MDC holding deer open houses in Springfield, Joplin

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to

attend either of two deer management open-houses in the southwest part of the state in June.

A deer management open house will be held in Springfield from 3 to 8 p.m. on June 17 at Missouri State University, Christopher Bond Learning Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway. The next day, June 18, a deer open house will be held in Joplin at Missouri Southern State University’s Cornell Auditorium in Plaster Hall, 3950 Newman Road. This event will also be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. These meetings are two of numerous open houses being held by the Department across the state to discuss deer management with citizens.

Attendees will be able to visit booths focusing on the history of deer management in Missouri; the state’s new deer management plan; possible regulation changes and disease management efforts related to Chronic Wasting Disease and other infectious diseases; hunter retention and recruitment, landowner and non-resident permit privileges, urban deer management, and other deer-related issues.

The open-house format lets attendees concentrate on their particular interests, asking questions and discussing their ideas one-on-one with biologists and other key staff. Conservation Department Deputy Director Tom Draper says the goal of the meetings is to provide information and get feedback.

“We need people to tell us what they want Missouri’s deer population to look like and what combination of hunting seasons, bag limits, and hunting methods they want the Conservation Department to use to achieve their goals,” says Draper.

Deer hunting is an important part of the state’s outdoors heritage. Generations of Missourians have enjoyed this activity and deer season is still an event hunters of many ages participate in annually.Missouri has nearly 520,000 deer hunters and almost two million wildlife watchers who enjoy deer. Activities related to deer hunting and watching annually generates $1 billion in economic activity for thousands of Missouri businesses and hundreds of communities around the state, and support more than 12,000 Missouri jobs. The appreciation people have for deer is further proof of what many state residents already know: Missourians care about conserving forests, fish and wildlife.

If people want more information about these open houses or are unable to attend but still want to review the information presented and provide comments, they can go online tohttp://www.mdc.mo.gov/DeerOpenHouse.

Learn to enjoy the outdoors at WOW Kansas City Sept. 23-24

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Have you ever wanted to learn skills that will enhance your outdoor adventures?  If you answered yes, then WOW Kansas City is for you.  WOW Kansas City will be held inSwope Park Sept. 23-24 and registration is open now.

 The WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School is packed with opportunities for people of all ages to learn outdoor recreation skills. The event is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation; Bass Pro Shops; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Missouri Department of Conservation; Wonders of Wildlife; the National Park Service and Missouri State University.  The event will begin on Friday evening with a camping opportunity, and will continue from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

WOW Kansas City is designed to teach participants how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. WOW will offer classes in a variety of outdoor skills including archery, fishing, canoeing, campfire cooking, camping and more. Participants will camp at SwopePark and participate in Saturday classes at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area. Transportation to the wildlife area will be provided from Swope Park.

Classes are open to anyone age nine or above; however, nine to 12 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to classes. The trained professionals provide hands-on instruction for people who may not be familiar with the outdoors and children who may be experiencing nature for the first time. The workshop is a great opportunity for families to learn activities together and take the "Children in Nature Challenge." 

The cost to attend is $15 per person or $30 per family, making it an affordable day of family fun. Financial assistance is also available.  Advance registration is required and the deadline to register is Sept. 9.

Camping on Friday night will be held at Camp Lake of the Woods in Swope Park and will begin at 4 p.m. with tent setup and a hands-on outdoor cooking experience (food is provided).  Evening activities will include an owl program and family activities and hikes.  Tents will be available to those who do not have one and can be reserved through the registration process.

 For more information or to request a registration packet, contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources by calling toll free 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or sending an email to moparks@dnr.mo.gov.  Registration information and forms are also available on the web atmostateparks.com/wow.