FINS, FEATHERS, FUR

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PUXICO An 10-hour, hunter safety course will be conducted at the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center near Puxico Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The course, sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will include gun safety, information about firearms and ammunition, responsibilities of the outdoorsman, outdoors ethics, and the role of the hunter and hunting in wildlife management and conservation.

People can pre-register for the course by calling (314)-222-3589.

All hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1967 are required to complete a hunter safety course before they can purchase a hunting license.

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Goose hunters in the Southern Illinois Waterfowl Quota Zone Alexander, Union, Jackson and Williamson counties will have some restrictions over the 1991 season:

The quota has been cut by more than 30,000 birds, from 72,400 to 39,500.

Hunters will be limited to two birds daily, instead of three.

The season will start Nov. 14 and run through Jan. 31. A year ago, the season started Nov. 9.

These are the recommendations of the Mississippi Flyway Waterfowl Council, which met recently at Springfield, Mo.

Council officials say the goose hatch was down in the northern breeding grounds, resulting in the cutbacks.

The waterfowl dates will become official when they are entered in the Federal Register in September.

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JEFFERSON CITY Thousands of Missouri hunters will take to the fields Sept. 1 for the opening of the 1992 dove season.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds dove hunters that this year's dove season opener will be different from previous ones in one important respect this is the first year that Missouri (along with California and South Dakota) will require anyone who hunts migratory game birds to have a Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program Card.

The program is aimed at gathering more reliable information about the annual harvest of doves, snipe, rails, woodcock, ducks, geese and coots. Missouri's participation in the pilot phase of the program will pave the way for implementation of the program nationwide.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will survey card purchasers to learn how much they hunt and how many of each kind of bird they kill. State and federal wildlife managers hope this information will help them make better-informed decisions to conserve North America's migratory birds.

Missouri hunters can buy the $2 cards at the same places where they purchase hunting permits. Dove season will run through Oct. 30, with a daily limit of 15 doves and a possession limit of 30.

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BELLEVUE, Ky. Doug Henley, a fisheries biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Service, says it's not unusual to find tropical species in Kentucky waters.

"We have found alligators and caymans in lakes where people dump them after getting tired of having them as pets," he said.

An unusual fish species was caught recently in the Ohio River near the Kentucky bank near Bellevue, Ky. when angler Jack Roberts hauled in a one-pound piranha.

Henley says the only way a piranha to get into the waters was for "someone to put him there." He added that it was possible for a piranha to live in the local waters, but only until the weather turns cold.

Roberts plans to have the piranha mounted.

Piranhas are carnivorous fish native to the Amazon and other South American rivers. They normally travel in large groups and can strip the flesh off the skeleton of an animal in minutes.

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CARTERVILLE, lll. A new Illinois Sportsman of the Year will be determined during National Hunting and Fishing Day festivities in Carterville Sept. 26-27.

Brent Manning, director of the Illinois Department of Conservation, said the competition is being sponsored by Valco Awards and More of Springfield, Ill.

Valco owner Frank Vala said up to 50 participants will be competing for the honors, which is open to individuals age 16 and over. There is a $10 entry fee.

Five events will test competitors knowledge of the outdoors, featuring questions on fish, game, forest, non-game species and conservation. Four skill events will feature archery, clay shooting, casting for accuracy and shotgun shooting. Points will be awarded in each of the nine events. The top 10 scorers will then compete in a final outdoors skills competition at noon Sept. 27.

Entry forms or addition information about the competition is available by writing Ben Lenkart, Department of Conservation, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill., 62701-1787.

Terry Wunderle of Mason City was last year's champion. Contest rules prevent previous winners from competing.

The two-day competition will be held at John A. Logan College in Carterville.

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JEFFERSON CITY At first glance, the phrase "urban forest" might sound like a contradiction in terms. A new film from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) explains what urban forests are and tells how city dwellers can enjoy their benefits.

"Creating an Urbans" is the latest film from MDC. It highlights the value of an urban forest trees around homes, office or school buildings, along streets or in parks. An urban forest is a community asset whose long-term benefits begin with long-term planning and caring for trees.

For assistance on tree care and management, contact: Missouri Department of Conservation, Forestry Division, Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-0180.

"Creating An Urban Oasis" is available on video cassette from public libraries statewide. MDC's media library in Jefferson City also has copies available for purchase.

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JEFFERSON CITY Application cards are now available for waterfowl hunting at Fountain Grove, Swan Lake, Montrose, Ted Shanks, Duck Creek, Marais Temps Clair, Bob Brown and Grand Pass wildlife areas.

Applications will be accepted until Sept. 15. Hunters of waterfowl and all migratory birds will be required to have a Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program Card.

Waterfowl hunt applications can be obtained from any Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wetland area, MDC offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield or Jefferson City, or by writing to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Wildlife Division, Waterfowl Area Hunts, P.O. Box 3825, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-3825.