AREA OUTDOORS CALENDAR
▼ THIS WEEK
NOV. 21: Gobble Greatness – 1-2:30 p.m. for families with children ages 5 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Join a naturalist to discover the natural history of the wild turkey and its amazing recovery in Missouri. Learn about the wild turkey’s natural history and learn clues about their survival, and a little trivia for the Thanksgiving table. Dress to be outside for a short hike. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
NOV. 21-22: Youth Waterfowl Season – The youth waterfowl season runs Saturday and Sunday. Bag limit is six and possession limit is 12. For regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s waterfowl hunting Web page at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/info/seasons.
NOV. 22: Create a Natural Centerpiece for the Holidays – 1-3 p.m. for adults ages 18 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Learn to create a small evergreen-based centerpiece for your home. Evergreens, dried grasses, pine cones and other natural items will be provided. Bring a basket to fill or a small wire wreath and any other personal items to add to your centerpiece. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
NOV. 24: Go Wild at the Dinner Table – 6-7:30 p.m. for ages 7 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Learning about wild edible plants and how to identify these gifts of nature. A few tasty treats to sample will be provided as well. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
NOV. 25: Deer & Turkey Archery Season Opens – The second session of archery hunting season for deer and turkey opens in Missouri and runs through Jan. 15, 2010. For regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Fall Hunting Web page at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/fall.htm.
NOV. 25: Antlerless Deer Season Opens – The antlerless deer opens in 73 counties in Missouri and runs through Dec. 6. For regulations and eligible counties, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Fall Hunting Web page at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/fall.htm.
NOV. 26: Burr Oak Woods Nature Center Closed – The Nature Center at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. It will return to normal hours of operation on Friday and Saturday. Please call 816-228-3766 for more information.
NOV. 26: Canada Geese & Brant Hunting Season Opens – The second session of Canada geese and brant hunting season opens on Thanksgiving Day in Missouri and runs through Jan. 31, 2010. Bag limit is two and possession limit is four. For regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s waterfowl hunting Web page at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/info/seasons.
NOV. 26: White-Fronted Geese Hunting Season Opens – White-fronted geese hunting season opens on Thanksgiving Day in Missouri and runs through Jan. 31, 2010. Bag limit is two and possession limit is four. For regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s waterfowl hunting Web page at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/info/seasons.
NOV. 26: Duck Hunting Season Opens – Duck hunting season opens on Thanksgiving Day in Missouri’s South Zone and runs through Jan. 24, 2010. Bag limit is six and possession limit is 12. For regulations, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s waterfowl hunting Web page at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/wtrfowl/info/seasons.
▼ COMING UP
NOV. 29: Winter Shelter – 2-3 p.m. for families with children ages 8 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Learn how to build and provide simple shelters around your homes and neighborhoods to help wildlife deal with harsh winter storms. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
DEC. 1: Volunteer Hope House – 6:30-7:30 p.m. for youth and adults at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. A new volunteer training class is beginning in February 2010. If you are interested in sharing your love for nature with others, there will be special open house that will introduce you to this program. Registration is not required. Volunteer Naturalists help the nature center staff in many ways, including assisting with educational programs, special events, clerical support, animal care, trail maintenance and land management projects. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2010 Volunteer Training Class from youth 14 years old through adults. To apply for this 32-hour training, please stop by or contact the volunteer coordinator at 816-228-3766 through Jan. 15. Please call 816-228-3766 for more information.
DEC. 5-6: Eagle Days – 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge near Mound City, Mo. This is a chance to see the bald eagle in his natural habitat. Call 816-271-3100 for more information.
DEC. 5: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. Jake Jacoby is the instructor. Students must be age 11 or older. Pre-register by calling 816-655-6250.
DEC. 5: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Oak Grove Community Center. Mike Mansell is the instructor. Students must be age 11 or older. Pre-register by calling 816-655-6250.
DEC. 5: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College-Longview in Lee’s Summit. There is a $5 building use fee per student. Class is held in the Campus Center, Room 241. Students must be age 11 or older. Pre-register by calling 816-655-6250.
DEC. 6, 8 or 9: Create a Natural Centerpiece for the Holidays – 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 6 or 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 8 and 9 for adults ages 18 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Learn how to create a personalized wreath. Greenery (white pine and cedar), the wire, ribbon and natural materials like pine cones, sweetgum balls and berries will be provided. Bring a wired wreath frame to make your creation. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
DEC. 7, 8 & 9: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 6-9:30 p.m. each day at Raytown High School. Paul Porter is the instructor. Students must be age 11 or older and must attend all three sessions in order to qualify. Students under 16 must bring proof of age. Pre-register by calling 816-268-7027.
DEC. 11: Bird Watchers – 8:30-10 a.m. for all ages at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Join Master Naturalist Sara Scheil in the Nature Center’s solarium to view local birds in a warm atmosphere. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
DEC. 12: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Lake City Range and Training Center near Blue Springs. Jake Jacoby is the instructor. Students must be age 11 or older. Pre-register by calling 816-229-4448.
DEC. 12: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Lee’s Summit Police Department. Students must be age 11 or older; participants ages 16 and younger must bring proof of age. Shane Luallen is the instructor. Pre-register by calling 816-655-6250.
DEC. 12: Missouri Department of Conservation Hunter Education Class – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Parma Woods Shooting Range in Parkville. Students must be age 11 or older. Pre-register by calling 816-655-6250.
DEC. 13: Winter Scavenger Hunt – 12:30-4:30 p.m. for families with children of all ages at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Enjoy a winter scavenger hunt challenge. Come inside the Nature Center for a scavenger hunt list to find natural treasures both inside and out on the trails. You decide how long you want to hike. Registration is not required, walk-ins are welcome. Please call 816-228-3766 for more information.
DEC. 20: Winter Hike – 1-2 p.m. for ages 8 and older at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area in Blue Springs. Take a winter hike through the natural beauty of Burr Oak Woods. Please call 816-228-3766 to register.
JAN. 9-10: Eagle Days – 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 9 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 10 at Smithville Lake’s Little Platte Park Course Complex in Smithville. This is a chance to see the bald eagle in his natural habitat. Call 816-532-0174 for more information.
