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1. Riverlands purchases boost recreation options
2. Extra caution needed to avoid deer/auto collisions
3. Commission to meet Nov. 2 in Chillicothe
4. Outdoor Calendar
Available via Internet at: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/news/out
"For some reason, antler measurements have ceased to matter to me. It has something to do with realizing animals are much more than the sum of their parts. . . . I have realized just how much I love to hunt. And that in itself is more than enough reason for doing it."Bowhunter Mike McCarty, "Forever Humbled," Bugle Magazine, May-June 1999
Setting aside wild lands in the river flood plains is good for wildlife and helps prevent flooding, but for the average person, fun is the big bonus.
ROCHEPORT, Mo.--In 1992, it was farmland. Three years and two devastating floods later, it was a disaster area, robbed of its commercial value. Today, Missouri and Mississippi river floodplain land purchased by the Missouri Department of Conservation following the floods of 1993 and 1995 is among the most productive recreational land in the state, offering Missourians opportunities for hunting and hiking, birdwatching and biking, fishing, camping and just soaking up the grandeur of North America's two greatest rivers.
After the Great Flood of '93, Gov. Mel Carnahan formed the Governor's Task Force on Floodplain Management to find ways to provide relief for owners of flood-damaged land and ways to lessen the chances of future floods. One action recommended by the governor's task force was for government agencies to compensate farmers for the loss of their land and set aside flood-damaged acres as places for future floods to spread out harmlessly.
State and federal agencies formed the Partnership for Missouri Riverlands, which offered landowners options ranging from cash payments for conservation easements to outright sale of flood-damaged acres. Land purchases along the rivers all from willing sellers have been made by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Conservation Department's acquisitions include more than 16,000 acres along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, creating nine new conservation areas (CAs) and enlarging several existing ones.
MISSOURI RIVER AREAS
Here is a brief description of the Conservation Department's Riverlands acquisitions on the Missouri River, starting in northwest Missouri and moving downstream.
Deroin Bend CA covers 1,128 acres in Atchison and Holt counties. It remains entirely undeveloped at this time. The area has no parking lots, and although arrangements for access are under way, trails have not been built yet to allow visitors to cross private land to the area.
Most of the area eventually will revert to bottomland hardwood forest, while other parts of the area will be kept open with periodic mowing and prescribed burning. This habitat work will create opportunities for deer, turkey and pheasant hunting, fishing, trapping and nature study. Blue holes near the area's north end will provide fishing.
Arthur Dupree Memorial CA covers 236 acres just west of St. Joseph in Buchanan County. Riverlands purchases added 91 acres to this area. It has good numbers of pheasant and deer, and fair squirrel and turkey hunting potential. Birdwatchers can enjoy an abundance of migratory birds here in the spring and fall. No access trails have been developed yet, but some anglers already are walking in to fish the 1.25 miles of Missouri river frontage.
To reach Dupree CA, take County Road 2 one mile north of Rosecrans Airport, turn right and go one mile on County Road 3. An access road leads to the area's only parking lot just inside the Missouri River levee. For information about special hunting and fishing regulations on this area, call 816/271-3100.
Hardin CA is 238-acres in Ray County. Crooked River forms the area's west boundary. So far it is without access roads or parking areas, but two small wetland developments offer walk-in waterfowl hunting. To reach the area, take Highway J .75 mile south from the town of Hardin.
Cooley Lake CA in Clay County covers 1,348 acres, including 335-acre Cooley Lake. Riverlands purchases added 310 acres to this area. It has 6.4 miles of hikable river levee and a half-mile hiking trail. Walk-in fishing is available along a mile of river frontage. The area's boat ramp and privies are handicapped-accessible. Waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and birds of prey can be viewed from the area's four parking lots.
Waterfowl hunting currently is prohibited at Cooley Lake CA, and other hunting is prohibited in the designated waterfowl refuge around the lake from Oct. 15 through the end of waterfowl seasons. Otherwise, the area is open to hunting under statewide regulations.
Plans for future development at Cooley Lake CA include construction of a water distribution system that will allow selective flooding of wetland pools for waterfowl and shore birds. Waterfowl hunting blinds eventually will be added.
You can reach Cooley Lake CA by taking Highway 210 six miles west of Orrick.
Liberty Bend CA is a 140-acre area on the south side of the Missouri River in Clay County, adjacent to La Benite Park in the city of Sugar Creek. The area currently is without parking lots or other facilities, but is open to hunting and fishing under statewide regulations. Walk-in fishing is the primary activity there. The area eventually will be developed and managed by Sugar Creek as part of La Benite Park.
Dalton Bottoms CA consists of 46 acres in Chariton County sandwiched between the Missouri River, the mouth of the Chariton River and levees. There are no formal parking lots, but the wide gravel shoulder of the road along the edge of the area provides ample parking for visitors. Catfish anglers, birdwatchers and photographers will find plenty of chances to pursue their favorite pastimes at this area. The area does not provide significant hunting opportunities. Firearms deer hunting is specifically prohibited.
