MDC encourages people to Be Bear Aware!

Don’t feed bears. Avoid encounters. React right.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – As blossoms and buds emerge each spring, so do Missouri’s estimated 350 native black bears. As they leave their winter dens this time of year, finding food is their main focus. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds people to “Be Bear Aware” by not feeding bears and not providing potential sources of food. 

“Black bears are an exciting part of our state’s natural history and people in Missouri generally have positive attitudes about our native black bears,” said Jeff Beringer, a resource scientist and black-bear researcher with the Conservation Department. “This affinity for these large omnivores can lead people to want a closer look by feeding or approaching bears. That can lead to conflicts between bears and people, especially in the spring when bears emerge from hibernation and are particularly hungry, and in the fall when they are focused on fattening up for the winter.”

Beringer added that feeding bears makes them comfortable around people, which can also make them dangerous.

A fed bear is a dead bear

“Keep bears wild! When bears lose their fear of people, they may defend the food sources or territory they associate with people, which can make them dangerous,” he said. “When this happens, the bear has to be destroyed. A fed bear is a dead bear.”

He added that a fed bear that becomes a problem in one place cannot be relocated to another.

“Once a bear associates people with food, it will go in search of other places to potentially get food from people such as homes, residential areas, farms, and campsites,” Beringer explained. “Common temptations include pet food or trash left outdoors, dirty grills or smokers, birdseed or other food at wildlife feeders, food at campsites, and gardens and orchards.”

Avoid attracting black bears

MDC offers these tips for avoiding attracting black bears to possible food sources: 

• Don’t leave pet food sitting outside. Feed pets a portion they’ll eat at each meal and remove the empty containers.
• Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container until the day of trash pick-up.
• Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside.
• Don’t use birdfeeders from April through November in bear country, or hang them at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from any structure.
• Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources.
• Keep campsites clean and store all food, toiletries and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. Do not burn or bury garbage or food waste.

Avoid encounters and react right

While close encounters are uncommon, MDC offers this advice when outdoors in black-bear country:

• Make noise while walking or hiking to prevent surprising a bear. Clap, sing, or talk loudly.
• Travel in a group if possible.
• Pay attention to the surroundings and watch for bear sign, such as tracks or claw or bite marks on trees.
• Keep dogs leashed.
• Leave a bear alone! Do not approach it. Make sure it has an escape route.
• If encountering a bear up close, back away slowly with arms raised to look larger. Speak in a calm, loud voice. Do not turn away from the bear. Back away slowly. Do not run.

A native to Missouri, black bears were abundant until the late 1800s when they were nearly wiped out from unregulated killing and from habitat loss when Ozark forests were logged. MDC research shows that a small number of native black bears survived. Over time, their numbers increased and continue to do so. Results of ongoing black-bear research by Conservation Department staff and others show that the animals have been sighted in about half the counties in Missouri, primarily south of the Missouri River, with most bears located in the southern third of the state in the Missouri Ozarks.

MDC asks people to report bear sightings by calling 573-522-4115, ext. 3080.

For more information on black bears in Missouri and how to Be Bear Aware, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov and search Be Bear Aware.

MDC seeks public input for Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area

The public comment period for the draft plan is May 1-31.

A group of pelicans in one of the wetland pools at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County.

COLUMBIA, Mo.— The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (CA) in Boone County is among the areas under review.

MDC is inviting the public to provide comments about Eagle Bluffs CA to aid staff in developing a 10-year management plan for the conservation area.  Interested persons or groups can share ideas online May 1-31 at mdc.mo.gov/areaplans. People can also stop by Eagle Bluffs CA in May to pick up a comment card.

 “Eagle Bluffs CA offers tremendous opportunity for people to discover and enjoy nature whether you are a birder, photographer, waterfowl hunter, or just an outdoors enthusiast," said MDC Wildlife Biologist Clayton Light. “The public input and planning process we have underway will help ensure that Eagle Bluffs CA will meet the diverse interests of Missouri citizens who utilize the area today and in the future. Although we won’t be able to advance all ideas, we greatly appreciate feedback and will give all comments careful consideration.”

MDC staff will review comments as they develop a draft Eagle Bluffs CA  management plan later this summer. The plan will be posted online this fall for an additional comment period and will be available for viewing at mdc.mo.gov/areaplans. After considering all public comments, the final plan will be drafted, approved, and posted online.

