February 2009
The bears came over the mountains
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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| Missouri’s black bear population, estimated at a few hundred, likely grew out of restoration efforts in Arkansas. Their natural fear of humans keeps most bears out of trouble with humans. Most problems occur when bears learn to associate people with easily-obtained food, such as pet food or garbage. (Missouri Department of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY—Show-Me State hunters see them. So do anglers and campers. Most encounters are fleeting, leaving surprised outdoors people wondering how a black bear got into Missouri. The answer is “over the mountains.”
Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer is the Missouri Department of Conservation’s expert on furbearing mammals, including black bears. He said the Show-Me State’s native bear population probably was gone by the early 20th century.
“It is possible that a few survived in remote pockets of the Ozark Mountains,” said Beringer, “but they had a lot working against them. They got hit with a double whammy of unregulated hunting and large-scale deforestation. It seems more likely that the bear population we have today came from Arkansas.”
Black bears did survive in the 160,000-acre White River National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Arkansas – once known as “The Bear State.” By the middle of the 20th century, however, the refuge and other areas in southeastern Arkansas harbored so few native bears that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission imported bears from Minnesota and Manitoba for a bear restoration effort in other parts of the state.
The agency released 254 black bears in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas and in the Ozark Mountains of northwestern Arkansas between 1958 and 1968. Today the Game and Fish Commission estimates Arkansas’ black bear population at 3,000. Hunters harvested a record 400 bears in Arkansas’ 2007 hunting season.
Beringer said black bears may need up to 30 square miles of habitat per individual. These home ranges often overlap. Females with adjoining ranges generally are related. Males, on the other hand make long “dispersal moves” at about 1.5 years of age to establish territories among unrelated animals.
That, said Beringer, is how Missouri got many of its male bears. Females in an established bear population generally do not make long moves. However, Missouri probably received a few females from the initial Arkansas release, as these animals traveled widely before settling down into home ranges.
Bears’ secretive nature makes estimating the Show-Me State’s black bear population difficult. Beringer said the best estimate is a few hundred. Although bears have been seen as far north as Marion County, near Hannibal, most of the state’s bears live south of I-44. Counties with the most sightings include Carter, Ripley, Reynolds, Howell, Ozark, Barry, Taney, Christian, Stone and Douglas.
Unlike mountain lions, which have only been documented as individual animals in Missouri, black bears clearly are reproducing and rearing their young here. A recent incident in Christian County provides the latest proof.
Wildlife Regional Supervisor Tim Russell reports that a man on horseback came upon a female bear with two yearling cubs while riding at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area Feb. 6. The bears fled, but the encounter spooked horse, which threw its rider to the ground.
“The gentleman was a little banged up from his fall, but otherwise he seemed okay,” said Russell. “Since there were bears in the area, we advised campers in the area to keep their food in their vehicles. That is as much for the bears’ protection as for people’s.”
The bears were seen again at Busiek Feb. 7, but they have not been reported since. Beringer said their disappearance was predictable.
“Bears are very mobile, and they are sensitive to human disturbance,” he said. “Chances are good that those three bears moved somewhere with less chance of running into people.”
The Christian County incident illustrates that bear sightings can occur in any season. The frequency of bear reports in Missouri decreases in winter, when the animals are less active. However, Missouri’s climate may limit the time in which bears are dormant. Bears without newborn cubs here may hole up in hollow trees, brushy depressions or other sheltered areas for days or weeks at a time, but these periods of inactivity will vary with weather and food availability.
So, in a real-life version of the old song, “The Bear Went Over the Mountain,” Arkansas bears have come to Missouri “to see what they could see.” Some have seen much more than the other side of the mountain. Young, inexperienced bears that might never have seen a human encounter interstate highways, campgrounds, houses and towns. Not knowing any better, they sometimes mistake trash cans, bird feeders and livestock feed as great sources of food.
Beringer encourages Missourians who see bears to report the sightings to the nearest Conservation Department office. He said people should never feed bears intentionally, and those in areas where bears are known to live should take measures to avoid tempting bears.
“Bears that come to associate people with food and lose their fear of humans are dangerous to themselves as well as people,” he said. “The great majority of Missouri’s bears never get in any trouble, but those that do almost always get started by being fed.”
