1. '96 A Year of Changes for Hunters, Anglers
2. Gatekeepers Say Bats Still Dwindling
3. Holiday Activities Planned at Metro Nature Centers
"We hold in contempt an affinity for working with nature; our unspoken goal is to subdue nature." -- Earnest Swift
1. '96 A Year of Changes for Hunters, Anglers
Missourians will find lots to like in the way that the Conservation Commission has changed seasons and permits.
JEFFERSON CITY -- It's December, time to buy next year's hunting and fishing permits, right? Wrong. 1995 hunting and fishing permits are good until Feb. 29, 1996. That's just one of dozens of changes in Missouri's hunting and fishing permits, seasons, limits and regulations that go into effect Jan. 1. The changes may be a little confusing at first, but there is plenty of good news in the changes, too.
The first good news is the two-month extension of hunting and fishing privileges under 1995 permits. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is moving the end of the permit year from Dec. 31 to the last day of February. Next year's permits will be valid from March 1, 1996 through Feb. 28, 1997. To bridge the gap between this year's permits and next year's, MDC has extended the life of all hunting and fishing permits, duck and trout stamps and Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program cards issued this year through February of '96.
That will come in handy for archery deer hunters and squirrel hunters, whose hunting seasons have been extended through Jan. 15, 1996. Waterfowl hunters, who will be able to continue hunting for legal species in open zones throughout February without 1996 permits or stamps also will appreciate the extension.
More good news is a simpler, more efficient method of issuing permits that goes into effect next year. Instead of receiving separate slips of paper for trout fishing, other fishing, small game hunting, waterfowl hunting, firearms deer hunting, archery deer hunting, trapping and other privileges, outdoors people will receive a single slip of paper showing all the hunting and fishing privileges for which they have paid.
It will be done with a computerized system that MDC calls "point of sale," because permits are printed at the point of sale. That means you'll never go to Bob's Baits 'N' Bullets to buy a deer tag or other permit and be told "We're sold out." It also means that getting replacements for lost permits will be quicker and easier. And, if you buy a $2 Conservation Heritage Card, the point-of-sale system will work even faster and more efficiently.
Under the point-of-sale system, deer and turkey hunters won't have to wait until later in the year to buy these permits. They will be available Feb. 1 along with other permits. Deer hunters will be able to apply for any-deer and bonus, antlerless-only tags right then. If they don't know what zone they will be hunting, they can wait and apply at a retail vendor later or call in their any-deer and bonus tag applications, using MDC's toll-free permit number, 1-800-392-4115.
New graduates of approved hunter education classes will receive Heritage Cards with their hunter ed certification numbers on them. Under the point-of-sale system, persons who have a Heritage Card with their hunter education number on it won't have to show their hunter education cards to buy firearms hunting permits. Permit vendors will be able to verify their certification through MDC's computerized records.
Hunters who took hunter training before 1982 are not listed on MDC computerized records, and must show their hunter education cards or certificates to vendors before purchasing permits. When they do so, they can apply for Heritage Cards imprinted with hunter education certification, eliminating the need to carry hunter education cards.
