Meet MDC at the Fair
Discover nature at the Missouri State Fair Aug. 7–17
MDC will be at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia all 11 days, giving you a chance to discover nature in the heart of the fairgrounds.
Visit the Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to see live fish and other native animals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. See displays of native plants and learn how they help butterflies and other important pollinators. Ask MDC staff conservation-related questions, get educational materials, and have fun.
Join us Friday, Aug. 8, for Missouri Department of Conservation Day — a full day of fun and excitement sponsored by MDC!
Stop by our outdoor pavilion for these live demonstrations:
Live Raptors: See live birds of prey at the Raptors of Missouri presentation with Dickerson Park Zoo on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Fish Fry: Join us for fish cooking and cleaning demonstrations on Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Invasive Invaders: Find out how to get invasive plants and animals out of Missouri with displays and activities on the MoDOT lawn next door to the MDC Pavilion all day on Friday, Aug. 8.
Conservation Volunteers: Learn how to become a volunteer for conservation, including Stream Team and Master Naturalists, Monday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Conservation K-9s: Meet the dogs who are specially trained for conservation work Tuesday, Aug. 12, and Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Historic Sawmill: See a working scale model sawmill in action on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Foraging and Wild Edibles: Learn how to forage for edible plants, seeds, and fruits on Friday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Montauk Fish Hatchery Truck: Chat with staff from the Montauk Fish Hatchery and see the vehicle they use to stock fishing spots on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Campfire Cooking: Learn how to cook at the campsite on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Never Lose Touch
Think back to when you were a kid and how and where you connected with nature. Remember the good feelings and fun? Now is a great time to relive those memories. Get outdoors with family and friends. Take a walk in the woods or get out on the water to relax, unwind, and connect with nature. Make some new memories and Never Lose Touch. Find more fun ideas at mdc.mo.gov/never-lose-touch.
New MDC Hunting Booklets Available
Missouri deer, turkey, waterfowl, and dove hunters can get current information on fall hunting from MDC’s 2025 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet and the Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2025–2026.
The 2025 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet has detailed information on fall deer and turkey hunting seasons, limits, permits, managed hunts, regulations, conservation areas to hunt, post-harvest instructions, chronic wasting disease (CWD) updates, and more.
The Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2025–2026 has detailed information on waterfowl hunting along with hunting doves and other migratory game birds such as rail, snipe, and woodcock. It also has information on needed permits and duck stamp requirements, hunting seasons and limits, hunting areas, regulations, and more.
Both booklets are available where permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov. Be sure to purchase your hunting and fishing permits from local vendors or at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits.
Send in Arbor Award nominations
MDC and the Missouri Community Forestry Council (MCFC) are accepting nominations for the 2025 Missouri Arbor Award of Excellence until Aug. 18. The annual award recognizes communities, institutions, businesses, organizations, and individuals that make significant and long-lasting efforts to care for trees in their communities.
The Arbor Award of Excellence shines the spotlight on anyone who has improved trees in their community. Any significant program, project, or event over the last two years that contributes to the care or maintenance of trees could qualify for an award.
“Trees are such an important part of our communities, and we want to honor those people and organizations who have gone above and beyond to care for and promote trees in cities throughout Missouri,” said MDC Community Forest Coordinator Russell Hinnah. “I encourage you to think about recent projects and events involving trees in your community and nominate them for the 2025 Arbor Award of Excellence.”
Winners receive a framed award, a full registration scholarship to the MCFC conference in September, an extra ticket to the award banquet during the conference, a community forestry reference book, and a $50 gift card.
Nominations are due by Monday, Aug. 18. For more information and to download a nomination form, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZCg.
Make an impact on the future as a Missouri conservation Agent.
Interested in becoming a conservation agent?
Apply today!
Corporal Jared Kelly
Macon County
Conservation Agent
If you want to think of September as the opening of fall hunting season, then August is your preparedness month. Whether you hunt doves, deer, turkey, migratory birds, or waterfowl, there is something you could do to get ready for your opening day. Start with your firearm. Make sure it is in proper working order by visiting a shooting range. MDC has staffed and unstaffed ranges located across the state. To find one near you, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9W. If you’re using a tree stand, get it out and make sure all the pieces fit together properly, any moving parts move like they should, and all straps and tethers are still properly sewn. Let’s make this season a fun and safe one.
Grilled Trout Stuffed with Tomato and Basil
On those hot summer nights when it is just too hot to cook, fire up the grill. Let your delicious Missouri ingredients — from fresh-caught trout to homegrown tomatoes and basil — be the star of this dish.
Serves 2–4
Ingredients:
- 2 whole trout (cleaned, boned, and butterflied)
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 medium red ripe tomato, sliced
- 8 large fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 4 slices bacon
Rinse well both sides of fish and pat dry with a paper towel. On a baking sheet, place fish skin-side down, opening them flat like a book. Drizzle a teaspoon or so of olive oil over flesh of trout and rub in the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place two slices of tomato on one half of the trout, topping each slice with two basil leaves. Sprinkle the length of the trout with 1 tablespoon cheese.
Fold unadorned side of the fish over the other side and wrap the whole fish in a spiral fashion with bacon; two bacon slices secure a medium-sized trout nicely. Repeat procedure with the other fish. Grill (or broil in oven) until bacon begins to crisp and trout is cooked through.
Side dishes that accompany nicely include fresh whole new potatoes; corn on the cob; green beans; cucumber, onion, and sweet red-pepper rings in an herby vinaigrette; and crusty white bread.
Longear sunfish
The longear sunfish gets its name for its “ear” — an elongated flap that covers its gills. At 5 to 6 inches long, it’s a small, colorful fish. The back and sides are blue-green, speckled with yellow and emerald; the belly is yellow or orange. The side of the head is olive or light orange with sky-blue maplike markings. It’s the most abundant sunfish in the southern half of Missouri.
And More...
This Issue's Staff
Editor – Angie Daly Morfeld
Associate Editor – Larry Archer
Photography Editor – Ben Nickelson
Staff Writer – Kristie Hilgedick
Staff Writer – Joe Jerek
Staff Writer – Dianne Van Dien
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Kate Morrow
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Circulation – Marcia Hale