2. MDC Opens Eagle Bluffs CA to Waterfowl Hunting
3. New Permits Provide Lifetimes of Hunting, Fishing
4. CD ROM Game Makes Conservation Learning Fun
5. Safe Hunting Tips
"Nature is man's teacher. She unfolds her treasures to his search, unseals his eyes, illumines his mind and purifies his heart, an influence breathes from all the sights and sounds of her existence; she is wisdom's self." -- James A. Street
1. Painful Memories Hold Key to Safer Hunting Studying other hunters' accidents could
save your life.
JEFFERSON CITY -- On the afternoon of Oct. 25, 1994, Leroy Kassmann headed into the
woods of Jefferson County with high hopes. He carried a bow and arrows and an archery deer
tag, his tickets to a few hours without the pressure and hassles of every-day life. Instead, it turned
out to be his last hunt.
Kassmann, 43, apparently fell on a razor-sharp arrow point as he climbed up or down a creek bank. The arrow pierced his heart. It wouldn't have happened if Kassmann had left his arrow in its quiver until it was time to shoot. And such mishaps don't have to happen to you if you learn from others' misfortune.
October is a month of opportunity for Missouri hunters. Squirrel, rabbit and archery deer and turkey hunting seasons all are open for the entire month of October. Ruffed grouse and woodcock become legal Oct. 15. Turkey hunters get their second opportunity of the year to hunt their favorite quarry with shotguns from Oct. 16 through 29.
With so many different kinds of hunting in progress, it's not surprising that the Missouri Department of Conservation recorded 11 hunting accidents in October of 1994. Still, almost all these hunting accidents could have been avoided. Now is a good time to review the ways in which hunters were injured last year so you can avoid their mistakes this year.
Last October, squirrel hunters were involved in three accidents, including one that took the life of a 9-year-old boy. The youth was hunting with his 11-year-old brother when he chased a squirrel. He ran into his brother's line of fire and was struck in the head by a bullet from a .22-caliber rifle.
A 20-year-old squirrel hunter fell asleep on his tree stand while squirrel hunting last October and fell from the tree. When his .22-caliber rifle struck the ground it discharged, shooting him in the foot.
Don't let these cases convince you that older hunters don't have to worry about safe hunting. The shooters' ages in last October's hunting accidents ranged from 11 to 62 years. A 33-year-old squirrel hunter peppered a 65-year-old hunter with shot last October when he saw a movement in the woods and fired without identifying his target positively.
Fall firearms turkey hunters, who are far less numerous than squirrel hunters, were involved in six hunting accidents last October. Four of six fall turkey hunting accidents involved victims mistaken for game. This relates to the fact that turkey hunters use calls that make them sound like turkeys, and they camouflage themselves to avoid being seen by the sharp-eyed birds.
One 62-year-old turkey hunter injured last October just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was walking along a road and suffered shotgun pellet wounds in the head and upper right side. Her hunting companion, also 62, fired at a turkey without realizing the victim was in his line of fire.
The 17-year-old victim in another October turkey hunting accident tried to get the attention of two approaching hunters by waving his hand at them. He should have shouted instead, but may have been reluctant to do so because it would have alerted nearby turkeys to his presence. The shot from a 23-year-old hunter struck the victim in the face, left arm, left eye and neck.
One of last year's fall turkey hunting accidents involved a 54-year-old man whose shotgun discharged when he stumbled. Shot from his firearm struck a 47-year-old man 20 to 30 yards away.
Bowhunters are more prone to accidents involving tree stand falls, because they spend much more time in the woods during their extended hunting season. But the necessity of getting close to their game, where identification is more sure, keeps them out of most hunting accident statistics. Last October was exceptional, however.
One bowhunter needed more than 70 stitches to close facial wounds suffered when another archer mistook him for a deer and loosed an arrow in the dim light of early morning. The arrow landed near the right corner of the victim's right eye and glanced outward off the underlying bone. Before departing for the hospital, the injured hunter made his displeasure known by punching the shooter.
December and January seem to be the most popular months for rabbit hunting, judging by last year's accident statistics. Rabbit hunters often advertise their presence by wearing hunter-orange clothing, but they still occasionally end up on the wrong end of a firing gun.
