FINS, FEATHERS & FUR

Michael D. McClendon has been named Natural Resources Management Employee of the Year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District.

McClendon earned recognition for leadership in upgrading and enhancing outdoor recreation facilities and programs and promoting public services and recreational opportunities. He has also undertaken a natural resources management program and put habitat plans into effect to benefit wildlife and protect unique natural areas.

McClendon has been park manager of the 45,000-acre Wappapello Lake project since 1976.He has helped establish several annual events at the lake, including the Old Greenville Blackpowder Rendezvous, Silver Bullet National Drag Boat Race, Waterfest; Disabled Persons Fishing Day and others.

More than two millions people visit the Wappapello Lake area each year.

McClendon will receive his award at Washington D.C. later this month.

The Missouri Conservation Commission will hold its June meeting in Cassville. The open meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m. June 24 at Cassville City Hall.

Commission meetings are open to the public.

Persons with disabilities requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling (314)-751-4115.

Commissioners are: Jerry P. Combs, Kennett, chairman; Andy Dalton, Springfield, vice chairman; John Powell, Rolla, secretary; and Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, member.

Illinois Department of Conservation Brent Manning is reminding state park visitors that the use of alcoholic beverages is restricted in 30 recreation areas throughout out the state.

"Alcohol bans generally are imposed in areas where problems have been cited by park staff," said Manning. "Providing a quality recreational experience for visitors at our sites in the top priority.

Among areas where alcohol is banned are all day-use areas at Giant City State Park in Union and Jackson counties.

Violation of the regulations is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a $75 fine.

Additional information concerning the alcohol ban and a list of areas is available by contacting the DOC Office of Land Management, 524 S. Second, Springfield, Ill., 62701-1787, telephone (217)-782-6752.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking anglers fishing in Lake Wappapello to keep the small bass and let the big ones go.

Mark Boone, fisheries management biologists for the department, says to many small bass at the lake are interfering with the growth of larger bass because of competition for a limited food supply.

"If the competition can be reduced," said Boone, "the smaller bass would have a better chance to grow and survive, increasing tahe number of healthy bass growing to 12 inches or more.

Boone is asking anglers to harvest small bass, less than 11 inches, up to tahe legal daily creel limit of six. He is also asking that anglers release bass longer than 12 inches to give them a chance to grow and survive.

"the `catch-and-release" fishing for bass i fund," said Boone. "And, it will improve the bass population at Wappapello."

Missouri dove and teal hunters can start reloading shotgun shells and marking their calendars with hunting season dates...the Missouri Conservation Commission has approved regulations for 1994 early migratory bird seasons based on preliminary federal frameworks.

The new regulations are similar to last year's and are subject to final federal approval. The 1994-95 migratory bird seasons and limits are as follows:

Mourning doves, Sept. 1 through Oct. 30, 15 daily, 30 in possession; Blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal, Sept. 10 through 18, four in the aggregate daily, eight in possession; Sora and Virginia rails, Sept. 1 to Nov. 9, 25 daily or in possession; Common snipe, Sept. 1 through Dec. 16, eight daily, 16 in possession; and Woodcock, Oct. 15 through Dec. 18, five daily, 10 in possession.

Shooting hours for the species listed above will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except that shooting hours for the early teal season will remain sunrise to sunset.

Information on the regular waterfowl season will be available in August.

Video tapes to help Missourians identify ducks and enjoy the Show-me State's stream resources are available on loan from libraries or for purchase directly from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

"The Key to Duck ID" shows ducks commonly seen in Missouri and provides pointers on how to identify them in any season. It also gives viewers a closer look at each species they might see. The gold in the goldeneye and the blue in the blue-winged teal come to life in this 16-minute video.

"Streams: The Force of Life" uses stunning landscapes and underwater footage of animals such as river otters to communicate the wonder of Missouri streams. The 20-minute video contrasts lowland, prairie and Ozark streams and discusses the role of citizens in preserving Missouri's stream heritage.

MDC makes both videos available at libraries throughout the state. Persons who want their own copy of the stream tape can send a check or money order for $10, plus 62 cents tax per copy to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Media Library, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102-0180. For copies of the duck identification tape, send $9 plus 56 cents tax to the same address.