MISSOURI CONSERVATIONIST - SERVING NATURE & YOU - Missouri Department ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MISSOURI VOLUME 78, ISSUE 8, AUGUST 2017
SERVING NATURE & YOU
CONSERVATIONIST
80 ANNIVERSARY
TH
OPEN HOUSES
ars of n
Y servatio
e
Con
f
JOIN MDC FROM 6–8 P.M.
Trees ri AT THE FOLLOWING OPEN HOUSES:
MisF so u
uide
A special
gift for
G
ield
AUG. 8 SEPT. 26
the first Cape Girardeau Leah Spratt 101
80 guests Conservation Nature Center (Kemper Recital Hall)
2289 County Park Drive Missouri Western State University
at each in Cape Girardeau 4525 Downs Drive in St. Joseph
location
Don Kurz
AUG. 10 OCT. 10
Runge Conservation Springfield Conservation
Nature Center Nature Center
330 Commerce Drive 4601 S. Nature Center Way
Join Director Sara Parker Pauley in Jefferson City in Springfield
and local leaders to celebrate
our history and share your ideas AUG. 14 OCT. 12
about Missouri’s conservation Northeast Regional Office Twin Pines Conservation
future. No registration required. 3500 S. Baltimore Education Center
in Kirksville 20086 Highway 60 in Winona
Learn more at SEPT. 7 OCT. 26
mdc.mo.gov/openhouse Powder Valley Anita B. Gorman
Conservation Nature Center Conservation
11715 Cragwold Road Discovery Center
in Kirkwood 4750 Troost Ave in Kansas City
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
Contents AUGUST 2017
V O L U M E 78 , I S S U E 8
10
ON THE COVER
Eastern gamagrass is in
full bloom on a prairie in
New Bloomfield.
NOPPADOL PAOTHONG
180mm macro lens, f/5.6
1/200 sec, ISO 400
GOVERNOR
Eric R. Greitens
THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
CHAIR Don C. Bedell
VICE CHAIR Marilynn J. Bradford
SECRETARY David W. Murphy
MEMBER James T. Blair, IV
DIRECTOR
22
Sara Parker Pauley
DEPUTY DIRECTORS
Thomas A. Draper, Aaron Jeffries,
Jennifer Battson Warren
MAGAZINE STAFF
16 EDITOR
Angie Daly Morfeld
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Bonnie Chasteen
STAFF WRITERS
FEATURES Larry Archer, Heather Feeler,
Kristie Hilgedick, Joe Jerek
10 CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Native Grasses for Stephanie Thurber
ART DIRECTOR
Livestock Producers Cliff White
DESIGNERS
Manage grasses to benefit Les Fortenberry, Marci Porter
cattle as well as wildlife. PHOTOGRAPHERS
by Kevin Borisenko Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner
CIRCULATION MANAGER
16 Laura Scheuler
Hunter Education DEPARTMENTS
mdc.mo.gov/conmag
Turns 30
Program celebrates three decades 2 Inbox
of creating safe hunters with more 3 Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley
options for getting certified. 4 Nature Lab
by Kyle Lairmore
5 In Brief
22 28 Get Outside
Missouri’s Monster Fish 30 Places To Go
Sedge wren
Download this
Five species can top 100 pounds issue to your
and test anglers’ strength. 32 Wild Guide phone or tablet at
mdc.mo.gov/mocon.
by Craig Gemming 33 Outdoor Calendar
Download for
Android
Inbox Purple lillip
ut
Letters to the Editor MORE BOW BUILDERS
Submissions reflect I enjoyed the June article Bow Builders
readers’ opinions and by Darren Haverstick on making archery
may be edited for length equipment from PVC pipe. My two
and clarity. Email grandchildren and I made bows and have
Magazine@mdc.mo.gov
really had a lot of fun using them. The article
or write to us:
and illustrations were excellent and very easy to
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST follow. It was an enjoyable early summer project to
PO BOX 180 complete with them.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 Larry W. Nelson Warsaw MUSSELS
I really enjoyed your story on freshwater mussels in
BEAR AWARE the June magazine [Missouri’s Essential Freshwater
I was so impressed by the diagram on Page Mussels, Page 16]. It has been many many years
CMissouri
21 [May, Be Bear Aware] of the campsite, I since I was on a Boy Scout survivor hike and
onservationist
VOLUME 78, ISSUE 6, JUNE 2017 • SERVING NATURE & YOU
thought I’d let you know what a valuable piece mussels were the only thing we could find/catch. If I
of information you have there. A lot of people, remember correctly, they were not very tasty and not
myself included, can read “place your tent upwind easy to swallow. I was curious if MDC had a method
and 100 yards away,” but that doesn’t mean to cook them. I looked for a catch and possession
much. I don’t have the best sense of direction limit and did not find that either. Is it legal to take
either. That diagram really made an impression in and possess Missouri mussels?
my mind, and I think you should put it on signs, Bob Hentges Jefferson City
billboards, pamphlets, on your website, anywhere
you can so a lot of people see it. I’m glad I did! We did not include a recipe for preparing mussels,
Thanks for a great magazine and all the great mainly because there were so many cool things about
work you do in our state. mussels we wanted to tell our readers and ran out
BOW BUILDERS Karen Brown via email of space. There isn’t a good recipe that we know of.
My sons and nieces Your description of “not very tasty and not easy to
were looking for NATURE KNIGHTS swallow” matches just about every description of
something to do Your item in the June issue brought me many eating freshwater mussels we’ve heard of! According
when I thought of memories of Nature Knights [Letters, Page 2]. I to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, there is a daily limit
the Bow Builders was a teacher from 1943 to 1945 at Nolan School, of five in the aggregate, and limits apply to live and
article in the June District 25 in Monroe County, Missouri. We dead animals. Two shell halves or valves count as
issue [Page 24]. We participated in the Nature Knights program. We one mussel or clam. Asian clams may be taken and
constructed four would go on walks through the woods surrounding possessed in any number. These animals may be
PVC bows. The the school yard and observe caterpillars in the taken by hand, hand net, or pole and line throughout
MUSSELS: CLIFF WHITE
kids had a great chrysalis on a weed stalk. Some weeds were cut the year, and mussels and clams taken may be
time and want to and developed into butterflies. used as bait. These rules do not apply, however,
shoot them again. Hilda Ruth Wilson Monroe City to endangered species or species of conservation
John Hare Gladstone concern. —the editors
Connect With Us! Conservation Headquarters Have a
573-751-4115 | PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Question for a
/moconservation Commissioner?
Regional Offices Send a note using
@moconservation
Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 our online
@MDC_online Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 contact form at
@Nature_Videos Kansas City: 816-622-0900 St. Louis: 636-441-4554 mdc.mo.gov/
Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 commissioners.
2 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017
Want to see your photos Up
Front
in the Missouri Conservationist?
