Outdoor News

MDC to hold open houses on CWD found in Macon County

Written By:  Joe Jerek

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

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold two open houses on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to further inform the public about two cases recently found in free-ranging adult bucks in northwest Macon County. MDC staff will update attendees on efforts to obtain more tissue samples for CWD testing by working with local landowners on sampling additional deer in the area. MDC staff will also be available to answer questions and provide information on managing private land for deer.

Dept. of Ag, USDA-NRCS Launch High Tunnel Program

Missouri farmers interested in growing fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and other produce during winter months can receive loans and reimbursement for installing high tunnels on their property. The high tunnel program, a partnership between federal and state agencies, assists producers in diversifying existing operations by expanding the produce-growing season and by reducing the financial barriers to producers building new operations.

Discover nature through MDC 75th anniversary photo contest

Written By:  Joe Jerek

Winners will be featured in October "Missouri Conservationist," MDC website and other media. Deadline is May 15.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites photographers around the state to enter its 75th Anniversary Photo Contest. The contest is an effort to help Missourians discover nature by capturing and sharing photos that celebrate the natural wonders of Missouri. Winners will be featured in the October issue of the Missouri Conservationist, as well as on the MDC website and in other media.

Porous-soled waders banned in Missouri trout waters

Written By:  Joe Jerek

New MDC regulation takes effect March 1 to help keep Missouri a great place to fish.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo – With catch-and-keep trout season opening March 1, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds trout anglers to help prevent the spread of a new threat to Missouri’s cold-water streams and rivers. Called “didymo” (Didymosphenia geminata) or “rock snot,” this invasive alga forms large, thick mats on the bottoms of cold-water streams and rivers, reducing the quality and quantity of food vital to fish such as trout. Didymo also clogs water intakes and boat motors.

Bill and Emily Cook Honored During Governor's Conference on Ag

Missouri's agriculture community has donated more than $200,000 to the newly-created Missouri Agriculture Disaster Relief Fund this year, and during the 2012 Governor's Conference on Agriculture Governor Nixon and Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler recognized those supporters, including Bill and Emily Cook of Garden City for their partnership.

Media Advisory: Dept. of Ag, USDA-NRCS to Launch New High Tunnel Program

Missouri farmers interested in growing fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and other produce during winter months may receive support from the new High Tunnel Loan Program. The program, a partnership between federal and state agencies, assists producers in expanding their produce-growing season through high tunnels. Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler and State Conservationist J.R. Flores from the Columbia, Mo. Natural Resource Conservation Service will join Dan Keubler, Leslie Touzeau and Liberty Hunter of The Salad Garden in Ashland Tuesday morning for the program announcement.

January Conservation Action

Written By:  Jim Low

Actions of the Missouri Conservation Commission at its meeting Jan. 26 and 27

Conservation Action

January 2012

The Conservation Commission met Jan. 26 and 27 at Cape Girardeau. Commissioners present were:

Don R. Johnson, Festus, Chair

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Vice Chair

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

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received the following presentations.

 An e-Permits status report from Permit Services Supervisor Greg Jones.

 A hunter-education program review from Outreach & Education Division Chief Mike Huffman.

 A habitat-management report from Forestry Division.

Archery deer, turkey harvests up from last year

Written By:  Jim Low

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.

Archery deer, turkey harvests up from last year

Written By:  Jim Low

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.

Hunters can certify racks at Henges Range antler-scoring event

Written By:  Dan Zarlenga

Hunters can have deer racks scored at event on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon.

ST. LOUIS -- How does this rack stack up? It’s a question many hunters ask when admiring the antlers from a proudly harvested buck. The Deer Antler Scoring event at the Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center on Saturday, Feb. 18, can provide the answer.

CWD found in two free-ranging deer from Macon County

Written By:  Joe Jerek

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.

Eagle Days event set for Schell-Osage Conservation Area

Written By:  Francis Skalicky

Learn more about bald eagles at Eagle Days event Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SCHELL CITY Mo -- In winter, Missouri is an excellent state to view bald eagles. During the winter, the state’s small resident eagle population is swelled by migrating birds from the north to often increase the numbers to more 2,000 eagles.

Capping pipes can save birds’ lives

Written By:  Jim Low

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.

Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Outstanding Educator during Governor's Conference on Agriculture

Dr. Terry Heiman received some high honors in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders during the 43rd Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler recognized him with Missouri's Agricultural Educator of the Year honors.

Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Outstanding Local Agribusiness during Governor's Conference on Agriculture

Mom's Originals and owner Taran Hensley received some high honors in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders during the 43rd Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler recognized the company with Missouri's AgriMissouri Member of the Year honors.

Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Outstanding Farm Broadcaster during Governor's Conference on Agriculture

Brian Sowers received some high honors in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders during the 43rd Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler recognized him with Missouri's Farm Broadcaster of the Year honors.

Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Outstanding Exporter during Governor's Conference on Agriculture

RIBUS, Inc received some high honors in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders during the 43rd Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler recognized the company with Missouri's Agricultural Exporter of the Year honors.

Benefit Auction at Governor's Conference on Agriculture Raises Over $12,000

The Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture benefit auction supporting the future of Missouri agriculture raised more than $12,000 Friday evening. The auction proceeds benefit programs for youth and young professionals in agriculture including 4-H, FFA, Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and the Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT).

Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Individuals' Outstanding Accomplishments during Governor's Conference on Agriculture

Dr. Terry Heiman, RIBUS, Inc., Mom's Originals and Brian Sowers received some high honors in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders during the 43rd Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Missouri's Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler recognized the four with Missouri's Agricultural Educator of the Year, Agricultural Exporter of the Year, AgriMissouri Member of the Year and Farm Broadcaster of the Year honors respectively.

Become a Master Naturalist for Camden-County area

Written By:  Joe Jerek

Attend orientation on Feb. 13 in Camdenton for classes Feb. 27 to May 21.

CAMDENTON Mo -- Help protect Camden and surrounding counties’ natural resources by becoming a Missouri Master Naturalist. The Missouri Master Naturalist program is a community based, adult, natural-resource education and volunteer program designed to engage Missourians in the stewardship of our state’s natural resources. A little time and a desire to learn how to care for the environment are all people need to sign up for the program. The Missouri Master Naturalist program and professional natural-resource experts will provide training needed to get started.