To visit Dalton Bottoms CA, take Highway J five miles south from the town of Dalton, then take a gravel road 1.5 miles southeast to Missouri River access.
Diana Bend CA covers 1,118 acres at the confluence of Moniteau Creek and the Missouri River in Howard County. The area offers excellent duck hunting when the river is above 22 feet on the Boonville gauge.
Diana Bend CA has one parking lot. Extensive private land holdings around the public land limits access to this area. Hunting is allowed under statewide regulations for all species. To reach the area, take Highway 40 east five miles from Boonville. Watch for a welcome sign on the south side of the road.
Franklin Island CA in Howard County was enlarged by nearly 100 acres through Riverlands purchases. The area now totals 1,625 acres. Facilities include three parking lots, a boat ramp with privies on the Missouri River and about 6.5 miles of interior roads and levees suitable for hiking.
The area's three miles of river frontage provide fishing opportunities. Marshes provide duck hunters places to ply their sport. The area offers deer and turkey hunting opportunities, too. Hunting and fishing are permitted under statewide regulations, except that frogs may not be taken with firearms.
Plowboy Bend CA's 2,204 acres in Moniteau County consist of about 10 percent marsh, 40 percent old field, 30 percent row crops and 20 percent forest. The area has three miles of Missouri River frontage, plus a river slough and several blue holes. In wet weather, the slough is an excellent place for waterfowl hunting. The blue holes also are good places to go fishing or hunt ducks, but these flood-created lakes lie outside the main river levee, so you have to reach them by boat from the river.
Nine miles of levee and several miles of interior roads provide excellent hiking opportunities. Sunflowers and other crops are managed especially to attract doves, and the area supports huntable populations of deer, turkey and rabbits. Hunting and primitive camping are permitted under statewide regulations.
Visitors with an interest in photography or natural history will want to visit extensive sand flats created by the floods of 1993 and 1995. The colonization of this harsh, new environment by plants and animals is a living case study in adaptations for survival.
To visit Plowboy Bend CA, take Highway 179 to Jamestown. Go north 5 miles on Highway Y and continue .5 mile after road turns to gravel.
Marion Bottoms CA is next downstream, straddling the Moniteau/Cole county line. Its 2,944 acres are 30 percent marsh, 5 percent fishable water, 60 percent old field, 5 percent cropland and 5 percent forest. It features shallow potholes frequented by waterfowl and shore birds, two major blue holes and a 600-acre wetland area that is flooded using the natural flow of river water.
Like Plowboy Bend, it offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, primitive camping and deer and waterfowl hunting under statewide regulations. As the thick growth of shrubby vegetation that currently covers much of the area develops into bottomland hardwood forest, opportunities for turkey and small-game hunting will increase.
Marion Bottoms CA's one parking lot is marked by a wooden Conservation Department cantilever sign on Highway 179 two miles north of the town of Marion.
Smokey Waters CA lies in Cole and Osage counties at the confluence of the Missouri and Osage rivers. It's 976 acres are 10 percent marsh, 10 percent fishing water, 40 percent old field, 30 percent crop fields and 10 percent forest. Fishing in the rivers and in two major blue holes is one of the main attractions here. Nature study, wildlife photography, primitive camping and hunting for deer, turkey, waterfowl and other small game all are available.
To get there, take the Osage City exit from Highway 63/50. Go through Osage City, and turn right after crossing the railroad tracks. Continue on the blacktop road to the area.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER AREAS
Frost Island CA. This 1,220-acre area in Clark County is a smorgasbord of recreational opportunities. A few coveys of quail call the area home, and its deer population has been growing in recent years. Dove hunting can be excellent when conditions are right. Thick stands of ragweed make foot travel a challenge.
A large slough on the south side of the area provides some waterfowl hunting. This slough, known locally as McGuire Hole, also has good fishing.
The western edge of Frost Island CA is a sandy ridge that supports a small remnant of sand prairie, a plant community that is extremely rare in Missouri. This strip of sandy soil, which runs north and south along the Mississippi River for several miles, once was home to Indians.
Plans call for converting part of the area to wet prairie and allowing the rest to revert to bottomland hardwood forest. Wildlife food plots dot the area.
You can reach Frost Island CA by taking Highway B north from Wayland four miles to Francisville, then turning right at the Conservation Department's brown cantilever sign. Take this road about .5 mile to the area and follow the area road another .25 mile east to a parking lot. A second parking lot is located at the end of a dirt road on the north end of the area near the Des Moines River.
Cuivre Island CA, in Lincoln County consists of two tractsa 1,240-acre island and about 100 acres on the adjacent mainland. Riverlands acquisitions added 120 acres to this area.
