Missouri Conservationist May 2021

2021·5.8 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

MISSOURI
VOLUME 82, ISSUE 5, MAY 2021
SERVING NATURE & YOU
CONSERVATIONIST
SWIMMING STARGAZING BIKING FISHING ARCHERY & SHOOTING
RUNNING & HIKING WhCAeMPnIN Gwas the lLaOUsNtG ING HUNTING VIEWING WILDLIFE
time you connected
with nature?
Maybe it was just a few years
ago, or maybe it’s been a little
longer. Think back to when
adventure could happen in your
own backyard — where the
birds chirp on a spring morning.
The smell of the damp air after
a thunderstorm. The sight of
flowers blooming. The feel of
grass between your toes.
SWIMMING STARGAZING BIKING FISHING ARCHERY & SHOOTING
It’s time to make that connection
again, and Never Lose Touch.
For ways to reconnect with nature, visit mdc.mo.gov/NeverLoseTouch.
RUNNING & HIKING CAMPING LOUNGING HUNTING VIEWING WILDLIFE
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
Contents
MAY 2021
VOLUME 82, ISSUE 5
11
ON THE COVER
A leafcutter bee snags
some pollen from a gray-
headed coneflower.
: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG
100mm macro lens, f/14
1/200 sec, ISO 500
GOVERNOR
Michael L. Parson
THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
CHAIR Don C. Bedell
VICE CHAIR Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln
SECRETARY Mark L. McHenry
MEMBER Steven D. Harrison
DIRECTOR
Sara Parker Pauley
DEPUTY DIRECTORS
Mike Hubbard, Aaron Jeffries,
Jennifer Battson Warren
MAGAZINE STAFF
16
MAGAZINE MANAGER
Stephanie Thurber
EDITOR
Angie Daly Morfeld
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Larry Archer
FEATURES
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Cliff White
11
STAFF WRITERS
Bonnie Chasteen, Kristie Hilgedick,
Seeking Catfish Dinner
22 Joe Jerek
in Prairie Rivers DESIGNERS
Shawn Carey, Marci Porter
Fishing the prairie rivers in PHOTOGRAPHERS
Missouri’s northern corners. Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner
CIRCULATION MANAGER
by Bill Graham
Laura Scheuler
16 mdc.mo.gov/conmag
DEPARTMENTS
Tiny Tanks
2 Inbox
Nine-banded armadillos are tough,
tenacious … and everywhere (but 3 Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley
mainly on the side of the road).
4 Nature Lab
by Jill Pritchard
5 In Brief
22
28 Get Outside
Insects in Need
30 Places To Go Pipevine Download this
Global declines have local 32 Wild Guide swallowtail issue to your
connections and opportunities. phone or tablet at
33 Outdoor Calendar mdc.mo.gov/mocon.
by Bonnie Chasteen
Download for
Android
Inbox
A TWIST ON WILD EDIBLES
Excellent article on wild edibles
Letters to the Editor CHAMPION TREES in your March issue [Wild Edibles,
Submissions reflect As a child growing up in the middle of Kansas, it was Page 22]. We construct many
readers’ opinions and an adventure to visit with grandparents in southwest buildings with natural materials.
may be edited for length Missouri and marvel at all the trees. I really enjoyed Cattails’ mature fluff functions
Cattails
and clarity. Email
the articles and pictures about trees in the March as an exceptional fiber that helps
[email protected]
issue [The Mighty Ones II, Page 10]. Keep up the clay finishing plaster resist cracking as it dries. While
or write to us:
great work of maintaining the outdoors for all. not edible, it’s still a great way to appreciate our
MISSOURI
Joyce Guth St. Charles natural resources.
