Outdoors

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Want some free fun that gets family and friends outside in nature? Get hooked on fishing with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Free Fishing Days June 7 and 8. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or

COLUMBIA, Mo. – As boat owners and water enthusiasts are getting ready to hit Missouri lakes and rivers, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) warns boat owners to be on the lookout for the infamous invasive zebra mussel. Zebra mussels are an invasive species that came to North American waters in international shipping ballast water

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Camping is a way to connect with the outdoors that can be both enjoyable and economical for the entire family. If a camping trip is on your family’s to-do list for this spring or summer, be sure to check out some of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) camping opportunities. Listed below

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Motorists may see some reptilian friends on the roads this spring season. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) urges drivers to be cautious and give turtles a brake! These reptiles are often hit by cars during warmer months but are at special risk this time of year because they are more active.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Riley Isaacs of Bradleyville for becoming the latest state record holder for redear sunfish. The 17-year-old was bowfishing at Lake Taneycomo April 18 when he shot a 2-pound, 3-ounce fish. The previous record under alternative methods was a 2-pound, 2-ounce fish also caught from Lake

By University of Missouri Extension COLUMBIA, Mo. –  Most flowering annuals in gardens around the U.S. have stood the test of time, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. For example, geraniums were planted in Europe in the 17th century and have been an American favorite for more than 200 years. Petunia, as we

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Spring brings a variety of newborn animals that may look to be abandoned, but Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Protection Regional Supervisor Russell Duckworth says that’s rarely the case, and that it’s best to leave wildlife wild. “Young wildlife are seldom orphaned,” said Duckworth. “When we see newborn animals alone, that

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is holding a tree giveaway for Arbor Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Northwest Regional Office in St. Joseph. Each family or group may receive two tree seedlings at the giveaway while supplies last. The available tree species, including

By Linda GeistUniversity of Missouri Extension ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Plan now to use basic design principals to create a patriotic garden this summer, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Gwen Funk. “Designing your outdoor living space comes with many opportunities for creativity,” says Funk. “One might be thinking about themed garden beds, pots

By Linda GeistUniversity of Missouri Extension COLUMBIA, Mo. – The flowering dogwood tree celebrates its 70th birthday as the Missouri state tree in 2025. There is no better place to celebrate than Missouri’s Ozark woodlands from mid-April to early May when the dogwood is in bloom, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Inconspicuous

By Linda GeistUniversity of Missouri Extension COLUMBIA, Mo. – April is National Gardening Month and a good time to plant a garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. For those who lacked the motivation in the past to garden, consider these benefits: Economic. Vegetable gardening is an excellent way to save on the

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The National Deer Association (NDA) named the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) its 2024 Agency of the Year Award winner. The award recognizes an agency that has practiced innovative and progressive deer management techniques; affected positive change in deer management regulations, hunter education, hunter recruitment, and/or involvement in youth hunting; and

WEST PLAINS, Mo.  – Join Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to learn tasty trout recipes and techniques to cook your catch outdoors from 6 – 7 p.m. on April 3. Registration is required and can be completed online at https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/203028. “Trout is the quintessential low-fat, low-sodium food,” said Sarah Elrod, MDC conservation educator. “Rainbow trout

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites people to celebrate the value of Missouri trees and forests during Arbor Days in April by planting native trees and practicing proper tree care.  Missouri Arbor Day for 2025 is Friday, April 4. Missouri has been observing the state’s official Arbor Day on the

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites those wishing to get their hunter education certification to attend one of two Hunter Education skills courses offered in the northwest region in April. Registration is required. Course locations, dates and times are as follows: Nodaway County: April 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The coming of spring brings expanded opportunities for hikers and bikers on the trails in and around St. Joseph. Jeff Atkins, the newly appointed director of the St. Joseph Parks Department, said hiking and biking trails around St. Joseph have garnered national attention. He said that while most trails are accessible

By Missouri Department of Conservation BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — For many native plants, the best time to prepare their seeds is January. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting two free winter seed sowing classes on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. and 2 – 3:30 p.m. at Burr Oak Woods Conservation

By Missouri Department of Conservation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites waterfowl hunters to a series of public workshops around the state to gather hunter input about duck season dates and zone boundary locations for the 2026-2030 seasons. Participants will have the opportunity to review long-term waterfowl data about weather,

By Kansas Reflector via TN Content Exchange When Mike Moddrell bought 320 acres of land in southwest Douglas County in 2002, it looked very different from the tallgrass prairie it is today. “When I bought it, it had been neglected for a long, long time,” Moddrell said. “It was in pretty bad shape. I kept

By Missouri Department of Conservation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently set turkey and deer hunting dates for the 2025-2026 seasons. The hunting dates were approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its Dec. 13 open meeting at the MDC St. Louis Regional Office in St. Charles. The Commission also

By Talker News via TN Content Exchange Spending time in the great outdoors helps children with mental health issues, suggests a new study. Researchers found that nature reduces emotional distress among troubled 10- to 12-year-olds. They say their findings suggest that an inexpensive school-based program may help the most vulnerable youngsters. Canadian researchers discovered that

By Missouri Department of Conservation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows deer hunters harvested 14,607 deer during the late antlerless portion of firearms deer season, Dec. 7-15. Top harvest counties were Pike with 477 deer harvested, Callaway with 391, and Lincoln with 382. This year’s harvest total

By Missouri Department of Conservation WINONA, Mo. – Learn more about the southern flying squirrel – Missouri’s only nocturnal gliding mammal – during Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) free-to-attend virtual program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. Flying squirrels are small relatives of gray and fox squirrels. They are about five inches

By Missouri Department of Conservation JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows young hunters ages 6-15 harvested 2,530 deer during Missouri’s late youth portion of the 2024 firearms deer hunting season, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1. Of the 2,530 deer harvested, 1,046 were antlered bucks, 270 were button