September 2005
Small-game outlook a mixed bag
Friday, September 30, 2005
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| Small-game hunting opportunities abound in Missouri, thanks to a wealth of state-owned conservation areas. Rabbits, squirrels, quail and pheasants are among the natural bounty available. For more information about hunting regulations and places to hunt, visit http://www.missouriconservationl.org/hunt/. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-Autumn is synonymous with hunting for thousands of Missourians. Among the most popular hunting seasons are those for rabbits, quail, squirrels and their kin. These small-game animals are widely available and require minimal equipment. Best of all, Missouri's hundreds of conservation areas provide hunting opportunities statewide. Here is an overview of this year's small-game hunting prospects.
SQUIRRELS May 28-Feb. 15, daily limit 6 Estimated number of hunters in 2004 - 77,911 Estimated harvest in 2004 - 947,674
Most hunters get their introduction to hunting in pursuit of gray squirrels and fox squirrels. These alert, active tree-dwellers are wary enough to be a challenge and plentiful enough to provide guaranteed action.
Although squirrel season opens on the fourth Saturday in May each year, most hunters wait until there is a nip in the air to begin hunting. Finding bushytails is much easier after leaves fall from trees.
Hunters pursue squirrels with both rifles and shotguns. Shotguns make bagging squirrels easier, but rifles are less likely to damage meat. Most shotgun hunters prefer No. 4 or 6 shot for squirrels.
Squirrel numbers depend partly on the availability of acorns and other nuts that supply most of their food. Last year's acorn crop was below average, and squirrel populations can expected to follow this trend in the Ozarks. Squirrel populations in the rest of the state are less subject to such declines. Even with last year's poor nut crop, squirrels remain plentiful enough for good hunting statewide.
This year's acorn crop is more abundant, promising better hunting next year.
RABBITS Oct. 1-Feb. 15, daily limit 6 (only 2 swamp rabbits) Estimated number of hunters in 2004 - 69,835 Estimated harvest in 2004 - 547,330
Drawing a bead on a bounding cottontail is a challenge, even for experienced hunters. A few rabbit fanciers use .22 cal. rifles or pistols, but most hunters prefer shotguns with No. 6 or 8 shot. Beagles or other tracking dogs add interest to a rabbit outing, and dogs increase hunting success. However, hunters who are willing to kick brush piles and wade into thickets of blackberry, honeysuckle or multiflora rose do well, too.
Like other ground-nesting wildlife, rabbits can lose their nests in wet weather. Locally heavy rainfall in May might have set Missouri's cottontail crop back a pace or two. However, unlike some species, rabbits begin raising litters as early as February. This early start, plus dry weather in June and July, probably allowed Show-Me State rabbits to bring off litters before and after wet periods. Hunters can expect reasonably good rabbit populations in most areas.
BOBWHITE QUAIL Nov. 1-Jan. 15, daily limit 8 Estimated number of hunters in 2004 - 40,665 Estimated harvest in 2004 - 425,127
Quail nests also are vulnerable to wet weather. Furthermore, growing bobwhite chicks must eat lots of protein-rich insect to thrive. Wet weather in May might have cut into early nest success, and drought later in the summer might have reduced food supplies for the remaining chicks.
Yet, against these odds, quail numbers were up in surveys conducted in August. Preliminary survey results show a substantial increase in the number of broods. The average number of chicks in each brood was up, too. The only downward trend was in the number of mature quail.
Quail that lose their broods early in the summer often renest. This could account for the increase in broods seen in August. Late-hatched quail chicks have an uphill battle to grow big enough to survive winter weather. However, if Missouri enjoys a mild fall, this year's quail crop could be good news for hunters.
PHEASANT Nov. 1-Jan. 15 in the North Zone and Dec. 1-12 in the Southeast Zone Daily limit 2 in the North Zone, 1 in the Southeast Zone Estimated number of hunters in 2004 - 11,863 Estimated harvest in 2004 - 25,655
Roadside surveys show little or no change in pheasant numbers in those parts of northern and southeastern Missouri that have pheasant populations. Dry weather created favorable conditions for nest success, but the summer drought that hurt quail numbers may have worked against pheasants, too. The result is no net change. Northwestern counties made the best showing in summer pheasant surveys.
WOODCOCK Oct. 15-Nov. 28, daily limit 3 Estimated number of hunters in 2004 - 1,476 Estimated harvest in 2004 - 3,285
Missouri used to be part of an annual woodcock population survey coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. However, the Show-Me State's location on the western edge of the species range has led to dropping survey routes here. This means Missouri hunters have to rely on population trend data from neighboring states. These data suggest that woodcock numbers remain stable compared to the past 10 years, so hunters are likely to have about the same success hunting woodcock as they did last year.
The long-term trend in woodcock numbers is downward, however. Woodcock numbers have declined an average of 2 percent per year since 1968.
Successful woodcock hunters watch the weather for cold fronts that push migrating woodcock into Missouri from the north and work keen-nosed bird dogs through dense, tangled undergrowth along stream bottoms.
RUFFED GROUSE Oct. 15-Jan. 15, daily limit 2 Estimated number of hunters in 2004 - 35 Estimated harvest in 2004 - none reported in survey
Missouri also is at the southern edge of the range of the ruffed grouse. Efforts to restore the species to Missouri began in the 1970s and continued into the 1990s. While the birds have hung on in a few areas, they have not thrived anywhere in the state.
Grouse need forest clearcuts and other dense, brushy cover, which is scarce in Missouri. The Conservation Department has worked to create grouse habitat on Danville, Little Lost Creek, Daniel Boone and Reifsnider conservation areas. Small numbers of grouse survive on these areas, and a dedicated hunter with a good dog may find some action on these areas.
For more information about small-game hunting regulations and opportunities, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/.
- Jim Low -
Deer rut is at hand; motorists beware
Friday, September 30, 2005
Deer grow restless as mating begins. That puts deer and drivers at greater risk.
JEFFERSON CITY-Newspaper headlines tell the whole story about deer-vehicle accidents:
"Rocheport motorist hurt avoiding deer"
"Fatal crash caused by deer"
"Chariton County man killed after tractor strikes deer"
"Passenger injured as deer crashes into truck"
"More traffic, animals, drive up collisions and costs"
Headlines like these show up with increasing frequency as autumn settles over Missouri each year. The causes are well-understood. Missouri's deer herd is as large as it has ever been. People are increasingly living on the urban-rural interface, where deer thrive and hunting is less prevalent. And deer become more active in autumn, due to an uptick in mating behavior known as "the rut."
