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EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. – 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 Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites families to discover nature at a frog gigging clinic 6:30 to 11 p.m., Saturday, July 9, at Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area (CA). The clinic is free and open to youth ages seven to 17 and their parent or adult mentor, but preregistration is required by July 6.
The event will begin with a classroom session on the basics of frog gigging safety, equipment, identification and regulations. Participants will learn how to clean their catch to take home and cook. Then, the giggers will put their knowledge to the test and go frogging with the help of MDC personnel.
“Catching frogs can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family,” said Conservation Agent Andrew Mothershead. “Frogging is a great way to introduce youth to the outdoors and wetland environments where bullfrogs and green frogs live. Frog legs are an added bonus to a night out gigging or grabbing.”
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 MDC’s Southeast Regional Office in Cape Girardeau at (573) 290-5730.
To get to Ten Mile Pond CA from East Prairie, take Highway 80 east, and then take gravel County Road 515 south five miles to the tee. At the tee, go left 300 yards to the area headquarters on the right.
