11 minute read
Bear hunt
By JOE JEREK MDC News Service
Missouri hunters harvested 12 black bears during the state’s inaugural bear hunting season, which ran Oct. 18-27. More than 6,330 hunters had applied for 400 permits for the season with the maximum total harvest for the season being 40 bears.
“This was an incredibly successful first bear hunting season for Missouri, given that we have a highly regulated season, that bears in the state are widely distributed throughout some pretty rugged wilderness, and that many hunters had never hunted bears before,” said Laura Conlee, black bear biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
“A harvest of 12 bears in our first season is testament to the hunters,” she said. “Bear hunting is an extremely challenging endeavor, especially under the framework that we established. This was a new experience for many hunters, and they put in the work to be successful and take advantage of this new hunting opportunity.”
Conlee said MDC took a conservative approach in developing its bear-hunting regulations.
“Our highly regulated and limited season included a sustainable maximum harvest of 40 bears, which is about 5 percent of our total bear population,” she said. “We also prohibited baiting and the use of dogs, limited hunting to 10 days, and restricted the number of hunters who could participate,” she said.
“With any new season, it is difficult to predict hunter success, so we took a conservative approach to limiting the number of hunters and length of the hunting season. This was to ensure we didn’t over-harvest the bear population in any one zone.”
A LIMITED HUNT
Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricted to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Each permit issued is for a specific zone, and hunting is limited to public or private property within the zone. Permit and harvest quotas for the 2021 bear season were: • Zone 1: Permit quota of 200 with a harvest quota of 20 bears. Nine were taken. • Zone 2: Permit quota of 150 with a harvest quota of 15 bears. Three were taken. • Zone 3: Permit quota of
OUTDOOR
January-February 2022
GUIDE
MAGAZINE
HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL
Volume 30, No. 1 • Published six times a year Office: 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103 News department — 618-972-3744 www.outdoorguidemagazine.com e-mail: news@outdoor-guide.com
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— Account executives — Dan Braun, marketing director 314-256-4136 Lauren Marshall 314-614-5175
Darrell Taylor Ray Eye Brent Frazee Brandon Butler — Regional and specialty editors —
Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones
Bill Seibel John Neporadny Jr. T. J. Mullin Larry Whiteley Ted Nugent Ron Bice
– In Memoriam —
Joel Vance • Ron Henry Strait • Jared Billings • Charlie Farmer • Richard Engelke • Mark Hubbard • Spence Turner • Hank Reifeiss Kay Hively • Bill Harmon • Barbara Perry Lawton • Danny Hicks • Ron Kruger • TJ Stallings • John Sloan
— Staff writers —
Claudette Roper Kenneth Kieser Don Gasaway Tim Huffman Gerald Scott Terry Wilson Mike Roux Russell Hively Bill Keaton Bob Holzhei Craig Alderman Roxanne Wilson Charlie Slovensky Jeannie Farmer Randall Davis Michael Wardlaw Jerry Pabst Jo Schaper Larry Potterfield Tyler Mahoney Ryan Miloshewski Jed Nadler Tom Watson Richard Aites
Kelsie Wikoff of Hume took this 268-pound boar (male bear) on Oct. 21. She spent 48 hours in a tree stand over three days. – Kelsie Wifoff photo
50 with a harvest quota of 5 bears. None were taken.
The more-than 6,330 hunters who applied during May to hunt a specific zone each paid a $10 application fee. The 400 hunters selected for permits through a random drawing of all applicants then paid a permit fee of $25.
Among those selected for permits, Kelsie Wikoff of Hume harvested a 268-pound boar (male bear) in Zone 1 on Oct. 21. She said she had spent 48 hours in a tree stand over three days after the season began Oct. 18.
According to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, the harvest limit is one bear per permit. Only lone black bears may be taken. Hunters may not take bears that are known to be in the presence of other bears, including female black bears with cubs. Bears may not be disturbed, pushed, harassed or taken from a den.
