June 2008
Tiny wasp causing brown foliage on some Missouri oaks
Friday, June 27, 2008
Large numbers of jumping oak gall wasps are affecting the appearance of white oaks but not their long-term health.
JEFFERSON CITY- Early summer is not a time you would expect to see trees with dead leaves, but Eastern and Central Missourians are seeing white oak leaves turn brown due to a high population of the jumping oak gall wasp. While the tiny, stingless wasps can greatly affect the appearance of white oaks, generally the insects do not cause long-term damage to the trees.
"Jumping oak gall wasps are around all the time but in certain years we get very high populations in one or more parts of the state," said Missouri Department of Conservation Forest Entomologist Rob Lawrence. "There’s nothing we can do to control the damage and it’s not a serious threat to tree health. But a lot of leaves may fall in severe cases."
Damage to the leaves of white oaks is caused by pinhead-sized galls created when female wasps deposit eggs on young leaves in spring. Each round, button-like gall contains one larva. When the galls drop from leaves in early to mid-summer they leave brown pockmarks. Where many galls were present leaves look scorched. In the most severe cases, leaves turn black, curl up and drop from trees. Fallen galls sometimes are observed to "jump" due to the vigorous movement of the larva inside the gall. The larval behavior allows jumping oak galls to sink deeper into grass and leaf litter, which helps shelter the larvae during the winter. The larvae emerge as adults the following spring.
Lawrence said a jumping oak gall outbreak can last for up to two years, then natural controls, such as weather and parasitism, will help lower the population numbers.
"With really large populations of jumping oak gall wasps you can easily pick out white oaks across a hillside due to their damaged leaves," said Lawrence. "If the trees lose most of their leaves, they will try to put out a second flush of leaves. Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of rain this year and that should help the trees recover."
Homeowners can help trees recover by practicing good tree care. A few tree-care basics include mulching around trees, avoiding root damage and damage to bark from lawn mowers and string trimmers. If we have drought conditions later in the summer, Lawrence said watering will be essential to help white oaks recover from jumping oak gall infestation.
-Arleasha Mays-
Avoid ticks and tick-borne illnesses
Friday, June 27, 2008
A few simple actions can prevent ticks from becoming attached to you.
JEFFERSON CITY- While preparing for fun in the sun this summer you also should take time to brush up on tick bite prevention. A few simple actions to discourage ticks from attaching to you will help you avoid contracting a tick-borne disease.
While a feeding tick doesn't cause much discomfort and doesn't eat much, there are several reasons to be concerned if one of these small, crawly creatures gets attached to you. Ticks can be carriers of several diseases, including tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease. While not common every year, a few Missourians become ill from tick bites. In the days and weeks following a tick bite look for the following symptoms
● Swelling at the site of the bite. In Lyme disease a raised, target-shaped rash begins to develop within a few days, eventually reaching several inches in diameter.
● Unexplained flu-like symptoms; fever, headaches, body aches, dizziness
● Any unusual rash.
Most people who are infected with a tick-borne disease have symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are mild, but they should not be ignored. If you know you’ve been bitten by a tick and symptoms appear, it’s best to consult a doctor and mention the recent tick bite.
Protective clothing should be your first line of defense against ticks. When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and boots with your pants tucked into socks or boots. Rubber bands, blousing bands or tape can be used to secure the cuffs of your pants.
Insect repellents also reduce your exposure to hungry ticks. Products containing DEET or Permanone are most effective. Be sure to follow label instructions to ensure safe use and best results.
Anytime you are in a tick-infested area, check for ticks. Once indoors, remove and wash your clothing and check your body thoroughly for ticks. Look closely; "seed" ticks smaller than a pinhead can be difficult to detect.
Most tick-transmitted diseases are not transferred to the host until the tick has been feeding for some time and is full. The earlier the tick is located and removed, the lower the chance of being infected with a tick-borne disease. When you are active outdoors, never allow more than four to eight hours to pass without a thorough tick inspection.
If you do find a tick, prompt, proper removal is a must. It is important to remove the tick alive and intact. Secondary infections from improperly removed ticks are much more common than tick-born diseases.
Follow these four steps to remove a tick that is already attached:
● Disinfect the area of attachment with alcohol;
● Grasp the tick firmly as close to the head as possible. If you use your fingers, cover them with tissue or rubber gloves. Tweezers or forceps also may be helpful. Use only as much pressure as necessary. Squeezing an engorged tick can force material from the tick into your skin.
