Wednesday, October 15, 2014

MDC sampling shows rich fish diversity in Big Buffalo Creek

Cole Camp, Mo. – Peer into Big Buffalo Creek and you will see small fishes swimming in
MDC is monitoring fish populations in Big Buffalo Creek,
which is in Morgan and Benton counties. The clear, cool stream
 is home to a wide variety of fish species. MDC manages public lands
and is working with private landowners to maintain good water quality
 in the watershed. This MDC crew was led by Blake Stephens
 (left), a fisheries management biologist.
the clear water, no surprise for a stream bordering Ozark highlands. But what will surprise an onlooker is the species diversity found when fishery biologists sample the stream’s fish population with seines and nets.
   “This stream has good fish diversity,” said Blake Stephens, a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) fisheries management biologist. “We’re finding darters, madtoms and sculpins that stay on the bottom. And we’re seeing the fish that group together like shiners and the Ozark minnow. We’re also finding the predator fish like the hornyhead chub.”
   Stephens spoke as he led an MDC fisheries crew sampling fish populations at a site near MDC’s Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area. The 2,000-acres of timbered hills offer the Ozarks rough beauty within easy driving distance of larger cities such as Kansas City, Warrensburg and Sedalia. Hiking trails are marked on the area. Big Buffalo Creek Fen Natural Area holds plants unique to cool, moist niches.
   But the namesake Big Buffalo Creek is a special attraction for visitors. An MDC parking lot offers access for visitors who wish to wade in the mostly shallow stream, turn over rocks looking for crayfish or net some minnows, darters or sculpins to admire their varied colors and shapes. About 25 different fish species have been found in the stream, which is shallow with intermittent riffles and deep pools.
   MDC has long worked with private landowners within the Big Buffalo Creek watershed to implement land and stream bank management practices that benefit farms, fish and wildlife. But the watershed will be given additional attention in the coming years. MDC staffers such as foresters and private lands conservationists can provide advice to any property manager wishing to improve timber stands, wildlife habitat or native plants. Good management practices can also protect stream banks or reduce sediment and gravel erosion into the creek, which boosts water quality and fish.
   Financial assistance for habitat improvements and stream protections will be available to land managers in the watershed. Those interested can contact MDC’s Sedalia office at 660-530-5500, or call a private lands conservationist at 660-826-3354, ext. 118.
   “We want to keep this stream’s water quality high so people can come and enjoy the outdoors here,” Stephens said.  This is a really pretty stream. We have good tree growth along the stream corridor that provides some shade and keeps the water cooler. We’re trying to keep places like this in good shape so people can enjoy them.”
   For more information about the Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area and maps,http://on.mo.gov/1vc6JZf. Discover other places to get outdoors at http://www.mdc.mo.gov.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

October Conservation Commission Meeting Agenda

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.

Closed Executive Session

Thursday, October 16, 2014 1:30 p.m. Runge Conservation Nature Center
330 Commerce Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
  • Call to order, roll call, and vote to close meeting.
  • E.1 – Approval of minutes of previous executive session(s) (610.021 RSMo.).
  • E.2 – Consideration of legal actions, causes of action, or litigation and attorney-client privileged communications as provided for in 610.021(1) RSMo.
  • E.3 – 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.4 – Consideration of confidential or privileged communications between the Commission and its Internal Auditor regarding work product (610.021(17) RSMo.).
  • E.5 – Consideration of recommendations relating to the hiring/firing/disciplining/promoting of personnel (610.021(3) 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.

Regular Open Meeting

Friday, October 17, 2014 8:30 a.m. Conservation Department Headquarters
2901 West Truman Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65109
1. Call to order, James T. Blair, IV, Chair.
2. Action Item: Approval of minutes of previous open meeting.

Regulations Committee:

3. Staff Presentation: Overview of final recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Code pertaining to captive cervid facilities.
Larry Yamnitz, Protection Division Chief, and Mike Hubbard, Resource Science Division Chief.
Introduction by Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee.
4. Action Item: Final recommendations for changes to the Wildlife Code pertaining to captive cervid facilities.
Tom Draper, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee.

Staff Presentation:

5. Discover Nature Schools.
Claudine Lamb, Outreach and Education Regional Supervisor, Kansas City.
Introduction by Mike Huffman, Outreach and Education Division Chief.Staff

Administrative Services Division:

6. Current Financial Summary.
Margie Mueller, Chief Financial Officer.

Staff Presentation:

7. Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Guidance/Priorities.
David Thorne, Policy Supervisor.

Design and Development Division:

8. Major Construction Projects Completed and Status of Major Capital Improvements-Information Technology Projects Funded in Fiscal Year 2015 Budget.
Jacob Careaga, Design and Development Division Chief.
9. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to amend an agreement for professional engineering services for the design and construction overview of the new Grand River Pump Station, Fountain Grove Conservation Area, Livingston County.
Presentation by Jennifer Battson Warren, Wildlife Division Chief.
Action Item by Jacob Careaga, Design and Development Division Chief.

Staff Presentations:

10. The Mississippi River Basin: A River Divided or Migratory Swimway?
Sara Tripp, Resource Scientist.
Introduction by Mike Hubbard, Resource Science Division Chief.
11. Stategic Guidance for Healthy Forests, Fish, and Wildlife.
Dennis Figg, Wildlife Programs Supervisor.
Introduction by Tom Draper, Deputy Director.

Realty Committee:

Tim Ripperger, Deputy Director and Chairman, Regulations Committee.
12. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to exchange a 90-acre tract of Clubb Creek Conservation Area in Bollinger County for an 85.9-acre tract in Wayne County as an addition to Coldwater Conservation Area.
13. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to sell approximately 1.64 acres of Little Black Conservation Area in Ripley County.
14. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to sell approximately five acres of Hollister Towersite in Taney County.

Human Resources:

Tom Neubauer, Human Resources Division Chief.
15. Presentation: Personal Services Trends.
16. Action Item: Recommendation for approval of personnel reclassifications.
17. Quarterly Report of Personnel Changes.
18. Conservation Employees’ Benefits Plan Update.

Administration:

19. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges of individuals for cause.
Lisa Wehmeyer, Internal Auditor.
20. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to suspend or revoke all hunting and fishing privileges of individuals who are not in compliance with applicable child support laws.
Lisa Wehmeyer, Internal Auditor.
21. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to suspend or revoke one or more hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges of individuals in accordance with the terms of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Lisa Wehmeyer, Internal Auditor.
22. Action Item: Recommendation for approval to suspend or revoke hunting privileges of individuals who inflicted injury to another person while hunting.
Lisa Wehmeyer, Internal Auditor.
23. Closing comments and announcement of actions taken in executive session, if any.
Robert Ziehmer, Director.
24. Other matters of interest.
25. Announcement of the next regular meeting on December 11-12, 2014.
26. Adjourn.

Future Meeting Dates:

  • December 11-12, 2014 – Jefferson City
  • February 19-20, 2015
  • April 16-17, 2015
  • May 28-29, 2015
  • July 9-10, 2015
  • August 27-28, 2015
  • October 22-23, 2015
  • December 10-11, 2015

Sunday, October 12, 2014

MDC offers 28th annual fall driving tour at Poosey CA

Chillicothe, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host the 28th Sunday, Oct. 19. The tour gives the public a chance to drive on roads and trails not normally open to the public for vehicles. Visitors will find fall color on display and conservation education stopping points as the route winds through rugged hills.
annual fall driving tour through the Poosey Conservation Area on
   The tour begins at Pike’s Lake on the northeast side of the conservation area, which is reached off Route W and County Road 504 northwest of Chillicothe. Gates will open at noon and the last vehicles will be allowed to begin at 4 p.m. This tour allows visitors through a historical site once known as the Poosey community. Sites such as the Panther’s Den sandstone bluff will be tour stops.
   MDC staff members will be stationed along the route to explain habitat management practices benefitting wildlife and native plants. Included will be stops explaining prairie grass ecology, noxious weed eradication, forest management, fisheries management, and wildlife habitat management. Staff will be available to answer questions.
   All roads are graded and graveled for easy travel. However some sections of the tour route involve steep slopes and crossings in low areas. Four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Visitors should allow time for stops to enjoy scenery and discussions at exhibit areas.
   The driving tour winds through Poosey’s diverse mix of forest, woodland, fields and lakes. This event is another way MDC encourages people to discover nature. Autumn is a beautiful time to be afield on lands managed for people to enjoy trees, plants and wildlife.
   For information on the tour contact MDC Resource Forester Phil Sneed, 660-646-6122. Maps and information about Poosey Conservation Area are at http://on.mo.gov/1p3D4sL. To learn more about conservation in Missouri, http://www.mdc.mo.gov.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

