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Permit requirements are different this year, and you may not e able to buy them at all the trout parks early in the morning.
JEFFERSON CITY – Trout anglers can enjoy catch-and-release fishing without the cost of a no-creel permit during the off-season at the state trout parks. However, permits won't be quite as easily available at some parks this year, so it makes sense to buy them before arriving.
This year, anglers no longer have to buy $5 no-creel permits for catch-and-release fishing at Bennet Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Cassville and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. A statewide Trout Permit and a fishing permit are all that are needed for catch-and-release fishing after the close of the catch-and-keep season Oct. 31. With these permits, anglers also can catch and possess trout in public trout streams outside the parks.
Due to ongoing construction work and winter staffing reductions, permits won't always be for sale inside trout parks during the winter, catch-and-release season. So it's a good idea to buy permits before arriving.
The catch-and-release season begins Nov. 9 and runs through Feb. 10. Fishing is allowed in trout parks from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday during this period. All fish must be released immediately.
Tackle for the winter catch-and-release season is restricted to flies only. Jigs on single-point hooks meet the definition of a "fly," and are among the most effective lures for trout park fishing. Tiny jigs of 1/64th, 1/80th and 1/100th ounce work best and can be fished on a fly rod or an ultra-light spinning rod. Black and yellow and brown and white are the favorite color combinations. Flies that imitate salmon eggs are also top producers.
Give the fish their best chances of survival by following these catch-and-release tips:
--Use hooks with barbs squeezed shut.
--Avoid excessive handling of fish. Excessive handling could remove mucous that covers the fish's body to protect it from infection.
--If you must handle the trout, gently cradle the fish upside down to reduce struggling while the hook is removed.
--Hold fish firmly. A fish dropped on the ground or in a boat has a poor chance of recovery.
--When removing hooks, grasp large-mouthed fish by the lower jaw with your thumb and forefinger. Use wet hands to grasp small fish around the mid-section.
--Carry a hook disgorger or needlenose pliers to back the hook out.
--Never pull a hook from the throat or stomach of a fish; it is better to cut the line and let the hook work itself out.
--Never put your fingers in the gills or eye sockets.
--If the fish appears exhausted, hold it in the water facing upstream until it swims out of your hand.
- Arleasha Mays -
This year's harvest probably will be slightly smaller than last year's, but with average weather, the November firearms kill should be near 200,000.
JEFFERSON CITY -- With the statewide deer population hovering near 1 million and a modest acorn crop, Missouri hunters are looking at another excellent hunting season. State officials say they expect hunters to kill approximately 200,000 deer during the November firearms deer season.
Missouri's fall firearms deer season consists of three segments. The most popular is the November segment, which runs from Nov. 10 through Nov. 20 this year. This 11-day season accounts for about 90 percent of the annual deer kill. Missouri also has a nine-day segment from Dec. 1 through Dec. 9 for hunters using muzzle-loading firearms, and a four-day segment Jan. 5 through Jan. 8 in parts of northern Missouri.
Young hunters got a season of their own on Oct. 27 and 28 for the first time this year. This segment, open to hunters 15 and younger, isn't expected to significantly affect the overall deer harvest.
DEER HUNTING PROSPECTS BRIGHT
Lonnie Hansen, a wildlife research biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, says deer numbers are stable or increasing slightly in the central, east-central and Ozark regions. The deer herd is stable in north-central and northeastern Missouri and stable to slightly shrinking in northwestern and southwestern parts of the state. Overall, the size of the state's deer herd is stable.
The availability of acorns also affects deer-hunting success. Hansen says early reports indicate that this year's acorn crop is modest.
An abundant acorn crop makes hunting tougher. That's because deer can find their favorite food anywhere, and are spread throughout the state's forests. A sparse acorn crop forces deer to concentrate around pockets of good acorn production or seek alternative foods in more open areas, where they are easier to locate.
Acorn production is most significant to hunting success in the Ozarks, where forest covers most of the landscape and deer rely heavily on acorns for sustenance. It's less of a factor in the northern half of the state, where the landscape is more open and deer have agricultural crops to supplement their diets.
The biggest factor in determining annual deer harvest is weather. Fair weather encourages hunters to spend more time in the field, increasing the chances they will cross paths with deer. Cool weather prompts deer to move around more, further increasing hunter's chances of encountering their quarry. Weather conditions that are unseasonably warm, uncomfortably cold or rainy generally decrease deer harvest.
