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"Black bear were numerous in the forests that once covered nearly three-quarters of the state. They were uncommon by 1850, though a few occurred for two to three decades longer in northern Missouri, and the last were seen in southeastern Missouri in 1931." -- Werner O. Nagel, "Conservation Contrasts," 1970
1. Missourians to Observe Fishing Week With Freedom
At least one of the best things in life is free June 8 & 9.
JEFFERSON CITY -- There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but for two days each year, there is such a thing as free fishing. On June 8 and 9, anyone can fish in the Show-me State without having to buy a fishing permit.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has set aside that weekend so everyone can fish. Fishing permits, daily trout tags and trout permits are unnecessary at any MDC area and most other places. Requirements for special permits still may apply at some county, city or private areas, and normal regulations, such as size and daily limits, still apply.
To encourage non-anglers to try fishing, MDC and other organizations offer special events around the state during Free Fishing Days. To find out about activities in your area, contact MDC's main offices in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield or Jefferson City or call the nearest regional MDC office. These offices also can help you find public fishing waters nearby.
To help Missourians celebrate National Fishing Week, The Mark Twain National Forest is offering free camping June 7, 8 and 9. Many Forest Service campgrounds are near streams or lakes. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but with 650 campsites available, there should be plenty of room. For information about Forest Service campgrounds, contact: Mark Twain National Forest, 401 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla, MO 65401. Phone: (573) 364-4621.
2. Black Bass, Squirrel Seasons Open May 25
The Saturday before Memorial Day gives hunters and anglers reason to rejoice.
JEFFERSON CITY -- May 25 is a day eagerly anticipated by both hunters and anglers in Missouri. That day is the season opener for black bass fishing in many Missouri streams and for squirrel hunting statewide.
The Saturday before Memorial Day is the traditional opening day for both squirrel hunting and stream bass fishing. Hunters may take up to six squirrels daily and can possess up to 12. Regulations for bass fishing are more extensive. For full details about daily limits and minimum length limits on particular streams, check the Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, available from fishing equipment retailers and at Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) offices statewide.
Misprints in some publications incorrectly list the opening of black bass season in southern Missouri as May 24. This year s bass black season opener falls on May 25. Conservation agents and MDC offices statewide are trying to alert anglers about the mistake.
Warm-weather squirrel hunting offers special challenges and rewards. It also requires special caution. With all the foliage on trees at this time of year, it is especially important for hunters to be sure of their targets. It is easy to lose track of hunting partners, and that can spell disaster.
Wearing hunter-orange clothing is a proven way to prevent accidents in which hunters are mistaken for game or caught in the line of fire of other hunters. But hunters share the woods with hikers, photographers and many others who may not wear protective colors. Caution in identifying targets and choosing a safe line of fire is a good way to avoid accidents.
3. Apply Early for Any-deer Permits
Buy a deer-hunting permit now, and apply for bonus & either-sex privileges at the same time.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Gone are the days of worrying about whether your any-deer application got lost in the mail. The Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) new computerized permit system has eliminated those paperwork headaches. Now you can apply for any-deer permits where and when you buy your hunting permits.
The new point-of-sale (POS) permit system allows vendors to send permit requests directly to MDC computers. MDC Special Permits Clerk Gloria Phillips says the system will eliminate many of the problems experienced in previous years by those applying for the any-deer permits. "In the past," she says, "applicants had to pick up forms, make sure they were filled out properly and make sure they reached us before the deadline. Now when vendors sell a deer hunting permit their computers will prompt the vendor to ask if the hunter wants to apply for an any-deer permit. The vendor enters the information and that's it."
1996 deer hunting permits are on sale now. Hunters can apply for any-deer permits through Aug. 31. Hunters must specify the units for which they want any-deer permits and bonus permits. And Phillips says it is imperative that applicants check to make sure that the information recorded by the vendor is correct. The computer printout, which is also the season permit, will include information that an any-deer permit has been requested.
The application process will not change for qualifying landowners. Landowners who requested any-deer privileges last year will receive a renewal form by mail from MDC. Landowners requesting any-deer permits for the first time must pick up an application form from a vendor and mail it to: Any-Deer Permits, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 3337, Jefferson City, MO 65102-3337. Landowners must have at least 75 acres in one contiguous tract to qualify for free any-deer permits.
Any-deer permits allow hunters to shoot deer of either sex. Antlered deer may be taken anywhere in the state. Anterless deer may only be taken from deer management units specified on the any-deer or bonus permits. Phillips says the Conservation Commission will decide at its May meeting how many any-deer permits will be available in each deer management unit. In units where permit requests outnumber available permits, drawings will determine which applicants receive any-deer permits. Successful applicants will be notified in October.