CONSERVATIONIST
Kyle Yoder Rutledge
PO BOX 180
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 What a wonderful surprise to see the work of
artist Jane Mudd gracing the cover of the March REACHING OUR MILITARY
Conservationist. I thoroughly enjoyed the illustrated My husband and I have enjoyed reading the
story of Missouri’s champion trees as seen through Missouri Conservationist for many years. Our son,
this gifted painter’s eyes. Missouri is blessed with so John, is in the Navy, stationed in Pearl Harbor. He
many talented artists, and I’m hoping you’ll make asks us to send him our copies of the magazine.
use of this resource again in future issues. Last year, John took several issues of the Missouri
Kevin Shults Columbia Conservationist on a naval submarine in the
Pacific for a six-month deployment. Our son says
CONSERVATION SUPERPOWER the sailors enjoy reading about Missouri wildlife
Thank you for introducing us to James Karslake, a and seeing the beauty of our state through the
young Missourian with award-winning conversation wonderful photographs.
superpowers [We Are Conservation, March, Page Julie Bantle Fenton
8]. Please continue to spotlight other conversation-
minded Missourians. Their stories are inspiring and CORRECTION
make me proud to be from Missouri. In the March issue, we identified Dryad’s
CHAMPION TREES Teresa Burritt Lee’s Summit saddle mushroom as Pleurotus ostreatus [Wild
In your March Edibles, Page 26]. It is Polyporus squamous.
Conservationist, LEARNING TO FISH
the first thing The image of the mother and her son fishing in
that caught my the Learning to Fish article is so inspiring [March,
eye was Jane Page 16]. You can see how the mother is working
Mudd’s painting so diligently to teach her son how to fish, as she is
oSJLaapnnth eictrchoet peAa icncusowlvaoerr!rt.h stmhoue g cwihno gIr ekdr.o lWyw hnholaoltda adin eggdr e tihat tea mnrodod tDp,h laaeavlrcli!oed wId Wl iiinkt. geFod rnhe tenmhrc iyhss o dpSnteh. s toCokth otdoa osprlo .e s OUS: LARRY R. BECKETT
M
QUA
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Conservation Headquarters Have a
Connect With Us!
573-751-4115 | PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Question for a
Commissioner?
/moconservation Regional Offices
Send a note using
@moconservation Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 our online
Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 contact form at
@MDC_online Kansas City: 816-622-0900 St. Louis: 636-441-4554 mdc.mo.gov/
Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 commissioners.
2 Missouri Conservationist | May 2021
Up
Want to see your photos
in the Missouri Conservationist? Front
Share your photos on Flickr at
flickr.com/groups/mdcreaderphotos-2021,
email [email protected],
or include the hashtag #mdcDiscoverNature
on your Instagram photos.
with Sara Parker Pauley
_ I needed spring in a different way this year. I needed to
see the vibrant magenta of redbud blossoms descend on the
Missouri River hills — and the dogwoods burst forth in their
white glory — to remind me that all is well. Perhaps like so
many, I’m just feeling the effects of pandemic fatigue. But in
February, winter’s last blast of arctic air and snow ravaged
local bluebird populations. Soon after, alarming news arrived
that the overwintering numbers for monarch butterflies had
1 plummeted another 26 percent, after a minor rebound in 2019.
This was in addition to the news of a continuing global decline
in overall insect populations, which could be devasting to the
2
1 | Baby red fox entire food web as insects pollinate the vast majority of earth’s
by Dylan White,
flowering plants (learn more about Missouri insect popula-
via Flickr
tions on Page 22). I know that, overall, nature epitomizes the
2 | Virile crayfish
very definition of resilience, but stories of life’s fragility seem
by Christina
to have dominated the headlines this past year.
Hoffman, via
email Yet spring has arrived, and with it the woodland wildflowers
like blue-eyed Mary and wild sweet William are at the height
3 | Camp branch
tributary of Big of their glory. Male goldfinches are showing off their spring
Creek by Donna plumage at nearby bird feeders. On an early morning walk this
Davis, via email week, I heard several gobblers announcing their triumph over
winter’s hardships. And just today, out in the garden, I saw the
flicker of colored wings I’d been longing for, that of a bluebird.
3
Perhaps it’s a sign, a message for all of us, that resilience has
the last word.
SARA PARKER PAULEY, DIRECTOR
[email protected]
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri
Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO
Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit mdc.mo.gov/conmag, or call 573-522-
MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS 4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Free to adult Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year;
out of country $10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address
(send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage
paid 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 © 2021 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri.
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conserva-
tion is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry,
age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Questions should be directed to the Department of
Don Steven Mark Barry Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or
to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW,
Bedell Harrison McHenry Orscheln Washington, D.C. 20240.
Printed with soy ink
mdc.mo.gov 3
Nature
L A B
by Bonnie
Chasteen
Each month, we highlight research
MDC uses to improve fish, forest,
and wildlife management.
