MDC announces new private land conservationist for Ste. Genevieve, Perry counties

Kyle Lorenz has local knowledge, combined with conservation education and experience.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces Kyle Lorenz is the new Private Land Conservationist (PLC) for Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties. Lorenz is from Farrar, in Perry County.

Being from the area gives Lorenz an advantage of local knowledge and established relationships in the community, according to Tony Jaco, MDC’s private land regional supervisor. “Kyle already knows many of the landowners, is familiar with the landscape and understands local conservation needs,” Jaco said.

Private land conservationists make one-on-one contacts with landowners who seek conservation advice. They also work with other MDC staff, the University of Missouri Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other natural resource agencies to deliver resource management information to landowners through workshops, training programs and special events.

Lorenz graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Wildlife Conservation. He has worked for MDC in various positions since 2009, in wildlife, resource science, fisheries and protection divisions. Most recently, Lorenz worked as a wildlife biologist in the Elsberry area. 

“His work experience, combined with growing up on a family farm, has given Kyle experience in managing a diverse range of habitats,” Jaco said. “I’m confident his experience and education will allow him to serve area landowners well.”

Lorenz resides in Perry County with his wife and son.  He enjoys hunting, fishing, and “pretty much everything outdoors” along with working on his family’s property in Perry County.  He can be reached at (573) 883-3566, ext. 8077 or at kyle.lorenz@mdc.mo.gov.

More conservation information for landowners can be found at mdc.mo.gov/your-property.

MDC partners with Lincoln University on Poplar Bluff Feral Hog Workshop

Free workshop addresses feral hog concerns and assistance available to landowners.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has partnered with Lincoln University to present a free Feral Hog Workshop for landowners at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff. The workshop is July 12 at 6 p.m.

The workshop is cooperation between Lincoln University Small Farm Program, University of Missouri Extension, MDC and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services.

Presentations will address feral hog concerns, proper control and identification of damage, appropriate removal and public health concerns.

MDC and APHIS Wildlife Services will highlight assistance available to farmers, ranchers and landowners.  The workshop will also feature a trapping display.

The workshop will begin with a meal at 6 p.m. with the program to follow.  Registration is required and attendance is limited to 40 people.

To register, contact Erin Brindisi at Brindisie@lincolnu.edu, or (573)681-5312. For more information, contact David Middleton at Middletond@lincolnu.edu or (417)466-8056. Learn more about feral hogs at mdc.mo.gov/feralhog.

Chance to have Input on Missouri Conservation Department Areas

Central Region

Big Tavern Creek Accesses Management Plan – These areas provide compatible outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, animal viewing, and access to Big Tavern Creek. Accesses included in this plan are Boeckman Bridge Access, Brays Access, Madden Ford Access, and Wilson Camp Access.

Lower Osage River Accesses Management Plan – These areas provide recreational fishing and boating access to the Osage River. This plan includes Bagnell Dam Access, Bonnots Mill Access, Kings Bluff Access, Mari-Osa Access, Osage-Tavern Access, Pikes Camp Access, St. Thomas Ferry Access, and Tuscumbia Access.

Hite Prairie Conservation Area Management Plan – Hite Prairie Conservation Area is 103 acres of native prairie in Morgan County. This area is managed for a diverse suite of native prairie plants and animals using grassland management techniques.

Robert M. White II Conservation Area Management Plan – Robert M. White II Conservation Area is 1,163 acres of forest, open land, old field, grassland, lake/ponds, and stream in Audrain and Monroe Counties. This area is managed with an emphasis on woodland and grassland species and compatible recreational opportunities. There are three parking lots, two fishing lakes, and three campsites for public use.

Kansas City Region

Montrose Conservation Area Management Plan – Montrose Conservation Area is 2,750 acres of lakes/ponds, forests, woodlands, wetlands, old fields, open fields, grassland, and native prairie in Henry County. Montrose Lake, with its flow of warm water, offers good fishing especially for catfish. Over the years, it has also become a favorite of waterfowl, and spectacular concentrations of ducks and geese visit the area each winter. This area offers a boat ramp, primitive camping, 14 waterfowl blinds, and two wade and shoot opportunities for public use.

