Every spring the state Department of Conservation sends a reminder to “leave wildlife wild” because the advice is so important for the newborns and hatchlings that sometimes end up a little too close to home. I had two encounters last week. A baby robin found its way into the garage, then couldn’t find its wayContinue reading “Rarely orphaned, wild babies don’t need human help”
Tag Archives: Missouri
Conservation agent returns home with new assignment
Most people associate homecoming with the fall season, but a 2018 Northwest High School graduate returns to his alma mater on July 1. Conservation agent Dominick Montileone III starts his new assignment in service to Jefferson County next month. Following graduation from the state Department of Conservation Agent Training Academy last September, Montileone was assignedContinue reading “Conservation agent returns home with new assignment”
Blue moon and big bluegill join forces this month
Deep in the recesses of my aging mind, I have the lyrics for hundreds of old country songs bouncing around. Occasionally, one of them worms its way to my consciousness. Today that song is a 1980s tune by Earl Thomas Conley: “Every once in a blue moon, I do something right.” Early in the morningContinue reading “Blue moon and big bluegill join forces this month”
Conservation agent reminds residents to be ready for possible bear visits
For more than a decade Cpl. Lexis Wilson has patrolled Jefferson County with the goal of protecting our natural resources and investigating game law violations, but the role of conservation agent goes way beyond those familiar tasks. Maybe most importantly, agents educate the public about the wild world around us. One subject that has beenContinue reading “Conservation agent reminds residents to be ready for possible bear visits”
Turtles on the road again with spring weather
The deluge of overnight rain certainly played a part, but I was surprised to see so many box turtles crossing the road during a recent morning trip through central Missouri. This is the time of year when they are most active, and the good news was that most of them I saw along the countyContinue reading “Turtles on the road again with spring weather”
“Prospects” report outlines Mississippi River fishing opportunities
“Raised by a river: I suppose both meanings are true – you can hardly have one without the other.” I love that line from Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I feel like it strikes close to home for me. My childhood included five-minute bike rides to the Mississippi River, weekends and summer vacations swimmingContinue reading ““Prospects” report outlines Mississippi River fishing opportunities”
Rail-to-trails organization celebrates 40 years of success today
All conversations about rails-to-trails conversions in our state begin with the story of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad corridor. The MKT rail line property is now the 240-mile Katy Trail State Park from near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to Clinton, southeast of Kansas City. Acknowledged since 2008 by the national Rails To TrailsContinue reading “Rail-to-trails organization celebrates 40 years of success today”
Homemade sausage completes hunter’s work with help from friends
The old saying claims that hunting is all fun and games until you pull the trigger, that’s when the work begins. I take pride in being a Jack-of-no-trades, do-it-yourselfer for many things, and I literally get up to my elbows in deer after the shot. This year I didn’t finish the job until late inContinue reading “Homemade sausage completes hunter’s work with help from friends”
Invasive pear tree ‘buyback’ program returns
The Missouri Invasive Plant Council has sent a Save The Date reminder for the annual Bradford Pear Buyback Event on April 21, but the more important calendar consideration is March 16, which is opening day for registration to participate. Homeowners who are willing to remove the invasive Callery pear trees growing in their landscapes canContinue reading “Invasive pear tree ‘buyback’ program returns”
Hellbender continues to wait for Endangered Species Act protection
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Camp Hellbender, a program for adults to relive their childhood summer camp experiences. It sounded like a good time, but I was disappointed when I found out that the annual program didn’t have anything to do Missouri’s endangered aquatic salamander. I spent many of my formative yearsContinue reading “Hellbender continues to wait for Endangered Species Act protection”
Don't Call Me Outdoor John 