Outdoors

The complete January issue of the Missouri Conservationist is available for viewing and/or download at mdc.mo.gov/conmag. This month’s feature: Annual Review Serving Nature and You: Fiscal Year 2020. This month’s In Brief: *Buy Your 2021 Hunting and Fishing Permits *Give a Gift Back to Nature *Winter Trout Harvest Begins Feb. 1 *Ask MDC *What Is

Due to COVID-19, MDC will not host Eagle Days events this year but encourages people to watch eagles on their own. Did you know that thousands of bald eagles visit Missouri each winter and eagle watching in Missouri can be spectacular? From late December through early February, watch for eagles perched in large trees along

MDC sets deer and turkey hunting dates for upcoming seasons. Firearms deer antlerless portion increasing from three days to nine. More at https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-s.

Deciduous trees appear naked in winter when they drop their leaves, making them interesting in a new way. Limbs form sculpture-like crowns when observed at a distance. Closeup, the bark patterns and colors vary between species. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) suggests that winter tree identification and observation can add nature’s artful variety to

MDC agents around the state are joining other “cops” in Shop With A Cop events where they take local kids in need shopping for Christmas and a meal. Thank you conservation agents and others in law enforcement for helping hundreds of kids around the state have a merrier Christmas.

MDC will recommend harvest and permit quotas in spring 2021 with possible first season in October 2021. The Missouri Conservation Commission recently gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for the state’s first black bear hunting season framework. The Commission finalized the hunting season framework and related regulations at its Dec. 11

Firearms deer antlerless portion increasing from three days to nine. At its Dec. 11 open meeting in Jefferson City, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the following recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) for upcoming turkey-hunting and deer-hunting season dates. 2021 spring and fall turkey hunting dates Spring Youth Portion: April 10 and 11

Devil crayfish are big-league burrowers. To reach underground water, the clawsome crustaceans dig tunnels that can be more than 15 feet deep.

Migrating bald eagles appear near rivers and lakes in winter months One outdoor activity _ eagle spotting _ requires only watchful eyes. Though a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope can come in handy, too. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) offers tips for families seeking eagles, an activity that is doable for all

Archery season continues through Jan. 15, alternative methods runs Dec. 26 – Jan. 5. Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows that deer hunters in Missouri harvested 15,425 deer during the antlerless portion of the firearms deer season, Dec. 4-6. Top harvest counties were Callaway with 438 deer harvested, Morgan with 377,