Hunters checked 5,691 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms season

Top harvest counties were Greene with 165 turkeys checked, Franklin with 163, and St. Clair with

160.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced that hunters checked 5,691 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season, which ran Oct. 1 - 31. Last year’s fall firearms turkey harvest total was 5,929 birds. Top harvest counties for the 2014 season were Greene with 165 turkeys checked, Franklin with 163, and St. Clair with 160.

Adult gobblers accounted for 964 of the harvest, or almost 17 percent. Adult hens accounted for 1,588 of the harvest, or almost 28 percent. Juvenile gobblers accounted for 950, or almost 17 percent, and juvenile hens for 2,189 or about 38 percent.

MDC sold 14,117 fall firearms turkey hunting permits for this past season, a 5-percent drop from last year.

The central region of the state saw about an 8-percent increase in harvest from 2013 with 759 birds. The Kansas City region dropped about 1-percent from 2013 with 681 birds. The northeast region dropped about 3 percent from 2013 with 588 birds. The northwest region dropped about 13 percent from 2013 with 477 birds. The Ozark region dropped by about 9 percent from last year with 784 birds. The St. Louis region harvest increased by about 9 percent from 2013 with 528 birds. The southeast region fell by about 15 percent from last year with 687 birds. The southwest region dropped by about 4 percent from 2013 with 1,187 birds harvested.

Fall archery turkey hunting continues until Nov.14 and then resumes again from Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 2015.

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Young hunters check 18,091 deer during Missouri early youth hunt

Top counties for early youth hunt were Osage with 448, Franklin with 393, and Howell with 376.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced

that young hunters ages 6 through 15 checked 18,091 deer during Missouri’s early youth portion of deer hunting seasons on Nov. 1 and 2. Top counties for the early youth hunt were Osage with 448, Franklin with 393, and Howell with 376 deer checked. Last year’s harvest total for the early youth hunt was 18,676.

Antlered bucks accounted for 11,481 of deer harvested, or about 63 percent. Button bucks accounted for 1,728, or almost 10 percent. Does accounted for 4,882, or about 27 percent.

For harvest totals by county, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/node/29442.

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MDC Seeks Input on Conservation Areas - Like voting, it is important to make your opinion heard

How are conservation areas important to you? The Missouri Department of Conservation is in the process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments. To view management plans and share comments online, visit mdc.mo.gov/areaplans.   The following draft Conservation Area Management Plans are available for public comment from November 1-30, 2014.   Northeast Region  Redman Conservation Area Management Plan - Redman Conservation Area includes 120 acres of grasslands and woodlands that are managed to improve wildlife habitat and increase plant and animal species diversity. The grasslands provide habitat for upland wildlife species that depend upon the native grasslands. The area includes many native plants that are rare in northeast Missouri.   Kansas City Region James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area (Idea Gathering Stage) - James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area is accepting public comments prior to the development of its area management plan. Southwest Region  Fiddlers Ford Access Area Management Plan - Fiddlers Ford Access provides access to Turnback Creek. It includes 50 acres of forested land, and provides fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreational opportunities for the public. Take a look at management plans and share your thoughts online at mdc.mo.gov/areaplans. Thank you for your interest in the management of your Conservation Areas!  Redman Conservation Area

Amy BuechlerPublic Involvement Coordinator 573-522-4115, ext. 3252 Amy.Buechler@mdc.mo.gov

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MDC to host workshops on deer research project

Douglas, Howell, Texas and Wright counties to be part of five-year deer study

Douglas, Howell, Texas and Wright counties will be part of a five-year
deer study that begins in January.
The study will collect data on deer survival and movement trends.

WILLOW SPRINGS, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is beginning a five-year research project to evaluate white-tailed deer reproduction, reproduction and movement patterns. The study area of this project will include four counties in south-central Missouri. The work conducted in this part of the state is a component of what will be one of the most comprehensive deer research projects ever conducted in the state.

MDC has scheduled two workshops in the south-central part of the state for landowners and hunters interested in participating in or learning more about this project. The first workshop will be 6 p.m., Nov. 10 at Willow Springs Middle School Auditorium. The auditorium is located at 215 W. 4th Street in Willow Springs. The second workshop will be 6 p.m., Dec. 4 at the Mountain Grove YMCA. This facility is located at 1 YMCA Drive in Mountain Grove. No registration is required for these workshops

The deer study will begin in January and is being done in partnership with the University of Missouri at Columbia. The study will include monitoring bucks and does of all ages. Biologists will capture and place GPS tracking collars and small metal ear tags on deer, which will then be immediately released. Hunters will be encouraged to harvest deer in normal fashion in study areas, including those with collars.

The study area in this part of the state will consist of Douglas, Howell, Texas and Wright counties. Another part of the study will be conducted concurrently in the northwest Missouri counties of Nodaway, Gentry, Andrew and DeKalb counties. Data from these two regions will give biologists a chance to compare deer survival and movement trends in in timber-dominated areas of the Ozarks with those of agricultural areas of northwest Missouri.

MDC utilizes several sources of data to monitor Missouri’s deer populations. That information enables science-based decisions for deer hunting seasons and harvest limits. This deer survival, reproduction and movement study will provide a broad data base that MDC biologists can utilize in making decisions about deer management. This study is being funded with assistance from Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Funds.

