Hunters shoot 89,000 deer on opening weekend

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Experts attribute the 8-percent decrease to warm, windy

weather and decreasing deer numbers in some parts of the state.

JEFFERSON CITY–Hunters checked 89,728 deer during the opening weekend of Missouri’s November firearms deer hunt, a decrease of 8.3 percent from 2010.

Resource Scientist Jason Sumners, with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), said weather played a role in this year’s decrease, but attributed a longer declining trend to shrinking deer numbers in some parts of the state.

“There’s no question that the opening-weekend harvest was affected by warm temperatures and high winds,” said Sumners. “However, this isn’t just a one-year decrease. The opening-weekend harvest averaged 118,000 from 2001 through 2005. From 2006 through 2010, the average was 95,401.  Those figures reflect a change in regional deer populations.”

Sumners said areas where deer numbers are down include parts of the Kansas City, Northwest, Southwest and Central regions. The opening-weekend harvest in those areas was down between 11 and 18 percent.

The opening-weekend harvest in southeastern Missouri and in the Ozark region was similar to last year’s. Sumners said deer numbers are increasing slowly in those areas.

Sumners said the declining trends in deer population and harvest numbers are not cause for concern.

“We have been trying for the better part of a decade to stabilize deer numbers in some areas,” said Sumners. “In others we have been working to bring down deer populations to reduce crop damage and deer-vehicle accidents. Now our challenge is finding ways to fine-tune harvest at the local level to balance hunting opportunity with nuisance problems.”

Sumners said this could mean future reductions in the availability of antlerless permits in some areas.

According to Sumners, a decrease of 8,000 in the opening-weekend harvest is not likely to have a significant effect on the overall deer harvest but may reflect a general trend of lower deer numbers in many parts of rural Missouri.  With 12 days of the November hunting season ahead, followed by a nine-day antlerless deer season, 11 days of muzzleloader hunting and a two-day late youth season, hunters have plenty of time to catch up. Archers have through Jan. 15 to hunt. Sumners said he expects the 2011-2012 deer harvest to be in the neighborhood of 250,000 to 275,000.

Top harvest counties during the opening weekend were Howell with 1,702 deer checked, Macon with 1,617 and Texas with 1,588.

MDC recorded one non-fatal, firearms-related hunting incident during the opening weekend.

-Jim Low-

Bring your ideas to an informational meeting Nov. 18 at Long Branch State Park

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., NOV. 14, 2011 – The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Friday, Nov. 18, at Long Branch State Park near Macon. The informational meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Long Branch Marina Store.

Recent accomplishments at the park and future plans will be highlighted during the informational meeting. Visitors are invited to share comments on the Long Branch State Park services and operations.

This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort to ensure citizens have input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

Long Branch State Park is located two miles west of the U.S. Highway 63 and 36 junction in Macon County. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 660-773-5229 or by calling the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit the web at mostateparks.com.

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Five state parks will close temporarily for deer hunts

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JEFFERSON CITY, MO., NOV. 14, 2011 – Deer hunters will have a rare opportunity to harvest a whitetail deer in five Missouri state parks during managed deer hunts to alleviate deer overpopulations on two weekends in November and December. During the hunts, the parks will be closed to everyone except the deer hunters.

By law, state parks are established as wildlife refuges and hunting is not permitted except under special circumstances. However, these special hunts are being used as a resource management tool because the deer population is too large for the environment of the park and resources in the park are being damaged.

Special hunts will be conducted at the following parks on the following weekends:

· Nov. 19-20 - Pomme de Terre State Park near Pittsburg, including the campground and state park marina (the Hermitage area of the park will remain open).

· Dec. 10-11 - Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton.

· Dec. 10-11 - Knob Noster State Park near Knob Noster.

· Dec. 10-11 - Rock Bridge Memorial State Park near Columbia.

· Dec. 10-11 - Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and Historic Site near Lawson.

The hunts will be conducted following guidelines established by the Missouri Department of Conservation, which regulates hunting of wildlife in the state. Hunters who will be participating submitted special applications this summer for the Department of Conservation's special managed hunts, which are held annually. Hunters were selected through a random computer drawing. Only those hunters who already have a special permit will be allowed to participate in the hunts.

“These hunts benefit the parks because they help us manage the deer herd; they benefit the hunters because they provide a unique opportunity to provide protein for a family table, or for another family through the Share the Harvest program,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Missouri State Parks administers state parks and historic sites throughout Missouri. All other state parks and historic sites, other than the five listed, will not be affected by the hunts.

