New Smithville Lake crappie regulation showing good results, similar change considered for Mozingo Lake

MDC welcomes anglers to enjoy spring crappie fishing,
 but anglers are urged to check
regulations for each water body.

MDC reminds anglers to check current fishing regulations for lakes and rivers

St. Joseph, Mo. – Spring brings a favored time for crappie fishing. The panfish move into shallow water or near structure to spawn, making it easier for anglers to find them. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes anglers to enjoy crappie fishing at major reservoirs and on lakes at conservation areas. However, anglers are urged to check current crappie creel and length limits for the body of water where they are fishing. Regulations vary as MDC fisheries management biologists tailor limits to optimize fishing success for anglers.

Smithville Lake currently has a special crappie regulation that allows anglers to keep 30 crappies but no more than 15 over nine inches long. The change was made in 2019 and allows anglers to harvest more undersized black crappie while protecting the white crappie numbers. White crappie generally grow to a larger and more desirable size for anglers. The former regulation allowed anglers to keep 15 fish of either species over nine inches.

The Missouri Conservation Commission is considering a similar regulation change for Mozingo Lake near Maryville. Biologists say that lake also has too many undersized crappies of both species. Changing from a 15-fish limit with no size limit, to a 30-fish limit with no more than 15 over nine inches, will allow anglers to harvest undersized fish and improve the crappie population size balance by preventing the overharvest of fish over nine inches while allowing the necessary harvest of fish less than nine inches.

But anglers should be aware that the Mozingo Lake change is not in effect this spring. The 15-crappie limit with no size restriction is still the regulation. MDC has a 30-day public comment period on the proposed change through May 1. MDC invites online public comments during that time at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. Comments received will be considered and final proposals will go to the Commission for further action at its May 20 meeting. If enacted, the changes will become effective Aug. 30.

The crappie regulation change at Smithville Lake has so far shown positive results for the crappie population and angler success, said Tory Mason, MDC fisheries management biologist.

“Feedback from many anglers is that both crappie size and numbers at Smithville have been better than usual this winter and in early spring,” Mason said. “I know they were catching a bunch near standing timber in deep water, probably fish staging ahead of spawn.”

The food bases for sport fish are showing good signs, too. For sport fish, food availability such as baitfish and competition for that food does much to determine growth rates. Larger fish are fun to catch, and they provide larger fillets for cooking and eating.

“Many anglers commented this winter that the fish had huge full bellies of shad in them, which is kind of unusual for winter,” Mason said. “The shad are usually too big to be utilized by crappie by the fall. I think this means the shad hatch was good and many of this year’s shad stayed small throughout the 2021 growing season. That means they were well fed all winter, which also should mean a really good year of growth.”

For more information and photos of black crappie, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Znz. Photos and information about white crappie are at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZnK.

For more information about fishing in Missouri, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing. Also, MDC’s MO Fishing app allows anglers to use digital devices to check regulations, find places to fish, and even get GPS coordinates for sunken brush piles in lakes that attract fish. To download the app, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZJZ.

Photo: MDC welcomes anglers to enjoy spring crappie fishing, but anglers are urged to check regulations for each water body.

MDC sets 2022 elk and bear seasons with permit applications in May

Missouri hunters can apply for permits during May at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying area landowners and the remaining permits for the general public. MDC will also offer 400 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears during the second Missouri black-bear hunting season this fall. At least 10 percent of black bear permits will be allocated to qualifying area landowners. Only Missouri residents who will be at least 11 years of age by the first day of the hunt for which they are applying are eligible to apply for elk and bear permits during the application period of May 1-31. All permits will be assigned through a random drawing.

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to both elk and bear recommendations from MDC during its March 25 open meeting in Jefferson City.

Chris Irick of Pleasant Hope was
the first bowhunter
to take a bull elk in Missouri.
 Irick shot the 6×6 bull
 in Shannon County during
 the state’s second elk-hunting season.
 Missouri hunters can apply
 for permits for the upcoming
 fall elk season during May.

ELK HUNTING

For elk hunting, MDC has designated a nine-day archery portion running Oct. 15-23 and a nine-day firearms portion running Dec. 10-18. The five permits will be for bull elk and will be valid for both portions.

MDC will require a $10 application fee for elk-permit applicants. Those selected will then be eligible to buy a permit at a cost of $50. All elk-hunting permits, including those allocated to approved area landowners, can be used in Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, except the refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area.

The allowed hunting methods for each season portion will be the same as for deer hunting. The permits will allow for the harvest of one bull elk with at least one antler being six inches or greater in length.

