MDC is offering Free Hunter Education Classes during August in four Northwest Missouri communities

Missouri Department of Conservation offering free hunter education skills classes in north Missouri during September

 The Missouri Department of Conservation is offering free upcoming hunter education skills sessions in northwest Missouri. Participants will earn the safety certificate needed to obtain hunting permits. These sessions will teach and test participants for safe firearms handling and basic hunting skills. A session will be offered from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. […]

Chronic Wasting Disease CWD

Missouri Department of Conservation reminds deer hunters to get harvested deer sampled for Chronic Wasting Disease

With deer hunting in Missouri opening for archery season on September 15 and firearms portions in the coming months, the Missouri Department of Conservation wants hunters to know key information about chronic wasting disease.  MDC will be holding mandatory CWD sampling during the opening weekend of firearms season and voluntary CWD sampling all season for […]

Person in Kayak on River enjoying float trip

Missouri Department of Conservation offers free guided Grand River float trip on September 16

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free guided float trip on the Grand River from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2021. This float is for participants ages 14 and older. It is not a float trip for beginners. Participants must have some canoe and kayak paddling experience. The Grand […]

Dove Hunting

Missouri Department of Conservation reminds hunters that dove season opens September 1

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds hunters that dove season in Missouri opens September 1 and runs until November 29, 2021. Seasons for other migratory birds run September 1 through November 9 for sora and Virginia rails, September 1 through December 16 for Wilson’s common snipe, and October 15 through November 28 for American woodcock. […]

Prairie Day in Bethany

Missouri Department of Conservation to host free Prairie Day event September 11 at Dunn Ranch near Bethany

A free Prairie Day event on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Dunn Ranch Prairie and Pawnee Prairie west of Bethany in Harrison County. Bison tours and grassland conservation exhibits will be among the activities hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Loess Hills Missouri Master Naturalists. Prairie Day celebrates the grazing […]

Carlin Allison of Doniphan nabs state record for American eel (Main Story Photo by Mo Dept of Conservation)

Ripley County angler swipes rare Missouri state record for American eel

The Missouri Department of Conservation congratulates Carlin Allison of Doniphan on a rare feat, catching a state record American eel. Allison was catfishing on the Current River July 26 when he reeled in the 6-pound, 15-ounce eel on his pole-and-line. This makes the ninth state record fish recorded in 2021. “I was using skipjack bait […]

MDC is offering Free Hunter Education Classes during August in four Northwest Missouri communities

Department of Conservation offering free hunter education classes in northwest Missouri during August

Autumn hunting seasons are approaching quickly. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering free upcoming hunter education skills sessions for hunters to earn the safety certificate needed to obtain hunting permits. These sessions will teach and test participants for safe firearms handling and basic hunting skills. The upcoming sessions include: From 4 to 8 […]

Perry County bowfisherman catches world record sized bighead carp

The Missouri Department of Conservation confirms Matt Neuling of Perryville is the latest state record holder under alternative methods after shooting a colossal 125-pound, 5-ounce bighead carp. Neuling was bowfishing with a friend on July 24 when he shot the mammoth at Lake Perry.  “I was out with my buddy early that morning when we […]

Photo of Blue Jay from Mo Dept of Conservation

Missouri Department of Conservation says no indication of mysterious bird illness in Missouri

At least nine states and the District of Columbia have recently reported numerous unexplained sick and dying songbirds. To date, avian and wildlife health experts with the Missouri Department of Conservation have not received similar reports, and there are no other indications of unexplained death or illness in Missouri’s wild birds. “Though we have not […]

Antlered Deer in the forest

New Missouri Department of Conservation fall hunting booklets available for deer, turkey, dove, waterfowl

Missouri deer and turkey hunters and waterfowl and dove hunters can get the most current information on upcoming fall hunting from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2021 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting & Regulations Information booklet and Migratory Bird and Waterfowl Hunting Digest 2021-2022, available where permits are sold and online. The 2021 Fall Deer and […]

Fountain Grove Conservation Area

Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free Outdoor Skills Fun Day at Fountain Grove Conservation Area

The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a free Outdoor Skills Fun Day at the Fountain Grove Conservation Area south of Meadville. Participants can learn basic hunting and shooting skills on July 17, 2021, from 10 to 2 o’clock. Participants can target shoot with shotguns, pellet guns, and archery. MDC staff and volunteers will provide tips […]

Bull Elk

Missouri Department of Conservation announces five hunters drawn for 2021 elk permits

The Missouri Department of Conservation congratulates the five Missourians drawn for the state’s 2021 elk hunting season this coming fall and winter. MDC will issue one permit each to the five lucky Missourians randomly drawn from 9,714 permit applications, including one drawn from 84 resident-landowners who applied and 9,630 from other Missourians. The five applicants […]

Wild Turkey in field

Missouri Department of Conservation on Missouri’s wild turkey population

Interested in learning more about Missouri’s wild turkey population? Curious how fall harvest is affecting turkeys? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wild Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl is myth-busting and shedding light on wild turkey population trends for hunters, landowners, and managers. WHY AM I SEEING FEWER TURKEYS ON THE LANDSCAPE? “The number of turkeys we […]

Agents of Discovery

Explore Missouri’s outdoors through Agents of Discovery mobile app

 Looking for a new way to explore and learn about Missouri’s outdoors? The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages kids and adults to check out the free mobile gaming app, Agents of Discovery. MDC is partnering with the gaming app to help the public explore natural areas around the state. Discover nature through completing “missions”, all […]

Fall Turkey Hunting Season

Learn about Missouri wild turkey numbers and management efforts through a Missouri Department of Conservation webcast

The Missouri Department of Conservation invites turkey hunters, landowners, and managers interested in wild turkeys and others to join its Wild Webcast on “Wild Turkeys in Missouri: Population Trends and MDC Management” on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at noon. MDC Wild Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl will discuss factors contributing to Missouri wild turkey numbers and […]

Digital Photography Photo

Missouri Department of Conservation expands opportunities for photography and filming in conservation areas

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation on a proposed change to the Wildlife Code of Missouri regulations that would require permits for commercial or for-profit photography and videography on MDC areas. Commercial use is defined as any activity that directly or indirectly results in financial gain, or where […]

Missouri Department of Conservation Sign

Conservation Commission approves CWD regulation changes by Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Conservation Commission recently approved proposed regulation changes from the Missouri Department of Conservation related to chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts. The changes were approved at the Commission’s May 21 open meeting. They add four counties to the CWD Management Zone and reinstate mandatory CWD sampling requirements. The approved MDC regulations add […]

Missouri Department of Conservation Sign

Missouri Department of Conservation Protection Branch to launch new canine unit this summer

The Missouri Department of Conservation is set to launch a new canine unit through its Protection Branch this summer. The new unit, consisting of five dogs and their conservation agent-handlers, will be stationed around the state and used as necessary to work throughout Missouri. According to MDC, the capabilities of canines are extensive in conservation-related […]