"Last year's conditions were exceptional," said Hansen. "Everything fell together perfectly, and we had a record harvest of more than 200,000 deer during the November firearms deer season. We could come near that figure again this year with favorable weather, but chances are we will see a slightly smaller harvest than last year."
SOME REGULATION CHANGES
Hansen urged deer hunters to buy deer permits at least a week or two before the season and study the 2001 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Information booklet before the season. He said most of this year's regulations, including the area open during the January Extension, are the same as last year. But he said there are significant changes this year.
The most conspicuous change is in deer permits. In recent years, these were printed on thin paper and were separate from the self-adhesive tags placed on deer in the field. This year's permits are more substantial, and come with transportation tags attached.
"It's important for hunters to know that they have to leave the transportation tags attached to the permits until they kill a deer," Hansen said. "Removing the tag invalidates the permit."
Hansen said it also is important to leave the protective backing on the permit after the tag is removed and placed on a deer. Check station personnel will remove the backing and stick the permit on the check sheet when they record each deer.
Unlike some recent years, when permit sales ended a week before the season opener, hunters will be able to buy permits right up to the last minute. Hansen said that isn't a good idea, however. "To begin with, you're likely to end up standing in line to get your permit," he said. "Any questions or problems are more difficult for the Conservation Department to address when the start of the season is only hours away and hunters are in a hurry to get to their deer camps.
Buying permits early also gives you time to look through the deer hunting brochure and get familiar with the regulations."
One change in this year's deer hunting regulation changes gives hunters more flexibility in where they hunt. For the first time this year, you can buy an any-deer permit and bonus, antlerless-only permits for different deer-management units.
As of last year, muzzleloader permits no longer are available. Firearms deer permits are good for all three segments.
Rules for the January Extension are the same as last year, too. A hunter with an unfilled any-deer or bonus deer tag for any unit may hunt during the January Extension in any open unit. This segment is for antlerless deer only.
No hunter, including landowners, can legally take more than a total of three deer during all three segments of the firearms deer season. However, deer taken on Managed Deer Hunting Permits or archery permits do not count toward the firearms deer season total.
- Jim Low -
State officials are asking deer hunters to help monitor hemorrhagic disease, a disease that has always existed in Missouri deer. They also want hunters to be alert for evidence of a deer malady that has not been documented in Missouri yet.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri hunters who encounter dead or sickly deer are asked to report these sightings to the Missouri Department of Conservation. Such reports play an important role of the agency's deer management program. They also could provide an early warning of a serious wildlife health problem.
Like all animals, white-tailed deer are subject to a unique set of diseases. One of the most common is epizootic hemorrhagic disease. Also known as bluetongue or EHD, this illness is caused by a virus. Tiny bloodsucking flies, called midges, spread the disease.
Although the virus is always present throughout Missouri, serious outbreaks occur only occasionally. Drought sometimes contributes to EHD outbreaks by forcing deer to congregate around limited water sources. High deer population density also can make it easier for the disease to spread. However, outbreaks can occur even in years when water is abundant and in areas of normal deer population density.
Reports of dead and sick deer this year reveal a low-level EHD outbreak in southwestern and west-central Missouri. Barry County has had the most cases, but significant numbers also have been reported in Camden, Dallas, Lawrence, McDonald, Osage and Pulaski counties. Scattered reports have come from other counties in the region.
"This is nothing like the outbreaks we saw in 1988 and 1998," said Conservation Department Wildlife Research Biologist Lonnie Hansen. "Some counties in east-central and south-central Missouri lost as much as 20 percent of their deer in 1988. So far, this year's episode doesn't look nearly that serious."
Another deer disease, which has never been found in Missouri, is chronic wasting disease, or CWD. Although chances of a hunter encountering an animal with CWD are extremely small, Hansen is said it is important for hunters to be aware of the possibility.
"Chronic wasting disease is similar to mad cow disease, which caused so much destruction to the British livestock industry a few years ago," said Hansen. "That makes it very scary to a lot of people. There is no evidence so far that CWD is dangerous to domestic livestock or to people. But the nasty nature of TSEs and the potentially devastating effect that chronic wasting disease could have on our deer population makes it a real concern."
CWD has been found in wild deer and elk in Colorado for at least 20 years. It also has been documented in wild animals in Nebraska and Wyoming, and it appears to be spreading slowly by natural means. Interstate sale and transportation of captive elk have spread the disease to elk farming operations outside its original range.