Project information can be obtained by contacting MDC Deer Biologist Emily Flinn atemily.flinn@mdc.mo.gov or by calling 573-815-7901, ext. 3619. Landowners interested in allowing deer trapping on their property may contact Jon McRoberts, University of Missouri project leader, atmcrobertsj@missouri.edu or at 573-881-1978.

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MDC Runge Nature Center hosts waterfowl book signing

Authors will share their passion for waterfowl and wetland conservation and sign books at

The MDC Runge Nature Center is holding a book
 signing for Waterfowl Hunting
and Wetland Conservation in Missouri
– A Model of Collaboration, from 6 to 7 p.m.
 on Thursday, Nov. 13. Three of the book's authors will
 be available to sign books and share
 their passion for waterfowl and wetland conservation. 

the event.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Quality wetlands are important and do not happen by accident. Careful planning, skillful execution of well-designed strategies, public and private partnerships, strong citizen support and dedicated funding have all led to the wetland habitats and migratory bird populations that we enjoy today. A new book, Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri – A Model of Collaboration, chronicles Missouri’s success in this area. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Runge Nature Center is holding a book signing from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 in celebration of this book.

Three of the book’s authors—Ken Babcock, Glenn Chambers, and Dale Humburg—will be available to sign books and to share their passion. A looping visual presentation will highlight important aspects of the book and an exhibit showcasing antique duck decoys used and manufactured in Missouri will be on display from the Joe French Collection.

The 480-page coffee-table book charters the history of waterfowl management in Missouri and beyond. This is a must have book for all serious migratory bird hunters, and all net proceeds from sales of the book will be dedicated to wetland and waterfowl conservation in Missouri. Gorgeous, color photographs, reproductions of well-known waterfowl artwork and historic black and white photos are found throughout this book.

The $40 book is available for purchase at Runge Nature Center, prior to the event or at the event, or can be ordered online by visiting mdcnatureshop.com.

Waterfowl Hunting and Wetland Conservation in Missouri is a cooperative effort between MDC, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Conservation Federation of Missouri, Ducks Unlimited, Bass Pro Shops and other conservation and hunting organizations.

Runge Nature Center is located on Hwy 179 in Jefferson City approximately .5 mile north of Hwy 50. Building hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The building is closed on Sunday and Monday. The outdoor trails are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

For more information on this or other programs, call 573-526-5544 or visithttp://mdc.mo.gov/node/296.

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MDC to host open house at Reed Memorial Wildlife Area

Public input welcomed

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at MDC’s Kansas City Regional Office, which is on the Reed Area at 12405 S.E. Ranson Road. Staff will answer questions about the area or about conservation in general. Visitors will also be able to fill out comment sheets. Fishing is a popular family activity at MDC's  James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area in Lee's Summit.                            Photo by Bill Graham,  Missouri Department of Conservation know your suggestions for the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit. An open house for public comments on area management practices will be held    MDC is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for almost 1,000 conservation areas throughout the state and invites public comments.    Public comment on plans for the Reed Area can be made now via Internet athttp://mdc.mo.gov/node/22681. Also, public comment sheets are available at the front counter at the Kansas City Regional Office. The public comment period will remain open through Nov. 30.    Noted Kansas City business woman Nell Reed donated 731 acres to MDC in 1952 to begin the area. The donation was in memory of her husband James A. Reed, a former Kansas City mayor and U.S. senator. He had introduced her to hunting and fishing. MDC has used Department funds and federal monies to purchase additional tracts. The 3,084-acre area offers hiking, fishing, hunting, birding and other outdoor recreation. Anglers can fish in 12 lakes ranging in size from one acre to 42 acres. Information about the area is available at http://on.mo.gov/1ADgDRq.    For more information about Missouri’s outdoors visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov.

MDC welcomes new area manager to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area

MDC Wildlife Biologist Clayton Light assumed duties in early October.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes
MDC Wildlife Biologist Clayton Light as the new area
manager for Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (CA),
located in Boone County.

COLUMBIA, Mo.—The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes MDC Wildlife Biologist Clayton Light as the new area manager for Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area (CA), located in Boone County.

John George, the MDC’s central regional wildlife supervisor, said Clayton was selected due to his varied experience within the MDC.

“The desire to grow professionally as a biologist, combined with a strong work ethic, community outreach skills and broad background will benefit Clayton’s work at Eagle Bluffs CA,” said George. “I look forward to Clayton continuing the relationships the area and previous managers have fostered with waterfowl hunters, birders, the City of Columbia and an expanding list of volunteers.”

Clayton earned his bachelor’s degree in wildlife and conservation management from Missouri State University in 2009. Since 2011, Clayton has worked as a wildlife resource technician at Whetstone Creek CA in Callaway County. During this time, Clayton gained valuable experience working with multi-faceted partner interests.

Over the years, Clayton has worked additional assignments doing quail and dove management and monitoring; invasive species treatment and natural community management; and has experience with day-to-day area management and working with specific user groups such as horseback riders and shooting range users. 

Clayton grew up in Freeburg, a small town located southeast of Jefferson City, spending his youth hunting, fishing and being outdoors. Activities he still enjoys today.  

“I always wanted a career in natural resources and to work for the Department,” Clayton said. “I am really excited to work with the diverse community of users at Eagle Bluff and continue to manage this area for the benefit of all to enjoy.”

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.

Eagle Bluffs CA is located six miles southwest of Columbia on Route K. For more information about the area, visit http://tinyurl.com/ya37rfv

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