Get Outside in July

Ready to Travel

Watch for young hummingbirds at your feeders. Noticing more hummingbirds at your feeders? They’re fueling up for migration. Help them on their way by offering plenty of nectar. To make nectar, mix one part white table sugar with four parts water. Remember, the liquid does not need to be red.

Warblers are also preparing for their trip south for the winter. To help them make the miles-long journey, warblers begin to gain weight for energy. Warblers are insect eaters, but you can help attract them to your feeders by offering mealworms, sunflower chips, and suet. For more information, visit our online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/field-guide.

Beat the Summer Heat

Missouri is a great place to fish! Here are two ways to beat the heat while angling for some tasty table fare:

• Try night fishing for crappie. All you need is a flashlight, a pole, and bait. Browse places to fish at mdc.mo.gov/atlas.
• Wade a cool Ozark stream and fish for smallmouth bass. Move slowly so you don’t spook wary fish. Cast a crayfish lure, plastic worm, or tube jig into the deep, flowing water around boulders or under a snag. Let the lure sink and then twitch your rod as you reel in the lure. With any luck, you’ll soon feel the explosive tug of a hungry smallmouth on the end of your line.

Nature’s Sweet Treat

Blackberries ripen in July. Pick some to make this easy blackberry pie recipe at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZN9.

Too hot to heat up the oven? Try blackberry ice cream! In a food processor, blend 2 cups of blackberries, 1 cup of sugar, and ½ cup of water. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a glass bowl. Mix in ½ cup of heavy cream. Chill the mixture in your refrigerator for an hour, pour it into an ice cream maker, and soon you’ll have a berry yummy treat.

Checking for Chanterelles

If you’re taking a hike in the woods, look for chanterelle mushrooms. Chanterelles are bright orange or yellow, funnel- or trumpet-shaped, and have wavy cap edges. A favorite of European chefs, they are becoming more popular in the United States. You can preserve chanterelles by sautéing them, then freezing.

Free Day at the Range

Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake City Shooting Range, 28505 E. Truman Road, Buckner, MO 64016 No registration required. Call 816-249-3194 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/4io for more information.

Bring the family out for a free day of shooting.

Find more events in your area at mdc.mo.gov/events

Reconnect with Nature

Adventure can happen anywhere. Download the free MO Con Mag app to take the Missouri Conservationist wherever you go.

Natural Events to See This Month

Here’s what’s going on in the natural world.

• Black-eyed Susans bloom
• American goldfinches begin nesting
• Katydids sing
• Rattlesnakes hunt at night
• Fox and gray squirrels bear litters