On Dec. 26, a 31-year-old hunter was struck in the head and hands by shotgun pellets from a 29-year-old companion who was shooting at a running rabbit. Another 31-year-old man suffered a wound to his leg on Christmas Eve when he dropped a .22-caliber pistol on the ground and it went off. A third incident involved a man who was walking with a loaded and cocked .22 on Jan. 18. He dropped the rifle and it discharged. The bullet grazed his arm.
Two 10-year-old hunters also were involved in squirrel hunting accidents last July. One was walking with a cocked and loaded rifle when he slipped and slid down a hill. Luckily, the bullet only hit his 10-year-old companion's ear lobe. Another 10-year-old boy was following a running squirrel with his .22-caliber rifle when he fired. The bullet hit a metal fencepost and fragmented, causing pieces to strike his 32-year-old hunting partner in the head, neck, chest and buttock.
Two other youths were involved in hunting accidents in November and December last year. A 14-year-old picked up his rifle by the barrel and the hammer caught on a fence, causing it to discharge. The other boy used the butt of his shotgun to pound on a tree trunk, trying to scare a squirrel out of its den (which, in addition to being dangerous, is illegal). The gun discharged, striking the shoulder of a 13-year-old hunting companion a few feet behind.
Bob Staton, protection programs supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, says hunting accidents are rare events considering the number of hours Missourians spend hunting. But he says even one hunting accident is too many.
"Safety must always be the foremost thought on every hunter's mind," says Staton. "Even when that big buck walks into view, or the turkey gobbler appears in front of you. Times when the excitement of the hunt really peaks are times when safety must still dominate your thinking. Remember, there's not a game animal anywhere worth a human life or injury. Hunt smart, hunt safe."
One way to reduce your chances of being involved in a hunting accident is to attend a hunter
education course. For more information about courses in your area, call the nearest MDC office
or MDC headquarters in Jefferson City, (314) 751-4115.
2. MDC Opens Eagle Bluffs CA to Waterfowl Hunting
You can hunt ducks at this new MDC area for the first time this year . . . if you're lucky in the
daily drawing.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Floods in 1993 and 1995 delayed construction at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (CA) and kept the area closed to public use. But thanks to unusually dry weather this summer and fall, the area will open for waterfowl hunting Oct. 28.
Wildlife District Supervisor Norb Giessman says the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) couldn't be sure until last week if work on water-control structures at Eagle Bluffs CA south of Columbia would be finished in time for waterfowl season.
"It went right down to the wire," says Giessman. "We hoped we would be able to open the area to limited use this fall, but we also knew we would need a break from the weather."
MDC got the break, and a limited number of duck hunters will be able to use the area this year. Giessman says MDC will hold daily drawings to allocate hunting opportunities at Eagle Bluffs CA. The drawings will take place at 4:30 a.m. at CA headquarters on Route K just north of McBaine. Ten to 20 hunters might be able to hunt at Eagle Bluffs each day. The number will depend on how much of the area MDC is able to flood between now and hunting season.
"I don't want to mislead people," says Giessman. "I expect to be overwhelmed with hunters and only to be able to accommodate a portion of those who come in the mornings. People need to understand that there is a likelihood that if they come for the drawing, they may not get drawn."
Waterfowl hunters at Eagle Bluffs CA will pay $5 per person per day to hunt. MDC will not provide blinds, decoys or other equipment. Boat motors will be restricted to 10 horsepower or smaller. The area does not have any accommodations for disabled users, but plans call for the addition of such facilities later.
"We would like to accommodate other types of users besides waterfowl hunters at Eagle
Bluffs," said Giessman. "However, at this time we aren't able to. Waterfowl habitat on the area is
in pretty good shape, and waterfowl hunters don't require much in the way of roads and facilities.
We can handle them by a daily drawing and regulations. But continuing construction makes it
impossible to open up the area to other users at this time."
3. New Permits Provide a Lifetime of Hunting, Fishing
With one of these you'll never again have to stand in line or worry if you forgot to buy your permit.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Would you like to buy just one permit, and be able to hunt or fish for the rest of your life? Soon you'll be able to do that. Beginning next year the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering lifetime permits to Missouri residents.
