Smithville fisherman lands record river carpsucker

Congratulations to Jonathan Randall on shooting record river carpsucker at Smithville Lake.

SMITHVILLE, Mo. – Jonathan Randall of Smithville became a Missouri record holder when he shot a river carpsucker using a bow and arrow at Smithville Lake in early May. The new "alternative method" record river carpsucker taken by Randall weighed 9 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 24 and ¾ inches. Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale at Price Chopper in Smithville.

Randall broke the previous alternative-method state-record river carpsucker of 7 pounds, 12 ounces taken on Lake of the Ozarks in late April.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Bowfishing is considered an alternative method and consist of a bow or crossbow that shoots arrows attached to a string so that the fish can be retrieved after they're pierced. Other alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, and atlatl.

Carpsuckers are nongame fish in Missouri. For more on this species, visit the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/river-carpsucker

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

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The American Burying Beetle: An Intersting Insect that need a little help

Efforts to restore the endangered American burying beetle were held on Wah-Kon’Tah Prairie in western Missouri. 

Scientists have been raising American burying beetles in captivity and are having some success in reintroducing them in the wild. 

The beetles bury dead birds or rodents they find and then lay their eggs into the carcasses so the larvae have food just as they hatch. 

To help the beetles, staff dug holes and deposited carcasses of pen-raised quail for the beetles to feed their young. 

Update: Onondaga Cave State Park to host Cave Conservation Corps Day Camp July 14-16

The "lily pad room" in Onondaga Cave in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Children ages 9-15 can spend three days with park naturalists learning about caves at Onondaga Cave State Park on July 14-16. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, participants will be able to experience a variety of hands-on activities related to caves. The event was previously scheduled for June 9-11, but is being held on alternative dates.

Participants will learn about cave geology, cave ecosystems, cave biology, the cave food chain and cave preservation. Activities will take place above and below ground. Additionally, campers will get an opportunity to help restore a portion of the cave by participating in their very own cave restoration project and a wild caving experience hosted by trained professional cavers. The camp will be limited to 20 participants and a small fee to cover the cost of materials will apply. Those interested in participating can find the registration form at the online event listing here.

Onondaga Cave State Park is located seven miles southeast of the Leasburg exit off I-44 on Highway H. For more information about the event, call the Onondaga Cave State Park at 573-245-6576. For more information on 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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Nine of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence

The "Castle" at Ha Ha Tonka State Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missouri State Parks was recently awarded nine Certificates of Excellence by TripAdvisor. This prestigious award recognizes establishments that consistently receive great TripAdvisor reviews from travelers.

Missouri state parks and historic sites receiving the recognition are: Bennett Spring State Park, Castlewood State Park, Deutschheim State Historic Site, Elephant Rocks State Park, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Roaring River State Park, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, and Table Rock State Park and State Park Marina.

“The fact that our guests are having an outstanding experience is reflective of the great work being accomplished by staff,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks. “This type of recognition underscores the 97 percent approval rating we consistently receive from visitors. It’s our goal that every time a family visits a state park our historic site, they have fun and make great memories.”

The Certificate of Excellence Award was founded in 2010, and honors hospitality businesses that demonstrate hospitality excellence and represent the top quality of businesses listed on TripAdvisor. Honorees must maintain an overall TripAdvisor rating of at least four out of five bubbles on the site’s bubble rating system, have at least the minimum number of reviews necessary, and be listed on TripAdvisor for at least twelve months.

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site. The site features visitors’ reviews of places to stay, visit and eat, and offers a ratings system as a guide for prospective visitors.

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Wildflower Walk at Prairie State Park

The public is invited to enjoy a wildflower walk on Saturday, June 13 at 10 a.m. at Prairie State Park’s Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center.

Prairie State Park. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the hike will begin at

Participants will join a park naturalist for a walk among green grasses and colorful flowers to learn more about the prairie ecosystem. Dress for the weather and hiking across the prairie. Long pants, water, insect repellent, and sturdy shoes are recommended. The hike will last about two hours covering 1.5 - 2 miles.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, MO. Please contact Prairie State Park at 417-843-6711 to register and get additional information about this event. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit www.mostateparks.com

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MDC hosts trick shooter Dave Miller in free exhibition

CZ-USA event at Lake City Range offers public a chance to try trap and skeet shooting

Kansas City, Mo. – Dave Miller, exhibition and world record holder, will demonstrate his shotgun skills in a free exhibition at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at the Lake City Shooting Range, 28505 E. Truman Road, Buckner, Mo. Miller, a project manager for CZ-USA firearms company, is a professional shotgun shooter and a master class sporting clays shooter.

    Miller on May 16 entered the Guinness World Records book by breaking 3,653 clay targets in 60 minutes at a shooting range in Harrisonville, Mo. He shot one target every .82 of a second, firing from the hip with assistants reloading and handing him shotguns. Miller resides in Grain Valley, Mo., and competes in sporting clays tournaments throughout the United States. He enjoys demonstrating his trick shooting skills and entertaining audiences.

   A co-sponsor for the event at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s shooting range is CZ ̶ USA, a firearms distributor based in the Kansas City area. The company will make a variety of firearms available for the public to shoot during the range’s shooting hours. Visitors will have an opportunity to shoot trap, skeet and five-stand. Families are welcome. MDC staff and volunteers will be on hand to assist shooters.

   For more information about the free event call 816-249-3194, or visithttp://www.mdc.mo.gov/node/282.

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Sam A. Baker State Park hosts bluegrass concert June 13

The public is invited to enjoy a bluegrass concert featuring the Leevon DeCourley Band at Sam A. Baker State Park on Saturday, June 13. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the event will begin at7 p.m.

Leevon DeCourley has been entertaining audiences all over the Midwest and Southeast for the better part of the last ten years. The concert will be held at the park’s amphitheater behind the Visitor Center. The event is offered free of charge.

Sam A. Baker State Park is located four miles north of Patterson on Highway 143 in Wayne County. For more information about the event, call the park naturalist at 573-856-4514. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.