Share your photos on Flickr at
flickr.com/groups/mdc-readerphotos-2017,
email Readerphoto@mdc.mo.gov,
or include the hashtag #mdcdiscovernature
on your Instagram photos.
with Sara Parker Pauley
__ I suppose it’s human nature to try to improve upon the
world around us, however one defines “improve.” From the
newest iPhone to the latest model of GPS-steered tractors,
we’ve all benefitted from our human need to advance the day.
But sometimes the original was the best model after all. I
haven’t been able to improve upon my mother’s brisket recipe,
for example, or my grandfather’s way of growing roses.
I had the privilege of traveling to north central Missouri
recently where neighbors are returning their land to its orig-
1 inal model — that of deep soil prairie. It started with one
single pioneering landowner. Then, as neighbors saw the sheer
1 | Black- beauty of his land return — with its variety of wildflowers,
2
crowned night- vibrant prairie grasses, and abundance of wildlife — they
heron by Kevin began to do the same with their properties. Now with an esti-
Wilson, via Flickr
mated 10,000 acres in this area, the landscape has returned
2 | Jack and Lucy to its original and intended state. And for other landowners,
explore nature the value is not just for sheer natural beauty and wildlife, but
by teakphillips,
via Instagram for the livelihood of their livestock as well (see Native Grasses
for Livestock Producers, Page 10).
3 | White-tailed
deer by
As it turns out, sometimes the original is the best version
Alan Shaw, after all, or as this landowner told me during our visit, “Some-
via email times a place is meant to be what it is.”
3
SARA PARKER PAULEY, DIRECTOR
SARA.PAULEY@MDC.MO.GOV
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri
Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO
Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit mdc.mo.gov/conmag, or call 573-522-
MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS 4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Free to adult Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year;
out of country $10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address
(send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage
paid at Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices. Postmaster: Send correspondence to
Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249.
Copyright © 2017 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri.
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conserva-
tion is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry,
age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Questions should be directed to the Department of
Don James T. Marilynn David Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or
to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW,
Bedell Blair, IV Bradford Murphy Washington, D.C. 20240.
Printed with soy ink
mdc.mo.gov 3
Nature Researchers test
electrical settings
LAB
needed to draw catfish
to the surface quickly
but harmlessly.
by Bonnie
Chasteen
Each month, we highlight research
MDC uses to improve fish, forest,
and wildlife management.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Refining Electrofishing
__ How much and what type of electricity does it
take to capture a 3-pound smallmouth bass swim-
ming in a fast-flowing Ozark stream? How much for
a 60-pound blue catfish or flathead catfish living in a
large reservoir or big river?
MDC staff Zach Ford, Andy Turner, and Dave Woods
are working with the Missouri Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Missouri-
Columbia to answer these questions.
Research partners aim to improve the use of elec- on the fish and increasing sampling accuracy.
trofishing for flathead catfish, blue catfish, and small-
Five-year Settings for sampling specific kinds of sportfish
mouth bass, three of the most popular sportfish in Mis- study aims to in various water conditions will play an impor-
souri. “Better methods will give us a more accurate idea improve boat tant role in MDC’s ongoing effort to standard-
of these fish populations,” Ford said. electrofishing ize sampling, obtain accurate population infor-
Ford described how electrofishing works. “Electric- techniques mation, and improve angling opportunities.
ity in the water acts like a magnet that brings fish to the for more Before the project began, MDC staff devel-
surface. This lets us dip them into a holding tank, where accurate and oped equipment guidelines to ensure safe and
we can count and evaluate them.” standardized effective sampling procedures. “We’re putting
Scientists are using new technology to refine the sportfish electricity in the water, so we’re very careful to
electrical settings. This will allow them to sample population data turn off electricity when anglers, boaters, and
sportfish populations more efficiently, reducing stress swimmers are in the vicinity,” Ford said.
Electrofishing Generally, 2,500–4,500 watts of power are
needed to effectively collect sportfish.
PHOTOGRAPHS: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG; FISH ILLUSTRATIONS: MARK RAITHEL
Research Data
2015–2020 Volts, amps, pulse frequency, and waveform are all aspects of
electricity that can be manipulated to help biologists capture fish.
1,500+ fish The conductivity of the water and of fishes’ bodies plays an
important role in how electricity is used to capture fish.
will be captured,
tested, and released Using the right waveform, researchers can force
some fish to swim toward the boat for capture.
over the course
of this study.
Blue
Smallmouth Flathead
catfish
bass catfish
Watch underwater footage of electrofishing at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zih
4 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017
News and updates from MDC
!1
No
r th
ern
Lim
In Brief Approximate Times For Eclipse Viewing
For Select Locations, All Times Local
it o
f To
tal
ity A B C D
!!
!!!!
!
§
¦
¨ 29
No
r th Start of partial eclipse: 11:39 AM 11:42 AM 11:48 AM 11:52 AM
!!!! 1
! ern
4 Start of total eclipse: 1:04 PM 1:09 PM 1:15 PM 1:20 PM
! !A!!!
!!!!
Ce !!!! !! ! !
2 3 5
Lim
it o
6 f Tota
lity
Maximum eclipse:
End of total eclipse:
1:05 PM
1:07 PM
1:10 PM
1:11 PM
1:16 PM
1:17 PM
1:21 PM
1:23 PM
!!
!!!!
nte
§
¦
¨
r o !!29
!!
f To !!!!
tal
ity !!!
!
St. 10 ! §
¦
¨ 35
End of partial eclipse: 2:32 PM
Viewing times from NASA Eclipse Website:
2:37 PM 2:42 PM 2:47 PM
!Ce !2 !3!!7!5 !6
!!!! 4 !"!!! Joseph £
¤ 36
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html
!A
!!! !!!!
!
16
!!!!
!!!! !
!!!!
11
!
!!!!
15
!
17 Shapefiles of path and center of totality from NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
nte
ro !
f To
!!!!
8
!!!! §
¦
¨ £
¤
!!!!
!!!!35
£
¤
63 https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4518
!9 " Joseph !
So tal St. 10 !!!! 65
uth !!!!
ern ity
£
¤B !!!! 36 £
¤
24
! 15 !16
!!!!
Lim !!!! !!!!
it o
f To
tal
ity
!7
!
12
! !
11
!!!!
!!!!
!
17
!!!!
!!!!
!!!! !
19
!8Kansas " £
¤ !!!!
!!!! 24 !!!! £
¤ 63
So £
¤ " 65 !!!! £
¤ ! 54
uth
ern !9 !13
! §
¦
¨ !!!!
!!!!
Marshall !!!! 24
Boonville £
¤
Columbia
31
Lim
it o
City 14
!B
70
!!!! !
"!!! 2!!0 ! " ! ! 3 0
! ! ! §¦
¨
!!!! !! 24
!!!
f To 12 18 !!!! 19
tal !!!!
