FINS, FEATHERS, FUR

Coming up:

April 11 Velo Girardeau Bicycle Ride, P & G Loop, 35 miles, riders meet at Kent Library, 2 p.m.

April 18 Velo Girardeau Bicycle Ride, Jim Davis Memorial ride, 28 miles, meet at Kent Library, 2 p.m.

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

April 25 Velo Girardeau Bicycle Ride, Scott County Pancake ride, 40 miles, meet at Scott City High School, 1:30 p.m.

May 2 River Country Outdoors Bass Tournament, Lake of Egypt, Marion, Ill., 7 a.m. start from Egyptian Hills Marina.

May 21 Missouri Conservation Commission meeting, West Plains.

May 22-24 Silver Bullet National Drag Boat Races, Lake Wappapello.

July 2-4 Waterfest, Lake Wappapello.

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JEFFERSON CITY Many hunters find it difficult to explain why they hunt.

The future of hunting in America depends increasingly on helping non-hunters understand why people still enjoy mankind's oldest occupation. That's why the Wildlife Management Institute developed "Placing Hunting in Perspective." The 27-page booklet is designed to present a realistic view of what hunting is and how it fits into modern society. It documents hunting's benefits, including economic and cultural values and its relationship to wildlife conservation.

The booklet also sets the record straight on misleading statements by people who are not familiar with the issues and facts of modern wildlife management and hunting.

Copies are available for $2.75 each from: The Wildlife Manageme Institute, 1101 14th St., N.W., Suite 725, Washington, D.C. 20005.

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JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Conservation Commission designated two department properties as Missouri Natural Areas during its recent monthly meeting, held at Jefferson City.

The areas are:

Eck Memorial Natural Area, a 265-acre portion of the Peter A. Eck Conservation Area in Texas County, and a 134-acre addition to the existing 206-acre Buffalo Hills Natural Area in McDonald County.

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JEFFERSON CITY The Missouri Conservation Commission has announced two new land acquisitions.

The commission purchased 13.3 acres in Butler County as an addition to Coon Island Conservation Area. A gift of 423 acres southeast of Harrisonville in Cass County from the estate of James R. Harter was approved at the April meeting.

The commission also approved authorization to enter into a Community Assistance Program agreement with the City of St. Louis for fisheries, management, development of public use facilities, and other improvements to 14 city park pods and lakes. Facilities will include a Mississippi River wildlife viewing platform, barrier-free Mississippi River fishing pier, and barrier-free fishing platforms and jetties on city-owned lakes.

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Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club will conduct its annual P & G Loop ride Sunday.

The 35 miles tour will get under way at 2 p.m.. Riders will meet at Kent Library at 2 p.m.

The Jim Davis Memorial ride will be held April 18, with a 2 p.m. start from Kent Library.

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WEST PLAINS The May meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission will be held May 21 at West Plains.

Commissioners are Jay Henges, St. Louis, Chairman; Jerry P. Combs, Kennett, Vice Chairman; Andy Dalton, Springfield, Secret;; John Powell, Rolla, Member.

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SPRINGFIELD A new Illinois "Habitat Stamp" is required of most hunters, reminds Brent Manning, director of the Illinois Department of Conservation.

"This new stamp will provide long-term funding to preserve wildlife habitat in Illinois," said Manning. "The program replaces the Pheasant and furbearer stamps, and expands the scope to all species of wildlife."

Jim Killen, a nationally acclaimed wildlife arts, painted the first State of Illinois Habitat Stamp, depicts a majestic whitetail buck as he serves a snow-colored woodland.

Additional information concerning the new stamp is available by calling the conservation department (217)-785-8607.