Eagle Bluffs CA is located at the southwest edge of Columbia, near McBaine. The MDC purchased and developed this 4,431-acre area to help offset the loss of nearly 90 percent of Missouri's historical wetlands. The area's wetlands have been restored by creating 17 shallow pools. The wetland management infrastructure includes 30 miles of levees, 61 water control structures, river water supply pumps, a water supply junction box, pump-out facilities, and a pipeline linking the area to the City of Columbia's wastewater treatment wetlands.

The area's 17 wetland pools allow the flooding of 1,100 acres of moist soil marshes, emergent marshes, and crop fields. These marshes provide year-round habitat for migrating and wintering birds and permanent wildlife, and excellent wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities.

For more information about Eagle Bluffs CA, visit tinyurl.com/ya37rfv

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• Public Fishing Areas of Missouri

MDC to hold cable restraint certification class

NEOSHO, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a cable restraint trapping certification class at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery

meeting room, which is located at 520 E. Park St. in Neosho.

When used correctly, cable restraint devices can hold animals alive and allow trappers to release non-target animals unharmed. The devices can be used to take furbearers during Missouri’s furbearer trapping season (see the Wildlife Code of Missouri for details on season dates and regulations) by trappers who have successfully completed a cable restraint training course, validated by a certified instructor.

This free course will cover the basics of safely and legally utilizing cable restraints to capture furbearers. Regulations, proper set location and cable restraint construction will be discussed.

Interested individuals are asked to pre-register by contacting Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Management Biologist Frank Loncarich at 417-451-4158 or Frank.Loncarich@mdc.mo.gov.  

MDC welcomes new wildlife management biologist to southeast Missouri

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes a new wildlife management biologist, Ryan Dirnberger, to the River Hills and Crowley’s Ridge districts. Dirnberger is based out of the MDC’s Perryville Forestry Office, although his responsibilities include managing conservation areas in Cape Girardeau, Perry, Scott, Ste. Genevieve, and Stoddard counties.

Matt Bowyer, MDC wildlife regional supervisor, said Dirnberger will also be an asset to the

community as a resource to answer wildlife and habitat questions.

Dirnberger earned his B.S. Degree in Wildlife Conservation Biology from Southeast Missouri State University -.  After obtaining his degree, he worked part time for the MDC’s Fisheries and Resource Science Divisions in the southeast region before being hired as a resource science assistant in Chillicothe.

In Chillicothe, Dirnberger worked as a crew leader for large river sampling on the Missouri River, supervised staff, and assisted with public events and educational programs.  During this time, Dirnberger also produced a report on the growth of sauger that was later published in the American Journal of Fisheries Management. 

In 2010, Dirnberger transferred to the MDC’s Wildlife Division and gained experience in the management of wildlife habitats as a resource assistant at Duck Creek Conservation Area.  In the last four years, he has worked at Duck Creek carrying out numerous management practices on the wetland and upland habitats. 

Over the years, Dirnberger has worked additional assignments doing urban deer surveys, waterfowl banding, dove banding, elk trapping, quail surveys, and swamp rabbit surveys.  He has worked hard to obtain additional training in areas that add to his skill set as a manager, including certification as a Missouri Prescribed Fire Burn Boss and burn planner.  He has federal certifications as a Fire Fighter Type 2 and is chainsaw certified as a Faller Type A.  During his time at Duck Creek, Dirnberger became known for always being one of the first to volunteer to help other districts and divisions in their time of need.  He has repeatedly taken advantage of opportunities to cross train with other divisions including working with professional staff in Fisheries, Forestry, Resource Science and Private Lands Divisions. 

“This desire to grow professionally as a biologist combined with a strong work ethic, great teamwork, and a broad background of on the ground management and monitoring practices will benefit Dirnberger greatly as a wildlife management biologist,” Bowyer said.

“I am really excited to improve habitat on our conservation areas and work with landowners in the River Hills and Crowley’s Ridge districts,” Dirnberger said.

Dirnberger may be reached at the Perryville Forestry Office at 573-547-4537. He currently resides in Chaffee with his fiancée, Lora Brewer.

MDC offers Bowhunter Education Certification Course for Southeast Region

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a Bowhunter Education Certification Course, June 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge in Perryville.

According to DeeDee Dockins, an outdoor skills specialist with the MDC, this will be the only Bowhunter Education Certification Course offered this year in the southeast region.

“Most of the demand for bowhunter certification stems from hunters who are traveling out of state to bow hunt, because Missouri doesn’t require bowhunter education,” Dockins said. “As of now, 20 states have regulations requiring bowhunter education certification in order to purchase permits.”

Dockins said she encourages all bow hunters to attend the class.

