Sports
Otter Slough Conservation Area COVID Red Level
November 19th 2020 by Dee Loflin
Otter Slough Conservation Area COVID Red Level
Attention Waterfowl Hunters:
Because of COVID-19 positives, the draw facility being closed, and staffing shortages because of being in quarantine, the managed waterfowl hunt at Otter Slough will operate in the Red Level on November 19, 20, and 21.
If you have drawn a reservation for the ADA Blind or the draw pools/blinds, go to this page to find your specific hunting location and maps and to print your required Daily Waterfowl Hunting Tag (Green Card): https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/waterfowl/waterfowl-managed-hunts/red-level-procedures-and-areas
Please note these details for COVID Red Level Waterfowl Drawings:
Hunters DO NOT need to show up at the Draw Time, they can simply go to their hunting location.
No staff-hunter contact.
No facility use.
100% reservation allocation for residents only through in-season draw.
Hunt positions will be pre-assigned.
No poor line or vacancy filling.
MDC has designated the following staff to answer questions hunters may have:
Statewide -- Joel Porath at 573-522-4115 ext. 3188
North Zone -- Chris Freeman at (660) 646-6122 or Craig Crisler at (660) 446-3371
Middle Zone -- Luke Wehmhoff at 573-624-5821 ext. 4662, Gary Calvert at 636-441-4554 ext. 4180
South Zone -- Joel Porath at 573-522-4115 ext. 3188
Last Updated on November 19th 2020 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vetg/Otter-Slough-Conservation-Area-COVID-Red-Level
MDC Announces Plan for Missouri Elk Hunting
July 07th 2019 by Dee Loflin
MDC announces plan for Missouri elk hunting
Limited season for Missouri residents could start as soon as 2020 if plan criteria are met.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shared its initial plan for a limited elk-hunting season with the Missouri Conservation Commission at the Commission’s public meeting June 28 at MDC headquarters in Jefferson City. The Commission gave its initial approval of the proposed plan, and MDC is asking for public comments.
According to MDC Elk and Deer Biologist Aaron Hildreth, who presented the elk-hunting plan at the meeting, MDC will begin offering a limited season for hunting elk once the herd of about 175 animals reaches a minimum of 200 with an annual herd growth rate of at least 10 percent and a herd ratio of at least four cow elk for every bull elk.
According to MDC research, the herd will likely reach 200 animals by 2020. With that in mind, MDC has designated a nine-day archery season for elk running Oct. 17-25, 2020, and a nine-day firearms season for elk running Dec. 12-20, 2020.
Hildreth noted that the number of permits for a possible 2020 hunt has yet to be determined.
“If the elk population is below desired numbers in early 2020, the Conservation Commission may choose to not open the online application process or issue any permits for a fall 2020 hunt,” he explained. “We will then focus on 2021.”
MDC hopes to eventually reach a target population of 500 animals and will use hunting to manage herd size and location.
Elk are a native species in Missouri but were hunted to extinction in the state through unregulated market hunting during the late 1800s. MDC worked with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to reintroduce the native species by capturing and transporting wild elk from Kentucky to a remote area of the Missouri Ozarks. The reintroduction effort took place in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with most of the 108 relocated animals being cow elk with some calves and immature bulls. Their numbers have grown, and their range has expanded in recent years to cover portions of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. The area consists of nearly 80 percent public land interspersed with tracts of private property.
Hunting Framework
Under MDC’s framework, elk hunting would be limited to Missouri residents at least 11 years of age who have their hunter-education certification or are exempt from hunter education by age (born before Jan. 1, 1967). Hunting permits would be assigned through a random lottery of all applicants. MDC will require a $10 application fee to be eligible for the limited hunt with a $50 permit fee for those selected through the lottery. MDC will limit the random lottery to one application per-person, per-year with a 10-year “sit-out” period for those drawn for a permit before they may apply again.
The hunting zone will be limited to Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties, but will exclude the special refuge portion of Peck Ranch Conservation Area where elk were initially reintroduced.
“Permits issued each year will be valid for a nine-day archery season beginning the third Saturday in October and a nine-day firearms season beginning the second Saturday in December,” Hildreth explained.
He added that the timing of the seasons was designed to avoid the peak of elk breeding during late September and early October and to avoid the elk season coinciding with portions of the firearms deer season.
“The allowed hunting methods for each season will be the same as for deer hunting,” Hildreth said. “The permits will allow for the harvest of one bull elk with at least one antler being greater than six inches in length. Successful hunters must Telecheck their harvested elk, like for deer.”
Local Landowners Included
According to MDC, local landowners have been supportive of the reintroduction of elk to the area and local communities have benefited from an increase in tourism related to elk.
MDC will reserve at least one permit from the annual random lottery for resident landowners with at least 20 acres within a specified boundary within Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties. The special landowner permits will be nontransferable and may only be filled on the landowner’s property.
