by Jill Pritchard, Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri turkey hunters can apply online during February for 2025 spring turkey managed hunts through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) website at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey/turkey-spring-managed-hunts. Managed hunt details and application procedures are outlined on the webpage. Drawing results will be posted starting March 15. The spring turkey hunting youth portion will be April 12 and 13 with the regular spring season running April 21 through May 11. Detailed information on spring turkey hunting will be available in the MDC 2025 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where permits are sold beginning in March. The 2024 regulation change extending shooting hours from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset on private land is still in effect in 2025. Public land shooting hours will remain a half-hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. To learn more about turkey hunting in Missouri, visit MDC's website at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey. Buy Missouri hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through the MDC free mobile app -- MO Hunting -- available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.
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by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),the Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO), and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) invite both new and experienced birders to join the first ever Missouri Birding Challenge -- May 1-15! Missouri Birding Challenge participants will compete alone or on a team in different birding categories based on their ages, birding experience, and comfort levels. Birders will use eBird (eBird.org) to record their lists of birds identified at public natural areas around the state, or even in their own backyards. Once participants complete a category, they will be entered into a drawing for fun, bird-related prizes such as binoculars and gift cards. There is a fee of $10-$25 per person or team depending on the category. Fees go toward migratory bird conservation efforts. Learn more about the Challenge and related topics at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/birdwatching/missouri-birding-challenge. Full Challenge rules and details will be released in coming weeks. Registration will be open April 1-30 through the webpage. Get Prepared though Birding Webinars MDC and partners invite new and experienced birders to prepare for the Missouri Birding Challenge in May by joining the free Missouri Birding Challenge Webinar Series on various birding topics. The free webinars will introduce participants to birding and educate them on key issues around birds and bird conservation in Missouri. Register in advance for each webinar and then join the webinar live. Registered attendees will receive a reminder email before the webinar.
The Black Capped Chickadee is a favorite winter visitor to local bird feeders. Photo credit: MDC
MDC to host in-person and virtual programs on kestrel nesting boxes Jan. 11 in Blue Springs1/9/2025
by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation
Kestrels are the only falcons in North America that nest in cavities. These small but lovely falcons are found in rural and urban settings, but their numbers are declining in some areas due to a variety of ecological changes. Learn about the American kestrel and how to help them at a free Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) program. The Kestrel Nesting Boxes program will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center in Blue Springs. There is also a virtual option available at the same time for those who cannot attend in person. American kestrel numbers have been limited in some regions by the loss of dead standing trees and forest habitat that provide cavity nesting opportunities. But people can help by installing nest boxes in appropriate habitats. Join naturalists from Burr Oak Woods and the Missouri River Bird Observatory to talk about kestrel habits, their role in ecology, and how people can help by providing and monitoring nest boxes. Registration is required for both sessions. The sessions are designed for participants ages 10 and older. Register for the in-person session at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/204399. Register for the virtual session at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/204397 by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation For many native plants, the best time to prepare their seeds is January. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting two free winter seed sowing classes on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 10 – 11:30am and 2 – 3:30pm at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center in Blue Springs. This program will explore the science and importance of sowing seeds in the middle of winter. Participants will apply their newfound knowledge by creating an upcycled planter. Attendees must be at least 14 years old to participate. Those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Register for the morning class at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/204826. Register for the afternoon class at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/204827 Milkweed seeds, seen sprouting in the photo above, is one of several native seeds available to grow in a native planter during MDC's winter sowing class on January 4th in Blue Springs. Photo credit: MDC
Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center closed Dec. 2 - 9 after experiencing heating issue12/5/2024
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has closed Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center on Monday, Dec. 2 through the end of the week due to an issue with the facility’s heating and cooling system. MDC intends to reopen next week on Tuesday, Dec. 10, pending necessary repairs.
