Sports
MDC Eliminates More than 7,300 Feral Hogs from Missouri
November 01st 2018 by Dee Loflin
MDC and partners eliminate more than 7,300 feral hogs from Missouri’s landscape in 2018 so far
Experts maintain trapping whole sounders is the most effective method in feral hog removal.
Jefferson City, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) feral hog strike team has tallied up elimination numbers from January through September 2018. So far, they’ve yielded a total of 7,339 feral hogs removed by MDC, partner agencies, and private landowners. In 2017, 6,561 feral hogs were removed from the landscape.
Crews in southeast Missouri removed 3,849 feral hogs, which is where the highest density of feral hogs occurs. The Ozark region removed 2,358 and the Southwest region removed 823 feral hogs. St. Louis region removed 186 feral hogs, Kansas City Region removed 116 feral hogs, and Northeast Region removed one. The highest densities of feral hogs occur south of Interstate 44, with very few feral hog sightings in the north portion of the state.
“We’ve been very strategic in our efforts, focusing on removal of whole groups of feral hogs at a time, before moving onto another area,” said Mark McLain, MDC’s feral hog elimination team leader. “This strategic approach is important because if we leave even a few feral hogs behind in an area, they can reproduce quickly and put us back where we started.”
McLain said it’s essential that the public understand why feral hogs must be eliminated.
“Feral hogs are a destructive, invasive species that don’t belong here; they’re not a native species,” McLain said. “They out-compete native wildlife for habitat and food. For example, places with a lot of feral hogs will see their wild turkey and deer populations diminish.”
McLain said feral hogs are known to carry diseases that could possibly spread to humans, pets, and livestock. He hopes the message that hunting is not an effective method for eliminating feral hog populations is starting to catch on.
“For over 20 years, unregulated hunting of feral hogs was allowed in Missouri, during which time our feral hog population expanded from a few counties to over 30 counties,” he said.
In 2017, MDC, the Corps of Engineers, and the LAD Foundation established regulations against feral hog hunting on lands owned and managed by these three organizations. Other agencies have passed regulations similar to MDC’s to eliminate hog hunting on land they own.
“A persistent piece of this story is continued illegal releases of feral hogs, which establishes populations and further spreads the problem,” McLain said. “This is illegal and when caught, those who release feral hogs face hefty fines.”
McLain said MDC is partnered with many agricultural and environmental groups as well as hundreds of private landowners, that are all committed to eliminating feral hogs from Missouri. Landowners and the public are a crucial element of this effort, especially since most land in Missouri is privately owned.
“Landowners who’ve experienced feral hogs on their land have learned that hunting feral hogs pushes them onto neighboring property, which causes problems for their neighbors,” McLain said.
When neighboring landowners try to control feral hogs through hunting, the hogs simply travel back and forth between the properties, escaping and causing more damage. Trapping with no hunting interference is the best method to eliminate them. Landowners can seek help from MDC and USDA such as technical advice, on-site visits, loaning equipment and training.
Feral hogs are not wildlife and are a serious threat to fish, forests and wildlife as well as agricultural resources. Feral hogs damage property, agriculture, and natural resources by their aggressive rooting of soil in addition to their trampling and consumption of crops as part of their daily search for food.
Feral hogs have expanded their range in the U.S. from 17 to 38 states over the past 30 years. Their populations grow rapidly because feral hogs can breed any time of year and produce two litters of one to seven piglets every 12 to 15 months. Feral hogs are also known to carry diseases such as swine brucellosis, pseudorabies, trichinosis and leptospirosis, which are a threat to Missouri agriculture and human health.
Last Updated on November 01st 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vbh0/MDC-Eliminates-More-than-7300-Feral-Hogs-from-Missouri
Young Deer Hunter Spotlights on the ShowMe Times!
October 30th 2018 by Dee Loflin
Want to feature your young deer hunter? Hunters must be 18 years or younger.
Send a photo with NAME, AGE, COUNTY Deer Killed, Parents Names to email news@showmetimes.com
Partial information will not be accepted.
Photos and information will not be accepted via Facebook, Twitter or Text.....ONLY email to news@showmetimes.com
Spotlights will be posted as time permits throughout the deer hunting season.
