Family-Outdoors

Like many Midwestern states, Michigan saw its elk herd dwindle to non-existence in the latter part of the 19th century.  A common misconception is that the abundance of game was far greater when grandma or grandpa were alive, but with An elk viewing station was recently installed  in northeast Michigan. From left to right:  Doug Doherty, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF); Joe Valentine, DNR; Mark Monroe, DNR; Dan Collard, RMEF; Scott Wheelden, RMEF; Meg Wheelden, RMEF; Brian Mastenbrook, DNR elk as with many other animals hunted for meat and/or sport, this simply is not the case.  In many cases, the re-introduction of extirpated species has come by transplanting animals from other regions. Missouri is going through this process now with its elk herd.  Elk were removed from the landscape in Missouri at about the same time as Michigan.  It has taken the state much longer to get around to bringing them back. Michigan began the process of reintroduc...

Black Bear  In Missouri , bears and mountain lions sightings and populations are on the upswing.  As a hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, and conservationist, I believe that is a good thing.  Folks in other Midwest states can add wolf populations to the list of species that had been essentially extirpated, but are now on a hopeful road to recovery. A natural tendency is to fear what we don't know.  Each of these three species are pretty much unknown to the residents of Midwestern states, and to make it even more difficult, these animals have an exaggerated reputation for being dangerous.  Additionally, and especially with regard to wolves and mountain lions, farmers and ranchers have what seems to be an instinctive desire to eradicate every last one of them (an admitted gross generalization!). Of course the realities are far different.  Like sharks in the ocean, the ferocity of these creatures is far less than movies and the media would have us believe...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department will stock approximately 15,000 trout below Ft. Randall Dam. If weather permits, the first stocking of trout in the boat basin below Ft. Randall Dam will occur on Friday, March 15. “About 7,500 trout will be released on March 15 with the remaining 7,500 arriving on March 22,” Jason Sorensen, GFP Fisheries Biologist in Chamberlain said. Trout are stocked annually below Ft. Randall Dam to provide a unique fishing opportunity in addition to other excellent fishing opportunities available in the area. Crews from McNenny State Fish Hatchery in Spearfish will stock brown trout and two strains of rainbow trout below Ft. Randall Dam. “There are 5,000 each of brown trout, Shasta strain rainbow trout and McConaughy strain rainbow trout scheduled to be stocked below Ft. Randall Dam,” Sorensen said. One strain of rainbow trout has been marked with a fin clip to aid in differentiating them. An on-going research proj...

Archery (Photo credit: Wikipedia) There is a new look—and sound--to gym class. Traditional fitness, health and recreation still anchor today’s physical education curriculum. Stroll past the gym on a winter day, though, and you may notice a line of archers and hear the soft ‘thunks’ of field points hitting large target circles. “I learned this in summer camp. It was fun; so I was pretty excited when (my instructor) said we were going to do archery in gym class,” admitted Sharon Amouzou, after her turn at the line at Northwest junior high school in Coralville. “I would like to use it one day. It seems really fun. I don’t know.” Across Iowa, more than 100 schools take part in the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP). Certified instructors work with phys ed instructors from the participating schools to introduce a standards based curriculum which schools demand; tailored for elementary, middle or high school. A grant through the Department of Natural Resources provides the ...

The Current River of Missouri has been one of our favorite places in Missouri to go. The Current is certainly renowned for its party atmosphere on summer weekends, and deservedly so. If that's what you are after, then head on down any weekend from May thru September and enjoy. We won't see you. The Current is something different for us. I guess it seems to serve a vast array of desires. For us, that desire is some peace, solitude, and usually fly fishing. Depending on what you like, the Current has fishing opportunities for everyone. I guess if you are after big catfish, there are better Missouri streams. But if you enjoy fishing for smallies or browns and rainbows, it's hard to beat this jewel of a stream. The various stretches are pretty diverse, and too numerous to detail here. Briefly, there is Montauk State Park, and from there downstream, a progression from blue ribbon trout water to incredible smallmouth water. The river is beautiful throughout. For a thorough ru...

Stockton Lake and Dam, near Stockton, Missouri, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Celebrate National Trail Day by walking two new trails and experiencing both history and nature in Missouri state parks and historic sites. On Friday, June 1, Missouri State Parks officials will dedicate the new Brogans’ Trail at Fort Davidson State Historic Site in Pilot Knob. The 1 p.m. ceremony will officially open the historic site’s first hiking trail and kick off National Trail Day activities. Brogans’ Trail is a relatively flat one-half mile loop that leads visitors from a new parking lot on the east branch of Knob Creek along the east side of the Battle of Pilot Knob battlefield. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at the parking lot on Industrial Drive in Pilot Knob and the public is invited to attend. The trail is named for the shoes worn by most Civil War soldiers on both sides of the conflict. A brogan was a heavy laced, usually ankle-high shoe that had the sole attached t...