“Qualifying landowners will not be required to pay the $10 application fee but will still pay a $50 permit fee if selected,” Hildreth said. “If selected, they will not be required to wait 10 years before again applying for the landowner permit. Qualifying landowners may apply once each year for a regular hunting permit and for a special landowner permit but may receive only one permit annually.”
Last Updated on July 07th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vctq/MDC-Announces-Plan-for-Missouri-Elk-Hunting
Apply Online for MDC Managed Deer Hunts Starting July 1
July 07th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Apply online for MDC managed deer hunts starting July 1
Beginning July 1, deer hunters can apply online through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) website for a shot at more than 100 managed deer hunts throughout the state for archery, muzzleloading, and modern firearms from mid-September through mid-January at conservation areas, state and other parks, national wildlife refuges, and other public areas. Some managed hunts are held specifically for youth or for people with disabilities.
The managed deer hunt application period is July 1 - 31. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Draw results will be available Aug. 15 through Jan. 15. Applicants who are drawn will receive area maps and other hunt information by mail.
Last Updated on July 07th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vcqm/Apply-Online-for-MDC-Managed-Deer-Hunts-Starting-July-1
Angler Breaks 32-year Hybrid-Bass Record
June 13th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Jasper County angler breaks 32-year hybrid-bass record
MDC congratulates Cesar Rodriguez on catching a 21-pound, 11-ounce striped hybrid bass at Lake of the Ozarks.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces that Cesar Rodriguez of Carthage is now the state record-holder for hybrid-striped-bass after catching a 21-pound, 11-ounce fish at Lake of the Ozarks May 19. Rodriguez used the pole-and-line method.
Though the fish breaks Missouri’s previous hybrid-striped-bass record of a 20-pound, 8-ounce fish, set in 1986 at the Lake of the Ozarks, Rodriguez wasn’t that surprised when he reeled in the bass.
“It was just a normal day out fishing,” Rodriguez said. “Last year I caught a 24-pound hybrid in Oklahoma, but I couldn’t find a game warden to confirm it. So, this catch didn’t come as a surprise that it was a record-breaker.”
The fish’s weight was verified on a certified scale at MDC’s Roaring River Hatchery in Cassville. The hybrid-striped-bass is the sixth state-record fish caught this year.
Rodriguez mounted his prize fish, and said he is planning to catch another that will top his even-larger Oklahoma catch.
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.
Last Updated on June 13th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vcpb/Angler-Breaks-32year-HybridBass-Record
Snapping Turtles Begin Laying their Eggs in June
June 06th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Snapping turtles begin laying their eggs in June
Though intimidating to people, snapping turtles play an important role in nature.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) says snapping turtles begin laying their eggs this month in sandy areas. Though many Missourians may be intimidated by their hard, spiny shells, large size and “snappy” demeanor, naturalists say these amphibians play an important role in nature and deserve to be left alone.
“These turtles help keep the populations of many aquatic plants and animals in check,” said Alex Holmes, a MDC naturalist. “Their nests are also preyed upon by hungry predators such as skunks, raccoons, and mink.”
Holmes said snapping turtles have earned a reputation for their strong jaws and ability to snap, but if people don’t try to handle them, they’re a beneficial wildlife species. They live in farm ponds, marshes, swamps, sloughs, rivers, and reservoirs — anywhere there is permanent water.
“Snappers prefer bodies of water with a mud bottom, abundant aquatic vegetation, and submerged logs,” Holmes said. “But now is the time females often travel over land during their egg-laying season and often are killed by cars.”
Female turtles are particular about where they lay and bury their eggs and might travel long distances to find a suitable location, Holmes said. Most female snappers select well-drained, sandy or loose soil to deposit their eggs.
“Snapping turtles are careful to lay their eggs deep in the sand,” he said. “If you find snapping turtle eggs, simply cover them back up and let them be.”
Courtship and mating can take place between April and November, but mostly in late spring and early summer. June is the usual month for egg-laying, though two clutches may be laid per season. The female digs a nest in deep sand or loose soil and deposits usually 20–30 eggs. The eggs hatch 55–125 days later, depending on environmental conditions.
Holmes said snapping turtles aren’t detrimental to fish and wildlife as generally supposed, even though they do eat some small fishes, very young ducks, and goslings. Common snappers are basically lazy and are more apt to feed on slower moving, sick, less desirable fish. By doing this, they provide a valuable clean-up service by eating diseased or weakened fish and by devouring any dead or decaying fish or other animals.
Snapping turtles can be harvested, with some people preferring to eat the meat in a stew. However, anyone harvesting a snapping turtle should ensure it’s not an alligator snapping turtle. Alligator snapping turtles live only in the few natural aquatic habitats remaining in Missouri’s Bootheel. It’s the largest species of freshwater turtle in the world. The alligator snapping turtle is rare in our state due to habitat loss and illegal harvesting. There is no open season for the alligator snapping turtle.
Last Updated on June 06th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vcpc/Snapping-Turtles-Begin-Laying-their-Eggs-in-June
