News and Almanac

TV SPECIAL FOCUSES ON DEER, HUNTING

The Conservation Department will air "Whitetail Update '95," an hour-long, live call-in television program about deer and deer hunting, Oct. 28.

The program will mix live interviews with taped segments on deer-related subjects, such as urban deer management, deer processing tips and venison recipes.

A panel of experts will field questions about deer biology and management, urban wildlife problems, game laws and special hunts. Viewers can call toll free.

Whitetail Update '95 will be produced at Public Broadcasting Station KOZK-TV in Springfield and will be uplinked around the state. Check local listings for times the show will be broadcast in your area.

LAKE REGULATIONS TARGET FOAM LITTER

Union Electric Company is reminding residents and businesses at the Lake of the Ozarks of new dock regulations that ban the future use of expanded polystyrene (white foam) flotation material.

Studies show that foam flotation material that has broken off or been discarded from boat docks is the greatest source of man-made lake debris.

Under the new regulations, approved types of flotation material includes encapsulated or encased polystyrene, polyethylene, extruded polystyrene (blue Styrofoam) and fiberglass drums.

The regulations go into effect Nov. 1. Boat docks with current permits that have flotation material in good condition are exempt from the new rules, until the material requires replacing.

FOREST DAY AT BURR OAK, ROCKWOODS

Learn about mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and the resources essential to forests during "A Day in the Forest" at Burr Oak Woods, Oct. 7 and at Rockwoods Reservation Oct. 15.

Take a guided nature walk in the woods or explore trails on your own.

See demonstrations about forest products and processes. Native Americans and Smokey Bear also will be on hand.

A Day in the Forest runs from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. at Burr Oak Woods and from 12:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. at Rockwoods Reservation.

ENTER CONSERVANCY PHOTO CONTEST

The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting plants, animals and natural areas, is sponsoring its first photo contest.

The "Wildlife and Wild Places" photo contest is open to all amateur photographers and includes five categories: wild places, wildlife, flora, conservation in action and the art of nature.

Top prize is an expedition to the Amazon rainforest. Other prizes include trips to Hawaii and the Conservancy's Pine Butte Preserve in Montana.

Entry fees are $5 per submission for members and $10 for nonmembers. Entry deadline is Nov. 1. For complete rules and information call 1-800-639-7862 or refer to the Nature Conservancy on America OnLine.

SEA BIRD VICTIM OF HURRICANE WINDS

Apparently driven by the winds of Hurricane Erin, a sooty tern, which normally spends its life far out over the oceans, arrived in Missouri, the first confirmed sighting of this species in the state.

The bird, found in the Osage River by a Jefferson City woman, was sickly and died soon after being recovered. Jim D. Wilson, an ornithologist with the Conservation Department, speculated the bird was unable to adapt to feeding here and starved.

FOREST HOTLINE TRACKS FALL COLORS

Forest watchers can track changing foliage colors from now through the end of the color season with the help of a toll-free number.

National Forest offices will update Missouri and northern Arkansas color conditions each Thursday. For color information call 1-800-898-8895.

Learn more about fall color by writing for the poster, "Missouri's Season of Splendor."

For your free poster, send a postcard to Season of Splendor, Conservation Department, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.

COURT UPHOLDS HARASSMENT LAWS

The U.S. Supreme Court recently let stand a Montana law making it illegal to harass hunters.

The case involved a man who had jumped in front of hunters taking aim at legal game. Lawyers for the Fund for Animals argued the law infringed on free speech.

The Montana Supreme Court ruled that the law dealt only with physical interference with lawful hunters in the field and did not violate animal rights advocates' constitutional right to free speech. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld that ruling by refusing to hear the case.

Missouri and 48 other states have passed laws prohibiting the harassment of hunters.

FOREST HERITAGE CENTER GROWING

The Missouri Forest Heritage Center Inc. is $1 million closer to building a combined museum and education center in Shannon County, thanks to a grant from the Conservation Department.

The grant requires MFHC Inc. to raise an additional $1 million to match the grant. Plans call for a $4 million facility on a site known as the Twin Pines Picnic Area, located near Winona.

Organizers of the planned new Missouri Forest Heritage Center are seeking charter members. Membership deadline is Jan. 1.

To receive an application for membership or to donate items to the museum, write Missouri Forest Heritage Center Inc., P.O. Box 7063, Jefferson City, 65102. Donations are tax deductible.