Missouri state parks and historical districts  (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Missouri State Parks encourages all Missourians to get out in a park on National Kids to Parks Day, May 19. This national event is sponsored by the National Park Trust and endorsed by Missouri State Parks. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon proclaimed May 19 as Kids to Parks Day in Missouri and encouraged Missourians of all ages to get outside and enjoy our state and local parks . “Connecting a child with the outdoors provides physical, mental and spiritual benefits. We encourage you to head out to the park of your choice for a fun-filled day in the outdoors,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Missouri is home to award-winning state and local parks. Parks provide an opportunity for children to engage in active lifestyles while experiencing all that nature has to offer. Whether it is a hike, a swim, or a bike ride all ou...

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) When you read wildflower names you might find yourself asking “Who’s William and why is he so sweet?” or, “Do Dutchmen really wear breeches?” or maybe even, “Why’s Jack in the pulpit?” Ask no more, just check out this program for weird wildflower facts at the Cape Girardeau Nature Center on Saturday, May 19 from 1-3 pm as we hike the nature center grounds and trails.  Ages 12-15.  Call 573-290-5218 to register or for more information. Related articles Duck Decoy Making Discover Nature Families-Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt, Saturday April 14, 2-4 pm Spring GPS Challenge Pond Management Workshop Nature Art-2012 Mini-Album

Discover the fun of yesterday at the Frontier Children’s Festival Saturday, May 19 at Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site near Ash Grove. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the free event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. The event will feature a number of games for kids, including activities related to Nathan Boone, his farm and the natural world at the historic site. A special feature will be a 19 th century pickup baseball game called base, which served as the ancestor of today’s baseball. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., visitors are encouraged to participate in a game of base and imagine what it was like in the 1800s. Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site preserves the last home and grave of Missouri frontiersman Nathan Boone. The historic site is located 1.5 miles north of Ash Grove on State Highway V. For more information, call the historic site at 417-751-3266 . For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostatep...

Do you love nature? Have you ever wanted to capture that perfect sunrise, or that colorful flower, only to be confounded by the buttons and knobs on your camera? Learn how easy nature photography can be on Saturday, May 12 at Thousand Hills State Park near Kirksville . Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the workshop will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. in the park’s enclosed shelter and is open to the public. Emily Burke, the park’s naturalist and a hobby nature photographer, will lead the class. This course is designed for beginning and amateur photographers, and will discuss what makes the difference between a snapshot and a masterpiece. Bring your DIGITAL camera (yes, even a camera phone) to find out what all the bells and whistles do, and where and how to line up the perfect shot. It's easier than you think!   This course is free, but limited spaces are available. Please call Thousand Hills State Park at 660-665-6995 if you have questions, or would like to RSVP. If...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Missouri State Parks is teaming up with The North Face’s Explore Your Parks Program this summer to teach families how to have an enjoyable and safe camping experience in its Learn2 Camp program.   Some families may want to go camping but are uncertain how and what equipment is needed. The new Learn2 Camp Program answers all those questions with camping experts who will lend a hand with every aspect of the adventure. This summer, 40 families will have the opportunity to participate in the program, which will be held at five different Missouri state parks during June. Workshops will be held at the following locations: June 2 – Watkins Woolen Mill State Park , Lawson. June 9 – Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson. June 16 – Stockton State Park , Stockton. June 23 – Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood. June 30 – Thousand Hills State Park , Kirksville . “It’s hard to imagine an activity that brings famil...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) WHO: Missouri Department of Natural Resources WHAT: 18 th annual Earth Day celebration WHEN: Friday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: South lawn of the Capitol WHY: The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will welcome more than 1,000 students from throughout Missouri to the 18 th annual Earth Day celebration. Participation is free. Earth Day is geared toward students, but the event is open to the public as well. The department sponsors the event and is being joined by 12 other local, state and federal agencies with educational exhibits, booths, interactive displays and stage shows on the grounds. Stage events will include Environmental Survivor, hosted by 94.3 KAT Country personalities Kevin Hilley and Erin Hart, the World Bird Sanctuary, compliments of the Missouri American Water Company, and the musical duo WildHeart, sponsored by Children in Nature through Missouri State Parks. The department has a Web page in place wher...