FINS, FEATHERS AND FUR

LEBANON -- It's difficult to make something as good as fishing better, but the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) accomplishes this seemingly impossible feat each year when it makes fishing not only fun, but free.

Free fishing days this year are June 6 and 7. On those dates, residents and non-residents alike will be able to fish without a fishing permit, daily permit or trout stamp. The suspension of permit requirements applies on all Conservation Department areas and most other waters of the state. However, requirements for special permits may still be in effect in some county, city or private waters.

"Free fishing days are intended to encourage folks who don't usually fish to sample the marvelous angling opportunities available all across Missouri," said MDC Fisheries Division Chief Jim Fry. "Anyone who wants help finding public fishing spots in their area can contact the Conservation Department's nearest metropolitan or regional office."

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. The Illinois Department of Conservation has established its annual "Free Fishing Days."

Anglers can fish in Illinois waters June 5-8 without a fishing permit.

"These days are designed to encourage people to try fishing in Illinois," said Brent Manning, DOC director.

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PUXICO The 1992 squirrel season opens on Mingo National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, and will continue until Sept. 30.

The 6,500-acre hunting area is located in the northwest portion of the refuge. All hunters must register at the main refuge entrance on Highway 51, McGee Gate, or the Duck Creek Wildlife Management Area before hunting, and record hours hunting and harvest information before leaving.

Hunters may use shotgun or .22 caliber rifle. State hunting regulations apply with a daily limit of six and possession limit of 12. REfuge regulations and a map of the area may be obtained at the refuge Visitor Center on Highway 51 a mile and half north of Puxico.

Refuge manager Gerald L. Clawson says the squirrel populations appears to remain high due to recent mild winters and the abundance of acorns.

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Scientists this year are making an inventory of 80,819 acres in the heart of Missouri's Ozarks bought late last year by The Nature Conservancy, in the largest single conservation acquisition in the state's history.

The Conservancy paid Kerr-McGee Corporation $10.1 million for the land, which has the highest concentration of rare plant and animal species in the state. It plans to re-sell large portions at cost to the Missouri Department of Conservation over a five-year period, keeping part of it to manage as private nature reserves. Both future owners will continue to pay current-level taxes on the land.

According to the Conservancy, the area represents one of the Midwest's most important ecosystems.

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BALLWIN If there were a grading system for sizes of wild turkeys, the one bagged by Ballwin resident Ken Brown would be in the top category. You could classify it as "huge," "tremendous," "immense," "colossal" or "behemoth."

The big bird weighed 34 pounds, two ounces, and came from a 450-acre tract of leased land in Scotland County. Brown, a construction project manager for Cupples Products of St. Louis, was hunting with his son-in-law, David Wonnell. It was Wonnell's first season, but he already was a turkey hunting addict. Brown said his hunting buddy just about drove him crazy practicing with his single-reed mouth caller for months before the hunt.

Brown's bird had two beards, one measuring 10 inches and the other 5 inches. The spurs on its legs were 1.5 inches long.

Missouri doesn't keep official records on big turkeys. Still, Brown was excited about his kill, because he belongs to the St. Louis chapter of the Big Game Hunters club.