FINS, FEATHERS AND FURS

Coming up:

February 26 Missouri Conservation Commission meeting, Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark.

March 13 Illinois Big Buck Expo, John A. Logan Community College, Carterville. Seminars Big Buck contests.

March 14 Illinois Big Buck Expo, John A. Logan Community College, Carterville.

April 3-4 Old Greenville Blackpowder Rendezvous, Wappapello Lake.

April 24 Annual ;Missouri Beautification Association Spring Roadside Cleanup, Lake Wappapello.

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WAPPAPELLO The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake has announced several special events for the 1933 recreation season, starting April 3-4 with the 15th annual Old Greenville Blackpowder Rendezvous.

Other events include the Annual Missouri Beautification Association Spring Roadside Cleanup, Lake Wappapello, April 24; the Silver Bullet National Drag Boat Race, May 22-23; Waterfest, July 3-4; and Disabled Persons Fishing Day, Sept. 25.

In addition to these events, non-demoninational church services will be held at the amphitheater at the Greenville Campgrounds on the first and fourth Sunday of each month from June to September Labor Day weekend.

Additional information is available by calling (314)-222-8562.

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The 1993 Illinois Fishing Information Guide is now available.

"The new guide represents an up-to-date summary of Illinois' fishing regulations, written in easy to understand terms," said DOC director Brent Manning. "In addition, it contains details about a new state `catch-and-release' awards program in which anglers will be recognized for releasing fish equal to or greater than a required minimum length."

Copies of the new guide is available by writing the Department of Conservation, Division of fisheries, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill., 62701-17897.

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LAKE OZARK James R. Smith couldn't make it to the third Conference on Missouri Rivers and Streams to see how his entry fared in the Missouri Trout Stamp Design Competition. But when he learned by phone that he had won, he jumped in his car and drove to Lake Ozark to bask in the limelight.

Smith received recognition at the conference banquet, where his oil painting was on display. The painting depicts an angler in a canoe playing a hefty rainbow trout.

It was the second trout stamp win for Smith, of Raymore. Another of his paintings appeared on the 1990 trout stamp. This year his painting rose to the top of a field of 29 entries. The number of art works in the competition was up from 17 last year and 27 the previous year.

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WAPPAPELLO Corps of Engineer officials are reminding boaters to use caution in Wapppello lake these days.

"Boaters and fishermen should be aware of stumps, floating debris and sandbars in the lake at this time of year," said Michael McClendon, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Your safety is our concern."

Lake information is available by calling the 24-hour Recreation Hotline at (314)-222-8139.

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JEFFERSON CITY Professional organizations recognized the accomplishments of several Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) employees, during the Forest, Fish and Wildlife Conference held recently at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach.

MDC Assistant Director Ken Babcock received the E. Sydney Stephens Professional Wildlife Award for his work in wildlife management and resource conservation. The award represents the highest level of recognition that the Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society can bestow upon a member.

Two other MDC employees, Kathy Love and Joe Bachant, received awards from the Missouri Show-Me Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

MDC Prairie Wildlife Biologist Tom Toney received the Natural Areas Management Award from MDC's Natural Areas Committee.

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CARTERVILLE, Ill. The two-day, Illinois Big Buck Expo will be held March 13-14 at John A. Logan Community College at Carterville.

The two-day event is sponsored by The Illinois Department of Conservation and the Williamson County Tourism Bureau

Additional information is available by calling 1-800-433-7399.