MDC event highlights outdoor activities

ASH GROVE, Mo. – On Sept. 27, area residents of all ages will be able to find out what’s

great about the Ozarks outdoors.

People can get information on a variety of outdoor activities at the 20th annual Great Outdoors Day. This day-long event, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bois D’Arc Conservation Area northwest of Springfield near Ash Grove. It is the local celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, a federally designated day which is the fourth Saturday of each September.

The event will include shooting (rifle, trap and skeet) and archery demonstrations at MDC’s Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoors Education Center, which is on the Bois D’Arc Conservation Area. Fishing programs, including two free public fishing sessions (8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.-3 p.m.), will be at the Bois D’Arc Conservation Area’s urban fishing pond. Anglers who to take part in the free fishing sessions need to bring their own fishing equipment and bait. At the shooting range, all firearms will be provided by Dalton Range staff. No personal firearms will be allowed. There will also be chances to learn more about forestry programs, camping, fly-tying and hiking.

For more information about Great Outdoors Day, call MDC’s Southwest Regional Office in Springfieldat 417-895-6880 or the Andy Dalton Range and Outdoors Education Center, 417-742-4361. Information about this event and others at the Dalton Range can also be found athttp://mdc.mo.gov/node/288

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with MDC

Reed Memorial Wildlife Area hosts Family Outdoors Day

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Ducks Unlimited 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27

(DU) will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day by hosting a Family Outdoors Day

, at the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area in Lee’s Summit.

   Family Outdoors Day welcomes those experienced with rod or gun and those who would like to learn about angling and shooting sports. All activities are free. Exhibits and teaching stations will be set up throughout the area at 12405 S.E. Ranson Road.

   DU will offer free Greenwing Memberships to youngsters and teach them how to use a duck call. Visitors can explore the duck wing maze and learn about how wetlands and uplands benefit waterfowl and people.

   Visitors can shoot trap with shotguns, target shoot with air rifles or practice archery. Each shooting site will have MDC staff and volunteers to give instructions on safety and proper shooting techniques. All equipment, firearms and ammunition will be provided.

   MDC fisheries staff will give lessons on how to fish at a Reed Area lake. Staffers can also answer questions about fish populations and trends in the region’s lakes and streams.

   All ages will find activities to enjoy. Visitors can touch real animal furs and test their skills at wildlife identification.

   National Hunting and Fishing Day began in 1972. The event is dedicated to promoting conservation and the outdoor sports. MDC’s Family Outdoors Day at the Reed Area also includes sponsorship by the J.E. Fehsenfeld Family Foundation in memory of Jan M. Dillow.

   For more information call 816-622-0900. To learn about Missouri’s great fishing and hunting opportunities statewide go to http://www.mdc.mo.gov.

Discover nature with MDC through women’s outdoor-skills workshop

Weekend of outdoor fun will teach hands-on outdoor skills. Registration deadline is

April 25.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to have a weekend of fun while learning various outdoor skills at its annual “Discover Nature--Women Summer Workshop.” The weekend of hands-on learning will be May 30 to June 1 at the Windermere Baptist Conference Center in Roach along Lake of the Ozarks.  Registration deadline is April 25.

The workshop provides a safe and friendly environment where women learn hands-on outdoor-skills at the beginner level by selecting a group of four courses from the following offerings: archery, basic hunting, canoeing, introduction to firearms, plant-animal-tree identification, camping, fishing fundamentals, fly tying, map and compass reading, and shotgun shooting. Women attending for the first time are encouraged to attend the program a second year to complete four additional courses.

The special weekend is targeted to women 18 years and older, along with young women age 14-17 when accompanied by a woman 18 years or older. The workshop is free, but a $20 deposit is required at the time of registration and will be refunded at check in. There is no deposit fee for young women aged 14–17 when registered with an adult.

