ShareFour cougars seen in Missouri came from three states
DNA test results show that four mountain lions seen in Missouri last year came from three Western states, illustrating the species’ capacity for long-distance travel.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirmed 14 mountain-lion sightings in 2011. That was a sharp increase from the previous 16 years, when [...]

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By Bill Graham, MDC
WAH-KON-TAH PRAIRIE, Mo. — Greater prairie chickens, missing for some years among the grasses at Wah-Kon-Tah Prairie, strutted and boomed again this spring in an eons-old mating ritual. Biologists, digging deep in grassland ecology to save the species in Missouri, brought them back. Now, they watch to see if this iconic but [...]

ShareYou don’t have to be a kid to get really excited about bagging your first bird.
JEFFERSON CITY–With youth turkey season in the rear-view mirror and the regular, three-week season coming up fast, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters they can create lasting memories with the First Turkey Award.
The First Turkey Program provides [...]

ShareThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reintroduce the colorful American burying beetle to a natural area in southwest Missouri as part of a partnership with the St. Louis Zoo to recover this native endangered species. The reintroduction will occur at Wah’kon-tah Prairie, a 3,030-acre site in St. Clair and Cedar counties, Missouri, jointly owned [...]

ShareThe following individuals had hunting and/or fishing privileges suspended at the March meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission. The hunting, fishing and/or trapping privileges of 17 Missouri residents and one nonresident for Wildlife Code violations and affirmed actions taken by Missouri courts suspending privileges of two Missouri residents. Those whose privileges were suspended are:

ShareMarch is here, and the lions are roaring…
(Update: This was posted March 6. If you plan to burn on a date after that, please consult the NWS page in the article. Conditions will vary when and if we get rain and the wind gusts die down. Fire weather is like the other kind: changeable and [...]

ShareSpence Turner, a retired MDC fisheries biologist and outdoor writing friend, keeps himself busy these days as an outdoor sports columnist for the Columbia (Mo.) Tribune.
Most Missouri outdoor people have a vague notion about chronic wasting disease (CWD), a neurological condition in white-tailed deer. Since CWD showed up on a private deer farm [...]

ShareThe Missouri Department of Conservation has released photos of the Centerville mountain lion, taken by communication specialist Candice Davis while department officials were waiting for the cat to recover from the effects of sedation after its release. Enjoy!

ShareNext year’s youth spring turkey hunt will be earlier than usual.
JEFFERSON CITY–Hunters can start planning for next year’s turkey and deer seasons, thanks to recent actions by the Missouri Conservation Commission.
At its Dec. 15 meeting in Jefferson City, the Commission approved 2012 turkey-hunting regulations similar to 2011. The regular spring turkey season will run from [...]

ShareThis just posted by Frank Nelson on the MDC website:
Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is developing a hunting plan and wants your input. This plan will be the template for all hunting activities on the refuge for the next 12-15 years. This will include discussion about waterfowl, deer, turkey, and other game. If [...]