Missouri Conservationist September 2015

2015·5.2 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri
C
onservationist
VOLUME 76, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2015 • SERVING NATURE & YOU
NOTE TO OUR READERS
Missouri Majesty
S
omething wonderful happens in Missouri each fall. September
begins with a flurry of fall activities — a new school year, football
season, family barbecues — but there is a subtle, yet significant,
change happening in the back-
ground. Missouri is transition-
ing from a landscape of green to
a vibrant autumn hue. For a state
with abundant trees and forests,
when the fall colors peak, it is a
majestic sight to behold.
A must-see annual fall event
is the Department’s Poosey Con-
servation Area driving tour near
Chillicothe in northwest Mis-
souri. Thousands of people jour-
ney to the area in October for a
scenic tour of the 5,900-acre area.
There are key stops along the way,
highlighting how conservation
practices on the area benefit wild-
life, forestry, and native plants.
Down south in the Ozarks, we The gentle air and bright hues of autumn create the perfect backdrop for outdoor pursuits.
also have another great scenic
driving tour at Peck Ranch Con-
servation Area, but among the fall colors, you also get to see acres of public land available for all to enjoy.
and hear the distinctive bugling of elk in October. Perhaps a Even with Missouri’s diverse urban and rural popula-
little subtler, but still just as spectacular, are the colors of native tions, most Missourians live within 30 miles or less of a con-
grasslands in the prairies around our state. All of these oppor- servation area. You may be familiar with conservation areas
tunities provide a chance to see Missouri conservation at its nearby, but there are still more conservation areas around the
finest — abundant, thriving, and up close. state to be discovered. The Department has a convenient Con-
Although more than 90 percent of Missouri’s land is pri- servation Area Atlas online (mdc.mo.gov/atlas) where you
vately owned, part of the Department’s mission is to provide can search conservation areas by county or region, as well as
outdoor opportunities on public lands for citizens to enjoy browse recreational opportunities available and driving direc-
year-round. The Department holds 800,000 acres in public tions for each of those conservation areas.
trust for conservation and public use across the state, which Whether you like to hike a trail, watch birds, take photos,
may seem like a large number, but only represents less than fish, hunt with family, learn new outdoor skills, or enjoy the
two percent of Missouri’s total state acreage. These areas pro- sunset from a scenic bluff, the Missouri outdoors is the place
vide recreational opportunities for fishing, hiking, hunting, for you. There is no better or more beautiful season than right
wildlife watching, camping, boating, shooting, and conserva- now to discover nature. We have nearly 1 million acres waiting
tion education for all ages. Conservation areas also provide a for you. Get exploring!
unique opportunity to conserve natural diversity and, at the
R
same time, provide conservation-related recreation and edu- NE
N
O
cation opportunities. Surveys continue to show strong citizen D ST
support for maintaining, and even expanding, the number of Robert L. Ziehmer, director AVI
D
CONTENTS
September 2015, Volume 76, Issue 9
FEATURES
Cover: Opening day of teal hunting proves
successful. Photograph by David Stonner. For
10 Waterfowl Hunting: Getting Started the basics of waterfowl hunting, read Waterfowl
by Mark Goodwin Hunting: Getting Started beginning on Page 10.
Once you try it, you may find waterfowling eclipses all 70–200mm lens • f/4.0
other hunting experiences 1/640 sec • ISO 320
18 Nuts About Native Edibles
by Gladys J. Richter DEPARTMENTS
From walnuts and hickories to hazelnuts and pecans, Missouri forests 2 Letters
harbor many delicious, protein-rich foods 4 Hunting & Fishing Calendar
4 Agent Notes
24 Winning With Whitetails 5 Ask MDC
by Erin Shank and Joe DeBold, photographs by Noppadol Paothong 6 News & Events
Managing deer in urban and suburban areas promotes safety and makes 30 Plants & Animals
better use of the resource 32 Places to Go
33 Discover Nature
What is it? Our photographers have been busy exploring the
intricacies of outdoor Missouri. See if you can guess this
month’s natural wonder. The answer is revealed on Page 7.
