Order native trees, shrubs, and woody vines from MDC State Nursery

MDC’s State Nursery offers a variety of native seedlings for reforestation,

Eastern redbud is a native shrub or small tree
that is distinctly ornamental in spring with small,
 clustered, rose-purple flowers covering the bare
 branches before the leaves. MDC’s State Nursery
 offers a variety of native seedlings for sale,
 such as redbud, for reforestation, windbreaks,
 erosion control, and wildlife food and cover.

windbreaks, erosion control, and wildlife food and cover.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Native trees, shrubs, and woody vines can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property.

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) George O. White State Nursery near Licking offers Missouri residents a variety of native seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, as well as for wildlife food and cover.

The State Nursery provides mainly one-year-old bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species. Seedlings are available in quantities of 10, 25, or 100 per species.

Prices for seedling quantities range from $6-32 per bundle. Receive a 15-percent discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card.

Orders can be placed until April 15, 2015. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the State Nursery from February through May. Quantities are limited so order early.

Seedlings varieties include pine, pecan, oak, dogwood, tulip poplar, cottonwood, sweetgum, cypress, birch, hickory, willow, persimmon, pawpaw, deciduous holly, redbud, wild plum, ninebark, witch hazel, serviceberry, mulberry, elderberry, and many others.

Images and information on available items, and ordering information, can be found in the Department’s 2014-2015 Seedling Order Form catalogue. The catalogue is available in the November issue of the Missouri Conservationist, at MDC regional offices and nature centers, online at mdc.mo.gov/node/4011, or by calling the State Nursery at 573-674-3229.

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MDC reminds hunters to be wary of sinkholes

Advance scouting can help hunters identify sinkholes and other topopgraphical hazards

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Because of the Ozarks’ karst topography, this area is riddled with caves and sinkholes. Some sinkholes are hidden by heavy vegetation and, as evidenced by numerous incidents reported in the news in recent years; they can appear suddenly on a landscape.

As a safety precaution, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters to be mindful of sinkholes as they travel through areas, particular during low-light times of day or in spots where vision is obstructed. Last year, a hunter in Pulaski County died when he fell into a 70-foot sinkhole while tracking a deer.

Further evidence of hazards sinkholes pose occurred recently when, acting upon calls received from the public, MDC conservation agents found a deer in a sinkhole in Greene County. It was unclear whether the ground had given way or the deer stumbled into an existing hole. After exploring possible rescue options, it was determined regrettably there was no safe way to remove the deer from the sinkhole so the animal had to be put down. Due to safety concerns, the carcass was unable to be retrieved.

MDC would like to remind hunters that these incidents point out the importance of scouting an area in advance of a hunt. In addition to finding animal signs, a pre-hunt scouting trip can give individuals knowledge about the type of topography they’ll encounter during a hunt at that area. If you’re hunting on someone else’s land, conversations with the landowner in advance of a hunting trip can also provide information about areas that need to be avoided.

Other information about hunting safety can be found at http://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-and-safety/hunter-ethics-and-safety

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MDC’s Runge Nature Center hosts family event on black Friday

The free event provides a fun alternative to shopping on the busiest shopping day of the

year.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. —Escape the holiday hustle and bustle and come relax and discover nature at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Runge Nature Center’s annual shopping alternative event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.

“This has become a tradition for many families in the Jefferson City area and surrounding communities,” said MDC Naturalist Trana Madsen. “Each year we choose a different conservation topic and create a theme to connect people to the Missouri outdoors. This year our theme is elk.”

The free public event will host activities for children, teens and adults. Make an elk clay track, learn how elk communicate through calls, browse an interactive table that will include touchable elk pelts and antlers, learn about elk in Missouri, and much more.   

Once common throughout most of Missouri, elk disappeared from our state about 150 years ago due to over-hunting and habitat loss. MDC has reintroduced an elk herd to a large restoration zone in a portion of three counties in southeast Missouri near the Current River. While elk will never roam the entire state as in pre-settlement times, wildlife watchers are able to see free-ranging elk in the 346-square-mile elk restoration zone, which includes Peck Ranch Conservation Area (CA) and Current River CA.   

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 visit mdc.mo.gov. 

MDC stocks rainbow trout at three mid-Missouri lakes for winter fishing

With longer nights and colder weather, it’s easy to get house bound. However the Missouri

Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages Missourians to get outdoors and discover nature through winter trout fishing. Three lakes were recently stocked with rainbow trout for a winter fishing program co-sponsored by MDC. The trout were released in Cosmo-Bethel Lake in Columbia, Kiwanis Lake in Mexico, and McKay Park Lake in Jefferson City.

Cosmo-Bethel and McKay Park Lake each received about 2,400 fish and Kiwanis Lake received approximately 1,200 fish. MDC stocks the lakes during the fall when the water is cold enough to support rainbow trout, a cold-water fish that lives in water temperatures less than 70 degrees.

“Stocking rainbow trout in city lakes offers a unique fishing opportunity for anglers who might not get to one of the four statewide trout parks,” said MDC Fisheries Regional Supervisor Tim Grace. “Plus, it provides good fishing at a time when there is less to do outdoors.”

