Beginning July 1, deer hunters may apply online for one of about 5,700 openings for more than 100 Missouri Department of Conservation-managed deer hunts from mid-September through mid-January.

The hunts provide extra hunting opportunities and help achieve the agency's deer-management goals, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The online application period ends July 31. The previous deadline of mid-August was shortened to allow hunters more time to be notified of their selections for early-season managed hunts, the release said.

The annual electronic drawing determines who will be able to participate in managed deer hunts at locations that include conservation areas, state parks and national wildlife refuges. The department uses a weighted preference-point system to give unsuccessful applicants an advantage in future drawings, the release said.

Managed-hunt dates, locations and other details will be listed on the agency's website July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/node/11252. The Missouri Department of Conservation will post drawing results at the same web address from Sept. 2 through Jan. 15. Details about managed hunts also are available in an informational booklet available by July 1 at Missouri Department of Conservation offices and nature centers, from permit vendors and online at mdc.mo.gov.

Other news from the Missouri Department of Conservation

Frogging season, for Missouri's bullfrog and green frogs that are legal game, begins at sunset June 30 and ends Oct. 31.

Frogging may be practiced with a fishing permit or a hunting permit, according to a news release from the department. Children younger than 16 and Missouri residents older than 65 are not required to carry a permit.

The daily limit is eight frogs of species combined. A possession limit allows storage of no more than 16 frogs at a time.

For more information on frogging regulations, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/10834.

Red Letter VP to speak at Tri-State AMP event

David Coleman, vice president and creative director at Red Letter Communications in Cape Girardeau, will be the guest speaker at Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professional's meeting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Port Cape Girardeau restaurant.

Coleman will tell the story behind its 2013 District Addy winner -- a multimedia presentation for a real estate developer -- from video production and phone app development to design and copywriting, according to a news release from the group.

Registration is required. Cost is $12 for Tri-State AMP members, $15 for nonmembers and $10 for students. Registration is online at tristateamp.eventbrite.com. The program is sponsored by Red Letter.

For more information, visit tristateamp.com or call Nicolette Brennan, Tri-State AMP programming committee chairwoman, at 837-8664.

U.S. and Hong Kong agree to new beef terms

The United States and Hong Kong have agreed on new terms and conditions for expanded exports of U.S. beef and beef products to Hong Kong, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced.

Under the terms, Hong Kong will permit the import of the full range of U.S. beef and beef products, consistent with access before December 2003, according to a news release from the USDA. The new terms became effective June 17.

In December 2003, Hong Kong banned U.S. beef and beef products after the detection of a bovine spongiform encephalopathy-positive animal in the U.S., one of only four cases discovered in America, according to the news release. In December 2005, Hong Kong partially reopened its market to allow imports of deboned U.S. beef from cattle age 30 months or younger produced under a special program and expanded access to include certain bone-in cuts from cattle less than 30 months of age in February 2013.

The Venue's new Courtyard complete

The Venue, 80 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau, will celebrate the completion of its Courtyard with a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The Courtyard will be available for weddings, banquets and events.

ashedd@semissourian.com

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