May 2005
AmerenUE settles Bagnell Dam lawsuits in bid for license renewal
Friday, May 27, 2005
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| Anglers are among the many Missourians who will benefit from an agreement signed recently by AmerenUE, which operates Bagnell Dam and the Osage Hydroelectric Power Plant. Under the agreement, the privately owned power utility agrees to pay several million dollars to offset fish kills, habitat destruction and erosion caused by hydropower operations. The company also agreed to take measures to reduce future environmental impacts. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY--Anglers, farmers, boaters and property owners around Lake of the Ozarks stand to reap millions of dollars worth of benefits and long-sought concessions in how AmerenUE operates Bagnell Dam if federal regulators approve a deal worked out by conservation officials and the private utility company.
The company announced May 18 that it had signed the agreement with state and federal agencies to clear the way for a new operating license for the dam and associated Osage Hydroelectric Power Plant. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must approve the agreement before it becomes binding.
The agreement requires AmerenUE to make one-time payments totaling $1.3 million to settle lawsuits by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Attorney General's office. Those lawsuits stemmed from a 2002 incident that killed more than 43,000 fish at the hydropower facility.
Conservation Department Assistant Director Denise Garnier called the agreement "an enormous step forward in how we balance the needs of lakes and rivers."
"Past operations at Bagnell Dam have not always placed enough value on hunting, fishing, boating, farming and the other ways that people use Lake of the Ozarks and the Osage River," said Garnier. "This agreement will help ensure that values in addition to power generation and flood control are considered when deciding how to operate the plant."
Garnier said the agreement will result in major gains for fish, wildlife and other natural resources in the Osage River Basin over the 40-year term of the license.
In addition to money AmerenUE agreed to pay to settle the Conservation Department and Attorney General's fish-kill lawsuits, the St. Louis-based Utility agreed to pay: --$309,000 annually for the term of the license to mitigate biological impacts of dam operation. --$350,000 to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) annually for six years (a total of $2.1 million) to manage shoreline erosion and provide services and amenities at state parks on the lake. --$15,000 annually for five years (a total of $75,000) to study bacteria levels in Lake of the Ozarks coves.
Just as important, say conservation officials, AmerenUE agreed to: --Maintain the water level at Lake of the Ozarks according to an established seasonal schedule that includes an elevation of 659 feet from May 22 through Sept. 9 annually, 658 feet from Sept. 21 to Dec. 10 and 654 feet from Feb. 15 to April 1. --Follow seasonal minimum-flow guidelines designed to more closely reflect flows necessary for survival of fish and mussels. Deviations will be allowed to meet flood-control needs and permit access to islands for agricultural purposes. --Give more consideration to boating and other recreational river use in determining water discharge rates from the dam. --Install barriers above the dam to help prevent the death of fish due to hydroelectric generation. --Increase dissolved oxygen levels in water released from Bagnell Dam to meet state water-quality standards. --Build or maintain existing scenic viewing areas at Wilmore Point, Bagnell Dam and Bagnell Dam Overlook and continue to support Wilmore Lodge. --Develop a storm-water pollution prevention plan to address concerns about nonpoint source pollution due to land development. --Conduct a recreational needs assessment in cooperation with the DNR. --Identify and limit development on sensitive shoreline critical to fish and other water animals. --Reduce bank erosion on the Osage River downstream from Bagnell Dam by reducing the rate at which excess water is released from Lake of the Ozarks after flood events. --Establish permanent lake and river gauges to monitor water level and quality and make the information available daily via the Internet. --Conduct annual sampling of water-dwelling animals to assess their abundance and variety as a measure of ecological health.
AmerenUE began negotiating the agreement five years ago as part of its bid to win a new operating license for the dam and power plant. Its current license expires Feb. 28, 2006. That license dates to 1981. The previous license was granted in 1931. Consequently, this is the first time in almost 25 years that dam operations have been examined in light of recent concerns about water quality, fish and wildlife conservation, erosion, lake and river recreation and other issues.
The requirement for a license is based on the fact that AmerenUE uses a public resource-the Osage River-for its operations. The relicensing process is administered by the FERC. It requires utilities to take a broad range of values and impacts into account when planning dam operations and gives other government agencies an important role in protecting the public interest.
Agencies involved in the review and the agreement with AmerenUE include the Conservation Department, the DNR, the Missouri Attorney General's office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.
Besides a new, 40-year license, AmerenUE hopes to receive permission to install two new turbines. The company says these turbines will add 15 megawatts to the plant's existing 226 megawatt capacity and enable it to generate more power with less water.
The original building of Bagnell Dam and resulting creation of Lake of the Ozarks effectively eliminated reproduction of paddlefish on the river. Annual payments of $134,000 from AmerenUE will pay for artificial rearing and stocking of paddlefish and other species by the Conservation Department. Annual payments of $175,000 will enable the Fish and Wildlife Service to restore habitat and repair and prevent island erosion from water level changes caused by hydroelectric generation.
