MDC offers Basic Reloading: Metallic Cartridges classes in Mid-Missouri

The FREE classes will teach you the basics of reloading safety and techniques.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Reloading cartridges is a great way to enjoy your firearms. Now that factory ammunition costs have risen, it may be worth the time and effort to learn how to reload your own rifle ammunition.  Join the staff of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to learn these skills at one of two Basic Reloading: Metallic Cartridges classes on the following dates:

• Thursday, Feb. 5 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at MDC Conservation Regional office, 3500 East Gans Rd., Columbia
• Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Runge Nature Center, 330 Commerce Dr., Jefferson City

Whether you want to enjoy more time on the shooting range or develop a special load for your next hunt, this class will teach you the basics of reloading safety and techniques. Classroom lessons will be mentored by an experienced ammunition reloader. Participants will learn the basics of safety, techniques, equipment and much more. 

“Whether your goals include squeezing out additional accuracy or shooting more for less money, this class will give you the foundation needed to start making safe cartridges right away,” said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Brian Flowers. “Our Discover Nature programs are designed to help Missourians explore nature and master outdoor skills together.”

This program is open to adults age 18 or over. There is no cost for the program, but pre-registration is required.  All equipment is provided.

To register for either class, or for more information, contact Flowers atBrian.Flowers@mdc.mo.gov, or 573-815-7901, ext. 3388.

The E. Sydney Stephens Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center is conveniently located off of US Highway 63 just west of the Discovery Parkway exit on the south side of East Gans Road.

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 about this and other Discover Nature programs, go online tomdc.mo.gov.

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MDC offers hunting-skills weekend for families

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites families to its first-ever Discover Nature – Families Hunting Skills Weekend workshop on March 13–15 at the Windermere Conference Center on Lake of the Ozarks. 

Families with members age six years and older who are interested in learning how to hunt with firearms and archery equipment, and in finding new ways to spend time outdoors together, will have fun learning skills they need.

The workshop will be conducted in a beautiful lakeside setting with sessions taught by professional instructors.

To qualify for the workshop, family members who are age 11 years and older must complete the first part of Missouri’s two-part hunter-education certification. This initial knowledge portion of hunter education can be completed online, through self-study with a student book, or by registering for and attending a four-hour classroom session. For details on how to complete the knowledge portion of hunter education, go online towww.mdc.mo.gov/node/3722. 

The weekend will begin on Friday afternoon with family members having an opportunity to complete the second part of hunter education – a four-hour skills session in which students demonstrate what they have learned through the first knowledge portion.

On Saturday and Sunday, families will participate in three hands-on skills sessions: Introduction to Firearms, Beginning Archery, and Basic Hunting.

All equipment will be provided. Weekend activities will be held outdoors so participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

The workshop is free to all registered participants, but families are responsible for makingarrangements for their own lodging and meals through Windermere Conference Center. There are several options for lodging, including Lakeview Lodge, motel, family cabins, and camping. Contact Windermere at 573-346-5200 or 1-800-346-2215 for details, or go online to www.windermereusa.org.

To register or for more information on MDC’s Discover Nature – Families Hunting Skills Weekend, go online to www.mdc.mo.gov/node/29866.

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MDC offers outdoor skills Discover Nature Girls Camp

For girls ages 11 to 15

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a Discover Nature Girls Camp June 16-18 at Camp Palestine near Chilhowee, Mo., in Johnson County. The camp is free, but is limited to 32 girls ages 11 to 15. The first 32 applications received by Conservation Agent Brian Bartlett will be accepted. Applications must be received by March 31.

   The three-day, two-night camp will introduce girls to outdoor skills in a supportive learning environment. Campers will spend three fun-filled days learning with a hands-on approach. MDC staff will teach skills such as archery, firearms safety and shooting, fishing, canoeing and water safety. The MDC Hunter Education class will be offered. Campers will learn all aspects of fishing such as casting, knot tying, fish identification – and they will actually go fishing. MDC will provide all necessary gear and materials.

   All teaching occurs in a group setting of peers. Classes are taught by knowledgeable instructors who make participants comfortable and learning fun. 

   To request an application form and apply for Discover Nature Girls Camp, contact Agent Bartlett at 816-835-6087, or call the MDC Kansas City Regional Office at 816-622-0900.

   For information about all MDC programs that connect people with nature, visithttp://www.mdc.mo.gov.

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MDC to match $1.3 million in federal dollars to help Missouri landowners with key habitat conservation

MDC anticipates matching USDA grant monies over next five years to help Missouri landowners improve wildlife habitat on grasslands, glades and woodlands.

