Day with Ducks & Decoys - Runge Nature Center

Take a closer look at the ducks and geese that call Missouri home through activities and displays. Visit with members of the Missouri Duck Decoy Collectors group as they bring a variety of decoys from the last century and discuss the materials, artistry, creativity, skill and ingenuity that went into making duck decoys.

Saturday, November 17 from 10am-2pm

Runge Nature Center
573-526-5544 

Runge@mdc.mo.gov

Migratory bird hunting starts in September

Get detailed information from MDC’s “Migratory Bird Hunting Digest 2016.”

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters that dove, snipe, and rail hunting in Missouri starts Sept. 1 with teal hunting opening Sept. 10and woodcock hunting opening Oct. 15.

Migratory-bird hunters can get detailed information on related regulations, seasons, species, permits, limits, and more from MDC's “Migratory Bird Hunting Digest 2016” available where hunting permits are sold. Find detailed hunting information by species online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species.

Buy permits online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.

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MDC invites duck hunters to meetings in Springfield, Joplin

Zone workshops in March will give hunters chances to offer input.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites area waterfowl hunters to two upcoming waterfowl zone workshops in southwest Missouri where MDC staff will gather hunter input about duck season dates and zone boundary locations for the 2017-2020 hunting seasons.

The upcoming meetings in this part of the state will be March 1 at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way in Springfield, and March 2 at the Wildcat Glades Conservation and Audubon Center, 201 W. Riviera Drive in Joplin. Both meetings will run from 7-9 p.m. and are two of 13 zone workshops MDC is holding around the state.

Participants at these workshops will have opportunities to review long-term data about weather, migration, habitat use, harvests and hunter opinions. Season dates and zone preferences will also be discussed. MDC will use the hunter input gathered through the workshops, along with results of hunter opinion surveys, to help establish the state’s duck season dates and zones for the 2017-2020 seasons.

Before attending a workshop, MDC encourages hunters to review information compiled by MDC biologists on migration, harvest, weather, and hunter preferences for each region of the state. This information is on the MDC website at on.mo.gov/1gilHme.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives states the opportunity to change the number and location of duck zones every five years,” explained MDC Resource Scientist Andy Raedeke. “At these times, states can also select a continuous season or split season, which refers to a season that is open for a period of time, closes, and then reopens for a second period of time.”

Raedeke added that once selections are made, Missouri then keeps the same season-date formulas for multiple years, with the next ones being 2017 to 2020.

“Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt waterfowl. As hunters know, hunting conditions can vary tremendously from one year to the next,” he said. “During some years, the best hunting can occur early in the season. During other years, it can occur late. Limiting changes to every four or five years helps the Department of Conservation evaluate the effectiveness of zone boundaries and season dates over a range of conditions.”

Raedeke noted that recommended changes for a given period depend primarily upon hunter input.

“If most hunters from a particular region prefer a different season structure or season dates, we will likely recommend a change,” Raedeke said. “Hunter input from the last series of workshops prompted MDC to make two changes to the boundary of the south hunting zone.”

He added that, given the range of hunter preferences, not all hunters will be completely satisfied with season dates and zone boundaries.

“Our aim is to accommodate at least a portion of most hunters’ desires. We listen to what waterfowl hunters want and sincerely appreciate their time, effort and input.”

Related articles

• MDC to host waterfowl season workshops in March (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

MDC's west-central waterfowl areas ready despite floods

Add caption

Wetland conditions fair to good at four areas offering public waterfowl hunting

Kansas City, Mo. – Habitat conditions at four key Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wetlands hit by floods rains in summer will vary from fair to good for the waterfowl hunting season. MDC’s Four Rivers, Settles Ford, Montrose and Schell-Osage conservation areas are all in the Middle Zone under statewide seasons and limits. The hunting season in the Middle Zone for ducks and coots starts with a youth hunt Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, and the regular season is Nov. 7 to Jan. 5.

   

Most waterfowl habit at MDC wetlands in west
central Missouri is in fair condition, as summer
floods shortened the growing season in low-lying areas.
But habitat is good enough for a good waterfowl
season if the weather conditions push ducks through the area.

