Six state parks to close temporarily for managed deer hunts Dec. 12-13

Deer hunters will have an opportunity to harvest a whitetail deer in six Missouri state parks during managed deer hunts to alleviate deer overpopulations on Dec. 12-13. During the hunts, the parks will be closed to all visitors, except already approved deer hunters.  By law, state parks are established as wildlife refuges and hunting is not permitted except under special circumstances. 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.

Managed hunts will be conducted Dec. 12-13 at the following parks:

• St. Joe State Park near Farmington
• Crowder State Park near Trenton
• Cuivre River State Park near Troy
• Pershing State Park near Brookfield
• Pomme de Terre State Park near Pittsburg
• St. Francois State Park near Bonne Terre

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. Missouri State Parks administers state parks and historic sites throughout Missouri. All other state parks and historic sites, other than the six mentioned above, will not be affected by the hunts and will remain open to the public. For more information on Missouri 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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Winter Walk at Washington State Park Dec. 13

Visitors are invited to join a guide for an outdoor experience at Washington State Park. The winter hike will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 and will begin at the park’s interpretive center.

The 1.5 mile guided interpretive hike will follow parts of the rugged Rockywood Trail and travel along a section of park road to the Civilian Conservation Corps shelter. The petroglyph site and upland plant communities will also be highlighted during this walk. The hike will last approximately 2 hours.

Participants should wear weather-appropriate hiking attire and bringing water is recommended. Vault toilet restrooms are available at the shelter. In case of inclement weather, the hike will be rescheduled for Sunday, Dec. 20. This event is free and open to the public.

Washington State Park is located 10 miles south of De Soto on State Highway 21. For more information about the event, call the park office at 636-586-5768. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visitmostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Missouri Conservation Commission DECEMBER 2015 Meeting Tentative Agenda

Conservation Department Headquarters
2901 West Truman BoulevardJefferson City, MO 65109

Background documents related to the open agenda items are available for public viewing at Conservation Department Headquarters, Jefferson City, for eight calendar days prior to the meeting. Any person who would like to comment to the Commission about a specific agenda item must make a written request to the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting. The time period allotted for public comment and the number of speakers will be at the Commission’s discretion. Recording the open meeting is permissible, pursuant to any guidelines established by the Commission to minimize disruption to the meeting. Individuals wishing to record the open meeting by audiotape, videotape, or other electronic means should notify the Director at least four calendar days prior to the meeting so accommodations for such recording can be made.

December 10, 2015 – Closed Executive Session – 12:30 p.m.

• Call to order, roll call, and vote to close meeting.
• E.1 Consideration of recommendations relating to the hiring/firing/disciplining/promoting of personnel (610.021(3) RSMo.). 
• E.2 – Approval of minutes of previous executive session(s) (610.021 RSMo.).
• E.3 – Consideration of legal actions, causes of action, or litigation and attorney-client privileged communications as provided for in 610.021(1) RSMo.
• E.4 – Consideration of supporting documentation related to recommendations to suspend or revoke hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges (621.021(1), 610.021.14, 454.440.9, 211.321 RSMo.)
• E.5 – Consideration of confidential or privileged communications between the Commission and its Internal Auditor regarding work product (610.021(17) RSMo.).
• E.6 – Consideration of negotiated contracts (610.021(12) RSMo.).
• E.7 – Consideration of potential real estate transactions/negotiations (610.021(2) RSMo.).
• Adjourn closed session.

December 11, 2015 – Regular Open Meeting – 8:30 a.m.

Call to order. -- Marilynn J. Bradford, Chair.

1. Action Item:  Approval of minutes of previous open meeting.

Awards:

2. Staff Recognition/Recent National Awards -- Division Chiefs

3. Missouri Youth Shooting Sports Programs Recognition -- Joanie Straub, Outreach and Education Division Chief

• 2015 Missouri 4-H Shooting Sports State Team – Top Overall Honors at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships
• 2015 NRA International Youth Hunter Education Challenge Event – Top Overall Individual in the Senior Division – Stewart McCollum

4. 2015 MDC Workforce Diversity Award -- Robert Ziehmer, Director

Staff Presentations: 

5. Agricultural Crop Program -- Nathan Bess, Financial Services Analyst; Dave Darrow, Wildlife Management Biologist; Introduction by Joel Porath, Interim Wildlife Division Chief

6. Missouri Deer Survey Program -- Mike Hubbard, Resource Science Division Chief

Comments:

7. Comments on proposed regulations by individuals who submitted written requests prior to the meeting - Introduction by Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee

Regulations Committee:

