be used in stretches you don't want to wade.

Tan Vat Access of the Current River - January 2012

David Mann fishing rock dam at
Tan Vat Access of Current River
January 2012

The entire stretch of river we waded, we encountered only two men that were floating from Tan Vat to Parker Hollow. I asked them how their float was going and they stated that they were spending much of their time dragging their canoe. The stretch from Tan Vat to Baptist Camp is often a tough float, and at this time of year it is almost certain to be. The floatable water improves greatly below Baptist Camp and gradually improves. On a nice winter day, the Current is an outstanding floating destination if proper precautions are undertaken.

We arrived at Tan Vat at around 3 pm and fished here for awhile. There was one couple we encountered here spin fishing, but that was it. There were some cars parked in the lot so perhaps some folks were fishing the good spots upstream from the Tan Vat access.

We headed back downstream fishing casually, as we'd kind of satisfied our need to catch fish. We enjoyed the scenery a bit more and did concentrate a bit more on the deeper holes where we's encountered some bigger fish on the way up.

Eventually the sun began to drop, and along with it the temperature. We broke down our rods and took the trail back on the south side of the river. We heard owls hooting and various critters scurrying away as we stumbled through the brush by now in the dark. We got down to the access and managed to wade back across the river without a stumble.

David's Books he Brought Camping and Fishing-

Spanish Text (College Text)

Stars Upstream (Essay on Current River History and Experiences)

Walden

True Grit

Evening brought chili and fritos, one of our camping favorites. That night was considerably warmer and we did not wake until the 8 am Montauk Park horn sounded the signal for the start of fishing.

We again had oatmeal and David got a last bit of fishing before our trip back to Mizzou. I packed up camp and then retrieved him from the river.

These outdoor excursions, whether hunting, fishing, camping, or other are a restorative force for all of us. David was returned to campus with a fresh and enthusiastic attitude after a great weekend of fishing.

Managed turkey hunt application deadline is Feb. 29

2012-01-20T15:10:00.000-08:00

Courtesy MDC

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Turkey hunters have until Feb. 29 to apply for managed hunts during Missouri’s 2012 spring turkey season. All 19 managed turkey hunts are listed in the “2012 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information" booklet. The booklet, along with other information on spring turkey hunting, is available online atwww.mdc.mo.gov by searching “Spring Turkey Hunting.” The booklet and website have application instructions, outlook information on Missouri’s turkey population, conservation areas where turkey hunting is allowed, related regulations and more. The print version of the booklet will be available from hunting permit vendors and at MDC offices in mid-February.

In addition to 11 hunts open to all firearms turkey hunters, this year’s offerings include a managed hunt for archers, five hunts for youths age 11 through 15 and two hunts for people with disabilities. Managed hunts will take place during the youth turkey season, March 31 to April 1, or regular turkey season, April 16 through May 6.

Hunters may apply individually or in groups of up to three for most hunts. Youth hunts accept applications only for single hunters or pairs. An individual applying as a member of a party has the same chance of being drawn as someone who applies alone. Successful applicants will receive notice of their hunt dates and other information by mail. Drawing results will be posted March 14 through May 6 at www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/turkey.

For the youth hunt and hunt for people with disabilities at Smithville Lake, applications should be made by phone by calling 816-858-5718. To apply for the hunt for people with disabilities at Bois D’Arc CA, call 417-742-4361. Applications for other hunts should be made online atwww.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/turkey.

The number of hunters allowed to take part in each managed hunt ranges from 10 to 40. Participants in some hunts must complete a pre-hunt orientation. Hunters should not to apply for these hunts if they cannot attend the orientation.

The bag limit for managed hunts is one male turkey or turkey with visible beard. Turkeys taken during a managed hunt count toward the season limit of two. Hunters who shoot a turkey during a managed hunt before April 23 may not take another turkey during the first week of the regular turkey season. All-terrain vehicles are prohibited on areas with managed turkey hunts.

MEETING OF THE MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION

2012-01-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Drury Suites

3303 Campster Drive, Cape Girardeau

3:00 p.m. – Executive Session (Closed)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Cape Girardeau Nature Center

2289 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau

8:30 a.m. – Regular Open Meeting

TENTATIVE AGENDA

(Background documents related to each agenda item are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. Speakers will be limited to five minutes each and number of speakers may be limited. Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made.)

Thursday, January 26, 3:00 p.m.

Executive Session (Vote to go into closed session – reconvene open meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 27:

(1) Call to order and approval of minutes of previous Executive Session(s). (610.021 RSMo.)

(2) Consideration of supporting documentation for recommendation to suspend or revoke all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are juveniles or who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws. Action to be taken in open meeting. (Disclosure protected by law, 610.021(14), 454.440.9, 211.321, RSMo.)

(3) Consideration of confidential or privileged communications between the Commission and its Internal Auditor regarding work product. (Communications between public governmental body and its auditor, 610.021(17) RSMo.)

(4) Consideration of recommendation relating to the hiring/firing/disciplining/promoting of personnel. (Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting, 610.021(3) RSMo.)

(5) Consideration of negotiated contracts. (Documents related to a negotiated contract, 610.021(12) RSMo.)

(6) Update on potential real estate transactions/negotiations.(Leasing, purchase or sale of real estate, 610.021(2) RSMo.)

(7) Consideration of legal actions and attorney-client privileged communications involving the Conservation Commission. (Legal actions, causes of action or litigation, 610.021(1) RSMo.)

Friday, January 27, 8:30 a.m. – Regular Open Meeting:

Approval of minutes of previous meeting.

Recommendation for approval to convey .014 acre of Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Jackson County to the City of Blue Springs for a road improvement project, and to grant the City of Blue Springs temporary construction easements on an additional .028 acre and .031 acre, respectively, until the project is complete.

Consideration of bids received for the construction of the Lost Valley Fish Hatchery Ambient Pond Renovation project located in Benton County, and authorization to enter into a contract with the low bidder.

Recommendation for approval of personnel reclassifications; Quarterly Report of Personnel Changes approved by Director.

Staff Presentations:

8:45 a.m. E-Permits Status Report – Permit Services Supervisor Greg Jones.

9:00 a.m. Missouri Hunter Education Program Review – Outreach & Education Division Chief Mike Huffman.

December Monthly Financial Summary and Fiscal Year 2012 Mid-Year Review of Revenue and Expenditure Trends.

Status of Major CI-IT Projects Funded in FY12 Budget and Construction Budget Mid-Year Review Summary.

Staff Presentation:

10:15 a.m. Habitat Management by Forestry Division – Forestry Division Chief Lisa Allen.

Recommendation for authorization to advertise and sell an estimated 1,321,010 board feet of timber located on 519 acres of Compartment 4, Coldwater Conservation Area in Wayne County.

Legislative Report.

Recommendations for approval to 1) suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of individuals for cause; 2) reinstate one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of an individual previously suspended for cause; 3) suspend or revoke all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws; 4) suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing and trapping privileges of individuals in accordance with the terms of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact; and 5) suspend or revoke hunting privileges of individuals who inflicted injury to another person while hunting.

Announcement of actions taken in executive session, if any.

Other matters of interest.

Confirmation that the next regular meeting will be held March 7-8, 2012.

Firearms deer harvest just shy of 239,000

2012-01-18T17:08:00.000-08:00

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Total firearms harvest up 7,408 from last year’s 231,513.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Hunters age 6 through 15 checked 2,193 deer during the late youth hunt Jan. 7 and 8, bringing the total harvest for the 2011-2012 firearms deer season to 238,921 compared to last year’s total of 231,513.

The harvest total for last year’s late youth weekend was 1,292. This year’s combined early and late youth season harvests total 18,585 compared to 14,555 last year. Top counties during the late youth hunt were Macon with 52 deer checked, Franklin with 51 and Lincoln with 45.

Of the 238,921 firearms season total, hunters checked 570 deer during the urban portion, 16,392 during the early youth portion, 190,089 during the November portion, 14,439 during the antlerless portion and 15,238 during the muzzleloader portion.

Missouri had a record firearms deer harvest of 280,856 in 2006. The 10-year average firearms deer harvest is 252,029.

According to Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Resource Science Deer Biologist Jason Sumners, the reduction in firearms harvest is indicative of reduced deer numbers in many parts of rural central and northern Missouri that have resulted from increased harvest pressure on does through the liberalization of hunting regulations and implementation of antler-point restrictions.

“There are simply fewer does in the population today than there were six or eight years ago,” Sumners said. “This means that the doe harvest doesn’t need to be as high to manage population numbers as it was several years ago when deer populations in many parts of Missouri where growing rapidly.”

He added that MDC has been trying for the better part of a decade to stabilize deer numbers in many parts of Missouri.

“We have been working to bring down deer populations to reduce crop damage, deer-vehicle accidents, and other deer nuisance problems, and we’ve made good progress in those areas,” Sumners said. “Now our challenge is finding ways to fine-tune deer numbers and hunting pressure at the local level, which means that future reductions in the availability of firearms antlerless permits may be necessary.”

In contrast to central and northern Missouri, deer numbers in southern Missouri continue to slowly increase and opportunities to harvest antlerless deer are likely to increase over time.

“Regardless of your location in the state, the combination of hunter numbers, hunter access, and regulations drives the size of the local deer population,” said Sumners. “Landowners and hunters throughout the state have a tremendous effect on the deer population and ultimately determine local deer numbers. Additionally, the availability of antlerless permits for a specific county doesn’t mean that MDC feels there are too many deer. They are a simply a tool available to hunters and landowners to manage deer numbers if they need to harvest additional antlerless deer.”

He added that 93 percent of Missouri’s land is in private ownership so private landowners and cooperative efforts by neighboring landowners to manage for deer and other wildlife can be very beneficial.

MDC staff work with tens-of-thousands of private landowners around the state to help them improve wildlife habitat on their property. MDC encourages landowners to contact local MDC staff to learn more. To find local MDC staff, visit www.mdc.mo.gov and search under “Who’s My Local Contact.”

More than 500,000 hunters spend more than $690 million directly related to deer hunting in Missouri each year. Deer hunting in Missouri annually generates more than $1 billion of overall business activity and supports more than 11,000 jobs.

Agencies Seek Comments on Draft Plan to Restore Natural Resources in Southwestern Missouri

2012-01-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources are seeking comments on a draft plan to restore resources injured by the release of hazardous substances in the Springfield Plateau region of southwest Missouri. The two agencies act as trustees under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) regulations in seeking settlements from responsible parties and planning and implementing restoration activities to restore natural resources injured by the release of hazardous substances into the environment.

The Draft Springfield Plateau Regional Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment outlines proposed alternatives for restoring injured natural resources in the Springfield Plateau region. The Springfield Plateau has been impacted by releases of hazardous substances for which the trustees have achieved settlements with responsible parties for more than $20 million to date. The funds will be used to implement restoration measures once the plan is finalized.

Comments are sought on the alternatives described in the draft plan, which include directly restoring injured natural resources; replacing or compensating for lost resources; a combination of the two; or taking no action.

The draft plan can be found at (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nrda/motristate/orhttp://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/sfund/nrda.htm). Comments on the plan may be sent via U.S. mail to: John Weber, Restoration Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite A, Columbia, MO 65203; or Frances Klahr, Natural Resource Damages Coordinator, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176; or by electronic mail (E-mail) to John_S_Weber@fws.gov, or frances.klahr@dnr.mo.gov.

Under the NRDAR program, trustees work to restore natural resources injured by releases of hazardous substances. The goals of NRDAR program are to restore the injured resources to the condition they would have been had the hazardous substances not been released, and to compensate the public for the loss of their use or enjoyment of natural resources.

Mark Twain Forest Offering Free Camping January 14-16, 2012

2012-01-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

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ROLLA, Mo.– Mark Twain National Forest will offer free camping in unreserved campsites both Saturday and Sunday nights, and free day use at unreserved sites Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 14-16, 2012.

The three days of free day use and two free nights of camping at year-round recreation areas the second weekend in January 2012 are being offered in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend.

Motorized trail permits are still required for use of the Chadwick and Sutton Bluff trail systems, and normal fees still apply.

Free camping and day use is being offered at Cobb Ridge in the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Area in Christian County and Greer Crossing on the Eleven Point River in Oregon County.

Campgrounds are closed but day use fees are being waived at Markham Springs in Wayne County; North Fork along the North Fork of the White River in Ozark County, and Watercress on the Current River in Carter County.

In addition, the following campgrounds or camping areas are among those open year-round without fees:

Berryman and Hazel Creek in Washington County; Bar-K in Christian County; Dry Fork in Callaway County, and Big Piney Trail Camp in Texas County, all of which have facilities for equestrian camping; Paddy Creek in Texas County, Pine Ridge in Callaway County and McCormack Lake in Oregon County, where horses are not allowed.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day has become recognized as a national day of service. Mark Twain National Forest is celebrating the many volunteers who have helped and encouraging individuals to start 2012 right by getting out and enjoying their national forests.

“We have hundreds of volunteers who help maintain the trails and other recreation facilities on Mark Twain National Forest,” said Mark Twain National Forest Acting Forest Supervisor Teresa Chase.

“Offering free camping and day use on the weekend of this National Day of Service is a way to show our appreciation of those individuals. Also, at a time of year when many individuals have resolved to lead a healthier lifestyle, we want to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to connect to the land, which improves the health and quality of both personal and community life. We hope to inspire individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, instill excitement for the outdoors, or to just plain get out and enjoy being on a trail or in the forest.

Get Those Felt-Soled Waders Legal

2012-01-08T15:07:00.000-08:00

The MDC has instituted a new rule for felt-soled waders. As of March 1 of 2012, fishermen will be required to use non-porous soled waders when fishing in Missouri waters. If you have felt-soled waders, you have a couple of options to treat them if you want to avoid buying new ones. Here's how to get yours legal:

Planning meeting scheduled for Big Lake State Park

2012-01-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., JAN. 6, 2012 – Missouri State Parks will hold three public meetings to seek input regarding the redevelopment of Big Lake State Park in Holt County.

The meetings will be held Jan. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mound City RII Middle School in Mound City; Jan. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University at the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship room 1323 in Maryville; and Jan. 19 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Remington Nature Center of St Joseph, 1502 MacArthur Drive, in St Joseph.

Representatives from the Missouri State Parks will present options under consideration for the park’s redevelopment as a result of the damaging Missouri River flooding. Staff will discuss proposed plan options, answer questions and receive comments. The public is invited to share comments and ideas regarding the park plans. Information from the meeting will be used in formulating proposals and long-range development objectives.

Following the meetings, the plans will be available for review for two weeks atmostateparks.com. An online survey will allow public input on plan alternatives. The public may also comment on the plan by emailing the Department of Natural Resources atmoparks@dnr.mo.gov.

The public meeting is part of an ongoing effort by the department to ensure the public has input on services provided in state parks and historic sites.

Young male mountain lion trapped, released in Reynolds County

2012-01-05T17:26:00.000-08:00

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The 122-pound cougar turned up in a live-trap on national-forest land.

CENTERVILLE–The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has examined and released a male mountain lion trapped by a private citizen in Reynolds County.

Reynolds County Commissioner Wayne Henson called Conservation Agent Eric Long this morning and reported catching the 122-pound mountain lion on Wednesday. Henson said the cat entered a large, cage-type live trap that he set on Mark Twain National Forest land to catch bobcats, coyotes, raccoons and other mammals.

Henson brought the mountain lion, still alive and in the cage trap, to Centerville this morning. Agent Long and MDC Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer took possession of the animal and transported it to Current River Conservation Area, where Beringer could examine the animal without disturbance. After weighing and measuring the cat and collecting DNA, Beringer released it to the wild, in keeping with MDC’s established policy for such cases.

Beringer estimated the cat’s age at 2 years. He said it was in excellent physical condition and showed no signs of having been held in captivity.

All wildlife is protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. However, the Code provides for the taking of wildlife during prescribed hunting and trapping seasons and under other circumstances, such as when mountain lions are attacking or killing livestock or domestic animals or threatening human safety. MDC has not stocked mountain lions in Missouri and has no plans to do so.

MDC wants to learn more about mountain lions in the Show-Me State and encourages Missourians to report sightings to the Mountain Lion Response Team at mountain.lion@mdc.mo.gov.

Public invited to comment at Cadastral Mapping Standards Stakeholder meeting on January 12

2012-01-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

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ROLLA, Mo., DEC. 30, 2011 – Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey staff will conduct a Cadastral Mapping Standards Stakeholder meeting on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012.

The public meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, 1730 E. Elm St., in Jefferson City.

At this meeting, the department will accept comments from interested stakeholders regarding promulgation of a rule in development for Cadastral Mapping Standards.

The purpose of this rulemaking is to establish standards for the cadastral layer of Geographic Information System mapping. The cadastral layer is the foundation for property ownership, rights-of-way, easements and other restrictions or burdens placed on parcels of land.

For more information, contact the department at 573-368-2300 or write to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey, Land Survey Program, PO Box 250, Rolla, MO 65402. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the department at 573-368-2300, or call toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).

For more information or a complete meeting agenda visit the department’s websitednr.mo.gov/geology/landsurvey/lsp-rules-in-dev.htm.

Wildlife restoration, unusual animal sightings top 2011 conservation news

2011-12-31T19:28:00.000-08:00

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With news flashes about everything from elk and

hellbenders to mountain lions, 2011 was anything but dull.