Hansen said the symptoms of CWD and EDH have some similarities and some differences. EHD causes weakness, swelling of the mouth and tongue, sores on the mouth and tongue and bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or anus. The disease causes thirst, and affected animals often die near water. Deer with EHD usually die quickly from internal bleeding.
In contrast, deer with CWD suffer a lingering death. The disease is caused by protein fragments called prions. CWD takes many months or even years to develop, so it is only seen in adult animals.
Typically, deer with CWD are 18 months or older, are emaciated and show some combination of signs, including abnormal behavior, increased salivation, tremors, stumbling, lack of coordination, difficulty in swallowing, excessive thirst and excessive urination. Affected animals often stand with heads down, ears drooping and saliva dripping from their mouths.
EHD does not infect humans, and eating venison from deer with EHD is not dangerous, though secondary infections can render venison unfit to eat. Human disease has not been associated with CWD. However, there are many unknowns about the disease. Hansen said hunters should avoid contact with abnormal deer, as they would with any sick animal.
"Am I worried about eating deer meat? No," said Hansen, who is a deer hunter himself. "Do I think it's a good idea to avoid contact with the brain and spinal cord and wear gloves when handling a deer carcass? Yes."
Hansen said the Conservation Department has tested a few diseased deer for CWD. None were found to have the disease. He says he wants to test sick deer taken by hunters during the upcoming hunting season. He asks that any hunter who kills a sick or unusually skinny adult deer report the kill to the nearest Conservation Department office. The heads of selected animals will be taken for testing to determine if they have CWD.
Hunters who kill sick deer can have the animals inspected by conservation agents and get replacement deer tags to take another deer.
Hansen also urged hunters who travel to Western states to hunt deer and elk to take precautions to avoid introducing CWD into Missouri. He said hunters should remove meat from the neck and back, leaving the head and spinal column in one piece. If the spinal cord is damaged by gunshot, discard meat from that area. Dispose of the carcass in the state where it was taken.
If you kill a trophy animal, don't bring the entire carcass or head home. Skin the animal and take only enough of the skull plate to hold the antlers together.
- Jim Low -
You can stay in touch with nature all year long for less than 50 cents a month.
JEFFERSON CITY -- View wildlife in its natural habitat and beautiful vistas daily next year, with a 2002 Missouri Department of Conservation Natural Events Calendar.
The 10- by-14-inch wall calendar is brimming with photos that feature the splendor of outdoor Missouri. Pictures that capture the brilliance of fall color, the cool stillness of a Missouri cave and close-up views of a short-eared owl, the buckeye butterfly and whitetail deer are just some of the photos you can enjoy throughout the year.
The calendar also can be your guide to adventures into the outdoor world. It provides a wealth of insights about natural red-letter days and suggestions for seasonal activities. For example:
--Jan. 12 – "Look for signs of wildlife feeding on saplings."
--Apr. 1 – "Bobwhite quail begin calling."
--June 26 –"Watch for northern water snakes basking near water."
--July 23 – "Mayapple fruits ripen and fall to the ground."
--Sept. 16 – "Sassafras, sumac and Virginia creeper show fall color."
--Dec. 27 – "Orion, Taurus and other winter constellations are visible."
The Missouri Natural Events Calendar is available at regional Conservation Department offices statewide and at nature centers in Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis and Jefferson City. The price is $5, plus 31 cents sales tax in Missouri. For mail orders of single calendars, add $4.95 for shipping. Send check or money order to: MDC Nature Shop, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
- Arleasha Mays -
Firearms safety and defensive hunting are worth more than a million dollars worth of life insurance.
JEFFERSON CITY -- Drivers carry hospitalization and collision insurance policies. Workers in hazardous occupations have workman's compensation and accident insurance policies. Bob Staton, protection programs supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, says hunters have something much better -- safe hunting policies.
Hunting accidents draw considerable attention in the news media each year, and with good reason. Awareness of others' mistakes helps hunters stay safe in the woods. But statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC) show that hunting is remarkably safe compared to other recreational activities.
According to the NSC, six hunters out of 100,000 sought emergency-room treatment in 1998. Compare that to 217 swimmers per 100,000, 163 golfers, 1,308 soccer players and a whopping 2,300 basketball players who made trips to the hospital the same year. The risk of being killed while hunting is comparable to the risk of being struck and killed by lightning, which claims an average of 90 or so people per year in the United States.