8. Report of the Regulations Committee -- Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee

• Presentation/Action Item: Final consideration of recommendations for 2016-2017 Fall Deer/Turkey Season Structure, Methods, and Limits -- Jason Sumners, Resource Scientist; Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee
• Action Item: Consideration of recommendations to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease to other portions of the state -- Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee
• Presentation/Action Item: 2016 Missouri Wild Turkey Hunting Regulation Recommendations -- Jason Isabelle, Resource Scientist; Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee
• Action Item:  Final consideration of a series of recommendations for regulation changes identified during the mid-year review of the Wildlife Code -- Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee
• Upcoming Waterfowl/Hunter Public Engagement Meetings -- Mike Hubbard, Resource Science Division Chief

Design and Development Division: 

Jacob Careaga, Design and Development Division Chief

9. Major Construction Projects Status Report

10. Action Item: Consideration of a negotiated agreement for the acquisition of LiDAR and aerial photogrammetry of 34 Conservation Areas and authorization to enter into a contract

11. Action Item: Consideration of an amendment to the negotiated agreement for design of the new Grand River Pump Station at Fountain Grove Conservation Area in Livingston County

Administrative Services Division:

12. Monthly Financial Summary -- Margie Mueller, Chief Financial Officer.

13. Presentation/Action Item:  2016 Permit System Vendor Changes -- Greg Jones, Permit Services Supervisor; Introduction by Margie Mueller, Chief Financial Officer

Information Technology Unit: 

14. Information Technology Projects Status Report -- Douglas Fees, Information Technology Services Chief

Realty Committee:

Lisa Allen, Forestry Division Chief

15. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to exchange approximately 16 acres of Angeline Conservation Area in Shannon County for approximately 9 acres in Shannon County as an addition to Angeline Conservation Area

16. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to purchase approximately 14.69 acres in Jefferson County as an addition to Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area

Administration:

Aaron Jeffries, Deputy Director

17. Presentation/Action Item: Recommendation for approval of the 2014-2015 Annual Report for the Department of Conservation 

18. Legislative Report

Internal Audit: 

Lisa Wehmeyer, Internal Auditor

19. Action Item:  Consideration of request for reinstatement of hunting privileges from one individual

20. Action Item: Recommendations for approval to:

• Suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of individuals for cause. 
• Suspend or revoke all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.
• Suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges of individuals in accordance with the terms of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
• Suspend or revoke hunting privileges of individuals who inflicted injury to another person while hunting. 

21. Other matters of interest. 

22. Adjourn.

FUTURE MEETING DATES

January 21-22, 2016
March 10-11, 2016
April 27-29, 2016
June 23-24, 2016
August 5, 2016
August 25-26, 2016
October 20-21, 2016
December 15-16, 2016

MDC reports CWD found in Franklin County

CWD (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hunter-harvested buck is first case of deadly deer disease found in Franklin County.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that an adult, male, white-tailed deer harvested by a hunter in Franklin County has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). According to MDC, this is the first case of the deadly deer disease to be found in Franklin County. Since 2012, the disease has also been detected in free-ranging deer from Adair, Cole, and Macon counties.

Chronic Wasting Disease infects only deer and other members of the deer family by causing degeneration of brain tissue, which slowly leads to death. The disease has no vaccine or cure and is 100-percent fatal.

While the Department does not expect short-term population impacts from the disease, research from other states impacted by the disease shows that CWD can have serious long-term consequences to the health of a state’s deer herd.

For more information on Chronic Wasting Disease, where else it has been found in Missouri, what hunters and other can do to help limit its spread, and MDC’s current CWD testing efforts and results, visit the Department website at mdc.mo.gov/CWD.

Get your chance to comment on management of Missouri Conservation Areas - December Edition

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 December 1-31, 2015.

Kansas City Region

Four Rivers Conservation Area Management Plan - August A. Busch Jr. Memorial Wetlands at Four Rivers Conservation Area is 13,929 acres of wetlands, bottomland forest, woodland, grassland, cropland, old fields, savanna, lakes, ponds, and strip pits. Popular activities at this area include hunting, bird watching, photography, and wildlife viewing.

St. Clair County River Accesses Management Plan - This plan includes Birdsong Conservation Area, Blackjack Access, and Kings Prairie Access.

Northeast Region

Mineral Hills Conservation Area Management Plan - Mineral Hills Conservation Area is 1,989 acres of forest, woodland, old field, crop, infrastructure, and ponds. This area includes 5 parking lots, 7 limited mobility hunter access sites, and 4 fishing lakes; 2 of the lakes are equipped with a table and footstop for ADA use.

Southeast Region

St. Mary Access Management Plan - This area offers 1 concrete boat ramp to Old River channel and 2 parking lots.

Horton Farm Conservation Area Management Plan - Horton Farm Conservation Area is 640 acres of forest, woodland, open land, glade, and ponds. Management emphasis for this area is focused on upland game species such as whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, and bobwhite quail.

Tywappity Community Lake and Towersite Management Plan - This management plan includes Tywappity Community Lake and Tywappity Towersite. Tywappity Community Lake offers a concrete boat ramp and 2 ADA accessible docks on a 37 acre lake. It also features a 2.5 mile hiking trail around the lake.