Bear hunters must wear hunter orange, make reasonable efforts to retrieve shot bears, and may not leave or abandon commonly edible portions. Learn more about bear hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/bearhunting.
MORE EACH YEAR
Black bears were historically abundant throughout the forested areas of Missouri prior to European settlement but were nearly eliminated by unregulated killing in the late 1800s, as well as from habitat loss when Ozark forests were logged.
Over the past 50 years, bear numbers and range in Missouri have grown to around 800 black bears, with most found south of the Missouri River and primarily south of Interstate 44. The Missouri bear range is expanding.
Bear numbers in Missouri are increasing each year by approximately 9 percent and are expected to double in less than 10 years. As bear numbers continue to increase, MDC will use a highly regulated hunting season as an essential part of population management.
MDC’s 2020-2030 Black Bear Management Plan will guide bear management in Missouri for the next decade. Learn more about black bears in Missouri and MDC management efforts at mdc. mo.gov/bears.
• Frazee from page 4
was younger, I challenged myself to hike to the top of an Ozarks mountain, to slide down into an Ozarks cave and to go whitewater rafting out west. Sadly, I don’t challenge myself to do that anymore. Maybe my age won’t allow me to do some things, but I can still get my heartbeat up more than I do. • I resolve to watch far less daytime TV and do far more outdoors. Shows like The View, Dr. Phil and Jerry Springer are mind-numbing and only add to my “whatis-the-world-coming-to?” frame of mind. The only reason I watch is to reassure myself that I’m far more normal than some of the guests they have on the air. • I resolve to lose weight. I’m a tub, and I need to get away from eating lunch out of a fast-food bag. Sorry, McDonald’s, I plan to spend less money at your place this year. • I resolve to write more. It’s more than a job to me, it’s a hobby. I love meeting interesting characters and telling their stories. • I resolve to clean the garage and get my fishing tackle organized again. And to keep it organized for more than a couple weeks. My wife will like this one.
The book “Brent Frazee’s Ultimate Guide to Missouri Fishing” is available for $14.95 at brentfrazee.com.
EXPERIENCE ELLINGTON
missouri explorethe& outdoors
ellingtonmo.com
Hike the
ozark trail
~ Only 2 Hours South of St. Louis ~
1Clearwater Lake & Webb Creek Park – Hwy H –Bring the family to camp, boat, fish, and unwind on crystal clear Clearwater Lake. This area of the lake is formed where Webb Creek and Logan Creek empty into Clearwater Lake. The lake is known for its crappie, catfish and bass fishing. Camping is available at Webb Creek Recreation Park; plus a full service marina with boat/wave runner rentals on site. Webb Creek Park features over 40 campsites, swim beach, Webb Creek Marina playground, showers, picnic pavilions, boat launch, and more. Services are limited after mid-September but camping is still permitted. Call Webb Creek Marina at 573-461-2344 for marina, boat rental and campsite information or visit www.recreation.gov to make reservations. If you are interested in all the conveniences of home call Webb Creek Cabins for cabin rentals, 573-461-2244. 2 Black River and K Bridge Recreation Area Hwy – Float, canoe, fish and explore the beautiful – K
Black River. Enjoy swimming, camping and picnicking right on the banks of the Black River. K Bridge Recreation Area and Campground offers playground, showers, electric and comfort station, visit www. recreation.gov to make reservations. Floats (raft or canoe) can be arranged on site by calling Jeff’s Canoe Rental at 573-598-4555. A small Highway K Camping general store is also available on site. 3 Current River & Log Yard Gravel Bar – Hwy 106 to HH Highway- Fish, swim, camp and relax on majestic Current River. Great place to explore Current River.
This area is often referred to as Cardareva by locals and is a favorite summer hangout. Primitive camping is available right on the river bank, camping is also available at the nearby School Yard with picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire pits. These sites are available on a first come basis. Bring your canoes, rafts and kayaks; a perfect day float….Powder Mill to Log Yard. Camp Current River Boat launch available. Powder Mill Recreation Area and Campground re-opened. Camping available with views of the Current River. Picnic table, firepit & lantern hook available at each site, reservations not available. Water/elect not provided.