Spring and early summer brought heavy rains and flooding to the Kansas City region, including the South Grand, Deepwater, and Osage River and feeder streams in west central Missouri. Habitat quality at public waterfowl hunting areas in the region will vary depending on how late flood water stood on managed wetlands, said Chris Daniel, MDC wildlife management biologist and manager for the Four Rivers Conservation Area. The lowest areas holding water into summer provided a shorter growth period for moist-soil plants that provide food for waterfowl, such as wild millet and annual smartweed. Fortunately, the higher and drier areas are in good shape.

   “There’s a lot of variability in habitat quality across the areas,” Daniel said. “Across all areas, fair is possibly the most accurate average of habitat.”

   Despite delays due to wet conditions, MDC crews were still able to implement some management practices that provide food for migrating waterfowl. Cropping was limited to just a few locations and no corn was planted in wetland units. But moist-soil management which promotes native plants such as annual smartweed and wild millet was somewhat successful. Aerial seeding of Japanese millet was done on some areas. Seeds from those plants provide wildlife food.

   Duck populations in the northern states and Canada are strong, biologists say, so large flocks of waterfowl are expected to migrate southward this autumn. That combined with management efforts could make for good hunting on MDC areas, if the weather patterns also cooperate.

   “The waterfowl hunting this year could be very good,” Daniel said.

   However, waterfowl hunting success is very weather dependent. Warm weather can delay ducks in their migration; severe cold fronts can push them quickly south. But if the weather cooperates, MDC public hunting areas are ready for waterfowl and hunters.

   The last flood water receded from the four conservation areas in late July. Overall, vegetation will be shorter than normal this year.

   At Schell-Osage, spring and summer rains provided ample rainfall for areas lakes used as the primary water source for wetland units. Along with fall rains, all hunting positions should be usable by mid-season. Wet conditions prevented any corn from being planted in wetland areas this year. Army worms also destroyed much of the planted and wild millet at Schell-Osage.

   At Four Rivers, hunters should note that the disabled-accessible waterfowl hunting blind at Pool 9 at Four Rivers is closed for repairs until the 2016 season.

   At Settle’s Ford Conservation Area, managers say a dry autumn has reduced water levels in wetland pools. However autumn rains could quickly recharge the system to full levels.

   Hunters will find the MDC Waterfowl Hunting Digest for 2015-2016 at nature shops and offices, or visit http://on.mo.gov/201Jtur. The digest has the complete list of seasons and regulations for all waterfowl hunting in Missouri.

   The MDC MO Hunting app allows hunters to purchase hunting permits online or carry a signed digital permit utilizing devices such as cell phones and tablets. Visithttp://mdc.mo.gov/mobile/mobile-apps/mo-hunting.

   Information on MDC conservation areas that offer waterfowl hunting is available athttp://on.mo.gov/1ikSpa3. The MDC online Atlas gives information about areas including telephone numbers and maps.

   Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt.

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Waterfowl hunting looking good by the numbers, but habitat and weather are wild cards

Missouri 60-day duck season opens end of October.

JEFFERSON CITY MO. – While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates the number of North American ducks to be at a record high of 49.5 million for fall hunting, experts with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) caution that local habitat conditions, weather, and migration timing will be the main factors affecting Missouri’s upcoming 60-day duck season.

"Wetlands should have plenty of water going into fall, but extensive and repeated flooding over the summer will mean food and cover could be patchy," explained MDC Resource Scientist Andy Raedeke. "Moist-soil seed production will be excellent in wetlands that benefitted from a wet spring and early summer but did not have late-summer flooding. Those that did experience late flooding will likely have poor moist-soil seed production and limited vegetation for cover. Due to flooding, food provided by crops, such as corn, will likely be well below average."

Raedeke added that weather conditions play a significant role in affecting duck movements and distribution. "Long-term weather forecasts are calling for milder than normal fall and winter weather in the upper Midwest," he said.

Habitat conditions and weather combine to influence waterfowl migrations.

"The primary uncertainty is how ducks will respond if we have a hunting season with mild weather, plenty of water, and below average food and cover," said Raedeke. "In the absence of significant cold fronts, ducks may disperse throughout the Mississippi Flyway resulting in lower peak numbers in Missouri. Once ducks arrive in Missouri, habitat conditions will influence how long they stay. Species that depend entirely on wetland sources of food may depart sooner than normal. For species that also field feed, such as mallards, the combination of ample water for roosting and harvested grain fields for feeding may help offset effects of below average wetland conditions."

He added that hunters will need to be flexible in when and where they hunt. "If it is a mild fall, it will be especially important to time hunts with cold fronts and migration events. Hunters should also be willing to try new locations for potentially better habitat conditions," Raedeke said.

DID YOU KNOW:
Conservation makes Missouri is a great place to hunt waterfowl for nearly 100,000 migratory bird hunters. More than 93 percent of Missouri land is privately owned, including extensive areas of land used for waterfowl hunting. MDC intensively manages almost 32,000 acres of public wetlands on 15 conservation areas that provide managed waterfowl hunts. MDC also maintains more than 80,000 acres of public wetland habitat on 169 conservation areas where walk-in waterfowl hunting is allowed. Activities related to waterfowl hunting have an annual economic impact for Missouri of about $149 million, support nearly 2,000 jobs, and contributemore than $13 million in state and local taxes.

DUCK and COOT SEASONS:
North Zone: Oct. 31 – Dec. 29
Middle Zone: Nov. 7 – Jan. 5
South Zone: Nov. 26 – Jan. 24

YOUTH HUNTING DAYS:
North Zone: Oct. 24 and 25
Middle Zone: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
South Zone: Nov. 21 and 22

GOOSE SEASONS:
Light geese: snow, blue, and Ross's: Statewide, Oct. 31 - Jan. 31
White-fronted geese: Statewide Nov. 7 - Jan. 31
Canada geese and brant: Statewide Oct. 3 - Oct. 11 and Nov. 26 - Jan. 31

LIGHT GOOSE CONSERVATION ORDER:
The Conservation Order for light geese will be in effect Feb. 1 through April 30.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Get more information on waterfowl hunting, including regulations, limits, areas, species population estimates, and more from MDC's 2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Digest, available from permit vendors, MDC offices and nature center, and online athuntfish.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/downloads/Waterfowl_Digest_2015_0.pdf.

MDC announces waterfowl seasons and outlook

Additional details about Missouri waterfowl hunting regulations, including zone descriptions, will be published in the MDC 2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Digest, available starting in late September from permit vendors, MDC offices and nature center, and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Duck numbers are high, but limited food and cover and warm weather may limit availability. 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces that duck hunters will again have a 60-day season for 2015-2016 hunting. The Missouri Conservation Commission set upcoming Missouri waterfowl hunting seasons at its Aug. 19 meeting.

DUCK SEASONSNorth Zone: Oct. 31 – Dec. 29
Middle Zone: Nov. 7 – Jan. 5
South Zone: Nov. 26 – Jan. 24

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Daily Bag Limit: Six ducks daily with species restrictions of:

• 4 mallards (no more than 2 females)
• 3 scaup
• 3 wood ducks
• 2 redheads
• 2 hooded mergansers
• 2 pintails
• 2 canvasback (increased from 1 last year)
• 1 black duck
• 1 mottled duck

Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag limit (18), including species restrictions.

COOT SEASONS:
Concurrent with duck seasons in the respective zones with a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of 45.

GOOSE SEASONS:
Light geese: snow, blue, and Ross’s: Statewide, Oct. 31 - Jan. 31
White-fronted geese: Statewide Nov. 7 - Jan. 31
Canada geese and brant: Statewide Oct. 3 - Oct. 11 and Nov. 26 - Jan. 31

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Daily Bag Limit and Possession Limit: No more than three Canada geese and brant geese in aggregate daily and nine in possession, 20 light geese (snow, blue, or Ross’s) daily with no possession limit, and two white-fronted geese daily and six in possession.

YOUTH HUNTING DAYS:
North Zone: Oct. 24 and 25
Middle Zone: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
South Zone: Nov. 21 and 22

Bag Limit: Same as during regular waterfowl season.

Shooting Hours: Same as during regular waterfowl season.

Participation Requirements: Any person 15 years of age or younger may participate in the youth waterfowl hunting days without permit, provided they are in the immediate presence of an adult 18 years of age or older. If the youth hunter does not have hunter-education certification, the adult must meet permit requirements for small-game hunting and have in his or her possession valid hunter-education certification unless born before Jan. 1, 1967.  The adult may not hunt ducks, but may participate in other seasons open on the youth days.

LIGHT GOOSE CONSERVATION ORDER:
The Conservation Order for light geese will be in effect Feb. 1 through April 30 with no bag limit. Hunters may use electronic calls and unplugged shot guns. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrises to one-half hour after sunset. A Conservation Order permit is the only permit required for resident and nonresident hunters.

FALCONRY SEASON FOR DUCKS, COOTS AND MERGANSERS:The federal framework allows 107 days. Falconry is open during teal season (16 days), regular duck season (60 days), and youth season (two days) in the respective zones, leavingFeb. 11 – March 10 (29 days) for extended falconry statewide.

Hunting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Bag and Possession Limits: The daily bag and possession limits shall not exceed three and nine birds, respectively, singly, or in the aggregate, during the teal, regular duck, youth waterfowl and extended falconry seasons.

TEAL SEASONS:
As previously announced by MDC in July, blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal may be taken from Sept 12 through Sept. 27 from sunrise to sunset with a combined daily limit of six and a combined possession limit of 18 for all three species. Additional details are published in MDC's 2015 Migratory Bird Hunting Digest available where hunting permits are sold, at MDC offices and nature centers, and online at mdc.mo.gov.

WATERFOWL POPULATION ESTIMATES:
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the total number of North American ducks is estimated to be at a record high for the fourth year in a row at 49.5 million, 43% above the long-term average (LTA). Estimates of breeding populations for various duck species from 2015 survey results are:

• Mallard numbers are similar to the 2014 estimate and 42 percent above their long-term average.
• Blue-winged teal numbers are similar to 2014 and 73 percent above their long-term average.
• Green-winged teal numbers increased by 19 percent, which puts them 98 percent above their long-term average.
• Northern shoveler numbers dropped by 17 percent but still remain 75 percent above their long-term average.
• Gadwall and American wigeon numbers are similar to 2014 and 100 and 17 percent above their long-term averages, respectively.
• Redhead numbers are similar to 2014 and 71 percent above their long-term average.
• Canvasback numbers increased slightly. They are now estimated to be 30 percent above their long-term average.
• Scaup numbers are similar to the 2014 estimate and 13 percent below their long-term average.
• Pintail numbers are similar to 2014 and 24 percent below their long-term average.

HUNTING OUTLOOK:
MDC Resource Scientists note that there are three factors equally or more important than overall population numbers in contributing toward a season’s outcome: local habitat conditions, weather, and migration timing. They caution that preseason outlooks for habitat and weather are less than ideal.

“Wetlands should have plenty of water going into fall, but extensive and repeated flooding over the summer will mean food and cover could be patchy,” explained MDC Resource Scientist Andy Raedeke. “Moist-soil seed production will be excellent in wetlands that benefitted from a wet spring and early summer but did not have late-summer flooding. Those that did experience late flooding will likely have poor moist-soil seed production and limited vegetation for cover. Due to flooding, food provided by crops, such as corn, will likely be well below average.”

Raedeke added that weather conditions play a significant role in affecting duck movements and distribution. “Long-term weather forecasts are calling for milder than normal fall and winter weather in the upper Midwest,” he said.

Habitat conditions and weather combine to influence waterfowl migrations.

“The primary uncertainty is how ducks will respond if we have a hunting season with mild weather, plenty of water, and below average food and cover,” said Raedeke. “In the absence of significant cold fronts, ducks may disperse throughout the Mississippi Flyway resulting in lower peak numbers in Missouri. Once ducks arrive in Missouri, habitat conditions will influence how long they stay. Species that depend entirely on wetland sources of food may depart sooner than normal. For species that also field feed, such as mallards, the combination of ample water for roosting and harvested grain fields for feeding may help offset effects of below average wetland conditions.”

He added that hunters will need to be flexible in when and where they hunt. “If it is a mild fall, it will be especially important to time hunts with cold fronts and migration events. Hunters should also be willing to try new locations for potentially better habitat conditions,” Raedeke said.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Additional details about waterfowl hunting regulations, including zone descriptions, will be published in the MDC 2015-2016 Waterfowl Hunting Digest, available starting in late September from permit vendors, MDC offices and nature center, and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Related articles

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