Participants are responsible for making room and meal reservations directly with Windermere by contacting573-346-5200 or 800-346-2215, or online at windermereusa.org. Various lodging options are available at the Windermere Conference Center including lodge, motel, cabin, and camping. Accommodation prices will vary with the number of participants per room.

The weekend will begin with lunch on Friday and will end with lunch on Sunday. MDC will provide dinner on Saturday at no cost to participants. Workshop-weekend meal costs through Windermere are $5.50 for breakfast, $7 for lunch, and $8.25 for dinner.

To register, go online to mdc.mo.gov/node/3958 and download the brochure for full course descriptions and registration form. For more information, call 573-522-4115, ext. 3808.

Use or possession of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs, firearms, and fireworks is forbidden on Windermere property. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, this program will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate people with special needs. Please include a letter with the registration form describing any special needs.

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Youth waterfowl hunting clinic offered Oct. 12 and 26

BLAIRSTOWN, Mo. – Call soon to reserve a place in the 19th Annual Wilderness Lodge Youth Waterfowl Clinic and HuntOct. 12 and 26. The workshop is open to participants age 9 through 15. First-time participants will spend the first Saturday of the event learning about waterfowl hunting rules, safety and calling, duck identification and retrieving-dog training. They will also practice wing shooting and learn how to choose the right combination of shotgun and ammunition for ethical, effective hunting. The program will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The second Saturday will be devoted to a guided waterfowl hunt. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both days, and all activities are free of charge, courtesy of Everhart’s Wilderness Lodge, members of the former West Side Missouri Waterfowl Association, Missouri Department of Conservation, Truman Lake National Wild Turkey Federation and Clinton Wal-Mart. This portion of the event will run from 6 a.m. until noon.

Everhart’s Wilderness Lodge is at 651 NW Highway O in Blairstown, six miles northwest of Clinton. To reserve a place, contact Johnny or Linda Everhart at 660-885-5049.

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Current River State Park offers opportunities for the public

Current River in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you’re looking for a scenic and historic place to have a picnic or spend the afternoon fishing, try Current River State Park north of Eminence in Shannon County. While the park is under development, the area is open to day-use recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking and fishing each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 
 

Current River State Park, located along the banks of the Current River, is composed of the former Alton Club, a corporate retreat constructed in c. 1937-1945 for the Alton Box Board Co. The Alton Club contains dormitories, a large gymnasium, several support structures and recreational venues. The buildings reflect the influence of rustic architecture popular in camp and park buildings in the first half of the 20^th century. Missouri State Parks acquired the property in 2008. 


While development continues, the public can take advantage of the opportunities available. The park offers picnic sites with grills and tables. Two shelters are available by reserving them in advance at no fee. The park offers a 1.5-mile hiking trail and limited free tours of the historic buildings (gymnasium, lodge and some support buildings). Reservations for tours of the historic buildings must be made in advance. Restroom facilities consist of portable toilets.  

The park contains two small lakes where the public can fish and use small boats (trolling motors only). There are no boat ramps on the lakes so it will be necessary to carry boats to the water. Swimming and scuba diving are not permitted in the lakes. 


The park is located along Current River but there are currently no boat ramps along the river or watercraft rentals in the park. Visitors can access the river on their own to play or wade in the water.  

The park is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and closed the rest of the week. Reservations for the shelters and tours can be made by calling the park office at 573-858-3015. Because the park is not fully open and the office has limited hours of operation, please allow time for your calls to be returned. Current River State Park is located north of Eminence off Highway 19.

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Racers-The Wonders of Wildflowers

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you read wildflower names you might find yourself asking “Who’s William and why is he so sweet?” or, “Do Dutchmen really wear breeches?” or maybe even, “Why’s Jack in the pulpit?”

Ask no more, just check out this program for weird wildflower facts at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center on Saturday, May 19 from 1-3 pm as we hike the nature center grounds and trails.  Ages 12-15.  Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information.