MDC will provide further updates on the reopening timeline if changes are needed as the week progresses. Members of the public that have signed up for programming this week at Burr Oak Woods should contact the program leader listed on their registration for guidance. To contact Burr Oak Woods staff with further questions, call (816) 228-3766 or email [email protected] by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation
Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 159,120 deer during the November portion of firearms deer season, Nov. 16 - 26. Of the 159,120 deer harvested, 82,613 were antlered bucks, 13,203 were button bucks, and 63,304 were does. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 3,530 deer harvested, Texas with 2,935, and Howell with 2,741. This year’s harvest total was lower than last year’s November portion harvest total of 193,885 deer and was about 15% below the five-year average. According to MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle, the drop in harvest this year was due to a combination of factors. “The November portion started about a week later this year due to the calendar shift,” said Isabelle. “When this happens, we can expect a drop in harvest because the November portion occurs further from the peak of the rut which is about the tenth of November.” Less than ideal hunting conditions throughout much of the November portion were another factor that contributed to this year’s lower opening weekend harvest total according to Isabelle. “We had a few nice days sprinkled throughout the November portion, but there a number of days with warm temperatures or high winds,” he said. “These conditions likely affected deer movement and also hunters’ desire to be in the woods.” Another factor that Isabelle believes significantly affected this year’s harvest total is a bumper acorn crop. “Throughout much of Missouri, there are a lot of acorns in the woods this year,” said Isabelle. “When that happens, deer don’t need to move as much to find food and they frequent fields and other open areas less often because of the abundance of food in the woods.” He noted that the counties with the largest decline in harvest were in the more heavily forested portions of the state where acorn abundance has a more significant effect on deer movement. “Many northern and western Missouri counties were either up from last year’s harvest total or were down slightly,” said Isabelle. “As would be expected, with the good acorn crop we have this year, harvest was down the most in the more heavily forested Ozark counties.” Firearms deer hunting in Missouri continues with the CWD portion Nov. 27 – Dec. 1 in open counties. The Late Youth portion runs Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 followed by the Late Antlerless portion Dec. 7-15 in open counties and then the Alternative Methods portion Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025. The archery deer season reopens Nov. 27 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer. by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites landowners to a prescribed burn workshop Dec. 21 at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center from 11:00am - 1:30pm. Prescribed burning can be a valuable tool for managing native plant diversity and controlling undesirable vegetation, but it can be dangerous and ineffective when not used properly. This workshop will provide basic information on how to plan and execute a prescribed burn for land management. Registration for this event is required and can be done at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Kx. Upon registration, participants will be asked to complete the virtual/online portion of the prescribed burn course. This online course is a mandatory prerequisite to the workshop, and there is a $25 fee to complete the online training. Participants are asked to bring their certificate of completion to the workshop. To find the online learning portion, go to http://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoU. Should weather allow, a demonstration burn will be conducted during the workshop. Participants are asked to wear a long-sleeved shirt, and pants made of natural fibers, leather gloves, and closed toe boots. Questions about this event can be sent to Cassandra Messer at [email protected]. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center is located at 1401 NW Park Road in Blue Springs. by Joe Jerek, Missouri Department of Conservation Have nature lovers on your holiday gift list? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) online Nature Shop makes holiday shopping a breeze for anyone interested in nature-themed gifts. Offerings include the ever-popular Natural Events Calendar, plus a variety of books and more for all ages. Holiday shoppers can also skip retail stores and visit one of the MDC nature centers around the state in Kirkwood, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Kansas City, Blue Springs, and Jefferson City for an array of reasonably priced, nature-themed holiday gifts. Find MDC nature centers at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/nature-centers. MDC holiday gift offerings include:
Give the gift of hunting and fishing permits for hunters and anglers on your list. Buy permits from vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits or through the MDC free mobile apps, Mo Hunting and Mo Fishing, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Missouri Department of Conservation offers a variety of gift options for nature lovers in your life, including the 2025 Natural Events calendar. Photo credit: MDC
by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is altering the winter trout stocking schedule for lakes in the Kansas City area. MDC raises rainbow trout at hatcheries and typically stocks the Kansas City area lakes in phases during the winter months. This winter, the hatcheries are over capacity with fish due to drought and renovations on one hatchery. Kansas City area lakes will get the same total number of fish as scheduled for the winter, but they will receive twice as many fish in November and January. Rainbow trout are not native to Missouri waters. MDC stocks trout in some spring-fed streams in the Ozarks, including at trout parks. Cooler water temperatures and higher oxygen levels during winter enable Kansas City area lakes to support trout as well. MDC stocks trout during winter to provide anglers a close-to-home fishing opportunity. Most of the stockings are done in public lakes in partnership with county and city parks departments. Kansas City area lakes that are stocked include:
Anglers may keep trout up to a limit of four if they have a Missouri trout permit. Missouri residents over age 15 and under 65 need a valid fishing permit. Non-residents over 15 need a state fishing permit and a trout permit. To check on whether the November and January trout stockings have occurred, call MDC’s fish stocking hotline at 816-525-0300. Press 2 at the recorded prompt. For more information on urban winter trout fishing throughout Missouri, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoH Kansas City lakes will receive double the number of rainbow trout, like those seen in the photo above, during November and January stockings. Photo credit: MDC