While hunting is relatively safe, Staton said all hunting injuries and deaths are preventable. "Since hunter education became mandatory for youngsters, the frequency of hunting accidents has declined drastically," he said. "That proves that increased awareness and better hunting habits can prevent accidents. Our goal is to have no one hurt, no one killed."
The best hunting insurance policy, said Staton, is for hunters to turn good hunting practices into personal policies. Among those policies should be:
--Keeping firearms pointed in a safe direction at all times.
--Leaving firearms unloaded with safeties on when not in use.
--Never climbing fences or other obstacles with a gun in hand.
--Never assuming that you are the only person or party hunting in an area.
--Always assuming that every sound or movement you detect is another hunter until you positively identify it as game.
--Making all approaching hunters aware of your presence by shouting, not waving.
--Keeping track of hunting partners' locations at all times.
--Maintaining firearms in good working condition and checking them before going afield.
--Obtaining landowners' permission to hunt, and finding out whether others also have permission to hunt there.
--Scouting your hunting location in advance to familiarize yourself with the area.
--Identifying your target positively by waiting to see the entire animal before shooting.
--Avoiding alcohol and other drugs before and while handling firearms.
Hunter education courses aren't just for youngsters. Any hunter can become a better, safer hunter by attending a hunter education course. Classes are available at locations throughout the state. Contact the nearest Conservation Department office for information about classes in your area.
- Jim Low -
Small adjustments in the north, south and middle zones are calculated to provide maximum hunting opportunity when waterfowl hunters want it.
JEFFERSON CITY -- The changes are subtle, but adjustments to the shape of Missouri's three waterfowl hunting zones are what most duck hunters asked for.
In June, the Conservation Commission approved two changes in zone boundaries for the 2001-2002 through 2005-2006 waterfowl seasons in response to suggestions from duck hunters. Those suggestions came from several working groups that met with Conservation Department officials earlier in the year.
One change moves the boundary between the North and Middle zones north so all of St. Louis and St. Charles counties and some small parts of southern Lincoln County are included in the Middle Zone. The other change raises the boundary between the Middle and South zones so that Barton and portions of Vernon and Jasper counties are in the South Zone.
Every five years, Missouri gets to decide how to structure its waterfowl hunting seasons. Having choices is nice, but making them is far from simple. That's why the Missouri Department of Conservation held workshops at eight locations around the state earlier this year to find out what hunters think about duck and goose seasons.
Since 1990, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has given states a periodic say in how waterfowl seasons are structured. To be able to evaluate the effects of different regulations, federal officials require states to pick season structures and hunting zone boundaries and leave them in place for at least five years.
The system in effect in Missouri from the1995-96 season through the 2000-01 season was up for review this year. It set duck season opening and closing dates to coincide with historic peak migration periods for mallards in three zones – north, middle and south.
The Conservation Department had the option of changing not only season dates, but the number of zones and their boundaries. The new system will remain in effect through the 2005-06 hunting season.
"Duck hunters in Missouri have seen extremes of every sort during the last decade," said Conservation Department Wildlife Research Biologist Dale Humburg. "We have had short seasons and long seasons and record low duck populations and record highs. Some years we have gotten early, almost arctic winters, and others we've had practically no winter at all."
Humburg says hunters' preferences vary almost as widely as hunting seasons and conditions. "Even if you could predict what the weather is going to be, hunters would still have different preferences for season structure, based on where and how they hunt. Every hunter had thoughts on how waterfowl zone boundaries should be drawn and when seasons should be set."
Conservation Department personnel provided information about long-term trends in migration timing, weather, duck populations, waterfowl harvests and hunter opinions. Workshop participants filled out questionnaires about their hunting experiences and preferences.
During the workshops, Conservation Department hunters met in small groups to work toward a consensus about zones and seasons.
"There always are considerable differences in opinion about the best zone configuration and season timing," said Humburg. "The challenge is to balance these to accommodate a wide range of hunting styles."
Humburg says zone changes reflect the preferences of hunters in the affected areas. Mutually satisfactory compromise was the goal, said Humburg. "It's not a 'majority rules' situation. We try to make sure as many people have as much hunting opportunity as possible."
- Jim Low -
Anglers can help the fisheries biologists make the most of this exciting fishery.