JEFFERSON CITY – Conservation has a place in Missouri’s news mix every year, but 2011 will go down in history for more than the fact that the Missouri Department of Conservation began its 75^th anniversary celebration in November. Forests, fish and wildlife had a particularly prominent place in 2011 news.

WILDLIFE RESTORATION

2011 began on an exciting note, as MDC employees and workers from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources captured the first elk for Missouri’s infant elk-restoration program. The juvenile bull soon had company, as dozens of yearling bulls and cows arrived at the holding pen in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. Thirty-four elk made the trip to Missouri, arriving at Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) May 5. By June, elk were roaming Peck Ranch, and newborn calves were taking their first wobbly steps. GPS technology has enabled biologists to track individual animals’ movements and learn more about their habitat preferences. The return of elk to Peck Ranch led to a significant increase in visitation to Peck Ranch CA, bringing added tourism business to area towns. As the year ended, MDC workers were preparing for the second round of trapping in Kentucky.

In another endangered-species restoration story, MDC biologists brought 78 prairie chickens from Kansas to Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie CA in west-central Missouri last spring. Thanks to four years of reintroduction work and habitat management that includes tree removal and prescribed burning, male prairie chickens once again are booming on Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie. Like the elk, Missouri’s newest feathered residents carried radio transmitters to aid in tracking their movements. Prairie chickens once numbered in the hundreds of thousands in western Missouri. Today the Show-Me State’s population of the birds have dwindled to 100 or so, due to habitat changes.

In November, the St. Louis Zoo and MDC announced the first successful captive breeding of hellbenders in the world. The decade-long cooperative effort yielded more than 180 baby hellbenders, which will be reared to maturity before being released in streams where they were found historically. Rivers in south-central Missouri and adjacent Arkansas once supported up to 8,000 Ozark hellbenders. Today, fewer than 600 exist in the world—so few that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added the amphibian to the federal endangered species list.

FISHING RECORDS

· Twelve-year-old Hayden Crouch of Bradleyville set the first Missouri state fishing record of 2011 by gigging a 1.5-pound gizzard shad on Beaver Creek in Taney County. It also was the first state record for that species.

· Gene Swope, Excelsior Springs, was snagging for paddlefish with grandsons Garron Grass and Justin Swope near the Old Oar House Inn at Lake of the Ozarks on April 23 when he snagged a 106-pound bighead carp. A 35-minute tussle ensued. When Swope finally brought in the 4-foot, 8-inch fish, it took the combined strength of all three anglers to wrestle it into the boat.

· Derek S. DePew of DeSoto set Missouri’s first-ever record for highfin carpsucker when he shot a 1-pound, 6-ounce specimen during a bowfishing tournament on the Meramec River May 21.

· Bruce Cunningham of Fordland was fishing for striped bass for the first time in his life when he hauled a 60-pound, 9-ounce striper from Bull Shoals Lake. Later he recalled that his younger brothers had convinced him to join them on the fishing trip, saying “You’re not going to believe this until you try it.” Bull Shoals is a striped-bass mecca right now, thanks to a one-time stocking by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 1998. That year, a mix-up resulted in the stocking of 19,000 striped bass.

· Eric Whitehead of Puxico was bowfishing with his wife, Sara, from a boat on Wappapello Lake in Wayne County on Oct. 8 when he shot 9-pound, 15.5-ounce spotted gar.

Missouri is renowned for its fishing resources. The International Game Fish Association reports 17 current world records from Missouri. The oldest is a 2-pound, 2-ounce green sunfish caught in 1971. The newest is an 8-pound, 3-ounce shortnose gar caught in 2010.

More information about Missouri fishing records is available atmdc.mo.gov/fishing/reports/records.

UNUSUAL WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

In November, a pair of whooping cranes turned up near Neosho, giving birdwatchers there a rare glimpse of this federally endangered species. In December, bird lovers across the state reported sightings of trumpeter swans, the largest waterfowl species in the world.

In December, hunters at Eagle Bluffs Conservation area reported taking black-bellied whistling ducks, a species normally not seen farther north than the extreme southern United States. Hunters and bird watchers in several parts of Missouri reported trumpeter-swan sightings.

Also in December, Missouri experienced the largest number of snowy owl sightings on record. Snowy owls normally inhabit the high arctic region of Canada and Alaska. However, in years when populations of their prey – mainly lemmings – crash, the birds are forced to travel south. Missouri experienced such mass migrations, known as irruptions, in the 1970s and 1980s, but the current phenomenon far exceeds previous ones.

Snowy owls are similar in size to great horned owls, which are common in Missouri. However, snowy owls are much lighter colored and have rounded heads. Most of the snowy owls in Missouri now are juveniles, and many may be near starvation. They are not accustomed to automobiles, and often land on highways and fail to flee at the approach of cars.

MDC confirmed 14 mountain lion sightings in 2011. That is more than all previous confirmed sightings combined. Three of the cougars were killed by hunters or landowners. All three were juvenile males, which supports the theory that cougars seen in Missouri are mostly young males dispersing from established populations to the west. Since 1994, MDC has documented mountain lion sightings in 17 counties. Missourians are encouraged to call the nearest MDC office and report mountain lion sightings with physical evidence, such as photos, tracks, hair, scat or prey showing signs typical of a mountain lion attack. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-sightings/mountain-lions.

Following is a month-by-month recap of other 2011 conservation news.

JANUARY

A harvest of 1,292 deer during the late youth portion of deer season pushed the firearms harvest to 231,513. The archery deer harvest put Missouri’s 2010-2011 deer harvest over 270,000.

FEBRUARY

MDC held open-house forums at its cold-water fish hatcheries to alert anglers and boaters to the threat posed by Didymosphenia geminata, an alga also known as didymo or “rock snot.” Didymo forms large, thick mats on the bottom of lakes and streams, smothering other aquatic lift. Didymo has been found just south of the Missouri-Arkansas border in the White River. The most likely ways for didymo to spread into Missouri is via recreational equipment such as boats, lifejackets and fishing gear, particularly porous-soled waders.

