MDC offers free camping workshop June 16 near Parkville

Kansas City, Mo. – If you’ve never been camping, what gear to load in the car and where to camp can seem daunting, especially for families. But the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) can help anyone learn the basic gear and tips that can make camping successful and fun for all ages. MDC’s Parma Woods Shooting Range near Parkville will host a free Camping 101 workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16.

Load a vehicle with gear and food, head to a campground, and you’ll find yourself outdoors in nature _  but in a managed way. Campgrounds are usually mowed with level sites for tents or recreational vehicles. Many offer restrooms and showers. Some offer electricity and fresh water at campsites. Others simply provide a shady place away from hubbub to set up a tent. Either way, it’s usually a short walk from the vehicle to the campsite, which makes carrying gear and setup easier. MDC staff will discuss what gear is needed and tips for activities and staying comfortable while camping.

Backpacking is a challenging but doable type of camping in the wilds and off the beaten path. MDC staff will cover this outdoor adventure, too. If you can carry a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, food, water, and a few other necessities on your back you can backpack camp. MDC staff will provide information on how individuals and families can enjoy a hike topped by a sleepover in the woods.

The Camping 101 workshop is open to all ages. Children should be accompanied by adults. Registration is required. To register, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHg. MDC’s Parma Woods Shooting Range offers outdoor skills classes. For more information about the range, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZHM.

MDC invites public to free June 8 canoe and kayak clinics

Two sessions will be held at Kellogg Lake in Carthage.

CARTHAGE, Mo. – Whether you enjoy fishing area streams or you like to relax by spending a day paddling a local waterway, kayaks and canoes are great ways to connect with the outdoors.

People can learn more about these popular watercrafts at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) clinic “Introduction to Canoe and Kayak” on June 8 Kellogg Lake in Carthage. This program is for ages 7 and up and will be taught at two time slots:

People who want to sign up for the 5:30-6:30 p.m. program can register at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/177580

The same program will be offered again from 7-8 p.m. and people can register at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/177585

Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. This program is designed for novice canoe and kayak users and will focus on the basics of operating these watercrafts. Discussion topics will include the basic equipment and techniques people need to know to float Missouri streams and lakes safely.

The entrance to Kellogg Lake is located at the intersection of Highway 96 and Jasper County Highway V (also known as Old 66 Boulevard). People should dress for the weather and wear shoes and other clothing items that can get wet.

People wanting more information about this event can contact MDC Conservation Educator Andy Rhodes at 417-629-3243 or by e-mailing Andrew.Rhodes@mdc.mo.gov.

Staff at MDC facilities across the state are holding in-person and virtual programs. A listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/events.

MDC offers a number of hunter education opportunities in upcoming months

 

Individuals needing hunter education have classroom and online options.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The calendar may still say “summer,” but many people are starting to prepare for this fall’s hunting seasons. If taking hunter education is one of the things you need to do to enjoy firearms hunting opportunities this year, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has several options available

Individuals born after Jan. 1, 1967 hunting in Missouri during a firearms season or acting as an adult mentor to another hunter must have hunter education certification unless exempt (see exemptions listed below). MDC offers two hunter education options; an all-online format and a blended format.

The all-online format is an option that may be completed by Missouri residents age 16 and older. It consists of an online course and requires a fee paid to the online course provider (not MDC). The all-online option requires the passing of a final exam, but has no skills portion.

The blended format is an option for students of all ages and has two parts. The knowledge portion provides information to participants on all aspects of hunter education and can be taken online, through a free self-study guide, or in a classroom setting. Participants must also complete a four-hour skills session that includes a multiple-choice final exam. The skills portion is a hands-on demonstration of skills learned by participants. Participants must complete and pass both portions to earn certification.

For individuals participating in the blended format, here is a list of skills sessions coming up in southeast Missouri:

• Aug. 15 – Marble Hill United Methodist Church, 300 Missouri Highway 34 (Bollinger County)
• Aug. 22 – Bloomfield Assembly Church, 20034 Missouri Highway E (Stoddard County)
• Aug. 22 – Ste. Genevieve VFW, 852 Memorial Drive (Ste. Genevieve County)
• Aug. 28, Elm Street Baptist Church, 2668 North Highway 105, Charleston (Mississippi County)
• Aug. 31 – Poplar Bluff Junior High School, 550 N. Westwood Blvd. (Butler County)
• Sept. 8 – Black River Electric, 2600 U.S. Highway 67, Fredericktown (Madison County)
• Sept. 11 – Arcadia Valley R-11 School, 750 W. Park, Ironton (Iron County)
• Sept. 19 – Scott City First Assembly of God Church, 312 Dearborn St. (Scott County)
• Sept. 24 – Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center Pavilion, Wappapello Lake, 10276 Missouri Highway T (Wayne County)
• Sept. 25 – Perryville Elks Lodge, 921 N. Perryville Blvd. (Perry County)
• Sept. 26 – MDC Ellington Office, 2929 Reynolds County Road 618 (Reynolds County)
• Oct. 2 – Rice Lecture Hall, Mineral Area College, 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills (St. Francois County)
• Oct. 3 – New Madrid Baptist Church, 1420 Scott St. (New Madrid County)
• Oct. 10 – Malden High School, 505 W. Burkhart St. (Dunklin County)

• Oct. 10 – MDC Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive (Cape Girardeau County)
• Oct. 24 – Diane Sayre Recreation Center, 1500 S. Truman Blvd. Caruthersville (Pemiscot County)

To register for one of these skills session or to learn more about Missouri's hunter education options and requirements, visit mdc.mo.gov/huntereducation.

To help keep participants, instructors, and others safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, MDC will limit in-person class sizes to small numbers so social distancing can be practiced. Class availability will also be limited due to smaller class sizes and limited availability of venues. MDC will abide by applicable local health requirements and strongly encourages participants to bring and wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available to participants, but masks will not be provided by at the above-listed classes.

“To help staff, volunteers, program participants, and others stay safe, MDC has changed the format and structure of some of our programs, including hunter education,” said MDC Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator Justin McGuire. “Opportunities to attend an in-person hunter education class or skills session are available, but limited, at this time. MDC still offers ample opportunities for people to legally hunt in Missouri through youth exemptions, our apprentice hunter education authorization, and online hunter education.”

Exemptions to Missouri’s hunter education requirements are:

• Hunters born before Jan. 1, 1967
• Hunters age 15 or younger who will be hunting with an adult mentor age 18 years or    older who is certified in hunter education.
• Hunters with a disability exemption from MDC
• Hunters age 16 or older who have purchased an apprentice hunter authorization and will be hunting with a properly permitted adult mentor age 18 or older
• Hunters who are landowners hunting on land they own.
• Hunters who can prove completion of an approved hunter education course in another state

More information about hunter education opportunities in southeast Missouri can be obtained by calling MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at 573-290-5730 or going to mdc.mo.gov.

Cottontails are focus of MDC online program for kids Aug. 7

Children can learn adaptations these animals use to survive in a predator-heavy world.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Cottontail rabbits are frequent sights on evening walks in urban and rural areas. However, if you think this abundance makes them easy pickings for coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife predators looking for a rabbit meal, think again.

Children can learn about a number of unique adaptations cottontail rabbits use to avoid predators and raise their young in the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) “Little Acorns: Cottontails,” a free virtual program 10-:30-11 a.m. on Aug. 7. This online program is part of MDC’s “Little Acorns” series of programs and is being put on by the staff of MDC’s Springfield Conservation Nature Center. MDC Naturalist Alan Reed will describe how, although a cottontail rabbit may be a common sight, it has several adaptations that are focused on how to avoid predators. This program is designed for ages 3-6, but is open to all ages. People can register for this program at:

https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173709

Though this program is free, registration is required to participate using the link above. Registrants must provide an e-mail, so a program link can be sent to them. This program will include a chat-based question-and-answer period where participants can interact with the presenters.

Staff at MDC facilities across the state are holding virtual programs. A listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/regions.

MDC offers online program that puts special spin on trout fishing

July 31 virtual program will focus on spin fishing for trout.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Spin fishing is an easy and relatively trouble-free way for anglers to catch a variety of fish – including trout.

People can get tips on how to get maximum benefits out of this popular style of fishing on their next trout-fishing trip at the free Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) online program “Spin Fishing For Trout,” a free virtual program 1-1:30 p.m. on July 31. Spin-fishing equipment can be effective trout-fishing tackle. MDC Conservation Educator Greg Collier will show how combining the proper reel, line, rod, and tackle, can help fill a stringer with rainbows on your next trout-fishing excursion. People can register for this program at:

 https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/173591

Though this program is free, registration is required to participate using the link above. Registrants must provide an e-mail, so a program link can be sent to them. This program will include a chat-based question-and-answer period where participants can interact with the presenters.

Staff at MDC facilities across the state are holding virtual programs. A listing of these programs can be found at mdc.mo.gov/regions.

MDC offers online firearms class for beginners July 29

Participants will learn the basics and proper loading of firearms with multiple types of actions during this free virtual program.

St. LOUIS, Mo.—Learning the safe and proper use of firearms can enable one to enjoy a full range of hunting and recreational shooting activities. There are several different types of actions used by a variety of firearms, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when just starting out with shooting sports.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) presents Semi-automatics and Other Actions: Loading 101, an online program to help new shooters sort out how different kinds of firearms work. This free virtual program will be held Wednesday, July 29 from 6-7 p.m.

This virtual class is for anyone just getting into hunting, considering shooting sports, or is simply curious about how to load a firearm. It will cover how to properly load and unload various handguns, rifles, and shotguns, including semi-automatics, revolvers, a bolt action, and more. The class will touch on the difference between magazines and clips as well as the main parts of a firearm.

At the end of the program, there will be a chance for participants to submit their questions via chat during a Q&A session.  

Semi-automatics and Other Actions: Loading 101 is a free program, but online pre-registration is required at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z8H. An e-mail will be sent out to all registered participants prior to the program with the link to join in virtually.

MDC offers many free educational programs in the St. Louis region to help people discover nature, fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. Stay informed by going to the MDC St. Louis reginal events page at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZP6.

MDC offers free virtual class on handcrafting crankbaits Aug. 18

MDC will offer an online virtual class on making
 a balsa-wood crankbait Aug. 18.
Participants will be mailed a kit with lure making materials,
 and they must provide some tools and supplies
 such as pliers, glue, and paint.
 Registration is requested by Aug. 2.

Participants will build a balsa wood crankbait to catch fish such as bass

Kansas City, Mo. – Anglers can go fishing with lures of their own design if they don’t mind some wood carving, glue tasks, and fine-brush paint chores. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free virtual online class for making a balsa wood crankbait from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The crankbait will be suitable for catching fish such as largemouth bass or panfish.

This class is open to participants age 12 and older. Class size is limited to 20 participants. They are asked to register online by Aug. 2.

MDC will mail a lure kit to participants that includes materials such as balsa wood, eyelets, hooks, and a plastic crankbait bill. The kit will also include a list of tools or materials the participant must provide such as glue, pliers, and sandpaper. They may start carving on the lure prior to the class.

Participants will be sent an email with a WebEx link just prior to the class startup. To register for this crankbait building class, visit MDC events signup at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z8z.