Thank you and have a great deer season!
Last Updated on October 30th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vbg7/Young-Deer-Hunter-Spotlights-on-the-ShowMe-Times
MDC Predicts Quail Season to be Good
October 16th 2018 by Dee Loflin
MDC predicts quail season to be good in parts of state
Quail production for 2018 below 10-year average, but good hunting can still be found.
Missouri - With quail-hunting season starting Nov. 1, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) advises hunters that overall quail production was about the same as last year, but below the 10-year average. MDC staff note that good hunting can be found in areas with quality habitat in north and west-central portions of the state.
Each August, MDC conservation agents record the numbers of quail they see while driving a 30-mile route – called the roadside index. A total of 110 routes are completed around the state. These numbers are then tallied and grouped by eight geographic areas of quail production – called zoogeographic regions. (SEE RELATED MAP)
According to MDC, this year’s statewide average roadside index of 1.7 birds is the same as last year’s and 15% below the previous 10-year average. Regionally, the roadside index ranged from 0 in the Northern and Eastern Ozark Border to 5.3 in the Northwest Prairie.
MDC Small Game Coordinator David Hoover points out that, although statewide production was down, three regions showed counts at or above last year’s values.
According to Hoover, the Northwestern Prairie region is up 3.5% from last year and 42% over the 10-year average while the Northeast Riverbreaks region is unchanged from last year but still 12% above the 10-year average. The Western Prairie region had the greatest increase from last year at nearly 47% but is still 48% below the 10-year average. The Northern Riverbreaks region was down 26% from last year but is still 23% above the 10-year average.
“Having quality habitat is the most important factor for quail production, but weather also plays a very important, and often unpredictable, role,” said Hoover. “This year’s quail production highlighted this complicated relationship between habitat and weather. The drier-than-normal conditions this summer likely benefited quail in many areas with good habitat, while being of little or no benefit to those quail in areas with marginal to poor habitat.”
He added that it is no secret quail populations are much lower than they once were, but habitat conditions are also much different than 50 years ago when quail numbers were at their peak.
“Continued loss of habitat puts additional stress on the remaining quail populations, which are often isolated in islands of habitat, and thus more susceptible to the negative effects of weather and predation,” Hoover said.
He added that the quail community still has much to learn about factors affecting quail production and survival.
“Missouri biologists have recently completed a study in the southwestern portion of the state that has the potential to change how we approach quail management in the future,” said Hoover. “This study is examining how specific habitat management approaches affect quail nesting rates and success as well as brood habitat use and survival. This research, combined with other studies recently published from around the quail range, are shedding light on just how crucial the summer months are for quail populations, and how best to manage for the most favorable conditions.”
More on the roadside survey
MDC Resource Scientist Beth Emmerich manages the August roadside survey, which has been conducted since 1983.
“It represents the best way we have to track quail populations on a statewide basis,” Emmerich said. “The survey does a good job of tracking large-scale population changes and is a good barometer for how more localized populations may also be doing from year to year.”
She added, that since 2013, quail populations in areas of good habitat have experienced relatively good production years.
“In 2015, we saw the highest statewide roadside index in nearly a decade,” Emmerich explained. “That summer was extremely wet, resulting in many crop fields in northern Missouri left unplanted, and many of which developed diverse annual plant cover that persisted well into August. This abundance of good brood cover led to a very good production year for quail, despite the abnormally wet summer conditions.”
Fall hunting prospects
“In northern and west-central portions of the state, hunters should expect bird numbers at or above last year in areas with good habitat,” said Hoover. “Look for large areas of diverse native grass cover intermixed with lots of low-growing woody cover and untilled crop fields and you are likely to find a covey.”
Hunting season for quail is Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2019. The daily bag limit is eight with a possession limit of 16. Get more information from MDC online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/quail, or from MDC’s 2018 Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet, available where permits are sold.
Last Updated on October 16th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vbbd/MDC-Predicts-Quail-Season-to-be-Good
MDC Asks Deer Hunters to Help Limit CWD Spread
September 06th 2018 by Dee Loflin
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters that properly disposing of carcasses of harvested deer is important in limiting the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD). MDC also reminds hunters who harvest deer, elk, or moose outside of Missouri and bring the animals back to follow related regulations to help limit the spread of CWD.