Missourians can avoid tempting bears by keeping pet food and other foodstuffs where bears can't reach them. Some items that most people would not consider potential bear food – such as bird seed – can be targets of bear foraging.
If you must feed pets outdoors, clean up spilled food and place feeding bowls inside after each meal. Store pet food in airtight containers in locked storage areas.
Other helpful tips include:
- Clean up outdoor grills after each use and store them in sheds.
- Put garbage out the morning of collection.
- Don't place meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.
- Never cook, eat or store food in tents or sleeping areas when camping.
- Keep camp food locked inside vehicles when not in use. If a bear enters your campsite, get inside your vehicle and stay there until the bear leaves.
- Never intentionally feed bears.
Shouting, banging pots and pans or making other loud noises almost always will frighten a bear away. If these measures fail, call a conservation agent or the nearest Conservation Department office.
Bears are protected by the Wildlife Code of Missouri, and it is illegal to kill one unless it is threatening people or property.
“The Conservation Department has people trained to deal with bear problems of all kinds,” said Beringer. “We take bear problems very seriously, and we respond as quickly as possible when conflicts arise. We want to help people solve problems quickly and in the best possible way.”
He said Missourians can call any Conservation Department office or law enforcement agency to get help with problem bears.
-Jim Low-
Conservation Department needs more 'gobbleteers'
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
New and returning volunteers will find everything they need online in March.
JEFFERSON CITY–The Missouri Department of Conservation and the National Wild Turkey Federation once again are looking for early-rising volunteers to continue a five-year study of turkey gobbling habits. Besides the pleasure of hearing lusty mating calls of male wild turkeys twice a week, participants can hope to win a shotgun or a lifetime hunting permit in return for their contributions to science.
The work is part of a study aimed at discovering when the peak periods of gobbling activity occur. With this information, the Conservation Department will be better equipped to set the dates of spring turkey hunting season to coincide with the period when gobblers are most receptive to calling.
Volunteers count the number of gobbles and the number of gobbling birds they hear during a 20-minute period before sunrise at least twice weekly between March 14 and May 8. “Gobbleteers” choose their listening locations. The study runs through 2011.
To join the gobbleteer study, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/13771, or send an e-mail with a subject line of “Gobbleteer” to Jamey.Decoske@mdc.mo.gov. You will receive a reply with information about setting up a gobbleteer account. Last year’s gobbleteers don’t need to do anything. They automatically will receive information about this years’ reporting procedures via e-mail.
Tom turkeys are most vocal just before hens become receptive to mating and just after hens begin incubating their eggs. This creates two peaks in gobbling. Volunteer reports will help biologists determine whether the current timing of spring turkey season meets the goal of putting hunters in the woods during the second peak in gobbling.
The study also seeks to discover any relationships between gobbling and other factors, such as weather and spring leaf-out. Each year’s study results are published on the Turkey Federation’s Missouri Chapter website.
-Jim Low-
Large crowds expected at trout park opener
Monday, February 23, 2009
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| Large crowds are expected for the 2009 Missouri trout park opener March 1, because the event falls on a Sunday this year. For more information, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/7248. (Missouri Department of Conservation photo) |
SALEM, Mo.—When catch-and-keep fishing season opens at Missouri’s four trout parks this year, anglers will have some new things and some old ones to celebrate.
March 1 always marks the start of the fishing year for thousands of anglers. This year’s turnout is likely to be heavy because the opener falls on a Sunday.
“Historically, Sunday openers have been our biggest days,” said Hatchery Systems Manager James Civiello, with the Missouri Department of Conservation. “We have opening-day attendance records going back 50 years, and turnouts always are bigger when opening day falls on a weekend.”
Weekend or not, weather also plays an important role in determining crowd size on opening day. The trout park attendance record occurred in 1992, when 14,947 anglers descended on the parks for a Sunday opener with beautiful weather.
“With good weather, I would expect to see upwards of 11,000 anglers at the four parks on opening day,” said Civiello. “On the other hand, if it turns cold and rainy, that could hold down attendance.”
Three of Missouri’s trout parks (Bennet Spring, near Lebanon; Montauk, near Salem; and Roaring River, near Cassville) are state parks, owned by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The fourth – Maramec Spring Park, near St. James – is owned by the James Foundation. The Conservation Department operates trout hatcheries at all four.