A regulation prohibiting the use of waders or footwear with felt or other porous soles in trout parks and other specific trout waters goes into effect March 1. To find out how to convert felt-soled waders to comply with the new regulation, watch the video athttp://bit.ly/rRLejr.

Adapting waders is just one step toward solving the problem of spreading rock snot. It still is vital to check and clean or dry all waders and all other gear that have had contact with the water.

MARCH

MDC launched the new e-Permits system March 1, enabling hunters, anglers and trappers to purchase, print and immediately use most permits. By the end of the year, MDC had issued more than 140,000 permits online, an increase of nearly 400 percent from the same period in 2010. When fully implemented, e-Permits will reduce the cost of issuing permits by approximately $500,000 annually.

Between March and April, MDC held 15 workshops at locations around the state to get hunters’ ideas about waterfowl zone boundaries and season timing for the next five years.

MDC completed efforts to salvage timber downed by windstorms in 2007 and began timber harvests in the second phase of its 100-year Missouri Ozarks Forest Ecosystems Project (MOFEP). The project is designed to discover how different management practices affect the entire forest ecosystem, including plants, animals and soil.

APRIL

Conservation agents worked alongside emergency personnel conducting flood evacuations and rescue work in southeastern Missouri in April. The agents and their boats were priceless assets in flood-relief efforts. One rescue involved Direct TV employee Jason Wahl, of East Cape Girardeau, IL, who was plucked from atop his flooded van by Conservation Agent Mic Plunkett

Conservation Agent Eric Heuring and Butler County Fire Department personnel rescued 13 people between 3 and 10 p.m. one day.

MDC fisheries workers netted wild-spawned pallid sturgeon from the Missouri River. The pallid sturgeon is an endangered species that state and federal wildlife agencies have been working to recover. Those efforts involve stocking hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon and trying to figure out what habitat changes might be limiting the animals’ reproduction. Finding pallid sturgeon in the wild enables biologists to gather important information about habitat preferences and add genetic diversity to captive-breeding efforts.

MDC published, Discover Missouri Natural Areas, offering Missourians a glimpse of the Show-Me State’s ecological diversity with profiles of 50 natural areas. This and other MDC publications are available atmdcnatureshop.com/.

Also during the year, the Conservation Commission approved the designation of 398-acre Fern Nook Natural Area on Little Black Conservation Area in Ripley County, 13-acre Great Spirit Cave Natural Area In Pulaski County and 1,280-acre Western Star Flatwoods Natural Area on the Mark Twain National Forest in Phelps County.

MAY

MDC opened a new Kansas City regional office on May 2. The office at 12405 S.E. Ranson Road near Lee’s Summit consolidates services for greater efficiency and improves services for visitors at the James A. Reed Memorial Conservation Area.

MDC workers provided food for deer and turkeys stranded by floodwater at Towosahgy State Historic Site in southeastern Missouri in May, helping them survive until they could find natural forage again.

Bear trapping got underway in southern Missouri as MDC continued its intensive effort to gather information about Missouri’s growing black-bear population. To date, 47 bears have been captured with foot snares and box traps, fitted with GPS transmitters and released back into the wild.

The study, which is being funded through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration program with help from Safari Club International; will provide information about the movement patterns, population densities, habitat preferences and overall numbers of Missouri bears. Data from the study will enable MDC to scientifically manage bear populations through regulated hunting, so that bears continue to thrive and expand into suitable habitats with minimal human conflict.

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Two-hundred and eighty-six youths in grades 4 through 12 represented Missouri at the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) national tournament, competing against 6,445 archers from 33 other states. For more information about the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program, visitwww.missouriconservation.org and search “MoNASP.”

Hunters checked 42,226 turkeys during the spring turkey season.

MDC chainsaw crews and conservation agents were in the thick of relief work following the disastrous tornado in Joplin. They cleared roads for emergency personnel and then helped with rescue and clean-up efforts. That work continues, as MDC foresters help the city assess and replace lost trees.

JUNE

June found Missourians investing in earplugs, as most of the state experienced a major emergence of periodical cicadas. When a brood emerges, as many as a million noisy male cicadas can gather in trees over a single acre and join in a piercing chorus of mating calls. Their combined voices create an unforgettable din, drowning out lawnmowers and making normal conversation impossible.

JULY

July saw the publication of MDC’s latest book, Cooking Wild in Missouri. The book immediately garnered acclaim for its blend of diverse recipes outdoor lore and lush illustrations. Serious “foodies” appreciate the effort to promote locally grown, seasonal foods, including wild game and fish, nuts, berries and mushrooms. It can be purchased for $15 at MDC nature centers and regional offices, or you can order online atwww.mdcnatureshop.com.

Surveys conducted during the summer showed that 23 lakes and the Gasconade River, all considered at high risk for zebra-mussel infestation, were free of the destructive invasive mollusk. MDC checks high-risk waters, along with less at-risk waters, for zebra mussels each year.

The only Missouri waters currently known to have zebra mussels are Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Taneycomo, upper Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Lotawana in Jackson County, the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, the lower Meramec River and the Osage River below Bagnell Dam.

Knowing which lakes and streams have zebra mussels empowers Missourians to avoid spreading the invasive mussel. For more information on zebra mussels and other invasive species, visit www.missouriconservation.org.

AUGUST

The Missouri River remained at flood level throughout the summer, due to unusually heavy snowfall in the Rocky Mountains the previous winter coupled with record rainfall in the river’s upper watershed in the spring. The high flows breached many levees, taking a heavy toll on farm communities and conservation areas in the flood plain.

Meanwhile, much of the rest of Missouri was suffering a drought. Dry weather was a mixed bag for Missouri wildlife. Wetland areas in west-central Missouri went dry, limiting waterfowl habitat. For quail, turkeys and other ground-nesting wildlife, however, a dry summer was a welcome change from the record-breaking rains of 2008 through 2010. MDC’s annual survey of turkey reproduction showed the best nesting success in 10 years. Dry weather also helped MDC make substantial progress on construction projects, including wetland renovations at Duck Creek CA and improvements to fish-rearing facilities at Bennett Spring Hatchery.