“The number of tree stand accidents continues to rise and we address safety issues when hunting from an elevated position,” she said.

The course provides comprehensive information about the knowledge, skills, safety and additional opportunities available to bow hunters.   Topics covered include different types of bows and equipment, opportunities available to the bow hunter, safety information related to hunting from an elevated platform,  the role of the hunter and hunting in wildlife management and conservation, responsibilities of the outdoorsman, distance estimation, ethical practices of the hunter, and much more.

Those successfully completing the course will receive a Bowhunter Education Certification Card from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Students must be 11 years of age or older to attend.

Pre-registration is required. To register, visit mdc.mo.gov. For further information, call the MDC Southeast Regional Office at (573) 290-5730.

The Conservation Commission met March 6 and 7 at Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo.

The Conservation Commission met March 6 and 7 at Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo. 

Commissioners present were:

Don C. Bedell, Sikeston, Chair

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

Marilynn J. Bradford, Jefferson City, Member

 REGULATIONS

The Commission approved the report of the Regulations Committee, including:

• Amendments to the Wildlife Code to provide clarity on Missouri’s pheasant hunting opportunities
• Adding the goby, an invasive, exotic species of fish to the list of prohibited species
• Prohibiting the use of big head and silver carp as live bait.

ADMINISTRATION

The Commission:

• Received presentations from:

Ø  Fisheries Division Chief Brian Canaday regarding the cold-water hatchery system.

Ø  Shepherd of the Hills Interpretive Center Manager John Miller and Design and Development Division Chief Jacob Careaga regarding the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center Feasibility Study.

Ø  Outreach and Education Division Chief Mike Huffman and Design and Development Division Chief Jacob Careaga regarding  renovation of the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center.

Ø  Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Ben Webster regarding wild land fire suppression.

Ø  Wildlife Management Biologists Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges regarding the Southwest Missouri Quail Ecology Project.

• Approved the purchase of approximately 480.49 acres in Montgomery County as an addition to Danville Conservation Area.
• Approved the sale of approximately 2.37 acres in Ava in Douglas County.

·        Tabled the purchase of acreage in Carter County as an addition to Peck Ranch Conservation Area.

• Suspended hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of 17 Missouri residents and one nonresident for Wildlife Code violations. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

Tonya Carrillo, Joplin, commercial breeder permit, 1 year

Donald Collett, Holts Summit, hunting and fishing privileges, 1 year

Travis J. Dority, Sand Springs, Mont., all sport privileges, an additional 7.5 years

Ryan T. Foster, Holt, all sport privileges, 1 year

Evert W. Howser, Blue Springs, hunting, 1 year

David M. Jansen, Marble Hill, hunting and trapping, 1 year

Jordan A. Johnson, Clinton, all sport privileges, 1 year

Dennis Koehler, Peculiar, fishing, 12 years

Harley M. Million, Ellsinore, hunting, 3 years

Nieall E. Odum, Kansas City, all sport privileges, 1 year

Timothy J. Palmer, St. Joseph, all sport privileges, 1 year

Joseph H. Schwartz, Greentop, hunting, 1 year

Michael J. Strause, Jackson, hunting, 1 year

Ronald G. Tate, St. Louis, hunting, 1 year

Matthew G. Troesser, Bonnots Mill, all sport privileges, 1 year

Tyler R. Wheeler, Liberal, hunting an additional 2 years

Michael L. Wiele, Joplin, hunting 1 year

Warren L. Wood, Jr., Gravois Mills, hunting and fishing, 1 year.

• Approved the suspension or revocation of all hunting and fishing privileges of 289 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 240 nonresidents under the provisions of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
• Set its next meeting for April 16 and 17 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.

Related articles

• Conservation Commission Agenda, March 6-7, 2014 (missourioutdoors.blogspot.com)

New conservation commissioner is an outdoorsman

The love of nature kindled by his grandfather still burns bright.

JEFFERSON CITY–Missouri’s newest conservation commissioner traces his outdoor roots to hunting small game as a boy. That passion for nature now finds expression in hands-on wildlife management.

Gov. Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon appointed Tim Dollar, Blue Springs, to a six-year term on the Missouri Conservation Commission. Dollar, 53, grew up in the Kansas City area. He traces his interest in conservation to time spent outdoors with his maternal grandfather, Alden Jaynes.

“He took me squirrel and rabbit and quail hunting, and I fell in love with it immediately,” says Dollar. “I didn’t have too many opportunities to explore that during my childhood, but even then I knew the passion I had for it.”

