White-tailed Deer Fawn

Missouri Department of Conservation urges the public to leave wildlife wild

As many head outside to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather this spring, they may come across a variety of newborn animals. It may appear young creatures are abandoned, but that’s usually not the case. The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds Missourians that interfering with wildlife does more harm than good. MDC State Wildlife […]

Newtown-Harris School Website

Newtown-Harris Board of Education approves meal prices for next school year

The Newtown-Harris R-3 Board of Education on April 13th approved meal prices for next school year. Breakfast will cost $1.80 daily for kindergarten through sixth grade, $1.90 for seventh through 12th grade, $2.45 for an adult, and 30 cents for reduced. Lunch will cost $2.55 daily for kindergarten through sixth grade, $2.70 for seventh through […]

Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team

Missouri State Highway Patrol Dive Team called in to search Elmwood Lake in Milan

A dive team from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri Department of Conservation searched for possible hidden evidence at Elmwood Lake in Milan on April 4th. Public Information and Education Officer, Corporal Justin Dunn, reports the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control received a tip about possible hidden evidence. Dunn says divers […]

Bull Elk

Missouri Department of Conservation sets 2022 elk and bear seasons with permit applications in May

The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer five permits to hunt bull elk in Missouri this fall with at least one permit designated for qualifying area landowners and the remaining permits for the general public. MDC will also offer 400 permits for the taking of a maximum of 40 black bears during the second Missouri […]

Wild duck (waterfowl) (Photo courtesy David Waite on Unsplash)

Missouri Department of Conservation sets upcoming migratory game bird and waterfowl seasons

The Missouri Conservation Commission approved recommendations from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at its March 25 meeting for upcoming 2022 migratory-game-bird-hunting seasons and 2022-2023 waterfowl-hunting seasons. 2022 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD HUNTING Mourning Doves, Eurasian Collared Doves, and White-Winged Doves Season: Sept. 1 through Nov. 29 Limits: 15 daily and 45 in possession combined total […]

Coyote standing in field (Photo Credit Mo Dept of Conservation)

Missouri Department of Conservation approves expansion of furbearer hunting, trapping seasons

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave final approval to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) at its March 25 open meeting on regulation changes that will extend current furbearer hunting and trapping seasons for abundant furbearer species. The extension comes in response to stakeholder requests to provide additional opportunities for the taking of multiple furbearer species. […]

MoNASP Statewde Archery Tournament 2022

Young archers excel during 2022 MoNASP state tournament in Branson

The 2022 Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP) state archery tournament was held March 17-19 at the Branson Convention Center and drew more than 4,300 student archers in grades 4-12 from 218 schools across the state. The tournament was sponsored and coordinated by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Conservation […]

Three fisherman on a boat with a paddlefish (Photo courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation)

For those that like snagging, paddlefish season begins March 15

Imagine catching a giant, prehistoric fish whose ancestors swam during the time of dinosaurs. That is a reality for thousands of paddlefish snaggers during Missouri’s annual spring paddlefish snagging season. Paddlefish — named for their large, paddle-shaped snouts — are an ancient species that can grow to seven feet and weigh more than 100 pounds.  […]

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

Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free hunter education skills classes in March and April

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.    The sessions offered and links to register include: Chillicothe from 5:30 to 9:30 […]

Chillicothe Elks website

North Missouri Sportsman’s Alliance to hold events at Chillicothe Elks Lodge

The North Missouri Sportsman’s Alliance will hold two events at the Chillicothe Elks Lodge on April 9th: a free deer antler scoring program and a Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament to raise funds for the alliance to fund the Share the Harvest program. Deer racks will be accepted from 9 o’clock to noon. Certified Pope […]

Wallace State Park

Free workshop and birding hike to be offered at Wallace State Park near Cameron

A free workshop and birding hike will be offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 14, at Wallace State Park near Cameron. Participants can learn birding tips and skills on how to enjoy the wide variety of songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl in the state’s outdoors. Adam Brandsgaard, […]

Little Otter Creek Reservoir graphic

Public invited to a recreational planning meeting on March 5 at Little Otter Creek Reservoir

Visitors can provide input on outdoor recreation they would like to see offered at the Little Otter Creek Reservoir at a recreational planning event to be held at the Polo Community Center on March 5, 2022, from 2 to 5 pm. The event will include exhibits, interactive displays and games, models, and activities. Missouri Department of […]

Body Found

Body discovered at Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County

Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox reports Jamesport residents discovered a deceased man at the Poosey Conservation Area in northwest Livingston County on Saturday afternoon, February 19th. The man was identified as 45-year-old Michael Daniel Daly of Blue Springs. The sheriff’s office, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Highway Patrol responded to the Wind Pump Trail at […]

Drowning Tragedy

Man falls through ice and drowns at Jamesport Community Lake

The Highway Patrol reports a Rushville man fell through the ice on the Jamesport Community Lake and drowned on February 8, 2022. Seventy-one-year-old Otto Sonnenmoser was pronounced dead by the Daviess County Coroner. Sonnenmoser was ice fishing on the northeast point of the Jamesport Community Lake before falling through the ice. Assistance was provided by […]

Burn Workshop (Photo courtesy MDC)

Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free Prescribed Burning for Missouri Land Managers workshop near Chillicothe

The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a free Prescribed Burning for Missouri Land Managers workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County. This workshop will teach the skills and techniques to safely and effectively use prescribed burns as a habitat or forage management […]

Duck and Waterfowl

Missouri Department of Conservation to offer free virtual waterfowl hunting workshop

Missouri has numerous public waterfowl hunting opportunities at wetlands and lakes, including those on conservation areas. The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer a free virtual waterfowl hunting class from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. This class will teach the equipment and strategies needed to be successful hunting ducks and geese.  […]

Rainbow Trout Courtesy MDC

Catch-and-keep trout season begins February 1 at two St. Joseph lakes

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s winter trout fishing program in St. Joseph takes a new turn on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, when anglers can begin keeping their catch. Krug Park Lagoon and Everyday Pond both have had rainbow trout stocked by MDC last fall for catch-and-release fishing. But starting Feb. 1, anglers with the proper […]