P
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September 2015  Missouri Conservationist 1
LETTERS
Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.
Helpful Snake Info Longtime Reader along forest edges in the northern two-thirds
I love your magazine. Over the years, I have en- When I was in the fourth grade in 1955, one of of the state.” The sentence should have read,
joyed many articles/pictures. Many, many years our homework assignments was to subscribe to ”Osage copperheads live on rocky hillsides and
ago, you printed an insert, Snakes of Missouri the Missouri Conservationist magazine. When I along forest edges in the northern two-thirds of
[April, 1980]. I kept it since we lived in a wooded got married, I changed my name and the maga- the state. The southern copperhead subspecies
area and had small children. Little did I know it zine kept coming as it did through several moves. Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix is found in the
would come in handy recently. My husband was I have read the publication cover to cover for 60 remaining third of the state.”
grilling and stepped outside by a copperhead; years now and have always enjoyed the letters,
it bit him on the heel. Thanks to your magazine photos, and articles. I just wanted you to know The Ask MDC section [Page 5] of the August
(with pictures), I was able to determine the kind how much I’ve enjoyed it through all these years. issue stated, ”Northern goshawks tend to
of snake for the poison hotline. My husband, Patricia Antle, Exeter maintain between one to eight nests within
turns out, had a dry bite, and is fine. Thank you an area. While they may use the same nest
for your great magazine. Correction more than once, they typically alternate
Kimberly Saucier, via email On Page 30 of the August 2015 issue, we between more than two nests. Scientists
misidentified the flower featured in Plants & speculate it might be a way to avoid disease
Campfire Cooking Animals. The photo shows the stiff sunflower and parasites.” That information is correct;
Enjoyed your article on campfire cooking (Helianthus pauciflorus), not the bristly sunflower however, Northern goshawks do not nest in
[Campfire Cooks of MDC; July], but you left out (Helianthus hirsutus). We regret the error. Missouri. They are rarely seen in Missouri, but
one of the easiest and tastiest campfire recipes. venture here in winter when hare populations
My father taught us to cook potatoes in the fire. Clarifications are scarce in their typical habitats — the
When your fire is good and hot with plenty of The answer to August’s What Is It? [Page 8] extreme northern United States, Canada, and
coals, you just throw baking potatoes right in stated, ”Copperheads live on rocky hillsides and western states.
without foil. Turn once or twice and after 30 to
45 minutes you end up with what looks like char-
coal. When you take them out, cut them in half
Reader Photo An Unusual Plant
and put butter, salt, and pepper on them. They
are wonderfully smoky. Best baked potatoes
ever (don’t eat the skin). Debbi McCaul photo-
Michael Fink, via email graphed this Indian pipe
plant on her farm in north-
Portrait of a Lizard
west Phelps County. Indian
I was so delighted to see one of my favorite pipe is unusual because it
Missouri creatures make the cover of the June lacks chlorophyll, making
issue, highlighting The Rebound of the Eastern it white instead of green
Collared Lizard. I wanted to let you know that like other plants. The plant
one of our Missouri “mountain boomers” is an cannot make its own food,
international ambassador for conservation! so it takes nourishment
My oil portrait of a little fellow my family and indirectly from tree roots,
I discovered on a hike at Taum Sauk Mountain which are joined to the
traveled to Vancouver in August to start a year- plant’s roots underground
long tour promoting conservation as part of by fungi. McCaul said she
the Artists for Conservation 2015 International loves nature photography
Juried Exhibit of Nature in Art. A portion of the and will go along on her
proceeds from the sale of this work will go to husband’s hunting trips
support the work of the Missouri Prairie Foun- to take photos. They enjoy
dation. Glad the beautiful ”boomer” is finally walking on their property
getting his due! Information on the 2015 exhib- where they raise cattle and
it can be found at artistsforconservation.org. are trying to restore a small
Keep up the good work! glade to create quail habitat.
