CFM's Sixth Annual Media Event

from May 2020 vol 81 no 3

The Sounds of Nature Call Us Back to the Wild

CFM’s Sixth Annual Media Camp

The Conservation Federation of Missouri held our sixth Annual Media Camp at Lilleys’ Landing on February 5 – 7, 2020. The purpose of this event is to thank our outdoor communicators as well as spark new ideas for conservation writing topics. Lilleys’ Landing hosted a full day of guided fishing in which each guest caught multiple fish, some over 20 pounds! Branson Conventions and Visitors Bureau then sponsored a dinner at the Chateau on the Lake. Guest speakers from the Missouri Department of Conservation, Branson CVB, and Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation addressed the outdoor communicators about relevant topics. The next day, Bass Pro Shops took the outdoor communicators on an exclusive experience to Dogwood Canyon, The Shooting Academy, Top of the Rock, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, and Fun Mountain. Guests were able to fish for trout, test CZ-USA shotguns, learn more about Native American history, and were honored with custom plaques.

This event would not be possible without the generosity and support from our sponsors. We would like to thank Lilleys’ Landing Resort & Marina, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Branson CVB, and CZ-USA.

(Left) Media Camp attendees enjoyed one of the days touring and fishing at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.

(Top) Dogwood Canyon Staff demonstrate the operations of a grist mill.

(Middle) Tyler Dykes lands a trout at Dogwood Canyon during Bass Pro Day at Media Camp

(Bottom) Daniel Holder from CZ-USA teaches the proper form for shooting clays

Photos : Visit Missouri

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Share the Harvest Helps Feed the Hungry

By sharing their harvest, Missouri hunters can put meat on the table for those most in need. And that’s exactly what they’ve been doing in the Show-Me-State for nearly 30 years.

The Share the Harvest program is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), cooperating meat processors, and hunters. It’s a charitable venison donation campaign that began in 1992. The program enables willing hunters to donate either part of or the entire deer they harvest to feed families in need.

The St. Louis area is fortunate to have another key partner in the program, Operation Food Search (OFS). Thanks to OFS, St. Louis area hunters donating whole deer through Share the Harvest can do so with no processing fees. deer. Operation Food Search also contributes $20 per deer, completely offsetting the processing fee for donating hunters. All members in the partnership work together to completely absorb the costs for hunters who donate their deer.

“Operation Food Search is helping reduce costs for hunters who want to donate whole deer to Share the Harvest, so it’s easier for them to participate,” MDC Conservation Agent Jeff Breuer said. Breuer is stationed in St. Louis County and has been working with OFS on the program for four years.

Breuer added that besides capping their fees, the meat processors play an important role in holding the deer meat until it can get picked up and dispersed to the community food partners. “These partners are helping out the entire region and definitely are making a difference,” said Breuer.

OFS operates from a 67,000 square foot facility and warehouse at 1644 Lotsie Boulevard in Overland. The non-profit hunger relief organization feeds 200,000 people in need each month through over 200 outlets in the metro area. Their clients are thrilled to receive fresh venison.

“A lot of our community food partners are always asking for deer meat, it’s a hot commodity item and its actually very valuable,” said Jack Baran, OFS Food Donations Manager. “Protein is one of the most expensive items and the number one in demand,” he explained.

OFS functions as a hub for the donated venison, distributing it to food pantries, faith-based organizations, and homeless shelters to feed those in need. It also helps fund the program.

Meat processors typically charge around $100 to process a deer into ready-to-prepare meat. The CFM has funding to cover $60 for hunters donating whole deer statewide. Cooperating processors in St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson Counties agree to cap their deer processing fees at $80 per In addition to providing food, OFS works to educate clients on food preparation both at their own facility, and on-site at their food partners’ locations. Baran said the recipes OFS educators offer for dishes like deer chili, enchiladas and tacos help clients unfamiliar with preparing deer meat get the most out of the low fat, protein-packed venison.

Last year, over 300 deer were donated by Missouri hunters to OFS through Share the Harvest. “I think our local hunters are the most important people in this partnership and we couldn’t do it without them,” Baran stressed. “We’re very lucky and grateful they’re part of this program.”

Agent Breuer said he experiences a personal sense of reward by having a role in the Share the Harvest program. “I feel like a very small part of it, but I think it’s a big difference.,” he said. “When you can help out your fellow man it makes you feel good.”

For more details on the Share the Harvest program, and a complete list of approved meat processors, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Zoz.

MDC Encourage Public to Be Bear Aware

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) estimates that Missouri is home to about 540 - 840 black bears with most being in the southern part of the state. As spring gets underway, these magnificent mammals leave their winter dens in search of food. MDC reminds Missourians to “Be Bear Aware.”

MDC Resource Scientist and Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee said it is imperative that residents remove bear attractants from their property, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste.

“As black bears become active in the spring, they are on a mission to find food,” said Conlee. “Keeping areas free of attractants and letting bears find natural foods is in everyone’s best interest. If you see a bear, let the animal be and enjoy the sighting, but be sure to not offer it any food.”

Conlee noted that intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous as it makes the bears comfortable around people. It can also lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for a meal.

“When bears lose their fear of humans, they could approach people in search of food or may defend the food sources or territory they associate with people, which can make them dangerous,” Conlee said. “When this happens, the bear cannot be relocated and has to be destroyed. A fed bear is a dead bear.”