"Rutting deer are restless," said Lonnie Hansen, a deer specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. "They also are preoccupied with finding mates, which makes them less aware of automobiles. You can't change the deer, so it's up to drivers to be more aware and cautious this time of year."
The best way to avoid collisions with deer is to stay off the road near dawn and dusk, when deer are most active. This isn't an option for commuters, however. If you have to drive during the hours of peak deer activity, slow down and watch for deer, especially near wooded areas, stream crossings or where deer-crossing signs are posted.
Constantly scan the area just off the roadway for deer. Begin slowing down as soon as you see a deer, even if it is not on the road or moving. Deer are remarkably fleet-footed and can bolt into your path without warning. Furthermore, when one deer is present, others often are nearby.
Don't let down your guard after a deer crosses the road. It might double back, or another deer could be following it.
Before braking, check your rear- and side-view mirrors for other cars. Slow down gradually. Tap your brakes to alert drivers behind you to danger. Sound your horn to warn deer of danger.
Some deer-auto collisions occur when a deer runs into the side of a moving vehicle or leaps out in front of a car. If this happens, don't swerve wildly. Many deer-related accidents result when drivers lose control of their vehicles while trying to avoid deer. It's better to steer straight than to risk running off the road or colliding with oncoming traffic.
Report deer-vehicle accidents to the sheriff's or police department. Your report will document damage for insurance claims and help officials track the incidence of deer-vehicle accidents. Law-enforcement officers also can help you contact a conservation agent if you want to keep the meat from a road-killed deer.
-Jim Low-
Conservation Department merges two property auctions
Friday, September 30, 2005
Buyers will find more goods than ever.
SALEM, Mo-The Missouri Department of Conservation has combined two of its annual surplus property auctions into one event, creating a bigger-than-ever selection of used cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, trailers, outboard motors, farm and office equipment and a wide range of other goods.
In the past, the Conservation Department has held auctions in Brookfield and Salem each year. This year, the agency cancelled the Brookfield auction.
The combined auction will be Oct. 22 at the Conservation Department Maintenance Center at the junction of Highways 32 and 72 in Salem. Sale items will be on display from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Oct. 21 and at 8 a.m. the day of the sale. The auction begins at 9 a.m. For lists of sale items, call the Conservation Department General Services Division at 573/522- 4115, ext 3279 or 3283.
Items on sale will include:
OUTDOOR GEAR-john boats, V-bottom boats, boat trailers, outboard motors, fish locators, Remington Model 4100 clay target thrower.
AUTOMOBILES, ATVs AND TRAILERS-flatbed truck, half- and three-quarter-ton regular pickup trucks, extended-cab pickup trucks, pickup truck camper tops, pickup truck bed covers, sedans, minivans, sport-utility vehicles, Chevy Suburbans, motor home, all-terrain vehicles, flatbed, cargo and gooseneck trailers, tool boxes
LAWN AND FARM EQUIPMENT-tractors, plows, harrows, sickle-bar mowers, riding lawn mowers;
OFFICE EQUIPMENT-copiers, typewriters, fax machines, furniture, binoculars, spotting scopes, fish feeders, air conditioners, freezer, water pumps, generators, radio and communications equipment, cameras, lenses, projectors and screens, computer monitors, printers and scanners;
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT-drill press, power washer, air compressors, snow plow blade, welder, steel spiral staircase, wheel balancer and more.
All property must be paid for on the day of the sale and before removal. The Conservation Department accepts cash, MasterCard or Visa credit cards or personal checks with proper identification.
-Jim Low-
Needy Missourians could get 300 tons of meat from deer hunters this year
Friday, September 23, 2005
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| The food item in shortest supply at food banks and other charitable organizations is meat. Missouri hunters help satisfy this need by donating tons of venison through Share the Harvest annually. For more information about the program, call (573) 634-2322. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY—Tim Brooks and Scott Rubinstein come from very different places, but they share something special. Each one knows how it feels to help thousands of people.
Brooks is lifelong hunter who grew up in on a farm near Glasgow. His interest in the outdoors led him to a career as a private land conservationist with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Rubinstein, a self-described “city boy,” grew up in St. Joseph. Now he works in public relations for Bass Pro Shops, one of the nation’s largest hunting equipment retailers.
The common thread that unites Brooks and Rubinstein is Share the Harvest, a program that channels meat from deer hunters to needy Missourians. Hunters donated more than 138 tons of venison to food banks and other charitable organizations through the program last year.
Although the program is administered by the Conservation Department and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, all the work is performed by volunteers. Local sponsors recruit meat-packing houses to process deer. They also line up food banks and other charitable organizations to distribute processed meat to needy families.
Brooks got involved in Share the Harvest three years ago, adding his energy to a program that Pike County Conservation Agent Mike Christensen started. The program was accepting 75 deer per year when the two set out to increase donations. Last year they brought in 556 whole deer, plus a small amount of partial donations. The total yield was more than 36 tons of venison.
“I like to translate that into quarter-pound hamburgers to get across the amount of food it represents,” said Brooks. “Last year’s donations from our county alone equaled almost 100,000 quarter-pounders.”
Applying the same math, statewide venison donations amounted to more than 1 million thick, juicy venison burgers last year.
The logistics of handling that much meat can be daunting. For one thing, you have to make donating deer affordable for hunters. Meat for Share the Harvest must be processed by commercial packing houses, which charge approximately $60 per deer. State and local Share the Harvest sponsors try to pay as much of this cost as possible for hunters who donate whole deer.
“If you know that you can shoot a doe and drop it off at the processor without paying a dime, you are much more likely to become a donor,” said Brooks.
Money for Pike County’s Share the Harvest program came from several sources. The Conservation Federation chipped in cash from a statewide network of donors to pay $35 each for processing whole deer. Brooks and Christensen worked to find enough money to pay the remainder of processing costs.
