Outdoor Classrooms

In the article that I found  had a lot of information about why schools should have a outdoor classroom. The article title is  "When the Outdoors Is Your Classroom…." The purpose of this article is to tell schools about how an outdoor classroom is affecting students’ learning.  In the Chesterfield Montessori school they have an outdoor classroom that teaches students how to care for the environment. It helps students from all ages to learn about science and contribute to the environment. The garden that the students grow helps with school costs that they have to pay for.  Here is the link to the article that I found if you would like to read it: http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2066/Library/IPChecking.asp?http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2060/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=26200657&site=ehost-live

Kids With Disorders Playing In The Outdoors

This article that I found is by Tammie L. Stenger-Ramsey and Lora Curl. The title of this article is "Leave No Child Inside: Taking Physical Education Out of the Gym." This article is about how many childrens' disorders are linked to spending less time outside called “nature deficit disorder.” They gave an example with a kid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that when he was younger the doctor gave him many drugs to take. When he got older they spent more time outside on the weekends and all the time though the summer which allowed him to reduce the amount of medicine he was taking. If you get a chance to read the full article you can find it here: http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2066/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=9&hid=113&sid=2acc4544-f313-4758-add0-e381256f9779%40sessionmgr111

Kids Outside Playing

I found a cool article that is by Jenn Savedge and  title “Parents: How to Start an Outdoor Playgroup.” This article is about how families are putting together a schedule to take their kids in the outdoors. Also in the reading they give ways to structure a plan to start taking kids out in the outdoors. Some of the structuring that the article gives is to find like-minded families, decide on a structure, pay attention to the weather, start a “playborhood”, and make a plan on what you want to do with the kids. To read the rest of this article here is the url: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Outdoors/Archives/2010/Outdoor-playgroup.aspx

Getting All Kids in the Outdoors

Here is an article that is out of the Missouri Conservationist that is by Carol Mahan and Chris Schmidgall. The title of this article is “Connecting Kids with Nature.” This article it talks about how we should get all kids in the outdoors even the ones with disorders. It also talks about how schools are getting kids involved with the outdoors though school time and out of school to help with their education. They are trying to get kids in the outdoors because kids in this century are spending way too much time indoors and getting overweight. Here is the url to the article if you would like to read of it. http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/magazine/2010/03/3250_digital.pdf

Article on Parents and Kid in the Outdoor

Here is a interesting article that is by Lynne Harlan. The title of this article is "Our children would greatly benefit from more time outdoors." In the article it talks about how the outdoors gives kids a new look into the world. It gives children the opportunity to experience how to fish and to just be in the outdoors. The article is specifically about how children will have bonding time with their parent that takes them fishing to a trout derby in North Carolina. To read the entire article here is the url:

http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2077/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=AONE&docId=A170927528&source=gale&srcprod=AONE&userGroupName=nwmosu_owens&version=1.0

Why we should leave the outdoors in the classrooms

I found a good article that went well with my blog topic that is by Samantha Cleaver. The title of this article is "Classrooms Are Going Green: How Green Classrooms Are Reconnecting Kids with Nature." This article is talking about how we should get more children involved with the outdoors because it helps with their creativity, cooperation, and even problem solving. It explains how it is hard for schools to teach about the outdoors because No Child Left Behind legislation has forced them to focus more on reading and math. It says how we can get the students to be involved in the environment outside of their classroom. Here is the url to the article that I found if you would like to read it. http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2066/Library/IPChecking.asp?http://ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2060/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ792953&site=ehost-live

Fishing without a licenses for a weekend in Missouri

Here is a great opportunity for all parents out there. In Missouri there is a whole weekend that you can go fishing without having to purchase fishing licenses. It is normally the first weekend in June so be sure to check on it and mark your calendars once the date is announced. That weekend will be a great opportunity for children to learn more about the doors and to learn basic sportsmanship for fishing. In June the water should be a great temperature for fishing. This will be a great time to get the kids out of the house and to have a relaxing time outdoors. I hope everyone remembers to check for this date once it’s available and to take advantage of this opportunity for some free fun. You can even make it more fun and involving by having the children go on a worm hunt to find your bait.