-Jim Low-
Incident proves a fed bear is a dead bear
Friday, May 27, 2005
When a black bear learns to associate food with humans, the result can be frightening for people and often proves fatal for the bear.
MARQUAND, Mo.--John Schwan wasn't looking for trouble. Neither was a 315-pound black bear that turned up on his property in Madison County. But somehow the bear got the idea that one of Schwan's outbuildings was a bruin cafeteria, and after that it was all downhill.
Schwan called the Missouri Department of Conservation May 15 to report what he took to be bear damage. Conservation Agent Scott Bumgardaner confirmed his suspicions.
"It had to be a bear," said Bumgardaner. "It had ripped two huge boards off the shed to get at some livestock feed."
Bumgardaner advised nailing the boards back in place and removing the tempting foodstuffs. Schwan did so, but around dusk the next day the bear returned.
"Mr. Schwan's heard his dog barking and when he went out the bear was coming down the road toward the shed," said Bumgardaner. "He got a .22 caliber rifle and tried to scare it off by yelling, but the bear didn't run. Then his dog made a move toward the bear and it got aggressive. He shot it once and his dog attacked. He said he was afraid the bear would kill his dog, so he shot it three more times."
The wounded bear ran into the nearby woods, and Schwan called Bumgardaner again to report the incident. The conservation agent was unable to find the bear that evening. The next day they found bear's carcass beneath a tree in which it had apparently taken refuge.
Conservation officials originally estimated the bear's weight at 400 pounds. When weighed, however, it tipped the scales at 315 pounds.
"I wish he hadn't shot it, but I believe he honestly was scared," said Bumgardaner.
"He did everything right," said Resource Scientist Dave Hamilton, the Conservation Department's bear expert. "He called us the first time he had trouble with the bear and he called after shooting it. He tried to remove the material that was attracting the bear. It was damaging his property, and he felt threatened."
Hamilton said he wishes circumstances had permitted the Conservation Department to live-trap the bear and remove it to a remote location. He said the agency has had excellent success with this technique in the past. Bears find the experience so terrifying they never want to be near humans again.
Hamilton said the Madison County incident illustrates an old saying among bear biologists-"A fed bear is a dead bear." Bears that receive handouts, deliberately or accidentally, lose their fear of humans. That sets them on a course that leads to conflict with people and, eventually, the bear's death.
The black bear is North America's smallest bear species. Missouri's population is estimated at 300 to 500 individuals. Most are young males that have dispersed from Arkansas, which has a well-established and expanding bear population. The mature male bear killed in Madison County was an exception. Most bears seen in Missouri weigh around 100 pounds.
Most of Missouri's bears are found in the east-central Ozarks and the southwestern corner of the state.
Spring is a lean time for bears, which are inactive and eat little if any food during the winter. They subsist on succulent vegetation, roots, seeds, tree bark, berries, insects, carrion, rodents and other small animals until fall. Then they gorge on their dietary mainstay, acorns, to build a reserve of fat that carries them through the winter.
Prevention is the key to avoiding bear problems. The most important preventative measure is not leaving anything edible where bears can get at it. Bears often get their first taste of human handout in the form of pet food left outdoors or livestock food in unsecured containers. Bird feeders also are attractive to bears.
If a bear visits your home or business, get indoors and make noise by banging pots. If it won't leave, call a conservation agent or local law-enforcement agency for help.
Attacks by black bears (the only kind found in Missouri) are rare. None have taken place in Missouri in recent history. Still, bears can react aggressively if startled or cornered.
Most black bear attacks occur because the animal is frightened or defending its cubs against a perceived threat. Black bears are excellent climbers, so climbing a tree is no means of escape.
If you encounter a bear, stay calm. Don't show fear, run or make sudden movements. If the bear hasn't seen you, speak in a gentle tone to let the bear know you are there and back away slowly.
Bears' poor vision sometimes makes it difficult for them to identify humans, even at close range, unless they can smell them. In such situations, bears often stand on their hind legs and lift their noses high in the air. This is not a threat. The bear is just trying to use its keen sense of smell to identify an intruder. Speak softly to the animal and calmly move away.
Avoid making a bear feel cornered. Black bears seldom attack if they can retreat. On a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area.
If you see a cub, move slowly and calmly away from it. Be on the lookout for other cubs and avoid getting near them, which could trigger adult bears' protective parental instincts.
If a black bear attacks, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people fought back with rocks, sticks and even bare hands.