Elks Lodge No. 791 and its Trimble House senior citizens center put up $3,350 to defray processing costs. The Pike County Area Quail Unlimited, the Pike County Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association and the Twin Rivers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation also contributed cash.
The next challenge local Share the Harvest programs face is finding a way to transport and store hundreds of deer carcasses and the resulting processed meat. Pike County cleared this hurdle with help from Witte Brothers Exchange, a trucking company headquartered in Troy, Mo. The company lends one of its refrigerated tractor-trailer trucks to the local Share the Harvest each year.
“Without them, this program wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is now,” said Christensen.
The Central Missouri Food Bank in Columbia also has sent a refrigerated truck, and Pike County resident Kyle Reed donates the use of a 6- by 10-foot walk-in freezer to hold processed meat until it can be distributed.
“We even get help from the Pike County Commission,” said Christensen. “They keep the refrigerator units running. Volunteers check in deer and put them in the trailers. Others are involved, too. It takes a lot of people working as a team to run a program this large.”
Local Share the Harvest groups also need meat processors willing to participate in the program. Hiltys Custom Butchering in Bowling Green agreed to butcher donated deer for $35, the modest amount that the Conservation Federation would pay. Woods Smoked Meats agreed to do the job for $60, leaving only $25 per deer for the local sponsors to cover.
Food banks in Pike County were delighted to get such a bonanza of meat. The county collected enough to be able to send some to food banks in St. Louis, too.
Brooks said having four places where Pike County hunters could drop off deer helped boost donations. Donating deer will be even more convenient this year, since hunters don’t have to visit check stations first and then make a second trip to a drop-off point.
Brooks said he has high hopes for Pike County’s Share the Harvest program this year. He said several things are working in their favor.
One is that more landowners are using hunters to thin their deer herds. Some are practicing quality deer management, removing female deer and antlerless male deer to increase the number and size of remaining bucks. Others are trying to solve problems with crop damage or deer-car accidents. These landowners simply want fewer deer.
In either case, few landowners want to shoot and eat as many deer as they need to remove. Share the Harvest is an easy, affordable solution.
“This gives them someplace to take those deer,” said Brooks. “We make it affordable and everyone benefits.”
Rubinstein’s interest in Share the Harvest grew out of his work as promotions manager at Bass Pro Shops’ new store in Columbia. His responsibilities include getting more people to visit the store and making sure Bass Pro Shops is a good corporate neighbor. Share the Harvest offered excellent opportunities for both tasks.
“We want people to come to our store, and deer hunters are an excellent group for us,” said Rubinstein. “We also want to make a positive impact by being involved in the community, not only in Columbia but statewide.”
Working with Conservation Federation Executive Director Dave Murphy and the Central Missouri Food Bank, Rubinstein and Bass Pro Shops officials decided to set up a venison donation drop point at their Columbia store during the urban and youth portions of firearms deer season. Hunters who donate venison there will receive coupons good for a 15 percent discount on purchases made at Bass Pro Shops that day.
Besides accepting venison donations, the Columbia Bass Pro Shops store will have phones and computers for hunters to telecheck their deer during the urban and youth hunts. Rubinstein said he hopes the events will give deer hunters in central Missouri a new place to come and socialize with other hunters. This is one of the traditional roles of check stations, which have been phased out this year.
Bass Pro Shops also has devised a program to encourage hunters and anglers to support Share the Harvest financially. Through Oct. 2, customers checking out at the Columbia store will be asked if they would like to add $1 or more to their bills to underwrite deer processing costs. Those who do will be entered in a drawing for bowhunting equipment and clothing valued at $750.
“You get one entry per dollar, and you can enter as many times as you like,” said Rubinstein. “Each time is like buying a raffle ticket. Someone is going to get a great bonus for helping feed hungry people.”
Murphy said Bass Pro Shops also is among several corporate sponsors statewide who are helping the Conservation Federation achieve an ambitious goal for expanding Share the Harvest this year.
“We want to double venison donations from last year’s level. We think it’s doable, but we will need a lot more money to pay processing costs.
Last year the Federation collected cash donations of more than $170,000 to support Share the Harvest. To double donations, they need $350,000. So far, Murphy has commitments for $250,000.
Donors who have committed money to date include the Conservation Federation, Bass Pro Shops, Shelter Insurance, the Conservation Department, the Monsanto Company, Anheuser-Busch, Safari Club International, Whitetails Unlimited and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
“Imagine the good we can do,” said Murphy. “If we get $350,000 for processing and get enough hunters to donate, we will get 10,000 deer. That is 325 tons of meat going to people who really need it.
“At the same time, we will help landowners protect their property, reduce damage and injuries from deer-car accidents, help keep Missouri’s deer herd healthy and improve the quality of hunting. I can’t think of any other program where you get that much benefit from such a modest investment.”
The 2005 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Information booklet lists names, locations and contact information for more meat processors participating in Share the Harvest. For more information about the program, call (573) 522-4115, ext. 3290, or (573) 634-2322.
- Jim Low -
Duck blinds available to hunters with disabilities
Friday, September 23, 2005
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| Hunters with mobility impairments can hunt ducks from specially designed blinds at wetland areas owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation. For more information, call (573) 751-4115. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY—If you have everthought you might enjoy duck hunting, but assumed the sport was out of reach due to a mobility impairment, think again. The Missouri Department of Conservation has hunting blinds designed with wheelchair users in mind.
To meet its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Conservation Department provides wheelchair-accessible blinds at 12 conservation areas (CAs). Users can drive close to these blinds. Entry is via ADA-compliant boardwalks.
Most of the blinds are fully enclosed and overlook prime hunting spots. They are reserved exclusively for use by hunters with mobility impairments. Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis starting Oct. 3.
"I am crazy about duck hunting myself,” said Wildlife Division Administrator Dave Erickson, "so to me, this is a really special program. It has all the elements of an extreme sport, yet we can make it available to hunters who have trouble getting around. Just because you use a wheelchair doesn’t mean you don’t want some adventure in your life."
Demand for handicapped-accessible blinds is lighter late in the hunting season at some areas, so anyone who really wants to hunt can get in. At the most popular areas, however, it is a good idea to reserve early. To reserve a blind, call:
--B.K. Leach CA in Lincoln County, (636) 441-4554.
--Bob Brown CA in Holt County, (816) 271-3100.