● Remove the tick with a firm outward movement. Never jerk or twist the tick when removing it. It is important that the mouth parts remain attached to the tick, not left embedded in the skin.
● Dispose of the tick properly and disinfect the bite area again. Disposal methods recommended include dropping them in alcohol or crushing them with your shoe heel or between two rocks, but never with your fingers.
Although less common than tick-borne diseases, some people have allergic reactions to tick bites. Generally removing the tick alleviates the symptoms.
-Arleasha Mays-
Commission to meet August 4 and 5 in Jefferson City
Friday, June 27, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY-The Missouri Conservation Commission will meet Aug. 4 and 5 in Jefferson City.
The Commission will hold a closed executive session at 3 p.m. Aug. 4 at Conservation Commission Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City. The regular open meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 5 at Conservation Department Headquarters.
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 July 21.
People requiring special services or accommodations to attend Conservation Commission meetings can make arrangements by writing to the same address, or by phone at (573) 751-4115. Commissioners are: William F. "Chip" McGeehan, Marshfield, chairman; Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, vice-chairman; Don R. Johnson, Festus, secretary; and Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, member.
-Jim Low-
Bullfrogs: Big, bad boys of the frog world
Friday, June 20, 2008
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| The bullfrog’s large size and aggressive, predatory ways make it a formidable competitor in the frog-eat-frog world of amphibians. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-The bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) might not be the king of the forest, but it is the top dog in the frog pecking order. Their superiority to other species in various ways gives this robust species a competitive edge.
Size is the bullfrog’s most obvious advantage. Females, which are larger than males, can grow to nearly 8 inches long, not counting their lanky hind legs. They can weigh a pound or more.
With that superior size goes a voracious appetite. Bullfrogs have been known to eat insects, worms, snails, salamanders, snakes, turtles, birds, bats, mice and small minks. They also are fond of other frogs. What better way to ensure your own survival than to eat the competition? Unfortunately for the bullfrog, they are not discriminating enough to distinguish between competitor species and their own kind. They readily prey on smaller individuals of their own species.
Bullfrogs are native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida, but they have been widely introduced as far west as California and British Columbia, not to mention South America, Europe and Asia. Frog species native to Colorado have suffered significant declines due to competition from imported bullfrogs.
Besides eating virtually anything they can cram down their gullets with the help of their muscular front legs, bullfrogs have developed a fairly impressive array of strategies to avoid being eaten. Adult bullfrogs have glands in their skin that secret a toxin that discourages predators. Tadpoles apparently share this unpalatability.
A species that multiplies faster than its competitors also has an advantage, and the bullfrog has this covered, too. Females lay up to 25,000 eggs at a time, and can produce two broods a year.
Like all wild animals, bullfrogs need to produce lots of young to compensate for dramatic losses in the first years of life. Tadpoles and young frogs are prey to an impressive array of creatures, including herons, turtles, kingfishers, snakes and raccoons. Nevertheless, bullfrog tadpoles have a higher-than-average survival rate, and once they reach adulthood, their chances of living to a ripe old age go way up. Various experts estimate the average lifespan of a bullfrog at 4 to 9 years, and one captive specimen lived 16 years.
It doesn’t hurt the bullfrog that it thrives in conditions created by human modification of their environment. They prefer warmer water than many other frog species can tolerate, so they get the upper hand in streams that have been polluted with excess nutrients from agricultural runoff and where shading trees have been removed from banks. They thrive in waters choked with vegetation, which also is favored by excess water fertility. Furthermore, the creation of thousands of small, sun-washed ponds has provided countless acres of new, prime bullfrog habitat.
Bullfrog tadpoles are believed to have hitched rides to some new areas in trucks transporting fish from hatcheries to stocking sites. Not that they need mechanical help in colonizing new areas. Adult bullfrogs can cover as much as 6 feet in one leap, and they are prone to leave their homes and migrate overland to new waters during rainstorms.
All this explains why bullfrogs have prospered in the past, but new challenges face this and other amphibian species. Of the 6,100 known species of amphibians worldwide, approximately 42 percent are declining in number. One-third are imperiled. Twenty-three percent of the United States’ amphibian species are in decline, and approximately 16 percent of Missouri’s amphibian species show declining population trends. The Missouri Department of Conservation has listed one-third of the state’s amphibians as species of conservation concern.
One of the simplest and most important things people can do to help frogs and other amphibians is find out what amphibians they have on land that they own or visit on a regular basis. Citizens who are familiar with local amphibians are in a position to report declines.
Three groups help people in Missouri learn about amphibians. --The Southwest Missouri Herpetological Society, PO Box 14436, Springfield, MO 65814-0436, taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?Tn=992624. --The St. Louis Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 410346, St. Louis, MO 63141-0346, stlherpsociety.org/. --The Kansas City Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 118, Liberty, MO 64069, kcherp.com/.
There also are monitoring programs to help citizens get involved in amphibian conservation. --The American Amphibian Monitoring Protocols, pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/. --Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, parcplace.org/. --Frogwatch USA, nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/.
A new booklet from the Conservation Department has information about Missouri’s 26 frog and toad species. Single copies are available by writing to MDC, Missouri’s Toads and Frogs, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, 65102-0180 or e-mailing pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.
Frogs can be visually elusive, but their songs are easy to hear and identify. “Toads and Frogs of Missouri,” a combination audio CD and color poster, makes sound identification of 20 frogs and toads easy. It is available for $8 plus shipping, handling and sales tax (where applicable) from the Conservation Department Nature Shop. You can order by calling, toll-free, 877-521-8632 or visiting mdcnatureshop.com.
-Jim Low-
Quail habitat disappearing; CP-33 is the solution
Friday, June 20, 2008
Conservation officials say this federal program gives farmers an economically practical alternative to plowing under wildlife habitat.
JEFFERSON CITY-The upward trend in corn prices is prompting some farmers to bulldoze brushy fencerows and plant marginal land around field edges. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency offers an alternative that helps farmers improve their bottom line while letting them keep habitat for quail and other wildlife.
The alternative is enrolling land in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a soil- and wildlife-conservation program that has been around since 1987. The original goal of the program was to pay landowners to plant grass or other cover on highly erodible cropland to prevent soil erosion. During CRP’s 20-year life it has been augmented with provisions that let participating landowners actively manage enrolled acres for wildlife and livestock forage. CRP, along with state-funded programs, even offers help with wildlife-friendly practices.
One provision, known as Conservation Practice 33 - CP33 for short - was begun to pay farmers to create healthy places for quail and other wildlife along the edges of crop fields by converting crop acres into buffer plantings 30 to 120 feet wide. This works especially well where crops bordering woods tend to be less productive5.
Missouri farmers are third in the nation in enrolling land in CP33. To date, they have signed up 27,500 acres. That is a good thing for wildlife, but it is only a beginning. Missouri landowners could enroll another 4,700 acres before the state’s CP33 allocation is filled.
In studying the financial impact of CP33 on participating farmers, the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) found that CP33 improved landowners’ bottom line on a representative sample of farms. On two out of three representative farms, landowners made $30 to $65 per acre more each year on CP 33 strips than they would have if they had cropped the same areas. Farms with a significant amount of wheat and double-crop soybeans may not see an increase in income resulting from buffers.
In addition to making more money from marginal acres, many landowners report seeing more quail where they have created CP33 buffers. A nationwide study has shown that crop fields with CP33 field borders support higher populations than crop fields without borders.
A 2005 study by the University of Missouri in central Missouri also revealed that native grass field borders, such as those planted in CP33, significantly reduced corn earworm infestation in adjacent corn fields. Buffers also prevent damage to farm equipment from overhanging tree branches.
CP33 is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/ and click on “State Offices,” then “County Offices.” An office near you can provide details and help with enrollment.
-Jim Low-
Black cat killed near Neosho was not a mountain lion
Friday, June 20, 2008
Unlike North American cats, this de-clawed panther was black.
JEFFERSON CITY-Experts say the large cat that frightened a woman in rural Newton County in May was not native to Missouri or even to North America. Conservation officials say that much was obvious from the cat’s color.
A Newton County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed the cat, which turned up in a residential yard May 19. The cat approached a woman, who fled indoors and called 911.
The cat was a young male whose body was approximately 3 feet long and weighed 40 pounds. Its age was estimated at six months. An initial examination showed the claws had been removed from all four of the animal’s paws. Its fur was jet black.
“When I saw the photos of this animal I knew immediately it was not a mountain lion,” said Jeff Beringer, a resource scientist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. “Old World leopards and jaguars in the New World can be spotted or black. Mountain lions vary a little in the color of their coat, but they are never black.”
That left the leopard, Pantera pardus, which is native to Asia and Africa, and the jaguar, Pantera onca, of South and Central America. Steve Bircher, curator of mammals/carnivores at the St. Louis Zoological Park, confirmed Beringer’s initial reaction, identifying the Newton County cat as a leopard.
The only wild cats native to Missouri are the bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the mountain lion (Puma concolor). While native bobcats have survived in Missouri, the last of the Show-Me State’s mountain lions probably were killed in the early 20th century. In recent years several isolated occurrences of mountain lions have been documented in Missouri. Evidence supports the theory that these cats are individuals dispersing from areas with established mountain lion populations to the west of Missouri. Conservation officials say these few confirmed sightings in no way indicate a resident population of mountain lions in Missouri.
“We can tell quite a bit about these animal’s origins by examining their bodies,” said Beringer. “The fact that the leopard from Neosho had no claws tells us it was a captive animal. It was in excellent physical condition, with plenty of body fat, but it had nothing in its stomach. That is another sign that it was escaped or released from captivity. A wild cat would be able to get food for itself.”
The pads of the cat’s paws were worn smooth, a condition commonly associated with living on a concrete floor.
Similarly, said Beringer, the bodies of mountain lions killed by automobiles in the Kansas City and New Bloomfield areas in recent years yielded important information. Both were young males, the age and sex most likely to strike out cross-country in search of territories of their own. Both had claws, were in good condition and had food in their stomachs, indicating they were competent hunters.
The Conservation Department does not regulate non-native wildlife, so the agency has no records that might have revealed where the leopard came from. The Newton County Sheriff’s Department had only one permit for an exotic cat in its files, and that was a Bengal tiger. The sheriff’s department has not received any inquiries from the owner of a missing leopard.
Sheriff’s Department officials noted that the animal appeared soon after tornadoes ripped through southwestern Missouri and northeastern Oklahoma. They speculated that the storms might have damaged the cat’s enclosure, allowing it to escape. If the person who owned it had the necessary permits to keep it, it seems likely they would have come forward when news of this leopard’s death became public. That raises the possibility that it was held illegally.
For more information about mountain lions in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/nathis/mammals/mlion/.
-Jim Low-
Third Missouri River 340 bigger than ever
Friday, June 13, 2008
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| At 8 a.m. July 15, more than 130 canoes and kayaks will shove off from Kaw Point, across the Missouri River from Kansas City. Those who reach St. Charles, Mo., by noon July 19 will join the extreme-sports elite who have completed the world's longest nonstop water race-the Missouri River 340. Winners can take home cash prizes of up to $2,000, but the real payoff is the self-discovery that comes from pushing beyond the limits of ordinary human endurance. To learn more about joining or watching the Missouri River 340, visit rivermiles.com, or contact Scott Mansker, scott@rivermiles.com, 913-244-4666. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-If you are fascinated by events like the Tour de France and the Indianapolis 500, you might also enjoy the paddle-sports equivalent of those two events. Missourians can enjoy that kind of extreme entertainment without leaving their home state.
The Missouri River 340, the world’s longest nonstop river race, will start at 8 a.m. July 15 at Kaw Point, at the mouth of the Kaw River in Kansas City. For some competitors, the race will end less than two days later at Riverfront Park in St. Charles. Those who take longer than 100 hours to paddle 340 miles across Missouri's midsection will have the satisfaction of knowing they competed but will not be official finishers.
When the Missouri River 340 started in 2006, it drew a modest 15 entries. Seventy-six canoes and kayaks took part in last year's event. This year's race already has 76 entries in the men's Solo division alone. In all, more than 130 teams or solo paddlers have entered the race.
The event’s phenomenal growth is partly due to its extreme cachet. The Missouri River 340 draws paddlers from around the nation. Another draw this year is the addition of a division for teams of more than two paddlers and at least two divisions in which contestants will compete for cash prizes. Top money in these sponsored divisions ranges from $500-$2000.
Dehydration, bleeding hands, hallucinations and dodging barges in the dark all are part of the “fun.” Stories of heartbreak and redemption abound, as fierce competitors of all ages and walks of life push bodies and minds beyond the ordinary limits of endurance. For many, the race is more about self-discovery than about competition with others.
Mandatory checkpoints along the course provide an opportunity for spectators to view the spectacle close-up. Historic river hamlets designated as mandatory checkpoints for competitors also abound with antique shops, pubs, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and other diversions for spectators.