- Jim Low -
Conservation areas perfect for National Trails Day
Friday, May 20, 2005
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| Every Missourian has a place close to home to celebrate National Trails Day June 4. To find a hiking spot near you, order a copy of “Conservation Trails” from The Nature Shop, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 877/521-8632, www.mdcnatureshop.com/, or use the online Conservation Atlas, http://www.mdc.mo.gov/atlas/. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-Some do it for health, others purely for the pleasure of being outdoors. Whatever reason Missourians have for celebrating National Trails Day June 4, they can choose from hundreds of state-owned conservation areas (CAs) on which to do it.
One of the benefits Show-me State residents assured for themselves when they approved the one-eighth of one percent conservation sales tax 30 years ago was a wealth of public recreation land. Today they can choose between more than 1,000 holdings spread around every county in the state. These include small public boating and fishing accesses on lakes and streams and vast tracts covering tens of thousands of acres. They range from tall-grass prairie to deep deciduous forests and from cypress swamps to rocky glades. Trails crisscross many CAs.
In all, the Missouri Department of Conservation has more than 650 miles of trails on its land. Examples include:
Mark Youngdahl Urban CA in Buchanan County This 85-acre area in the heart of St. Joseph is a conservation showplace, with 75 tree species planted along the Ridge Trail. It has 2.1 miles of paved trails, much of it wheelchair accessible. Deer, quail, foxes, waterfowl and a wide array of other wildlife can be seen here. Tables and charcoal grills make it easy to enjoy a picnic as part of the day's activities.
Sugar Creek CA in Adair County With 1.8 miles of hiking trail and another 10.5 miles of trail open to hiking, biking and horseback riding, this 2,604-acre area offers a host of recreational options. Deer, turkey and ruffed grouse all live on the area, which is a mix of forest and fields. Benches placed at intervals along the Ironwood Hollow Foot Trail offer a chance for rest and contemplation. Primitive camping also is available at this CA off Highway 3 southwest of Kirksville.
Maple Woods Natural Area in Clay County This area in the city of Gladstone offers Kansas City area residents a forested oasis in the midst of suburbia. Sugar maple, red oak, white oak and basswood trees overshadow ferns and wildflowers lining the 1.4 mile nature trail. Indian pipes, yellow violets and two native orchids bloom here, and the area is a nesting area for brilliant parula warblers and scarlet tanagers. The trail is arranged in several connecting loops, making the area seem much larger than its 39 acres.
Painted Rock CA in Osage County The loop of the Osage Bluff Scenic Trail traverses only 1.6 miles of this 1,400-acre area, but the view is worth the hike. Wooden observation decks take hikers safely to the lip of the towering bluffs, where bald eagles, turkey vultures and other birds of prey often can be seen soaring at eye level. The overlook also offers a view of Bloody Island, which has a prominent place in local folklore. The trail also passes 1,000-year-old Indian burial mounds. Interpretive brochures available at the trailhead turn this hike into a self-guided nature tour. Primitive camping is available, and visitors will find good fishing in the Osage River and a small lake. The area is east of Westphalia off Highway 133.
Three Creeks CA in Boone County Turkey, Bonne Femme and Bass creeks give this 1,479-acre area its name and character. Three miles of foot trails and another eight miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails traverse forested ridges, open fields and the tops and bottoms of scenic limestone bluffs along the creeks. Water-carved bedrock creates miniature shut-ins in parts of the creeks and their branches, and sinkholes and caves dot the area. The area supports an amazing variety of wildlife. Deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, woodcock, wood ducks, frogs, salamanders, hog-nosed snakes, owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats warblers, vireos, woodpeckers and many more animals can be seen here. The area is off Highway 63 south of Columbia.
Meramec CA in Franklin County This 4,045-acre area is a goldmine for hikers and horseback riders, with a total of 20 miles of trails through pine plantations, oak-hickory forest, dolomite cliffs, creek bottoms and historic sites that include early mineral prospecting pits, a lookout tower, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp site and Lone Hill Onyx Cave. The asphalt-paved, 1.3-mile Woodland Trail offers wheelchair users a chance to get close to nature, and benches along the trail and viewing platforms atop bluffs offer hikers a chance to soak in the area's scenic beauty. The area is off Highway 185 south of Sullivan.
Forest 44 CA in St. Louis County This 958-acre area is liberally supplied with more than 13 miles of trail. Most of this is open to foot and horse traffic. Tiger, marbled and spotted salamanders live in the moist woodlands around numerous ponds, and several springs feed Williams Creek. Wheelchair-accessible trail sections lead to a wetland-viewing platform and give visitors a view of a "losing stream," which disappears into the creek bed in front of a rock ledge and then reappears yards downstream. The area is off Highway 141 east of Eureka.
