There are a number of notable topics I need to mention in this article. Some are local activities you may want to mark on your calendars.
Even though we are past the deadline date, I want to remind hunters who have tree stands on public ground such as U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Missouri Department of Conservation properties they need to remember to get their tree stands out of the woods if you have not already. The deadline was the end of January. Be careful not to use any motorized vehicle such as ATVs or UTVs in areas closed to motor vehicle traffic.
Beginning today, Canada, White Front (specklebelly) and Brant are closed.
Make sure if you pursue light geese during this conservation order to purchase a conservation order permit. This is the only permit required during the conservation order.
Be careful not to take any of the geese I mentioned that will be in closed season. Be sure of your shots.
It goes without saying to establish permission to hunt any private property prior to hunting these light geese on their property. Some landowners will adamantly give permission when you ask them, while others will not.
Some regulations are liberalized during the conservation order, such as shooting hours, daily limits and plugged shotguns.
Make sure if you intend to hunt during the conservation order to pick up a copy of the waterfowl regulations pamphlet at your local vendor when you buy your permit and have it available to refer to out in the field where you may not have a cellphone signal to use the MO Hunting app.
March 1 begins the new permit year. If you have not done so already, purchase 2019 small game and fishing permits as well as other permits at your local vendor, on your computer at mdc.mo.gov or on your cellphone using the MO Fishing app or the MO Hunting app, which are free to download.
Last, but not least, is something very important. We will be having a hunter education skills course in Poplar Bluff on Tuesday, March 12 at the Poplar Bluff Junior High School.
Regardless of where you might take a hunter education skills class this spring, everyone needs to register online before attending one. Also, before attending a skills class, students must complete the knowledge portion on their own, either by completing it online or picking up a hunter education student manual locally (Walmart/sporting goods department).
Then, your printed certificate from the online course or the completed student manual (review questions) is literally your ticket in the door to a skills class, where you can complete your hunter education certification.
Missouri residents 16 and older have the option of completing their entire hunter education certification online. Register now to get you, your friends and family enrolled in a hunter education skills class before they fill up. Only 45 students are allowed into each skills class.
These classes are free of charge. This will be the only one held in Butler County this spring if you need this certification to buy spring firearms turkey permits or shoot on the local Poplar Bluff High School Trap Team.