Larvae and case of G. missouri (left)
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN and A. artesus (right) were found
in habitat dominated by cobble
Caddisfly Study
and small boulder substrates
at Maramec Spring Branch.
_ If you’re a fly-angler, you’ve probably tied a
caddisfly pattern or two. Whether as stream-dwell-
ing larvae or mothlike adults, caddisflies tempt In the fall of 2017, Mabee’s team scouted Mara-
hungry fish. mec Spring Branch and the Meramec River to docu-
Caddisflies can also be viewed as animal repre- ment the species’ occurrence and characterize their
sentatives of their associated habitat systems. This aquatic habitat. They collected enough evidence to
Reaffirmed
means their presence, abundance, and health indicate make a second visit in January of 2018.
occurrence
the condition of their native places. “Our efforts reaffirmed populations of these
of two
One caddisfly species, Glyphopsyche missouri, two species persist in the Maramec Spring Branch,”
occurs at Maramec Spring and nowhere else on Earth. vulnerable Mabee said. “We also were able to start filling
Another, Agapetus artesus, also occurs at Maramec species knowledge gaps about these species’ habitat-use
Spring. They represent fauna of the cave and karst/ signals need during their early life stages.”
springs habitat system described in the Missouri for further To ensure maintenance of sustainable popula-
State Wildlife Action Plan. studies tions, Mabee said, more detailed studies of distribu-
“However,” said MDC Scientist Bill Mabee, “little to guide tion, life history, and environmental requirements
is known about the distribution, life history, environ- of these and other cave and karst/springs habitat
ongoing
mental requirements, or tolerance to environmental system species are needed.
management
stress of either species.” Mabee led a team to deter- “The more we know about these species’ needs,
mine if the two species, neither of which had been the better we can conserve them and the habitat ele-
studied in more than a decade, still occur within their ments — including stream characteristics and plant
native range. species — they depend on,” he said.
Caddisfly Study
Objectives Methods
at a Glance
• Determine if populations • Sampling: Collect larvae
of either species persist in by hand and characterize
Maramec Spring Branch habitat at collection sites
MDC’s Research Partners • Characterize early • Taxonomy: Identify larvae,
life-stage habitat case-making materials,
Missouri State University, The James
• Obtain information on and gut contents
Foundation, U.S. Geological Survey diet of G. missouri larvae MABEE
MTo aennsaugree smusetaninta Ibmlep ploipcaultaitoionnss, more Findings NN; LARVAE: BILL
detailed studies of distribution, life • Larval cases indicated use of fine gravel, slender sticks, HMA
hoifs Gto. rmy,i sasnodu erin avnirdo ontmheenr taaql ureaqticu isrpemeceienst s • sGh. emlliss osof uimri mspaetucirme eanqsu adtiiscs esncateilds, f aonr dd ibeittasr oyf a rneadl yasligsa e NDREA SCHU
associated with spring habitats are needed. revealed fragments of several species of algae and moss M: A
STREA
4 Missouri Conservationist | May 2021 Learn more at research.mdc.mo.gov
In Brief
News and updates from MDC
FIRST BLACK
BEAR SEASON MDC has set the
state’s first black
SET THIS FALL bear hunting season
for Oct. 18–27. It
MDC SETS HARVEST QUOTAS, will be limited to
BEAR MANAGEMENT ZONES Missouri residents
and restrict
IN SOUTHERN MISSOURI
bear hunting to
designated areas of
 MDC will offer the state’s first southern Missouri.
black bear hunting season this fall,
Oct. 18–27.
The Missouri Conservation
Commission gave final approval of
MDC’s season framework, permit and
harvest quotas, and other related
regulations for hunting black bears
in Missouri at its March 26 open
meeting. The approved regulations
limit bear hunting to Missouri
residents and restrict bear hunting
to designated areas of southern run for 10 days or until BMZ-specific quotas are reached. Once the
Missouri. Missouri residents will be specific harvest quotas are filled within each BMZ, the season for
able to apply during May for the that BMZ will be closed. Hunters must call MDC each day before
October hunt with permit selection they intend to hunt to determine if the BMZ-specific quota has been
by July 1 through a random drawing reached. If harvest quotas are not reached, the season will close at
of applicants. the end of the 10 designated hunting days.