JEFFERSON CITY--If you catch a muskellunge in Missouri, the Conservation Department would like to hear about it. It's more than just bragging. Fisheries biologists need information about the state's growing muskie population to manage the toothy fish properly.
The reporting system is easy for anglers. Volunteers receive Show-Me Muskie Trip Record forms to fill out after each muskie fishing trip, whether they catch fish or not. It takes less than a minute to do. Then, twice a year, they mail completed forms to the Conservation Department in postage-paid envelopes.
Information on the forms is confidential. Participants' fishing success and favorite fishing spots won't become public knowledge. However, participants receive a report based on their and other muskie anglers' reports.
To participate, contact Mark Boone, Muskellunge Program Advisor, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2302 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.
- Jim Low -
The Share the Harvest program, sponsored by the Conservation Department and local meat processors, puts food on the tables of those who need it.
JEFFERSON CITY--Every deer hunting trip in Missouri has an impact on state residents. More than 7,300 Missourians' jobs are directly tied to deer hunting, and the millions of dollars hunters spend on gear, lodging and travel provide a significant boost to the state's economy. Furthermore, the thousands of pounds of venison that hunters donate to the Share the Harvest program provide nutritious meals for families in need.
Share the Harvest was established in 1992 to give hunters an easy way to donate deer meat to the needy. Hunters who want to participate in the program simply take their venison to an approved processing plant and tell the processor how much venison they wish to donate. The processor packages and stores the meat for pickup by a local sponsoring agency, which delivers the venison to local organizations for distribution to the needy.
During the 2000-2001 deer season, hunters donated more than 49,000 pounds of venison to the program. While participation in the program is easy for hunters, meat processors must meet stringent guidelines. Eighty-six processors have been approved to participate in the Share the Harvest program, according to Missouri Department of Conservation Protection Programs Supervisor Bob White.
"To make sure that the meat we're providing is safe, all participating processors must be subject to inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said White. "It's a rigorous test that not all processors can meet."
Hunters who want to donate to the needy through Share the Harvest must take their deer to approved processors. Those making the donations pay for the processing and specify the amount of meat to be donated. To learn more, contact your local meat processor and ask if they are approved for participation in the Share the Harvest program, or contact the Conservation Department regional office in your area.
Hunters don't need Share the Harvest to donate meat directly to friends or acquaintances. The "Missouri Wildlife Code" allows hunters to give legally taken wildlife to another after completion of a day's hunt. The carcass or meat must be labeled with the full name, address and permit number of the taker. The label also must tell the species of animal and the date it was taken. The gift must be included in the recipient's possession limit.
Only the taker is allowed to give away wild meat under this provision. It does not allow processors to distribute meat donated by a hunter.
- Arleasha Mays -
Seasons and limits for Canada geese are listed incorrectly inside the booklet. However, those on the back page are correct.
JEFFERSON CITY--A misprint in the 2001-2002 Migratory Bird Digest could mislead goose hunters. The booklet, which just reached hunting permit vendors statewide, contains an error concerning Canada goose season dates and bag limits in the Swan Lake Zone.
The error is on page 8 of the digest, which summarizes waterfowl hunting regulations. The table listing Canada goose hunting seasons and bag limits incorrectly includes the Swan Lake Zone with the South and Southeast zones. The correct information is listed on the back page of the digest.
Canada goose season in the Swan Lake Zone is split into two segments. One runs from Oct. 27 through Nov. 25. The other runs from Dec. 15 through Jan. 13. The limit for both segments is two daily and four in possession.
- Jim Low -
Bridges and long, straight stretches of road are high-hazard areas.
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri motorists should be on the lookout for hazards on four legs this time of year. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, deer attempting to breed are on the move, and that increases the potential for deer-vehicle accidents.
The deer mating season or rut takes place September through February. Just before and during the peak of the rut in November, the urge to mate often causes deer to ignore their normal instinct to avoid traffic areas or wait until a car has passed before attempting to cross a road. This lack of caution requires motorists to adjust traveling habits to reduce the risk of deer-vehicle collisions.
Defensive driving can help prevent deer-vehicle accidents. When possible, avoid driving during the evening and early morning hours, when deer are most active. Reduce your speed and watch for deer. The sooner you see a deer, the more time you will have to react to its movements.