Missouri’s endangered prairie chickens also got a major lift from dry weather, along with continued refinement in MDC’s grassland-management techniques. Hens on MDC-managed prairies experienced a nesting success rate of nearly 80 percent.

Conservation agents sprang a trap on catfish poachers in August, arresting hand-fishers who target large catfish as they guard eggs in nesting cavities. They also pulled 142 illegal “noodling” boxes or containers from Truman Lake.

The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) launched a successful fundraiser to improve the fishing and viewing platform just upstream from the scenic bridge at Bennett Spring State Park. As of Dec. 28, MCHF had raised more than $38,000 toward its $45,000 goal. Donations can be made atwww.mochf.org, or by sending checks to MCHF, PO Box 366, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0366. Donations should be marked “Bennett Spring Platform.” Donors at $1,000 and above will receive a framed print of the 1995 Missouri Trout Stamp signed and numbered by wildlife artist Chuck Witcher. The print features a beautiful brown trout. The trout stamp of the same number is also mounted with the print. A permanent plaque at the structure will recognize donors at two levels, $1,000 and $5,000 and above.

SEPTEMBER

MDC held a dedication ceremony for the McGee Family CA. The CA, comprising nearly 1,000 acres near Plattsburg, was a bequest from Kansas City businessman Thomas F. McGee Jr., to be preserved as a natural area and enjoyed by the public.

Missourians celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day at workshops sponsored by MDC at its staffed shooting ranges around the state. The events are part of MDC-sponsored management programs and hunting seasons that have made Missouri the nation’s leader in hunter recruitment. A survey commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation showed Missouri had the highest hunter-replacement ratio in the nation.

OCTOBER

Missouri got a new state record in October, when a 48-foot-tall tree with a trunk girth of 23 feet was certified as the new state champion white mulberry (Morus alba). Philip Moore’s farm in Cass County is home to the tree, whose average crown width is 57 feet. A list of Missouri state champion trees is available at http://1.usa.gov/tqbBPS.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 3 marked the 75^th anniversary of Missourians’ historic vote to establish an apolitical conservation agency under the direction of a four-person commission appointed by the governor. Seventy-one percent of Missouri voters approved Proposition 4, the largest margin of any constitutional amendment before or since.

Six schools cut ribbons on Fuels for Schools projects. The ceremonies commemorated new biomass thermal energy heating systems built with $6 million in grants under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and administered by the USDA Forest Service. Besides reducing schools’ heating costs, the projects will help create healthier, more productive forests by providing a market for material removed during timber-stand improvement work.

Hunters checked 190,089 deer during Missouri’s 11-day November firearms deer hunt, surpassing the 2010 figure. The Show-Me State’s robust firearms deer harvest is proof of a healthy deer herd that provides economic as well as nutritional and social benefits to all Missourians. Deer hunters spend approximately $700 million on their sport annually, generating more than $1 billion in business activity. In all, deer hunting supports 11,000 Missouri jobs.

Luke Boenker, 54, of Maryland Heights, became the first hunter in modern times to take a deer in Missouri using an atlatl, an ancient spear-throwing device. He harvested a four-point buck just after 4 p.m. on Nov. 12 while hunting from a tree stand on private property in St. Louis County.

More information about the atlatl and related events are posted at the World Atlatl Association webpage, www.worldatlatl.org. To learn more about atlatl activities in Missouri, contact Missouri Atlatl Association president Ron Mertz at devoemertz@sbcglobal.net.

DECEMBER

Missouri River Relief closed the year of Big Muddy Clean Sweep with a total of more than 60 tons of trash removed from the Missouri River by volunteers. The sweep included 1,201 bags of trash,15 tons of scrap metal, 493 automobile tires and five messages in bottles.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) organized Missouri’s Water Summit as a follow-up to the 2009 Summit on the Future of Missouri Outdoors. The summit theme was “Missouri’s Water Realities: Deepening Our Water Wisdom and Mobilizing for Action.” The top priority identified during the summit was to develop a simple, unified water awareness campaign that connects with all Missouri citizens. Other summit results, including videos of speakers and panel sessions, are available atwww.confedmo.org/watersummit.

The Conservation Commission set Nov. 10 as opening day for the November deer season.

Three Summersville men shared MDC’s statewide 2011 Logger of the Year Award.Jay Duncan, Gene Fiske Sr. and Gene Fiske Jr. of J&G Logging received multiple nominations and were hailed by State Forester Lisa Allen for their use of best practices to harvest timber in ways that are economically, ecologically and socially sustainable. The statewide Logger of the Year award is the highest honor loggers can achieve in Missouri.

Muzzleloader harvest tops 15,000

2011-12-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

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Missouri’s muzzleloader harvest continues to grow with

increased opportunities and advances in muzzleloading technology.

JEFFERSON CITY–Hunters shot 15,238 deer during the muzzleloader portion of Missouri’s firearms deer season, the second-largest muzzleloader harvest on record.

Top harvest counties were Oregon with 314, Franklin with 285 and Callaway with 281.

This year’s muzzleloader harvest was up 18 percent from last year and fell just short of the record 15,907 deer checked during the 2009 muzzleloader hunt.

Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Resource Scientist Jason Sumners said this year’s increased muzzleloader harvest continues a long-term trend.

Missouri held its first muzzleloader season in 1988. Back then, hunters had to declare if they intended to use a muzzleloader or a center-fire rifle. If they chose a muzzleloader, they had to use a muzzleloader during the firearms season in November but also could hunt during the muzzleloader season. That first year, the muzzleloader season was three days long.

Since then, many of the original restrictions on muzzleloader hunting have been relaxed. In 1999, MDC eliminated the separate muzzleloader deer permit, allowing hunters to buy one permit and hunt with muzzleloaders during the muzzleloader season and with center-fire rifles during the November and antlerless portions of deer season. By then, muzzleloader season was nine days long. Now it runs for 11 days.

