Sports
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
2019 Dexter Middle School Band Camp Dates Set
July 07th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Dexter, Missouri - T.S. Hill Middle School Band Camp will begin Monday, August 12th through Friday, August 16th, 2019. It's Time for Beginning Band Camp!!!
8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. Tuba and All Saxophones
9:30 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. Trumpet and Flute
10:30 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. Percussion and Clarinet
1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Trombone and Bassoons/Oboe
2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. French Horn and Baritone
They will hold a parent orientation meeting Tuesday, August 13th and Thursday, August 15th, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Parents/Guardians are requested to attend one of these meetings.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Mr. Jinkerson at 573-854-4522 or Mr. Rybolt at 625-3125.
Last Updated on July 07th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vctf/2019-Dexter-Middle-School-Band-Camp-Dates-Set
2019 DHS Marching Band Camp Dates Set
June 13th 2019 by Dee Loflin
Dexter, Missouri - The DHS Marching Band will host their annual summer camp beginning in August. They are super excited to march on a new turf field this fall.
Marching Percussion Camp will be August 12th - August 16th from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
March Band Camp will be August 19th - August 23rd and attendance is required for high school band students.
Monday, August 19th Freshmen and Drum Majors Only 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Monday, August 19th ALL BAND MEMBERS will meet from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday All High School Band Members will meet from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
No camp on Thursday.
For marching band camp bring hats, wear shorts, light colored shirts and tennis shoes (NO SANDALS) also bring sunglasses and water bottles!
Last Updated on June 13th 2019 by Dee Loflin
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/vcqf/2019-DHS-Marching-Band-Camp-Dates-Set
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