A recent study entitled "Factors influencing the location of deer-vehicle accidents in Iowa" showed that caution is increasingly important around bridges and in places where motorists have a clear view of the roadside. The study found that accidents increased when visibility increased along highways. The finding suggests that drivers incorrectly assumed they could safely increase their speed along straight, level highways with high visibility.
The Iowa study and several other deer-vehicle collision studies have found that caution also is needed when driving near bridges. Streams serve as funnels that channel deer across roads near bridges.
Other driving tips that can help you avoid deer-vehicle collisions are:
--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.
--Flash your lights or sound your horn to warn the deer of your approach. Deer often are confused by vehicle headlights.
--Use emergency flashers or pump your brakes to alert vehicles behind you to the danger ahead.
--Don't swerve wildly to avoid hitting a deer. 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 or 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 such accidents.
To keep a road-killed deer for its meat you must contact the Conservation Department. The law requires written authorization from a conservation agent to possess a deer before you can take it home.
The Iowa study was published in the "Journal of Wildlife Management." The journal is a quarterly publication of the Wildlife Society. The society is an international nonprofit scientific and educational association dedicated to excellence in wildlife stewardship through science and education.
- Arleasha Mays -
Sightings far from the Ozarks indicate that bears are widespread in Missouri.
KAHOKA, Mo. – Lions and tigers may be out of the picture, but black bears are among the animals you could see during outings in northeastern Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has confirmed several bear sightings in the region. The sightings illustrate the species' spread and the importance of avoiding situations that put the animals in contact with people.
Wildlife Damage Biologist Ron McNeely responded to a report of a bear sighting in Clark County in late May. He found unmistakable bear tracks in a garden in Kahoka. The same day, he checked out a report of a sighting in a corn field northwest of Palmyra in Marion County and found good tracks there, too. The Marion County bear's tracks were several days older than those in Clark County, but the distance between the two sets of tracks – about 40 miles – raised the possibility that they were made by different bears.
A few weeks later, Conservation Agent Sam Gunter received a credible report of a bear getting into garbage in northern Knox County. An investigation again turned up bear tracks. Days later, Conservation Agent Gene Lindsey got a report of a bear that had gotten into a bird feeder near Deer Ridge Conservation Area in Lewis County. At about the same time, Conservation Agent Dave Riggs received a reliable report of a bear in Scotland County.
Black bears are shy and fear humans, so attacks are rare. When conflicts arise between bears and people, it usually is because bears have come to associate humans with food.
Bears can be destructive to property if they lose their natural fear of humans. The Conservation Department encourages Missourians to keep garbage, pet food and livestock feed inside or in bear-proof containers. If a bear gets into your bird feeder, take it down for a few weeks so the bear won't get accustomed to eating in your back yard.
The Conservation Department asks Missourians to report bears that become bold or bothersome to the nearest conservation agent. Such problem bears usually can be discouraged from frequenting inhabited areas if wildlife damage biologists are called in early enough.
Attacks by black bears are extremely rare. However, bears that are startled or think their cubs are threatened may attack humans. If you encounter a bear, stay calm. Don't show fear, run or make sudden movements. If the bear hasn't seen you, speak in a gentle tone to let the bear know you are there and back away slowly, avoiding eye contact, which bears interpret as a threat.
Bears' poor vision sometimes makes it difficult for them to identify humans, even at close range. In such situations, bears often stand on their hind legs and lift their noses high in the air. This is not a threat. The bear is just trying to use its keen sense of smell to figure out what you are. Speak softly to the animal and calmly move away.
Avoid making a bear feel cornered. Black bears seldom attack if they can retreat. On a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area. Black bears are excellent climbers, so trees offer little refuge
If you see a cub, move slowly and calmly away from it. Be on the lookout for other cubs and avoid getting near them, which could trigger adult bears' protective parental instincts.
If a bear attacks, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people fought back with rocks, sticks, even bare hands.
The Conservation Department does not release bears or mountain lions and has no plans to do so. Releasing such animals without Conservation Department permission is illegal.
- Arleasha Mays -
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Conservation Commission's next meeting will be Nov. 1 at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4600 S. Chrisman, Springfield.
The Commission meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. A closed, executive session will follow the regular meeting.
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. 18. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements at the same address, or by phone at 573/751-4115.
Commission officers are: Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, chairman; Howard L. Wood, Bonne Terre, vice chairman, Stephen C. Bradford, Cape Girardeau, Secretary, and Cynthia Metcalfe, St. Louis, member.
- Jim Low -
Copyright ©2008 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use