Rob Dreyer, via email
2 Missouri Conservationist  September 2015
Missouri
SUBSCRIPTIONS C
onservationist
Phone: [phone], ext. 3856 or 3249
Address: Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180
Email: [email protected]
Conser vationist online services: Subscribe to the
GOVERNOR Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon
magazine, update your mailing address, or sign
up to receive an email when the latest issue THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Don C. Bedell
is available online at on.mo.gov/1E6osBA
James T. Blair, IV
Cost o f subscriptions: Free to Missouri households
Marilynn J. Bradford
Out of State $7 per year David W. Murphy
Out of Country $10 per year
Please allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Director Robert L. Ziehmer
Deputy Director Thomas A. Draper
ASK MDC Deputy Director Tim D. Ripperger
Phone: [phone], ext. 3848 General Counsel Jennifer Frazier
Internal Auditor Lisa Wehmeyer
Address: Ask MDC, PO Box 180,
DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS
Jefferson City 65102-0180 DIVISION CHIEFS
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected] Administrative Services Margie Mueller
Address: PO Box 180, Design and Development Jacob Careaga
Jefferson City 65102-0180 EDITORIAL COMMENTS Fisheries Brian Canaday
Phone: [phone], ext. 3847 Forestry Lisa G. Allen
REGIONAL OFFICES
Address: Magazine Editor, PO Box 180, Human Resources Thomas Neubauer
Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Outreach & Education Joanie H. Straub
Jefferson City 65102-0180
Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Private Land Services Bill White
Email: [email protected]
Kansas City: 816-622-0900 Protection Larry D. Yamnitz
Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 READER PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Resource Science Mike Hubbard
Wildlife Jennifer Battson Warren
Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 Flickr: flickr.com/groups/mdc-readerphotos-2015
Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 Email: [email protected] CONSERVATIONIST STAFF
St. Louis: 636-441-4554 Address: Missouri Conservationist, Reader Photo, Editor Angie Daly Morfeld
Art Director Cliff White
Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180
Associate Editor Bonnie Chasteen
Staff Writer Heather Feeler
Staff Writer Kristie Hilgedick
MDC Online Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites. Photographer Noppadol Paothong
Photographer David Stonner
Designer Stephanie Thurber
Blog: mdc.mo.gov/blogs Missouri Conservationist: mdc.mo.gov/conmag Circulation Laura Scheuler
Facebook: facebook.com/MDConline Missouri Department of Conservation: mdc.mo.gov
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of-
Flickr: flickr.com/photos/mdc_online Nature Shop: mdcnatureshop.com ficial monthly publication of the Missouri Department of
Instagram: instagram.com/moconservation Twitter: twitter.com/MDC_Online and Nature_Videos Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson
Kids’ site: XplorMo.org YouTube: youtube.com/user/moconservation City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO
65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents; out
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address (send mailing label with the subscriber number on
it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage paid
Kids’ magazine at Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices.
Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circulation, PO Box
180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: [phone],
ext. 3856 or 3249. Copyright © 2015 by the Conservation
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Commission of the State of Missouri.
art, photos, and stories about Missouri’s
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programs of the Missouri Department of Conserva-
liveliest outdoor activities. Come outside
tion is available to all individuals without regard to
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September 2015  Missouri Conservationist 3
HUNTING & FISHING
CALENDAR
FISHING OPEN CLOSE
Black Bass from Ozark Streams 05/23/15 02/29/16
Bullfrogs and Green Frogs Sunset Midnight
06/30/15 10/31/15
Nongame Fish Gigging
Impounded Waters 02/01/15 01/31/16
Streams 09/15/15 01/31/16
Paddlefish on the Mississippi River 09/15/15 12/15/15
Trout Parks (Catch-and-Keep) 03/01/15 10/31/15
HUNTING OPEN CLOSE
Coyote (restrictions apply during April, All year None
spring turkey season, and firearms
“Looks like Archie has croaked … literally and figuratively.”