Roaring River celebrates an anniversary this year. The trout hatchery, located a few miles south of Cassville, became a state park in 1928, when its owner donated it to the Missouri Game and Fish Department – the Conservation Department’s predecessor. The Civilian Conservation Corps helped build a new hatchery that went into service in 1939, just in time to replace the original, which was destroyed by a flood.
Roaring River’s attendance record of 3,504 anglers occurred in 1981, another Sunday opener. Hatchery Manager Jerry Dean said the park’s stream will contain approximately three fish for each of the 3,300 anglers expected to visit the park on opening day this year. That stocking rate applies at the other three parks as well.
Roaring River Hatchery will have approximately 280 fish per hole in the tag-fishing area for its 70th anniversary. That number will include at least 50 “lunkers,” hatchery brood fish weighing upwards of 3 pounds.
Crews have removed gravel washed into the Roaring River spring branch by floods, and they have cut vegetation to further improve fishing conditions.
Junior and Clarice Stephens, of Olathe, Kan., will be honored with the first and second tags of the year at Roaring River in recognition of their contributions to the park. The couple has been fishing and mentoring young anglers at Roaring River since 1974. They will have the honor of firing the pistol that marks the start of the 2009 season at 6:30 a.m. March 1.
For more information about fishing at Roaring River State Park, call 417-847-2430.
Bennett Spring became the state’s first trout hatchery a few years before Roaring River. Hatchery Manager Mike Mitchell says he is preparing for approximately 3,200 anglers on opening day.
Anglers at Bennett Spring will find a brand new fishing platform across from the Suzy Hole in Zone 3. Park officials hope to have the platform completed for opening day.
Long-time businessman Larry Peace will have the honor of sounding the opening siren at Bennett Spring March 1. His parents were concessionaires in the 1940s and 1950s, and he and his wife carried the family tradition through the 1950s and into the 1960s as concessionaires at Montauk State Park. After that he operated Larry’s Sporting Goods inside the park.
“The Peace family has provided approximately 60 years of service to trout fishermen at Bennett Spring and Montauk,” said Mitchell.
For more about fishing at Bennett Spring State Park, call 417-532-4418. Montauk Hatchery Manager Tom Whelan is preparing for opening-day attendance of 3,200 anglers. Montauk anglers will find some improvements in the Mill Dam and Sycamore holes, where excess gravel has been removed to improve fish habitat. For more about fishing at Montauk, call 573-548-2585.
Maramec Spring Hatchery Manager Paul Spurgeon expects around 2,300 anglers on opening day. They will help Maramec Spring Park celebrate over 50 years of trout fishing, which began there in 1958. Those who buy daily fishing tags that day will receive commemorative fly boxes and copies of the Conservation Department’s Conservation Heritage Calendars, while supplies last. State Rep. Dan Brown (R-Rolla) will sound the opening bell at Maramec Spring Park.
The St. James Chamber of Commerce will continue its long-standing tradition of serving coffee and doughnuts to anglers and sponsoring a variety of fishing contests. One-hundred fish stocked for the season opener will carry tags good for prizes. For more information about opening day at Maramec, call 573-265-7801.
Anglers need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri’s trout parks. Those age 16 through 64 need a fishing permit in addition to the daily tag.
Trout parks are only one option for Show-Me State anglers. For more about the state’s extensive system of trout streams and winter trout fishing, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/7248.
-Jim Low-
Conservation Commission to meet March 11-12
Friday, February 20, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY— The Missouri Conservation Commission will hold its next meeting March 11 and 12 at the Roaring River State Park Conference Center near Cassville.
The Commission will meet in closed session at 3:30 p.m. March 11 and in open session at 10 a.m. March 12. Commission meetings are open to the public. Items to be placed on the agenda for presentations or other business should be sent in writing at least 10 working days before the meeting date to: Director, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City MO 65102-0180, or faxed to 573-751-4467. The deadline for the next meeting is noon Feb. 25.
People requiring special services or accommodations to attend Conservation Commission meetings can make arrangements by writing to the same address or by calling 573-751-4115.