For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit mostateparks.com.

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New Report Shows US Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program Helps Support 68,000 Jobs in U.S. Economy

 – Midwest fisheries’ recreation and conservation activities are huge economic drivers for nation

The fisheries program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in association with state agencies and other conservation organizations, contributes $3.6 billion to the nation’s economy and supports 68,000 jobs across the country, according to a new report issued by the agency.

The Service’s Midwest Region Fisheries Program, comprised of five National Fish Hatcheries, six Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, two Sea Lamprey Control Stations, and a Fish Health Center, generated nearly $800 million in economic contributions in fiscal year 2010.

“The conservation efforts of our Midwest Region Fisheries offices, hatcheries and program, are major contributors to the recreational and commercial fishing provided by our Great Lakes and river systems, which in turn generate big business for local economies in the Midwest,” said Service Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius.
The report, Conserving America’s Fisheries, An Assessment of Economic Contributions from Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation, shows that each dollar invested in the Service’s Fisheries Program, combined with its partners, generates about $28 in economic contributions and value. 

Midwest Perspective:
Based on this $28:1 return on investment, economic values of Midwest Region Fisheries Program activities include: 

• $246.4 million from Midwest Region National Fish Hatcheries and Fish Health Center

Based on $8.8 million invested in operations and maintenance in fiscal year 2010

In fiscal year 2010, National Fish Hatcheries in the Midwest Region distributed 16.4 million fish and 22.8 million eggs for stocking purposes, with an emphasis on native species including lake trout, brook trout, sturgeon and walleye. Hatcheries also produced and distributed more than 1.5 million native mussels, including two Federally endangered species.

• $322 million from Midwest Region Sea Lamprey Control Stations

Based on $11.5 million invested in operations in fiscal year 2010

In fiscal year 2010, the Service’s Sea Lamprey Control Stations in the Midwest Region treated 78 stream sites to control larval sea lamprey infestations, operated and maintained 30 barriers to block spawning runs of adult sea lamprey, collected more than 21,000 lampreys from 20 streams for sterile male operations, and reduced sea lamprey spawning populations in two of five Great Lakes.

• $229.6 million from Midwest Region Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices

Based on $8.2 million invested in operations in fiscal year 2010

In fiscal year 2010, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices in the Midwest Region, working with partners, removed or bypassed 32 fish passage barriers opening 1,012 miles to uninhibited fish access. The program also restored 120 miles of stream and shoreline habitat.

National perspective:
Overall, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation contribute an estimated $730 billion to the U.S. economy each year. One in twenty U.S. jobs are in the recreation economy – more than there are doctors, lawyers, or teachers.

The economic contributions generated are evidenced at sporting goods stores, marinas, guides and outfitter services, boat dealerships, bait shops, gas stations, cafes, hotels, and many other enterprises.

The report – the first time that Service economists have analyzed the economic contributions of the nation’s fisheries programs – finds that a total of 68,000 American jobs are associated, directly or indirectly, with the fisheries conservation programs and projects.

“Since 1871, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Program has been a leader in managing species, conserving habitat and sustaining the biological health of America’s aquatic resources,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “These resources are inextricably tied to the health and wealth of our nation. These benefits are ecological, scientific, aesthetic, recreational, commercial, subsistence, social, cultural – and economic in nature.”

The report also shows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Hatchery System alone generates $900 million in industrial output and $550 million in retail sales. National Fish Hatchery programs generate 8,000 jobs and $256 million in salaries and wages.

Meanwhile, the National Fish Passage Program works with partners to reopen an average of 890 miles of river habitat annually, which has a economic value of $483 million and supports 11,000 jobs. That is more than $542,000 in economic benefit per stream mile restored.

The Service’s Fisheries Program plays a vital role in conserving America’s fisheries, along with key partners from states, tribes, federal agencies, other Service programs, and private interests.

The fisheries program consists of almost 800 employees nationwide, located in 65 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices, 70 National Fish Hatcheries, 9 Fish Health Centers, 7 Fish Technology Centers and a Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives.

The program supports the only federal fish hatchery system, with extensive experience culturing more than 100 different aquatic species.

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Young deer hunters have a good weekend

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Pushing back this year’s early

youth hunt boosted harvest figures. 

JEFFERSON CITY– Hunters age 6 through 15 checked 16,392 deer during the first weekend of Missouri’s youth deer hunt Nov. 5 and 6, a 13-percent increase from last year’s figure.