Settle’s Ford Conservation Area Management Plan – Settle’s Ford Conservation Area is 6,766 acres of old field, bottomland timbers, open fields, wetlands, upland timbers, grassland, shrub, and ponds in Bates and Cass Counties. This area contains over 800 acres of wetlands and features an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible waterfowl blind, six fishable ponds, and five permanent streams for public use.

Northwest Region

Ray County Community Lake Conservation Area Management Plan – Ray County Community Lake is 159 acres of grassland, forest, woodland, lakes/ponds, old field, and open land. This area features a concrete boat ramp, seven fishing piers (one ADA accessible pier), two ADA accessible privies, four parking lots, and three picnic tables for public use.

Ozark Region

Warm Fork Conservation Area Management Plan – Warm Fork Conservation Area is 185 acres of grassland and forest in Oregon County. This area is managed to protect the riparian corridor of the Warm Fork of the Spring River. Fishing and upland game hunting are two of the most popular activities at this conservation area. 

Southwest Region

Cross Timbers & Hermitage Accesses Management Plan – This plan includes both Cross Timbers Access (44 acres) and Hermitage Access (1.7 acres) located in Hickory County. These areas provide public access to the Pomme De Terre River and for conserving the areas’ natural resources.

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!  Great blue herons line the banks of the Osage River near Lake of the Ozarks.

Harrisonville angler catches state-record white crappie

Congratulations to Austin Campbell on breaking the state record by catching a 2-pound, 1-ounce white crappie with a trotline on an irrigation pond in Cass County.

CASS COUNTY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Austin Campbell of Harrisonville became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he hooked a white crappie in a Cass County irrigation pond on a trotline. The new “alternative method” record fish caught by Campbell on May 23 weighed 2-pounds, 1-ounce with a length of 15 1/2 inches. Campbell’s recent catch broke the previous state-record of a 1-pound, 5-ounce white crappie caught on a trotline in May this year.

“Once my buddy and I pulled the fish up into the boat, we were in shock,” Campbell said. “We couldn’t believe we caught a nice size crappie. We both thought it was very rare to catch a fish like that on a trotline.”

Campbell was using bluegill for bait to try to catch catfish, but instead he caught the record breaking white crappie. Campbell added he didn’t know there were state records for catching fish like that on a trotline.

“I didn’t know there was a category for catching crappie on a trotline until I saw an article on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website,” he said. “I saw the record size and knew we had a shot at beating it.”

Campbell added he was just thankful that he and his buddy kept the white crappie after they caught it.

MDC staff verified the fish using a certified scale in the town of Harrisonville. Once MDC gave him confirmation he had a state record, Campbell said he and his friend were super excited and shocked. “We’ve always dreamed of catching a big fish and having some type of record, but we never ever thought it would happen for real.  We are super excited and can’t wait to get back out on the water to catch more fish.”

Campbell added he plans on having the state-record white crappie mounted.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zk9. 

MDC Runge Nature Center invites kids to creek crawl

Kids can discover nature by exploring Nature Center creek with MDC staff July 15.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Conservation Nature Center invites children ages 7-12 years to discover nature this summer at a “creek crawl” at the Nature Center on Friday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to noon.

This free event offers kids the chance to explore the Nature Center’s North Wears Creek bed, wet or dry. Whether splashing through puddles or playing with rocks, the creek crawl will provide a trail of a different nature. Before the heat of the day peaks, children will have an opportunity to make new discoveries and experience a different part of Runge.

Nature staff reminds parents to make sure kids are ready for the day with water bottles, bug spray and sunscreen, as well as appropriate footwear such as old tennis shoes.

Parents do not need to come, but are welcome to attend. Registration for this event is required and begins July 1. To register, or for more information, call the Runge Conservation Nature Center at (573) 526-5544. For information on this and other events and programs at the Nature Center, visitmdc.mo.gov and search “events” at the top of the webpage.

Runge Conservation Nature Center is located on Hwy 179 in Jefferson City approximately .5 miles 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.