For more information on elk and elk hunting in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/elkhunting.

Apply for the elk-permit random drawing May 1-31 online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC's free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Results of the elk-permit random drawing will be available online by July 1.

BEAR HUNTING

 

Kelsie Wikoff of Hume harvested
 this 268-pound boar (male bear)
 during last year’s inaugural
 Missouri bear hunting season.
Missouri hunters can apply
in May for the second Missouri
black bear hunting season
coming up Oct. 17-26.

MDC will offer 400 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears during the second Missouri black-bear hunting season running Oct. 17-26. There is a fee of $10 per applicant. Applicants must select one of three Black Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Those selected will then be eligible to buy a BMZ-specific permit at a cost of $25.

MDC has established three Bear Management Zones (BMZ) in southern Missouri and will issue annual permit numbers and harvest quotas for each of the three BMZs. Each permit will be for a specific BMZ and may be used on public or private property within the BMZ. Once the specific harvest quotas are filled for each BMZ, the season for that BMZ will be closed.

Permit and harvest quotas for the upcoming Oct. 17-26 bear season will be:

• BMZ 1: Permit quota of 200 issued with a harvest quota of 20 bears.
• BMZ 2: Permit quota of 150 issued with a harvest quota of 15 bears.
• BMZ 3: Permit quota of 50 issued with a harvest quota of 5 bears.

Hunting hours will be a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset. Hunters must call MDC prior to hunting each day to determine the closure status of the BMZ for which they are permitted. Hunters will be allowed to use both archery and firearms equipment with allowable methods being the same as those for deer and elk, except the use of an atlatl. Baiting and the use of dogs will not be allowed.

The harvest limit will be one bear per permit. Only lone black bears may be taken. Hunters may not take bears that are known to be in the presence of others bears, including female black bears with cubs. Bears may not be disturbed, pushed, harassed, or taken from a den.

Learn more about black bears and bear hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/bearhunting.

Apply for the bear-permit random drawing May 1 - 31 online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through MDC's free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by calling 1-800-392-4115. Results of the bear-permit random drawing will be available online by July 1.

MDC says spring migration offers good waterfowl viewing opportunities

The spring migration of waterfowl and shorebirds is
 underway and will continue into spring.
Wetlands at MDC conservation areas are good
places to view them.

Visit conservation area wetlands to see shorebirds, ducks, and geese

Kansas City, Mo. – The spring waterfowl migration is underway, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) says visiting wetlands can provide good birding and photography opportunities. Ducks, geese, and shorebirds begin moving north toward nesting grounds as weather warms and ice melts in wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Service roads and paths in MDC conservation areas provide viewing and hiking opportunities. Some wetlands also have blinds available for viewing and photography.

“The Bob Brown and Nodaway Valley conservations areas will both have good viewing opportunities,” said Craig Crisler, MDC wildlife management biologist. “Also, the waterfowl refuges on both areas are now open to the public.”

MDC’s Bob Brown Conservation Area is in the Missouri River bottoms near Oregon, Mo., north of St. Joseph in Holt County. The Nodaway Valley Conservation Area borders the Nodaway River in Holt County. Both areas have managed wetlands and various other habitats.

“In spring, we do slow drawdowns of pools to concentrate invertebrates along the water’s edge instead of draining pools quickly,” Crisler said. “One reason we do this is to provide easily accessible food for migrating ducks, geese, shorebirds, and other wading birds.  Most managers try to have this occurring in some part of the area from ice out to early June to be there for the entire group of migrating species.”

Spring migration of wetland-oriented birds varies by species and can be influenced by weather patterns.  The bird species using a wetland can vary from week to week. MDC and private wetlands provide important resting and feeding spots for migrants as they prepare for nesting season.

“There is a lot of opportunity for the public to see a little bit of everything at Four Rivers Conservation Area,” said Shane Allen, MDC wildlife management biologist and area manager. “We are currently dewatering slowly in select pools, and I have seen a good amount of shorebird and diverse waterfowl use. Pool 6 is currently being completely dewatered for a management objective with several acres of exposed mud flats.”

The August A. Busch, Jr., Wetlands at Four Rivers is south of Kansas City in Vernon and Bates counties.

A major wetland renovation project is underway at MDC’s Schell-Osage Conservation Area in Vernon and St. Clair counties. But some wetland pools may be usable for shorebirds and waterfowl. Plus, Atkinson Lake is nearby.