For more about adventures of last year’s participants, see the June issue of Missouri Conservationist magazine at mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2008/06/10.htm. Details about this year’s event are available at rivermiles.com or by contacting Scott Mansker, scott@rivermiles.com, 913-244-4666.
-Jim Low-
Frogging season opens at sunset June 30
Friday, June 13, 2008
All you need for the sport is a flashlight and a pair of sneakers.
JEFFERSON CITY-Monday sometimes gets a bad rap. Everyone has heard of blue Monday, the day you go back to work. But this year blue Monday has a green side. Monday, June 30 marks the opening of Missouri's frogging season.
Because midnight marks the start of a new day, froggers who begin a hunt at sunset with no frogs in possession (including at home in the freezer) can take one limit of frogs before midnight, then bag another after the witching hour. To do this legally, however, the first eight frogs must be kept separate from those taken after midnight.
The bullfrog (Missouri’s state amphibian) and the green frog are unique among Missouri's game animals because they can be taken either on a hunting or a fishing permit. If you have a hunting permit, you can take frogs with a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, longbow, crossbow, hand net or with your bare hands. With a fishing permit, you may use your hands or a hand net, a gig, a longbow or hook and line. Frog hunting is legal - and most effective - at night with an artificial light. Firearms may not be used to take frogs on Conservation Department areas.
The bullfrog is North America’s biggest frog, measuring up to 8 inches all scrunched up and ready to jump. A good-sized bullfrog can weigh well over a pound, and much of that is legs. Green frogs are more modest-sized, topping out at about 4 inches long when sitting. Though not as large, their legs taste just like those of bullfrogs.
You can tell green frogs from bullfrogs by the fold of skin running along the sides of green frogs’ bodies.
The daily and possession limits of eight and 16 bullfrogs and green frogs in the aggregate, respectively, sound liberal. However, it takes a hefty frog to provide more than a mouthful of food. Almost all the edible muscle is on the hind legs.
If you are lucky enough to obtain a limit of frogs, cut off the hind legs and remove the skin before cooking. Pliers with close-fitting jaws come in handy for gripping the slippery skin.
When pressed about frog legs’ flavor, frog fanciers sometimes say they taste like chicken. That may be true if you batter and fry frog legs as you would chicken drumsticks. When sautéed in a little butter, however, frog legs have a mild flavor that hints of fish. Adding a little minced garlic to the pan and sprinkling with salt afterwards makes a delicious dish.
Pan-frying with any commercial breading also yields tasty results. Other recipes are found in Cy Littleby’s Cookbook. This folksy compendium of wild cookery is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s regional offices and conservation nature centers. You also can order the book from the Conservation Department’s online Nature Shop (www.mdcnatureshop.com) for $3.50 plus shipping, handling and sales tax, where applicable, or with a toll-free telephone call to 877/521-8632. It also is available at many Conservation Department offices and at conservation nature centers.
Male frogs fill the air above Missouri lakes and streams with their songs on summer nights. The bullfrog’s tune is a deep base chant that sounds something like “Jug-O-Rum, Jug-O-Rum.” Green frogs are less musical. Their “songs” have been described as sounding like someone plucking loose banjo strings. The resulting sound can be a soft chuckle or a single, explosive bark.
The idea of beating other froggers to the punch induces a few outlaws to start the season early each year. You can help preserve the bullfrog bounty until opening day by calling the toll-free Operation Game Thief hot line, 800/392-1111, and reporting offenders.
For more information about catching frogs, visit mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2003/06/40.htm.
-Jim Low-
Bear savvy can avoid, defuse confrontations
Friday, June 13, 2008
Black bears seldom are aggressive, unless they feel threatened or are defending their cubs.
JEFFERSON CITY-Connie Roberts was returning to her home in Brandsville from a fishing trip around 9:30 p.m. April 20 when a 300-pound black bear dashed out in front of her Chevy Blazer. In the time it took to shout "bear!" metal and muscle collided, with fatal results for the bear.
Conservation agents had to be called in, on June 1, when a young bear climbed up a tree and created a traffic jam on Highway 25 near the town of Advance in Stoddard County.
The appearance of bears across the southern half of Missouri each spring is as predictable as the appearance of leaves on trees. Most human-bear encounters are fleeting and uneventful. However, such encounters can be frightening for people and for bears. Knowing how to avoid encounters with bears and how to act when you do see one are the keys to keeping people and bears safe.
