Get Outside in December

Deer Hunting: Measuring Your Trophy

Wednesday • Dec. 14 • 9–11 a.m.

Online only

Registration required by Dec. 13. To register, call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4am.

All ages

Ever wonder what people mean when they say their deer scored 170? Have you wanted to know if your harvest was a trophy-setting animal? Join us for this class to learn how to score your harvest and what animals can be scored. This class does not qualify you to become a scorer yourself, an official scorer must score your animal to be eligible for any record setting.

Oh Deer, It’s Cold

White-tailed deer begin to change as the cold sets in. Their color pattern changes from reddish-brown to grayish brown. This is their winter coat, often referred to as their blue coat. The hairs of this coat are long and heavy with many air spaces that act as insulators, helping insure warmth during cold weather. The coat easily repels cold rain and wet snow. They also swim higher during winter due to this coat, which is more buoyant.

Tracking for Tracks

One way to beat cabin fever this winter — especially if you have kids or grandkids — is to get outside after a fresh snow and track some animal tracks. The outdoors is filled with all kinds of critters. You can make it into a scavenger hunt — how many different prints can you find? Or who can identify the most prints correctly? Make it a mystery — follow the tracks and see where they lead. For help with track identification or more inspiration, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Ztw.

Catch a Rainbow

The calendar may say winter, but MDC says Missouri is a great place to fish regardless of the season or temperature. The Show-Me State offers an abundance of fishing opportunities, so there’s no reason to store your fishing equipment for the season. Beginning in November, MDC stocks rainbow trout in certain lakes and streams across the state. Bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish are some of the fish anglers also go after during Missouri winters. For more information, check out A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations online at short.mdc.mo.gov/4gy.

Conservation Families: Where Can I Recycle My Christmas Tree?

Wednesday • Dec. 11 • 12–12:30 p.m.

Online only

Registration required by Dec. 10. To register, call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4aP.

All ages

There are many real Christmas trees purchased and decorated during the holiday season. Once Christmas is over, what do we do with our trees? We will discuss different ideas and ways to recycle our real Christmas trees.

A Springtime Visitor?

Although most butterflies and moths overwinter as eggs, caterpillars, or pupae, some species overwinter as adults, including mourning cloaks, eastern commas, question marks, and gray commas, just to name a few. They fly on warm winter days but need a body temperature of about 65 degrees to take flight. Most butterflies bask in the sunlight to reach this desired temperature, but mourning cloaks can get there just by shivering. The sight of these winged friends can get you daydreaming about spring.

Simple Outdoor Moments

Mobile Phone Photography
Spending time in nature is never wasted. 
Find a place to go. 
Download the free MO Outdoors app on the App Store or from Google Play.

Natural Events to See This Month

Here’s what’s going on in the natural world.

• Oyster mushrooms, a choice edible, appear.
• Trumpeter swans visit marshes, lakes, and rivers. 
• Eastern gray squirrels mate.