--Duck Creek CA in Stoddard County, (573) 290-5730.
--Eagle Bluffs CA in Boone County, (573) 445-3882.
--Fountain Grove CA in Linn County, (660) 646-6122.
--Four Rivers CA in Vernon County, (417) 395-2341.
--Marais Temps Clair CA in St. Charles County, 314) 877-6014.
--Montrose CA in Henry County, (660) 693-4666.
--Nodaway Valley CA in Holt County, (816) 271-3100.
--Otter Slough CA in Stoddard County, (573) 290-5730.
--Schell-Osage CA in Vernon County, (417) 432-3414.
--Ted Shanks CA in Pike County, (573) 248-2530.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also has a wheelchair-accessible blind at Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Chariton County. Call (660) 856-3343 or 856-3323 for information.
-Jim Low-
Summer drought could affect fall colors
Friday, September 23, 2005
Forester expects an average fall foliage display.
JEFFERSON CITY—Missourians can expect average to below-average fall colors this year, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Forestry Division Administrator Bob Krepps said the return of rains in August, following a two-month drought, prevented a fall color flop. However, foresters around the state say many trees already are brown or leafless.
“We’re probably going to have an average year overall,” said Krepps. “It won’t be the worst or the best, but there will be color.”
Krepps said some trees lost their leaves during a hot, dry spell that spanned most of June and July. The majority of trees kept their leaves, but some may be more prone to early leaf drop due to drought stress. That could affect fall color. However, weather conditions in the next few weeks will be critical to determining the quality and duration of this year’s display.
Warm, sunny days and cool nights favor the development of brilliant foliage. Nighttime lows in the 50s and 60s cause leaves to stop producing green pigment. Sugars stored in leaves undergo chemical changes at the same time, creating shades of orange, red and purple.
That is what normally happens. However, several things can go wrong. Unseasonably warm weather in September and early October can allow green pigments to persist, masking other colors. Cloudy weather causes trees to produce less sugar, and rainy weather helps flush existing sugar out of leaves and into tree roots.
A hard freeze at the wrong time can cause leaves to drop early. Heavy rainfall or strong wind can strip leaves from trees, cutting autumn splendor short.
Krepps said rain that fell in August came in time to save many drought-stressed trees. Dogwoods seemed particularly hard-hit by July’s dry heat. Some were completely brown by the end of the month. But with the return of rain, many of the affected trees sprouted new greenery. That could make the difference between death and survival.
“If the drought had lasted another month, we would have seen much more tree mortality than we will now. The rain last month was a life-saver for a lot of trees.”
As a general rule, said Krepps, fall colors are likely to be better in river bottoms and along other water courses. Trees in dry, upland locations are less likely to turn vibrant colors this year.
Northwestern Missouri was less affected by drought than some areas. Foresters there predict a normal year for fall color, with display peaking in mid-October.
Poosey Conservation Area (CA) in Livingston County will host a fall color driving tour from noon until 4 p.m. Oct. 16. The 19th annual event showcases conservation practices with a striking backdrop of colorful foliage.
Four-wheel drive vehicles with high ground clearance are recommended for the Poosey Fall Driving Tour. Driving the entire route takes about an hour, not counting stops. For more information, call Resource Forester Terry Truttmann at (660) 646-6122.
Foresters in northeastern Missouri predict poor fall color unless weather conditions change drastically. In that region, more rain and cooler nights are needed to develop more striking foliage.
Kansas City area foresters say recent rains have revived trees there and say the fall color outlook is good. Places to look for turning trees include Swope Park, Maple Woods Natural Area and White Alloe Creek, Burr Oak Woods and Big Buffalo Creek CAs.
Central Missouri foresters are hopeful for a good fall color display. They predict a peak of fall color around Oct. 15 and suggest scenic drives along Highway 94 from Hermann to Jefferson City, Highway 179 from Jefferson City to Overton and Highway 87 from California to Glasgow. Katy Trail State Park offers excellent fall color viewing for walkers, runners and bicyclists.
In the St. Louis area, foresters say the summer drought will reduce fall color. Prospects are just average, with a likely peak the weekend of Oct. 22 and 23. August A. Busch Memorial and Columbia Bottom CAs are convenient places for St. Louis area residents to take in fall landscapes.
Southwest Missouri Foresters predict a patchy fall color display, with the best color in places that received more rain. Overall, they predict a below-average display.
In the Ozarks, foresters expect subdued fall color unless considerable rain falls in the next few weeks. They say Shannon and Carter counties will have the best viewing.
For fall color updates as the season progresses, visit www.missouriconservation.org/nathis/seasons/fall/.
-Jim Low-
Waterfowl hunting clinic & hunt for youth Oct. 22 & 29
Friday, September 23, 2005
Youths must attend the clinic to qualify for a hunt at a private waterfowl club.
BLAIRSTOWN, Mo.—Aspiring hunters ages 11 to 15 have an opportunity to learn about waterfowl hunting from expert hunters.
The clinic will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at Everhart’s Wilderness Lodge, Blairstown. The workshop will cover firearms safety, shotgun patterning, dog training and handling, duck calling and game processing. Participants will put shotgun training into practice by shooting clay targets on a sporting clays course that simulates real waterfowl hunting situations.
Those who complete the workshop will be eligible to take part in a guided waterfowl hunt Oct. 29.
Registration is open to 30 youths on a first-come, first-served basis. Each participant must have completed a certified hunter education course and be accompanied by an adult sponsor. To register, call (660) 885-6981.
Sponsors of the event include hunter education instructors John and Linda Everhart, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Waterfowl Association and the Kansas City Chapter of the Safari Club International.
-Jim Low-
Workshop aims to create better waterfowl hunters
Friday, September 16, 2005
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| Missouri waterfowl hunters can learn how to use nontoxic shotgun shells more effectively at a workshop sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation in Clinton Oct. 1. For more information, contact Bryan Bethel, 573/522-4115, ext. 3364, Bryan.Bethel@mdc.mo.gov. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
CLINTON, Mo.-Duck and goose hunters who want to bag more birds and wound fewer have an opportunity to become more efficient hunters at a seminar Oct. 1.
