Missouri Department of Conservation

A file photo of a deer showing signs of chronic wasting disesase

Deadly Infection For Deer Is Spreading In Missouri

Jonathan Ahl

Chronic wasting disease has not affected large numbers of deer in Missouri, but its geographical spread is increasing in the state.

The number of young wild turkeys, or poults, per mother hen in Missouri has dwindled to less than one, on average. “They're not reproducing well enough to even replace themselves," said Reina Tyl, resource scientist at the Missouri Department of Conservation and leader of the state's turkey research program.

Health, Science & Environment

Missouri Turkey Researchers Scramble To Understand Why Populations Are Shrinking

Shahla Farzan

Wild turkey populations in Missouri have plummeted in recent years, with production of young turkeys at near-record lows.

The brown headed nuthatch was reintroduced to Missouri after the short leaf pine population was restored to a level that would allow them to thrive.

Health, Science & Environment

The Brown-Headed Nuthatch Is Back In Missouri After 100 Years Away

Jonathan Ahl

The brown-headed nuthatch is back in Missouri after it was chased out by logging 100 years ago.

Black Bear yearling sow sniffs the air for danger in Forsyth, Mo.

Government, Politics & Issues

Black Bear Hunting May Be Coming To Missouri In Fall 2021

Jonathan Ahl

The Missouri Department of Conservation says the black bear population is strong enough to support a hunting season.

The Girondo family from Rolla family looks out on some turkeys from their blind. They used hunting as a way to get out of the house and bond during the coronavirus pandemic. June 2020

Government, Politics & Issues

Coronavirus Led To An Uptick In Hunting, But The Increase May Not Last

Jonathan Ahl

ROLLA — When Nick Girondo first looked at his family calendar this spring, he struggled to find a time to get everyone out turkey hunting during the…

Government, Politics & Issues

Feral Hog Meat May Soon Be Donated To Food Pantries In Missouri-Sponsored Program

Jonathan Ahl

Missouri feral hog hunters soon should be able to donate the meat to local food banks.The recently passed state budget bill that is on its way to Gov.…

Health, Science & Environment

Counting Birds This Month Could Let Scientists Know Which Birds Need Help

Eli Chen

An annual winter bird-watching event kicks off this weekend, giving people the chance to learn about birds and collect data for wildlife scientists.Nature…

Feral swine in Missouri cause damage to wildlife, plants, animals, natural habitat and farmland. 12-09-19

Health, Science & Environment

Forest Service Puts An End To Open Season On Feral Hogs In Mark Twain National Forest

Jonathan Ahl

ROLLA — Hunters interested in taking any of the feral hogs that are doing significant damage in the Ozarks will have to do so in very limited windows.The…

Great Plains toads and Woodhouse's toads collected in the Missouri River floodplain. Missouri Department of Conservation biologists measured and weighed the animals after populations surged this spring.

Health, Science & Environment

Floods Brought Wave Of Frogs And Toads To Missouri, A Boon For Biologists

Shahla Farzan

Frogs and toads need water to breed — and this year, they had a lot of it. Months of springtime flooding created near-perfect breeding conditions along…

Ben Jellen, an associate professor of biology at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, using a radio receiver to track a copperhead snake at Powder Valley Nature Center on August 30, 2019.

Health, Science & Environment

This Scientist Spends His Time Hunting For Creatures Other People Flee — Snakes

Shahla Farzan

Only a few of the more than 40 snake species in Missouri are venomous, including the one Ben Jellen is looking for: the copperhead.Copperheads have…