Other changes that will go into effect in 1996 include:
Comparison of Current and New Missouri Hunting & Fishing Permit Structure
CURRENT PRICE NEW PRICE
CHANGED PERMITS
Daily Fishing [1] $8/3 days or $3/day
$15/14 days
Trout [2] $6 $6
Daily Small-game Hunting [3] $25/5 days $5/day
Migratory Bird Hunting [4] $7 $4
UNCHANGED PERMITS
Resident Hunting & Fishing $14 $15 Resident Fishing $8 $9 Non-resident Fishing $25 $30 Resident Small-game Hunting $8 $9 Non-resident Small-game Hunting $50 $60 Resident rapping $8 $10 Non-resident Furbearer Hunt & Trapping $75 $75 Resident Spring Turkey Hunting $10 $11 Non-resident Spring Turkey Hunting $75 $75 Resident Fall Turkey Hunting $10 $11 Non-resident Fall Turkey Hunting $75 $75 Resident Archery Deer & Turkey Hunt $12 $15 Non-resident Archery Deer Hunting $75 $75 Resident Firearms Deer Hunting $10 $11 Non-resident Firearms Deer Hunting $100 $110 Resident Muzzleloader Deer Hunting $10 $11 Non-resident Muzzleloader Deer Hunt $100 $110NEW PERMITS
Resident Annual Conservation $70 Resident Annual All Hunting $57 Resident Lifetime Small-game Hunting [5] $400 Resident Lifetime Fishing [5] $400 Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner [5] $800
2. Gatekeepers Say Bats Still Dwindling
Mysteriously imperilled, these flying mammals that winter in Missouri caves could disappear from the Show-me State unless we discover the root of their problem.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Imagine you are trying to solve a mystery for which you only have half the clues, and the clock is running out. That is the dilemma facing Natural History Biologist Mark McGimsey with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) as he works to stop the decline of Indiana bats here.
The number of Indiana bats in Missouri has dropped by 82 percent in the past 12 years. That's a stark contrast to what's happening to populations of this species in other parts of its range. In Indiana, for example, there has been about a 40-percent increase in Indiana bat population.
Tracking studies have ruled out the possibility that the bats are moving to other states. MDC worked extensively to band bats during the 1970s, and none of the tagged animals have been found in other locations. McGimsey says it is unlikely that Missouri's Indiana bat population is suffering from winter disturbance by humans.
MDC has worked hard to gain the cooperation of serious cave explorers (known as spelunkers) in protecting Indiana bats. Signs outside hard-to-enter caves discourage spelunking there in winter. At easily accessible caves, says McGimsey, locked gates exclude visitors during the hibernating period. Signs on the gates warn would-be gate-crashers of a $50,000 fine for harming the endangered bats.
"Keep your exploring to summer," advises McGimsey. "Humans don't require caves to survive. We need them for recreation. Bats require those caves to live. Without those caves they're not going to make it."
When bats hibernate they have only enough stored fat to survive the winter at greatly reduced activity levels. Their heart rate goes down to about one beat per minute. They may breathe only once every few minutes. If they are disturbed, their body functions return to normal rates, burning up precious energy. If they exhaust their fat stores before winter is over, the bats face starvation. Their insect food does not reappear until spring.
McGimsey says bats are a vital part of our ecosystem, and they provide an important service to humans. The animals are a natural, nighttime insecticide, in a manner of speaking. Each night they consume half their body weight in insects, insects that eat crops and annoy humans.
"When birds are asleep at night, bats take over the job of eating insects," says McGimsey. "They are the main predators for corn borer moths, other agricultural pests and mosquitos."
Scientists believe the reduction in bat numbers occurs during the summer. But that information gives little help in combating the problem. Because little is known about where the bats spend their summers, scientists are left to wonder whether the decreasing numbers are due to problems affecting the bat's prey, summer habitat or any number of other things.
MDC has conducted research in the past seven years to learn about the trees in which Indiana bats roost and patterns of vegetation in the areas where they have been spotted. MDC biologists hope to get a better understanding of the habitat they occupy to get some clues about what might be happening to them.
Research has shown that Indiana bats migrate to northern Missouri, southern Iowa and western Illinois in the summer. They roost under tree bark. The best roosting places are recently dead trees greater than 21 inches thick, with bark that is just beginning to peel. Oaks and hickories seem to be favorites.
The decline in bat numbers may be associated with a reduction in the number of dead trees. MDC researchers suggest that bat numbers might increase if the trees are allowed to stand until all the bark is gone.
MDC also plans to investigate whether pesticides may be contributing to the decline in the bat populations. Pesticides may be reducing the amount of insect food available, or poisoning bats.
MDC researchers are exploring all the known possibilities to find out what's happening to the bats. Until they know what the problem is, there isn't much they can do. Now the high priority is finding the problem.