Food is usually a bear’s main motivator, but that also means it can be a main source of conflict. MDC offers the following tips to avoid attracting black bears to possible food sources:

Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container until trash pick-up day. Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside. Don’t leave pet food outside. Feed pets a portion at each meal and remove the empty containers. Refrain from using birdfeeders in bear country from April through November. If in use, hang them at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from any structure. Keep in mind that even if a bear cannot get to the birdseed, the scent could still attract it to

MDC reminds Missourians to “Be Bear Aware” and remove bear attractants from their properties, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste because a “fed bear is a dead bear.” (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

the area. Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources. Keep campsites clean and store all food, toiletries and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. Do not keep food or toiletries in a tent, and do not burn or bury garbage or food waste.

While black bears are generally a shy, non-aggressive species and bear attacks are rare, MDC offers these tips when outdoors in bear country:

Make noise, such as clapping, singing or talking loudly, while hiking to prevent surprising a bear. Travel in a group if possible. Keep dogs leashed. Be aware of the surroundings. If there is evidence of a bear, such as tracks or scat, avoid the area. Leave bears alone! Do not approach them, and make sure they have an escape route.

Report bear sightings and post photos online at mdc. mo.gov/reportbears.

For more information on Missouri black bears and how to Be Bear Aware, visit mdc.mo.gov/bearaware.

Learn about MDC’s Missouri Black Bear Project at research.mdc.mo.gov/project/missouri-black-bear-project.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Find Places for Outdoor Fun with MDC’s “MO Outdoors” App

The sights and sounds of nature are distinct and unique during each season, which makes now a great time to get outside and discover nature. Looking for places to enjoy outdoor activities in Missouri such as hiking, birdwatching, camping, shooting, fishing, and hiking? The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has an app for that. With MDC’s free mobile app -- MO Outdoors -- users can quickly and easily find MDC outdoor offerings based on the types of outdoor activities they want close to home, work, or even while traveling. Learn more at missouriconservation.org/mooutdoors MO Outdoors can help users find MDC conservation areas, fishing accesses, hiking trails, shooting ranges, nature centers, and more around the state based on their desired types of outdoor activities including birdwatching, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, or shooting. Users can also mark “favorite” locations to quickly find them in future searches. MO Outdoors also connects users to area regulations and season information, hours of operation, images, area closings, and interactive maps of area boundaries and features. The map function also displays features such as parking lots, boat ramps, and wildlife viewing areas, and allows users to easily navigate to the features using their device’s GPS. Users can also download maps for offline use.

Get Hooked on Fishing with MDC Free Fishing Days June 6 and 7

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 6 and 7. Free fishing days always falls on the first weekend after the first Monday in June. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. MDC’s free MO Fishing mobile app helps anglers find the best places to fish in Missouri, access regulation information, identify fish by species, and more. Anglers can also buy, store, and show fishing permits right on their mobile devices. MO Fishing is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/mobile-apps/ mo-fishing.

Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample the state's abundant fishing opportunities. Missouri has more than a million acres of surface water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state's more than 1.1 million anglers. MDC can help through its free Rod and Reel Loaner Program at more than 100 locations around the state, including many libraries, MDC offices and nature centers, some state parks, and several marinas. Borrow a rod with a standard spin-cast reel, a small tackle box with hooks, sinkers, bobbers, and a stringer. Users need to provide their own live bait or lures. For a list of loaner locations, visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/RodandReelLoanerProgram.

MISSOURI STATE PARKS

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources named Mike Sutherland as director of its Division of State Parks.

Department of Natural Resources names Mike Sutherland as new Missouri State Parks Director

Sutherland has served as acting division director since Nov. 15, when former Division Director Ben Ellis retired. Prior to that, Sutherland served as deputy division director since joining the department in June 2017.

Before joining the Department of Natural Resources, Sutherland served as policy director for a nonprofit organization focused on budget and tax policy. His additional previous experiences include serving as the executive director of the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission, a state representative and the Warren County assessor.

Sutherland is a longtime supporter of Missouri’s state park system and outdoor recreation. In addition to serving on the Missouri Parks Association board and the Missouri State Parks Foundation, he is an avid cyclist and has worked as a salesman and mechanic for Red Wheel Bike Shop.

“Mike brings a great deal of leadership and experience to his new role,” said Department Director Carol Comer. “His knowledge and familiarity with both state government and the outdoors made him an excellent candidate for this role. We’re looking forward to Mike helping us continue to build relationships as we move into the future.”

“We have such a wonderful park system that millions of visitors utilize each year. Mike is poised to keep our parks and sites as one of the most respected park systems across the nation,” said CFM Executive Director Tyler Schwartze. “Under his leadership we look forward to having Missouri State Parks continue to be destinations that so many people enjoy visiting each year.”

“I’m honored to be asked to lead our team of hardworking individuals who believe in and support our mission,” said Sutherland. “I’m looking forward to an exciting future as I guide the Missouri State Parks team. It takes all of us, together as one team, to make progress toward stewardship, provide excellent service, and make sure we are always doing our part to keep our team and our guests safe. By working together with a positive outlook, no challenge will be too great.”

A native of Warrenton who now lives in Jefferson City, Sutherland is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, biking and kayaking. His adventures include a 50k ultramarathon, the Missouri River 340, hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in one day, biking the OT100 mountain bike race and competing in the Ironman World Triathlon Championships in Kona, HI.

3 Thin g s YOU Can Do to Help Pollinators

Plant Natives Native plants are a food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Add the plants shown below to your landscape. Keep it Blooming Keep something in bloom each season. Some species bloom all year, others only in April and May, still others in July and August. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/monarch. Get Involved Protect native grasslands, provide nesting places, and become a wildlife gardener. To learn how, visit GrowNative.org. 1 2 3

Common milkweed