by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites those wishing to get their hunter education certification to attend one of three skills courses offered at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Classes are scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8:30am - 12:30pm and 1:00pm - 5:00pm and Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Courses are designed for participants ages 11 and up. Parents are invited to attend, though it is not mandatory. The skills course is the second half of the hunter education certification process. Participants will need to have completed the knowledge portion of certification prior to attending. The online version can be completed for a fee, or participants may complete the chapter review questions in the student Hunter Education manual. Student manuals and access to the online courses can be found on MDC’s website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZCt. Student manuals are also available at any MDC office free of charge. Bring proof of completion to class. Register for the Nov. 2 morning course online at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/203894 Register for the Nov. 2 afternoon course online at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/203895 Register for the Nov. 9 course online at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/203896 Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center is located at 1401 NW Park Road in Blue Springs. For any questions, contact the Nature Center at (816) 228-3766. To learn more about hunter education requirements in Missouri or to learn if you are exempt, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/hunter-education. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites those wishing to get their hunter education certification to attend one of three skills courses offered at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center. Classes are scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Photo credit: MDC
by Josh Hartwig, Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters of regulation changes for the current archery deer and turkey hunting seasons, including a new fall turkey permit. “MDC has created a new fall turkey-hunting permit, so turkey permits are no longer included with an archery deer-hunting permit,” said Russell Duckworth, MDC Protection Captain. “Both fall firearms turkey hunters and fall archery turkey hunters must purchase this new permit to be able to harvest turkeys during fall seasons.” With the fall turkey season now divided into archery and firearms portions, the harvest limit for both portions combined has been reduced from four to two birds of either sex. Duckworth said the combined fall turkey harvest for the past few years within the 16 counties of MDC’s Southeast Region has held steady at roughly 500 turkeys. “Between 55% and 75% of hens are harvested,” said Duckworth. “The change in this permit will still allow hunters the opportunity to harvest turkeys by archery and firearms methods.” In addition to changes for the current turkey hunting season, the antler-point restriction (APR) for the current deer season has been removed for counties within the CWD Management Zone, including Audrain, Boone, Cole, Howard, Lewis, Maries, Monroe, Osage, Phelps, Randolph, Saline, Scotland, and Shelby counties. The CWD Management Zone consists of counties where CWD has been found and those within 10 miles of where CWD has been found. The APR requires an antlered deer to have at least four points on one side to be harvested. During both seasons, Duckworth said hunters should remember requirements for tagging and checking deer and turkey. He said a common violation that MDC agents encounter is hunters who fail to purchase their permit before going hunting, and then failing to notch or check a deer or turkey after harvest. “This is not a change with the Wildlife Code, and has been in effect for several years,” said Duckworth. Key points to remember for deer and turkey seasons:
Archery turkey hunting in Missouri runs through Nov. 15. It reopens Nov. 27 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. Fall firearms turkey hunting runs Oct. 1 – 31 in open counties. Learn more online at https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/seasons. MDC provides freezer drop-off sites in Kansas City region to aid hunters in voluntary CWD testing9/26/2024
by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation To make it easier for deer hunters to help monitor Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has deployed deer head drop-off sites in four counties in the Kansas City region. Each site has a freezer that will preserve the samples, which will be picked up later by MDC staff for CWD testing. To submit a deer head for testing, hunters will be required to cut off the head in advance, so it can be left in the freezer. The goal is to provide hunters an additional way of submitting their harvested deer for voluntary CWD testing. These self-serve drop sites will enable hunters to submit deer heads for sampling at their convenience throughout the 2024-2025 fall deer hunting season. The sample drop-off sites in the Kansa City region include:
For an interactive map showing all voluntary CWD testing drop off sites throughout the state, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZCH. Hunters should cut off the deer head (and antlers for any bucks) while leaving about six inches of neck attached before coming to the drop-off location. Materials will be available at the freezer sites, such as trash bags, zip ties, and data sheets, that hunters can use in labeling the heads. Hunters will need to record their name and contact information, as well as their Telecheck ID numbers and the location the deer was harvested. They can then simply leave the head in the freezer. Staff will collect the head and pull the samples to be submitted for testing. The drop-off sites will not be available for use during the opening weekend of the firearms deer season (Nov. 16 - 17) in counties where mandatory CWD sampling is required. Hunters harvesting deer in mandatory CWD sampling counties must use the MDC staffed sampling locations normally used for CWD Mandatory Sampling during the opening weekend. Hunters will be able to check the results themselves online using their Telecheck ID at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZuE within three weeks. MDC will notify a hunter directly if their sample returns a positive result. The Centers for Disease Control does not recommend consuming meat from a deer that has tested positive for CWD. CWD is a neurological disease that is fatal to deer. A deer may be infected with no visible symptoms. The only way to positively identify the presence of CWD is to extract lymph nodes from the animal’s neck. The disease has been confirmed in St. Clair County in MDC’s Kansas City region, as well as counties elsewhere in the state. Hunters can play an important role in helping MDC monitor and track the disease in Missouri by providing this valuable data. Hunters who harvest deer from any of the CWD Management Zone counties are reminded that they must follow carcass transportation restrictions when traveling to CWD testing sites. Visit http://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z9V or see the 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Information and Regulation booklet for details. The drop-off sites will be available to accept samples until the conclusion of the 2024-2025 archery deer season, Jan. 15, 2025. To make it easier for deer hunters to help monitor Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has deployed deer head drop-off sites in four counties in the Kansas City region. Photo credit: MDC