deer season)
Crow 11/01/15 03/03/16
Deer
Archery 09/15/15 11/13/15
Agent Notes
11/25/15 01/15/16
Firearms
From Gig to Fryer,
Urban Zones Portion 10/09/15 10/12/15
Missouri Style
Early Youth Portion 10/31/15 11/01/15
November Portion 11/14/15 11/24/15
MANY SPORTSMEN AND women Antlerless Portion (open areas only) 11/25/15 12/06/15
in Missouri wait for the month of Alternative Methods Portion 12/19/15 12/29/15
September with great anticipation. Late Youth Portion 01/02/16 01/03/16
Most of them will have Sept. 15 circled Doves 09/01/15 11/09/15
on their calendars. For anglers, it Groundhog (woodchuck) 05/11/15 12/15/15
signifies the opening day of gigging season for nongame fish Pheasant
on Missouri’s rivers and streams. Youth 10/24/15 10/25/15
For gigging enthusiasts, ample opportunities abound for Regular 11/01/15 01/15/16
successful outings. We are fortunate to live in a state where Quail
ideal stream conditions often prove to be suitable for an excit- Youth 10/24/15 10/25/15
ing and memorable gigging experience. Regular 11/01/15 01/15/16
However, Missouri waters should be respected, and Rabbit 10/01/15 02/15/16
not taken lightly. I cannot stress enough the importance of Sora and Virginia rails 09/01/15 11/09/15
making safety your number one priority throughout your Squirrel 05/23/15 02/15/16
gigging activity, from planning your trip to returning home Teal 09/12/15 09/27/15
safely afterward. Turkey
Unfortunately, some years we experience accidents Archery 09/15/15 11/13/15
associated with gigging. Sadly, most of these incidents are 11/25/15 01/15/16
boating accidents that can be avoided by simply checking and Firearms 10/01/15 10/31/15
updating your equipment, wearing life jackets, and putting a Waterfowl see the Waterfowl Hunting Digest or on.mo.gov/1DChcmi
seasoned boat driver in charge. Wilson’s (common) snipe 09/01/15 12/16/15
For more information on gigging seasons and limits, visit Woodcock 10/15/15 11/28/15
on.mo.gov/1MpTZqg. Life is precious, so wear a life jacket. It
could just save your life. Good luck and see you out there! For complete information about seasons, limits, methods, and restrictions,
consult the Wildlife Code and the current summaries of Missouri Hunting and
Trapping Regulations and Missouri Fishing Regulations, The Spring Turkey Hunting
Patrice Reese is the conservation agent for Crawford County. If you
Regulations and Information, the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and
would like to contact the agent for your county, phone your regional
Information, the Waterfowl Hunting Digest, and the Migratory Bird Hunting
conservation office listed on Page 3.
Digest. For more information, visit on.mo.gov/1Ulcnlw or permit vendors.
4 Missouri Conservationist  September 2015
Some researchers think they jump to
Ask MDC rid parasites from their bodies. Others
believe that paddlefish appear to jump
out of the water when they rise to feed
on zooplankton, which school near
the water’s surface. Yet another theory
is that weak electrical impulses from
Address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
boats can disorient the fish, causing
Phone: [phone], ext. 3848 Email: [email protected]
them to jump.
Is this snake eating
another snake?
Yes. In this photo, a young speckled
kingsnake is eating an adult midland
brownsnake. Speckled kingsnakes
— which kill their prey by constrict-
ing it — dine on rodents, bird eggs,
small birds, lizards, and other snakes,
including venomous ones. They are
immune to the venom of Missouri’s pit
vipers. Generally speaking, a snake’s
lower jaws are loosely joined to the
skull and its upper jaws are movable.