CWD is a deadly illness for white-tailed deer and other members of the deer family, called cervids. CWD kills all deer and other cervids it infects. It has no vaccine or cure. CWD is spread from deer to deer through direct contact and through contact with soil, food, and water that have been contaminated through feces, urine, saliva – and carcasses -- of infected deer. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/cwd.
CWD has been found in Missouri and is slowly spreading. MDC needs the help of hunters to help limit its spread.
Properly dispose of deer carcasses
Carcasses or carcass remains of CWD-infected deer can expose other deer to the disease. Long after infected carcass remains decompose, the soil around the remains can stay infectious, possibly exposing other deer.
To help avoid this exposure risk, MDC recommends the following carcass disposal methods:
- Place in Trash or Landfill: The best way to prevent the spread of CWD is to place carcass remains in trash bags and dispose of them through trash collection or a permitted landfill.
- Bury on Site: If you can’t bag and place in trash or a permitted landfill, bury carcass remains at or near where the deer was harvested. Bury deep enough to prevent access by scavengers. Burial will reduce but not eliminate the risks of spreading CWD.
- Leave on Site: As a last resort, leave carcass remains onsite. While this will not prevent scavengers from scattering potentially infectious parts, the remains will stay on the general area where the deer was taken. If CWD is already present on that area, it will likely remain there and not be moved to another area.
- Do Not Place in Water: It is illegal to dispose of carcasses or remains in streams, ponds, or other bodies of water.
- Do Not Burn: Only commercial incinerators reaching over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit can generate enough heat for long enough to destroy the prions that cause CWD.
Follow laws for harvested deer and other cervids brought into MO
Hunters who harvest deer, elk, or moose outside of the state and bring the animals back must report the entry into Missouri within 24 hours by calling 877-853-5665, or reporting it online at mdc.mo.gov/carcass. The carcass must be taken to a licensed meat processor or taxidermist within 72 hours of entry.
Hunters just passing through Missouri on their way to another state are exempt from this requirement as long as they are not in Missouri for longer than 24 hours.
The reporting requirement is only for whole carcasses and carcasses that have the head and spinal column attached. Parts that do not require reporting and that are at lower risk for harboring CWD include:
- meat that is cut and wrapped; boned-out-meat;
- quarters or other portions of meat with no parts of the spine or head attached;
- hides or capes from which excess tissue has been removed;
- antlers, including those attached to skull plates; and
- skulls where all muscle and brain tissue has been removed.
Last Updated on September 06th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vb44/MDC-Asks-Deer-Hunters-to-Help-Limit-CWD-Spread
MDC Waterfowl Hunting Reservations Open September 1, 2018
August 10th 2018 by Dee Loflin
MDC waterfowl hunting reservations open Sept. 1
Apply online Sept. 1 – 18 to hunt waterfowl on 12 MDC managed wetland areas.
Jefferson City, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds waterfowl hunters they have from Sept. 1 through Sept. 18 to apply online with MDC to hunt on 12 wetland areas intensively managed by the Department for waterfowl.
For more information and to apply starting Sept. 1, go to mdc.mo.gov and search “Waterfowl Reservations,” or apply directly at short.mdc.mo.gov/Z4W.
The reservation system allocates half of the available hunting opportunities on these areas for Missouri residents chosen through a random drawing. The other half are for walk-in hunters who draw on-site each morning for the remaining spots.
MDC reminds hunters that waterfowl hunting in Missouri is influenced by habitat conditions, weather, and the timing of migrations more than overall duck and goose numbers.
Get more information on related regulations, seasons, species, permits, limits, and more from MDC’s “Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2018-2019,” available where hunting permits are sold.
Get hunting details by species from the MDC website at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/.
Buy hunting permits from numerous vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/buypermits, or through MDC’s free MO Hunting mobile app, available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices.
Last Updated on August 10th 2018 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vatd/MDC-Waterfowl-Hunting-Reservations-Open-September-1-2018