Commissioners are: William F. “Chip” McGeehan, Marshfield, chairman; Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City, vice-chairman; Don R. Johnson, Festus, member; and Becky L. Plattner, Grand Pass, member.
-Jim Low-
Deer season dates, urban zones change this fall
Friday, February 20, 2009
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| The November Portion of the 2009 Firearms Deer Season runs from Nov. 14 through 24. Changes in this year’s season structure will be explained in the 2009 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulation and Information booklet, which will be available in July at permit vendors statewide, and at www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt. (Missouri Department of Conservation photo) |
JEFFERSON CITY—Hunters planning vacations around Missouri’s firearms deer season should look carefully at 2009 deer hunting seasons approved by the Conservation Commission last year.
The structure of Missouri’s firearms deer season has remained relatively stable for several years, starting with an early urban portion, then a youth hunt, followed by the traditional November portion, a portion for hunters using muzzle-loading rifles and then a late antlerless-only portion. During the 2008-2009 season young hunters got the last word with a two-day youth hunt in January. This year the order of the portions is different, and the overall season is four days longer.
The season kicks off with the Urban Portion Oct. 9 through 12. This is the same length and general time period as in the past. However, the boundaries of all four Urban Deer Zones have changed this year.
The Kansas City Zone now includes all of Clay, Jackson and Platte counties, as last year, but only that portion of northern Cass County north of Route 2.
The Springfield Zone now includes all of Greene County, plus that portion of Christian County north and west of a boundary formed by Route 14 and Highway 125.
The St. Louis Zone includes all of St. Louis and St. Charles Counties, as last year, plus that portion of Franklin County north and east of a boundary formed by Highway 50, Interstate 44, Route O and Route NN and that portion of Jefferson County north of a boundary formed by Route NN, Highway 30, Route MM, Route M, Highway 61 and Glaize Creek.
The Columbia-Jefferson City Zone includes only the portion of Boone County south of a boundary formed by Highway 124, Route OO, Doris Boulevard and Route DD and that portion of Cole County north and east of a boundary formed by Highway 50, Route D, Highway 54, Route E, Route B, Route M and Highway 50.
Next on the calendar is the early portion of the Youth Portion Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Again, this is the same length and general timing as last year.
The November Portion of Firearms Deer Season will run from Nov. 14 through 24, the same length and timing as last year.
The traditional order of the Muzzleloader and Antlerless portions will be reversed this year, with the Antlerless Portion running from Nov. 25 through Dec. 6 (three days longer than last year) and the Muzzleloader Portion running from Dec. 19 through 29 (one day longer than last year).
A two-day late portion of the Youth Portion closes the season again on Jan. 2 and 3.
This year’s firearms deer season will run for a total of 42 days, four days longer than last year.
Full details of fall deer hunting regulations will be available in July in the 2009 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulation and Information booklet, at permit vendors statewide, and at www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt.
-Jim Low-
New turkey hunters can take hunter education online
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
They also can buy an Apprentice Hunter Authorization so they can buy permits and hunt under the supervision of a certified hunter.
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds first-time turkey hunters of two new ways to qualify to buy the necessary permits – online and with an Apprentice Hunter Authorization.
Hunters who hope to obtain their hunter education certification in time for Missouri’s spring turkey season April 20 through May 10 might have difficulty finding an opening in a traditional hunter-education class. Lucky for them, the Conservation Department offers accredited hunter-education training online at www.mdc.mo.gov/8821.
The online course allows students to work at their own pace whenever it suits their schedules. After completing the instructional part of the course, they take an online test with randomly selected questions to ensure a fair assessment of their learning. Before obtaining certification, online students must sign up for and attend a field day where they demonstrate their mastery of hunting-safety concepts and skills.
Those who think they might enjoy hunting but want to try it before investing time in hunter education can do so with the help of an Apprentice Hunter Authorization. The $10 authorization is not a hunting permit. It merely enables holders to buy hunting permits for two consecutive years without hunter education certification. This privilege comes with the requirement to hunt under the supervision of a hunter-education certified hunter who is at least 18 years old or was born before Jan. 1, 1967.
