MDC plants sunflowers at Columbia Bottom for viewing and photo opportunities

Sunflowers at
Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area

Visitors should be able to enjoy impressive golden displays continuously through mid-August.

SPANISH LAKE, Mo.—Sunflower fans should have the opportunity again this summer to view and photograph spectacular sunflower displays at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in North St. Louis County. Due to popular demand, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) staff have planted additional sunflower plots again this year.

MDC staff were unable to plant last year because flood waters lingered on the area. However, conditions have been more favorable this season, so staff utilized a similar planting strategy to the one from 2018, which proved highly popular with visitors.

Spectacular sunflower fields have been an annual tradition at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake. MDC staff have been planting sunflowers for years as part of their management for mourning doves. The area is known as an excellent dove hunting destination each September. The large flowers supply seeds that entice the doves, and their lofty stalks create cover for the hunters who pursue them. Sunflowers also benefit a wide variety of other birds and pollinators.

MDC Wildlife Biologist Jessi Tapp said that this year, as in 2018, her staff has added new sunflower plantings in addition to the dove management fields. Some are close to and easily spotted from the road. They’ve also staggered the timing of the plantings to spread their blooming periods out over a longer period. Visitors should be able to see sunflowers in bloom somewhere on the area from early July through the middle of August.

“We’re really excited about one of the plantings; we strategically placed it so that there’s a chance that it will provide a pretty spectacular view from the cropland overlook,” Tapp said.

Sunflowers usually take about 60 days from planting to flowering. The Columbia Bottom team typically plants about 14 fields throughout the 4,300-acre area in early May as part of the dove management regimen. At the peak of their 10-day blooming period they decorate the area with vibrant brush strokes of gold.

The common sunflower (Helianthus annulus) is an extremely large and showy member from the same plant family as daisies. The impressive height and brilliant yellow rays of a single sunflower are a striking sight. Uniform rows of hundreds can be positively mesmerizing. The sight has always been a popular draw for sight-seers, nature buffs, and photographers.

Facebook and Instagram might see an explosion of Columbia Bottom “sunflower selfies” this summer.

Tapp reminds visitors not to pick the sunflowers. Vehicles should park in designated parking lots or on the shoulder and avoid parking in roadways or blocking gates. MDC also reminds visitors to follow all recommended social distancing guidelines due to considerations regarding COVID-19.

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is managed to create a mosaic of bottomland habitats that includes shallow wetlands, bottomland hardwoods, prairie, and cropland. It is located at 801 Strodtman Road. The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles. The area is open every day from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour past sunset.

Application period for 2020 managed dove hunts on Columbia Bottom CA opens July 1-31

The managed dove hunt application period for
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake
 runs July 1-July 31. All registrations for the 2020 season
 will be performed online at 
https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z7V.

Hunters will be able to apply online to participate in this year’s Columbia Bottom managed dove hunts.

SPANISH LAKE, Mo.—Dove hunting season is just around two months away, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will accept applications for managed dove hunts on one of its most popular dove hunting areas in the St. Louis region. Missouri’s statewide dove hunting season opens September 1 and closes Nov. 29.

The managed dove hunt application period for Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake opens on July 1 and runs through July 31. 

Only one application per person will be accepted. Successful applicants will receive a daily hunting permit in the mail prior to August 25. Applicants may request weekends only or any day. At least 50 applicants will be selected by random drawing for each of the first 7 days of the dove hunting season. Successful applicants will receive notification by mail.

For the first 7 days of the season, dove hunting will only be permitted from 1 p.m. to sunset daily.

Each hunter may bring one hunting partner with them on the day of the hunt. All hunters will be required to use non-toxic shot when hunting doves at Columbia Bottom.

Hunters with disabilities may call 636-441-4554 to reserve the ADA field after being successfully drawn for the hunt. Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis.

“River levels remain high due to the continued release of water by upstream reservoirs from last year’s flood events and this spring’s heavy rainfalls,” said MDC Wildlife Biologist Jessi Tapp. “Any heavy rainfalls in the Midwest may result in floodwaters impacting our planted dove fields. We will notify successful applicants as soon as possible about any important changes or impacts to dove fields,” Tapp explained .

Tapp also said that MDC staff had to make a difficult decision to not hold a managed youth dove hunt or a youth dove hunt clinic this year. “Due to staff vacancies and uncertainties related to COVID-19, holding a youth clinic just isn’t logistically possible this year. We hope to resume this important youth outreach program in 2021, if conditions allow,” said Tapp .

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road in north St. Louis County, at the Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles.