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SWEET SPRINGS, Mo. – Have you ever wanted to try the art of catching frogs? Families are invited to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic 6:30 p.m. to midnight, July 19 at Blind Pony fish hatchery. This clinic is free and open to youth and their parent or adult mentor.
“Catching frogs can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family,” said Brian Flowers, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) outdoor skills specialist. “Frog gigging, or frogging, is a great way to enjoy Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife resources while also putting food on the table the whole family can enjoy.”
Participants will have a classroom session to learn the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification and regulations. Then, the lucky frog giggers will have the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test and go frogging with the help of MDC personnel.
“If all goes right, frog legs are the reward that awaits the taker after a successful night of frog gigging,” said Flowers. “We’ll be teaching the group how to clean their catch to take home and cook.”
Frogs are allowed to be harvested with either fishing or hunting permits, as long as the method matches the permit. With a fishing permit, frogs may be harvested by hand, hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limb line, bank line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing or pole and line during frog season. With a hunting permit, frogs may be harvested using .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, atlatl or by hand or hand net.
This year’s frog season begins at sunset on June 30 and will continue through Oct. 31. Daily limit is eight bullfrogs or green frogs and 16 in possession. Children under the age of 16 and adults over 65 are not required to have a permit.
To register, or for more information, contact Flowers at Brian.Flowers@mdc.mo.gov or 573-815-7901, ext. 3388.
Discover Nature Families programs are designed to help adults and children explore nature and master outdoor skills together.
Blind Pony fish hatchery is located in Sweet Springs, MO. From Sweet Springs at I-70, go north one mile on Highway 127, then east 6.5 miles on Route ZZ.
For more information about this and other Discover Nature programs, go online to mdc.mo.gov.