From Nov. 1 – Jan. 31, it is catch and release only, meaning all trout must be released unharmed immediately. During this period, anglers may only fish with flies, artificial lures and unscented plastic baits.

Beginning Feb. 1, any bait may be used and four trout may be kept regardless of size.

All anglers between the ages of 16 and 64 must have a valid Missouri fishing permit and any angler harvesting trout must possess a trout permit as well.

For information about trout fishing in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/5596.

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MDC limits firearm antlerless deer permits

Antlerless deer hunting permits have been reduced from “any number” in most

counties of the state to one in most counties of the state for all portions of the firearms deer season combined.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters that firearm antlerless deer hunting permits have been reduced from “any number” in most counties of the state to one in most counties of the state. The reduction applies to all portions of the firearms deer season combined.

Exceptions to this regulation change allow hunters to fill two firearm antlerless deer permits in Chariton, Randolph, Macon, Linn, Sullivan, and Adair counties, which surround the area where chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been found in a small number of deer in Macon County. According to MDC, continuing to maintain stable deer numbers in this “CWD Containment Zone” will help limit the spread of the disease to other deer and other areas.

Other areas where hunters can fill two firearm antlerless deer permits include urban zones around the state where deer numbers are typically higher than desired, and in Barton, Howell, and Oregon counties where local deer numbers are higher than deer management goals.

The regulations changes were approved by the Conservation Commission at its April meeting and MDC initially communicated the information to the public at that time.

Details on these changes and other information on deer hunting are available in the Department's “2014 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet available at locations where permits are sold, MDC regional offices and nature centers, and online at mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/03/ftd2014.pdf.

According to MDC Deer Biologist Jason Sumners, the regulation changes are in response to lower overall deer numbers around much of the state as a result of long-term efforts to reduce the deer population through increased doe harvest. Previous regulations allowing the harvest of any number of antlerless deer have helped to decrease and stabilize deer numbers in many areas where deer numbers were too high.

Sumners added that the planned effort to reduce deer numbers in some areas was intensified by an unanticipated, extensive outbreak of hemorrhagic disease (HD) throughout most of the state related to the record-setting drought during summer and fall of 2012. With the resulting recent decrease in deer numbers in many areas of the state, some hunters and landowners have voiced their concerns about the level of doe harvest and the continuing need to offer hunters “any number” of antlerless permits.

“Our Regulations Committee considers the changing status of the deer herd across the state -- along with feedback from hunters, landowners, and others -- each year as it reviews recommendations for deer-hunting regulations,” Sumners said.

“Deer populations in Missouri vary regionally and county-by-county as habitat, hunting regulations, hunter numbers, and frequency and severity of disease outbreaks affect deer numbers,” he explained. “As these factors change over time, our deer management strategy is to be responsive to those changes.”

He added that MDC’s deer management strategy focuses on using science-based wildlife management practices, providing opportunities for all citizens to enjoy deer-related recreational activities such as deer hunting and watching, maintaining a healthy deer population, and providing related information to the public.

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Informational meeting for Deutschheim State Historic Site Nov. 15

The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting regarding Deutschheim State

Historic Site in Hermann. The open-house style meeting will be held at the historic Feldmann-Stark House located at 109 W. Street on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Park representatives will provide information on recent accomplishments. Visitors are invited to share feedback and suggestions about the site. This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure citizens have input regarding the facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

MDC assigns new Private Lands Conservationist for St. Francois, Iron and Madison counties

The MDC’s private lands conservationists work with landowners to improve wildlife habitat by teaching management techniques such as timber stand improvement, food plot development and invasive species control.

“With the numerous forestry, glade and woodland opportunities in these three counties, her forestry education and experience along with her prescribed fire qualifications will be very valuable in helping landowners reach their management goals,” said Tony Jaco, the private lands regional supervisor.

Norris has worked for MDC in the Forestry and Private Lands Services divisions for nine years.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale in 2005.  Since then she has held several positions including resource forester assistant, resource forester, and her most recent position as a part time private lands conservationist.  In addition, Norris has a broad perspective having worked in multiple locations during her conservation career.

Norris is familiar with working with landowners to improve wildlife habitat, cost share programs, and working with contractors and conservation partners. 

“Julie has already developed an understanding of the people, along with their motivations and habitat challenges in these counties,” Jaco said. “She is well respected by other staff for her hard work, friendly demeanor, and professional way of interacting with people.” 

Jaco said Norris has a proven record of working positively with private landowners and understanding how each landowner and their property can be quite unique. 

Norris resides in Park Hills and can be reached at Julie.Norris@mdc.mo.gov or at (573)225-5829.

For information on how the MDC works with landowners to improve habitat, or to find a private lands conservationist near you, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces Julie Norris has been selected as the new Private Lands Conservationist for the Farmington area effective Nov. 1. In this position at Farmington, Norris is assigned duties in St. Francois, Iron and Madison counties.

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