Missouri Department of Conservation holds a variety of hunting-related activities for youths.

If you have a youngster in the household, or have spent any time with a youth this summer, you've heard those three famous words -- I'm bored!

I know my 12-year-old son, Allan, is famous for the use of this expression.

Also, there is a TV commercial expressing this phrase, so its utterance must by fairly common. Fear not, a government agency has come to your rescue.

No, not the Board of Education, rather the Missouri Conservation Department.

Opportunities abound in Southeast Missouri for a youngster who is interested in hunting or the outdoors. With fall just around the corner, the thoughts of many youngsters turn toward outdoor activities. And with the cooling temperatures, these thoughts can be much more intriguing. Hunting opportunities are plentiful in the area. The Missouri Conservation Department is offering several opportunities and events that are directed specifically at the youth of the area.

First things first. If a youngster is thinking about taking up the sport of hunting, he or she should participate in a Hunter Education course. There are several courses being offered this fall in the area. The courses are 10 hours long and are taught in a one-day, two-day, or three-day format. Hunter Education certification is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, to purchase any Missouri firearms hunting permit.

Once certified, youngsters would be allowed to purchase a deer or turkey hunting permit, and if they are over the age of 15, a small game hunting permit. Youngsters under the age of 16 can hunt small game without a permit, but have to be accompanied by a licensed adult unless they are Hunter Education certified. Hunter Education certification is limited to persons 11 years of age or older. To find out about the particular courses being offered in the area, contact the Conservation Department's regional headquarters in Cape Girardeau at (573) 290-5730.

Hunter Education certified youths between the ages of 11 and 15 are eligible to participate in a special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Clinic at Duck Creek Conservation Area north of Puxico. The clinic is designed to teach youngsters the basics of the sport of waterfowl hunting. They will also learn about wetlands management, waterfowl identification and will be able to practice their wing shooting. The event will be held on Oct. 4 at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. All participants must register by calling the MDC headquarters.

Participants in the clinic will be eligible for a drawing for a special youth hunt at Duck Creek or Otter Slough on Nov. 8.

No article would be complete without mentioning the youth-only waterfowl hunting days. These special youth-only hunting days are set about one week prior to the opening of the normal duck season. They allow hunters under the age of 16 to participate in the sport of waterfowl hunting without competing with adult hunters. Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult, but the adult is not allowed to hunt. These dates are tentatively set for Oct. 18 in the North Zone, Oct. 25 in the Middle Zone and Nov. 8 in the South Zone.

Ducks aren't the only feathered critters receiving a lot of attention this fall. The National Wild Turkey Federation has refused to leave out the wild turkey. And once again it is the youth of the area that benefit. The Heartland Gobblers chapter of the NWTF will be sponsoring its annual JAKES event for area youths.

The event is for youths ages 6 to 17 and will be held Sept. 27 at 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Lake Wappapello National Guard W.E.T. site. Past events have been rated as some of the best in the nation and this year's event should be no exception.

The curriculum for this year's event is outstanding. Youths will be able to shoot shotguns at stationary and moving targets, rappel from a training tower, train in life-like shooting situations with the Conservation Department's F.A.T.S. system and participate in several other fun-filled events.

There will also be seminars on turkey hunting and calling. The event is limited to the first 100 youths to register. Coinciding with the youth event, there will be a similar function offered to women participants. This event will focus on introducing women to the sport of turkey hunting. If your are interested in either event, contact Felix Baker at (573) 686-6374 (home) or (573) 785-0931 (work).

Considering all the possibilities that I have mentioned, as well as the other normal hunting seasons that are open or will be opening soon, the phrase `I'm bored' should not be nearly as common as it once was.

Michael Lancaster is a programs supervisor in the southeast region for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Bertha A. Balsman obit

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PERRYVILLE -- Bertha A. Balsman, 85, of Perryville, died Friday, Aug. 22, 1997, at the Perry County Nursing Home.

She was born Jan. 19, 1912, in Perry County, daughter of Ignatius and Barbara Ponder Trapp. She married John Balsman on Nov. 10, 1931. He preceded her in death on Oct. 18, 1966.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She also served in the St. Joseph Ladies Organization in Apple Creek, and was a former member of Post 133 American Legion Booster Club and Post 4282 VFW Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Herman Balsman of Biehle and Fred Balsman of St. Louis; two daughters, Dorothy Wingerter and Ida Buerck, both of Biehle; one sister, Lillian Klingert of Ellisville; 12 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four infant children, six brothers, four sisters, one grandson and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call today from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. at Young & Sons Funeral Home. Parish wake service will be conducted Sunday at 7 p.m., the Rev. Terry Borgerding officiating. A funeral Mass will take place Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.