" Fulton 32 70
ity !!!! 22 !2 3
!!!
£
¤ £ 24 ! 2 1 ! !
!! !! ! ! 33 35 36
Kansas "
¤ 50 !!! !
" Ashland
£
¤ 37 St.
!
13
"
Marshall
!!!! 25 !
Columbia !!!!
!
!
!
!! 54
!! "31
! § ¦
¨
!!!!
Boonville 38 39 Louis
City 14 70 !!!!
" 2!! 0 ! !"" ! ! !
27
Jefferson !!!!
!!
29 !3!!! 0 40 48 No
¤! §¦ ! !!
¨
City
!
18
!!
!!!!
!!
24
£
!!!!
" Fulton50 32!!!!
70 rth
ern
! !! !
2622 !2 3
!!! St. 46 47 Lim
C!!3!5 36
50 £
¤ 21 "2 !!!!
8
Ashland!! !! 3 3!
!!!! Claire 4537 St.
it o
f To
!25
!
!!!!
! !!!! 34
! " "!!!! tal
!! !
41 ! 38 39 Louis ity
54 £
¤ £
¤ Jefferson
63 !!!! !
!!
!"27
! City !!
29 !!!! !
!!!
4 3 44 ! !
!! 40
!!!! 48 N ort
h
!
26
§
¦ !!
¨
£
¤ !! !
50 !!
44 !! C !
St.
!
46 47 !!! !!
!!
1 Ste.
ern
Lim
! 28
! ! 42 !!! !! Claire 45
!!
5!!!
! Genevieve
"
it o
f To
Conservation Area (CA) Index 34 " !!!! tal
! 41
!!!!
!!!! Ce ity
!! £ ¤ !!!!
54 £
¤ £
¤ 63
43 44 !!!!
67 n
!!!! ter
1 — Brickyard Hill CA 20 — Diana Bend CA 38 — Weldon Spring CA !!!! !!!! of To
t
¦ !
53 !!!! !ality
§
¦! !
¨ !§
!!!!
2 — Bob Brown CA
3 — Riverbreaks CA
21 — Prairie Home CA
22 — Eagle Bluffs CA
39 — Howell Island CA
40 — Rockwoods Reservation ¨ 44
42
49 !!!!
1 55
5!!! Ste.
! Genevieve
!!!
!
!!!!
D!!!!
4 — Nodaway Valley CA
5 — Honey Creek CA
23 — Three Creeks CA
24 — Little Dixie Lake CA
41 — Long Ridge CA
42 — Huzzah CA !£¤ ! ! 50
67
52
"!!!!
!!!! C5 4
en
!!!! ert
!!!!
So o
!!!! f To
6 — Happy Holler Lake CA 25 — Hart Creek CA 43 — Meramec CA uth !!!! talit
¦ "!
ern 53 Cape
7 — Bluffwoods CA
8 — Little Bean Marsh CA
26 — Scrivner Road CA
27 — Runge Conservation Nature Center
44 — Little Indian Creek CA
45 — LaBarque Creek CA
! §
¨ 49 Lim
it o 55
f To
!!!! y
Girardeau!!!!
! D!!!!
! lity !
9 — Platte Falls CA
10 — Pony Express Lake CA
28 — Painted Rock CA
29 — Ben Branch Lake CA
46 — Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family CA
47 — Young CA
50 !
52 ta 54 !!!!
11 — Bonanza CA 30 — Whetstone Creek CA 48 — Forest 44 CA So
uth
12 — Cooley Lake CA 31 — Marshall I Diggs CA 49 — Buford Mountain CA ern
13 — Burr Oak Woods CA 32 — Danville CA (incl Baldwin 50 — Millstream Gardens CA
Lim
it o
" Cape
f To Girardeau
14 — Maple Leaf Lake CA & Thornhill and Schulze Annexes) 51 — Magnolia Hollow CA tal
ity
15 — Bunch Hollow CA 33 — Daniel Boone CA 52 — Amidon Memorial CA
16 — Fountain Grove CA 34 — Canaan CA 53 — Seventy-Six CA
17 — Yellow Creek CA 35 — Little Lost Creek CA 54 — Apple Creek CA
18 — Ralph and Marth Perry 36 — Frank, Emma Elizabeth, Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri © 2017
Memorial CA and Edna Reifsnider SF Some conservation area map locations
19 — Rudolf Bennitt CA 37 — August A Busch Memorial CA approximate due to space constraints.
WATCH Grab your solar eclipse-approved shades and head to one of our
TOTAL SOLAR
54 conservation areas that lie in the path of this once-in-a-lifetime event. While
there, you can enjoy regular outdoor activities — such as fishing, hiking, and wildlife
ECLIPSE AT watching — in a far-from-regular way when the moon passes in front of the sun. The
eclipse will also bring a rare chance for those watching wildlife to catch out-of-the-
MDC AREAS ordinary behaviors.
“As the sky becomes darker during the eclipse, some birds may become
CONSERVATION
AREAS OFFER AN confused by the lack of light and could exhibit odd behaviors such as going quiet,
ESCAPE FROM thinking that night is falling,” said State Ornithologist Sarah Kendrick.
CROWDED CITIES Many of the MDC areas offer an escape from crowded cities and light pollution,
AND LIGHT and all the recommended areas have restrooms for visitor convenience. While all
POLLUTION areas are free to access and open to the public, some may require visitors to obtain
a special-use permit for group camping.
For an interactive map of the eclipse’s path across Missouri, approximate times
to watch, a full list of recommended conservation areas for viewing, and details on
each area, visit mdc.mo.gov/eclipse.
mdc.mo.gov 5
In Brief
Got a Question for Ask MDC?
DEER-FEEDING BAN Send it to AskMDC@mdc.mo.gov
EXPANDED TO 41 COUNTIES or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848.
A deer-feeding ban went into effect July 1 for residents of 41
counties that are part of the department’s Chronic Wasting
Disease (CWD) Management Zone. The goal of the expanded Q: I love feeding the and early fall, the number of
feeding ban is to help limit the spread of CWD. Not feeding hummingbirds every resident hummingbirds may
deer is a simple step anyone can take to help prevent the spring. I notice they decline. Adult males are the
spread of disease. disappear for a while and first to depart, heading out
“CWD is spread both directly from deer to deer or indi- return. Where do they go? in early July. Females and
rectly from contaminated food, water, or soil, and the potential hh The absence of ruby- the young follow. Backyard
for transmission increases when deer gather in larger, con- throated hummingbirds in feeders serve as welcome pit
centrated numbers,” said MDC Wildlife Disease Coordinator late May and early June is stops, offering birds a place
Jasmine Batten. “Feeding deer or placing minerals for deer normal. In fact, fluctuation to rest and refuel. Feeder
unnaturally concentrates the animals and can help spread the in feeder attendance is to visits will reflect this as the
deadly disease.” be expected. Depending on flow of southbound migrants
According to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, the placement where in the state you live, through Missouri increases,
of grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable natu- the arrival and departure peaking around Labor Day.