The Missouri Department of Conservation says the state has an undetermined number of black bears. The animals’ shy nature makes bear sightings relatively rare. Still, the agency receives roughly 200 reports each year.
The number of bear reports begins to climb in April and peaks between mid-May and mid-June. Conservation Department Furbearer Biologist Jeff Beringer says a little knowledge goes a long way toward preventing such encounters from leading to serious trouble.
“Spring through early summer is a tough time for bears,” said Beringer. “Bear food is scarce, and they get really hungry. Black bears-the only kind we have in Missouri-are naturally shy. They are afraid of people. Natural shyness protects both bears and people. We want to preserve that as much as possible. Bears that lose their fear of people are likely to get in trouble."
When bears do get in trouble with people, it usually is because of food-or a bear's idea of food. Pet food, livestock feed, bird seed or campers’ groceries all can overwhelm otherwise wary bears’ shyness in early summer, when natural foods are still in short supply.
Compounding the problem is the fact that female bears with two-year-old cubs chase away their offspring at this time of the year in order to mate again. Young, inexperienced bears may resort to food sources that older bears would avoid.
Young male bears move miles from their mothers' home ranges in search of territory of their own. Many bears seen in Missouri at this time of year are young males dispersing from Arkansas, where bears are more numerous.
“Most people are more excited than scared when they see a bear in their backyard,” said Beringer. “That is understandable, but it is important to remember that bears are wild animals and they are unpredictable. You also have to consider what lessons a bear is learning while rummaging around in your garbage. Unless curious bears are discouraged right away, they can develop unhealthy habits. By the time people's excitement wears off, the bear's natural fear of humans may have decreased to the point where the animal is dangerous to property or even to people. At that point, the bear is in danger itself.”
Beringer said in the past most of Missouri’s bear problems occurred in Iron, Shannon, Carter, Ripley, Reynolds, Howell, Ozark, Barry, Taney, Christian, Stone and Douglas counties. Ozark County is the epicenter of bear activity in Missouri, with 100 reports since 1987. The next-most-active counties were Taney and Carter, with 47 each, while Reynolds and Howell counties were close behind, with 44 and 43 sightings, respectively.
In recent years, the Conservation Department has been receiving more reports of bears north of I-44. Marion County in northeastern Missouri has the distinction of being the most northerly county with bear sightings.
Beringer urges people who live in areas where bears have been seen to keep pet food and other foodstuffs where bears can't reach them. Even bird feeders can be targets of bear foraging.
If bears are known to frequent your area, it is a good idea to clean up seed residues beneath feeders and stop feeding birds during the summer. An alternative is to bring feeders inside at night.
It also is wise to keep pet and livestock food out of bears' reach. Feed dogs and cats indoors. If you must feed them outdoors, clean up spilled food and place feeding bowls inside after each meal. Store pet food in airtight containers in locked storage areas.
Other helpful tips include: --Clean up outdoor grills after each use and store them in sheds. --Put garbage out the morning of collection. --Double bag garbage. --Pour half a cup of ammonia in trash bags. --Don't place meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile. --Never cook, eat or store food in tents or sleeping areas when camping. --Keep food locked inside vehicles when not in use. If a bear enters your campsite, get inside your vehicle and stay there until the bear leaves. --Never intentionally feed bears.
Attacks by black bears are rare. Most occur because the animal is frightened or is defending cubs against a perceived threat. Black bears are excellent climbers, so trees offer little refuge.
Beringer recommends talking, whistling or attaching a small bell to clothing or pack to avoid startling bears while hiking or fishing. If you encounter a bear and it has not seen you, leave the area quietly and quickly.
If the bear is aware of your presence, avoid making eye contact, which bears perceive as a threat. Back away while speaking in a normal tone of voice. Don't run or make sudden movements.
Bears’ poor vision sometimes makes it difficult for them to identify humans, even at close range. In such situations, bears may 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 find out what you are.
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 an adult bear's’ protective instincts.
In the event of an attack, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people fought back with rocks, sticks, even bare hands.
Shouting, banging pots and pans or making other loud noises almost always will frighten a bear away. If these measures fail, call a conservation agent or the nearest Conservation Department office.
Bears are protected by the Wildlife Code of Missouri, and it is illegal to kill one unless it is threatening people or property.