Starting in December, MDC will offer three lifetime permits. The Lifetime Small-Game Permit ($400) will allow hunters to pursue small game and migratory birds for life. The Lifetime Fishing Permit ($400) will give anglers lifetime fishing privileges on all Missouri waters, including trout streams. They still will need to buy daily tags to fish at trout parks. The Conservation Partner permit ($800) includes both fishing and small-game hunting privileges. None of the permits covers deer or turkey hunting.
The permits will become effective in February 1996, when the current year's permits expire. Lifetime permits will remain valid even if the holder moves out of state. Persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 must successfully complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a lifetime hunting or lifetime hunting and fishing permit.
MDC Fiscal Services Analyst Robert Ramey says lifetime permits could save money in the long run for Missourians who buy hunting and fishing permits every year.
"Right now it cost $14 for a resident hunting and fishing permit. The price of this permit will be $15 in 1996, and it is likely to increase in the future. Buying a lifetime permit is a hedge against price increases."
Ramey said convenience is another benefit of lifetime permits. "People with these permits will never have to dash around at 5 a.m. on opening day looking for someplace that sells permits. They won't have to worry about being checked by a conservation agent and realizing that they forgot to buy a permit. I think a lot of people will find that peace of mind very appealing."
MDC also plans to provide special recognition for those who buy lifetime permits. Lifetime permit buyers will receive certificates, engraved brass plates and plastic gold cards recognizing their contribution to conservation.
To obtain an application for a lifetime permit or to request more information write to: Fiscal
Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
4. CD ROM Game Makes Conservation Learning Fun
Help your children learn the challenges involved in managing ecosystems for both animals and humans.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Imagine yourself master of the environment with the fate of Missouri's natural habitat in your hands. What would you do to make the land suitable for wildlife and people? Students across Missouri soon will be able to act out that scenario on computers with the aid of Habitactics, a computer game on CD- ROM.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) developed the game to teach kids ages 8-13 about the animals, plants and habitats of Missouri. MDC is sending a free copy of the game on CD-ROM to each elementary and middle school in the state. Habitactics is an innovative way to educate Missouri youths about wildlife habitat and encourage them to participate in wildlife management.
"We had several objectives in creating the game," says Lorna Domke, assistant chief of MDC's Public Affairs Division. "We wanted to teach children about the animals and plants common to Missouri and make them realize that certain animals exist in certain habitats. Habitactics will teach them that changes to a habitat affect the animals that live there. Positive changes can make a healthy, diverse habitat, and negative changes can cause declines or loss of species."
Lessons about Missouri's outdoors are taught in two versions of the game. The short version provides information, pictures and sounds of animals and plants. The long version lets children experience the challenges that conservationists face.
The goal of the long version is to create a healthy landscape for both animals and humans. A player manages damaged habitats including a north- or south-facing forested slope, a marsh, a field, a stream and a cave. The player chooses from several proposed solutions for all the problems plaguing the habitat. The child's choices can improve, worsen or destroy the habitat and variety of animal populations on it.
The game offers realistic challenges. For example, in the forest program, changes made to attract a wide variety of animals cause an overpopulation of deer. The deer browsing begins to damage plant life. The player must take steps to alleviate the deer problem.
A skunk serves as your guide through the game, rating each choice and explaining why each decision was good, ineffective or bad. The skunk cheers a right choice, turns his tail at you for a poor choice, and ends up roadkill when the worst choice possible is made.
Domke says while there are games available that teach about animals and the environment, Habitactics looks at our own back yard. MDC hopes localizing the game will give Missouri children a greater appreciation for the natural resources of the state. It should also help them understand how their actions can affect the land.
Habitactics can be purchased by Missouri residents for $10.62. That price includes shipping and state sales tax. Send orders to: Media Library, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
Each CD includes the Macintosh and MS-DOS versions of the game. It works on Macintosh
computers with system 7.0, or on newer models with CD-ROM players and eight megabytes of
RAM (random access memory). The MS-DOS version requires an IBM 386 chip with CD-ROM,
SVGA monitor, VESA-compatible graphics card and four megabytes of RAM.
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