Outdoors

Snakes are among Missouri’s most misunderstood animals. That’s unfortunate because underneath a snake’s frightful reputation is an animal that performs valuable pest-control services for humans and, with the exception of a few venomous species, is relatively harmless. People can learn more about snakes on July 12 at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free program

Capliner Mills Report Caplinger Woods Some people were fishing early Saturday morning. They caught crappie, white bass, a few walleye and some catfish. The heat drove the fishermen off the bridge. Taberville Report by Bobby Dains Dains Fish Farm Catfish are biting. I saw a 52 lb. flathead caught on a line and a 30

The phrase “there’s an app for everything” applies to the outdoors, too. If you’re interested in learning more about apps that can enhance your outdoor trips, be sure to sign up for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) virtual program “Discover Nature: Apps in the Outdoors.” This free online program will be June 30 from

The sounds of the outdoors vary at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. From the beautiful calls of songbirds to the singing of cicadas, the sounding off of wildlife can tell you many things if you know what to listen for. Pull up a chair or take a seat at the main campground amphitheater at

It was a nice little lake cove with clear water, and a little stream flowing in at the end. That little tributary would be very low most years, by this time in the summer. And most years, there wouldn’t be any green trees and shrubs in the water. But it looked to be a good

Taberville Report by Bobby Dains Dains Fish Farm The fishing is hot but the catching is good. They are still catching plenty of fish. You could put trotlines in now. There had been some nice fish caught. I haven’t had a lot of customers though. It’s been too hot. Good baits are worms, crawdads. The

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourages the public to discover nature this summer during frogging season. Beginning June 30 at sunset through Oct. 31, those with a fishing permit or small-game hunting permit may frog for bullfrogs and green frogs. The daily limit is eight frogs of both species combined and the possession limit

Ponds can be made more enjoyable for fishing and wildlife watching with thoughtful management practices. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a pond management workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, at Powell Gardens. The scenic gardens are east of Kansas City and west of Warrensburg off U.S. 50 in

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance (MSA) invite anglers to test their fishing skills and pursue a “Smallmouth Slam” by fishing MDC’s 12 Special Management Areas for bass to receive related pins and medallions. “Missouri’s Special Management Areas provide excellent smallmouth bass habitat,” explained MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson.

Taberville Report by Bobby Dains Dains Fish Farm Fishing is good. They were catching a lot of fish the last I heard. On nightcrawlers. Q. Don’t bluegill eat the worms? Not in the river Q. Are people fishing from the bank? Over at Schell. You can fish from the gravel road if it gets real