Current River, Blue Spring & Powder Mill
Recreation Area – Hwy 106 near Current River bridge
Powder Mill reopened summer 2020. Camping is available with views of the river, picnic tables, fire pit and lantern hook. Reservations are not available. Powder Mill is a perfect camp base for day trips to area attractions like Blue Spring, Rocky Falls, Peck Ranch, Johnson Shut-Ins, Elephant Rocks and more. Wild horses are often seen in the fields near the bridge. The Ozarks offers countless options for family adventure. 5 Rocky Falls- NN Hwy- A cascading crystal Rocky Creek drops from the Ozark Mountains into a lazy pool which eventually winds through the Ozarks to Current River. A must see if you are in the area and fun for all ages. Wear non-slip shoes and use caution when climbing on the falls. Picnic tables provided.
4Blue Spring Current River Conservation Area –Consists
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of 28,000 acres of state land. Deer, turkey, eagles, elk and a multitude of wildlife can be seen. UTV’s, ATV’s and vehicle traffic are welcome on miles of gravel roads and trails that wind through some 60+ food plots. Buford Pond, Missouri’s first fire tower, a 1926 log cabin and an earthen Fort Barnesville can all be found here. Buford Pond provides fishing and picnicking and is a favorite location of all. For hunting enthusiasts an unstaffed rifle and archery range are provided.
Current River Conservation Area is home to the Missouri Ozark Ecosystem Project, the world’s most comprehensive forest management study. This 100 year project spans over 9,000 acres.
Main park entrance located on South Road in Ellington, other entrances located off Hwy 106 and HH highway. Primitive camping is available. Elk viewing and maps of the area are available at the main park entrance.
Local Flavor – While in town you won’t want to miss the Reynolds
County Museum. This Museum is filled with relicts from days gone by and the rich history of the Ozarks. Volunteers staff the establishment and are happy to answer questions; Open March-November, Tues-Fri, 10-4 or by appointment. Call 573-663-3233 for more information. Want some nostalgia from a couple decades back; how about a drive in movie? One of only a few drive-ins left in the Midwest is located just south of Ellington on highway 21. 21 Drive-In opens in May with summer family favorites and offers movie events into the fall including Halloween and Christmas.
6Reynolds Co Museum
Wild Horses
Scenic Highway 106 - This 26 mile drive between Ellington and
Eminence is known state wide for its scenic views and beauty, and is especially a favorite in the fall. This section of highway is also home to the Trans-America Trail and sees many bicycle travelers from April-October. Bicycle enthusiasts say it’s one of the “toughest sections on the trail” and known for the steep hills & hollers.
Blair Creek- Hwy 106 – This area is a favorite of the local’s spring, summer and fall. For the person who is looking for the unknown, adventure into the wild Ozark hills for the beautiful views, caves, swimming, picnicking. Here riding the back roads in ATV’s, UTV’s and 4-wheel drives is exciting and fun. Entrance located North of Hwy 106 across from Blue Spring entrance.
Ozark Trail- Hwy 106- Blair Creek & Current River section; Hwy 106 – Whether you are looking for a one day hike or want to make a few days of it; hiking these sections of the Ozark Trail is rewarding and adventurous. Such splendid locations as Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill and Buzzard Mountain Shut-Ins are located right on the trail. For the adventurous visitor this is a must!
Peck Ranch- H Highway, Shannon County- Plan a trip for the fall to ‘Listen for the Bugle’! Elk are roaming the hills of the Ozarks and can be seen in Peck Ranch, Current River Conservation Area and the surrounding region. Thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Elk Restoration Program the herd has expanded to over 200 bulls, cows and calves. Peck Ranch and Current River Conservation Area is open from sunrise/sunset daily and offers a driving tour. Bugling occurs Sept-Nov. Check the MDC website for park closing details. Maps are available at the park entrance. 8
TransAmerica Trail
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Blair Creek
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Klepzig Mill
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