Conservation Action December 2013

The Conservation Commission met Dec. 12 and 13 in St. Charles. Commissioners present were:

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Chair

James T. Blair, IV, St. Louis, Vice Chair/Secretary

Tim E. Dollar, Blue Springs, Member

Marilynn J. Bradford, Jefferson City, Member

REGULATIONS

The Commission approved the following seasons:

Turkey

Youth – April 12-13, 2014

Spring – April 21-May 11, 2014

Fall – Oct. 1-31, 2014

Season structure, bag limits, and shooting hours remain unchanged from 2013.

Firearms Deer

Urban Portion – Oct. 10-13, 2014

Early Youth Portion – Nov. 1-2, 2014

November Portion – Nov. 15-25, 2014

Antlerless Portion – Nov. 26-Dec. 7, 2014

Alternative Methods Portion – Dec. 20-30, 2014

Late Youth Portion – Jan. 3-4, 2015

The Commission voted to move ahead with changes it approved earlier this year for fishing regulations at Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake. The changes will go into effect March 1, 2014. Those changes include instituting a slot length limit that protects blue catfish between 26 and 34 inches and increasing the daily limit from five catfish to 10 catfish, with not more than two fish 34 inches or longer.

The Commission also voted to allow the importation and sale of one crayfish species, Orconectes virilis (also known as the northern or virile crayfish), for use as live fish bait, effective March 1, 2014.

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received presentations from:

Ø  St. Louis Wildlife Regional Supervisor John Vogel regarding habitat, wildlife and public-use management at August A. Busch Memorial and Weldon Spring conservation areas (CAs).

Ø  Policy Coordinator Alan Leary regarding the Ozark National Scenic Riverways General Management Plan.

Ø  Wildlife Management Biologist Kevin Brunke and Resource Scientist Andy Raedeke regarding Missouri Wetlands: Linking Science and Management.

• Approved the purchase of 3.7 acres in Adair County as an addition to the Northeast Regional Office.
• Approved the Conservation Department’s 2012-13 Annual Report.
• Appointed Larry Yamnitz to a 5-year term and Mark Nelson to a 3-year term on the Conservation Employees Benefit Plan Trust Fund Board of Trustees.
• Approved entering into a contract with Zoellner Construction Co., Inc., Perryville, for the construction of the Duck Creek CA Greenbrier Tract and Pool 1 Fishing Access Project in Bollinger and Stoddard counties, at a total estimated cost of 522,289.80. Partial funding for the project is provided by a North American Wetland Conservation Act grant.
• Approved accepting the donation of approximately 223 acres in Hickory County from the estate of Lawrence Matthew Schumacher as an addition to Mule Shoe CA.
• Approved the advertisement and sale of an estimated 1,282,888 board feet of timber on 717 acres of Compartment 6 of Pea Ridge CA in Washington County.
• Suspended privileges of 237 persons under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
• Suspended hunting, fishing, and/or trapping privileges of eight Missouri residents and three nonresidents for Wildlife Code violations. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

Billy F. Hicks, Avalon, all sport privileges, until Sept. 16, 2018

Lester L. Hines, Avalon, all sport privileges, 1 year

Jason J. Hormann, Gardner, Kan., all sport privileges, 1 year

Daniel R. Hughes, Center, Fishing, 1 year

Troy S. Hunter, Emma, hunting, 8 years

Justin Neihart, Jefferson City, all sport privileges, 1 year

Leonid Pakhnyuk, Lyons, Ill., fishing, 7 years

Jeremy P. Redmon, Kirksville, hunting, 7 years

William A. Rodgers, Clinton, all sport privileges, 1 year

Jeffery M. Rush, Sheridan, hunting, 3 years

Christopher J. Spidle, Quincy, Ill, all sport privileges, 1 year

• Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 405 people who are not in compliance with applicable child-support laws. Privileges suspended for noncompliance are reinstated once the Division of Child Support Enforcement notifies MDC that suspendees have come into compliance with the required laws.

