FINS, FEATHERS, FURS

This is "Century Month" for bicyclists who participate in the weekly Velo Girardeau Bicycle Club rides.

"Rides for the month of September include quarter-century (25-mile), half-century (50-mile), metric-century (62-mile) and century (100-mile)," said Pat Boyd, a club spokesperson.

The quarter-century ride was held last weekend. The half-century jaunt is on Sunday's schedule, starting at 12:30 p.m. at Scott City High School, for a tour through Scott County.

The metric-century ride will be held Sept. 19, leaving from Kent Library on Southeast Missouri State University campus at 9 a.m., with the 100-mile jaunt Sept. 26, through Cape County. Rider will meet at 7 a.m. at Kent Library.

The Velo Club will hold its annual picnic Sept. 25 at Cherokee Park, starting about 5 p.m.

The blue-winged teal has recovered from record low numbers of the late 1980s, and federal officials have approved a second straight teal season for Missouri.

The 1993 season starts Saturday will go through Sept. 19.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorized the 1993 teal season, approved by the Missouri Conservation Commission at its May meeting. The season will be open statewide for blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal, with daily and possession limits of four and eight in the aggregate, respectively. Shooting hours will be from sunrise to sunset.

The blue-winged teal season had been closed since 1987.

To hunt teal in Missouri, hunters will need a Missouri Hunting Permit, state and federal waterfowl stamps and a Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Card. The cards, which cost $2, are available wherever hunting permits are sold.

Gov. Mel Carnahan has proclaimed Sept. 25 Hunting and Fishing Day in Missouri.

Several events are intended to help people who hunt and fish get others involved in outdoor activities. Any groups interested in sponsoring Hunting and Fishing Day activities can receive "NHF Day Action Packages," which contain how-to information on organizing and promoting activities.

Packages are available for $3 each from: NHF Day Headquarters, Flintlock Ridge Office Center, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470- 2359.

Anita B. Gorman of Kansas City has been appointed to the Missouri Conservation Commission, and attended her first meeting in August.

Gorman, the first woman ever selected to the four-member commission, says she is interested in conservation issues, having grown up on a farm. She is the 39th commissioner appointed since 1937 and the fourth from Kansas City. She is a trustee of the National Recreation and Parks Association, president of the City of Fountains Foundation, a member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and numerous other civic and benevolent organizations. She is married to Gerald W. Gorman, an attorney and a director of the law firm of Slagle, Bernard & Gorman of Kansas City.

Other members of the Commission include Jerry P. Combs, Kennett, Andy Dalton, Springfield, and John Powell, Rolla.

The Missouri Conservation Commission adopted names for two new access areas in Buchanan County "French Bottom Access" for a 1.5-acre site recently donated, and "Jentell Breese Access" for an 11.6-acre tract recently purchased.

Five new New land acquisitions were approved during the August meeting, held at Kansas City. They were:

11-acre donation on the Little Niangua River in Camden County to protect critical habitat of the Niangua darter.

Five acres in Pulaski County purchased as an addition to Roubidoux Island Access.

120 acres in Wayne County purchased as an addition to Coldwater Conservation Area.

80 acres in Vernon County purchased as an addition to Bushwhacker Lake Conservation Area.

22 acres in Sullivan County as an addition to Union Ridge Conservation Area.

Water clarity determines how well a fish can see your lure - so it's important in lure selection.

To test for clarity, put a white lure at the tip of your rod and push the rod tip straight down into the water.

If the lure disappears within 6 inches, visibility is limited, use a rattling or strongly vibrating lure. If the lure disappears at 3 to 4 feet, visibility is fair. Use lures with contrasting colors.

If the lure is still visible at 6 feet, use natural color lures.

Increases in fishing and hunting licenses, approved by the Illinois Legislature and the governor recently, will take effect Jan. 1, 1994.

The new fees will allow the Department of Conservation to expand its fishing and land habitat programs, and to hire 10 new conservation police officers.

Among the new fees are fishing license, from $7 to $12.50; sportsmen's license (combination fishing and hunting) from $13 to $18.50; non-resident fishing license, $15 to $24 and commercial fishing license, from $25 to $35.

Additional information on other fee increases is available by calling (217)-785-0970.