ral and manufactured products used to attract deer is pro- of breeding and migratory The crowd gradually
hibited year-round within counties in the CWD Management hummingbirds varies. tapers off until the last
Zone. This regulation does not pertain to food plots. In spring, a surge of hummingbird straggles
“Feed is different than a food plot because artificial feed is northbound migrants use through in mid-October.
typically continually replaced,” Batten said. “Food plots typically nectar at the feeders. Once
cover a much larger area where the food source is more spread the migrants pass through Q: Is it true waterfowl
out and once consumed, it is not replaced over and over again.” Missouri, the crowd tapers sometimes deposit fish
The 41 counties affected by this regulation include Adair, off, leaving the state’s eggs in other water
Barry, Benton, Boone, Callaway, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Cole, breeding summer residents bodies, essentially
Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Franklin, Gasconade, Hickory, Jeffer- — a sizeable population in moving them from one
son, Knox, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Missouri’s wooded landscape. place to another?
Osage, Ozark, Polk, Putnam, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Males are fiercely hh We’re not aware of any
Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Gen- territorial, defending feeders credible research proving
evieve, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington. and flowers for the females to this might happen. There
use during the spring nesting is evidence of waterfowl
Atchison
Nodaway
Worth
Harrison
Mercer
Putnam Schuyler Scotland
Clark season. But nesting females moving seeds and some
Holt
Gentry
Grundy
Sullivan Adair Knox Lewis don’t visit the feeders often. wetland invertebrates, but
Andrew
DeKalb
Daviess
Linn Macon Shelby Marion
Rather, they spend their time we have not heard of fish
Buchanan Clinton Caldwell Livingston
Chariton Monroe
Ralls
hunting insects to feed their eggs being transported.
Carroll Randolph
Platte Clay
Ray Pike
newly hatched nestlings. The digestive process that
Audrain
Lafayette
Saline Howard
Lincoln After the young fledge in fish eggs would experience
Montgomery
Jackson Boone
Cass
Johnson Pettis
Cooper Callaway
Warren
St. Charles
St. St. Louis
early July, more birds gather in a bird’s gut would be fatal.
Moniteau Louis City
at the feeders once again. It may be possible for a bird
Gasconade
Cole
Osage
Morgan Franklin
Henry
Bates Benton
Miller Maries
Jefferson
As southern migration to move fish eggs stuck to
Vernon
St. Clair
Hickory
Camden
Phelps
Crawford Washington Ste.
Genevieve
commences in late summer its foot or in vegetation it’s
Pulaski St.
Cedar
Polk
Dallas Laclede Dent
Iron
Francois Perry
carrying, but it’s unlikely.
Barton Madison Cape
Dade
Greene Webster Wright Texas Shannon
Reynolds
Bollinger
Girardeau
When fish appear in an
Jasper
Lawrence
Wayne
Scott unstocked pond, it is usually
Christian Carter
Mississippi
Newton Douglas
Howell Butler
Stoddard
the result of intentional
Stone
Barry Oregon Ripley
McDonald Taney Ozark
New
Madrid stockings or wild fish
moving upstream or
Pemiscot
Dunklin
CWD Management Zone (all shaded counties) downstream in a watershed
during wet periods.
In these counties, if you harvest a deer during Nov. 11–12,
you must take it (or the head with at least 6 inches of neck attached)
on the day of harvest to a designated CWD sampling station.
ingbird
See short.mdc.mo.gov/ZiE. Ruby-throated humm
6 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017 HUMMINGBIRD: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG; YELLOW-BELLIED RACER: DANA LUETKEMEIER
AGENT
ADVICE
from
Chase Wright
SALINE COUNTY
CONSERVATION AGENT
Fishin’ in the Dark. It’s not just
a hit single by the Nitty Gritty
Dirt Band. It’s a time-honored
tradition of die-hard anglers
who love to fish but want
to escape the summertime
heat. Before you grab your
equipment and head for
the nearest body of water,
consider these safety tips for
an enjoyable night under the
Eastern yellow-bellied racer
stars:
hh Be prepared. Get your gear
Q: We found this 3-foot between the old and new layers, ready before you get there.
snake with blue eyes in our the shedding gives the eye a blue
hh If you’re on a boat, life
front yard, sunning itself. coloration. The process takes one
We were wondering what to two weeks and can render the jackets must be accessible.
causes its eyes to be blue, snake nearly blind. Passengers age 7 or younger
and if this affects its vision? Snakes shed their skin periodically must wear life jackets.
hh This eastern yellow-bellied as they grow. During the active hh Bring a flashlight, lantern,
racer is about to shed its skin, season, young snakes usually shed
including the layer over the eye. As once every four to five weeks. Adults
or other source of light.
the skin loosens and fluid builds may shed every six to eight weeks. hh Use bug spray. Mosquitoes
are much worse at night than
during the day.
hh Take a charged cell phone.
hh Tell someone — a family
member or friend — your
plan for the evening and
when you intend to return
What home.
IS it? Many species of fish are in
season. For possession limits,
Can you valid permit information, and
guess this legal methods,
month’s check the
natural
wonder? Wildlife Code of
The answer is
Missouri, or visit
on Page 9. short.mdc.
mo.gov/ZiL.
mdc.mo.gov 7
In Brief
MCHF helps
in a number
of ways, from
making hunting
areas accessible
to supporting
stream clean-up
and kids’
programs.
A Key “We advance conservation and the appre-
ciation of forest, fish, and wildlife resources by
matching funds from partners working on
habitat and educational programs to benefit
Partnership applying financial resources,” said Kevin Roper, monarchs. MCHF partners with a Honduran
for Conservation MCHF executive director. “We collaborate with
donors and other partners to provide this kind
ecotourism company to raise funds for habitat
protections for neotropical migratory birds,
Marks 20 Years of support throughout the state.” species that nest in Missouri forests during
by Bill Graham Going forward, MCHF plans to emphasize summer but overwinter in Central or South
youth education, conserving endangered spe- America. In Missouri, MCHF provides funds for
The Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation cies and species of conservation concern, and feral hog eradication. The organization also pro-
(MCHF) is celebrating 20 years of helping Mis- helping veterans enjoy the outdoors. MCHF vides numerous small grants, such as money for
sourians enhance natural resources and outdoor also recognizes conservation legends via the nature centers to battle invasive plants.
education. Formed in 1997, MCHF is a nonprofit National Lewis and Clark Conservation Awards. MCHF grants support Wounded Warrior
charitable organization working with MDC and This spring, in partnership with MDC, MCHF Hunts, which are designed specifically for vet-
other partners to benefit Missouri’s outdoors. hosted 2,100 competitors from 127 schools at erans with disabilities. Grants helped purchase
From hunting programs for military veterans the Missouri National Archery in Schools state all-terrain track chairs that carry hunters and
with special needs to battling feral hogs or championship tournament in Branson. Founda- anglers afield.
invasive plants in natural areas, MCHF provides tion grants also pay for equipment and costs for A volunteer board of directors and a small
a helping hand via grants. community youth hunting and fishing events. professional staff manage MCHF in close part-
“Our state’s conservation legacy and the Grants help schools develop outdoor class- nership with MDC. The foundation is well-aimed
department exist because of the support of rooms. MCHF supports Discover Nature — Girls toward the future, said Carroll Wilkerson of
citizens and partners,” said Jennifer Battson Camps where girls learn shooting, fishing, and Columbia, chair of the MCHF Board of Directors.