3. Holiday Activities Planned at Metro Nature Centers
Your kids can work off excess energy on hikes or learn more about eagles and otters byseeing the animals in live programs in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY -- Missourians looking for holiday entertainment will want to check out programs offered at conservation nature centers in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Jefferson City. Whether you want to see majestic eagles or frolicsome otters, take a guided nature hike or be a contestant in a nature game show, the Missouri Department of Conservation has a holiday diversion for you.
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center (CNC) will show conservation videos Dec. 17, 24, 27 and 29. There will be more conservation videos the day after Christmas, and the nature center staff will spin a half hour of "Toddler Tales" for tots at 10 and 11 a.m.
At 3 p.m. Dec. 26, visitors to Springfield CNC will be able to increase their knowledge, win prizes and have family fun in the "Nature Game Show." Rounding out the day's programs will be a 7-9 p.m. "owl prowl." Participants will get to see live owls indoors and then venture onto hiking trails in hopes of glimpsing or hearing Missouri's nocturnal birds of prey in the wild.
Springfield CNC's holiday programing continues Dec. 27 with a winter bird walk on the area's trails, more Toddler Tales and wildlife watching from the glassed-in wildlife viewing area. The Art of Painting Animals on Rocks will be a special offering on Dec. 29.
Springfield CNC will host the 1995 Eagle Days Dec. 30 and 31. Indoor programs will ensure that everyone gets to see an eagle, even if they don't venture outdoors to Lake Springfield for wild eagle viewing.
Some of the Springfield CNC's holiday programs require reservations. To save your place or receive more information about programs, call (417) 888-4237.
Powder Valley CNC in Kirkwood will offer winter nature hikes for all ages on the Emmenegger trails from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 17 and 23. Adults can learn to identify trees without leaves at 1 p.m. Dec. 15 or 29.
A holiday highlight at Powder Valley will be "Otters Alive!" a program on the evening of Dec. 28 featuring live river otters. Programs at other times that day will give youngsters of different ages a chance to learn more about otters and other furry swimmers. Visitors also will be captivated by programs about hawks and owls on the evening of Dec. 29, as live birds of prey from the World Bird Sanctuary swoop over their heads.
Girl and Boy Scouts will learn how Powder Valley CNC can help them earn badges at "Scout Bonanza" programs at 1 p.m. (ages 6-9) and 3 p.m. (ages 10 and up) Dec. 30. Powder Valley will have story-telling for children at 1 p.m. Dec. 20. At 2 p.m. that day, children can make edible ornaments for birds.
That's only part of the holiday fare at Powder Valley CNC. To receive a complete schedule of events and learn which programs require reservations, call (314) 821-8427.
Burr Oak Woods CNC in Blue Springs will offer a program about bald eagles Dec. 17, hosted by renowned film maker Glenn Chambers. Youngster are welcome to take part in Burr Oak Woods' Film and Craft festivals Dec. 26-30. Parents are invited to attend with their kids off from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day to watch full-length feature films, such as "Land Before Time" and "Born Free." Or they can try their hands at daily craft projects. Details about film titles and craft material needs is available by calling (816) 228-3766.
Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City has a full post-holiday lineup of programs called "Holiday Array." Beginning Dec. 26 and continuing through Dec. 30, visitors can enjoy a nature walk, nature crafts and games called Nature Jeopardy and Backyard Bingo.
On Dec. 26, visitors will be treated to "Reptile Rap." On Dec. 27 there will be an "Otter Mania" live otter show with Paddlefoot and Baby Bubbles the river otters. Dec. 28's special offering will be a puppet show with Mrs. Peepers, Cheepers and Their Friends. Runge CNC will have eagle programs Dec. 29, and Reptile Rap will return Dec. 30.
Adults must accompany children at the Runge CNC programs, and reservations are required. For reservations or information, call (314) 526-5544.
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