MDC and CFM encourage deer hunters to Share the Harvest

Help feed hungry Missourians by sharing your harvest. Funds are available to help cover processing costs.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Many Missourians need help with putting meat on the dinner table. Deer hunters can help by sharing their harvests through Missouri’s Share the Harvest program. Share the Harvest connects deer hunters with hungry Missourians through participating meat processors and local hunger-relief agencies around the state.
To participate, hunters simply take their harvested deer to one of more than 130 participating meat processors and let the processor know how much venison they wish to donate to the program. Hunters can donate a few pounds to a whole deer. The processor will package the ground meat, which will be given to local charitable agencies for distribution to hungry Missourians.
The program is administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM).
The National Institutes of Health state that children need protein in their diets for proper growth and development, and adults need it to maintain good health. Yet many Missourians and their families can't afford or can't get good sources of protein. Deer meat, or venison, is a local source of much needed lean protein.
“Conservation makes Missouri a great place to hunt for more than 500,000 deer hunters who harvest more than 200,000 deer each year,” said MDC Director Bob Ziehmer. “By sharing part of their harvest, these deer hunters can help feed many hungry Missourians in their communities.”
Since 1992, Missouri hunters have donated more than 3.1 million pounds of venison to the needy through Share the Harvest. In 2013, nearly 4,500 hunters donated more than 227,000 pounds of venison.
"Throughout history, hunters have provided for their communities,” said CFM Director Brandon Butler. “Share the Harvest continues that tradition. Hunters who donate a deer to the Share the Harvest program are making a positive impact in the lives of their fellow Missourians.”
Funds are available to help with processing costs when a whole deer is donated during all portions of the archery and firearms deer seasons. CFM reimburses processors a predetermined amount for each whole deer donated. This allows processors to reduce processing fees to hunters.
Statewide sponsors of the cost-reduction program include MDC, CFM, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Missouri Chapter of Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Food Banks Association, United Bowhunters of Missouri, Missouri Trappers Association, and Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association.
In addition, many processors have local money available that allows deer to be processed for free or at reduced cost. The cost of processing the deer is the hunter’s responsibility when local funds to help cover the full cost are not available. Be sure to contact individual processors to determine if local funds are available.
To find participating processors or to learn more about the program, visit the MDC website atmdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/deer/share-harvest.
MDC’s 2014 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet also lists participating processors. Get it at MDC offices and nature center, where hunting permits are sold, and online atmdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/03/ftd2014.pdf.
For more information on Share the Harvest and how you can help support the program, visit the CFM website at http://confedmo.org/programs/outreach/share-the-harvest/#.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Channel catfish from MDC hatcheries stocked for anglers

Liberty, Mo. – More than 85,000 channel catfish were stocked in community lakes this
week by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). The autumn stocking of young catfish reared in MDC’s Lost Valley Hatchery gives the fish a chance to grow during winter and be ready for anglers when spring raises fishing fevers.
   Jake Allman on Tuesday, Sept. 30, carried several dip nets full of catfish to lakes at Liberty’s Fountain Bluff Sports Complex.
   “I’m hoping a good portion of those fish become a young kid’s first fish and they become an angler for life,” said Allman, an MDC fisheries management biologist.
    An MDC fishery crew released more than 400 channel catfish at Fountain Bluff. The fish were 8- to 12-inches long and reared at Lost Valley Hatchery in Warsaw, Mo.  Catfish from Lost Valley were also stocked at other community lakes in western Missouri.
    Also scheduled in October is the stocking of more than 80,000 channel catfish throughout Missouri that were reared at the MDC’s Chesapeake Hatchery near Mount Vernon.
   MDC stocks channel catfish in lakes in urban settings such as the Kansas City metro and at community lakes such as North Bethany City Reservoir in northwest Missouri. The stockings give anglers opportunities to catch fish close to home. Larger catfish from hatcheries are stocked in spring in summer. But the autumn stocking with smaller catfish allows them to grow on a diet of natural foods and reduces hatchery costs, Allman said.
   “We’re able to get a lot more bang for our buck this way,” he said.
   The stockings provide catchable, eating-sized catfish in small lakes and ponds where natural reproduction can’t keep pace with angler catch rates. But rearing catfish from egg to fingerling to stocker is a year-round effort at hatcheries such as Lost Valley. MDC biologists use a complex mix of science, know-how and monitoring.
   On Tuesday and Wednesday, hatchery ponds at Lost Valley with channel catfish were drained low. A crane hoisted baskets with catfish out of the water and onto trucks with aerated tanks designed to carry fish. MDC crews then drove the fast-growing fish to lakes where channel catfish are highly valued by anglers.
   More information about Missouri fishing opportunities and MDC fish hatcheries is athttp://www.mdc.mo.gov.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

