FINS, FEATHERS, FUR

WARE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois Canada goose count is over the half-million mark.

"The latest survey, conducted Dec. 24, revealed 583,800 geese," said a spokesman from Union County Wildlife Refuge near here. "All were in Southern Illinois except 38,000 which were counted at the Ballard County Refuge across the Ohio River in West Kentucky."

More than 300,000 geese were counted in the four-county, "Quota Zone," with 120,000 at the Horseshoe Lake Wildlife Area near Olive Branch; 110,000 at Crab Orchard Refuge in the Carbondale area; and 90,000 at the Union County Wildlife Refuge near Ware.

The Rend Lake area, near Ina, Ill., had 152,000. The remainder of the geese were counted at Carlyle Lake (38,000), Burning Star Mine (27,000) and Cache River (7,000).

A total of 12,482 geese have been harvested during the season in the "Quota Zone" through Dec. 20.

The majority of birds were harvested in Williamson and Jackson counties, where an aggregate total of 6,886 birds were killed. The Alexander County harvest total is 3,360 and 2,236 have been killed in Union County.

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The Conservation Federation of Missouri will hold its annual convention at Lodge of the Four Seasons Mar. 13-15.

Reservations should be made no later than Jan. 29.

Reservations, and addition information, are available by writing the Conservation Federation, 728 West Main, Jefferson City, Mo., 65101.

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The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the transfer of 83 wild turkeys to the Kentucky Division of Fish land Wildlife Resources during its December meeting.

Missouri will receive 46 river otters for the turkeys.

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A statewide conference on Missouri's public forests will be held at Cape Girardeau March 27-28.

The meeting, designed to promote public awareness of issues, options and management of public forests in Missouri, will be co-sponsored by the trail of Tears Group-Sierra Club, Southeast Missouri State University College of Science and Technology, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, Mark Twain National Forests, and Four Seasons Audubon Society.

Additional information is available by contacting Alan Journet, Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University, telephone (314)-651-2366.

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NEVADA A hamster named "Lucky" is a living reminder to folks at the Vernon County Sheriff's Department that they helped save their nation's symbol.

Sheriff' deputies recently played host to an injured bald eagle that was brought in by concerned citizens. They contacted Vernon County Conservation Agent Larry Abraham, then called veterinarian Michael Buchanan. He examined the bird and found it healthy except for a cut on one leg. He gave it a shot of antibiotic to ward off infection.

While waiting for a decision about the bird's future, sheriff's deputies decided to treat their guest to meal -- a hamster from a local pet shop. But before the hapless hamster could be served up, Buchanan and Abraham decided the eagle was well enough to find its own victuals in the wild.

Abraham and Deputy Greg Kepler released the bird in a remote part of Vernon County. The eagle's release gave the hamster a reprieve and suggested its new name.

"We felt a certain amount of pride knowing we had helped this beautiful bird return to its natural state of being," said Deputy Gregory A. Kepler.

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JEFFERSON CITY The Conservation Commission will hold its monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Jan. 31 at Mariott's Tan-Tar-A Resort on State Road KK, Osage Beach.

Commission meetings are open to the public. Anyone with business for the Commission should contact: Director, Department of Conservation, Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-0180, or phone (314) 751-4115, at least 10 days prior to the meeting date.

Commissioners are Andy Dalton, Springfield, chairman; Jay Henges, St. Louis, vice-chairman; Jerry P. Combs, Kennett, Secretary; and John Powell, Rolla, member.

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CAMDENTON Environmental activism, wildlife management and the animal rights movement and community concerns for urban forest management are among dozens of topics to be explored at the 1992 Forest Fish and Wildlife Conference Jan. 29 through 31 at Lake of the Ozarks.

The conference will begin with registration and a mixer at Tan-Tar-A Resort Jan. 29. Morning programs Jan. 30 will focus on "Public Activism in Natural Resource Management." Afternoon workshops will include dispute mediation in natural resource issues, legal issues in natural resources, grassland management and an introduction to geographic information systems.

Conference participants will have their choice of 30 technical sessions in wildlife, fisheries and forestry Jan. 31.

The conference is sponsored by the Missouri chapters of the American Fisheries Society, The Wildlife Society and the Society of American Foresters.

Additional information is available by contacting Margie Mitchell, P.O. Box 372, Columbia, Mo., 65201.