Hillsboro, Missouri -  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that Travis Cardona of Hillsboro became the most recent record-breaking fisherman in Missouri when he shot a giant black buffalo on a lake at Duck Creek Conservation Area using a bow and arrow. The new “alternative method” record black buffalo taken by Cardona on March 14 weighed 74 pounds. He shot the fish at 11 p.m. in one of his secret “honey holes.

“Believe it or not, once I shot the giant, I didn’t know it was that big of a fish until it started swimming back to the boat,” Cardona said. “Believe you me, after it swam towards the boat the fight was on.”

Cardona added that it took a total of four arrows to get the behemoth in the boat.

“It was a five minute battle that seemed like an eternity,” he said.

The new black buffalo broke the previous alternative-method state-record of 59-pounds-8-ounces taken on the same body of water three days prior by David Burle of Bloomsdale.

“The month of March has been full of potential record-breaking fish caught throughout the state,” said MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “This just goes to show you that conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish.”

MDC staff verified the new record-weight fish using a certified scale in Fenton.

“Once my friends and I got the fish in the boat, we knew that it was a state-record fish,” Cardona said. “This is by far the biggest fish I have ever caught in my life, and I still can’t believe it!”

The longtime angler said that the fish is in the freezer and will be sent off to be mounted very soon.

“I already have a place on the wall picked out for this once-in-a-lifetime fish. Now I’m ready to get back out on the water and try to take another giant,” he said.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Bowfishing is considered an alternative method and consist of a bow or crossbow that shoots arrows attached to a string so that the fish can be retrieved after they’re pierced. Other alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, and atlatl.

For more information on state-record fish, visit the MDC website at http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/state-record-fish.

Shown in the photo: Travis Cardona of Hillsboro shot this 74-pound state-record black buffalo on a lake at Duck Creek Conservation Area on March 14, 2016.

Dexter, Missouri - The University of Missouri Stoddard County Extension Office has announced plans for a Garden Symposium workshop to be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1002 Saddle Spur Road in Dexter, MO.

The program will bring Extension Specialists to Dexter who will provide practical knowledge on building a healthy soil, hoop houses, lawn care and weeds, farmers markets and practical pests.

This is a great opportunity for garden enthusiasts and small commercial growers in the area to ask questions and gain knowledge on garden related topics.

The Garden Symposium will begin at 9 a.m. with a welcome followed by presentations by Donna Aufdenberg - horticulture specialist, Dr. Van Ayers – community development specialist, Sarah Denkler - horticulture specialist, Kate Kammler - horticulture specialist and Anthony Ohmes - agronomy specialist.

The event includes lunch with activities concluding by 1:30 p.m.  To register call the University of Missouri Stoddard County Extension Office at 573-568-3344.

University of Missouri Extension provides equal opportunity to all participants in extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting a Disabled Veterans Spring Turkey Hunt April 24-26 in Bollinger County. The event is open to any disabled veteran with service-related injuries.

“We want to proudly honor those who have defended our freedoms,” said Conservation Agent Alan Lamb.

The goal of the program is to assist disabled veterans who are not able to go turkey hunting on their own. The event begins April 24 with morning turkey hunts on April 25 and 26.

MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist DeeDee Dockins said all participants will be given basic instruction on how to pattern their shotgun the evening before the first hunt.

“Then the veterans will hit the field the next morning for some top notch Missouri turkey hunting,” said Dockins.

Each veteran will be guided by conservation agents or MDC employees. Other activities planned include target shooting and fishing. Hunting and camaraderie will continue until the event concludes on the afternoon of April 26.  

“We’re dedicated to providing veterans with positive recreational opportunities,” said Lamb. “It isn’t just a hunt, it is an experience and we get as much out of the program as the veterans do.”

Lodging at an MDC facility and all meals and equipment will be provided throughout the event. The event is free to participants but applicants must apply and purchase the necessary permits. Applications are available at the MDC Southeast Regional Office in Cape County Park North or by emailing Dockins at DeeDee.Dockins@mdc.mo.gov.  The application deadline is March 31.

The Veterans of Valor Turkey Hunt is in cooperation with the Southeast Regional Disabled Veterans Recreational Program which provides outdoor recreational opportunities for disabled veterans.

For more information, or to apply, call the Southeast Regional Office at (573)290-5730 or email Dockins at deedee.dockins@mdc.mo.gov.