Top harvest counties for the early portion of the youth hunt were Osage with 369 deer checked, Franklin with 331 and Howell with 316. 

Resource Scientist Jason Sumners with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) said the main reason for the harvest increase was the fact that the early youth season occurred a week later than usual.

“In response to hunter requests, we pushed the youth hunt back to avoid conflicts with Halloween,” said Sumners. “That meant kids were hunting closer to the peak of deer rutting activity. Your chances of shooting a deer are better when bucks are on the move, chasing does.”

Missouri held its first youth hunt in 2001. The season was two days long, and the harvest that year was 6,277.  For the first seven years, the youth hunt consisted of a Saturday and Sunday before the main firearms deer season, and the harvest averaged around 10,000 deer.

Starting with the 2008-2009 hunting season, MDC doubled the length of the youth season by adding a two-day late portion in January. For the past three seasons, the early youth harvest has averaged a little more than 13,000. This year’s early youth harvest is larger than the total youth harvest for any previous year.

MDC recorded one firearms-related hunting incident during the early youth hunt. It did not involve a youth hunter, however. The father of a youth hunter fired at what he thought was a wounded deer and injured the youth hunter’s uncle.

The Conservation Department makes it easy to create a lasting reminder of a young hunter’s first deer. An official First Deer Certificate, complete with congratulations and signature by Conservation Department Director Bob Ziehmer, is available at http://bit.ly/9bmk38. To create a certificate suitable for framing, you need only fill in the hunter’s information, print the form and add a photo.

Next on Missouri’s deer-hunting calendar is the November portion of firearms deer season Nov. 12 through 22. This portion normally accounts for approximately 80 percent of the state’s firearms deer harvest.

Three other portions follow the November hunt. The antlerless portion runs from Nov. 23 through Dec. 4. The muzzleloader portion is Dec. 17 through 27. The final portion of the firearms season is the late youth hunt Jan. 7 and 8.

Missouri also has an archery deer season that opens Sept. 15 and closes Jan. 15, with an 11-day hiatus during the November firearms deer season.

Hunters spend more than 5.7 million days pursuing deer in Missouri each year. The approximately $700 million they spend on their sport annually generates $1.1 billion in business activity and supports 11,000 jobs.

-Jim Low-

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Mark Twain National Forest’s Wild Fires Near Salem, Missouri Contained as of November 8, 2011

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Mark Twain National Forest’s wild fires near Salem, Missouri were declared contained as of 10 am Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

“Rain over the wild fires today should result in complete control later this week,” said Mark Twain National Forest Fire Manager Jody Eberly. “Due to heavy forest fuels, it will take awhile for the wild fires to be completely out. We will continue to daily monitor the wild fire areas.”

The two contract North Carolina firefighting crews left November 7, 2011; one Type 6 engine from Shawnee National Forest is still working with Mark Twain National Forest Salem Ranger District personnel to patrol the fire areas.

Hunters participating in Missouri’s gun deer season starting Saturday, November 12, 2011 are advised to stay out of the wild fire areas because some of the trees and tree roots may have been damaged during the wild fires and may fall without warning.

“Also be careful with campfires and warming fires during the gun deer season,” Eberly said.

For maps of the wild fire areas, go to Mark Twain National Forest’s website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/mtnf

Anyone who has information about how the suspected arson wild fires were started, contact Mark Twain National Forest Salem Ranger District Office at 573-729-6656 or the toll free arson hotline at 1-800-392-1111.

Mark Twain National Forest is the largest public land manager in Missouri with 1.5 million acres in 29 counties in southern and central Missouri. Mark Twain National Forest’s mission is to continue to restore Missouri’s great outdoors and maintain a healthy, working forest.  

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American Indian Heritage Month observed at Trail of Tears State Park Nov. 12

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., NOV. 7, 2011 --   A special presentation on Nov. 12 at Trail of Tears State Park near Jackson will mark November as American Indian Heritage Month. The presentation will be held in the park's visitor center beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the public is invited to attend.

            Duane King, Ph.D., will present a program on Cherokee removal routes within a 50-mile radius of the park. King is the executive director of the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa as well as vice president for museum affairs at the University of Tulsa. He previously held administrative positions are five other museums including the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. He has authored more than 100 publications, including his dissertation on "A Grammar and Dictionary of the Cherokee Language." His latest publication is the "The Cherokee Trail of Tears."

            Trail of Tears State Park is located at 429 Moccasin Springs Road on Highway 177 in Cape Girardeau County. For more information, call the park at 573-290-5268 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

Missouri Camping

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