"The Conservation Department has people trained to deal with bear problems of all kinds," said Beringer. "Bears are an exciting and important part of Missouri's wildlife, and when conflicts arise, we want to help people resolve them in the best possible way.”
-Jim Low-
Missouri Wildflowers sixth edition now on sale
Friday, June 06, 2008
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| A stunning new cover, larger photos and color-coding are among the features of the sixth edition of “Missouri Wildflowers” (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-The latest edition of the “Missouri Wildflowers” field guide makes it easy to stop, smell and identify rose verbena, prairie rose and all the other native roses and wildflowers that grow throughout the state. The Missouri Department of Conservation recently released the sixth edition of the book with revisions that include a stunning new cover, updated taxonomy, larger photos and color-coded page tabs to help readers quickly access information about flowers based on their colors and blooming times.
Many of the features readers have come to rely on for plant identification were retained in the newest edition of "Missouri Wildflowers." The field guide still includes many of author Edgar Denison's original illustrations, 297 photos with descriptions of flowering plants that grow in Missouri and an appendix that describes an additional 163 plants.
“Missouri Wildflowers” has been the state’s foremost wildflower guide since it was first published by the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1972.
"Missouri Wildflowers" is available for $12 at conservation nature centers and many booksellers statewide. Mail orders cost $12 plus shipping and handling charges and, if applicable, sales tax from the Missouri Department of Conservation Nature Shop, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
- Arleasha Mays -
Early migratory bird seasons set
Friday, June 06, 2008
Regulations for hunting doves, teal, rails and snipe remain consistent.
JEFFERSON CITY- The Missouri Conservation Commission has set the dates for the 2008 early migratory bird seasons. The seasons approved on May 30 are based on proposed federal frameworks and are contingent on final federal approval.
Migratory birds include dove, sora, Virginia rail, snipe, teal and woodcock. The seasons for those species are as follows.
-- sora and Virginia rails, Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, 2008,
-- Wilson's (common) snipe, Sept. 1 through Dec. 16, 2008
-- American woodcock, October 15 through November 28, 2008
-- mourning doves Eurasian collared doves and white-winged doves, Sept. 1 through Nov. 9, 2008,
-- blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal:
● If the blue-winged teal breeding population index is 4.7 million or greater, a 16-day season, Sept. 6-21, is recommended;
● If the blue winged teal breeding population index is at least 3.3 million but less than 4.7 million, a nine day season, Sept. 13-21, is recommended;
● If the blue-winged teal breeding population index is below 3.3 million, the season will be closed.
Unless exempt, hunters ages 16 and older must have a permit to hunt small game, a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit and a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp to participate in the early migratory bird hunting seasons.
- Arleasha Mays -
Apply by July 15 for pond stocking
Friday, June 06, 2008
Your pond may qualify for stocking with bluegill, bass and channel catfish from state hatcheries.
JEFFERSON CITY- Want to improve the fish population in your pond? The Missouri Department of Conservation may be able to help. The Conservation Department provides fingerling fish at no cost to owners of new or renovated ponds. Not all ponds qualify, however, and the fish do come with a few conditions.
Pond owners who accept fish from the Conservation Department retain full rights to control access to their ponds. Accepting the free fish doesn't obligate them to allow fishing or other uses on their land by the public. But ponds stocked with state fish are subject to provisions of the Wildlife Code of Missouri. The fish can't be bought or sold, and statewide fishing regulations must be observed. Those restrictions don't apply to pond owners who buy fish from commercial sources.
Each year hundreds of Missouri pond owners accept nearly a million fingerling fish that add significantly to angling opportunities statewide. To qualify for Conservation Department stocking, they complete written applications. Conservation Department personnel visit each pond to be sure it meets the following requirements: --The pond or lake must be at least eight feet deep. --If the pond is smaller than five acres, livestock must be excluded from the pond area. --Ponds must not have existing fish populations, except for fathead minnows. --The dam must be built for permanency and water-tightness.
Pond owners who qualify can receive bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Sunfish and catfish fingerlings are distributed from a central location in each county in September or October. Largemouth bass are distributed the following June. This gives the other fish time to grow before the hungry, predatory bass arrive.
Anglers can harvest bass in most ponds by the third summer after stocking. Natural reproduction replaces bluegill and bass removed by fishing. Catfish must be restocked periodically.
Pond stocking applications must be in by July 15. To submit an application online visit www.mdc.mo.gov/67. Visit www.mdc.mo.gov/10194 to learn more about the many pond stocking options that are available to you.