Missouri’s estimated 800 (600– “Being able to add this iconic species to the long list of hunting
1000) black bears are found south of opportunities for Missourians is a testament to the decades of bear
the Missouri River, and primarily south research and management by MDC staff,” said MDC Director Sara
of Interstate 44. MDC has established Parker Pauley. “A limited annual hunting season will help manage the
three Bear Management Zones (BMZ) growing number of black bears in the state.”
in southern Missouri and will issue MDC proposed a limited and highly regulated black bear hunting
annual permit numbers and harvest season following years of public comment, including informational
quotas for each of the three BMZs. open houses in 2019 and a public-input process in 2020.
Each permit will be for a specific BMZ “A bear-hunting season in our state will provide opportunities for
and may be used on public or private Missourians to participate in the sustainable harvest of this valuable
property within the BMZ. wildlife species,” said MDC Bear Biologist Laura Conlee. “As our black
Permit and harvest quotas for the bear population continues to grow, a highly regulated hunting season
upcoming Oct. 18–27 bear season will be an essential part of population management into the future.”
will be: Hunting hours will be a half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour
BMZ 1: Permit quota of 200 issued after sunset. Hunters will be allowed to use both archery and
with a harvest quota of 20 bears. firearms equipment with allowable methods being the same as
BMZ 2: Permit quota of 150 issued those for deer and elk, except the use of an atlatl. Baiting and the
with a harvest quota of 15 bears. use of dogs will not be allowed.
BMZ 3: Permit quota of 50 issued The harvest limit will be one bear per permit. Only lone black
NG with a harvest quota of 5 bears. bears may be taken. Hunters may not take bears that are known
O
H
OT The season is limited to Missouri to be in the presence of other bears, including female black bears
OL PA residents. It will begin each year on with cubs. Bears may not be disturbed, pushed, harassed, or taken
NOPPAD the third Monday in October and from a den. continued on Page 6 »
mdc.mo.gov 5
In Brief
BLACK BEAR SEASON
(continued from Page 5)
Ask MDC
Hunters must wear hunter orange, make reasonable efforts to
retrieve shot bears, and may not leave or abandon commonly
edible portions. Got a Question for Ask MDC?
All harvested bears must be Telechecked by 10 p.m. on the
Send it to [email protected]
day of harvest, and a tooth from each harvested bear must be or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848.
submitted to MDC within 10 days of harvest to aid with black
bear research and management.
MDC will offer an online bear-hunting permit application
period May 1–31 with a fee of $10 per applicant. Individuals Q: My wife and I watched
must be Missouri residents and will be allowed to apply to hunt a blackbird pick up a
in one of the three designated BMZs. Apply for the random millipede, spin it around,
permit drawing online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, through and rub it through its
MDC’s free MO Hunting app, through a permit vendor, or by feathers and under its
calling 1-800-392-4115. wings and tail. After
Drawing results will be available by July 1. Applicants can 10 minutes, the bird
check to see if they have been selected for a permit at mdc. dropped the millipede
mo.gov/buypermits by logging into Manage Your Account and without harming it
selecting View My Special Hunt History. and flew away. Why
There will be no “sit-out” period for those selected to did the bird do this?
receive permits. Those selected will then be eligible to buy  This fascinating bird A hairy woodpecker anting
a permit at a cost of $25. Selected hunters must be 11 years behavior is called “anting.”