“The purpose of hunter education is to make hunting safer and more ethical,” said Hunter Education Coordinator Tony Legg, “not harder to get into. Both online hunter education and the Apprentice Hunter Authorization were developed to eliminate any perceived barriers to new hunters.”
For more information about the Apprentice Hunter Authorization and hunting permits, visit mdc.mo.gov/regs/permits.htm.
-Jim Low-
Few fishing regulations changes for 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Anglers will find little changed since last year, but they need to buy new permits March 1.
JEFFERSON CITY—Missourians will not have to adjust to many changes to the state’s fishing regulations this year, but they do have to remember to buy a new permit for outings starting March 1.
Missouri’s permit year runs from March 1 through the last day of February the following year. 2009 resident fishing permits and prices remain unchanged from 2008. However, resident and nonresident anglers under age 16 will be able to buy trout permits for $3.50 instead of the regular price of $7, effective July 1. Daily trout tags at Missouri’s four trout parks will remain $3 for adults and $2 for anglers under age 16. Also effective July 1, the price of a nonresident fishing permit will increase from $40 to $42.
The only other change in 2009 fishing regulations affects nonresident students attending public or private secondary, post-secondary or vocational schools in Missouri. These students can buy 2009 resident permits – except lifetime permits – starting July 1. Such purchases must be made at Missouri Department of Conservation offices.
Nonresident students must carry evidence of Missouri residence and student status while fishing on resident permits.
More information about Missouri fishing permits is available at mdc.mo.gov/regs/permits.htm.
-Jim Low-
Reporting forest arsonists saves lives, property
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tips called in to the toll-free hotline can yield cash rewards.
JEFFERSON CITY–Missourians can save lives and property with a toll-free call to Forest Arson Hotline.
Missouri’s fire season extends from late winter through early spring, when the combination of dead vegetation, dry wind and lack of shade create ideal conditions for fires in forests and open lands. Fire season ends when trees leaf out and grass greens up. But before this happens each year wildfires blacken 40,000 to 90,000 acres of the Show-Me State, incidentally destroying homes, businesses, vehicles and farm equipment.
Four out of 10 such fires are set deliberately by people.
“This is no small problem,” said Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Bill Altman, with the Missouri Department of Conservation. “People get hurt trying to stop these fires. Some even die. That is on top of property losses running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.”
Altman said Missouri’s wildfire danger is higher this year because the state’s forests are littered with woody debris from ice storms. He said Missourians can reduce loss of property and life to wildfire by reporting forest arsonists with a toll-free phone call.
Missouri’s Operation Forest Arson Hotline (800-392-1111) was set up to let citizens report firebugs quickly and anonymously at no cost. Tipsters can qualify for cash rewards, too. Callers can receive $100 for information that helps identify or apprehend arsonists. Those whose tips result in arson convictions can get $200 to $1,000.
Arson reports are most useful when called in immediately and when they include detailed locations and descriptions of arsonists, their vehicles and activities.
“Ideally, we would like the name of the arsonist,” said Altman, “but we can do a lot with a timely report telling us exactly where the arson is taking place and a description of the arsonist’s car or truck. A license-plate number is a huge help when it’s available.”
Operation Forest Arson is a joint effort of the Conservation Department, the USDA Forest Service and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. Reward money comes from donations by individuals, conservation groups and businesses. For more information, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/7277.
-Jim Low-
Conservation contractor classes help Missourians pursue dreams, profits
Monday, February 09, 2009
These workshops make professional wildlife management services available to landowners.
JEFFERSON CITY – Helping private contractors increase their effectiveness in managing land for wildlife is the focus of a workshop series at locations around Missouri this spring.
The workshops are a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers and the Missouri Agribusiness Association (MO-AG). Building on the success of previous Contractor workshops, the 2009 program offers training – including field work – on an expanded range of topics.
Workshop dates and topics include:
- Feb. 18 in Rolla – Small business development and grassland establishment and management.
- Feb. 25 at University Forest near Poplar Bluff – Forest management.
- March 3 in Hannibal – Small business development and gassland establishment and management.
- March 5 in Columbia – Small business development and grassland establishment and management.
- March 10 in Warrensburg – Prescribed burning, tree planting and wetland management.
- March 26 in Warrenton – Small business development and forest management.