Dollar recalls that his outdoor career got a jump-start when he met his soon-to-be father-in-law, Robert Hammond. “He introduced me to deer hunting in his home area of St. Clair County,” says Dollar. “That was a life-changing experience. I was absolutely hooked.”

Dollar pursued his passion for hunting for two decades, until a friend, West Plains attorney Lynn Henry, showed the future conservation commissioner what he was doing to improve some hunting land he owns.

“I became obsessed with acquiring land and managing it for deer, turkey, and quail and other wildlife,” says Dollar. “Seeing what he was doing on his property in the Ozarks was an eye-opener. After that, managing land for wildlife became a consuming passion and hobby.”

Dollar focused his new-found passion for wildlife management on his wife’s family farm in St. Clair County, a place he refers to as “sacred ground.” He worked closely with St. Clair Conservation Agent Joanna Bledsoe to tailor management techniques to the farm’s special needs. Now, through arrangements with neighboring landowners, he manages nearly 900 acres for deer, turkey, quail and other wildlife. He built a hunting lodge a mile or so from the old home place, where his father-in-law was born.

Dollar eagerly discusses ongoing efforts to improve wildlife habitat on the farm. This includes restoring fencerows and creating thickets as escape cover for quail and other ground-nesting wildlife. Planting corn, soybeans, and winter wheat ensures ample food for wildlife.

“For the first time that I can remember down here, we are having some success,” he says. “Last week, driving through the milo and millet, we several times came across a ton of quail. We haven’t seen that in a very long time.”

An avid bowhunter, Dollar says Sept. 15 will find him sitting in a tree stand looking for white-tailed deer.

Asked if he has any special interests or programs he wants to advance during his term on the Conservation Commission, Dollar said “No, I’m really interested in it all, and I’m eager to learn. The Missouri Conservation Department is one of the finest, best-run organizations of its kind in the country. When I travel to other states and am asked about Missouri, I start by talking about the Conservation Department, because it is respected around the country. So I’m eager to learn and support this great tradition we have.”

“Commissioner Dollar’s interest and knowledge of fish and wildlife combined with his business experience make him a solid addition to the Conservation Commission,” said Conservation Department Director Robert L. Ziehmer.  “His energy and enthusiasm to enhance forest, fish, and wildlife resources will prove beneficial for citizens and the outdoor resources of Missouri.  I look forward to working with Commissioner Dollar.”

Dollar, a Democrat, will serve through June 30, 2019.

The Conservation Commission consists of four members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Missouri Senate. To ensure non-partisan oversight of the Conservation Department, no more than two members may be from the same political party.

Dollar replaces Becky Plattner, whose term expired this year.  The other commissioners are Chairman Don C. Bedell, R-Sikeston, Vice Chair James T. Blair, IV, R-St. Louis, and Don R. Johnson, Festus.

The Conservation Commission controls, manages, restores, conserves and regulates the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state, including hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, reservations and all other property owned, acquired or used for such purposes, as well as the acquisition and establishment of those properties.

-Jim Low-

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A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have GPS? Plug in waypoints of fish attractors to explore over 100 lakes

            Anglers can access the GPS waypoints of manmade fish attractors in 102 Oklahoma lakes right now on the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's website.

            The Wildlife Department's website at wildlifedepartment.com provides a link on the homepage that directs anglers to a list of lakes where fisheries personnel have submerged a range of fish attractors such as cut cedar trees, tire reefs, spider blocks, brush piles and even old car bodies. By clicking on the name of any lake, anglers can access the coordinates for the sunken fish attractors and plug them right into their GPS. Also listed with each lake is the type fish attracting structure that has been submerged and other unique details that may be available such as the area name where the attractors can be found, their submerged depth, date of placement and whether or not they are marked or accessible from the bank or for persons with disabilities.

            "These fish attractors can concentrate larger numbers of fish in specific areas," said Barry Bolton, chief of fisheries for the Wildlife Department. "This can give anglers an edge, especially if they know a few details about where to find the structure or how deep they are under the surface of the water. It can take some of the guessing out of the decision of where to fish, and hopefully can help our anglers have more success."

            Fish attractors may be comprised of cedar trees that have been cut down and removed from local wildlife management areas by Wildlife Department personnel because of their limited value to wildlife and tendency to be invasive. Brush may be placed in piles or rows, and spider blocks may be placed that are made from plastic tubing that has been cemented into cinderblocks to create usable structure for fish.

            "One of our important goals is to help anglers be successful, and making these underwater fish attractors available to fish and then making their location available to our anglers is one way we can accomplish that goal," Bolton said.