4. Annual Count Shows Eagle Numbers Up
With protection from pesticide pollution and a little help from the
Endangered Species Act, the national symbol continues its remarkable recovery.
JEFFERSON CITY -- People might not consider Missouri an ideal winter vacation destination, but eagles do. Each year more of the birds make the Show-me State their winter home. This year was no exception, according to the annual mid-winter eagle count conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
MDC Ornithologist Jim D. Wilson says a record number of eagles -- 2,616 -- were counted in the state. That's up from 2,397 last year. Wilson says the increased number of eagles wintering in Missouri is likely the result of national efforts to safeguard the birds. "Bald eagles are better protected than they used to be," he says. "They are not harmed by pesticides today because some of them (pesticides) have been banned. Also I think the eagles are adapting to coexisting with humans."
MDC conducts the count in cooperation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The majority of birds counted each year are bald eagles. Only three golden eagles were tallied this year.
Wilson, who coordinated MDC's eagle restoration effort, says it's gratifying to see the eagle populations increasing. He says bald eagles no longer are listed as a federally endangered species, but they remain on the list of protected species.
Missouri is a prime wintering spot for eagles because of the large number of lakes and rivers that don't freeze over. Wilson says he's sure there are more eagles in Missouri than MDC and the USFWS are able to count. He says many of the birds gather in spots that are not easily accessible, and the annual count doesn't include all the birds along the Mississippi River. Because the count is conducted the same way each winter, however, it provides a measure of population changes in the same way that a poll shows changes in public opinion.
The largest concentration of eagles reported was in Barry County. The upper end of Table Rock Lake and several poultry farms provide ample prey for eagles in this southwest Missouri county.
HUNTING
Bag Limit
Opens Closes (Daily-Possession)
Bullfrogs 6/30/96 10/31/96 8-16 (See Wildlife Code)
Common Snipe* TO BE ANNOUNCED
Coyotes 5/6/96 3/31/97 Some restrictions during
deer season. (See Wildlife Code)
Crows 11/1/96 3/3/97 No Limit
Deer/Turkey (Archery) 10/1/96 1/15/97 (Closed during firearms
deer season)
Deer (Firearms) 11/16/96 TO BE ANNOUNCED
Deer (Muzzleloader) 11/16/96 TO BE ANNOUNCED
Dove* TO BE ANNOUNCED
Ducks and Coots* TO BE ANNOUNCED
Furbearers 11/20/96 1/20/97 No Limit
Geese* TO BE ANNOUNCED
Groundhogs 5/6/96 12/15/96 No Limit
Pheasants &
Gray Partridge 11/1/96 1/15/97 (See Wildlife Code)
Quail 11/1/96 1/15/97 8-16
Rabbits 10/1/96 2/15/97 6-12
(may include only
2-4 swamp rabbits)
Ruffed Grouse 10/15/96 1/15/97 (See Wildlife Code)
Sora and Virginia Rails* TO BE ANNOUNCED
Squirrels 5/25/96 1/15/97 (See Wildlife Code)
Teal* TO BE ANNOUNCED
Turkey 4/21/97 5/4/97 1 bearded bird per week
Turkey (Fall Firearms) 10/14/96 10/27/96 (See Wildlife Code)
Woodcock* TO BE ANNOUNCED
FISHING
Trout Parks 3/1/96 10/31/96 5-10
Trout Parks 11/8/96 2/8/97 Catch & release Fri., Sat.,
(Winter Tag Required) Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Trout Management Areas Open All No Closed 5-10 (See Wildlife Code)
(Trout Permit Required) Year Season
Trout (Trophy and Wild) Open All No Closed 3-3 (See Wildlife Code)
Trout Management Areas) Year Season
(Trout Permit Required)
Black Bass
(streams, specified zone) 5/25/96 2/28/97 6-12 (See Wildlife Code)
(impoundments) Open All No Closed (See Wildlife Code)
Year Season
Bullfrogs 6/30/96 10/31/96 8-16 (See Wildlife Code)
Paddlefish 3/15/97 4/30/97 2-4 (See Wildlife Code)
(See Wildlife Code for creel limits on other species.)
TRAPPING
Beaver 11/20/96 3/31/97 No Limit (See Wildlife Code)
Coyotes 11/20/96 2/15/97 No Limit (See Wildlife Code)
Furbearers 11/20/96 1/20/97 No Limit (See Wildlife Code)
___________
*Hunters of migratory birds are required to have a migratory bird
hunting permit in addition to other appropriate permits (See Wildlife Code).
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
May 23-24, Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo.
(For additional information contact the Department Director.)
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