Outdoors digest

Roberts wins individual title in skeet shoot

CLUBB, Mo. -- Jered Roberts won the individual award among 80 shooters in the fourth annual skeet shoot sponsored by State Rep. Rod Jetton.

Scott Cook and Ted Kirkpatrick were tied for second at the event held Saturday at Bill Hollida's Rocking H Ranch.

In the team event, Denver Cook, Scott Cook, Daniel Cook and Ted Kirkpatrick won. Second was Roberts, Kara Hutchason, Gary Roberts and Ronnie Walk, and third was Dee Dee Dockins, John Sarff, Karen Bangert and Dick Bangert.

Jeff Parnell won the Remington rifle giveaway.

"We had a great turnout, and I'm overwhelmed by the support," Jetton said. "It's become an annual tradition folks look forward to."

About 200 attended the event dinner.

Youths can win cash in duck stamp contest

Young Missouri artists have a chance to win cash and travel rewards by participating in a national art contest sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program begins with state contests. The agency awards ribbons for first, second and third places, and honorable mentions in each of four age groups to include kindergarten to 12th grade. Everyone who enters gets a certificate.

The entry selected as best of show in each state advances to the national competition. The national winner receives $4,000 and a free trip to Washington, D.C. to attend the adult Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The winning artwork is made into the Federal Junior Duck Stamp. The money raised from sales of this stamp goes for conservation awards and for scholarships for kids who enter the contest.

The winner of the entry placing 2nd receives $2,000 and $1,000 is awarded to the 3rd-place winner.

Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge administers Missouri's Junior Duck Stamp contest. For entry packets or for more information about the contest, contact Tim Haller, 4200 New Haven Road, Columbia, Mo., 65201, call (800) 611-1826 or email Tim_Haller@fws.gov. For more information about the Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest go to duckstamps.fws.gov and select "2004 Junior Duck Stamp Program" and download the contest entry regulations. The application deadline for the contest is March 15.

Arbor Day contest rewarding for students and schools

The Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Community Forestry Council are calling on fifth-grade classrooms in Missouri to showcase their artistic talents by creating posters for the 2004 National Arbor Day Poster Contest.

The theme of the contest is "Trees are Terrific." Through the contest, students will learn about the importance of trees to the environment and how they can make a difference.

Each school's winning poster advances to the state competition. The state winner receives a $50 savings bond. The Conservation Department also will plant a 6- to 12-foot tree on the grounds of the winner's school. The winner also gets to attend Gov. Bob Holden's signing of the Missouri Arbor Day Proclamation at the State Capitol in Jefferson City and enter the national contest.

The deadline for state Arbor Day contest submissions is Feb. 13.

Packets with contest information will be sent to all fifth-grade art teachers. Teachers will receive free curriculum materials, including in-depth lesson plans, hands-on activities and contest information. Any fifth-grade teacher can obtain a packet by contacting Donna Baldwin, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102, or e-mail Donna.Baldwin@mdc.mo.gov.

The national winner will receive a $1,000 savings bond. The winner's teacher will receive $200 for classroom materials.

-- From staff reports