http://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/learn-fish/free-fishing-days

http://mdc.mo.gov/blogs/fresh-afield/fish-free

First weekend of deer Season in Northwest Missouri

Here is an update from firearm deer season. In the first weekend Nodaway County harvested around 1,190 deer. For the second weekend in Nodaway County the Missouri Department of Conservation is reporting 465 does, 107 button bucks, and 618 antlered bucks taken. Also in the youth season they figured that only 135 deer were taken.  That doesn’t seem like much deer for youth season but don’t worry there is another youth season coming up so they have another chance. Overall the Conservation Department is figuring that there were about 11,000 deer taken in Northwest Missouri.  They are thinking the number harvested will keep increasing because the weather is cooling down and the crops aren’t still in the field like they were last year. So far there have not been any hunting incidents in Northwest Missouri. I encourage all hunters to be careful so we can keep this year accident free.  If you are taking a youth out make sure they are using safety first.  If you want to get more facts on the outcome of firearm season here is a link to the Maryville Daily Form with more statistics on opening weekend.

http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/highlight/x684372192/Deer-numbers-up-as-firearms-season-begins

Taking a youth hunter out deer hunting

I went out hunting on opening weekend of firearm season.  On opening weekend I didn’t shoot anything but I did take one of my younger brothers out. We went to a spot where I had been seeing some deer every night.  We walked in and I caught a deer bedded down in the cornfield. My brother and I got in a draw so the deer couldn’t see us. I decided that we could sneak around and maybe get to a place where he could shoot. When we were trying to sneak around I caught another deer in the alfalfa field. This one gave us a better opportunity to shoot so we got set up on her instead. I called at her and she came in and my brother took the shot. He missed the doe but I told him that it was okay because even the professional hunters miss sometimes. It was about dark by then and we started to head to the vehicle. I was thinking to myself that it would have been cool to see him shoot that doe. Then I thought it was okay that he didn’t get the deer because these things help the youth to learn that hunting isn’t always about getting the trophy. This helps them to learn how to pursue their hunt and learn from their mistakes. I was also thinking how I had a blast just by taking a youth hunter out in the woods. To all the older hunters out there please go and take a youth hunter out in the woods. Even if you do not shoot something the experience they had will stick with them forever.

Missouri State Parks

The Missouri State parks are a great place to help kids become active in the outdoors. When you are at a state park there are rangers all the time driving around to keep everybody safe. They also usually have various types of activities for children. When I used to camp over at Big Lake State Park the staff would always put on presentations for children and adults. They brought in live snakes that people could hold and also turtles, birds, and even a raccoon. They spoke about the species and about their habitat and how they lived. The program interacted with a lot of children that weren’t very knowledgeable about wildlife. It made the children think about how they could help those animals. It is always good to see a love for the outdoors and a respect for animals being passed on to the next generation.

               

Squaw Creek Eagle Days

When you think about the outdoors it can mean many things. I found a website that has all different kind of places that you can take kids to so they can experience the outdoors. Most of the places are state parks, wildlife refuge, and conservation areas. One of the wildlife refuges in Northwest Missouri is Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and it is located over by Mound City, Missouri.  One thing that is coming up at Squaw Creek is Eagle Days on December 4^th and 5^th. It is a really good time for the kids to learn about our national bird and get to see the beautiful birds in the wild. I have been over there more than once to eagle days and you will see a lot of eagles. We usually see at least ten or twelve Bald Eagles and a few Golden Eagles. If you are lucky you may see much more than that though. Throughout the drive you will be able to look at deer, turkeys, and all different kinds of geese and ducks. Don’t worry if you can’t make it out during Eagle Days because the eagles usually stick around as long as their prey, the geese, do. We usually have better luck seeing eagles later in December or even early January.

http://www.stjomo.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Special_Interest/The_Pony_Express_Regional_Tourism_Commission/Tour_HIGHRES.pdf

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/SquawCreek/naturalist.html

 