MDC invites public to dedication of renovated Rocky Forks Lake Shooting Range

Dedication ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, at the range.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Mid-Missouri shooting sports enthusiast and hunters have a newly renovated place to practice their shooting skills. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) welcomes the public to come and view the modifications recently made to Rocky Forks Lakes Conservation Area's (CA) unstaffed shooting range in Boone County. MDC will hold a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, at the shooting range, located approximately six miles north of Columbia on Highway 63, and one-half mile east on Peabody Road.  
The Rocky Forks Lake Shooting Range now sports a pistol range with a two-person shooting booth with moveable targets set at 7, 10, and 15 yards. It now also offers two rifle ranges with shooting benches and seats for shooters, with shooting distances of 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards. Additionally, shotgun shooters will no longer need to stand in mud after wet weather thanks to new concrete pads installed on the shotgun field. This will also help improve the shooting experience by making it easier to position portable clay target throwers to throw between two red barber poles in the field.
Safety modifications made to the range consist of re-facing the main backstop to prevent erosion and to reduce the potential for ricochets, and increasing the height of the berm to the recommended 20 feet. Other conveniences now in place include ADA-accessible parking and sidewalks and re-graded grounds to decrease standing water after rain.
“The Conservation Department is happy to provide this new and improved unstaffed range for Mid-Missourians to use,” said MDC Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator Kyle Lairmore. “The improvements made here are the model of what we plan on doing throughout Missouri for future renovations to our existing shooting ranges.”
MDC manages five staffed and 70 unstaffed ranges throughout the state. All unstaffed ranges are safety-inspected at least twice yearly to ensure their maintenance and continued safety. To learn more about the MDC shooting ranges and outdoor education centers, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6209.

MDC, DU to dedicate newly renovated Duck Creek Conservation Area

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ducks Oct. 11, at the area’s headquarters, beginning at 10 a.m.
Unlimited (DU) invites the public to attend a celebration and dedication of the Duck Creek Conservation Area (CA) in Bollinger, Stoddard, and Wayne Counties, celebrating the renovations completed to date. The dedication will be held
“This will be a special day to celebrate our wetland restoration efforts at Duck Creek Conservation Area,” said Matt Bowyer, MDC’s southeast wildlife regional supervisor. “It will also be a special day as we recognize and say thank you to the people who’ve supported this project and made it possible.”
Plaques will be unveiled with names of recent Missouri Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Legacy members, as well as the names of Ducks Unlimited Major donors and others who gave generously to make the wetland restoration project possible as part of the Mingo Basin Partnership. There will also be a tour of recent project activities immediately following the dedication ceremony.
The Golden Anniversary Wetlands Initiative, launched in 2004, is an ambitious partnership to rehabilitate and enhance wetlands at five of MDC’s oldest wetland conservation areas. Managers at these areas face an array of challenges as they have reached, or soon will reach, their 50th anniversary. The original infrastructure of these areas has outlived reasonable life expectancy, according to Bowyer. In addition, extreme landscape changes have had unforeseen and devastating effects on certain aspects of these areas. Moreover, the science and art of wetland management and engineering, design, and construction capabilities has drastically evolved from five decades ago.
“Projects like these are a testimony to the relationship between Ducks Unlimited, their volunteers, the Missouri Department of Conservation and numerous other partners.” said Mark Flaspohler, DU manager of conservation.  “This ‘Big Rivers’ part of the country is critical to waterfowl making the grand passage from the breeding grounds down to wintering grounds to the south.”
Major efforts are necessary to restore the wetland management functionality of these areas, and their rehabilitation is the focus of Missouri’s Golden Anniversary Wetland Initiative, under the following objectives:
·         Devise and finalize plans for rehabilitating MDC’s oldest wetland management areas.
·         Incorporate 21st Century wetland and ecological science into restoration approaches while avoiding a “repair” mentality in planning needed restorations.
·         Assemble diverse partnerships necessary to fund the efforts.
·         Implement the improvements/modifications over the twelve year period from 2005-2017.
To get to the Duck Creek CA headquarters, take MO-74 W from Cape Girardeau (exiting off I-55) and drive 5 miles; turn right onto MO-25 S and drive 1.8 miles; at traffic circle, continue straight to stay on MO-25 S and drive 15.9 miles to Advance Missouri; turn right onto State HWY C/S Ruth Street, continue to follow State Hwy C for 9.8 miles; turn left onto MO-51 S and drive approximately 3.5 miles to Duck Creek Conservation Area Headquarters, destination will be located on your right.
For more information on Duck Creek CA, go to mdc.mo.gov.

10 Tips to Keep Your Outdoor Gear in Working Order and Well Organized

Camping Gear - It's expensive to buy, make it last. Maintaining and organizing your outdoor gear is crucial for ensuring it remains func...