Fort Crowder CA in Newton County Fans of Beetle Bailey can take a hike around the birthplace of their favorite comic strip. During WWII, cartoonist Mort Walker was stationed at Camp Crowder, 2,362 acres of which now are a CA. The 11-mile Camp Swampy Trail, open to foot, bicycle and horse traffic, follows the old county road system most of the time and is easy walking. It passes through old barracks sites, old fields, prairie and oak-hickory forest. Primitive camping is allowed in designated areas. Wildlife on the area includes deer, turkey, doves, quail and songbirds. The area is off Route HH east of Neosho.
Bois D'Arc CA in Greene County The Osage Orange Hiking Trail traverses five miles of this 2,892-acre area, creating seven different loops that can be combined to create dozens of routes. Benches provide resting spots in the open landscape, which is interrupted only by Osage orange trees, known to early French explorers as bois d'arc, or trees of the bows, because the Osage Indians used them to make bows. Glades, ponds, native plant restoration areas and food plots provide diversity of scenery and habitat for wildlife, including grassland birds. Near the area's southern border the trail passes Speakeasy Cave, the site of a bootlegger's den during the Prohibition era. The area is off Route UU northwest of Springfield.
Tingler Prairie CA in Howell County "Unique" is the only way to describe this 240-acre area. Three foot trails totaling 2.5 miles loop through forest and rare remnants of prairie, marsh and a sinkhole lake that is the centerpiece of a designated Missouri natural area. This area is a reminder of the ecological richness that characterized the Ozark Plateau before the cut-and-run logging of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Northern harrier hawks, meadowlarks, tiger salamanders, herons, egrets, wood ducks and leopard frogs share the area with a stunning array of native plants, including northern rein orchid, pale green orchid and adder's-tongue, Virginia Sneezeweed, swamp milkweed, bird's-foot violet, blazing star, butterfly milkweed, yellow- and blue-eyed grass, compass plant, prairie grasses, buttonbush, cardinal flower, Michigan lily, blue flag, marsh St. John's wort and showy white swamp hibiscus. The area is off Highway 17 south of West Plains.
Perry County Community Lake in Perry County The 4-mile Shoreline Trail takes visitors on a tour of the entire perimeter of this 103-acre lake. On the way, you will pass through forest and fields, where you could encounter deer, turkey, squirrels, quail, rabbits, beavers, shorebirds, ducks, geese, songbirds and, in the winter, bald eagles. Benches allow hikers to stop and enjoy lake views from various vantage points. Picnic areas and a disabled-accessible fishing pier also invite visitors to linger. The area is off Route T west of Perryville.
University Forest CA in Butler County The federal government originally granted this 7,149-acre area to the University of Missouri, which turned it over to the Conservation Department in 1988. Today, an 18-mile loop trail meanders through the area. On the way, it connects with the Ozark Trail and a trail through the adjoining Wappapello State Park. Horses and bicycles are allowed on designated trails. Visitors can expect to see all manner of forest wildlife, including deer, turkeys, pileated woodpeckers and squirrels. You can reach the area via Routes W, T or KK north of Poplar Bluff.
Conservation Nature Centers in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Cape Girardean and Jefferson City offer extensive networks of developed trails, many of them accessible to people with mobility impairments.
These and other CAs with hiking trails are listed in "Conservation Trails: A Guide to Missouri Department of Conservation Hiking Trails." The 96-page booklet is available for $5 per copy from The Nature Shop, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 877/521-8632, www.mdcnatureshop.com/.
Another source of information about hiking trails on CAs is the online Conservation Atlas, www.missouriconservation.org/atlas.
For more information about National Trails Day and the American Hiking Society, visit www.americanhiking.org/.
- Jim Low -
Annual event offers free fishing fun
Friday, May 20, 2005
What could be better than fishing? FREE fishing.
JEFFERSON CITY - Gear is all you need to enjoy fishing June 11 and 12. On those two days anyone can fish at Missouri Department of Conservation areas and most other places in the Show-me State without having to buy a fishing permit.
Each year the Conservation Department designates the weekend after the first Monday in June as Free Fishing Days. Requirements for special permits still apply at some county, city or private fishing areas.
You can fish for stocked rainbow trout in state parks or catch bluegills and catfish at community lakes statewide. Those looking for a special challenge or for solitude can pursue wild trout in specially managed stretches of Ozark streams. The Missouri, Mississippi and Osage rivers harbor monster blue and flathead catfish, and largemouth bass are avaiable at big lakes in every corner of the state. Thousands of ponds harbor bluegill and crappie. You can even stalk hefty, torpedo-like muskellunge in a handful of lakes scattered around the state.
"This is just one way we say thank you to Missourians for their support throughout the year," said Fisheries Division Administrator Steve Eder. "If you haven't fished in awhile, you can do it on us this weekend."
Eder said there is no better way than fishing to spend time with friends and family. "You might even bring home supper."