Take your children fishing

Around Northwest Missouri there are a lot of places you can take your children to get involved in the outdoors.  Areas around Maryville have a lot of lakes so you can take your kids fishing. Some of the lakes are Mozingo Lake, Bilby Ranch Lake, Nodaway Lake, and Happy Hollow. Every lake has different activities that you can do. At Mozingo you can fish, horseback ride, swim, camp, and hike on their trails. It has several fishing spots including handicapped accessible. So I hope all the parents out there are able to find a lake nearby to take their kids to so they can experience the outdoors. These areas will also help you educate your kids by the activities you can do on the conservation land.  Here are the lakes in Northwest Missouri and the website is from the Missouri Department of Conservation.  I hope all the kids out there have the chance to visit these places.

http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/northwest/fishing-northwest-missouri

Wildlife Footprints

When kids are able to be in the outdoors they can learn about all the wildlife that is in their area of Missouri like snakes, deer, coyotes, and a lot more. When kids are in the woods they can learn about animal footprints. By learning an animal’s footprint you will have the knowledge to tell somebody what kind of animal is native to an area. Kids can use that knowledge to help them if they are tracking or spotting for wildlife.  Here is a link to Missouri Department of Conservation that has footprints of animals that are native to Missouri. I hope all the kids have good luck studying the animals prints and they can use their knowledge to help them find animals or identify prints.

See if you can guess who would leave behind a print like this:

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-sightings/animal-autographs

(check out this link for your answer)

Why Kids Should Go Outside

Children that are not able to experience the outdoors are less well rounded. Children are not becoming involved in the outdoors like they did in the previous years. Problems with children these days are staying inside and actually not getting in the outdoors. When they are inside kids are becoming obese because of no physical activities. They are watching television, playing on computers, and playing video games. Video games and TV. are not only causing obesity in kid’s life but some also lead to violence. Violence from the video games is causing kids later on in life to act violent. Kids today are missing out on the experience of being outside and learning responsibility, learning about science, and learning about where food comes from. I personally believe that these could be prevented so this is a reason for my project. I learned a lot outside and other kids should get that chance also.

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2007/08/connecting-kids-nature

Children's Clubs

Kid these days are getting the experience to learn about nature after school. Students are starting to belong to outdoor childrens’ environmental clubs which help them to learn about the wildlife, forest, prairie, and wetland. With this club students are able to get their parents out in the outdoor as well. This program uses grant money which will help with the club activities and keep encouraging kids to be in the great outdoors.

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2007/08/connecting-kids-nature?page=0,1

Department of Conservation Kids Magazine

There is a magazine form the Missouri Department of Conservation just for kids. This magazine is called Xplor and it has stories that will make kids go crazy to read them. This magazine has excellent educational articles in it. Just for example it teaches kids about topics ranging from poison ivy to how thanksgiving got started with the Pilgrims and Native Americans hunting and gathering.  Besides having articles it also has a lot of pictures, games for kids to play, and ways to get in the outdoors. I recommend parents to sign up for this magazine for their children. As a bonus it is free for Missouri residents and out of state is only $5 for the subscription.

October/November articles

 http://xplor.mdc.mo.gov/xplor/stories/xplor-magazine/oct/nov-2010

To subscribe to the magazine:

http://xplor.mdc.mo.gov/xplor/get-xplor-magazine

http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/newmomag/default.aspx

Youth Deer Season is Approaching!!

Youth deer season is approaching really fast so I hope all the youth hunters are getting ready for opening day. Opening day for youth season is October 30, 2010 and November 1, 2010. You should be getting their gun sited in at 100 yards at least. The youth should be out in the timber scouting and looking to put a tree stand or a blind up. If they have some trail cameras out you might want to check them just to see what monsters are in the area.  The season is one weekend away so everyone should be getting ready. This is a really great opportunity for youth to safely get involved in the outdoors.

(http://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping)

(Youth season in Missouri)

Grants Available for Getting Kids Outdoors

People that work with students and try to take them out in nature should be applying for grants. There is money out there to help you to take kids places to learn about the outdoors. The grants will help with field trips that relate to the outdoors just like fish, wildlife, natural habitats, and forests.  All of those fields are awesome to have some knowledge in. Also there is some grant money for organizations to help older students in the outdoors. That grant money could help older students to get knowledge and skills in the outdoors that could help get them a job someday. If you are an educator or work with kids please check out these grants and help get children outdoors.

(http://mdc.mo.gov/education/grants)

Restoration of Elk in Missouri

One thing that is exciting me is the idea of restoration of elk in Missouri. It has always been a dream of mine to go elk hunting. With the Missouri Department of Conservation trying to restore elk back in the show-me-state it will cause them to open up hunting season eventually. Being a resident of Missouri it will be cheaper to buy a tag than going out of state to hunt. I would still like to go out west one day to hunt elk and the only reason I haven’t yet is because of the cost. The Missouri Department of Conservation is planning to start releasing elk in part of Carter, Shannon, and Reynolds counties. They are down by the boot hill but if this campaign continues they could release more elk all over Missouri. I never really thought I could fulfill my dream of elk hunting right here in my home state of Missouri!

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/conservation-commission-approves-elk-restoration-plan

Youth Archery Increasing in Schools

Schools are now starting up archery which helps kids learn about a bow and arrow. Also they are learning how to handle a weapon carefully. The kids can go to competitions against other school. A lot of states have archery in the school program and there are about 7,350 schools that are teaching it in the United States. This program has about seven million kids that are active throughout the nation. This program is not just helping the school attendance but is also helping the kids with better self-esteem as well as more physical activity.  There are grants for schools to help fund the program and help with equipment and instructor costs. I hope schools take this opportunity to teach children skills that can be used in the outdoors.

(http://mdc.mo.gov/education/inside-classroom/missouri-national-archery-schools-program)

Fishin'

The weather has been nice around this part of the area which has probably given all the fishermen one last time to get their line wet. Here is my story from my fishing trip to Canada a few years ago to inspire you to go out and try to hook a big one. When I was in Canada I caught a 35 inch northern pike. I was relaxing in the boat and looking around at the trees surrounding the lake. Then I felt something on my line and the relaxation was over. I could tell she was big because the pole was bending almost in half. I kept my drag really loose and it took me over fifteen minutes to get the fish in the boat. I was so afraid that I would mess up and lose the fish. Finally, it gave up and I got it onto the boat. I hope you can have a fishing experience as great as mine!

Here is a picture of a Northern Pike.

Turkey Hunting

All of the fall turkey hunters should be filling their tags. I have seen a bunch of turkeys in freshly harvested corn fields and a few crossing the road. Last night a saw a group of hens with their mostly grown chicks. If you are looking for a place to hunt defiantly consider trying a newly harvested corn field. They are out in the cut field picking up grain and also hunting for insects.  Sometimes you can also find turkeys eating straight out of a creep feeder. With the numbers of turkeys I have been seeing I think the turkey hunters should be finding success.

Bow Hunting

I hope all the bow hunters out there are shooting some nice deer. Up here in Northwest Missouri the weather is still warm throughout the day and part of the evening. This is causing the deer to move late at nights and in the early morning. This isn’t so good for the hunters since the deer are probably bedded down when you are hunting. There is hope though because the farmers are harvesting a lot of crops. That is pushing all the deer to the wooded areas to find protection. With the corn out the deer have a lot harder time hiding and a bigger chance of being seen by their predators including hunters. If it cools down soon the deer will start moving more to keep their body heat up and the bow hunters will have better luck.

Reason for Cowboys and Cowgirls Outfit

Most of them would wear boots with a heel to secure their feet in the stirrups. On their boots were spurs, decorated or plain, used to motivate their horse. They would wear jeans and long sleeved shirts to protect themselves from the sun and brush. They would also wear leather gloves to protect their hands during a hard day of cattle drives or fixing fence. Over their jeans they would wear chaps to help protect them from brush. Also, they would wear bandanas over their nose and mouth to keep from breathing in the dust.   Cowboys and Cowgirls would wear trench coats to help protect them from rain and winter weather. Some of those things are still worn by rodeo competitors, trail riders, and other horseback riders today. Do you think it is interesting that they do so even though they no longer do the things that those objects helped with like working cows or riding in harsh elements? Why do you think everyone still wears the traditional cowboy garb?