Warren, MDC deputy director. “The Missouri nature interpretive skills. “If someone has a passion for the outdoors,
Conservation Heritage Foundation is a fantas- Pollinator species and birds benefit as well. and if they want to make a donation or leave
tic partner because they connect generous indi- MCHF was awarded a $250,000 grant in 2016 part of their estate for the betterment of the
viduals and philanthropic organizations with from the National Fish and Wildlife Founda- outdoors, they can utilize the foundation,”
projects that memorialize donors’ conservation tion for monarch butterfly conservation. The Wilkerson said.
values. These projects provide improved oppor- grant will be paired with nearly $566,608 in Russ and Lynn Giron of Lee’s Summit lost
tunities for citizens to experience Missouri’s rich their son, Nathan Giron, 18, in a tragic auto
outdoor heritage.” accident. Because he enjoyed fishing, they
MCHF has provided more than $20 million honored his memory by making a donation to
for conservation projects such as stream corridor MCHF, which enabled a grant making it pos-
protections, helping youth learn how to hunt or sible to give away 300 new fishing rods and
fish, prairie restoration, or making hunting and reels at the 2016 National Hunting and Fishing
fishing areas accessible for those with mobil- Day activities at MDC’s James A. Reed
ity challenges. Funding sources for MCHF Memorial Wildlife Area.
include donations and grants. In addition, “Your passion for conservation can
MCHF receives funds from the Stream reach through time to make a difference
Stewardship Trust Fund, which is funded by when you make a planned gift,” said Jan Syri-
voluntary mitigation payments made for altera- gos, MCHF communications specialist. “We are
tions to streams. Monarch the nonprofit that is dedicated to supporting the
butterfly most crucial of conservation efforts in Missouri.”
To contact MCHF, visit mochf.org, or call 573-634-2080 or toll free 800-227-1488, or email mchf@mochf.org.
8 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017 CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES: DAVID STONNER; MONARCH BUTTERFLY: NOPPADOL PAOTHONGDISCOVER NATURE AT THE STATE FAIR
Visit the Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m at the Missouri
State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 10–20. See live fish and other native ani-
mals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Learn about and see
displays of native plants that help butterflies and other important
pollinators. Ask questions of MDC staff, get educational materials,
and have fun.
Don’t miss our air-conditioned Conservation Kids’ Discovery
Room between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for hands-on fun discovering
nature through crafts and other activities.
Enjoy these free conservation-related programs at our outdoor
pavilion:
WATCH RAPTORS See a live eagle and other birds of prey up
close at the Raptors of Missouri presentation Aug. 10 and Aug. 19 at
REBOOT THROUGH NATURE 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
We recharge our cell phones, tablets, and computers when they start running
LEARN TO CLEAN AND COOK FISH Learn how to prepare a fresh
slowly, but what about ourselves? We also need to shut down and reboot
catch at the Fish Cooking and Cleaning demonstration Aug. 11 and
to clear our systems of too much stuff, including the stresses of technology.
Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Our world of nonstop screen time and even artificial lighting throws off
BE BEAR AWARE Learn about black bears in Missouri and how
our internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This can lead to lack of adequate
to Be Bear Aware Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
sleep or poor-quality sleep. As a result, our health suffers, performance at
OPERATION GAME THIEF Visit with conservation agents and
work and school suffers, accidents increase, and energy decreases.
see the MDC Operation Game Thief traveling display trailer all day
One simple solution can make all the difference — a weekend of camping.
Aug. 14–16.
Turning off technology and turning onto nature can have positive effects
FIELD TO FORK Learn how to clean and cook harvested game
on our health and well-being. Research from the University of Colorado–
at the Field to Fork demonstration Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Boulder found that just a weekend away in the woods sleeping under the
HISTORIC SAWMILL See a working model sawmill in operation at
stars (without technology) can reset our internal clocks, resulting in better
Forest Products: The Circular Sawmill Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
sleep both during and after the mini-vacation.
Want to start your getaway? Visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Z4V to find MDC Learn more about MDC programs, events, and other offerings
campsites near you. at mdc.mo.gov.
What IS it?
PLAINS COREOPSIS FLOWER
Plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) is
an annual flowering plant that blooms
from June through September. Its yellow
flowers with red-brown centers emerge
from large branches, dotted with narrow
leaflets about 4 inches long. The plains
coreopsis grows naturally in prairies
and glades, reaching 2 to 4 feet tall. It
prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Plains coreopsis is the perfect addition
to your native garden, and it is sure to
attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Photograph by Noppadol Paothong
CAMPOUT: DAVID STONNER mdc.mo.gov 9Native
Grasses for Livestock Producers
MANAGE GRASSES TO BENEFIT CATTLE AS WELL AS WILDLIFE
by Kevin Borisenko
M
issouri’s landscape is forever changing. Since
the first European settlement, Missouri’s
native habitats have been altered by population
expansion, the agricultural industry, the industrial age,
and recreation, just to name a few. Today, competition
for the finite resource we call land is fierce. So how do we
carve out a place that has clean water, healthy grasslands,
and abundant wildlife and remain economically sound?
We work together.
10 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017Cattle graze in a
pasture converted
to native grassland.
PHOTOGRAPH BY
DAVID STONNER
mdc.mo.gov 11Missouri by the Acre
Land managed by MDC
About 1 million acres
Land managed by other
state and federal agencies
About 2 million acres
Privately owned land
About 41 million acres
17 million acres in tall fescue*
* Changing 10% of this into
native grasses could nearly
double the state’s wildlife
habitat and help cattle.
Missouri is approximately 44 million
acres in size. MDC manages about
MDC believes
1 million acres statewide, or approxi- adding a diverse
mately 2 percent of the state. Combine mixture of grasses
all land managed by other state and
federal agencies, and that percentage
for grazing or
climbs to around 7 percent of the total haying on each
land base in public ownership. That’s not farm can improve
a lot of room for wildlife to flourish.