A snake usually grasps its prey by the
head and engulfs it by advancing first
one side of the jaw and then the other.
Their teeth — sharp and curved toward
the rear of the mouth — help them
hold their victims firmly, preventing
escape. In this photograph, the speck-
led king snake will use its own spine,
ribs, and muscles to force its prey’s
spine and body to bend into waves and
compress like an accordion so it can be
swallowed. It will then go off to a hid-
Candy-striped leafhopper
ing place to digest its dinner away from
predators and other threats.
What is this insect? cock their legs and leap — sometimes 40
RRY It’s a candy-striped leafhopper times their body length — so viewing
KE PE (Graphocephala sp.). These insects sport them can be challenging.
MI
R: a bold color palette infrequently seen
HOPPE in nature. They are members of the While fishing the lower
D LEAF order Hemiptera, a group that includes parts of Truman Lake
RIPE thousands of species of cicadas, aphids, during the summer, I often
DY-ST planthoppers, leafhoppers, shield bugs, see large paddlefish jump
N
R; CA and others. Leafhoppers feed on the completely out of the
NGE foliage of many kinds of plants by pierc- water. Why do they do this?
NI
AU ing the plants’ cells and sucking out the According to Fisheries Program
R
RK B contents. These agile insects can move Specialist Andrew Branson, scientists
A
M
KES: forward, backward, and sideways, like have offered several theories to explain
NA a crab. When threatened, leafhoppers why paddlefish jump from the water.
S
September 2015  Missouri Conservationist 5
NEWS & EVENTS
by Kristie Hilgedick
way to create habitat for many native Missouri
species, including grouse.
“When we’re harvesting timber, we’re replicat-
ing natural disturbances like wildfires that were
historically responsible for creating areas of for-
est regeneration,” Isabelle added. “If done prop-
erly, it’s a great way to regenerate oak-hickory
forests in Missouri, and it’s one of the best ways
to create grouse habitat.”
Since 1959, more than 5,000 grouse have been
released in Missouri. Although many releases
seemed successful initially, most populations
have not shown the ability to persist, Isabelle
said, and grouse are once again in decline.
Research conducted in 2011 by the Depart-
ment and the U.S. Forest Service indicated suf-
ficient grouse habitat didn’t exist in the River
Hills region of east-central Missouri, but it also
showed a grouse population likely could be sus-
tained if additional habitat were created.
Since this study, the Department has been
working to substantially increase the amount
of young forest habitat at two Warren County
sites, Little Lost Creek and Daniel Boone conser-
vation areas.
“Our staff took a hard look at their conserva-
tion area management plans and reworked them
to emphasize young forest habitat,” Isabelle said.
To complement the effort, the Department
and members of the Missouri Grouse Chapter of
QUWF have been working to develop a private
Ruffed grouse
landowner cooperative in portions of Warren,
Montgomery, and Callaway counties.
Grouse Habitat Starts With Forest Management Spanning a 90,000-acre swath of hilly bluff-
top property bounded by the Missouri River
and I-70, the cooperative will bring landowners
To some listeners, a drumming ruffed grouse hope to turn that around with a restoration plan together to learn how to create the habitat ruffed
sounds like a distant locomotive picking up that focuses on creating better habitat. grouse so desperately need, Isabelle said.
steam, then speeding out of control. ”Grouse prefer young forests. Ones with “Once enough habitat is available, grouse
Although not terribly loud, the sound of a 5- to 15-year-old trees are perfect,” said Jason restoration could start in the next few years,”
grouse’s drumming can travel on a clear day near- Isabelle, a Department resource scientist. “Such Isabelle noted. “A lot of species, in addition to
ly a quarter-mile through the forest understory. habitat provides adequate canopy to shield grouse, depend on young forests and many of
The sound is rare in Missouri today. His- grouse from avian predators like hawks. But them are declining as well. The creation of young
torically, ruffed grouse were found throughout their habitat is declining and has been for quite forests is a great way Missouri landowners can
much of Missouri. But due to habitat loss, their some time.” improve habitat for wildlife.”