The only developed facilities at Cuivre Island CA are a parking lot and a boat ramp that provides access to the island by boat. Construction is under way on a well and water control structures that will allow selective flooding of five impoundments on the island. These may be complete in time for waterfowl hunting seasons this year.
The Mississippi River and the slough between the island and mainland tracts offer good fishing. The area is open to hiking, primitive camping, nature study and photography, mushroom hunting and walk-in hunting for deer and waterfowl. The mainland tract is closed to firearms deer hunting. Trapping is allowed only with a special permit from the area manager. For more information, call (573) 898-5905.
To get to Cuivre Island CA, take Highway 79 north from I-70 six miles to Dalbow Road. Turn right on Dalbow road and go five miles east. Look for the brown Conservation Department cantilever sign marking the area entrance on the left.
Columbia Bottom CA is MDC's largest acquisition of land bordering the Missouri River to date. This 4,318-acre area at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in St. Charles County is well suited to St. Louis area residents' wide range of outdoor interests. Hiking and biking are easy on the area's service roads and trails. Signs mark a four-mile trail through the center of the area to where the confluence of North America's two greatest rivers is visible.
Hikers and anglers find Columbia Bottom CA's miles of raised levees convenient corridors to fishing, wildlife watching, nature photography and other nature-based recreation. The Missouri River levee is about a half-mile hike from the parking lot. It's another three miles to the Mississippi River.
Hunting is permitted only during managed hunts or by holders of daily hunting permits. The Conservation Department will conduct three managed archery deer hunts Oct. 23 through Nov. 7, Nov. 24 through Dec. 12 and Dec. 18 through Jan. 9. Dove hunting was allowed on the area during the September portion of the statewide dove season. To learn more about hunting opportunities on this area, call (314) 441-4554.
You can reach Columbia Bottom CA by taking the Riverview Drive exit from I-270 (the last Missouri exit) and then driving north. Riverview changes into Columbia Bottom Road at its junction with Larimore Road. Follow Columbia Bottom Road to the area entrance, about 3 miles from I-270. The gravel parking lot at the entrance is the only improvement on the area so far.
Together with the 6,400 acres that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has purchased to date for Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge, the Conservation Department's Riverlands purchases have turned a disastrous legacy of flooding into a tremendous asset for wildlife and for outdoors-oriented Missourians.
- Jim Low -
Deer move around more and pay less attention to danger during their mating season. Wise motorists take special precautions to avoid deer-car collisions.
JEFFERSON CITY--It is wise to be on the lookout for deer this time of year. The deer mating season or "rut" is here. During the rut the urge to mate increases deer activity and may interfere with their normal reaction to run from approaching vehicles, increasing your chances of involvement in a deer-vehicle collision.
Drivers can reduce the risks of deer-vehicle accidents by driving defensively. When possible, avoid driving during the evening and early morning hours when deer are most active. Reduce your speed and watch for deer, especially near wooded areas or where deer crossing signs are posted. The sooner you see a deer, the more time you will have to react to its movements.
The following tips can help you avoid a deer-related accident.
--Slow down immediately when you spot a deer, if you can do so without causing a traffic hazard. Do this even if the deer already has crossed the road. The animal could turn back into your path. Also, deer often travel in groups, and others may follow.
--Deer often are confused by vehicle headlights. Flash your lights or sound your horn to warn the deer of your approach. Use emergency flashers or pump your brakes to alert vehicles behind you to the danger ahead.
--Some deer-auto collisions are unavoidable, occurring when deer run into the sides of moving vehicles or leap in front of cars. If this happens, don't swerve wildly to avoid the animal. Some of the most severe deer-related accidents happen when drivers lose control of their vehicles while trying to avoid deer. It's better to steer straight than to risk losing control and colliding with oncoming traffic or hitting trees or other objects along the side of the road.
--Report deer-vehicle accidents to local law enforcement officials. Your report will help the Missouri Department of Conservation track the incidence of deer-vehicle accidents. To keep a road-killed deer for its meat you must contact the Conservation Department. The law requires that you get written authorization from a conservation agent to possess the deer before you can take it home.
- Arleasha Mays -
CHILLICOTHE, Mo.--The Missouri Conservation Commission's next meeting will be held Nov. 2 at the Grand River Inn, 606 W. Business Route 36 in Chillicothe. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. following a closed executive session. The Commission will not meet in October.
Commission meetings are open to the public. Items to be placed on the agenda for presentations or other business should be sent in writing to Director, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180; fax (573) 751-4467. Requests must be received by Oct. 21. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements at the same address, or by phone at (573) 751-4115.
Commissioners are: Howard L. Wood, Bonne Terre, chairman; Ronald J. Stites, Plattsburg, vice-chairman; Randy Herzog, St. Joseph, secretary; and Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, member.
- Jim Low -
Copyright ©2008 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use