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• Discover Nature Families-Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt, Saturday April 14, 2-4 pm

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• Nature Art-2012 Mini-Album

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Spring GPS Challenge

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Geocaching is a fun way to get outdoors and explore nature.  Gear up for summer geocaching by taking our GPS Challenge!  Meet us Saturday, April 21 at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center anytime from 1-3 pm.  Find all the hidden symbols and win a prize!

Bring your own GPS unit, or check out one of our limited number of units we have available. 

Ages 8 and up.  Youth and adult groups are welcome, but please bring GPS units.  Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information.

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Nature Art-2012 Mini-Album

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Time flies and 2012 is well underway!  Don’t let those memories of outdoor fun with family and friends fade away! 

Bring several photographs of each month’s outdoor activities to the Cape Girardeau Nature Center on Thursday, April 19 from 6:30-8 pm or Saturday, April 28 from 2-3:30 pm to scrapbook a mini-album that you can add to for the entire year.  It’s not too late to get started. 

Bring your own papers and trimmer if you have them, or use what we have on hand.  Just come to share what you have enjoyed outdoors so far this year and let our volunteers help you scrapbook them now so that you can enjoy the memories for years to come!

Ages 16 and up.  Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information.

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Discover Hunting-Bowhunting

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So you’ve tried your hand at archery and you’ve determined that bowhunting is something you want to pursue.  Now it’s time to invest in the equipment you’ll need to make this a reality.  Proper equipment selection is key to successful bowhunting and archery.  Everything from choosing the right bow, to arrow matching, points and other equipment will be covered during this second session of our ongoing, four-part bowhunting series at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center on Saturday, April 14 from 9-11 a.m. or Noon-2 p.m.  Ages 16 and up.  Registration is required.  Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information.

Other upcoming sessions will include learning the anatomy of the game you are hunting for shot placement and distance estimation in Session 3 on Saturday, May 12 at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center.  Then, we will conclude this series with a practical 3D target shooting in hunting scenarios (along with blood tracking) at Maintz Conservation Area in June (date to be determined).  Call 573-290-5218 for more information about this and other Discover Hunting programs.

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Discover nature with MDC through women’s outdoor-skills workshop

Courtesy MDC

June 1-3 workshops will teach hands-on outdoor skills. Registration deadline is April 30.

JEFFERSON CITY Mo -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites women to get hands-on training in various outdoor skills at its “Discover Nature Women Summer Workshop” June 1-3 at the Windermere Conference Center along the Lake of the Ozarks in Roach, Mo.

The workshop provides a safe and friendly environment where women receive hands-on outdoor-skills training at the beginner level by selecting a group of four courses from the following offerings: archery, hunting, canoeing, outdoor cooking, firearms, camping, fishing, fly tying, map and compass reading, and shotgun shooting. Women attending for the first time are encouraged to attend the program a second year to complete four additional courses.

The special weekend is targeted to women 18 years and older, along with young women age 14-17 when accompanied by a woman 18 years or older. The workshop is free, but a $20 deposit is required at the time of registration and will be refunded at check in. There is no deposit fee for young women aged 14–17 when registered with an adult. Registration deadline is April 30.

Participants are responsible for their own accommodations and meals. MDC will provide dinner on Saturday. Various lodging options are available at the Windermere Conference Centerincluding lodge, motel, cabin and camping.  For more information or to make reservations directly with Windermere, call 800-346-2215, or visit www.windermereusa.org.

For more information on this and other Discover-Nature-Women programs, visit www.mdc.mo.gov and search “Discover Nature Women,” or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3808.

Discover Hunting—Spring Turkey

Image via Wikipedia

Can you gobble, yelp or putt? Harvesting a turkey takes good calling skills. Here’s your chance to learn how or just refine your skills at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center on Saturday, February 25 from noon to 2 pm.

We’ll start out learning about the upcoming turkey season and various calling methods. Then we’ll make a slate call and take some time to practice outdoors. Who knows, you may even call one in!

Ages 16 and up. Registration is required. Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information.

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