of age or older and have completed hunter education (or be Different species of passerine produce formic acid as a
exempt) by the time of the hunt to purchase a permit. birds have been observed defense mechanism when
MDC is not issuing landowner-specific black bear hunting picking up ants — singly or threatened. By rubbing the
permits, however, a minimum of 10 percent of zone-specific in groups — and rubbing ants over their feathers, birds
resident black bear permits will be allocated to qualifying land- them on their feathers. can induce the ants to emit
owners. Zone-specific permits can be used anywhere in the Less commonly, birds the bitter-tasting acid, leaving
specified zone on public or private property (with landowner are seen spreading their them tastier to eat. The
permission). To qualify, landowners must have at least 20 wings over an anthill to researchers discovered when
contiguous acres within the BMZ for which they are applying. encourage the insects to the ants’ acid-producing
Qualifying landowners must first submit their property swarm over their bodies. This glands were removed, blue
information through MDC’s Landowner Permit Application at behavior also occurs with jays eagerly snapped the
mbedaBcr .lpmaecokrm. gbieot avar/psla pwnliedcraoetw ihonnise.tropriecramllyi tasb buenfdoarne t ctohmropulgehtionugt ath bel afocrk- mweillWlli puhenydd beeisrr,sd tasos od ydoo. u tAh ni sco oitsme ndmo.to n ibtnhesehe jacavtysiso u re pbn gewfaiotghreeodhu ati nna dnth.y Be a untt ing NJA ZEIGENBEIN
ensetaerdly a ereliamsi noaf tMedis sboyu urin prerigour ltaot eEdu rkoipllienagn isne tthtlee mlaeten t1 b8u0t0 ws,e ares aton da cpqluaiursei balne aansts’us mdpefteionns iivse bweahs apvrieosr ewnht.en formic acid NDPIPER: MA
wHoelwl eavse frr,o am s mhaablli tnaut mlobses rw ohf eMn isOszoaurrki fbolraecskt sb ewaerrse s luorgvgiveedd. stoe chrientdioenr sf,u wnghiucsh, baraec tkenroiaw, n comAmntoinngly e speiesond ine sl aatree OLITARY SA
and reintroduction efforts in Arkansas helped to increase bear mites, and other insects. summer and early fall, OTO; S
H
numbers in southern Missouri. Millipedes also have evolved when birds are likely to be OCK P
Over the last 50 years, bear numbers and range in Missouri potent defensive secretions molting — leading some MY ST
hpaevrcee gnrto awnnn.u Tahlley abneda ri sp eoxppuelcatteiodn t ois d ionucrbelaes iinn gle assp tphraonxi 1m0a yteelayr s9. to wHaorwde ovfefr ,t hine i2r 0e0n8e mies. rbeirsdesa rficnhde rtsh teo a anltsso swooonthdinegr if NDT / ALA
largAedr dbietiaorn paollpy,u Mlaitsiosonu irni’ st hbee asur rproopuunldaitniogn s tisa tceosn onfe Actrekdan tsoa as rtheaset athrcish ecursr itoeusst ebde ha atvhieoor ry to tFhoeri rm sokirne. on this topic, visit HWATERS AR
asenadsM oODnksCl.a’sh 2o0m2a0, –b2o0th3 0o fB wlahckic Bhe haar vMea ensatgabemlisehnetd P blaena wr-hillu gnutiindge mpina atlyah tema bsaulkebe. f Faaomnrti sley mx Faoomrremp liec,i naanets fbperleuedep-eajarrwiynsag-tt-cadhkin.ionnrgeg-r/a.b-bloagth/a-onrt-ing- NTING: LINDA FRES
A
bear management in Missouri for the next decade. Learn more
about black bears in Missouri and MDC management efforts
at mdc.mo.gov/bears.
6 Missouri Conservationist | May 2021
Solitary sandpiper
Mark Wilcoxon
Q: What is it? species of shorebird, so here are a few
CARTER COUNTY
 This is a solitary sandpiper. This identifying characteristics to look for:
CONSERVATION AGENT
medium-sized shorebird migrates • They bob their heads constantly
offers this month’s
from southern Mexico and the as they walk.
AGENT
Caribbean through Missouri to its • The white eye ring is slightly
breeding range in Canada. These more prominent than in
birds can trickle in starting in April other species.
ADVICE
through the end of May, and for a • Wings and back are dark brown
longer period in the fall between with small white spots, and legs
mid-July and September. They’re are olive colored.
rarely seen using mudflats alongside They are the only North American
As temperatures rise,
other migrating shorebirds, but sandpiper species that doesn’t lay
they will set down on almost any its eggs on the ground. Rather, Missouri waterways
puddle available. They also will stop they recycle the nests of different become a mecca for
at lakes, ponds, streams, and other tree-nesting songbirds. For more
recreationists. From boaters
waterbodies with muddy margins. information, visit allaboutbirds.org/
to floaters, waterways
Solitary sandpipers resemble other guide/Solitary_Sandpiper.
can quickly get crowded.