Although Missouri residents and nonresidents alike can fish without state permits on Free Fishing Days, normal regulations, such as limits on the size and number of fish you can keep, remain in effect. Regulations are outlined in the 2005 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations. The free booklets are available at bait shops and other places where fishing equipment is sold. Some private fishing areas still require permits on free fishing days. The event does not give anglers permission to trespass on private property.
Public fishing areas are available in every county in Missouri. To learn about fishing spots near you, visit www.missouriconservation/fish/prospects/ or consult the online Conservation Atlas, http://www.mdc.mo.gov/atlas/. You also can call the nearest Conservation Department office.
Many state-owned fishing areas have special facilities for anglers with handicaps. For information about handicap-accessible fishing spots, visit www.missouriconservation/accessibility/.
-Jim Low -
State officials delighted with spring turkey harvest
Friday, May 13, 2005
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| Poor turkey reproduction in recent years and less-than-ideal weather contributed to a decrease in the number of gobblers killed during Missouri's spring turkey season April 18 through May 8. However, the harvest still is the fourth largest on record in Missouri and (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
Despite declining population indicators and awful weather during much of the season, hunters killed the fourth-largest number of turkeys in Missouri history.
JEFFERSON CITY-Harvest statistics from Missouri's 2005 spring turkey hunting season show biologists were correct in predicting a less-than-record harvest. With slightly better weather, however, hunters might have proved the experts wrong.
Hunters bagged 53,798 turkeys during the regular turkey season April 18 through May 8. That is down 5 percent from last year's record of 56,882.
With the addition of this year's record youth-season harvest of 3,894, the 2005 spring turkey harvest totals 57,692. That is down just 4 percent from last year and the fourth-largest on record. That is a remarkable achievement considering the odds facing Missouri hunters at the start of the season.
Missouri Department of Conservation Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer predicted a decrease in this year's turkey harvest because of poor turkey reproduction in recent years. On top of that, the weather refused to cooperate. Heavy rain and high winds plagued hunters the first weekend, and rain and near-freezing temperatures continued throughout most of the season.
"I am delighted that hunters almost proved me wrong," said Beringer, the Conservation Department's turkey expert. "We had good weather the first few days of the season, and that probably helped."
Beringer said he received widely differing reports of turkey activity in different parts of the state.
"People from some areas said they weren't hearing any gobbling, and those from other areas said they were gobbling like crazy. Some people said hens were still with gobblers late into the season, and others said they were all on the nest in their areas. I think the cool spell we had may have set back the normal progression of turkey breeding in some parts of the state."
Beringer pointed to the number of juvenile male turkeys, commonly called "jakes," taken by hunters as a possible explanation for the better-than-expected harvest. In the past the jake harvest has shown a strong correlation with the number of young birds seen the previous summer-the poult-to-hen ratio.
Last year's poult-to-hen ratio was 1.6, which should have predicted a jake harvest of approximately 16 percent of the total kill. In fact, jakes accounted for nearly 24 percent of this year's harvest.
"We worked on the jakes a little harder than I expected. That might mean that reproduction was better last year than we thought."
Jakes made up 19 percent of last year's harvest. In 2001, the figure was 26 percent.
Beringer said another explanation of this year's elevated jake harvest might be the fact that turkey reproduction also was off two years ago. Two-year-old birds normally account for eight out of 10 birds harvested each spring. With fewer two-year-old gobblers around to compete for hens, jakes might have been courting hens more actively than usual-increasing their exposure to hunters. Also, hunters who held out for mature gobblers until the end of the season might have decided a jake was better than no turkey at all.
This year's top harvest counties were Franklin with 1,048, Texas with 1,011 and Laclede with 897 turkeys checked.
Regional harvest figures were: northeast, 8,615; northwest, 8,035; central, 7,880; Kansas City, 7,241; southwest, 6,887; Ozark, 6,491; southeast, 4,619; and St. Louis, 4,040.
The Conservation Department recorded seven firearms-related turkey hunting accidents this year. One was fatal. That is a slight improvement from last year, when Missouri had eight spring turkey hunting accidents, including one fatality.
Missouri has averaged approximately eight accidents per spring turkey season over the past decade. In the previous 10 years, the average was 17. The worst spring turkey season on record was 1985, with 29 nonfatal accidents and two fatalities.
"Mandatory hunter education has saved quite a few lives over the years," said Conservation Department Hunter Education Program Coordinator Rick Flint. "We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the hundreds of volunteer hunter education instructors who have helped making hunting so much safer."
Missouri leads the nation in turkey harvest. Statistics compiled by the National Wild Turkey Federation list the Show-Me State's 2004 spring turkey harvest of 60,744, compared to runners-up Wisconsin (47,477), Pennsylvania (41,000) and Mississippi (40,000). Last year's fall turkey season pushed Missouri's annual turkey harvest to more than 73,000. That is more than the number of turkeys estimated to live in many states.