- Jim Low -
Bradford Farm field day set for June 26
Friday, June 06, 2008
Learn how to use native plants to add beauty and attract wildlife to your land.
COLUMBIA, Mo - A few simple management techniques can turn any Missourian’s yard or farm into prime natural habitat that provides personal enjoyment and benefits wildlife. Landowners can learn how to landscape with native plants and incorporate native plants into farming operations at the Bobwhite Quail and Native Plant Field Day, which starts at 3 p.m. June 26 in Columbia.
The event at the University of Missouri Bradford Research and Extension Center will feature a seminar on bobwhite quail ecology and habitat management practices and wagon tours that let participants see quail management practices at work. Stops on the tours will highlight ways to integrate bobwhite quail management into modern agricultural practices, use native plants to enhance the beauty of the land, create quail and songbird habitat and much more. The field day is free and open to the public. Participants are welcome to attend all or part of the event.
“The field day will provide landowners with the perfect opportunity to see what their land will look like and to see the variety of wildlife they can attract when they plant natives,” said Tim Reinbott, superintendent at the Bradford Research and Extension Center. “You can attract more songbirds and butterflies to your land. Through the quail management practices used here at Bradford Farm we’ve increased the number of quail by 25 times over the past five years.”
To reach the Bradford farm, take Highway AC five miles east from the junction of Highway 63 at the south edge of Columbia. Turn right at the T and go just over one mile to the farm entrance on the right. For more information, call (573) 884-7945 or (573) 882-4337.
The Bobwhite Quail and Native Plant Field Day is cosponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the University of Missouri and the Missouri Soybean Association.
- Arleasha Mays -
STATEWIDE CONSERVATION LEADERS TO RALLY IN COLUMBIA
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Teaming With Wildlife event will feature partnerships, volunteers and funding sources.
A Teaming With Wildlife (TWW) rally will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 in Monsanto Auditorium at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center on the University of Missouri campus.
TWW is a nationwide coalition of more than 5,700 organizations and businesses that support increased public funding for wildlife and related education and recreation. Missouri has more than 200 TWW members.
“Missourians love wildlife and outdoor recreation,” said Dave Murphy, executive director of the Conservation Federation and a member of the Missouri TWW Steering Committee. “Each year citizens of our state spend several times more on fish, forest and wildlife-related activities than they do on all professional sports in Missouri combined. That sort of an economic engine deserves wise investments to keep it going, and by protecting the places we love, we also get clean air and water and beautiful places to enjoy with our families. That’s what Teaming is all about.”
Rally participants will learn about the latest developments in statewide efforts to protect all wildlife, fish and forestry resources via Missouri’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy. Project leaders from around the state will highlight partnership success stories and volunteer opportunities. Conservation funding sources will also be explained by representatives of state and federal agencies and other groups.
One of the key funding sources for conservation that would not be possible without the strong support of the TWW Coalition is the State Wildlife Grant program. Since 2001, Congress has appropriated nearly $550 million to the nationwide program, which is distributed to the states by a formula based on size and population. Missouri has received nearly $10 million during that period since the program began. State Wildlife Grants are an annual appropriation, so funding could be cut or eliminated entirely each year. However, because members of Congress hear from so many in the TWW Coalition, support and funding for the program has been fairly consistent.
“There’s a lot to like about the Teaming With Wildlife approach,” said Justin Johnson, executive director of the Missouri Prairie Foundation and Missouri TWW Steering Committee member. “The funding is used to target local conservation priorities in a proactive, non-regulatory manner, and oftentimes a private partner is involved and brings matching funds to the project. Over the years nearly every member of Missouri’s congressional delegation has endorsed increasing the funding level for State Wildlife Grants.”
Partnerships that will be featured at the TWW Rally cover all corners of the state and a wide variety of habitats.
“From Audubon Missouri’s Wildcat Glade project in Joplin to Ducks Unlimited’s efforts at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers near St. Louis to the wonderful prairie grasslands conservation work being done by the Nature Conservancy and the Missouri Prairie Foundation, there is truly something for everyone under the Teaming umbrella,” said Gene Gardner, wildlife diversity chief of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Missouri TWW Steering Committee member.
The event also will feature photography by retired MDC wildlife photographer Jim Rathert. The keynote speaker is David Waller of the Georgia Wildlife Federation.
For more information about TWW, visit www.teaming.com.
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