Get Outside in December

The More You Snow

Trees prepare for the impending winter season — and the likelihood of snow and ice — by shedding their leaves. Without this additional foliage, trees collect far less precipitation and may fare better without the additional load. 

Look around after a winter storm and see if you can identify the trees by the way they react to the snow and ice. Some trees, like cedars, are flexible and bend with the weight of ice and snow. Many trees that grow rapidly, such as silver maples, have relatively soft wood and their branches can break rather easily. Other trees, like oaks, grow slowly and have harder wood, so they are better able to withstand the rigors of a winter storm.

Frigid Fishing

Missouri is a great place to fish year-round. MDC stocks rainbow trout in certain lakes and streams in winter, beginning in November. In addition, bass, crappie, walleye, and catfish are popular wintertime fare. So, no need to store your pole and tackle. In the Show-Me State, the fish are always biting! 

Deer of a Different Color

The deer that you are used to seeing in the fall, with their reddish-brown or tan coats, go through a bit of a wardrobe change for the winter months. Their color pattern changes to a grayish or grayish-brown. This is referred to as their winter, or blue, coat. The hairs of this coat are long and heavy. Each hair has many air spaces that act as insulators, helping to ensure warmth during cold weather. It also makes the deer more buoyant, allowing them to swim higher in the water during the winter months. The coat easily repels cold rain and wet snow.

Pearl of the Winter

Mushrooms aren’t just a springtime delicacy. Some mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, are available year-round. So, keep your skills sharp, get in the woods, and start your search. Oyster mushrooms are often found in clusters on stumps, logs, and trunks of deciduous trees.

Learn to Fish: Virtual Fly Tying with TJ and Mike

Thursday • Dec. 11 • 6–7 p.m.

Online only

Registration required by Dec. 10. For more information, 
call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/o4J.

All ages

Come and tie flies with TJ and Mike. The theme is antique flies. We will delve into the history of some old-fashioned flies and tell you some history about them.

Learning to Hunt: Measuring Your Trophy

Saturday • Dec. 13 • 9–11 a.m.

Online only

Registration required by Dec. 12. For more information, 
call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/o4U.

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. An official scorer must score your animal to be eligible for any record setting.

Enjoy the Experience

Winter is a good time to start birding. Less foliage means you may see more birds and hear more sounds. Remember to wear proper footwear and bundle up before heading outdoors. For a better view, take along binoculars.

Birding is a fun way to Never Lose Touch.

For a place to go birding, check out short.mdc.mo.gov/Zvs.

Natural Events to See This Month

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

• Christmas ferns grow on woody slopes.
• Beavers swim under ice.
• Snowy owls may visit the Show-Me State.
• Goatweed leafwings fly on warm days.
• Ring-billed gulls gather along the Mississippi River.