Outdoors

Drought conditions across the state are worsening under continued warm, dry and sometimes windy conditions and are not expected to improve soon, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The department is asking for the public’s assistance, encouraging people to submit reports about drought conditions in their local area. Drought-related information for a specific

Feelings of awe and wonder can come over you when gazing up at the endless stars and amazing planets on a dark night. Join the Camdenton Astronomy Club and the Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site team on Friday, Oct. 21, for a night full of dark sky marvels. Starting at 6:30 p.m. in the day-use

Stockton State Park Marina by Robert Starbuck They are catching black bass on topwater on the points. The crappie have gone deep. They are no longer on the brushpiles. The walleye have quit biting. Caplinger Report Bobby Finch Caplinger Woods They ran the water for about an hour. That’s not enough to bring the fish

Come celebrate Knob Noster State Park’s 76th birthday at the History Hallowfest event from 2-8 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 15. The party will be held at Camp Bobwhite, located off Highway DD, near Knob Noster, Missouri. The event is free and open to the public. All activities and demonstrations will take place from 2-8 p.m.

To celebrate Halloween and in recognition of National “Ability” Month, Bennett Spring State Park is hosting a stroll and roll starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. All adaptive strollers, wagons and other nonmotorized methods of transportation are welcome, and guests are encouraged to don their Halloween or cosplay outfits. Participants will learn where the

The Lebanon Sunbonnet Federated Garden Club invites children in grades first through fifth to participate in the annual Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest. Children may drop off entries Wednesdays through Sundays Oct. 13-30 at the Bennett Spring State Park Nature Center. Also, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. those days the Nature Center

Meramec State Park presents Spooktacular! On Saturday, Oct. 15, join park team members for a day full of Halloween-related activities. The activities are being held throughout the park and include: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Coloring Contest, held in the tent across from Shower House 1. Contest begins at 9 a.m. and sheets must

To see fall foliage, join Crowder State Park team members on a guided bus tour of the Thompson Cemetery area Saturday, Oct. 15 and Sunday, Oct. 16. On the guided bus tours, participants will see fall colors, along with other interesting features of the area. Bus tours will leave the equestrian parking lot every half

See and learn about autumn scenery on a one-mile guided hike. Hiking provides opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and get exercise at any time of the year, but fall hikes are particularly enjoyable. If you’re hoping to enjoy seasonal temperatures and scenery, be sure to sign up for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) program

In its ongoing search to determine the prevalence of Chrone (CWD) in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is once again offering hunters voluntary deer head drop-off sites at select locations around the state, including at a number of sites in southwest Missouri. CWD is a neurological disease fatal to deer. Each year, mandatory