The Missouri Department of Conservation will host the workshop from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Benson Convention Center at the intersection of Highways 52 and 13 in Clinton. For more information, contact Bryan Bethel, 573/522-4115, ext. 3364, Bryan.Bethel@mdc.mo.gov.
Tom Roster, a nationally-known expert on shotgun ballistics, will conduct the seminar. Topics include: --Performance of various types of nontoxic shot compared to lead; --Shotguns and chokes that are safe to use with steel shot; --Load and choke selection; --How to improve your shooting with nontoxic shot; --How to reduce wounding loss; --When to shoot and when to wait; --Reloading nontoxic shot shells.
Roster, of Klamath Falls, Ore., is ballistics editor for Sporting Clays magazine, shot-talk editor for Shooting Sportsman magazine and shooting editor for Waterfowl Hunter Quarterly. He emerged as an expert on nontoxic shot performance in the 1980s, when concerns arose about the effects of lead shot on waterfowl and birds of prey. He has conducted extensive field research on the performance of non-toxic alternatives to lead shot.
The workshop is part of the Cooperative North American Shotgunning Education Program (CONSEP), a partnership of conservation agencies and ammunition manufacturers.
- Jim Low -
Endangered Species Walk-Run Oct. 8, rain or shine
Friday, September 16, 2005
This year's event focuses on caves and the animals that live in them.
JEFFERSON CITY-Missourians who want to help conserve endangered species ranging from Indiana bats to Ozark cavefish and blind salamanders can do their part by joining the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation's Endangered Species Walk/Run Oct. 8.
The event, now in its seventh year, gives people at every level of ability the chance to contribute to endangered species conservation. Athletically inclined participants can choose a 5K or 10K run. Those who want a less strenuous workout can opt for a 5K walk on a separate course.
Prizes are awarded to the first three finishers in eight age divisions from 10 and under to 60 and older. All participants receive Endangered Species Walk/Run t-shirts with an original design by Conservation Department Artist Mark Raithel. This year's design features cave animals.
Organizers say the event will proceed regardless of weather. Participants will gather at 8 a.m. at the Katy Trail pavilion at the intersection of Highways 54 and 63 in North Jefferson City. Races will begin at 9 a.m.
Registration forms and full event information are available at www.mdc.mo.gov/programs/es_walkrun/. Completed forms can be mailed to Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Endangered Species Walk/Run, P.O. Box 366, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0366. Advance registration costs $15 for those 15 and older or $10 for age 14 and under. Add $3 for registrations marked after Sept. 21 or on-site the day of the event. If you can't be there, you can buy a commemorative t-shirt or send donations to the same address.
All proceeds from the event go to the Conservation Heritage Foundation and are channeled into endangered species programs. Project that have benefitted from the event in recent years include a captive-breeding program for the Topeka shiner and studies of least bitterns, spring cavefish and rare wetland species.
-Jim Low-
DU, flyway council seek funding to conserve 300,000 acres
Friday, September 16, 2005
A loan now could save waterfowl habitat and money in the long run.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Ducks Unlimited (DU) and the Mississippi Flyway Council are appealing to Congress and the Bush Administration for a loan to conserve 300,000 acres of waterfowl habitat. In the end, they say, it will save more than ducks.
Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest wetland and waterfowl conservation organization. The Flyway Council is an organization of state and Canadian government agencies that share responsibility for managing migratory birds in central North America. Both groups have endorsed legislation that would provide a Congressional loan to protect wetland habitat critical to the health of migratory bird populations.
The 2006 Emergency Wetlands Loan Act would provide a $400 million advance over 10 years on future revenue from the sale of federal duck stamps. The measure has a precedent in Public Law 87-383, known as the Wetlands Loan Act. Passed in 1961, this law provided $200 million for migratory bird habitat protection. The measure expired in 1988.
Dave Erickson, Wildlife Division administrator for the Missouri Department of Conservation, chairs the flyway council. In an August letter on behalf of the flyway council, Erickson asked President George W. Bush to support the 2006 Emergency Wetlands Loan Act. He said the proposed law ultimately would save the government money.
"What is being proposed isn't an increase in federal revenues," said Erickson. "The money will be paid back from future duck stamp sales revenues. Getting an advance on those revenues will enable us to set aside land at today's prices rather than what we would have to pay 10 years from now."
Erickson said hundreds of landowners in North and South Dakota and other states are prepared to work with Ducks Unlimited and the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect 300,000 acres of wetland and grassland habitat, providing long-term benefits for ducks, geese and other wildlife.
"The continued rapid loss of wetlands and other waterfowl habitat jeopardizes the future of waterfowl populations," said DU President Dr. Jim Hulbert. "We are asking Congress to act quickly to create the 2006 Emergency Wetlands Loan Act and pass it soon. It's now or never, and we simply don't have any time to waste."
DU Executive Vice President Don Young said waterfowl habitat continues to be lost at staggering rates in the northern United States.
"At the present rate, it will take another 20 years and several hundred million dollars to protect the best waterfowl habitat," said Young. "If those funds were available now, we could do this job in just a few years and keep all this habitat intact and producing ducks. The next decade will determine if we see prairie wetlands and grasslands saved or lost forever."
If Congress approves the emergency loan, the Fish and Wildlife Service would use the money to help landowners protect existing wetlands and surrounding duck production habitat in breeding areas across the northern United States. The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies proposed the idea, and several governors and U.S. representatives have endorsed it.
For more information, visit www.ducks.org/News/EmergencyWetlandsLoanAct.asp or http://gov.louisiana.gov/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=943.
-Jim Low-
Blessed event has wildlife lovers singing a swan song
Friday, September 09, 2005
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| Two trumpeter swans from an Iowa restoration program have hatched a trio of cygnets (young swans) in Carroll County, causing rejoicing on both sides of Missouri's northern border.(Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
CHILLICOTHE, Mo.-With their well-kept secret now public knowledge, two Carroll County residents are basking in the glow of a historic blessed event-the birth of three trumpeter swans.
Bud and Debbie Neptune didn't know the big birds had taken up residence at a pond on their home property until their son, Scott, came to visit during turkey hunting season. He spotted one of the elegant, snow-white creatures on his parent's 1.5-acre pond.
Bud did an Internet search for "swan" and found listings for the National Audubon Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). He e-mailed the federal agency and reported having seen a swan with a red neck collar.
