Local News – Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation shows that hunters checked 1,846 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season from October 1st through the 31st. Top harvest counties were Franklin with 70 birds harvested, Gasconade with 52, and Laclede with 50. Hunters harvested 1,836 during the 2021 fall firearms turkey season. County totals in the area was 48 turkeys being harvested in Dent County, 43 birds in Crawford County, 30 turkeys in Phelps County, 12 birds in Shannon County, 32 turkeys in Texas County, eight birds in Reynolds County and five turkeys in Iron County. The Fall archery turkey hunting continues through November 11th and will resume November 23rd and go through January 15th, 2023. Get more information about fall turkey hunting at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/turkey. The department of Conservation is also reminding Missouri turkey hunters to save and submit feathers from birds they harvest this fall for a research project that will improve the department’s ability to estimate turkey abundance across Missouri. Interested hunters are asked to retain a wing and 3-5 feathers from the breast after Telechecking their turkey. They will then be mailed a feather submission packet, including a postage-paid return envelope to submit feathers at no cost. To receive a feather submission packet, you can register at mdc.mo.gov/turkeyfeathers.

The Salem R-80 High School will be holding a special assembly on Veteran’s Day, November 11th, to honor our local veterans. The school will serve the veterans breakfast in the high school cafeteria starting at 8:15. The students will begin assembling in the gym at 8:30, and then the school plans to have the veterans enter the gym around 8:45 and take their place in special seats. High School Principal Dr. Tori Snitker will welcome them. Everyone will say the “Pledge of Allegiance” before the Salem High School Chamber Singers sing the National Anthem. The high school will have a former veteran who will be their guest speaker give a short 10 to 15-minute speech. The high school band will play a patriotic number followed by a slide show prepared by the yearbook staff. The assembly will close with one of Salem’s own teachers playing Jimmy Hendrix’s National Anthem on his electric guitar at which time our Student Council members will pass out some cards and thank you notes to the veterans in attendance. The whole assembly is expected to last 50-60 minutes. Veterans can park on the top of the circle drive in the bus lanes and enter in the front doors to the lobby in front of the gym or they can enter the main office doors to the high school which have a ramp if they are handicapped. If anyone has any questions, please call the Salem high School at 729-6641.

Do you want to see Missouri’s beautiful state parks from a new perspective? Join the Learn2 Climb program and learn the basics of outdoor rock-climbing, including safety and techniques, from a certified instructor, and then try it out on real rock. This beginner-level course will allow you to enjoy nature from new heights! From 9:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon this Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, Missouri State Parks is introducing its very first beginner-friendly introductory rock-climbing program at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. This opportunity allows participants to try a new activity while experiencing some of Missouri’s vertical attractions. All equipment (harness, helmet and climbing shoes) and expertise is provided; participants need to provide the enthusiasm and eagerness to discover nature and a new skill. They should wear appropriate clothing and footwear for hiking and rock climbing activities and bring a packed lunch and enough water for the day. This program is free, preregistration is required. Participants must be at least 10 years of age, and children ages 10-14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the entire program. Parents or guardians are not required to climb. To register, visit icampmo.com and enter “Learn2” in the search box. This program is made possible by the Bronco Wild Fund, whose mission is to support agencies and organizations that are devoted to the great outdoors. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located at 148 Taum Sauk Trail in Middle Brook. For more information, contact 573-546-2450. For more information on Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com.

To manage the deer population safely and effectively in some state parks, managed hunts are held in a coordinated effort between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation. For everyone’s safety in the area, the Montauk State Park will be temporarily closed November 5th and 6th, and the Mark Twain State Park will be closed November 5th and 6th and again on December 10th and 11th. Before heading to a Missouri state park, be sure to check the Park and Site Status Map at mostateparks.com for any temporary closures that may impact your visit. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.