Hunters from other states flock to Missouri each spring to share the turkey bonanza. This year, 9,610 nonresidents bought Missouri spring turkey hunting permits, pumping $1.4 million into Show-Me State conservation programs and spending millions more on food, lodging, fuel, equipment and guide services.
- Jim Low -
Ignorance no excuse in case of trumpeter swan killings
Friday, May 13, 2005
Inexperienced hunters should have held their fire.
MT. VERNON, Mo.-Five young hunters are unlikely to forget their Jan. 8 goose hunt at Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area. Neither are students in hunter education classes who hear them describe how they killed three federally protected birds and the price they paid for shooting in haste.
The five, all from Rogersville, were hunting in a secluded area near Spring River on the 4,000-acre conservation area when three large, white birds flew in to land. The hunters opened fire, killing two birds and fatally wounding the third.
Another group of hunters witnessed the incident and used a cell phone to call law enforcement officials. They knew the birds were not snow geese but much larger and rarer trumpeter swans.
When Lawrence County Conservation Agent Don Ruzicka arrived at the area, he found the swan killers still hunting. He said they were friendly and cooperative when he asked to see their game. When asked what they had shot, they replied that they had bagged three snow geese.
"The hunters clearly did not know what they had done," said Ruzicka. "It was doubly unfortunate. The swans died, and these five young men learned a very expensive lesson."
All five were charged with illegally taking wildlife and pleaded guilty in Lawrence County Associate Circuit Court. Judge Larry Meyer levied fines, restitution and court costs totaling $5,487.50. He also ordered 180-day suspended jail sentences on two years' probation. Finally, he ordered them to speak to a hunter education class about the hazards of failing to identify game before shooting.
"Hunters have sole responsibility for knowing hunting regulations and being able to identify game animals," said Ruzicka. "You have to be able to identify your target to know if it is legal. If you can't, the only right choice is to not shoot."
Snow geese are so abundant that federal wildlife officials have liberalized hunting regulations to encourage extra harvest. In contrast, trumpeter swans were classified as federally endangered until a few years ago. Missouri has no hunting season for swans.
The trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest native waterfowl species in North America, with an adult wingspan of up to eight feet. The population of trumpeter swans in North America increased from a low point of fewer than 4,000 birds in 1968 to nearly 24,000 birds in 2000.
According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent who assisted with the case, the three swans killed by the Missouri hunters had leg bands identifying them as part of the Minnesota Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project at the Wolf Lake Waterfowl Production Area in Cottonwood, Minn.
-Jim Low-
Magazine has wrong dates for Free Fishing Days
Friday, May 13, 2005
JEFFERSON CITY-Anglers who read Missouri Conservationist magazine should know that the dates listed for Free Fishing Days in the May issue of the magazine are incorrect.
Each year the Missouri Department of Conservation sets aside the weekend after the first Monday in June as Free Fishing Days. The dates for this year's event listed on page 30 of the May Conservationist are incorrect. The correct dates are June 11 and 12.
On those days, anyone can fish without a fishing permit, daily trout tags or trout permits at any conservation area and most other places in Missouri. Requirements for special permits still may apply at county, city or private areas. Normal regulations, such as size and daily limits, still apply everywhere, and Free Fishing Days do not entitle anyone to trespass on private property.
-Jim Low-
Experimental hand-fishing season is the newest part of Missouri's catfish management efforts
Friday, May 06, 2005
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| Better catfish angling is the goal of the Conservation Department's ongoing research effort, which includes an experimental hand-fishing season. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-Hand-fishing enthusiasts look forward to June 1 as an opportunity to enjoy a unique type of recreation. Steve Eder, Fisheries Division administrator for the Missouri Department of Conservation, is excited, too, but for a different reason. He calls the fisheries research program associated with the experimental hand-fishing season "a fish bud about to blossom."
The Missouri Conservation Commission voted in December to open a limited season for hand-fishing, also known as "noodling." The move is part of an effort to answer biological questions surrounding requests for such a season.
So far, interest in the season is minimal. As of April 29, the Conservation Department had sold 17 of the $7 Hand-Fishing Permits.
The season runs from sunrise to sunset June 1 through July 15 in parts of three streams. These are:
--The Fabius River system from the mouth to the Highway 61 bridge and the South Fabius River in Marion County from the Highway 61 bridge upstream to Dunn Ford Access.
--The Mississippi River from the mouth of the Fabius River upstream to the mouth of the Des Moines River.
--That part of the St. Francis River that forms the boundary between Arkansas and Missouri.
In addition to the Hand-Fishing Permit, participants must buy a regular fishing permit. Hand-fishing permits are available only from the Conservation Department's Central Office so anglers need to apply early before the season so that they can have their permit on time. The permits are available by calling 573/522-4115, ext. 3553, or by writing to Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
Hand fishers may take up to five channel, blue or flathead catfish in the aggregate daily. A 22-inch minimum length limit applies to flathead and blue catfish. They can use their feet and bare hands without the aid of hooks or other manmade devices. They are not allowed to possess fishing equipment, except stringers, while on designated hand-fishing waters or adjacent banks.
Only catfish may be taken by hand-fishing and only from natural objects or natural cavities. Fish may not be taken from manmade objects except those related to bona fide construction projects, such as bridges, docks, boat ramps and rock rip-rap. No part of any object may be disturbed or altered to harvest catfish by hand.
Hand fishers are required to report their catches within 10 days of the end of the season. They must send in a report at the end of the season even if they caught no fish or did not attempt to hand-fish during the season. Gathering information about hand fishers' success will contribute to the body of knowledge about catfish and how they are affected by different types of fishing.
"This has created a unique opportunity for us," said Eder. "Depending on the survey you consult, catfish are the second or third most popular fish among Missouri anglers. But our investment in catfish research and management hasn't kept pace with the growing popularity of catfish angling. Hand-fishing is a small part of the picture, but it has given us a chance to intensify our management efforts. That is something we have been wanting to do for years."
The "something" includes a multi-year, multi-faceted study of flathead and blue catfish populations in streams in northern, western and central Missouri. The first thing the Conservation Department plans to do is document the age and size of catfish in six streams. This baseline information will enable them to learn how fish populations change when hand-fishing is introduced on some additional streams in 2007. On other streams, the Conservation Department will institute restrictive regulations to discover how catfish populations respond. The agency plans to hold public meetings to learn anglers' preferences before proceeding with restrictive regulations.
One of the most important products of the research will be the development of effective, uniform catfish population sampling techniques.
Fisheries biologists normally sample fish populations by using boat-mounted electrical generators to temporarily stun fish with low-level current. That method works well in large streams and narrow ones with deep holes. The technique is not very effective on Missouri's wide, shallow prairie streams, which are difficult to negotiate with electro-fishing boats.
"Difficulties encountered in collecting catfish are part of the reason we don't know more about catfish population dynamics," said Eder. "Recent cooperative studies with the University of Missouri provided some critical knowledge about sampling channel catfish and the movement patterns of flathead catfish in two streams. We need to maintain the momentum generated from these studies. Without a solid foundation of biological data, effective management is almost impossible."
Eder compared catfish management challenges to those faced by deer and turkey managers 50 years ago. Missouri's successful deer and turkey management programs are based on data gathered at check stations. Until now, no similar information existed for catfish.
Among catfish sampling alternatives to be tested are commercial nets, artificial spawning traps, trotlines, jug lines, bank lines and single-hook set lines.
Male catfish normally guard eggs laid by females. To discover how hand-fishing might affect catfish reproduction, the study will explore the effects of removing male catfish from nests with and without the presence of sunfish, which eat fish eggs.
Researchers also will test how removing males from nests affects egg survival when other male catfish are present and the effect on reproduction of catching and releasing males while they are guarding their nests.
The study also will examine seasonal movements of catfish, their spawning behavior and natural mortality factors.
One of the research tools the Conservation Department will use is likely to be very popular with anglers. Hundreds of fish will be fitted with tags, and anglers who report catching a tagged fish will receive a $25 reward for their trouble. At the end of the year, anglers who returned tags will be included in a drawing for four bonus rewards of $250 each.
All tags should be returned to Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 368, Clinton, MO 64735.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to add to what we know about basic catfish biology and implement objectives identified in our statewide catfish management plan," said Eder. "What we will learn about catfish in streams in the next five years will exceed what we have learned in the past 20 years."
-Jim Low-
Endangered woodpecker sighting in Arkansas sets phone ringing at Missouri Department of Conservation offices
Friday, May 06, 2005
A bona fide sighting in Missouri is not impossible, but highly unlikely. Knowledge and careful observation are needed for credible reports.
JEFFERSON CITY-The discovery of a population of endangered woodpeckers in Arkansas is producing a wave of rare-bird reports in neighboring states, including Missouri. Conservation officials are interested in bona fide sightings. They ask that callers make careful observations before picking up the telephone.
Last week, state and federal bird experts reported confirmed sightings of at least one male ivory-billed woodpecker at the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Arkansas. The species-North America's largest woodpecker-had been considered extinct by many experts for decades.
The discovery is exciting not only because of the bird's rarity but because of its spectacular appearance. Ivorybills can stand nearly two feet tall. They have striking black-and-white plumage, along with crimson topknots on males. The news electrified the conservation and birdwatching communities and touched off a flurry of reports of the woodpeckers in Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
"This is the most exciting news that most American bird enthusiasts have received in our lifetimes," said Andy Forbes, a wildlife ecologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. "People are justifiably excited, and it's natural for them to have this wonderful news on their minds as they spend time outdoors in Missouri."