MDC invites families to free frogging clinic in Saline County July 29

Register youth ages 7-17 and a parent or mentor by July 27 to discover the challenge of frogging.

SWEET SPRINGS, Mo. – Frog gigging, or frogging, is a great way to enjoy Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife resources while also putting food on the table the whole family can enjoy. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites families to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic 6:30 to midnight on Friday, July 29, at Blind Pony Fish Hatchery near Sweet Springs. The clinic is free and open to youth ages 7-17 and their parents or adult mentors, but all participants must preregister byJuly 27.

Participants will have a classroom session to learn the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification, and regulations. Staff will also teach participants how to clean their catches to take home and cook. Frog giggers will then have the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test and go frogging with the help of MDC staff.

“Catching frogs can be a challenge enjoyed by the whole family,” said Conservation Agent Chase Wright.  “If all goes right, frog legs are the reward that awaits the taker after a successful night of frogging.”

This year’s frog season begins at sunset on June 30 and will continue through Oct. 31. Daily limit is eight bullfrogs or green frogs, and 16 in possession. Children under the age of 16, and resident adults older than 65, are not required to have a permit. Frogs are allowed to be harvested with either fishing or hunting permits, as long as the method matches the permit. With a fishing permit, frogs may be harvested by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line during frog season. With a hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, atlatl, or by hand or hand net. 

To register, or for more information, contact Saline County Conservation Agent Chase Wright at 660-641-3345 or by email at chase.wright@mdc.mo.gov.

Blind Pony Fish Hatchery is located at 16285 BP Hatchery Drive. From Sweet Springs at I-70, go north one mile on Highway 127, then east 6.5 miles on Route ZZ.

To learn about other Discover Nature programs in mid-Missouri, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/central. 

122 MoNASP student archers compete in 2016 World Archery Tournament

MDC congratulates all Missouri student archers who took part in world archery tournament.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The National Archery in the Schools (NASP) World Tournament and 3D Challenge were held June 23-26 at Myrtle Beach, SC. More than 2,100 student archers in grades 4-12 from 271 schools in three countries competed – including 121 Missouri students from 10 schools.

The following Missouri students placed in the top 10 of the NASP World Tournament:

• Junior Caleb Stillians from Sarcoxie High School took second out of 2,135 archers. Stillians shot almost a perfect score of 299 out of 300. Stillians also showed his skills with a bow placing fifth out of 1,120 student archers competing in the 3D NASP World Challenge.
• Senior Sam Stewart from Lee’s Summit West High School took eighth out of 2,000 female archers with a score of 293 out of 300 in the NASP World Tournament.
• Sixth grader Max Wangler from Sarcoxie Middle School shot an impressive 294 out of 300 placing him fifth in the middle school males division. Wangler also showed off his skills in the 3D NASP World Challenge by shooting a score of 288 out of 300 to take fourth place.
• Fifth grader Michael Kloeppel from St. Joseph Catholic School Westphalia took eighth place out of 644 elementary males in the NASP World Tournament.

The following Missouri students and schools placed in the top 10 of the 3D NASP World Challenge:

• Kat Smith from Jasper R-5 placed third out of 253 middle school female archers.
• Gage Weist from Sarcoxie Middle School took sixth place out of 271 middle school male archers. Teammates James Filbeck and Justin Brooks took ninth and tenth place in the same division.
• Isabelle Smith from Lee’s Summit West High School took sixth place out 166 high school female archers shooting a score of 287 out of 300. Teammates Sam Steward and Shelby Winslow took seventh and tenth place in the same division.
• Sarcoxie Middle School took second place in their division.
• Carl Junction Middle School took eighth place in their division.
• Lee’s Summit West High School took fifth place in their division.

To see all tournament scores, visit: http://bit.ly/29lKcC9.

NASP promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. Since NASP's beginnings in 2002, more than ten million students have participated in the program through 10,000 schools in 47 states and 10 countries.

Missouri student archers participated through the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP), which is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in partnership with numerous schools and supporting organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and also promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. More than 135,000 Missouri students from 500 schools participate in MoNASP. To learn more, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/291G89E.