·        Approved the nomination of Ed Stegner and Elizabeth “Libby” Schwartz for induction into the Conservation Hall of Fame.

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Conservation Action: March 2013

The Conservation Commission met March 11 at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, 520 E. Park St., in Neosho.

Commissioners present were:

·         Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Chair

·         James T. Blair, IV, St. Louis, Vice Chair

·         Don R. Johnson, Festus, Member

The Commission:

·         Received presentations from:

• Chief Financial Officer Margie Mueller regarding February monthly financial summary.
• Design and Development Division Chief Jacob Careaga regarding major construction projects completed and the status of major CT projects funded in the FY13 budget.
• Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer regarding black bear management plan and research project.
• Resource Science Division Chief Mike Kruse regarding deer management review and planning update.
• Fisheries Division Chief Chris Vitello and Policy Coordinator Stuart Miller regarding flow regimes for Missouri stream systems.

·         Approved recommendation to purchase approximately 77.5 acres in Shannon County as an addition to Rocky Creek Conservation Area.

·         Approved authorization to advertise and sell an estimated 897,441 board feet of timber from 621 acres of Compartment 22 on Sunklands Conservation Area in Shannon County.

·         Approved the report of the Regulations Committee, including the recommendation for changes to the Wildlife Code including but not limited to daily, possession, and length limits for blue catfish on Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake, and amendments regarding commercial harvest of shovelnose sturgeon to align Missouri’s regulations with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s similarity of appearance ruling.

·         Suspended hunting, fishing, and/or trapping privileges of 21 Missouri residents and two (2) out-of-state residents for Wildlife Code violations, and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of one (1) Missouri resident. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

• Joseph B. Barton, Clarence, Hunting, 1/10/2016

o   Glenn B. Beck, Seligman, Hunting and Fishing, 1 year

o   Joshua S. Bisher, Florissant, Hunting, 1 year

o   James L. Groves, Greenville, Hunting, 2 years

o   Donald L. Hammons, Pleasant Hill, Hunting, 1 year

o   David B. Hand, Eldon, Hunting, Add 6 months

o   Joseph W. Hensley, Lebanon, Hunting, 1 year

o   Thomas J. Korn, Bismark, Hunting and Fishing, 1 year

o   Rathe P. Mann, Halfway, Hunting, 4 years

• Daniel R. Morgan, Kahoka, Hunting and Fishing, 1 year
• Taylor J. Morris, Eldon, Hunting, 6 months
• Darren E. Murphy, Billings, All Sport, 2 years
• Travis W. Reynolds, Doniphan, Hunting, 1 year
• James R. Ross, Warrensburg, Hunting, 1 year
• Michael J. Sims, West Plains, Hunting, 1 year
• Hall E. Solomon, Fort Pierce, FL, Hunting, 1 year
• Debonnie L. Spires, Moberly, Hunting, 1 year
• David A. Sudduth, Houston, 3 years and complete hunter education
• Michael R. Steele, Fairview, Hunting, 1 year
• Jason B. Thornton, Duenweg, Hunting, 2 years
• Daniel  Tran, Jefferson City, Fishing, 1 year
• Michael H. Ulberg, St. Charles, Hunting, 2 years
• William R. Westbrook, Prairieville, LA, Hunting, 2 years
• Edward A. Yoder, St. Louis, Hunting, 1 year

·         Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 220 people who are not in compliance with applicable child-support laws. Privileges suspended for noncompliance are reinstated once the Division of Child Support Enforcement notifies MDC that suspendees have come into compliance with the required laws.

·         Suspended privileges of 141 people under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

·         Approved next regular meeting for April 25-26 at MDC Headquarters in Jefferson City.

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The Conservation Commission met April 12 and 13 at Conservation Departent Headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City. Commissioners present were:

Don R. Johnson, Festus, Chair

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Vice Chair

Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, Secretary

James T. Blair, IV, St. Louis, Member

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received presentations from:

-          Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer regarding black-bear research.

