In Brief

Zebra Mussels Found in 10th Missouri Lake

MDC confirms invasive species in Jackson County’s Longview Lake

MDC fisheries staff in the Kansas City area recently found invasive zebra mussels for the first time in Longview Lake in Jackson County — the most recent discovery of the invasive species in the state.

Zebra mussels are an invasive species that came to North America in international shipping ballast water and were first discovered in Lake St. Clair near Detroit in 1988. Zebra mussels were first reported in Missouri in 1991 in the Mississippi River near St. Louis. They have spread to the Missouri, Osage, and Meramec rivers and streams downstream of infested lakes. In addition to Longview Lake, they have also been found in nine other Missouri lakes, including Blue Springs Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Carrollton Recreation Lake, Lake Jacomo, Lake Lotawana, Lake Taneycomo, Lake of the Ozarks, Prairie Lee Lake, and Smithville Lake.

Invasive zebra mussels hurt native fish numbers and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. They decimate populations of native freshwater mussels and other aquatic animals.

One of the greatest risks for spreading the invasive mussels to other lakes and rivers is overland transport on boats, motors, trailers, docks, aquatic plants, pumps, and other equipment. MDC urges boaters to keep their crafts and equipment free from hitchhiking zebra mussels — especially when moving between waterbodies — by completing the following steps:

• Clean — Remove all plants, animals, and mud and thoroughly wash all equipment, especially in crevices and other hidden areas. If the boat or equipment was used in infested waters or if it has attached adult mussels, use a hot water spray of at least 104 degrees.
• Drain — Eliminate all water before leaving the area, including livewells and transom wells.
• Dry — Allow enough time for the boat to completely dry before launching in other waters.
• Dispose — Do not dump unused bait into lakes, ponds, rivers, or streams. Put unused bait in a trash can.

Learn more about zebra mussels at short.mdc.mo.gov/4o8.

For more information on Longview Lake, visit MDC online at short.mdc.mo.gov/4bK.

Managed waterfowl reservations open Sept. 1

Reservations are required to hunt on MDC’s 15 intensively managed wetland conservation areas. The preseason reservation period for managed waterfowl hunts this season will run Sept. 1–18, and hunters may apply for preseason reservations at up to three managed waterfowl hunting areas. The in-season weekly drawings will take place on Monday afternoons with a seven-day application period that opens the Tuesday before and closes the Monday of the draw at 3 p.m.

Preseason and in-season waterfowl hunting reservations will award 50 percent of daily hunting positions. Of the 50 percent of spots, half will be for preseason applications and half will be allocated during a weekly in-season application period.

The remaining 50 percent of spots will be held for hunters who do not have a reservation but who participate in the daily morning drawing. These spots are allocated through what is called the “poor line.” For example, if an area has 20 hunting spots, 10 will be allocated through the poor line, five through preseason reservations, and five through in-season reservations.

Missouri residents and qualifying nonresidents, such as students from out of state or members of the military stationed in Missouri, can apply online for a reservation to guarantee them an opportunity to hunt on a specific day on a specific area. Residents and nonresidents can also arrive at a managed waterfowl hunting area the morning they wish to hunt and wait in line for the possibility of getting a hunting spot.

Applicants for waterfowl reservations must have their required permits to apply and their Federal Duck Stamp to hunt.

Successful preseason and in-season reservation applicants will be notified after their respective draws via email or text message with their hunt date, location, and pill assignment. “Pills” designate the order hunting parties select their hunting locations on the area. The lower the number, the sooner hunting parties get to select their hunting location.

Hunters with disabilities can apply to use ADA hunting blinds through the online reservation system during the same timeframe as the preseason application period. ADA blinds that are not selected and allocated during the preseason drawing will be placed in the weekly in-season draws.

For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Z4W, or get a copy of the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2024–2025, available online and where permits are sold.

Attention Duck Hunters!

We need your help! MDC is sending out surveys to some duck hunters by mail or email, so please be on the lookout this fall. Your responses to these surveys will inform changes to future zone boundaries and season lengths, which will be in place for the next five years, starting with the 2026–2027 season. If you receive a survey, please fill it out and return it to us. Your opinions matter. If you have any questions, please call 573-815-7900, ext. 2939.

MDC honors John Wylie with Master Conservationist Award

The Missouri Conservation Commission and MDC has honored former MDC staff person John Wylie with the Master Conservationist Award in recognition of his nearly four-decade MDC career and dedication and contribution to forestry and farm management and the native landscaping movement.

Wylie, who died in 2000, is the award’s 68th recipient. The commission presented the award to his family during its open meeting in Jefferson City on July 12.

Originally from Sweet Springs in Saline County and then Jefferson City before his death, Wylie had a near 40-year career with MDC. An avid outdoorsman since childhood, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He began his higher education in 1942 as a pre-forestry student at the University of Missouri prior to serving in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and enrolled in Oregon State University where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry.

Wylie joined MDC in 1949 as a forester in Eminence and then moved to Warrenton as a district forester. In 1957, he was promoted to MDC headquarters in Jefferson City, where he served in the Farm Forestry Division, rising to assistant state forester. Following passage of the Design for Conservation sales tax in 1976, he was appointed to be the first chief of the newly formed MDC Natural History Section.

During his tenure at MDC, Wylie contributed to advances in forestry and farm management, wildlife awareness, and preserving and protecting the natural resources of Missouri. He started the Missouri State Champion Tree Program and surveyed many of the first champion tree records.

Wylie began Eagle Days in the late 1970s along with Prairie Days. He also helped design and launch Missouri’s urban nature centers with Burr Oak Woods in Kansas City being the first one, opening in 1982.

Wylie founded the Missouri Native Plant Society as well as the Walnut Council, a national forest products organization.

“Mr. Wylie helped shape the future of Missouri conservation. His contributions informed, impacted, and inspired countless people, including me,” said Deputy Director Aaron Jeffries, who was a childhood neighbor of Wylie after his retirement. “Mr. Wylie lived across the street and had one of the first red buckeye trees I had ever seen. I now have several red buckeyes planted in my yard.”

Wylie earned several awards throughout his career. The Missouri Native Plant Society named its highest award, which recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional service to the society, the John E. Wylie Award.

“There is no doubt John Wylie’s contributions to conservation in Missouri have had broad and long-lasting impacts. Due to his dedication and passion for conservation, Missouri is a better place,” said Commissioner Steve Harrison when presenting the award to Wylie’s family.

The Master Conservationist Award was created in 1941 to honor living or deceased citizen conservationists, former MDC commissioners, and employees of conservation-related agencies, universities, or organizations who made substantial and lasting contributions to the fisheries, forestry, or wildlife resources of the state. Learn more at short.mdc.mo.gov/4bH.