Mourning doves, Eurasian collared doves, and white-winged doves may be taken from Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 from one half hour before sunrise to sunset with a combined daily limit of 15 and a combined possession limit of 45 for all three species.
Sora and Virginia rails may be taken from Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 from one half hour before sunrise to sunset with a combined daily limit of 25 and a combined possession limit of 75 for both species.
Wilson’s (Common) snipe may be taken from Sept. 1 through Dec. 16 from one half hour before sunrise to sunset with a daily limit of eight and a possession limit of 24.
Blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon teal may be taken from Sept 12 through Sept. 27 from sunrise to sunset with a combined daily limit of six and a combined possession limit of 18 for all three species.
American woodcock may be taken from Oct. 15 through Nov. 28 from one half hour before sunrise to sunset with a daily limit of three and a possession limit of nine.
Additional details about early migratory bird hunting regulations will be published in MDC’s “2015 Migratory Bird Hunting Digest” available later this summer where hunting permits are sold, at MDC offices and nature centers, and online at mdc.mo.gov.
“We’ve been collecting bugs for our insect zoo for weeks and we can’t wait to show them off at this event,” said Jordi Brostoski, a Cape Nature Center naturalist.
Though they may be tiny, bugs have big stories to tell about adaptations and the many ways they survive. Certain types of cicadas spend more than a decade underground before emerging as adults. Some bugs, like water striders can actually walk on water due to the surface tension of the water and the strider’s brush-like leg structure. A dragonfly nymph may be a bug, but that doesn’t stop it from being a carnivore and devouring a tadpole.
“We may underestimate the lives of bugs, but I think folks will find there’s a lot to discover about these little creatures,” Brostoski said.
This event will explore those stories through insect hikes, a bug zoo and crafts.
No registration is required for this event and all ages are welcome.
Hercules beetles have amazing strength, as they're able to lift more than 850 times their own weight. Learn more fascinating bug stories at Insectigations, July 18, at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. (MDC file photo)
You may drop off eWaste from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7th, Wednesday, July 8th, and Thursday, July 9th.
The following items will be accepted:
Computer Equipment: servers, desktop PCs, laptops, Netbooks, Apple computers, tablets, keyboards, speakers, modems, routers, cables, software, and all accessories.
Video and Photography: BluRay players, HD DVD, DVD, Laserdisc, VHS, Betamax, DVRs, cable and satellite receivers, and digital and film cameras.
Audio: Receivers, amplifiers, speakers, MP3 players, CD players, cassettes, turntables, 8-Track equipment, radios, microphones, mixers, rack equipment, and DAW.
Appliances: Washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, refrigerators, air conditioners, and water heaters.
Office Equipment: Printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, and ink/toner cartridges.
The last eWaste disposal which was held less than a year ago in September of 2014 generated 11 tons of electronic equipment and more than 10,000 lbs of televisions.
The management district obtained grant monies from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to help cover the cost for residents in disposing of eWaste items. As a result, NO FEES will be charged except on computer monitors ($5.00), TVs ($15.00), and big screen & console TVs ($35.00).
The Sheltered Workshop is located at 1118 Center St., Dexter just 2 blocks north of Fiddlers.
Law enforcement seeking impaired drivers over Independence Day holiday
If you're thinking about driving impaired this week, the red, white and blue flashing lights of your Independence Day holiday may be those of a patrol car - and the view of the fireworks is not so good from a local jail cell.
The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to substance-impaired driving crashes. Local law enforcement will be out in full force July 3-5 seeking impaired drivers through increased sobriety checkpoints, roving and saturation patrols, and other enforcement methods. There are no warnings and no excuses. If you drive impaired you will be arrested. Don't risk losing your independence by choosing to drink and drive.
"Last year eight people were killed and 50 were seriously injured in Missouri traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday," said Bill Whitfield, executive committee chair for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "Two of those fatalities and 11 serious injuries involved a substance-impaired driver."
Often, people have a hard time recuperating financially from the cost of an arrest or the crash itself. Violators risk killing or harming others, face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.
The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recommends these simple tips to avoid a drunk-driving disaster:
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
• If you're impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to call local law enforcement.
• Always wear your seat belt. It's your best defense in any traffic crash.
For more information, visit www.saveMOlives.com, or find them on Facebook and Twitter at Save MO Lives.
Missouri - One of the most catchable fish in Missouri waters, especially in the summer months, is the group known as panfish, and the peak catching time is now.
In late June and early July, concentrations of bluegills will be spawning along shallow lake or pond shores.
Look for craters of round light spots on the bottom, which are the nest sites.
Bluegills and sunfish relatives are excellent table fare, possibly better flavored than walleye. These panfish may be filleted or scaled, then rolled in seasoned flour and fried.
Jack Anderson and his wife of 42 years, Charlotte, settled in his boat and cruised to their favorite bluegill and crappie fishing hole. Anderson pointed out that his wife has matched casts with him ever since they made a honeymoon fishing trip to the Lake of the Ozarks back in 1973.
Like many Missouri anglers, the Andersons have been called panfish anglers, which is appropriate for people who primarily fish for bluegill, perch and crappie.
Charlotte said, " We like to fish for panfish because we like to eat what we catch. You can't get a better tasting fish than a crappie or bluegill."
On one of their latest fishing trips, the goal was to put enough fish in the boat for a couple of meals. In seconds after arriving at one of their favorite spots, they cast their hooks with earthworms. In less time it took to say, "I got one," Jack pulled in an 8-inch fighting bluegill. As he spoke, his wife hauled in another big bluegill. In less than an hour, they had caught about two dozen fish including a one-pound crappie.
Anderson said, " I have done a lot of bank fishing in my life, particularly when I had trouble with my back. Like anyone who fishes for panfish from the bank the biggest problem is getting your line far enough out to catch fish. I found by using a small sinker and a bobber works best."
It doesn't matter if the couple are fishing from the bank or in a boat, they catch their share of panfish and then some.
A closer look at Missouri panfish:
Green sunfish: State record is 2 pounds, 2 ounces taken from Stockton Lake back in 1971. Its back is dark olive with lighter sides. The gill cover lobe is black, except for light colored red margin. Six years would be a long life for green sunfish.
Bluegill: State record is 3 pounds taken back in 1963 from a pond. Like most of the panfish, bluegills provide good table fare. They may be best when coated with seasoned flour and fried in butter. The bluegill's fighting qualities are excellent. They can be taken on a wide variety of lures and bait.
White crappie: The state record is 4 pounds, 9 ounces taken in 2000 from a pond. It has the same general appearance as a black crappie except slightly more elongated. It also has sides of silver with shades of purple and seven to nine vertical bars. It's good on the table, but a notch lower on the culinary scale than the black crappie. They generally don't fight as well as the black crappie.
Black crappie: The state record is 4 pounds, 8 ounces, taken from a farm pond in 1967. The black crappie can live 10 years or longer. It has dark specks on sides than are both yellow and green. It offers good table fare. Black crappie are good fighters who prefer clearer water than the white crappie.
Panfishing techniques
For panfish, most anglers rely on small hooks tipped with minnows or worms. Spinners and small spoons work on panfish.
Fly fishing anglers have good luck with panfish species by casting small poppers to top feeding fish and using wet flies to drop into feeding zones.
Pan-fishermen will want to look for dropoffs during the summer. Still-fishing with a small jig or flyfishing with wet flies or small poppers is effective for bluegills.
With thousands of ponds, many large impoundments and streams to fish plus a season that never closes, Missouri pan-fishermen are ready for a summer of good fishing and great eating.