So what about the other 41 million
cattle gains and
acres? Take a trip across Missouri, and health while
you’ll see cities and towns connected offering enhanced
by an extensive road system lined with
private land. You may notice a significant
wildlife habitat.
number of farms with vast fields of crops
or cattle meandering in pastures. A 2016 Getting in the Mix
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) It’s easy to understand why MDC would remove trees and restore diverse native
report found all grain crops in Missouri like more diverse grasslands in Missouri. grasslands for prairie-chickens and
totaled about 14 million acres. Missouri Native prairies supported countless other grassland birds.
also ranked second nationally in total wildlife through the ages. Wildlife big What makes the partnership work is
number of cattle with about 69,000 and small depend on the ecological finding common ground.
cattle and hay operations. functions these areas provide for food, When MDC is working to improve
Approximately 50 percent of shelter, and sheer survival. Grassland greater prairie-chicken habitat with
Missouri’s agriculture economy is forage wildlife have evolved to take full producers, pasture land is converted
based, meaning we grow a lot of grass. advantage of species composition, bloom to native mixes. The greater amount of
The dominant grass on Missouri’s land- times, structure, and function to sustain structural diversity provides birds like
scape is tall fescue, with an estimated 17 them. For example, MDC continues greater prairie-chickens or quail the
million acres, according to the University efforts to restore and manage greater cover and nesting habitat they need.
of Missouri’s Forage Systems Research prairie-chickens in select landscapes These areas generally offer increased
Center. Though not all of that is used in in northwest and southwest Missouri. bug diversity, a primary food source for
cattle production or hay, it does repre- Prairie-chickens evolved to depend on young chicks. Without management,
sent a unique opportunity for conserva- the vast grassland landscapes and as their native grasses become too tall and thick
NATIVE GRASSES: DAVID STONNER
tionists and farmers to work together numbers declined, they needed a helping to be useful.
toward a common goal. hand to remain in Missouri. Without the Grazing is a useful tool to manage
Tall fescue is the primary reason why assistance of private landowners in these native grasses on a working farm.
Missouri can produce so many cattle, areas, the restoration of these iconic Cattle are used in ways that mimic the
but it offers less benefit for wildlife than birds would not be possible. Biologists disturbances that occurred naturally
many of our native warm-season grasses. continue to work with producers to with grazers like bison. Grazing creates
12 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017variable vegetation heights and small
areas of bare soil, which are necessary for
wildlife like the greater-prairie chicken.
“Warm season grasses are well-adapted
to northwest Missouri’s soils and offer
nutritional forage in the warmer months
of June, July, and August when cool
season grasses are less vigorous,” said
Kendall Coleman, a private land conser-
vationist (PLC) with MDC. “A diverse mix
ensures that, regardless of the grazing
period, there is something nutritional to
offer that animal.”
Forming Partnerships
Partners like Robin Frank, a cattle
farmer in northwest Missouri prairie-
chicken country, are critical to the
success of restoration efforts. He helps
create a bigger footprint of space that the
birds can use as the population grows.
Frank converted approximately 500
acres of fescue pasture to warm-season
grasses with plans to convert about 20
percent of his available grazing acres to
native mixes.
“Cattle do well on
this summer native
warm-season grass
forage,” Frank said.
“I have experienced
Native grasses don’t Ground-nesting improved conception
form sod and are birds, like
prairie-chickens
rates and increased
easier for wildlife to
use without hurting and quail, prefer gains with this
forage production. a diversity
of plants for
practice, compared
nesting and to normal fescue
raising young. pasture.”
Native grasses, though adapted to
our soils and climate, do offer some
challenges to producers. Establishing a
healthy stand of native grass takes time
and commitment to manage. Time and
the loss of existing forage start to cut
PRAIRIE-CHICKEN: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG
into the bottom line, making it a tough
sell even though long-term gains may
surpass the short-term losses. To help
bridge that gap, PLC Dave Niebruegge
teamed up with a local landowner in
Greater Pettis County to experiment with ways
prairie-chicken to minimize forage loss while establishing
warm-season grasses.
mdc.mo.gov 13Test
Shows
Promise
Cattle and
Century Farm Bobwhite
quail
owner Johnie
Brauer had an
interest in wildlife and wanted to bring
quail and rabbits back to the farm like he
experienced as a child. Together, Brauer
and Niebruegge worked out a plan to
experiment on approximately 20 acres
of the farm, incorporating annual cover
crops into a native warm-season grass
planting. The cover crop mix served as a
nurse crop for warm-season grasses and
provided supplemental forage during the
establishment of native grass. As the
cover crops and native grass grew along-
side each other in the field, cattle grazed
the new planting. The cattle favored the
more robust cover crops to the newly
sprouted natives, allowing them to get
a good start. Cover crops have an added
benefit that promote improved soil
health and quality.
“The annual forages can really fill a
void during the year when other peren-
nial forages are not producing very well,”
said Niebruegge.
During the first year of the experi-
ment, calves were put into the field in
August using a high-stock density/short-
duration grazing method. After 30 days
of grazing, calves showed an average
daily gain of two pounds. According
to Brauer, the cover crops helped get
his cows through the summer lull and
in good shape to put them in fall cool-
season pastures.
Results from Brauer and
Niebruegge’s experiment are “By managing Working Together
still pending, but the outlook
is promising. As the experi-
the farm for Another aspect of cattle farming is the avail-
ability of hay, an important supplement. The
BOBWHITE QUAIL, EASTERN COTTONTAIL RABBIT: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG
ment reaches its third wildlife, my amount of forage available outside the growing
year, native grasses cattle are season is critically important both economi-
are abundant and cally and to the health of a cattle producer’s
well established. not suffering animals. Careful planning and record keeping
Brauer sees and whatsoever,” help improve the family business and inform
hears more wild-
life, like quail
Brauer said. “I’m future management decisions. Just ask Jim
and Mike Massman of Osage County. They were
and rabbits, managing it in early adopters of native grass in their opera-
than he can a way the cattle tion. Jim and Mike planted a 13-acre field of
remember big bluestem in 2000 to provide quality forage
in recent benefit, as well for their cattle. When Jim noticed Johnson
Eastern cottontail rabbit years. as the wildlife.” grass invading his stand of big bluestem, heJohnie Brauer and goals and keep fish, forest, and wildlife
Dave Niebruegge assess in mind.”
cattle usage in their The Massmans have tracked their
experimental cover-crop forage production, and the results are
and native warm-season
impressive. From 2009–2014, the 13-acre
grass pasture.
field of big bluestem averaged 3.8 tons per
acre of hay. This includes the drought year
of 2012, which produced 1.9 tons per acre
that July. The Massmans’ management
consists of light fertilization (60 pounds
per acre) of nitrogen each year and a
three-year burn rotation. Burning may
seem counterintuitive to create forage,
but the numbers show spikes in tonnage
produced following a burn year. They have
never had to replant or overseed the field.