- April 15 in Chillicothe – Prescribed burning, tree planting and wetland management.
- June 10 in Macon – Wetland management.
- July 28 in St. Louis – Prescribed burning, tree planting and wetland management.
- August 25 in Park Hills – Small business development and Grassland establishment and management.
- September 15 in West Plains – Open-land management.
- October 28 in St. Joseph – Prescribed burning, tree planting, wetland management.
- December 2-3 in West Plains – Prescribed burning.
Brad McCord is the Conservation Department's conservation contractor training coordinator. He said that program is not intended to produce professional field biologists. Rather, it is aimed at giving private agricultural contractors enough familiarity with wildlife management terminology and practices to enable them to deliver services to clients and help them take advantage of state and federal programs that make conservation practices affordable to implement.
"Missouri landowners have a long history of wanting to improve their land for nature,” said McCord. “State and federal conservation programs provide incentives and cost- share programs to help, but many landowners just don’t have the necessary equipment and experience. These workshops are intended to fill that need.”
As an example, McCord noted workshops that train contractors to establish native grass and wildflower plantings and maintain them safely with prescribed burns. He said other workshops will focus on forest management practices that benefit wildlife while promoting healthier forests and producing income for the landowner.
“We want these workshops to link landowner’s desires for wildlife management with well-qualified and equipped contractors," McCord said.
Pre-registration is required. For more information call 573-636‑6130 or 573-751‑4115.
Each session includes instruction on how to best implement various wildlife management techniques on private land. The programs are for businesses that deliver services to private landowners or individuals who want to establish conservation contracting businesses.
Participants receive instructional materials for each portion of the series. This year’s workshops include information from the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers about developing and running small businesses.
“For existing businesses working with private landowners, the small-business advice and counseling can make the difference between being successful or not,” said McCord.
-Jim Low-
Missourians must come to grips with wildfire danger
Friday, February 06, 2009
Learn about simple measures to protect your home or business.
JEFFERSON CITY–Missourians need to make wildfire preparedness part of their home and business maintenance routines, says the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the agency has information to help them do it.
Ice storms in 2007 and 2008 brought down countless trees and branches in rural woodlands and suburban areas over the past two years. Tornadoes added to the damage in some areas. The result was millions of tons of woody debris lying on the ground, even before the recent ice storm that devastated much of southeast and south-central Missouri. Conservation officials say this situation creates perfect conditions for wildfires.
“The amount of woody debris is 10 times greater than normal in many areas, and branches have had a year or two to dry out in some areas,” said Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Bill Altman. “The extra fuel means fires will burn hotter and spread more easily. These extra fuels also make fire fighting more difficult and dangerous. It would be hard to overstate the seriousness of this situation.”
Altman is especially concerned now, because late winter and early spring are Missouri’s fire season. Dry, windy weather dries out fallen leaves and grasses. Wildfires spread rapidly at this time of year. The danger of wildfire remains high until grasses green up and tree leaves appear, shading the ground. Altman said Missouri will remain at higher than normal risk of wildfire until the excessive downed woody debris decays. That, he said, will take years.
In the meantime, Missourians need to be extra careful with fire and take measures to protect their homes and businesses. To help people prevent and prepare for fires, the Conservation Department has a free publication titled “Living with Wildfire.”
The eight-page booklet has information about reducing fire risk to homes, outbuildings, businesses, automobiles and other equipment. It has sections explaining where fire risk is greatest, how to create “defensible space” around property, landscaping to minimize fire danger, fire-resistant building materials and more. There is even a checklist property owners can use to make sure they have covered all the bases.
To receive a copy, write to MDC, Living with Wildfire, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 or e-mail pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov. A digital version is available at www.mdc.mo.gov/documents/forest/fire/wildfire.pdf.
The Conservation Department also has a Home Wildfire Hazard Assessment checklist to help homeowners assess their exposure. This is available at www.mdc.mo.gov/16526. For information about how to burn leaves and woody debris safely, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/16527 or write to MDC, Wildfire: The Next Storm, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 or e-mail pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.
