FINS, FEATHERS AND FUR

Gov. Mel Carnahan has declared June 11 and 12 "Free Fishing Days" in Missouri.

During the weekend observance in Missouri, residents and non-residents alike can fish free. On those two days, permits, daily trout tags and trout stamps are unnecessary at any Missouri Department of Conservation area and most other places. Requirements for special permits may still be in effect in some county, city or private waters, however.

"Fishing provides a common bond for Missourians young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural," Carnahan said in the proclamation. He also said that fishing strengthens Missourians' commitment to their natural resources.

President Bill Clinton has proclaimed National Fishing Week June 6 through 12. Country-western singer Lee Greenwood is the honorary national chairman for the event. The national theme is "Cast Across America."

Free copies of the 1994 Illinois Fishing Information pamphlet are now available.

The booklet summarize all state fishing regulations, lists places to fish and prospects for catching certain species in various waters. The publication also outlines sport fishing awards programs and offers tip on catch and release fishing and cleaning and cooking fish.

The booklets are available from all Illinois Department of Conservation offices and most license vendors.

"1994 Fishing Prospects," a publication of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Fisheries Division, is now available.

The report contains detailed information about where and how to catch fish on more than 17 streams and 35 lakes, including those at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area east of Kansas City and at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area west of St. Louis.

The report also includes information about largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass; bluegill and other sunfish; redhorse and other suckers; white, striped and hybrid striped bass; crappie, walleye, trout, catfish, carp, grass carp, drum, buffalo, gar, chain pickerel and rock bass.

To receive a free copy of the report, write to: Missouri Department of Conservation, "Fishing Prospects," P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-0180.

WAPPAPELLO -- Land is available for lease for agricultural purposes in the area of Wappapello Lake.

Twelve parcels of land, containing a total of 1,309 acres, are being offered for lease by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District.

Additional information is available by calling Gary Jacobs (314)-331-8178.

The annual Conservation Federation of Missouri convention will be held March 11-13 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson.

Among subjects to be discussed are ecology, environment and energy, small game and fur-bearers, fisheries and water resources, firearms and hunter safety, youth activities and natural history and wildlands.

Cost for the conference is $79, which includes all sessions and the Saturday awards banquet is $79. Additional information is available by calling (314)-634-2322.

JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Conservation Commission will hold its next meeting March 11 in Jefferson City. The open meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) headquarters, 2901 W. Truman Blvd.

Commission meetings are open to the public. Anyone with business for the Commission should contact: Director, MDC, Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or phone (314) 751-4115, at least 10 days before the meeting date. Persons with disabilities requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements at the same address or phone number.

Commissioners are: Jerry P. Combs, Kennett, chairman; Andy Dalton, Springfield, vice chairman; John Powell, Rolla, secretary; and Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, member.

HERMITAGE -- Special hunts at two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes will give persons with mobility impairments a chance to bag wild turkeys this spring.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will co-sponsor two hunts,

The hunts -- scheduled April 23 and 24 -- will take place at Pomme de Terre Lake in Hickory County, and Mark Twain Lake south of Monroe City.The Pomme de Terre Lake hunt is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the VFW, Bass Pro Shops, Lohman Calls and Flambeau Products are co-sponsors for the Pomme de Terre hunt, which is the first of its kind there. Co-sponsors for the Mark Twain hunt include the Paris Lions Club.

Guides will assist hunters to and from blinds. Participants will provide their own shotguns and spring turkey permits.

Additional information for tahe Pomme de Terre hunt is available by calling (417) 745-6411. Additional information for the Mark Twain hunt is available by calling (417) 745-6411.

MARION, Ill. -- The Illinois Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hots it annual state convention March 5 at the Holiday Inn in Marion.

The Illinois State Chapter Wild Turkey Expo and Calling contests will be held at the Holidome during the meeting.

David Hale, of Knight and Hale Game Calls, and Tim Grounds, world champion goose caller, will present seminars during the day.

Admission to the show -- which will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- is $5.

The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Following the show, a social hour, dinner and auction will be held. Additional information on tahe dinner are available by calling the Williamson County Tourism Bureau, 1-800-GEESE 99.

CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- The Illinois Big Buck & Turkey Expo will be held March 12-13 at John A. Logan College in Carterville,

Show hours will start at 9 a.m. both days.

Deer mounts for the Big Buck contest will be measured from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and form 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, with awards at 4:30 p.m. Mar. 13.

Appearing at the show will be Gary Sefton, Franklin, Tenn., the 1994 world deer calling champion, and Bill Seibel of Ballwin, Mo., who will discuss turkey-hunting techniques.

Admission cost is $6 for adults and $2.50 for children, 6-12.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- An amendment protecting hunters from persons who intentionally interfere with lawful hunts on federal land is part of an anti-crime bill recently approved by the U.S. Senate and headed to a conference committee.

The amendment to S. 1607 was offered by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. Rick Story, executive director of the Wildlife Legislative Fund of America, said the amendment is a great step forward in the protection of hunting rights.

Story said 47 states have laws against harassing hunters. Those laws are enforced on federal lands and prosecuted in state courts. The proposed federal law offers the added option of prosecution in federal courts. The federal government owns more than a third of the public hunting land in the United States.