Make a splash this summer during frogging season

MDC reminds the public frogging season runs June 30 through Oct. 31

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to discover nature this summer during frogging season. Beginning June 30 at sunset through Oct. 31, those with a fishing permit or small-game hunting permit may frog for bullfrogs and green frogs.

The daily limit is eight frogs of both species combined and the possession limit is 16 frogs of both species combined. Only the daily limit may be possessed on waters and bank of waters where frogging.

MDC notes that daily limits end at midnight. Froggers who catch their daily limits before midnight and want to return for more frogging after midnight must remove the daily limit of previously caught frogs from the waters or banks before returning.

The public can go frogging with a fishing or small-game hunting permit, but children 15 and under and residents 65-years and older are not required to have a permit.

Those using a fishing permit may take frogs by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throwline, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line.

With a small-game hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using a .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, atlatl, bow, crossbow, or by hand or hand net. The use of artificial light is permitted when frogging.

The fun doesn’t have to end after catching frogs. Be sure to browse tasty recipes by visiting MDC online at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zxz.

Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/permits, or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and MO Fishing, available for download through Google Play or the App Store.

MDC reminds the public that it is still critical to continue to heed all recommendations for physical distancing, avoiding overcrowding, handwashing, and other public health measures during outdoor activities.

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. 

Missouri frogging season begins June 30 at sunset

MDC reminds folks to frog with either fishing or small-game hunting permit, unless exempt.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages Missourians to discover nature this summer -- and one fun and exciting way is through frogging. Frogging season begins June 30 at sunset and ends Oct. 31. Missouri has two frog species that are legal game — bullfrog and green frog. Bullfrogs are larger and therefore more sought-after.

The daily limit is eight frogs of both species combined and the possession limit is 16 frogs of both species combined. Only the daily limit may be possessed on the waters or banks thereof where limits apply. Daily limits end at midnight so froggers who catch their daily limits beforemidnight and then want to return for more frogging after midnight must remove the daily limit of previously caught frogs from the waters or banks before returning for more.

Frogging can be done with either a fishing permit or a small-game hunting permit. Children under the age of 16 and Missouri residents 65 years of age or older are not required to have a permit. Those with a fishing permit may take frogs by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing or pole and line. With a small game hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using a .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, atlatl, bow, crossbow, or by hand or hand net. The use of an artificial light is permitted when frogging.

For more information about frog hunting, including how to get started and tasty recipes to try, visit MDC online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/frog.

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Frog gigging clinic for youth in East Prairie

This free event welcomes ages seven to 17 to try their hand at frogging.

EAST PRAIRIE, 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 Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites families to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic 6:30 to 11 p.m.,Saturday, July 9, at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area (CA). The clinic is free and open to youth ages seven to 17 and their parent or adult mentor, but preregistration is required byJuly 6.

The event will begin with a classroom session on the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification and regulations. Participants will learn how to clean their catch to take home and cook. Then, the giggers will put their knowledge to the test and go frogging with the help of MDC personnel.

“Catching frogs can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family,” said Conservation Agent Andrew Mothershead.  “Frogging is a great way to introduce youth to the outdoors and wetland environments where bullfrogs and green frogs live.  Frog legs are an added bonus to a night out gigging or grabbing.”

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.

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 adults over 65 are not required to have a permit.

To register, or for more information, contact MDC’s Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau at (573) 290-5730.

To get to Ten Mile Pond CA from East Prairie, take Highway 80 east, and then take gravel County Road 515 south five miles to the tee. At the tee, go left 300 yards to the area headquarters on the right.

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MDC offers frog gigging clinic in Mississippi County

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.  – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites families to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 11, at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area. The clinic is free and open to youth ages 7 to 17 and their parent or adult mentor. Preregistration is required by July 6.

“Frog gigging, or frogging, is a great way to enjoy Missouri’s fish, forests and wildlife while putting good food on the table,” said Conservation Agent Andrew Mothershead.

The clinic will start with a classroom session on the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification and regulations. Participants will go frogging with the help of MDC personnel and learn how to clean and cook their catch.

“Catching frogs can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family,” said Mothershead.  “If all goes right, frog legs are the reward after a successful night of gigging.”

Frogs can be legally 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.

This year’s frog season begins at sunset June 30 and continues through Oct. 31. The daily limit is eight bullfrogs or green frogs and 16 in possession. Children under the age of 16 and adults over 65 are not required to have a permit.

To register for the frog gigging clinic, or for more information, contact the Southeast Regional Office at 573-290-5730. To learn about other Discover Nature programs in Southeast Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter or text nature to 91212.

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