In a 7/19/10 news release (see attachment). The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has announced that they would like to revisit the possibility of restoring an elk population in the Peck Ranch area of southeast Missouri.

The Department is seeking public comment on this proposal. For more information refer to the attachment below.

ELK News Release

Elk History and Restoration Background in Missouri 2010

Mark your calendars now!...On 6/6/10 the state board discussed plans for the fall leadership meeting. This event is hosted annually by the NWTF Missouri staff and board and is intended to be an informative fun day for its membership. Come see what the 2011 core package includes; learn about event planning, new twists to fund raising success, and other topics of interest. After that a meal will be provided and those that wish can partake in shooting activities.

Not all of the details have been determined yet, but the date and location have been confirmed as 9/11/10 at the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports facility between Millersburg and Columbia.

Contact your Regional Director for more details.

The board voted during its January meeting to support the 2010 Fall Hunter Apprentice School. This event will provide meals, lodging, guides, and other outdoor activities starting Friday afternoon on 9/24/10 and running through 9/26/10. Chapters from across the state have the option of sponsoring up to 10 youths at least 11 years old, first come first served.

For more information see the attachment below or contact Charlene West at 573-426-6331 or ckwest@fidnet.com.

HAS 2010 Chapter Letter

2010 Fall Hunter Apprentice School Registration Form

Three hunts designed to provide quality outdoor experiences for persons with disabilities will be available this coming fall.

On 3 September, there will be a dove hunt held at the Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area near East Prairie Missouri. This is a special annual event where only participants of this hunt will have access to an MDC prepared dove field on this special day. The field will have only been hunted one half day prior to this event. Previous years have proven this hunt to rival dove hunting quality anywhere. There is no cost to participants once they get to the area and NWTF volunteers will serve as guides and hosts. Contact Jackie Rowe for more information (573-579-9170).

In addition to the dove hunt, 2 deer hunts will be available as draw hunts through the MDC system. One will be on 9 and 10 of October at the Bois D' Arc Conservation Area near Springfield, contact is Mike Brooks (417-742-2133). The other hunt is for 25 disbaled hunters on 23 and 24 of October at Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff. Contact Eric Lemons (573-222-8562).

It's once again time for nominations for the George Clark Missouri State Chapter board of directors. Completed nomination forms should be returned to Ben Doerge, State Chapter President, 21273 Audrain Road 306, Mexico, MO 65265, by September 1, 2010. There are six (6) terms expiring at the end of the year. If you, or someone you know, has an interest in running for the state board, please contact your regional director, Ben Doerge, or any of the current board members for a nomination form.

The 5 year gobble study that was initially proposed to continue through 2011 has been discontinued. A minimum number of volunteers was necessary for statistical validity and participation rates declined annually since 2007 when the project was initiated. Data voids geographically and annual holes within the survey period (during the season) presented annual challenges that were an initial concern.

Although the study did not produce statistically usable information as initially hoped, the first 3 years of data collection did provide some interesting insite into state-wide gobbling activity.

See the below document for details.

Gobble Study Document

The George Clark Missouri State Chapter is proud to announce the development of a new conservation license plate. Specialty plates help raise funds for special causes and, if approved, the NWTF Hunting Heritage Plate will help increase available dollars for habitat and outreach efforts throughout Missouri. See the attachments below for further information and plate design.

Hunting Heritage License Plate Information

If you would like to reserve yours today please email John Burk.

The current issue of our newsletter is available for download by following this link Show-Me Gobbler.