When Jim was asked if he would
have done anything differently, his only
response was, “I should have planted big
bluestem 20 years earlier.”
There are many more examples of
MDC and landowners working together
to make a difference in Missouri. The
Department of Conservation continues
to explore new and innovative ways to
expand partnerships to ensure the long-
term sustainability of Missouri’s fish,
forest, and wildlife resources. Whether
actively seeking the assistance of land-
owners to help keep remnant species on
the landscape, finding ways to bridge
the gap on local farms, or using natives
to keep operations running efficiently,
working together is essential.
Considering Missouri’s current land-
scape, we have an opportunity to make
a difference for future generations.
Working together to implement more
wildlife-friendly grasses will have a
profound effect on habitat in Missouri.
Not all of the 17 million acres of tall fescue
in Missouri are used in cattle produc-
LANDOWNER VISIT: DAVID STONNER; MASSMAN CATTLE: MIKE MASSMAN
tion or hay. But if landowners were able
The Massmans’ cattle and calves to change even 10 percent of that total
graze in late summer. Even with acreage to native warm-season grasses,
a July hay harvest, the regrowth they could nearly double the amount of
provides plenty of forage. wildlife habitat MDC currently manages
statewide. What a great opportunity to
provide a win for Missouri’s wildlife and
cattle producers. ▲
reached out to PLC Seth Barrioz for “While a solid stand of big bluestem
assistance in 2013. As Barrioz and is not the most beneficial from a wildlife Kevin Borisenko is a Private Land
Jim worked together to eliminate the perspective, it is a step in the right direc- Services chief for MDC. When he
Johnson grass, Barrioz became more tion,” said Barrioz. “We would like to see isn’t promoting the virtues of native
familiar with the Massmans’ operation a more diverse mix of species, but I am grasses, he enjoys hunting, fishing,
and goals. here to help the landowner reach their and shooting with family and friends.
mdc.mo.gov 15Hunter
Education
Turns 30
PROGRAM CELEBRATES THREE DECADES
OF CREATING SAFE HUNTERS WITH MORE
OPTIONS FOR GETTING CERTIFIED
by Kyle Lairmore | photographs by David Stonner
K
evin Dixon enjoyed completing quarter mile away. If I had made it to
Missouri’s Hunter Education that hilltop, I could easily have been in
Program in 1993, shortly after he the line of fire. After that, I decided to get
moved to Union, but he wasn’t interested into teaching hunter ed and have done so
in teaching it. Then he had a frightening now for almost 20 years.”
and potentially dangerous experience Kevin’s story illustrates why the
while turkey hunting one spring. Missouri Conservation Commission
“I was headed up a hill toward lots of adopted a mandatory hunter educa-
gobbling — about 100–125 yards above tion program in 1987. That same year,
me,” Dixon said. “Suddenly, a loud BOOM Missouri recorded 98 hunting incidents,
and a second blast came from where the the highest rate in the state’s history.
turkeys were gobbling. It gave me quite Since then, firearm-related hunting inci-
a scare. I retreated quickly back the way dents have declined by over 70 percent in
I had come. I had no idea those other Missouri. In 2016, for example, only 10
hunters were there — I was told they’d hunting incidents, none with fatalities,
be across the creek from me, almost a were reported.
mdc.mo.gov 17“I love the outdoors, love being certification program and provide proof of completion UNLESS
outdoors, and I enjoy being able to you qualify for one of the exceptions listed below:
share my passion. As a biologist, I can • You are 15 or younger and will be hunting with a properly
permitted adult mentor 18 or older.
also share the science behind things, such
• You were born before Jan. 1, 1967.
as ecological concepts, management • You received a disability exemption from MDC’s
practices, and wildlife disease prevention, Protection Division.
transmission, and control.” • You are 16 or older, have purchased an Apprentice Hunter
Kevin Dixon — volunteer instructor, Union Authorization, and will be hunting with a properly
permitted adult mentor 18 or older.
• You are the landowner or lessee hunting on land you own
or upon which you reside.
Do You Like to Shoot or Want to Hunt? • You can prove you completed an approved hunter
To keep hunting and firearms-related incidents low, MDC education program in another state.
encourages gun owners and those interested in hunting to take
hunter education. What Does The Program Cover?
Whether you pursue hunter education through the new Missouri’s Hunter Education Program provides a foundation
online option, with the self-study workbook, or in the class- in hunting safety and ethics. It instills responsibility, improves
room, start the program months before you plan to go afield. skills and knowledge, and encourages interaction between
Early registration ensures you’ll find a course near you and beginner and veteran hunters. Students will complete the
you’ll be educated, trained, and certified to take to the woods program knowing more about the following topics:
on opening day. • Hunter responsibility and ethics
Even if you’re only interested in shooting sports, such as clay • How to operate a firearm safely
targets or rifle shooting, Missouri’s Hunter Education Program • Wildlife identification, game care, survival,
can make you a better, safer shooter. Visit mdc.mo.gov/hunt- and first-aid skills
ereducation to find a course near you. • Firearm-handling skills and hunting techniques
• Wildlife conservation and management
Who Must Become • Regulations and information unique to Missouri
Hunter-Education Certified?
Any hunter born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, must obtain Missouri’s Who Can Take The Program?
hunter education certification. If you plan to hunt during a Anyone age 11 or older who enjoys the outdoors will benefit from
Missouri firearms season or you are acting as an adult mentor, hunter education. The program is also an excellent refresher for
you MUST first complete an approved hunter-education veteran hunters.
18 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017How Do I Earn My Missouri Hunter Education Certificate?
Adult All Online Option New for 2017 Blended Options
$15 fee (paid to online program provider) These options give you three ways to complete the
Anyone age 16 and older can complete the entire knowledge portion, regardless of your age. Choose from
program online. Our convenient online/mobile online, printed self-study guide, or classroom session.
program is accessible to those with hearing difficulties. After you successfully complete the knowledge portion,
Find it at hunter-ed.com/Missouri. It includes text, you’ll be qualified to enter a skills session.
audio, images, graphs, videos, and interactive anima-
tion to help you complete all the chapter reviews. Once First, choose one knowledge session
you’ve completed and passed a 60-question final exam
with a score of 80 percent or better, you will receive Online $15 fee (paid to online program provider)
your certification. In this option, you complete the knowledge portion
online. Once you complete the chapter reviews, you will
receive an online skills-session qualifier certificate, which
you must present to enter the required skills session.
Self-study guide Free
If you prefer printed study materials, you can order a
study guide at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zox, or pick one
up at an MDC office. Study the illustrated manual,
complete all chapter review questions, and present it to
the instructor at the skills session.
Classroom session Free
Attend a four-hour classroom session featuring lectures
and videos. Register at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z42 or call
your regional office. After the classroom session, you
must complete all student manual chapter review ques-
tions and present it to the instructor at the skills session.