numbers dwindled. Like much of the Midwest, Missouri’s forests
Website Redesign Revealed
But grouse supporters — including the Mis- have matured over time and are not being re-
souri Department of Conservation, the Missouri placed by the creation of young forests. The Missouri Department of Conservation rolled
RT
Grouse Chapter of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Timber harvesting can help renew old forests. out the first phase of an extensive website rede- HE
AT
Federation (QUWF), and private landowners — It makes gaps in the forest canopy and is a great sign this summer. The Department’s two most M R
JI
6 Missouri Conservationist  September 2015
popular sections, Hunting/Trapping and Fishing, At Roaring River, a series of floodgates regu- rescue of an elderly woman trapped in her home.
were the first to go live in mid-July. late the spring’s flow into the hatchery’s pools. “The water was pretty treacherous,” said
“With assistance from public surveys and The flow into these pools must remain constant Conservation Agent Andrew Barnes, who as-
extensive user testing, these sections have been to ensure trout survival. Keeping oxygen levels sisted with the rescue at the request of local law
completely retooled to provide a better user constant and preventing silt from washing into enforcement agencies.
experience,” said Chris Cloyd, digital communica- raceways are also concerns. All agents receive swift-water training while
tions manager. “In an event of this magnitude, our staff is here enrolled in the Department’s academy, but 28
The new hunting and fishing sections, which until things stabilize,” Spurgeon said. agents statewide are certified in advanced swift-
can be found at mdc.mo.gov, feature numerous While hatchery staff tended to the trout, water rescue training.
improvements, including: the Department’s heavy-equipment operators In Christian County, an unstaffed shooting
• Species A to Z, an in-depth guide pulled debris out of the stream and cleared it range at Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area
to every harvestable species away from banks and bridges, filling washouts closed temporarily when high water detached
• Seasons, a comprehensive listing of along the stream and repairing roads. a footbridge.
fishing, hunting, and trapping seasons During the week of the Roaring River event,
The Department Accepts Permit
• Regulations, a one-stop shop crews moved 1,400 tons of rock and gravel and
Images Through Mobile Devices
for regulation information hauled away 20 loads of debris.
Making the Department’s website more In nearby Cassville that same week, conser- Missouri hunters, anglers, and trappers now
mobile-friendly is a key goal, Cloyd added. vation agents were involved with flash flood- can use electronic images of permits on mobile
The next phases the public can expect are related emergency response duties, including the devices as legal, valid permits beginning July 30.
upgrades to the Discover Nature and Your Prop-
erty sections.
The Department Copes
With High Water
Excessive rain and flooding created challenging
conditions this summer for Missouri Department
of Conservation staff, who worked long hours
maintaining hatcheries, helping with rescue ef-
forts, and cleaning up debris.
Despite a July 7 deluge so severe it made
national media reports, not a single fish was
lost from Roaring River Hatchery, Manager Paul
Spurgeon reported. Three days later, anglers
were once again reeling in rainbow trout from
the site’s waters.
Other hatcheries faced similar conditions ear-
lier in the summer, when flooding hit Meramec
Spring Park in Phelps County, Bennett Spring
State Park on the Laclede-Dallas County line, and
WHAT IS IT?
Montauk State Park in Dent County.