-Jim Low-
Conservation Department assists with storm recovery
Friday, February 06, 2009
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| MDC employees David Whitener (left) and Keith Crabtree (right) cleared debris Monday from Stoddard County Road 405 near Dexter, Mo. The MDC mobilized 45 employees Saturday to assist communities with debris removal in Scott, Stoddard and Dunklin Counties and to deliver Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to Ripley County. |
Conservation workers from as far away as northwest Missouri responded to state emergency management officials’ call for help.
CAPE GIRARDEAU—Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) crews and heavy equipment were deployed by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Saturday to assist Southeast Missouri and Ozark communities with the clearing of debris from Winter Storm 2009.
According to SEMA, about 54,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity as of Sunday evening and AmerenUE estimated the ice storm downed at least 16,000 power poles and hundreds of lines in the Bootheel region.
At SEMA’s request, the MDC mobilized 45 employees and heavy equipment to help with debris removal in Scott, Stoddard and Dunklin counties and also delivered 5,000 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to Ripley County. MDC employees traveled to Southeast Missouri from Northwest Missouri, St. Louis and Springfield to assist with relief efforts over the weekend.
MDC Private Land Services Regional Supervisor Tony Jaco helped to coordinate efforts from the Cape Girardeau Regional Office. He said it’s not uncommon for the MDC to assist local communities during storm and disaster situations.
“Although we routinely work with the public to manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of Missouri, we work for the taxpayers and it’s also our responsibility to help the public when we’re needed,” Jaco said. “Our department has many highly trained professionals that know how to work in these situations and we have the heavy equipment that’s needed to get the job done.”
Jaco said MDC employees assisted with relief during the winter storms and floods in 2008 as well. He said several MDC divisions are involved in relief efforts, including Design and Development, Private Land Services, Protection, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- Candice Davis -
Hunting incidents claim two lives in January
Monday, February 02, 2009
Hunter education officials urge hunters to learn
from these incidents and make safety their first priority.
JEFFERSON CITY–Missouri is off to a somber start in terms of hunting incidents, and hunter-education officials are urgently requesting that hunters make safety their first and most important concern.
The Missouri Department of Conservation recorded six firearms-related hunting incidents in January. Two of the victims died. Investigations of some of the incidents are still underway, and details are incomplete. Enough is known, however, to underline the need for greater caution among hunters.
The first fatality occurred on Jan. 23 and resulted from horseplay between two cousins, age 13 and 17, who were hunting squirrels. The two had been pointing their firearms at each other’s feet, pretending to shoot. When the younger hunter raised his rifle and tried to re-engage the safety of his .22 cal. rifle. The rifle discharged, striking the victim in the neck.
The second fatality occurred Jan. 25. The 37-year-old victim was crossing a fence when he lost control of his .22 magnum rifle and it discharged, striking him in the chest.
Hunter Education Coordinator Tony Legg urged all hunters to take January’s tragic toll to heart and renew their commitment to safety.
“Hunting doesn’t have to be dangerous,” said Legg. “Everyone who takes a hunter education course is provided the information they need to know to prevent hunting incidents. But it takes a conscious effort to remember and apply those lessons.”
Legg said the incident with the two teenage hunters illustrates the importance of adult supervision of novice hunters.
“The lessons of safe hunting take time and repeated emphasis to become habits,” he said. “New hunters, regardless of age, need experienced mentors to watch over and protect them until safe gun handling becomes second nature. Even experienced hunters need others to point out potential safety problems. Telling family or friends that they are doing something unsafe can be uncomfortable, but it is an act of love. Responsible hunters have to take safety seriously and guard each other.”
Legg said the other fatality involved an equally careless action, crossing a fence with a loaded firearm in hand. He said lone hunters should always unload their rifles or shotguns and lay them flat on the ground with the muzzles pointed away while crossing a fence. When hunting with companions, hunters should unload firearms and pass them over the fence after one or more of the hunting party has crossed safely.
The Conservation Department recorded four nonfatal hunting incidents in January. The agency recorded only 15 firearms-related hunting incidents in all of 2008, and none was fatal. Missouri also had a fatality-free hunting season in 2002.
“Words can’t express how tragic both these deaths are,” said Legg. “Lives were lost in incidents that never should have happened. There is never any excuse for playing around with a firearm, especially not pointing it a person. In this case, someone paid with his life for a young hunter’s lack of respect for his firearm.”
-Jim Low-