Missouri - Is the wintery season winds down, anglers throughout the Show-Me State are beginning to show some signs of trout fever. Symptoms include: tying flies, putting new fishing line on reels, checking waders for holes, and practicing casting. Most anglers who get trout fever get rid of it by doing one thing—visiting one of Missouri's four trout parks to participate in the catch-and-keep trout season.

Tuesday, March 1, marks the opening of catch-and-keep trout fishing at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James.

"This year's trout opener should be good and comparable to previous years," said MDC Fisheries Unit Chief Bruce Drecktrah.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) operates trout hatcheries at all four parks. To help predict angler turnout on opening day, hatchery staff rely on permit records going back more than 70 years. Montauk, Bennett Spring, and Roaring River hatchery staff expect crowds of about 2,000 anglers at each location and Maramec Spring staff are planning for a crowd of about 1,500. Based on these predictions, hatchery staff will stock three trout per expected angler on opening day for a total of more than 22,500 fish averaging around a foot in length. The hatcheries will also stock a mix of "lunkers" ranging in three to 10 pounds.

Trout Season Outlook

Due to the heavy rain and record-breaking flood that took place this past December, MDC crews have been inspecting flood damage and evaluating the impact these floods may have on hatcheries, fish production and fish numbers.

"We have plenty of fish for this year's trout season," said MDC Fisheries Division Chief Brian Canaday. "But due to the heavy rains and flooding our trout stocking will be slightly reduced throughout the season. We will stock approximately two fish per trout tag sold at each trout park instead of our usual 2.25."

Canaday added that MDC staff will continue to evaluate hatchery fish inventories, stocking plans, and make adjustments throughout the season as appropriate.

Permits

It's important to know anglers need a daily trout tag to fish in Missouri's trout parks. Daily trout tags can only be purchased at each of the four trout parks. Missouri residents 16 through 64 need a fishing permit in addition to the daily tag. Nonresidents 16 and older also need a fishing permit.

Economic Outlook

Trout hatcheries are just one way that conservation pays in Missouri. MDC stocks more than 800,000 trout annually at the state's four trout parks and approximately 1.5 million annually statewide. Trout anglers' spend more than $100 million each year in the Show-Me-State, which generates more than $180 million in business activity, supports more than 2,300 jobs and creates more than $70 million dollars in wages. About 30 percent of Missouri trout anglers come from other states, so a substantial portion of trout fishing expenditures is "new money" for the state's economy.

For more information on trout fishing in Missouri, visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/where-fish/trout-areas.

REMINDER TO TROUT ANGLERS: To prevent the spread of the invasive alga called didymo or "rock snot," the use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles of felt, matted or woven fibrous material is prohibited at all trout parks, trout streams, Lake Taneycomo, and buffer areas. Go online for more information to http://on.mo.gov/1V6qc6W.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer skills sessions Feb. 20, from 1 to 5 p.m., and March 10, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

Hunter education is required to buy a firearms hunting permit in Missouri for any hunter born on or after Jan. 1, 1967. Hunters must complete step one, a knowledge portion, and step two, a skills session, in order to become hunter education certified. Either of these two scheduled skills sessions will meet the step two requirement.

“Hunter education has reduced hunting accidents and deaths by more than 70 percent since it became mandatory,” said DeeDee Dockins, MDC outdoor skills specialist. “This is why we recommend all hunters become hunter-education certified.”

Before registering for a skills session, individuals must first complete part one online, through self-study, or by attending a classroom session. To attend the skills session, they must bring their skills session qualifier certificate or a student manual with their completed review questions. Hunter education student manuals are available everywhere hunting permits are sold.  Manuals are also available by mail. A final exam is administered at the end of the skills session.

Students must be 11 years of age at the start of the class and those 15 and under must provide proof of age. Students are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes before the beginning of the skills session to make time for registration.

Hunter Education Program provides a foundation in hunting safety and ethics. It instills responsibility, improves skills and knowledge, and encourages interaction between beginner and veteran hunters. Missouri hunter education includes information on how firearms work and firearm safety, wildlife identification, game care, survival and first-aid skills, hunting techniques, awareness about wildlife conservation and management and rules and information unique to hunting in Missouri.

To register for one of these two skills sessions, or to find other courses and more information on hunter education in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov.