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Past Posts

Rascal Takes the Bait–Episode 1

Reintroducing elk to Missouri is about fixing what we broke

When the Missouri Conservation Commission instructed the Missouri Department of Conservation to conduct a feasibility study to reintroduce elk in the Eastern Ozarks, conservationists around the state cheered. The buzz in hunting circles was that Missouri could one day open an elk season. Gov. Jay Nixon expressed his support (not that anybody would have expected [...]

Missouri waterfowl seasons, limits announced

The Missouri Conservation Commission has announced the 2010-2011 waterfowl seasons and limits. The seasons require final approval from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, but that is seldom an issue.
So, waterfowlers, start repairing your decoys and organizing your gear. We get another 60-day season.

Missouri judge unleashes dogs for deer hunting

A circuit judge in southeast Missouri has ruled that the Missouri Department of Conservation’s regulations regarding the use of vehicles and dogs to hunt deer are unconstitutional.
As reported in the Doniphan Prospect News and the Southeast Missourian, Circuit Judge Robert Smith directed the department “to no longer enforce the above described regulations as written.”
Judge Smith [...]

Will hunt for food — for the needy

For most of us, hunting is something done for enjoyment. It brings us to the outdoors, gives us time to learn about out real role in ecology and offers healthy meat for our families.
But for some, hunting isn’t such a luxury. Among our neighbors are those who can hardly afford the basic essentials of daily [...]

‘World-class’: Size of the fish, or beauty of the fishing?

While fishing the Mineral Fork in Washington County on Saturday, my father remarked repeatedly how beautiful the landscape and clear the creek is.
“Dad, this is why I fish,” I said.
He’s relatively new to Missouri and very new to the creek fishing many of us enjoy in the Ozarks. It has taken me quite some time [...]

Bowhunter education is a good idea, even for the best archers

Ever since I started bowhunting a few years ago, I’ve researched everything I could about techniques, skills and equipment. Not satisfied with reading dozens of books and magazines, I looked around for bowhunter education classes but found them rare compared to all the other outdoors education opportunities available.
So when I noticed that the Missouri Department [...]

A keeper? Big Blue Cat prompts lurking question

News of a probable state and world record catfish being pulled from the Missouri River near Columbia Bottom Conservation Area spread quickly Tuesday and prompted local media outlets converge around Greg Bernal and his 130-lb. Blue Cat.
“I am still numb,” Bernal told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I’m still in shock that he’s actually that big. [...]