At Meramec Spring, 8 inches of rain in a two-
day period in June submerged much of the park Long-Pincered Crayfish | Orconectes longidigitus
under 2 feet of water for a brief time. Although The largest crayfish in Missouri, this colorful crayfish is characterized by long, slender, blue-green
Bennett Spring lost a small number of trout, pincers that are studded with prominent yellowish knobs. The favored habitat is moderately
Montauk suffered no losses. deep pools along bluffs where rock slabs and large rubble provide crevices for hiding during
“We were able to keep things running the daylight hours. At dusk, it emerges to forage over the stream bottom. This species is
smoothly because of the diligent work that our omnivorous and does not hesitate to capture and consume other crayfish if the opportunity
staff provides, constantly monitoring changing arises. The long-pincered crayfish occurs only in the White River basin of southern Missouri
conditions at the hatchery,” said Mike Perry, as- and northern Arkansas. Substantial populations of this species also occur in Table Rock Lake.
sistant hatchery manager at Bennett Spring. —photograph by Chris Lukhaup
September 2015  Missouri Conservationist 7
[ ]
NEWS & EVENTS
(continued from Page 7)
Prior to this, hunters, anglers, and trappers had will be sufficient, with the exception of deer and MO Hunting, the Department’s free mobile
to have paper copies of permits on them when turkey permits. app, lets deer and turkey hunters electronically
pursuing these activities. Deer and turkey hunters must void their per- void their permits and Telecheck their harvests
For fishing permits and most hunting permits, mits after harvesting related game animals and directly from the app. It enables Missouri hunters,
an electronic image of the permit, such as a PDF report their harvests using the Telecheck harvest anglers, and trappers to purchase, view, show,
(Portable Document Format), on a mobile device reporting system. and store current hunting, fishing, and trapping
permits and associated details. It also shows
permits purchased during the previous year. MO
Hunting even uploads Telecheck confirmation
numbers back to the mobile device and enables
hunters to view details on all deer and turkey
they have previously checked.
MO Hunting is available in the Google Play
and iTunes stores. Get MO Hunting and learn
more about the app at on.mo.gov/1g8g5Ah.
Deer and turkey hunters must still tag their
harvested game if they leave the immediate
presence of the animal. Hunters using paper per-
mits may simply attach the voided permit to the
animal’s leg. The Department suggests sealing
the paper permit in a zip-top bag and attaching
the bag with string, wire, or tape. Hunters using
the MO Hunting app must attach a label with
their full name, address, permit number, and
date of harvest to the deer or turkey’s leg if they
leave the animal unattended.
After being Telechecked, properly tagged
deer and turkeys may be possessed, transported,
and stored for processing.
Sign Up Now for Hunter Education
Hunting and Fishing Day Events
With fall hunting seasons just around the corner, September is a great month to sign up for a Missourians from across the Show-Me State will
Missouri Hunter Education course. join Americans nationwide in celebration of Na-
Classes are available all year long, but they fill up quickly in the weeks prior to deer season. tional Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 26.
Hunters can beat the rush by signing up sooner rather than later. In 1972, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the
The course is divided into two sessions: knowledge and skills. Both are mandatory to earn first National Hunting and Fishing Day and urged
the final hunter education certification. citizens to join outdoor sportsmen and women in
Participants can acquire the knowledge component in one of three ways: their support of the wise use of natural resources.
• Attend a four-hour classroom session. Today, the event is a chance for people to
• Complete an interactive, online course for $15, which is paid to the course provider. come together to celebrate everything they love
• Read a study guide that is available at all Missouri Department of Conservation offices about hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.
or online. In the spirit of cooperation, the Missouri Depart-
To gain entry to the four-hour skills session, participants must present their completed ment of Conservation has partnered with other
study-guide review questions or a printed copy of the qualifier certificate from the online course. organizations to host the following events:
Skills session instructors teach students gun-safety basics, such as how to handle, load, and In St. Louis, the Department is sponsoring
unload a firearm; how to cross obstacles; and how to hunt from a tree stand. “A Day at the Confluence” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To complete the skills session, participants must pass a 35-question exam. Sept. 26 at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
To learn more about who should take hunter education and how to enroll, visit on.mo. Activities include archery, boat rides, and tree NER
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gov/1LFGst1. identification hikes. For more information about D STO
this event, visit on.mo.gov/1EjRxtp. AVI
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8 Missouri Conservationist  September 2015