MDC to offer frogging clinic for beginners at Atlanta Conservation Area July 9

ATLANTA, Mo. – Frogging is a great way to enjoy Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife resources while also putting food on the table the whole family can enjoy. Join the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for a free clinic on frogging for beginners, 6:30–10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 9, at Atlanta Conservation Area. The clinic is free and open to ages 12 and older, but preregistration is required by visiting mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/178156.

The program will begin with a classroom session where participants will learn about frogs in Missouri, gigging safety, equipment, identification, and regulations. A field portion will follow where participants can work on technique, harvest their own frogs, and learn how to clean and cook their catch.

Field activities will take place in marshlands and around a pond. Participants must bring clothing and shoes that can get wet and muddy such as rubber boots, water shoes, or waders. Participants should also bring bug spray, a water bottle, lawn chair, and hat.  Fishing rods, head lamps, gigs, stringers, hand nets, and flashlights will be available for loan on the day of the event.  However, supplies will be limited, so any participants who have access to their own supplies are encouraged to bring them.

Participants younger than 16 years of age must be accompanies by an adult. Anyone older than 16 and younger than 65 years of age must possess a valid fishing permit.

To help ensure public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, MDC asks all participants to observe current, local guidelines regarding physical distancing and masking. MDC encourages participants to bring and wear face coverings when appropriate.

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.

Frogs may 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.

Families now have the option to link their children’s accounts to their own accounts which will streamline the program registration process.  Once a group account is setup parents will be able to register their children to an event without having to logoff and login for each individual.  This functionality will allow parents to register their entire family or select family members to an event at the same time.  First, users will log into their account and click “My Group Profile,” then add family members to their account.  Setting up a group account today will make program registration quicker and easier for all MDC programs.

For more information on this free clinic, contact MDC Community Education Assistant Matthew Schwend at (660) 785-2424 or Matthew.Schwend@mdc.mo.gov.