Outdoors notes 1/31/03

Eagle Day will include presentations, viewing

PUXICO, Mo. -- The Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and Duck Creek Conservation Area's Eagle Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Live eagle presentations will be held at the top of every hour between 9 and 4, and spotting scopes will be set up near two active eagle nests on Mingo and Duck Creek's Pool No. 1.

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will participate in a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the national wildlife refuge system at noon.

The refuge is 1.5 miles north of Puxico, Mo., on Highway 51.

Liberalized hunting helps control snow geese

The thrill of the chase and wonders witnessed in the outdoors are the benefits of hunting that many are familiar with. But talk of the ecological benefits of the sport may increase as hunters help halt damage to wildlife habitat.

Liberalized hunting of snow, blue and Ross' geese (collectively known as light geese) has helped wildlife biologists throughout North America approach their goal of cutting populations of those species in half. Light goose numbers peaked at about three million in 1998 and has been cut to 2.6. Missouri Department of Conservation officials say they want the number to drop to 1.5 million.

The ultimate goal, the MDC says, is ecological protection. Light geese have become so plentiful that they damage their nesting habitat in the arctic. Without a decrease in population, the birds could cause permanent damage to habitat that sustains them and other wildlife.

The regular hunting season for light geese will last through April 30 in the state's southeast zone and allows hunters to use methods not allowed during the regular season, including unplugged shotguns, electronic calls and an unlimited harvest. Hunters are required to purchase a Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit for $6 to participate in the extended season.

-- From staff reports