Southwest Region

McDonald County River Accesses Management Plan- McDonald County River Accesses includes Cowskin Access, Deep Ford Access, and Mount Shira Access.

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area (Idea Gathering Stage) - Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area is 2700 acres of forest, woodland, old field, and glade. This area is heavily used by campers, horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bike users. Facilities at this area include a shooting range, 2 multi-use trails, 2 picnic tables, 4 parking lots, and 8 individual campsites. Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area is accepting public comments prior to the development of its area management plan.

St. Louis Region

Prairie Slough Conservation Area Management Plan - Prairie Slough Conservation Area is 584 acres of forest, wetland, and slough. This area is managed for high quality bottomland forest and wetland communities.

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!

Missouri River Eagle Day at KC on Dec. 12

Eagle Day will feature live birds of prey, exhibits and boat tours on the river

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a chance to learn about bald eagles oft seen soaring over the Missouri River during winter months. A Missouri River Eagle Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at LaBenite Park in Sugar Creek, just east of the Missouri 291 Bridge. Sugar Creek is a suburb in the Kansas City metro area.

    The Missouri River flows through the geographic heart of Kansas City. Migrating eagles often frequent areas along the river with large trees that offer perches. The eagles catch fish for food from the river or pursue migrating waterfowl that also utilize the river.

   MDC’s Missouri River Eagle Day program is free and all ages are welcome. The on-shore portion will include a live eagle program presented by the Dickerson Park Zoo. Injured raptors such as eagles are rehabilitated at the zoo. Those that are unable to be released back into the wild are used in programs promoting conservation. The programs give visitors an up-close look at eagles. Also offered at the event will be conservation discovery stations and activities.

   The event will also offer an eagle viewing boat ride on the Missouri River. Registration is required for this portion of the program, as seating in the boat is limited. Registration opens Dec. 1. This activity is open to those ages 8 and older, and all youths ages 8 to 17 must be accompanied on the boat by an adult.

   For information about the event or to register for the eagle viewing boat tour, call 816-228-3766. For information about all Eagle Days events throughout Missouri, and possible places to view eagles during winter, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays.

37th annual Eagle Days at Squaw Creek

Free event highlights eagles and wetland conservation in northwest Missouri 

Mound City, Mo. – Bald eagles and waterfowl have migrated to wetlands in the Missouri River bottoms for thousands of years. It’s an ancient pageant that often includes huge snow geese flocks squawking as they arise from the marsh, ducks loafing in flotillas atop the water and eagles peering from perches in tall trees. People who enjoy nature and value conservation will celebrate the 37th annual Eagle Days at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6.

   The refuge is near Mound City in northwest Missouri, north of St. Joseph, not far as the eagle flies from the Missouri River. Visitors will have a chance to see wild eagles along the refuge’s driving tour. But Eagle Days also provides a close-up view of captive eagles displayed by the Dickerson Park Zoo of Springfield, Mo.

    All activities are free. Eagle Days is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other public and private conservation partners.

    Eagle and waterfowl viewing is always weather dependent. Cold weather in northern states but moderate weather in Missouri that leaves marshes unfrozen tends to help the refuge attract and hold waterfowl and eagles.  Bitter cold and frozen marshes reduce bird numbers. But rare is the Eagle Days event without some watchable wetland wildlife present.

    4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. They will offer exhibits about wetlands and wildlife. Spotting scopes will be set up at key locations and staff will help visitors see eagles or watch waterfowl. A wide variety of wildlife uses Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. For example, elegant trumpeter swans often can be spotted among the waterfowl in the marshes visible from the driving tour.

MDC staff and volunteers will be at interpretive stops along the refuge driving tour from 9 a.m. to

   Dickerson Park Zoo Staff will present live eagle shows at the refuge headquarters hourly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The zoo rehabilitates birds of prey such as eagles. Those birds with injuries too severe for them to return to the wild are used in exhibits and give visitors a close-up look at live eagles. The presentation includes interesting facts about eagles and their abilities.

   The Squaw Creek refuge is reached via Interstate 29 by taking the U.S. 159 exit west.

   For more information about Eagle Days at the Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, call816-271-3100, or visit http://1.usa.gov/1XoQu4m.

   MDC and partners also offer other Eagle Days events throughout Missouri.

   A new event this year is Missouri River Eagle Day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, at LaBenite Park in Sugar Creek, Mo. The park is on the south side of the river east of the Missouri 291 Bridge in the heart of the Kansas City metro area. The free program open to all will include live captive eagle displays, nature stations and youth activities. Also, there will be boat tours on the Missouri River to watch for eagles. Boat tour space is limited and advance registration is required, with registration beginning Dec. 1 by calling 816-228-3766.

   The 21st annual Smithville Lake Eagle Days will be Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10. The event will also include raptor programs and guided eagle viewing areas lakeside.

  For information about these and other Eagle Days events throughout Missouri, and for eagle viewing sites throughout winter, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/events/eagledays.