“Those increases in opportunity to fill firearms deer permits led to increased participation in the muzzleloader portion,” said Sumners. “The muzzleloader harvest more than doubled between 1999 and 2002.”

In 2009, MDC reversed the order of the muzzleloader and antlerless seasons, putting the muzzleloader hunt in the last half of December to provide a better quality hunt for muzzleloader hunters. The muzzleloader harvest increased by 55 percent that year, surpassing 15,000 for the first time.

“Topping the 15,000 mark this year isn’t a surprise at all if you consider the changes in permit use, timing and participation,” said Sumners.

Changes in muzzleloader technology also have contributed to the sport’s increased popularity. When Missouri had its first muzzleloader hunt 23 years ago, most commercially available muzzleloaders were traditional caplock and flintlock types, and muzzleloader season was a practical exercise in hunting history. Today, most hunters use in-line muzzleloaders, often with telescopic sights. Modern propellants and bullets have changed dramatically from black powder and round lead balls, leading to improvements in ballistic performance. The loading process remains essentially the same as in pioneer days, but the accuracy of modern, in-line muzzleloaders is similar to those of single-shot, center-fire rifles.

Winter bird workshop planned Jan. 7 at Van Meter State Park

2011-12-28T14:14:00.000-08:00

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MISSOURI CAMPING

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., DEC. 28, 2011 – Learn more about the birds you see outside your windows at a winter bird workshop Jan. 7 at Van Meter State Park near Miami. The workshop is sponsored by Missouri State Parks in cooperation with the Missouri River Bird Observatory and will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Dana Ripper and Ethan Duke of Missouri River Bird Observatory in Marshall will discuss the winter birds you often see at your feeders and how to identify them by their visual and vocal characteristics. They will demonstrate bird-banding by catching some birds that visit the bird feeders at the park’s cultural center. As a take-home project, you will have the opportunity to craft a “fun”ctional bird feeder by reusing a plastic drink bottle.

On your way to Van Meter State Park, stop by the Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center. From October to March, the center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The center is closed Monday through Friday.

Van Meter State Park is located 12 miles northwest of Marshall on Highway 122. For more information about the event, contact the park at 660-886-7537. For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Open house planned Dec. 29 at Knob Noster State Park

2011-12-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Dec. 22, 2011 – The public is invited to attend an open house at Knob Noster State Park near Knob Noster on Thursday, Dec. 29. The open house will be held from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the park’s Visitor Center.

Representatives from the park will be on hand to discuss the reopening of the McAdoo Equestrian Trail. Details of the meeting will include information about the recent award of an $86,985 Recreational Trails Project Grant to the park for trail renovations. Also, information will be available about the State Park Youth Corps involvement with the park during 2010 and the Corps’ activity in 2011. Representatives from the facility will also provide information on future plans for the facility and answer questions. Visitors are invited to share comments and suggestions about the facility. The meeting is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the public has input and knowledge on services provided in Missouri state parks and historic sites.

Knob Noster State Park is located near Knob Noster, one mile south of Highway 50 on Highway 23. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the site directly at 660-563-2463 or by calling Missouri State Parks toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

CAMPING INFORMATION

Conservation Commission sets 2012 deer, turkey regulations

2011-12-23T21:34:00.000-08:00

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Next year’s youth spring turkey hunt will be earlier than usual.

JEFFERSON CITY–Hunters can start planning for next year’s turkey and deer seasons, thanks to recent actions by the Missouri Conservation Commission.

At its Dec. 15 meeting in Jefferson City, the Commission approved 2012 turkey-hunting regulations similar to 2011. The regular spring turkey season will run from April 16 through May 6. The fall firearms turkey season will run from Oct. 1 through 31.

The 2012 youth spring turkey season will take place the weekend of March 31 and April 1. In most years, the youth season opens nine days before the opening day of the regular spring turkey season. However, the season framework shifts the youth season one week earlier in years when the usual timing would cause the youth season to overlap Easter.

Limits, shooting hours and other turkey-hunting regulations remain unchanged from 2011 and will be published in guide books before hunting seasons.

The Commission also set Nov. 10 as opening day for the November portion of firearms deer season. The Commission will set opening dates for the urban, youth, antlerless and muzzleloader portions and other regulations for the 2012 deer season at its May meeting. These will be available in the 2012 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet in July.

Vote Don Johnson for 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year

2011-12-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

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Vote by Jan. 6 at www.Budweiser.com or www.confedmo.org.

By Debra Lee, Conservation Federation of Missouri

CONTACT INFO: 573-634-2322 or dlee@confedmo.org

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are teaming up again to honor four conservationists and award $65,000 in grants for candidates’ conservation projects as part of the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is taking this special opportunity during the holiday season as “The Voice for Missouri Outdoors” and gladly championing Don Johnson of Festus for the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year.

Johnson is one of four commissioners of the Missouri Conservation Commission, which is responsible for appointing the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) director, serving as policy makers, approving wildlife code regulations, strategic planning, budget development and major expenditure decisions for the Department. He is also active in the National Wildlife Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, National Archery in Schools Program and Conservation Federation of Missouri. He is the standard bearer for Missouri conservation.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Johnson has invested his life in conservation projects from wild elk restoration to implementation of the National Archery in Schools Program. Don continually searches for ways to give back to communities. He works tirelessly as a proponent for Share the Harvest, a program of the CFM and MDC that provides food for the hungry, helps manage the deer herd and promotes greater awareness of the many contributions to society made by hunters. Don is an enthusiastic hunter and angler with true heart, a fantastic standard bearer for conservation! His commitment and perseverance to conservation work can be honored with your vote.

In addition to his dedication with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Rifle Association and Ducks Unlimited, Don was president of the CFM from 2006 until his appointment to the Missouri Conservation Commission in 2007. He served as CFM’s president and held the posts of second and first vice president. He has chaired both the Ways & Means and Executive committees and served on many resource committees. His leadership has shaped much of what CFM is today. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from Howard University in Washington D.C.

