The St. Francois County outdoor enthusiast brings experience and passion to MDC.

Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Greitens announced on July 31 the appointment of long-time conservationist and outdoor enthusiast Nicole Wood to the Missouri Conservation Commission. The Governor has appointed Wood to a term that expires June 30, 2023. Wood replaces James T. Blair, IV, of St. Louis whose Commission appointment expired. Wood’s appointment will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

Wood is the director of operations at Woodland Operations and Maintenance, where she is involved in the daily management of 20,000 acres of land in the Missouri Ozarks. She is only the fifth woman appointed to the Conservation Commission in the Department’s 80 year history.  

“Nicole’s passion for the outdoors and her strong business acumen will be extremely beneficial to the Commission’s ongoing work in strategic planning, budget guidance, and Wildlife Code regulations,” said Missouri Department of Conservation Director Sara Parker Pauley.

Wood serves on the boards of the National Wildlife Federation, Conservation Federation of Missouri, Parkland Hospital Foundation, and the National Wildlife Federation Endowment. She and her family share a passion for the outdoors.

“Missouri has the best Department of Conservation in the United States and, to be part of that as a commissioner is an incredible honor,” Wood said. “I look forward to working with all the commissioners, staff and citizens on continuing to make the Department the best in the country.”

Her interest in the outdoors started at a young age while on family hunting and fishing trips. She enjoys floating, rafting, kayaking or just sitting on a gravel bar. Wood also has a family history of commitment to conservation with her father, Howard Wood, serving as commissioner from 1997 to 2003.

The Missouri Conservation Commission controls, manages, restores, conserves and regulates the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state, including hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, reservations and all other property owned, acquired or used for such purposes, as well as the acquisition and establishment of those properties. 

Greentop, Missouri -  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports Bowen Dockery of Greentop became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he caught a green sunfish on a private pond in Schuyler County. The new “alternative method” record fish caught by Dockery on July 5 weighed 1 pound, 3 ounces. Dockery’s recent catch broke the previous state record of 6-ounces, caught in 1993.

“Pulling up that trotline and seeing that large green sunfish on the end of my hook is wild to think about. I still can’t believe I caught that fish,” Dockery said.

Dockery said he was fishing for bait using night crawlers when he caught the state-record green sunfish.

“This was my first time I have ever fished with a trotline, and somehow I caught a state-record fish,” he said. “I have tried to break records fishing in the Mississippi River before, but I never thought I would break a record by fishing out of my own pond. I’m so excited about this catch.”

MDC weighed the green sunfish on a certified scale in Kirksville.

“This is the eighth state-record fish this year. 2017 is shaping up to be a year for state-record fish,” said MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson. “The mild weather we have had this year means more anglers are fishing, and catching big fish.”

Dockery said he plans to mount the new state-record green sunfish.

Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include: throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery, and atlatl. 

Dexter, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Dexter Greenhead Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will host their Annual Duck Banding Event at Otter Slough Conservation Area on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 7:00 a.m.

The event will begin with Missouri Department of Conservation staff demonstrating electrofishing equipment on Cypress Lake. 

Fisheries Biologist Mike Reed will run a electrofishing boat along the shoreline and you will have a front row seat to the fish population of Cypress Lake.  Mike will also show how biologists tag fish for research projects.  While everyone is watching the show, Ducks Unlimited volunteers and MDC staff will be operating various capture equipment around Otter Slough hoping to catch mourning doves and ducks. 

Following the fish show, will be an opportunity for all youth to assist wildlife biologists band and release any birds captured on the area that day.  For a grand finale, we will travel out to a rocket net site on Otter Slough and see first hand how the nets are deployed to capture wildlife.  Ducks Unlimited volunteers will also be on hand to demonstrate retriever handling techniques and hand out some free stuff for the kids.  