-          Forest Nursery Supervisor Greg Hoss regarding operations at George O. White State Forest Nursery.

-          Administrative Services Division Chief Carter Campbell regarding division activities.

• Presented volunteer-service awards to Phyllis Boyd and Charlotte Cox for more than 2,000 hours of service at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, Blue Springs.
• Approved the advertisement and sale of estimated 847,228 board feet of timber on 505 acres of Compartment 8, Angeline Conservation Area in Shannon County.
• Approved a recommendation to sell approximately 2 acres of the Long Ridge Conservation Area in Franklin County.
• Approved naming the new building at the Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center in Columbia the E. Sydney Stephens Building. 
• Suspended hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of 33 Missouri residents for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of one Missouri resident. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

Seth A. Baker, Bronaugh, all sport, 1 year.

Dallas W. Beasley, Everton, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Christopher R. Brawley, Bunker, all sport, 3 years.

Charles E. Browers, Olean, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Cory A. Cook, Perryville, all sport, 1 year.

Andrew B. Douglas, Stoutland, all sport, 1 year.

Collin B. Edwards, Springfield, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Phillip C. Eidson, Urbana, all sport, 1 year.

Dane T. Goff, Rolla, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Terry D. Hahnfeld, Bronaugh, all sport, 1 year.

Joshua L. Hicks, Macomb, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Shawn L. Hood, Birch Tree, all sport, 4 years.

Jason R. Horn, St. Joseph, all sport, 1 year.

Bobby D. Huffmon, Hale, all sport, 1 year.

Randy C. Kern, Ellsinore, all sport, 1 year.

Charles D. Langley, New Madrid, hunting and trapping, 2 years.

Chad W. Lemons, Grovespring, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Eric R. Littrell, Centralia, all sport, 1 year.

William T. Miller, King City, all sport, 3 years.

Layton A. Moore, Warrensburg, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Austin W. Muff, King City, hunting and trapping, 3 years.

Ryan D. Palmer, Clinton, all sport, 1 year.

Adam L. Perea, Perryville, all sport, 1 year.

Loyd D. Rantz, Spokane, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Vitaliy Soyarkov, Sedalia, all sport, 1 year.

Justin R. Swayze, Orrick, hunting, until 12/6/2012.

Raymond B. Sworde, Nevada, all sport, 1 year.

Leland T. Thompson, Rolla, all sport, 1 year.

Kirk D. Troy, Springfield, all sport, 1 year.

Jacob A. Waddle, LaPlata, hunting and trapping, 1 year.

Ralph A. Weber, Bonnots Mill, all sport, 1 year.

James A. White, Kansas City, all sport, 1 year.

David A. Wilson, Center, all sport, 1 year.

Ezekiel Young, Villa Ridge, all sport, 1½ years.

• Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 277 people who are not in compliance with applicable child-support laws. Privileges suspended for noncompliance are reinstated once the Division of Child Support Enforcement notifies MDC that suspendees have come into compliance with the required laws.
• Suspended privileges of 226 people under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

• Imposed hunting privilege suspensions of one to three years for two Missouri residents and one nonresident who injured other persons in hunting incidents. The hunters must complete a hunter-education training course before restoration of privileges.
• Viewed the Conservation Department’s new, 75^th anniversary video, The Promise Continues.

·         Set the next regular Conservation Commission meeting for May 24-25 in St. Joseph.

Related articles

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• Conservation Action January 2012
• Early spring presents turkey hunting challenges
• Meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission
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Conservation Action March 2012

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The Conservation Commission met March 7 and 8 at St. Louis. Commissioners present were:

Don R. Johnson, Festus, Chair

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Vice Chair

Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, Secretary

James T. Blair, IV, St. Louis, Member

REGULATIONS

The Commission approved the following regulation changes, effective March 1, 2013, unless otherwise noted:

·        Removed the requirement for affixing an approved safety sticker to firearms while hunting wild turkey, effective as soon as possible.

·        Established daily and length limits for striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake and standardizes striped bass length and daily limits on Norfork Lake with those of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to provide consistency and reduce angler confusion.

·        Approved several regulation changes for specific conservation areas (CAs).

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received presentations from:

-       Private Land Services Division Chief Mike Hubbard regarding wildlife damage management

-       Resource Science Division Chief Mike Kruse regarding chronic wasting disease monitoring in northern Missouri

-        Urban Wildlife Biologist Erin Shank regarding St. Louis Community Stewardship Grants

-       Protection Division Chief Larry Yamnitz regarding Protection Division community outreach

• Presented 2011 State Hunter Education Instructor Awards to:

-         Floyd Bohler, St. Louis, Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor

-         Joe McFadden, St. Charles, Bowhunter Education Volunteer Instructor

-         Jean Mayer, Greenfield, Conservation Department Staff Instructor

-         Mark Haviland, Loose Creek, Conservation Agent Instructor

• Accepted the donation of approximately 54 acres in St. Louis County as an addition to Rockwoods Range.
• Approved selling approximately .57 acre and granting a temporary construction easement on approximately .94 acre of the Saline Valley Conservation Area in Miller County to the State of Missouri, acting by and through the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, for a bridge replacement project.
• Suspended hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of 17 Missouri residents and one nonresident for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of two Missouri residents. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

James E. Boyer, Birch Tree, all sport privileges, lifetime

Kent W. Conley, Fordland, all sport privileges, 1 year

Kenneth M. Cooper, Crocker, all sport privileges, 1 year

James J. Cunningham, Sedalia, all sport privileges, 1 year

Travis J. Dority, Roach, all sport privileges, 6 additional years

Jeffrey A. Fike, Moberly, all sport privileges, 1 year

Benjamin S. Jackson, Macon, all sport privileges, 2 years

Charles D. Langley, New Madrid, hunting, until 12-28-2012

James C. McIntyre, Holden, all sport privileges, 1 year

Jerry D. Morgan, Climax Springs, all sport privileges, 1 year

Darrell E. Nolder, Hamilton, Ill., all sport privileges, 1.5 years

Mark A. Norton, Bowling Green, all sport privileges, 1 year

Bruce E. Potts, Fredericktown, all sport privileges, 3 years

Rodney D. Roland, Osceola, hunting, until 12/23/2013

John B. Schaeffer, Nixa, hunting, 3 years

Jerad R. Smith, Unionville, all sport privileges, 1 year

Gregory L. Thornhill, St. Joseph, all sport privileges, 1 year

Ryan C. Wade, Independence, all sport privileges, 1 year

James K. Waggoner Jr, Jefferson City, all sport privileges, 1 year

Toby L. Washburn, Kahoka, all sport privileges, 1 year

• Suspended or revoked all hunting and fishing privileges of 270 people who are not in compliance with applicable child-support laws. Privileges suspended for noncompliance are reinstated once the Division of Child Support Enforcement notifies MDC that suspendees have come into compliance with the required laws.

• Suspended privileges of 221 nonresidents under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

·        Set the next regular Conservation Commission meeting for Apr. 12 and 13 in Jefferson City.

- end –

This document is provided for public information only and is not an official record of the Missouri Department of Conservation or Missouri Conservation Commission.

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Nature Center at Night…Scat!

Image via Wikipedia

Winter is a great time to find out what kind of wildlife lives in your neighborhood.  With the mild weather we are experiencing this February, there’s no better time to get outside and study the tracks and scat left behind by this wildlife to see just who is sharing your backyard. 

Learn about scat identification by visiting the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center this Thursday night, February 9 from 5-8 p.m.  You’re sure to find out more than you ever wanted to know about animal droppings!

All ages.  Youth and adult groups welcome.  No registration required.  Call 573-290-5218 for more information.

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