Knowing the color of the bird's collar allowed the FWS to trace it to a restoration program run by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Within 24 hours, the Neptunes got a call from an IDNR biologist, who was excited to learn that one of his birds had nested successfully. He informed them that a pair of swans had built a nest on nearby property in 2004 but failed to produce young.
In June, the Neptunes got their first glimpse of the whole swan family, consisting of two adults and three gray cygnets ("sig-nets"), as young swans are known. By then, the little ones were about a month old.
Although the Neptunes knew the birds came from Iowa, it was impossible to tell more without knowing the number on the male swan's neckwear. Bud called a friend in the local chapter of the National Audubon Society and asked to borrow her spotting scope, a powerful, compact telescope. With that, he was able to read the inscription "J-94."
According to the IDNR, J-94 was reared in northwestern Iowa in 1990 and released in southwestern Iowa, where it found a mate and formed a life bond. The couple moved south to set up housekeeping, bringing the Show-Me State into Iowa's trumpeter swan restoration program for the first time.
Knowing that the previous year's attempt probably failed due to human disturbance, the Neptunes were careful to shield the birds from public attention. They told their immediate family and a few friends what was going on, but otherwise kept it a secret.
By late August, they decided it was time to announce the news. By letting people in the area know the birds are there, they hope to reduce the chances of a goose hunter shooting one by mistake.
Bud has been an active citizen conservationist for decades. In 1975, he helped gather signatures on petitions to gain voter approval of Missouri's one-eighth of one percent sales tax for conservation. His experience with the swans has given his enthusiasm for wildlife an extra boost, prompting him to join the Trumpeter Swan Society. He has used the Internet to become something of an expert on swans.
He noted that trumpeter swans can live 20 to 25 years, and once they find a good nesting spot, they return to it year after year. Their young often choose nest sites near where they were fledged. Two public wetland areas-Fountain Grove Conservation Area and Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge-offer thousands of acres of wetland habitat within 20 miles of the Neptune's home, creating the possibility that Carroll County could become the focus of a new trumpeter swan population.
Debbie said watching the young swans grow has been wonderfully exciting. "They learn everything by imitating their parents," she said. "They follow exactly whatever mom and dad are doing, eating from the bottom of the pond, oiling their feathers. It has been a lot of fun to watch."
The next thing the cygnets will learn is how to fly. The young birds already have lost about half of their gray feathers. In another month they will be white like their parents and ready to fly. Nearby cornfields will provide an unobstructed training ground for their initial flights.
Trumpeter swans are North America's largest waterfowl, reaching weights of up to 35 pounds and wingspans of 8 feet. Unregulated market hunting and destruction of the marshy areas where they live caused them to disappear from much of their original range in the northern half of the United States.
In Missouri, trumpeter swans historically were most common around big rivers in the northern half of the state. The last known successful nesting by trumpeter swans in Missouri occurred in the mid-1800s.
Several northern Midwest states have trumpeter swan restoration programs, and a number of birds from those programs visit Missouri during the winter. The restoration of wetland habitat here opens the door for swans from other states to recolonize the Show-Me State.
Dave Graber, a resource scientist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the last recorded nesting by trumpeter swans in Missouri involved a pair of birds from restoration attempts in Missouri. The birds hatched two cygnets at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Missouri in 1986. The pair of young birds disappeared after a few weeks, however, probably victims of natural predators.
Three-quarters of the world's trumpeter swans live in Alaska. More than 2,500 free-flying trumpeter swans live in the upper Midwest.
For more information, visit: www.trumpeterswansociety.org.
-Jim Low-
Booklet explains changes in deer hunting regulations at conservation areas
Friday, September 09, 2005
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| Changes in deer hunting regulations on hundreds of conservation areas are summarized in the 2005 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet. The booklet is available wherever hunting permits are sold. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-Hunters will find regulations governing deer hunting on conservation areas (CAs) a little easier to get a handle on, thanks to changes initiated by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Deer management needs are slightly different at each of the Conservation Department's hundreds of areas. To meet those needs, the agency can adjust season length, legal hunting methods, bag limits and harvest restrictions based on deer sex and antler size. The large number of regulation options and CAs create the potential for a bewildering array of combinations.
"Hunting regulations are complicated enough" said Lonnie Hansen, the Conservation Department's deer biologist. "We don't need to make things any more confusing, so we came up with six regulation packages that cover every conservation area in the state. All you have to do is look at the 2005 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet to find out which package covers the area you want to hunt."
The six regulation packages listed in the regulation guide are:
1. Statewide seasons and limits apply.
2. Only archery methods may be used. Deer hunting with firearms is prohibited. All other statewide seasons and limits apply.
3. Only archery and muzzleloading methods may be used. All other statewide seasons and limits apply.
4. Archery antlerless and firearms antlerless permits may not be used. Antlerless deer may be taken on Youth Deer & Turkey Hunting Permits, Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permits and Archer's Hunting Permits. All other statewide seasons and limits apply.
5. Only antlered deer may be taken during the youth, November and muzzleloader portions of the firearms deer season, and the area is closed to firearms deer hunting during the urban counties and antlerless portions. Archery antlerless permits may not be used. Antlerless or antlered deer may be taken on an Archer's Hunting Permit. All other statewide seasons and limits apply.
6. Archery antlerless and firearms antlerless permits may not be used. The area is closed to firearms deer hunting during the urban counties and antlerless portions. Antlerless deer may be taken on Youth Deer and Turkey Hunting Permits, Firearms Any-Deer Hunting Permits and Archer's Hunting Permits. All other statewide seasons and limits apply.
The fall deer and turkey hunting booklet also has a list of CAs that were open for deer hunting in 2004 but are closed this year. You can get a copy of the booklet wherever hunting permits are sold or online at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/deer/deertuk/.
- Jim Low -
Field Day to help landowners keep streams healthy
Friday, September 09, 2005
Learn how to keep farm land and streams healthy and productive.
NEW FRANKLIN-Keeping land along Missouri's rivers and streams healthy and profitable is the goal of a field day sponsored by the University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry.
The Riparian Buffer Field Day will take place Oct. 27 at the Agroforestry Research Center at New Franklin. The event will help landowners achieve business goals while taking care of one of the state's most valuable natural resources.
Tree-lined steam banks are more than scenic amenities. A border of forest land along streams prevents erosion, keeps sediment, nutrients and agrichemicals out of runoff water and reduces the severity of flooding. Such "riparian buffers" also provide tremendous benefits to deer, turkeys, songbirds, furbearers and other wildlife.
Resource professionals and landowners who are interested in obtaining these benefits can see first-hand how to establish and maintain wooded stream corridors at the free field day.
Topics to be covered include:
--Riparian buffer function and design
--Tree species selection
--Tree planting configurations
--Wildlife management
--Autumn tree and shrub planting.
Attendance will be limited to 40 persons. Registration closes Oct. 21. For information, contact Julie Rhoads, Rhoadsj@missouri.edu or visit www.centerforagroforestry.org.
-Jim Low-
Commission to meet Oct. 6-7 at Montauk State Park
Friday, September 09, 2005
SALEM, Mo.-The Missouri Conservation Commission will hold its October meeting at Montauk State Park on Highway 119 in southwestern Dent County. The Commission will meet in executive session Oct. 6 and in open session at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 7.
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 Sept. 22.
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: Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, chairman; Stephen Bradford, Cape Girardeau, vice-chairman; Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis, secretary; Chip McGeehan, Marshfield, member.
-Jim Low-
Bowhunters will find deer plentiful, regulations mostly unchanged from 2005 season
Friday, September 02, 2005
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| Archery deer hunters will have exclusive access to more conservation areas this year, and they are likely to find more antlered deer in the 29 counties where antler-based harvest regulations are entering their second year. In-person checking has been dropped in favor of checking by telephone or computer. Otherwise, archery deer and turkey hunting regulations remain substantially the same as last year. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY-Missourians who hunt deer with bows and arrows will have more days for their sport again this year, and in some areas they will find more mature bucks with well-developed antlers.
This is the second year that Missouri's archery deer season will open in mid-September. Previously, opening day was Oct. 1. The season is Sept. 15 through Nov. 11 and Nov. 23 through Jan. 15, nearly four months long.
Archers checked 4,738 deer last September. Whether the extra 15 days contributed to the record archery harvest of 35,988 is difficult to say. However, it is a safe bet that the September harvest will increase in the coming years as hunters learn to take advantage of the early hunting opportunity.
As last year, antlered deer must have at least four points measuring at least 1 inch on one side to be taken in 29 designated counties in central and northwestern Missouri. This experimental regulation is aimed at shifting harvest from young bucks to does. The ultimate goal is to provide better deer-population control and increase the proportion and size of antlered deer in the population. So far, it seems to be working.
Missouri Department of Conservation Resource Scientist Lonnie Hansen said archers will find excellent hunting opportunities in counties where antler-based harvest restrictions went into effect last year.
"We documented a 66 percent decrease in the harvest of 1 1/2 -year-old bucks in the counties where antler restrictions went into effect last year," said Hansen. "That means there will be more mature bucks with larger antlers in the pilot counties this year."
Details about the experimental antler restriction and other regulations are found in the 2005 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet. The booklet is available wherever hunting permits are sold. The same information is available online at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/deer/deertuk/.
Archers also will have exclusive hunting opportunities at 145 conservation areas where only bowhunting is permitted for deer. These areas, along with other special deer hunting regulations for conservation areas, are listed in the deer and turkey hunting information booklet.
Valid permits for hunting deer with a bow include: --Resident Archer's Hunting Permit ($19) --Nonresident Archer's Hunting Permit ($120) --Resident Landowner Archer's Permit (no cost) --Nonresident Landowner Archer's Permit ($75) --Resident Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit ($7) --Nonresident Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit ($7) --Resident Landowner Archery Antlerless Deer Hunting Permit (no cost)
Basic archery deer and turkey hunting permits allow hunters to take two deer and two turkeys of either sex. Only one antlered deer may be taken before Nov. 12.
Archers in 100 of the state's 114 counties may buy and fill any number of archery antlerless deer hunting permits. This abundance of hunting opportunity prompted hundreds of archers to donate venison to needy Missourians through the Share the Harvest program last year. In all, food banks and other charitable organizations received more than 135 tons of venison from deer hunters. Information about donating venison also is included in the deer hunting information booklet.
- Jim Low -
Hunters urged to include tree stand safety in hunting season preparations
Friday, September 02, 2005
Falls from tree stands dwarf other risks for bowhunters.
JEFFERSON CITY-With the opening of archery deer hunting season fast approaching, the Missouri Department of Conservation urges bowhunters to take precautions to avoid crippling or fatal injuries
One appealing aspect of archery deer hunting is the sport's excellent safety record. While Missouri has averaged 7.6 nonfatal accidents and 1.4 fatal accidents annually during firearms deer season over the past five years, reported bowhunting accidents are almost unheard of.
This is partly due to the nature of bowhunting, which requires participants to get very close to deer with no obstructions to have any hope of success. The much smaller number of bowhunters also is a factor in keeping archery deer season safe.
Archers do share one risk with firearms hunters-falls from tree stands.
The Conservation Department only investigates accidents involving firearms or bows. However, a study conducted by the International Hunter Education Association found that 7 percent of the hunters using elevated tree stands had experienced an accident in the previous 10 years. Twenty-two percent of the accident victims required medical treatment.
A 1993 survey conducted by Deer and Deer Hunting magazine found that more than a third of tree stand hunters will at some time fall from a stand, and that about 3 percent of them will suffer crippling injuries.
The severity of injuries tends to increase with distance the victim falls. For this reason, it makes sense to place stands as near the ground as practical. However, even short falls can cause spinal injuries and paralysis or death.
Both studies found the majority of falls occurred when hunters were entering or leaving their stands. Furthermore, improper installation and careless use of tree stands and safety belts were among the major causes of tree stand accidents.
Hunter Education Program Coordinator Rick Flint said these findings prove the wisdom of checking equipment before the hunting season starts. Check moving parts of portable stands for wear, tighten loose nuts and bolts and replace worn or rusty hardware.
"Most portable tree stands are well-designed and made of sturdy materials," said Flint, "but they still require maintenance. Anchor straps and safety chains can get worn. Sometimes you even find cracks in metal or plastic parts. You should inspect every part of every stand before climbing into it the first time, and then check it periodically throughout the season."