“What we try to do is provide useful habitat,” said John Henry, MDC wildlife management biologist and area manager. “Waterfowl use wetlands as loafing and foraging areas on their migrations both north and south. In the spring we begin drawdowns on our wetland pools to promote natural moist soil vegetation for the rest of the growing season.  This drawdown also provides shallow water habitat for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl.”

MDC’s Cooley Lake Conservation Area in Clay County and the Little Platte Marsh Conservation Area in Platte County are close to Kansas City. Both have wetlands frequented by wetland birds.

For more information and maps about all MDC wetlands and public conservation areas, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9o.

MDC helps families learn fishing skills with free class April 9 at Blue Springs

MDC will offer Lesson 1 in the Discover Nature —
Fishing series on May 9 at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
in Blue Springs.

Learn about angling equipment and techniques at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center

Kansas City, Mo. – Fishing is a great way for people to connect with nature in the springtime. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free fishing lesson from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 9, at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. This class is Lesson 1 from MDC’s Discover Nature — Fishing series, which offers classroom instruction followed by fishing with an instructor’s help. MDC provides all the equipment needed and no fishing permit is required.

Participants will learn how to properly cast lures or bait with a spin casting rod and reel. Instructor John Rittel, MDC community education assistant, will talk about the various equipment types used in fishing and how to use them. Rittel will cover how to properly handle and release a fish. Participants will then go fishing at a pond at Burr Oak Woods.

This class is for participants ages 7 and older. All youths under age 15 must be accompanied by an adult. COVID-19 safety precautions will be followed. Registration for each participant is required. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/4JW.

MDC’s Discover Nature — Fishing program is offered in a free four-lesson series that teaches and coaches new anglers. Participants gain the skills and confidence to go fishing on their own. MDC will offer lessons throughout the state from now into autumn. To learn more about the program and to find lessons offered near you, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zty.

MDC offering deer scouting program April 21 in Ashland

Register for the free program at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182640.

ASHLAND, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites new and experienced deer hunters to a program on scouting for deer on April 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the MDC Charles Green Conservation Area, 5611 E. Minor Hill Road in Ashland.

Many top deer hunters scout for deer throughout all seasons – including winter and spring as good times to scout. Join MDC’s staff of experienced deer hunters and scouters to learn tips to help notch a deer tag next season. Participants can learn from experienced MDC instructors about wildlife identification, deer habits and habitats, related regulations, safety, hunting strategies, equipment, and game care.

For more information, contact MDC Conservation Educator Ashley Edwards at Ashley.Edwards@mdc.mo.gov or 573-522-4115 ext.3420.

Participation is limited and registration is required. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/182640.

 

MDC’s Busch Shooting Range to offer turkey hunting class for beginners April 12

Learn the basics of turkey hunting with MDC’s 
Introduction to Turkey Hunting program Tuesday, April 12
from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Busch Shooting Range. 
This class is free and open to ages 9 and up. 

This free class is tailored for those who want to take their first steps in turkey hunting.

DEFIANCE, Mo.—Missouri is well-known for its outstanding turkey hunting.  That makes spring turkey season one of the most anticipated hunting seasons in the Show-Me-State.  These wary birds may present a challenge but beginning turkey hunters should not be intimidated by the sport. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites new hunters to an Introduction to Turkey Hunting program Tuesday, April 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Defiance.  This class is free and open to ages 9 and up.  With the spring season beginning April 18, now is the perfect time to get prepared.

“This program will introduce turkey hunting techniques and calling for beginners, so they can get started hunting these elusive birds,” said MDC August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center Manager Bryant Hertel.

This multi-faceted program will prepare new turkey hunters for success.  It will cover what kinds of habitat are best for finding turkeys, basic hunting and shooting safety, and firearm selection and shotgun patterning.  Participants will get an introduction to the most popular turkey calls and effective calling techniques, including practical tips on when and how often to call.  MDC staff will also discuss other useful gear to help beginning hunters be successful, like clothing options, and use of hunting blinds and decoys.

Introduction to Turkey Hunting is a free program, but advanced online registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/43T. 

The August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is located at 3550 Route D, approximately five miles west of Highway 94 in Defiance. 

As this is an in-person activity, MDC asks all participants to observe any current local social distancing and masking guidelines. 

Program registrants should note that families now have the option to link their children’s accounts to their own which will streamline the program registration process.  Once a group account is set up, parents will be able to register their children to an event without having to logoff and login for each person.  This allows parents to register an entire family or select family members to an event at the same time. 

Stay informed of MDC latest programs by going to the MDC St. Louis regional events page at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZP6.