Outdoors digest

Prescribed fire helps renew local sand prairie

BENTON, Mo. --While fire is something to use with caution, under the proper conditions it can breathe life back into a prairie. A recent burn at the Charleston Baptist Camp's sand prairie in rural Scott County will benefit plants that depend on fire and the animals that depend on those plants, according to Missouri Department of Conservation officials.

Sand prairies occur on the sandy ridges of Southeast Missouri; sandy soil drains rapidly and creates conditions perfect for prairie growth.

The Sikeston Sand Ridge, which runs between Benton and New Madrid, is the best place to find remaining sand prairies. Some of the plants and animals that live on a sand prairie can be found only in Missouri due to the presence of this unique habitat.

When a chance develops to manage a sand prairie remnant, the MDC wants to pursue it, officials there say. MDC relies on landowner cooperation to conserve the state's remaining sand prairies.

The Baptist camp has been agreeable to monitoring of sand prairie plants and seed collection in past years. Recently they entered into a lease with MDC for the harvest of some of their split-beard bluestem seed, which is the dominant grass on existing sand prairies. Burning the prairie was part of the lease agreement to increase seed production.

Spring fires are best for stimulating new grass growth and seed production. Fires can also aid certain seeds needing blackened earth and warm soil for germination.

Boat U.S. to provide discounted life jackets

Teen-agers will be able to buy life jackets for $5 through The Boat Owners Association of the United States's new Teens Afloat Program.

The jackets, approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, retail for $15. They can be adjusted to fit sizes 30 to 52 inches. More than 10,000 have been distributed through the program so far.

The program is available for community groups, which can order up to 50 jackets. The deadline is July 15.

For information, visit www.boatus.com/foundation or call (410) 897-0514.

Turkey hunting brings big bucks to Missouri

Missourians spent more than $1.6 million this year on spring turkey hunting permits for the season that ended in early May, just part of the money MDC officials say is generated by the season.

Out-of-state hunters paid an additional $1.5 million on permits, and hunters combined to pay $10 million in Missouri each year for guns, aummunition, calls, camouflage clothing and other hunting equipment. Missouri residents also spend more than $10 million on travel, food and other items related to the season. In all, economic activity generated by spring turkey hunters tops $30 million annually, MDC figures show.

The appeal of Missouri? It could be the sheer numbers: Missouri's annual spring turkey harvest averages a nationwide-best 57,000 birds, second only to Mississippi (40,000 birds each spring.)

Commission will meet soon in Jefferson City

The Missouri Conservation Commission will meet May 29 and 30 at the department headquarters in Jefferson City, Mo. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. May 29; the group will meet in closed session at 8 a.m. May 30, followed by an open meeting.

Outdoor Life settles on six broadcast dates

The Outdoor Life Network (channel 38 on Charter Cable) has reached a deal to broadcast six episodes of "FLW Outdoors" starting Saturday. The show first airs at 7 p.m. Saturday.

For more broadcast times, visit www.OLNTV.com.

-- From staff, wire reports