The event will begin at 7:00 a.m. sharp in the large parking lot next to Cypress Lake and the equipment yard at Otter Slough Conservation Area. Most of the activities will occur in shaded areas and will conclude at approximately 10:00 a.m. 

No registration is required and the event is free to all ages. 

SEDALIA, Mo. -- Discover nature with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 10-20.

Visit MDC’s Conservation Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to see live fish and other native animals such as snakes, turtles, and amphibians. Learn about and see displays of native plants that help butterflies and other important pollinators. Ask conservation questions of MDC staff, get educational materials, and have fun.

Don’t miss MDC’s air-conditioned Conservation Kids’ Discovery Room between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for hands-on fun discovering nature through crafts and other activities.

Enjoy these free conservation-related programs at MDC’s outdoor pavilion:

WATCH RAPTORS: See a live eagle and other birds of prey up close at the Raptors of Missouri presentation Aug. 10 and Aug. 19 at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.

LEARN TO CLEAN AND COOK FISH: Learn how to prepare a fresh catch at the Fish Cooking and Cleaning demonstration Aug. 11 and Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

BE BEAR AWARE: Learn about black bears in Missouri and how to Be Bear Aware Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

OPERATION GAME THIEF: Visit with conservation agents and see the MDC OGT travelling display trailer all day Aug. 14, 15, and 16.

FIELD TO FORK: Learn how to clean and cook harvested game at the Field to Fork demonstration Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 

HISTORIC SAWMILL: See a working model sawmill in operation at Forest Products: The Circular Sawmill Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the special program on ALIEN INVADERS Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next door to the MDC outdoor pavilion at the Missouri Department of Transportation gardens. It will include displays and activities on invasive plants and animals, how they harm native species and habitats, and what people can do to help eliminate th

KENNETT, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium (MBRC) Inc. will host the 19th annual Take a Kid Fishing Clinic at Jerry P. Combs Lake, Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the largest annual fishing event in the Bootheel.

“This event typically pulls in 500 or more people and we’re glad it’s popular,” said Conservation Agent Eric Heuring.

The purpose of the event, which is part of MBRC’s Fathers First Initiative, is to engage fathers and children in outdoor activities together. In addition to fishing, MDC will lead archery activities and offer boat rides on the lake, The Missouri National Guard will be present, free lunch and breakfast refreshments will be provided by MBRC, and a limited number of t-shirts will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Cynthia Dean, CEO of MBRC, said the Fatherhood First program was initiated in 1998 in order to assist fathers in maintaining positive relationships with their children and families. She said the fishing clinic helps support local interventions and services to assist fathers in overcoming barriers to responsible fatherhood.

“MBRC is committed to continuing this important community event to emphasize the importance of male involvement in the lives of their children and families,” Dean said.

Adults and children are encouraged to bring their own fishing poles and equipment. A limited number of loaner fishing poles will be available, with identification required for use of loaner poles. All children must be accompanied at all times by an adult.

“Fishing and other outdoor activities provide a perfect opportunity for families to bond as they learn about and enjoy the outdoors,” Heuring said. “MDC is proud to be a part of this event because of the strong tie to maintaining that tradition of families enjoying nature together.”

Heuring has coordinated MDC’s portion of the event for well over a decade. He said watching children experience nature, sometimes for the first time, never gets old.

“The highlight of this event is always witnessing the children have a great time catching fish, getting a bull’s-eye and going on the boat rides. For many, this is a first time experience with these activities,” he said.

Heuring said for MDC, this event is part of a mission to help people discover nature. He said the hope is that after experiencing these outdoor activities for the first time at an event, parents and children will incorporate things like fishing, archery and general outdoor time into their regular routines. 

“Fishing, like anything else, is only improved when enjoyed with your family,” Heuring added.

To learn more about the MBRC Fishing Clinic, go online to mbrcinc.org/2017-fishing. For more information on places to fish in Missouri, go online to mdc.mo.gov/fish. For information on MDC nature programs occurring throughout Missouri, go to mdc.mo.gov/events.