Following college he served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, flying 130 combat missions in Vietnam and earning four Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

The annual Budweiser Conservationist of the Year program recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions through their volunteer activities to the outdoors and conservation. Each year a committee selects four conservationists as finalists from dozens of outstanding nominees.

Online voting runs through Jan. 6. Each person may vote one time and must enter his or her date of birth. Adult consumers over 21 from across the country vote for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year in an open-ballot process at www.Budweiser.com. People can also vote through www.confedmo.org and follow the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year link found on the home page. Also visit the Conservation Federation of Missouri Facebook page and “like” and “share” the link there.

Conservation Action December 2011

2011-12-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

The Conservation Commission met Dec. 14 and 15 at Conservation Commission Headquarters in Jefferson City. Commissioners present were:

Don R. Johnson, Festus, Chair

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Vice Chair

Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, Secretary

James T. Blair, IV, St. Louis, Member

REGULATIONS

The Commission approved the following 2012 hunting-season dates.

Youth Turkey season, March 31 and April 1
Spring Turkey season, April 16 through May 6.
Fall Firearms Turkey season, Oct. 1 through 31.
Opening day of the 2012 November Firearms deer season, Nov. 10.

The youth spring turkey season is a week earlier than normal in 2012 to avoid conflict with Easter weekend. Other 2012 turkey-hunting regulations remain similar to 2011.

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

Received presentations from:

Ø Policy Supervisor David Thorne regarding Missourians’ Interests and Actions for Conservation: The Unique Legacy of Missouri.

Ø Wildlife Division Chief DeeCee Darrow, Private Land Services Division Chief Mike Hubbard and Resource Science Division Chief Mike Kruse regarding Missouri wetlands.

Ø Resource Scientist Jason Isabelle regarding turkey season.

Ø Elk Coordinator Ron Dent regarding an elk-restoration update.

Ø Dr. Harry and Mrs. Lina Berrier, Show-Me Barbecue, Columbia, regarding a donation to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.

Ø Deputy Director Tim Ripperger regarding the Land Conservation and Stewardship Program.

Approved entering into a contract with Steve & Associates, Inc. for construction of the Blind Pony Lake Conservation Area Renovation of Hatchery Production Ponds Phase IV Project in Saline County at a total estimated cost of $1,218,770.89.

Approved the 2010-2011 Annual Report for the Department of Conservation, and authorized publication and distribution.
Approved the funding of Ozark Regional Land Trust’s acquisition of a perpetual conservation easement on approximately 415 acres in Lawrence County, with the Department being reimbursed for 100 percent of its costs from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant.
Approved the nomination of Dr. Oscar, “Oz” Hawksley as a Master Conservationist and the nominations of Earl Hoyt, Jr., and Paul Jeffries to the Conservation Hall of Fame.
Presented the Clerical Employee of the Year Award to Wildlife Division Office Manager Michelle McGrath, Auxvasse.
Presented the Workplace Diversity Award to Public Service Assistant Tisha Holden, Montreal.
Recognized the following MDC employees for years of service.

35 YEARS

Chester Gary Cravens, West Plains

Charles T. Sisson, Montrose

30 YEARS

Ted E. Bond, Meadville

Craig S. Gemming, Columbia

Len E. Gilmore, Osceola

Randall D. Hass, Joplin

Brent D. Hassler, Jefferson City

Herbert M. Roberts, Alton

Lana K. Wilson, Rockville

25 YEARS

Gregory P. Barr, Camden Point

Jeffrey J. Beringer, Harrisburg

Mark F. Boone, Cape Girardeau

Forest D. Hamilton, Mount Moriah

Dennis M. Mace, Forsyth

William R. Murphy, Branson

Larry T. Rieken, Ava

Lynn H. Schrader, Troy

Richard E. Stirts, Rogersville

Andrew R. Tappmeyer, O’Fallon

Thomas L. Whelan, Salem

· Suspended hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of seven Missouri residents and one nonresident for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of one Missouri resident. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

James L. Boyer, Mountain View, all sport privileges, 6 years

Colton M. Dick, Clinton, all sport privileges, 1 year

Ryan L. Edwards, West Plains, all sport privileges, lifetime

Matthew A. Hernandez, Harrah, Okla., all sport privileges, 1 year

Tracy McLain, Cainsville, hunting privileges, until 5/4/12

Joseph A. Merriett, Ava, all sport privileges, 4 years

Logan J. Norris, Summersville, all sport privileges, 2 years

Michael C. Rhodes, Birch Tree, all sport privileges, 2 years

Michael P. Williamson, Kansas City, all sport privileges, 3 years

Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 380 Missouri residents and 14 nonresidents who are not in compliance with applicable child-support laws. Privileges suspended for noncompliance are reinstated once the Division of Child Support Enforcement notifies MDC that suspendees have come into compliance with the required laws.
Suspended privileges of 211 nonresidents under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

· Suspended for one year the hunting privileges of a juvenile who injured another person in a hunting incident. The hunter must complete a hunter-education training course before restoration of privileges.

· Set its next regular meeting for Jan. 26 and 27 in Sikeston.

Hunting and Trapping Events at Busch Shooting Range

2011-12-20T16:52:00.000-08:00

Event and Date	Location	Reserve by
Range Closed at 1:00pm Sat, Dec. 24, 2011	Busch Shooting Range	Sat, Dec. 24
Range Closed Sun, Dec. 25, 2011	Busch Shooting Range	Sun, Dec. 25
Discover Hunting: Rabbit Hunting Clinic Wed, Jan. 11, 2012	Busch Shooting Range	Mon, Jan. 9
Discover Hunting: Predator Hunting Wed, Jan. 18, 2012	Busch Shooting Range	Mon, Jan. 16
Map & Compass Sat, Jan. 21, 2012	Busch Shooting Range	Wed, Jan. 18

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