J. R. Flores, Missouri State Conservationist
for the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the
 U.S. Department of Agriculture (left) and
Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation
Bob Ziehmer (right) sign contracts that will provide
more than one million dollars in federal funds to
MDC for habitat conservation by Missouri private landowners.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently announced that it will receive $1.3 million in federal grant monies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help private landowners in Missouri improve grasslands, glades, and woodlands on their properties for both wildlife habitat and agriculture production. As the Conservation Commission approves annual expenditure plans, MDC plans to match the federal grant monies over the next five years through its existing Private Lands Services program.

The $1.3 million in federal dollars was provided through the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The purpose of the RCPP is to further the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife, and related natural resources by providing cost-share and incentives to private landowners.

“The Missouri Department of Conservation has a proven track record of successfully implementing USDA conservation programs and we have brought millions in federal cost-share dollars to Missouri landowners,” said MDC Private Land Services Division Chief Bill White. “Our partnership with the USDA is a national model.”

MDC’s Private Land Services staff provides expert advice and assistance to more than 29,000 private landowners in Missouri each year to help integrate forest, fish and wildlife management with agriculture production to help landowners reach their land management goals. These services often include financial assistance through cost-share grant mo

nies from the Department and other sources.

White explained that the cost-share grant monies will be dedicated to enhancing grasslands in northern and western Missouri for both livestock grazing and wildlife, such as quail, and will include MDC Quail Focus Areas and grassland Conservation Opportunity Areas. The funds will also be focused on restoring glade and woodland habitats in the Ozarks of southeastern Missouri through cost-share funds and incentives for forest landowners.

“Quality of the land for both livestock and wildlife is one of our main concerns, and programs such as these that help us reach our goals are greatly appreciated,” said Dennis Puppe, president of the Harrison County Cattleman’s Association.

“We endorse the RCPP for glades and woodlands in southeast Missouri and offer to assist the Department of Conservation with regional outreach and education to promote healthy and sustainable woodlands,” said Jim Summers, executive director of the Missouri Forest and Woodland Association.

For more information on the Department’s Private Lands Services and cost-share-grant-funding opportunities, contact an MDC Regional Office or local MDC Private Land Conservationist. Find both online at www.mdc.mo.gov under LOCAL CONTACTS.

MDC workshop shows prescribed fire as land, wildlife management tool

Landowners can learn to use prescribed
 fire as a land management tool at a
Prescribed Fire Workshop presented by the
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
 Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the MDC’s
Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau.
 (MDC file photo)

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Landowners can learn to use prescribed fire as a land management tool at a Prescribed Fire Workshop presented by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau. This workshop is offered two different times to provide landowners a better opportunity to attend. The first is from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and the second is from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Prescribed fire is an ancient technique used to manage grasslands, Conservation Reserve Program and old fields for forage production and improvement of wildlife habitat. Used first by Native Americans, the technique is now taught by the MDC across the state.

“Prescribed fire is a low-cost method for landowners to use,” said Brad Pobst, an MDC Private Lands Conservationist.

Pobst said the workshop will include classroom discussions on methods, equipment, safety, and why and when to use fire as a management tool. Emphasis will include how to conduct a safe and effective burn to control sprouts, encourage beneficial plants and create better quality quail habitat. Pobst said participation in this workshop will qualify landowners to have a prescribed burn plan prepared for their fields and use available loan equipment.

Workshop attendees are also invited to optional demonstration burns held later in the spring to demonstrate the use of tools and techniques.

To register for one of these workshops, contact the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730. For more information about prescribed fire, go online to mdc.mo.gov.

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Enjoy Holiday Tours at Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site Dec. 12-13

The public is invited to enjoy an 1860s Victorian Christmas during tours of the Hunter-Dawson home. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, tours will be Dec. 12-13 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., with candlelight tours from 6-8:30 p.m. each evening.

The house, aglow with the warmth of oil lamps and candles, will be decorated with fresh greenery, Christmas trees and 1860s style ornaments. Site staff will be wearing Victorian era fashions and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site is located at 312 Dawson Road in New Madrid. For more information, contact the site at 573-748-5340. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visitmostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Informational meeting at Thousand Hills State Park Dec. 11

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting at Thousand Hills State Park onThursday, Dec. 11. The meeting will be held at the park restaurant from 3- 4 p.m.

Park representatives will provide information on future plans for the facility and answer questions. Visitors are invited to share feedback and suggestions about park services and operations. 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.

Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO. Individuals requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the facility directly at 660-665-6995. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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