Puxico, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is giving youth hunters a chance to learn all of the skills needed to try waterfowl hunting. The free clinic is scheduled for Oct. 1, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Duck Creek Conservation Area (CA) on Highway 51 north of Puxico.
“This is a very hands-on course and is an environment where anyone can learn, even if they’ve never fired a gun before,” said Dee Dee Dockins, MDC’s southeast region outdoor skills specialist.
The hands-on clinic will cover wing shooting, waterfowl hunting techniques, distance estimation, waterfowl identification, bird retrieval, ammunition selection and much more. After participants complete the clinic, they will be eligible for a waterfowl hunt during the regular season at their choice of Southeast Missouri waterfowl areas. No prior hunting experience is required and equipment will be provided if needed.
"The target shooting and one-on-one instruction is really helpful," said Will Leonard of Sikeston. Leonard is a graduate of the course and a new waterfowl hunter.
After a short presentation about waterfowl hunting, experts lead the group in a field trip to acquire the skills needed for their upcoming waterfowl hunt. Participants and mentors will then enjoy a lunch of various waterfowl.
The event is free to participants but requires pre-registration and a $25 deposit that will be refunded the day of the event. Applicants must be 11 to 15 years of age and must have an adult guardian attend with them. Participants must also be Hunter Education certified before the day of the event. For more information or to sign up for the 2016 Youth Waterfowl Clinic, call the MDC’s Southeast Regional Office at (573) 290-5730.
The Missouri Department of Conservation Regulations Committee voted to approve changes to the Smallmouth Bass and Rock Bass regulations. After looking at the biological and social data (9 public meetings) the following changes were approved:
ROCK BASS (Goggle-eye) REGULATIONS
Maintain Rock Bass Special Management Areas except the Osage Fork of the Gasconade River.
Propose a Statewide Rock Bass minimum length limit of 7 inches.
SMALLMOUTH BASS REGULATIONS
Maintain the existing minimum length limit of 12 inches and daily limit of 6 fish on streams (other than Smallmouth Bass Special Management Areas).
Propose to consolidate all Stream Black Bass Special Management Area regulations for Smallmouth Bass to:
15-inch minimum length limit
One (1) fish per day creel limit
Areas to be known as Smallmouth Bass Special Management Areas
PROPOSED EXPANDED SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS
Expand the boundaries of the Jacks Fork River, Big Piney River, Meramec River, and Big River Special Management Areas.
The Regulations Committee will send the approved regulation changes to the Director. If approved by the Director, then the Conservation Commission will have the opportunity to vote at the Conservation Commission meeting on August 26, 2016. If approved by the Conservation Commission, these regulation changes will go into effect on March 1, 2017.
The managed deer hunt application period is July 1 - 31. Hunters are selected by a weighted random drawing. Draw results will be available Sept. 1 through Jan. 15. Applicants who are drawn will receive area maps and other hunt information by mail.
Get more information on managed deer hunts, preview hunt details, and apply starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt.
Details about managed hunts can also be found in MDC's "2016 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information" booklet available starting in July at MDC offices and nature centers, from permit vendors around the state, and online at mdc.mo.gov.
O'Fallon, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that James Lucas of O’Fallon became the most recent record-breaking angler in Missouri when he caught a hybrid striped bass on the Mississippi River.
The new “alternative method” record hybrid striped bass caught by Lucas on April 22 weighed 8-pounds, 6-ounces with a length of 24 3/4 inches and a girth of 18 1/2 inches. Lucas caught the fish with a throwline in one of his honey holes. MDC staff verified the record-weight fish using a certified scale in O’Fallon.
“I’m really excited that I caught this fish,” said Lucas. “I have been trying for over a month and a half to set this record with a throwline, and I’m just really glad all my practice finally paid off.”
Lucas added fishing with a throwline isn’t easy; it takes a lot of practice to get it down.
“I was able to locate the fish and get over the hybrid striped bass and drop my line. Then the fight was on. The striped bass put up a decent fight, but once I got him on the bank, I got that gut feeling I had the record,” he said. “I didn’t know for sure until I talked with MDC and they confirmed it.”
Lucas is familiar with state-record fish. He holds a state record for the skipjack herring in the alternative method category, which he broke on April 8.
“You haven’t heard the last of me,” he said. “I hope to set many more state records in the future. As for this fish, I plan on mounting it and putting it on the wall with the others.”
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.
After six and half years, Ziehmer is stepping down as director effective July 15.
Jefferson City, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announces that Director Robert L. Ziehmer is stepping down as director effective July 15, 2016.
“It is with mixed emotions that I am resigning from my position as director,” Ziehmer said. “My decision to leave was not easy. The many years I have spent with the Department have been both professionally challenging and rewarding. However, I am excited about continuing my conservation career through a new endeavor in the private sector.”
Ziehmer has been with MDC for over 25 years. During his last six and half years as director, he has continued to move conservation forward by forging strong statewide and national conservation partnerships and increasing public engagement on key conservation initiatives.
Some milestones during Ziehmer’s tenure include restoration activities for elk, prairie chickens, hellbenders and sturgeon; active efforts to deliver the conservation message in all public schools; implementation of major infrastructure projects, including hatchery renovations, wetland renovations, shooting range renovations, and new regional facilities; working to improve the agency’s business processes; and continuing MDC’s role as a national leader in fish, forest, and wildlife management.
“Bob’s dedication to Missouri Conservation and his career with the Department has made a lasting impact for the betterment of the fish, forest, and wildlife of this state,” said Conservation Commission Chair Marilynn Bradford. “He has chosen to take the next step in his conservation career, and we are indebted to he and his family for his devoted service and commitment to Missouri Conservation.”
Ziehmer was appointed director in January 2010. He is the 8th person to serve in this capacity since MDC’s founding in 1937.