            Along with providing fish attractor locations, the Wildlife Department's website at wildlifedepartment.com offers extensive resources for anglers, hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts to get the most from Oklahoma's outdoors. Timely fishing reports, license requirements and purchasing options, detailed maps and other useful information are available along with much more on the site. To learn more, log on to wildlifedepartment.com.

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Elk restoration effort moves forward in Kentucky

Missouri’s first elk is in a holding pen, awaiting company.

HAZARD, Ky.–Missouri’s elk-restoration effort took a significant step forward Jan. 7 with the delivery of its first elk.

Photo Courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation

Workers with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFW) captured a juvenile bull. Of the bulls captured as part of trapping efforts, only calves and spike bulls will be used for Missouri’s restoration program, because mature bull elk with branched antlers are more difficult to handle and more likely to injure themselves or other captured elk.

Before elk trapping could begin, a construction crew made up of workers from KDFW and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) had to build a corral capable of holding 50 elk in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. The pen was built using funds from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Despite challenges posed by single-digit temperatures, repeated heavy snowfall and freezing rain, they put finishing touches on the holding pen just days before the first elk’s arrival.

Kentucky’s deer and elk herd coordinator, Tina Brunjes, said the operation has shifted from construction to trapping.

“The holding facility is complete, we have the pens to hold the elk, and we have the handling facility where we can do all the disease testing,” Brunjes said. “It’s all ready to go.”

The first MDC trapping team arrived in Kentucky last week. MDC Wildlife Management Biologist Travis Mills is supervising the four-person team. Mills has a special interest in the project, since he is the wildlife management biologist for Shannon, Carter, Ripley and Oregon counties, which encompass much of Missouri’s elk-restoration zone.

Mills said the assistance from the KDFW is vital to the success of his team.

“We couldn’t do this project successfully without help from the Kentucky team,” Mills said. “They’ve been through their own elk reintroduction in Kentucky and they’re putting their expertise to work helping us to take every precaution to ensure we bring in a healthy elk herd to Missouri.”

The trapping process, according to Brunjes, starts with laying out bait where the elk regularly travel, then letting that bait lead the elk into the trap through a series of fencing. 

“We’ve got bait out in areas where we’re trying to get a significant group of elk to start coming and feeding so we can trap them in the corral,” Brunjes said. By Jan. 10, two elk herds, totaling around 60 animals, were using the bait, setting the stage for trap deployment.

The trapping process is simple, according to Brunjes.  She said the team found an area where they have seen elk and knew they are traveling through that area.  After placing bait to lead the animals into the corral trap, it is just a matter of waiting.

Once elk are in the trap and the corral gate is closed, the trapping team will transfer them to the holding pen as quick as possible to minimize stress on the animals. Health testing will begin when 50 elk have been captured. Veterinarians from several agencies will cooperate on the health assessment and sampling process according to Brunjes.

If all goes well, MDC hopes to have 50 elk in holding pens by the end of January. When trapping ends and the initial health testing is completed, the clock will start running on a three-month quarantine period in Kentucky.

After arriving in Missouri, the elk will undergo another quarantine period in holding pens at Peck Ranch Conservation Area. These measures are intended to protect the health of Missouri’s domestic livestock and wildlife. The holding period also will allow imported elk to acclimate to the area, reducing the likelihood of their wandering far.

Mills said being part of the elk trapping and restoration team is an exciting assignment.

“To me, this is a career highlight,” Mills said. “I’ve spent over 20 years professionally in conservation and I’m excited to play such an integral part in this chapter of history where we’re restoring an important species to Missouri.”

The Missouri Conservation Commission decided to restore elk in a 346-square-mile area covering parts of Carter, Reynolds and Shannon counties for several reasons. These included citizen requests, ecological benefits from restoring a native species and economic benefits to Missouri through tourism and hunting. Before making the decision, the commission gathered citizen comments at public forums and by e-mail, mail and telephone. More than 70 percent of the 2,953 comments received expressed support for elk restoration.

The limited elk-restoration zone was chosen because it has extensive public lands, minimal agricultural activity, low road density and public support.

All elk brought to Peck Ranch CA will be fitted with microchips and radio collars. This will permit tracking their movements after they leave the holding pen as part of a cooperative research project with the University of Missouri.

The elk-restoration plan includes provisions for protecting Missouri wildlife and livestock and dealing with elk that wander onto private land where they are not welcome. The Conservation Department will use hunting to maintain the elk herd at a manageable size.

-Candice Davis-