Spooky season means learning about spiders, bats and more with MDC in October
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Is that a crisp wind blowing our way? Spooky season is upon us, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is hosting a myriad of programs to keep the ghosts and ghouls at bay throughout the month of October.
Don’t blink or you’ll miss it this weekend
Coming up fast, MDC will host a remnant prairie walk with Last Light on Living Landscapes from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at Mount Vernon Prairie, Lawrence 1150 in Mount Vernon. With a chance of rain in the forecast, this program may be rescheduled for later in the month. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220465
Mentored Trapping still has spots open for this weekend’s two-day course. Join Conservation Agent Andrew Barnes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, and from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Robert E. Talbot Conservation Area, 7031 State Highway 96 in La Russell. Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220737
Happy Birthday, Tiger-Lily – the Two-Headed Snake! Southwest Missouri’s favorite two-headed western ratsnake is celebrating her birthday from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center, 483 Hatchery Road in Branson. Stop by for games, crafts, photo opportunities, and more. Visit mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221128
Join Volunteer Naturalist Dana Tideman for Monarchs and More and learn about monarch butterfly conservation, citizen science opportunities, monarch life cycle, and how to rear and tag monarchs. The program will be from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way in Springfield. Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220845
More in-person learning opportunities
Rachael West, owner of Eating the Ozarks, will host a presentation on Foraging Through the Seasons from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Learn to identify common, safe-to-harvest wild foods such as greens, berries, roots, and flowers, while gaining an understanding of plant life cycles, habitats, and ethical harvesting practices. Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220846
Take time to visit Springfield Conservation Nature Center 6-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, for Bats of Missouri. Eagle Scout Peyton Rice will talk about all things bats, such as bat behaviors, habitats, benefits, and White-Nose Syndrome. Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220849
Family Fishing will be offered from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at King Jack Park, 555 South Main Street in Webb City. Participants may bring their own equipment or borrow some loaners. Bait will be provided. A valid fishing permit is required for Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 years old and nonresidents ages 16 and up. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221008
Intro to Fishing for Adults will take place that same day from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at King Jack Park in Webb City. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221009
Learn how to process your own harvested deer with Field to Freezer Deer Processing and B&C Scoring from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Forsyth High School Agriculture Classroom, 178 Panther Street in Forsyth. MDC and University of Missouri Extension will cover and demonstrate gutless method skinning, food safety, and more. Registration required at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221141
A Deer Hunting Basics 101 class is scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center. The program will cover deer hunting safety and regulations, biology, habitats, and hunting strategies. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221151
Another Deer Hunting basics class will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17, at Andy Dalton Shooting Range, 4897 N. arm Road 61 in Ash Grove. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/219341
Tune in for virtual programs
Join MDC for a look at Skunks — Beyond the Spray from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9. This virtual program will showcase information about Missouri’s two native skunk species. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220848
Scouting and a little "woodsman" knowledge are important for a great outdoor experience and harvest. Don’t miss Reading the Deer Woods from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. This program will help novice hunters interested in deer habits and scouting, deer stand placement, and more. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221041
Fall turkey season is synonymous with autumn and Talk Turkey to Me: Fall Hunting Essentials will help hunters have a successful harvest. The virtual program will be from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. In this online session, MDC will cover several topics, including scouting, strategy, gear, safety, ethics, and more. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221574
If you can’t attend the in-person session, the public is invited to learn about the Bats of Missouri from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, with Eagle Scout Peyton in a virtual session. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220855
Bats are hairy, not scary! Learn more with Batty Bats from 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. The virtual program will cover bats’ important role in the ecosystems. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/220912
Although many people are afraid of spiders, most are harmless to humans. Learn all about Spooky Spiders from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Register at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/221044
A thorough list of events spanning southwest and across Missouri may be found at https://mdc.mo.gov/events
MDC is committed to accessibility at all of its nature centers, regional facilities, conservation areas, and public programs. To request ADA accommodation for participation in an MDC program, visit mdc.mo.gov/accessibility.
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