Flint said the same is true of permanent tree stands. Wood eventually rots, and nails rust and work loose.
"If you find that part of your stand is deteriorating, don't just shrug it off and tell yourself it's good enough for one more season. Ask yourself if the time you save by not fixing it right then is worth the chance of being paralyzed for the rest of your life. That's what you are really talking about."
Flint said hunters should pay special attention to steps and ladders.
"You are going to be climbing up and down those rungs in the dark, in heavy clothing, sometimes in bad weather," said Flint. "That is not the time you want to discover that a step is faulty."
Flint recommended adding a non-slip covering to tree stand decks and to the upper surfaces of steps. This will help prevent loss of traction with muddy boots or in rain or snow.
The next pre-season check should involve your safety equipment. Inspect your safety harness for wear. Look over clasps to ensure they work properly. Check to be sure you have "haul rope" in your hunting gear so you can climb into your stand with hands free, and then pull your equipment up after you.
If you do not own a safety harness, invest in one. Flint said a full-body harness is the only type that provides real protection.
"Belts and chest harnesses can be worse than no protection at all in some cases. They can constrict breathing and cause suffocation, or turn you upside down and make it impossible to right yourself and get loose.
"A good, full-body harness isn't cheap, but when you compare it to the cost of your rifle, ammunition, hunting clothes, a pickup truck or ATV and all the other things hunters use, it's a very minor investment. Anyone who values their life should consider a high-quality full-body harness a necessary piece of hunting gear."
Flint also stressed the importance of following instructions that come with harnesses. Particularly critical, he said, is the length of the strap that connects the harness to the tree. He said this tether should be kept as short as practical. This is because the violent jerk that results when a hunter reaches the end of a long tether can cause injuries as severe as hitting the ground. The tether should be tied to the tree with only enough slack to permit necessary movements on the stand.
Once you have checked and refurbished your stand and safety equipment, you should practice using them under conditions similar to what you'll experience in the field.
If you use a portable stand, start by mounting it to a tree trunk at ground level. Repeat this over the course of several days until the process is second-nature. Then put on your hunting clothes and practice climbing into and out of your stand.
Always wear your safety harness when putting your stand up in the field. If possible, also keep your harness tethered to the tree when climbing up to and down from the stand and when entering and leaving your stand. Studies of tree-stand accidents show that many falls occur at these times.
To further reduce your risk of tree-stand falls, observe the following rules. --Use only equipment that has been certified as safe by the Treestand Manufacturer's Association. Certification is given only to stands that have been tested by independent labs and found to be structurally sound. --Closely follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing and using your stand. --Choose the location of your stand carefully. Avoid trees that are leaning, dead or dying. Also avoid those with leaves, vines or other features that will prevent proper use of your stand. --Always use a safety chain with portable stands. --Don't leave equipment on the ground directly under you while climbing up or down. You could fall on an arrow or other item, worsening your injuries. --Never hunt without telling someone where you will hunt and when you will return. --Carry survival gear, including food, water, a whistle or air horn to signal for help, a blanket and matches.
Hunters should review local regulations before installing tree stands on public lands. Use of portable stands is allowed on conservation areas (CAs) from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31. Unattended stands must be identified with the conservation number or the full name and address of the owner. Hunters must remove stands from CAs by Feb. 1 following the hunting season. Use of nails or any material that would damage trees is prohibited.
More information about tree-stand safety is available from: --The International Hunter Education Association, P.O. Box 490, Wellington, CO 80549, 970/568-7954, info@ihea.com, http://www.ihea.com/. --The Treestand Manufacturer's Association, P.O. Box 15214, Hattiesburg, MS 39404, 601/584-7983, www.tmastands.com/.
-Jim Low-
Missouri River cleanups set for Sept. 24 & Oct. 8
Friday, September 02, 2005
Get a glimpse of Lewis and Clark's river and help keep it beautiful.
JEFFERSON CITY-A coalition of citizen's groups, businesses and government agencies is looking for volunteers to conduct a cleanup of the Missouri River in the Boonville and Kansas City areas. Participants will get a rare opportunity to experience a river that is central to much of American lore.
Missouri River Relief is coordinating cleanup events Sept. 24 between Boonville and Rocheport and Oct. 8 in around the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers in the Kansas City area. Sponsoring organizations provide boats, equipment and services needed to collect trash ranging from tin cans to major household appliances. Citizens provide the labor.
Participants enjoy food and entertainment when the job is done, and a festive atmosphere prevails throughout the events. Veterans proudly wear T-shirts proclaiming their role in past river cleanups.
"These events don't only change the river," said Missouri River Relief spokesman Jim Karpowicz, "they change the people who take part in them, too."
Karpowicz said first-time participants are surprised at the river's majestic beauty and the abundance of wildlife they see while collecting litter. Bald eagles, ospreys, river otters, deer, turkey and a host of other native wildlife can be seen on riverbanks and sandbars.
The central Missouri cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 and conclude at 3 p.m. Franklin Island Conservation Area off Highway 40 in Howard County north of Boonville will serve as headquarters for the event.
Boats will ferry volunteers to river banks and islands to pick up trash. Other volunteers (including youth groups) will pick up trash along river banks, trails and roads around Franklin Island.
River Relief will also organize an educational event for school children on Friday, Sept. 23, at Franklin Island Conservation Area with river and water-quality learning stations.
The Lewis and Clark Historic Park at Kaw Point off Highway 24/40 in Kansas City, Kan., will be headquarters for the Oct. 8 cleanup, which also will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Missouri River Relief will host an educational event Oct. 7 at Kaw Point in conjunction with the cleanup, part of the ongoing Week of Water Celebration in the Kansas City area.
Event sponsors include the Missouri departments of Conservation and Natural Resources, Ameren-UE, Anheuser-Busch, American Compressed Steel, Bass Pro Shops, REI Recreational Equipment, Tracker Marine, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information, visit http://www.riverrelief.org/cleanup.html or contact Missouri River Relief, P.O. Box 463, Columbia, MO 65205, riverrelief@riverrelief.org. You can call 573/443-0292 from noon until 2p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays or from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays.
-Jim Low-