by Jill Pritchard, Missouri Department of Conservation Temperatures are cooling down and trees are beginning to change color – a sure sign fall has arrived. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to enjoy fall foliage through camping, driving tours, hiking, or even floating. To help, MDC offers weekly online fall color updates from agency foresters all over the state at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. “Our fall color reports are a convenient resource for the public,” said MDC Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “The reports begin in mid-September and are updated weekly. They show users where trees are beginning to turn and also suggest best places to see the changing leaves.” Predicting the peak of fall color can be difficult, but much depends on the weather. “Much of the state is still very dry and we are also still feeling the effects of last year’s drought,” noted Hinnah. “With this pattern we could see an earlier fall with less color. It’s also possible some trees may shut down earlier with no color at all.” Chilly, fall evenings are critical for leaves to change color. “Sugars produced by photosynthesis are trapped inside leaves by the cool autumn nights,” Hinnah explained. “Those sugars are the building blocks for the rich red, yellow, orange, and purple pigments. Cooler temperatures cause the breakdown of green pigments in leaves, allowing fall colors to show.” Missouri trees first begin changing color in the northern part of the state, then move southward. Sassafras, sumac, and Virginia creeper are some of the earliest to change in mid-September. In late September, black gum, bittersweet, and dogwood are turning. The peak of fall color usually hits around mid-October. “Trees like maple, ash, oak, and hickory are at the peak of their fall display by the middle of October,” Hinnah noted. “Normally by the end of the month, colors are fading and leaves are falling.” Missouri’s fall color can be enjoyed from almost anywhere. For spectacular vistas, choose routes along rivers with views of forested bluffs, and along ridges with sweeping scenes of forested landscapes. “MDC conservation areas or Missouri state parks are wonderful places to take in the fall color,” suggested Hinnah. And fall color isn’t just limited to trees. Prairies and roadsides display beautiful shades of gold, purple, olive, and auburn with autumn wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses. In cities and towns, enjoy places with mature trees such as older neighborhoods, parks, and even cemeteries. MDC provides its annual fall color update at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. The weekly reports include what species of trees are turning and suggestions on best places to see them. The updates run September through November. Enjoy the colors of fall, including this sunrise view over the lower Ozarks, through MDC's fall color updates. Photo credit: MDC
by Erin Woodiel, Missouri Department of Conservation Hunting deer is a challenging and rewarding way to enjoy the outdoors in the fall. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a two-day “White-Tailed Deer Hunting 101” program on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Thursday, Sept. 26 at MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. This program will include both in-person and virtual options for participation. Participants are required to attend both days of the program. Taught by MDC Community Education Assistant John Rittel and Naturalist Nikki King, topics will cover scouting locations, hunting methods, deer tracking and more. All in-person participants should dress to be both indoors and outdoors. Participants ages 10 and up are welcome, though anyone ages 10-15 must be accompanied by a participating adult. This program is free, but registration is required for both the in-person and virtual options. Register for the in-person option at: https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202582 Register for the virtual option at: https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/202597 Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center is located at 1401 NW Park Road in Blue Springs, MO. For questions about this event or other upcoming events at Burr Oak Woods, call 816-228-3766. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a two-day “White-Tailed Deer Hunting 101” program on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Thursday, Sept. 26 at MDC’s Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Photo credit: MDC
Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center hosts Small Wonders: Insects in Focus through Sept. 218/22/2024
by Maddie Fennewald, Missouri Department of Conservation In the air, water, and even under foot, insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance our fragile ecosystem on earth. By using cutting-edge technology and custom methods, artist Bob Sober created Small Wonders: Insects in Focus, an exhibition of breathtaking beauty that allows viewers to see this hidden world of insects like they’ve never seen it before. Small Wonders aims to inspire, in an artistic way, our natural curiosity to understand the form, function, and diversity of nature. The exhibition runs through Sept. 21 at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center. Bob Sober, a visual artist as well as technological pioneer whose photographic techniques are the subject of educational tutorials, offers a series of thirty images that bring the natural world to a scale rarely experienced until now. Small Wonders finds viewers at the intersection of art and science and brings together the two fields of thought in a provocative and inspiring way. This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to over 100 small and mid-sized communities each year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. This exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center located at 4750 Troost Avenue in Kansas City. For questions about this free exhibit, call (816) 759-7300, and MDC staff will be available to provide answers. View images of insects like the Scarab Beetle (pictured above) at the Small Wonders Insects in Focus exhibit at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City through Sept. 21. Image credit: MDC
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