MDC to host volunteer training for Discover Nature Fishing

Clinton, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Discover Nature Fishing Program connects families with the outdoors. MDC is seeking volunteers in the Clinton and Warsaw areas to help teach the program. A training session for volunteers will be held 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the MDC Clinton Office, 2010 South Second Street.

   Discover Nature Fishing is free and designed to make participants confident and successful anglers. The program is presented in a series of four classes. The two-hour sessions cover all aspects of fishing such as gear, knot tying, lures, bait, regulations and conservation. MDC provides fishing gear for participant use.

   Volunteers are needed to assist with the training sessions. Also, volunteers are needed to help maintain the rods, reels and tackle boxes provided for use by participants.

   To learn more about the volunteer training in Clinton, call Deanna Rittel at 816-525-0300, ext. 1245. The MDC Clinton Office can be reached at 660-885-6981.

   For information about Discover Nature Fishing volunteers, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/about-us/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/discover-nature-fishing-volunteers.

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Frogging season begins June 30 at sunset

Frogging season begins Tuesday, June 30, at sunset and ends Oct. 31. Missouri has two frog species that are legal game — bullfrog and green frog. The frog in the picture is a bullfrog. 

MDC encourages families to celebrate summer by taking part in frogging season.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages Missourians to discover nature this summer -- and one fun and exciting way is through frogging. Frogging season begins Tuesday, June 30, at sunset and ends Oct. 31.

Frogging can be done with either a fishing permit or a small game permit. Children under the age of 16 and Missouri residents 65 years of age or older are not required to have a permit. The Wildlife Code of Missouri allows those with a fishing permit to take frogs by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing or pole and line. With a small game hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using a .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, atlatl, bow, crossbow, or by hand or hand net. The use of an artificial light is permitted when frogging.

Missouri has two frog species that are legal game — bullfrog and green frog. Bullfrogs are larger and therefore more sought-after. The taste and texture of frog meat is similar to that of fresh-water fish. For frog leg recipes, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/node/15131.

The daily limit is eight frogs of both species combined. The possession limit allows you to have no more than 16 frogs at a time.

It's important to know once a frog is speared or shot, it must be harvested. The Wildlife Code of Missouri prohibits the release of a speared frog as "wanton waste" because the animal is not likely to recover. Any frog taken into actual possession, unless immediately released unharmed after being caught, is included in the daily limit.

Almost any place with enough water to float a canoe is likely to harbor at least a few frogs. Frogs can be found in farm ponds and huge reservoirs, creeks, drainage ditches and rivers, sloughs, marshes and swamps statewide. For more information on frog hunting and suggested conservation areas to go frogging visit MDC's website atmdc.mo.gov/node/28859.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt and fish, so grab a gig and visit a pond or simply grab a frog and head to the frying pan before the "frog days" of summer are over.

For more information about bullfrog and green frog regulations, visitmdc.mo.gov/node/10834.

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MDC offers frog gigging clinic in Mississippi County

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.  – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites families to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 11, at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area. The clinic is free and open to youth ages 7 to 17 and their parent or adult mentor. Preregistration is required by July 6.

“Frog gigging, or frogging, is a great way to enjoy Missouri’s fish, forests and wildlife while putting good food on the table,” said Conservation Agent Andrew Mothershead.

The clinic will start with a classroom session on the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification and regulations. Participants will go frogging with the help of MDC personnel and learn how to clean and cook their catch.

“Catching frogs can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family,” said Mothershead.  “If all goes right, frog legs are the reward after a successful night of gigging.”

Frogs can be legally harvested with either fishing or hunting permits, as long as the method matches the permit. With a fishing permit, frogs may be harvested by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing or pole and line during frog season. With a hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, atlatl or by hand or hand net.

This year’s frog season begins at sunset June 30 and continues through Oct. 31. The daily limit is eight bullfrogs or green frogs and 16 in possession. Children under the age of 16 and adults over 65 are not required to have a permit.

To register for the frog gigging clinic, or for more information, contact the Southeast Regional Office at 573-290-5730. To learn about other Discover Nature programs in Southeast Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter or text nature to 91212.

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