I've said it before and I'll say it again, Missouri is one of the finest states to live in if you love spending time outdoors.
Those of us who do owe a tip of our hat to the hard working folks at the Department of Conservation. From director Bob Ziehmer down to the part-time volunteers, these Missourians devote their careers to ensuring we and future generations are able to enjoy the natural wonders of our state.
Each year, MDC recaps the previous 12 months. You can read the entire report in the January 2014 issue of the Missouri Conservationist. Here are a few highlights.
• First of all, if you don't subscribe to the Missouri Conservationist, you should. It's hard to believe the state sends out such a high-quality publication to its residents for free. Yes, for free. All you have to do is go on the MDC website and sign up. More than 500,000 people are already subscribed.
• The elk restoration efforts continue to impress. In 2013, 39 more elk were captured in Kentucky and brought to Missouri. On the way the back here, one of the cows gave birth to a baby boy. We lucked into one extra bull. It won't be long until Missourians are able to pursue elk in the Ozarks.
• Missouri's fish stocking program ensures there are plenty of places to fill a livewell. Through portions of 2012-2013 MDC stocked 3.4 million warm-water fish species into public waters. They also stocked 1,708,786 trout. The trout return quite a bit of fiscal value, as MDC sold 94,894 trout permits, and 375,470 daily Trout Park permits.
• Eradicating feral hogs is an important conservation initiative. These unwanted invasive species will destroy a landscape faster than you can believe. MDC is working to get these pigs out of Missouri and have killed more than 1,000. I hope to help with this problem sometime soon, as hunting hogs is both fun and environmentally important.
• MDC busted some bad guys who were operating a serious paddlefish poaching ring. Back in March of 2013, state conservation agents, in conjunction with U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents, many arrests and fines were handed down to put a stop to illegal selling of paddlefish and their eggs.
• About 3 million seedling trees were distributed to 10,700 Missouri residents. These baby trees help ensure our state remains a tree lovers paradise in the future. The forestry department managed 438,700 acres of public land and assisted with 75,614 acres of private land. These guys and gals burned some boot leather make sure our forests remain healthy and beautiful.
• MoNASP, an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program, promotes archery to 63,000 Missouri students in 290 schools. St. Louis was home to the 2013 NASP World Tournament. A total of 3,045 students took part in the event, proving that archery is a sport of great interest to school-aged children. MDC co-hosted the event.
There is so much going on behind the scenes to ensure Missouri remains one of the finest conservation states in the country.
You may not agree with every move MDC makes, but if like to spend time outdoors enjoying our natural world, you owe the fine folks at MDC more than you know.
III
Brandon Butler is an outdoors columnist for the News Tribune. Contact him at [email protected].