Also natural, said Forbes, is for people to think of the ivorybill when they see big, black-and-white woodpeckers here. But most, possibly all, of those reports involve the more common pileated woodpecker.
Forbes said pileated woodpeckers are common throughout much of the eastern United States, including Missouri. Like ivorybills, they have black-and-white feathers, and the males have red patches on their heads. Although pileated woodpeckers are about 4 inches shorter than ivorybills, they still are much larger than all other North American woodpeckers.
"With the Arkansas discovery so much on people's minds, it is understandable that many people would think of the ivorybill when they see a big, black-and-white woodpecker in their yards or on an outing," said Forbes. "I have had four calls in the past two days from Missourians who think they might have seen ivorybills. I would never say it is impossible for an ivory-billed woodpecker to turn up in suitable habitat in Missouri. However, the chances are very slim, and the likelihood of having four sightings is even smaller. All the reports this far have turned out to be pileated woodpeckers, based on the descriptions given by callers."
Forbes noted that the part of Missouri that once had the bulk of ivory-billed woodpecker habitat-vast tracts of, bottomland hardwood forest-was southeastern Missouri. All but a few parcels of this forest has been converted to farmland, making Missouri a poor candidate for ivorybill sightings.
"If I got a call from someone who thought they had seen one at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (in Stoddard and Wayne counties) or a similar area, I would have to give it some consideration," said Forbes, "especially if the person had photos or careful, detailed observations to support it. But in any other part of the state it would be highly unlikely, since the birds really weren't there to begin with."
All the same, conservation officials say they already have seen a flurry of ivorybill reports, and they expect more.
Philip Bowman is a biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife in Baton Rouge. He said he has received about 10 calls from people who believe they have seen the rare woodpecker. His coworkers are getting a similar number of calls.
"They're seeing them all over the place," said Bowman. "I'm almost sure all of them are pileated woodpeckers, but I try to get a description to be sure."
The Missouri Department of Conservation Southwest Regional Office in Springfield reported receiving 10 reports of ivory-billed woodpecker sightings Friday, the day after the Arkansas announcement. The agency's Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau received fewer calls, but officials there said they expect the number to increase as public awareness spreads.
Forbes said the Conservation Department is interested in credible reports from people who think they may have seen ivory-billed woodpeckers. However, he asked that people do their homework before picking up the telephone.
"Citizens have a very important role in conserving rare and endangered species like the ivorybill," he said. "We have to look carefully at every report. In a case like this, though, where we have a common species that looks quite a bit like a rare one, we are likely to get far more calls than we can ever check out unless people make very careful observations. We need informed citizens to help us do our job."
Forbes said Missourians should remember the following key points when trying to identify big woodpeckers.
--Ivory-billed woodpeckers live only in large tracts of bottomland hardwood forest. Pileated woodpeckers live in a variety of forest habitats throughout Missouri.
--Ivory-billed woodpeckers' beaks are pale colored, while those of pileated woodpeckers are black.
--Ivorybills have white feathers on the tops and bottoms of their wings, forming a distinctive triangle that is visible while the bird is perched. Pileated woodpecker wings have white only on the underside, near the armpits. The white is not visible while the birds are perched.
--Ivorybills have black chins, while those of pileateds are white.
--The ivorybill's call has a honking quality, like a tin trumpet. The call of the pileated woodpecker is a loud, raucous cackling.
--In flight, ivorybills glide on outstretched wings. The flight of pileated woodpeckers typically has an undulating flap-drop, flap-drop pattern.
--Mature ivory-billed woodpeckers can be 20 inches long, compared to 16.5 inches for pileated woodpeckers.
For illustrations and further details on distinguishing between pileated and ivory-billed woodpeckers, visit www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/story17.htm.
Birdwatchers who want to see ivory-billed woodpeckers can visit designated sites at Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley, Ark. For a map, visit www.fws.gov/cacheriver/index.html.
-Jim Low-
Commission to meet June 1-2 in Ridgedale
Friday, May 06, 2005
JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri Conservation Commission will meet June 1 and 2 at Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale.
The Commission will meet in executive session June 1 and in open session at 9:30 a.m. June 2.
Commission meetings are open to the public. Items to be placed on the agenda for presentations or other business should be sent in writing to Director, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, fax 573/751-4467, at least 10 working days before the meeting date. The deadline for the next meeting is May 18.
People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by writing to the same address, or by phone at 573/751-4115.
Commissioners are: Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis, chairman; Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, vice-chairman; Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, secretary; and Stephen C. Bradford, Cape Girardeau, member.
-Jim Low-
