Outdoors

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Tyler Halley of Maryville for catching a new state-record yellow perch. Halley was fishing on a private pond in Nodaway County when he caught the 1-pound, 14-ounce fish using the pole-and-line method. The previous record was a 1-pound, 11-ounce fish caught in 2009. Halley was fishing with his

WOOD DUCKS MAKE THE JUMP – We’re highlighting cool critters in February that take leaping to amazing lengths. Wood duck ducklings can leap from their high nest holes in trees more than 250 feet to the ground without injury? Learn more at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZMH.

NETTED WALLEYE FOR MILKING –  A big walleye taken in nets up the Little Red River above Greers Ferry by Arkansas Fisheries biologists who milked the eggs and release the fish.

The sights and sounds of nature are distinct and unique during winter months, which makes now a great time to get outside and discover nature. Looking for places to enjoy outdoor activities in Missouri such as hiking, birdwatching, camping, shooting, fishing, and hiking? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has an app for that. With

March 1 marks the annual opening of catch-and-keep trout fishing in Missouri at the state’s four trout parks: Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The catch-and-keep season at the trout parks runs through Oct. 31. The Missouri

The complete February issue of the Missouri Conservationist is available for viewing and/or download at mdc.mo.gov/conmag. This month’s features: The Birds and the Bees Preparing for the return of two important pollinators — bees and hummingbirds A City Abuzz Research finds an oasis of bees in St. Louis lawns, gardens Hosting Hummingbirds Helpful hints for

The feral hog problem has worked out well for the Missouri Department of Conservation as far as financial benefits. I don’t know the exact amount, but they are being paid well by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for their efforts in feral hog removal. However, it is not a situation making them any friends in

RED BIRD NOT RED – Diane Marz of Hillsboro shared pics of this odd-colored cardinal she’s been seeing for the past year-and-a-half. The coloration is caused by leucism – a condition which results in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes.

RARE BIRD – Thanks to Stan Meyer of Springfield for sharing these pics of a rare but legal “smoke phase” bearded hen he shot at the end of archery season. Stan’s been seeing this turkey for the last three years, but she would disappear before hunting season – until this year.

I don’t know how many times I have sat down in these woods on my neighbor’s farm. Most of those times I have been here hunting deer or wild turkey. A time or two I have carried only my camera. But it is a good place to be, leaning up against a big oak, relaxing