Then complete the free skills session
and pass the exam
Regardless of your age, once you’ve completed one
of the three knowledge session options, you MUST
register for and attend a four-hour skills session at
short.mdc.mo.gov/Zof, or call your regional office.
To enter this session, you MUST present your
online skills-session qualifier certificate OR your
student manual with all chapter reviews completed
to gain entry.
The skills session includes a mandatory
35-question, multiple-choice final exam. After
successfully completing the skills session, you
will receive a temporary certificate so you can
Be Ready to Hunt This Fall — purchase a permit and hunt immediately.
Register Now!
Although 1,000 classes are offered
statewide, they fill up fast. Find a class
near you and register as soon as possible.
Throughout the year, the best times to find “When I came into hunter education, we were still having
available hunter education classes are March
and April before spring turkey season and incidents in the 90s, with fatalities in the 20s. As long as
August and September before deer season. we have one incident, we still have work to do.”
Jim Ragland — volunteer instructor, Florissant
mdc.mo.gov 19An instructor shares his
knowledge of hunting
Can Kids Try Hunting and firearms safety with
Without Becoming Hunter- a young hunter during
Education Certified? a mentored hunt.
Youth should begin hunting with an
adult mentor to become familiar with
hunting and terminology before taking
the program.
If they are in the immediate presence
of an adult mentor who possesses the
proper permit, youths younger than age
16 DO NOT need hunter education to
hunt any game species in Missouri until
they are ready to hunt alone.
What About Adults?
The Apprentice Hunter Program lets
people 16 and older try hunting as long
as they hunt with a properly permitted
adult (18 or older) mentor. Learn about
the Apprentice Hunter Program at short.
mdc.mo.gov/ZiX, or call your regional
office (see Page 2 for phone numbers).
To learn more about Missouri’s
Hunter Education Program, visit mdc.
mo.gov/huntereducation or contact
hunter education staff in Jefferson City
or any of the eight regional offices. ▲
Kyle Lairmore has worked for MDC for
over 12 years. He began as a private
land conservationist, and he currently
serves as MDC’s hunter education
and shooting range coordinator. He is
an avid hunter and shooter, but what
he enjoys the most is sharing these
experiences with others.
Hunter Education “Whether you hunt or not, gun safety is always important!
in Schools
Many Missouri schools teach I always ask my students if their parents or family members
hunter education as part of have firearms, and usually the answer is yes. This course
their school curriculum. If your teaches the students how to be responsible and safe with the
school is interested in offering
Missouri’s Hunter Education firearms around them. It also highlights the incidents that can
Program, please call the occur and explains how cautious you should be when using
outdoor skills specialist at and being in the presence of a firearm.”
your regional office. See
Page 2 for phone numbers. Kelsey Cary — teacher, Winfield School District
20 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017A student demonstrates how
to properly load and
unload a firearm.
Check Other States’ Hunter Ed Requirements
If you’re planning to hunt out-of-state, be sure to check other states’
regulations well in advance of your trip. All states recognize Missouri’s
Hunter Education Certification, but not all states have the same age
exemption. For example, Missouri requires hunter education for anyone
born on or after Jan. 1, 1967,
while Colorado requires hunter
education for anyone born
on or after Jan. 1, 1949.
This means many exempt
Missourians may not be
exempt in Colorado or
other states. It is important
to be aware of this before
traveling out-of-state to give
yourself time to obtain a
Missouri Hunter Education
Certification.
“Many people in urban and suburban areas do
not get to grow up hunting and learning from the
older generation. Hunter education gives them
an opportunity to learn from and meet people
who want to share their love of hunting.”
Linda Du Brul — volunteer instructor, Everton
mdc.mo.gov 21Missouri’s
MONS
MON
Five species can
top 100 pounds
and test
anglers’ strength
BY CRAIG GEMMING
22 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017STER
NSTER
Fish
MDC
Fisheries Biologist
Brian McKeage
holds a 50-pound
lake sturgeon.
mdc.mo.gov 23I
t was a warm spring day,
so my friend and I headed to
the river to do a little fishing.
We hoped to catch a few
Alligator Gar
small channel catfish for dinner.
After we baited the lines and cast
them out at our favorite fishing
This is the largest of the monster fish found in Missouri. In fact,
hole, we leaned back in our chairs it is the second largest freshwater fish in North America next to
to enjoy the cool breeze and the the white sturgeon. Alligator gar can reach lengths of up to 10
warm sun on our faces. All of a feet and weights up to 350 pounds, although most large adults
range from 5–8 feet long and weigh between 100 and 300 pounds.
sudden, my friend’s pole bent over The current Missouri record is 127 pounds. In 2011, a Mississippi
double and nearly jerked out of his commercial fisherman caught a 327-pound alligator gar in his net.
hands. We knew this fish had to That fish was determined to be 99 years old! The alligator gar is a
long, heavy-bodied fish with a somewhat short, very wide snout
be big! The line started screaming that resembles an alligator’s snout. They eat mostly nongame
off his reel, and we quickly realized fish but are also known to eat water birds. These fish often rest
we needed to follow this fish if we quietly near the water surface, resembling a log, waiting in ambush
for their prey. To capture prey, they quickly snap their head to
were going to land it. Tackle boxes, the side and grab it with their large teeth. Alligator gar can be
rods and reels, seat cushions, and found throughout the lower Mississippi River system upstream to
bait buckets went flying as we Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio. The alligator gar has become rare over
most of its former range mainly due to habitat loss and changes. In
scrambled around the boat to pull 2007 and 2009, alligator gar were stocked at Mingo National Wild-
up the anchors and find the dip life Refuge (NWR) in southeastern Missouri by MDC and the U.S.
net. After a 15-minute battle, we Fish and Wildlife Service. Since that time, nine other conservation
areas have been added to the stocking program. The goal of those
brought the fish to the side of the stockings was to restore alligator gar to some of its native range in
boat — and realized our landing Missouri. On Mingo NWR, alligator gar
net was way too small. “What a must be released unharmed immedi-
ately after being caught. No gigging
monster!” my friend said. After a or bow fishing is permitted on the
few agonizing minutes and two refuge. However, alligator gar can
strained backs, we finally wrestled be caught throughout the rest of
the state by a variety of methods.
the fish into the boat. Exaggeration, The department still encourages
you say? Not hardly! The fish my catch-and-release for alligator
friend caught was a blue catfish gar as well as the reporting of
any sightings.
that tipped the scales at 81 pounds.
Most Missourians don’t know
our state is home to five species MDC
Fisheries Biologist
of fish that have the potential to Salvador Mondragon
become monster fish. These species holds a 51-pound
alligator gar.
are the only fish in Missouri that
are capable of attaining weights of
100 pounds or more. Included on
the monster fish list are alligator
gar, lake sturgeon, paddlefish,
flathead catfish, and blue catfish.
24 Missouri Conservationist | August 2017You can also read