To avoid conflicts on the
water, be a good steward,
and have a plan before
you head out! Boaters,
think about getting out
early or staying out late to
What
avoid the surge of floaters.
Floaters, try not to block
IS it?
the river, especially if in a
large group, so boaters and
Can you
guess this others can get through.
month’s Let someone know your
natural
boating and floating plans
wonder?
and routes for the day. For
The answer is on
more information, visit
Page 9.
short.mdc.mo.gov/Zcn.
See you out on the water.
mdc.mo.gov 7
In Brief
MIGRATORY GAME BIRD White-Fronted Geese
AND WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASONS Season: Nov. 11–Feb. 6, 2022
Limits: 2 daily and 6 in possession
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
_ 2021 Migratory Ducks
Game Bird Hunting Season: Canada Geese and Brant
Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves, • North Zone: Oct. 30–Dec. 28 Season: Oct. 2–10 and Nov. 11–Feb. 6, 2022
and White-Winged Doves • Middle Zone: Nov. 6–14 and Limits: 3 Canada geese and Brant in aggregate
Season: Sept. 1–Nov. 29 Nov. 20–Jan. 9, 2022 daily, 9 in possession
• South Zone: Nov. 25–28
Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession combined Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
and Dec. 7–Jan. 31, 2021
total for all three species
Bag Limit: 6 ducks daily with species Light Goose Conservation Order
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
restrictions of: Season: Feb. 7, 2022–April 30, 2022
Sora and Virginia Rails • 4 mallards (no more than 2 females) Limits: No daily or possession limits
Season: Sept. 1–Nov. 9 • 3 wood ducks Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half
• 2 black ducks
Limits: 25 daily and 75 in possession combined hour after sunset
• 2 canvasbacks
for both species Methods: For the taking of blue, snow, and
• 2 hooded mergansers
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset Ross’s geese, hunters may use shotguns
• 2 redheads
capable of holding more than three shells and
• 2 scaup for first 45 days
Wilson’s (Common) Snipe
recorded or electronically amplified bird calls
and 1 scaup for last 15 days
Season: Sept. 1–Dec. 16 or sounds or imitations of bird calls or sounds
• 1 mottled duck
Limits: 8 daily and 24 in possession
• 1 pintail
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset Youth Hunting Days
Possession Limit: Three times the daily bag or
North Zone: Oct. 23–24
18 total, varies by species
American Woodcock Middle Zone: Oct. 23–24
Season: Oct. 15–Nov. 28 Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset South Zone: Nov. 20–21
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession Limits: Same as during regular waterfowl season
Coots
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset Season: Same as duck season dates in the Hours: Same as during regular waterfowl season
respective zones
_ 2021–2022 Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession
_ Falconry Seasons
Waterfowl Hunting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Falconry Season for Doves
Teal
Snow Geese (White and Blue Phases)
Season: Sept. 11–26 Season: Sept. 1–Dec. 16
and Ross’s Geese
Limits: 6 daily and 18 in possession Season: Nov. 11–Feb. 6, 2022 Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession,
singly, or in the aggregate (any ducks,
Hours: Sunrise to sunset Limits: 20 blue, snow, or Ross’s geese daily
coots, or mergansers taken by falconers
with no possession limit
must be included in these limits)
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Wood duck Falconry Season for Ducks, Coots,
Blue-winged teal
and Mergansers
Nontoxic Shot Requirements
For more Season: Open during waterfowl seasons
Shells possessed or used while information (teal, youth, and duck) and Feb. 10, 2022–
hunting waterfowl and coots on migratory March 10, 2022
statewide, and for other species bird and waterfowl
Limits: 3 daily and 9 in possession, singly or in
designated by posting on public hunting, visit
areas, must be loaded with short.mdc.mo.gov/ZZn the aggregate, during the regular duck hunting
material approved as nontoxic by and select the specific seasons (including teal and youth seasons) and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. species, or refer to the Migratory extended falconry seasons (any doves taken by
Get more information on nontoxic- Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest falconers must be included in these limits)
shot requirements, allowed types, 2021–2022, available beginning in
Hours: Sunrise to sunset during the September
and conservation areas requiring July where hunting permits are sold
teal season, one-half hour before sunrise to
use at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zgt. and online at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z8L.
sunset during the remaining seasons
8 Missouri Conservationist | May 2021