Disagreement on a Quote

“For the sake of animals, there’s nothing more powerful than changing your diet." - 1998 interview with Pacelle by Erik Marcus. I think that if God didn’t want humans to eat meat he wouldn’t have put animals here on earth. People use the animal to eat and use the body parts for clothing, shelter, and tools. Why should we change our diet to make those people happy? We don’t go around and tell people not to eat plants. If you think about this argument it isn’t practical. What I mean is if every person was a vegetarian we would have to refocus all of the agricultural and food production. There are not enough plants to feed the 6.8 billion people that live on the earth today.  When you consume meat it gives you protein and other essential nutrients not found naturally in plants. That is why I think eating meat is important. “Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity” says Voltaire.”

Horseback Riding

                All the cowboys and cowgirls out there know it has been perfect weather to go riding outside. So you should be putting on your boots and grabbing your cowboy hat to go ride your horse.  I have been riding on the weekends and only a little during the week because of my classes.  I went riding today and saw some wildlife including deer, turkey, squirrels burying nuts, and a lot of insects. Thankfully, the mesquites have died down some since the cooler weather is here.

                If you haven’t been riding that often your horse might try to test you and see if you will still make him mind. Today when I was riding my gelding, Hank, he tried to test my commands. That is because I haven’t been ridding him every day like I was throughout the summer. After I had a little discussion with him he did well the rest of the night. He also did well with the lasso training I did with him today but he still needs a lot more work. That will come in time and eventually I will be able to rope off of him. I hope all the cowboys and cowgirls out there are being safe and really enjoying this fall weather.

It's Fishing Weather in Northwest Missouri

                This is an awesome time to be outdoors in Northwest Missouri because the weather is really beautiful. It is 76 degrees outside at 3:00 p.m. This means you have time to get some fishing in. The Northwest Bass Club is going to Colden Pond tonight to see if they can catch some fish. Also they’re going to work on some fishing techniques and everybody is welcome. Those techniques will help you whether you are fishing for fun or in a competition. The special for tonight is about top water bass fishing.

                If you have time tomorrow maybe you could go fishing somewhere. The water is cooling off and the fish will start to migrate down. If you go in the morning to fish or the late afternoon you should probably fish at least five feet deep. In the early afternoon you might be able to use some of the top water lures. Good luck to all of the anglers out there.

A few weeks into Bow Season

I hope all of the bow hunters are having some good luck out in the fields. I personally haven’t been out bow hunting yet. I hope I can climb up in my deer stand here soon to see what deer have been lurking around. One of my buddies has been out and he told me that he hasn’t seen anything out yet. What worries me is that he had tons of pictures of good bucks before bow season started.  I figure that it is just the moon phase that has the deer off of their normal patterns. This moon phase will pass here soon so the deer will be moving at a normal time and the cooler weather will also have them up moving around.

Update on fall turkey season

Here is an update on fall turkey season. It will be here in only nine days and that means you need to get things around. One thing you might want to think about is where you would like to hunt. Once you figure out how the turkeys are moving you might consider using a ground blind. If you use a ground blind you need to go put it up so the turkeys will get used to it before season starts. Do not forget to make sure that your blind is really camouflaged. You also need to make sure that your calls and slates are working and your decoys are in good shape.

Fall Turkey Season

Fall turkey season is almost here. I hope all of the fall turkey hunters out there have their tags bought, shot gun shells reloaded, and their shotgun cleaned. Opening day is October 1, 2010 and it will be here soon. Season is open until October 31^st and you can harvest two turkeys. In Missouri it is legal to shoot both toms and hens. Also you can hunt all day in the fall turkey season. Don’t forget to wear hunter orange while walking to and from your hunting location. Here are a few videos to get the fall turkey hunters all fired up.

  

Weekend Fishing

This weekend looks like it will be a nice weekend to go fishing. Last weekend my buddy and I went out bass fishing and caught several bass as well as some bluegill and carp. Anyone who plans on fishing in lakes should also get out there because you will not have many nice weekends left. Before you know it the water will be getting cold and starting to freeze. Check out the picture of someone hooking a monster bass below. Good luck to all of the fishermen and women going out this weekend.

Why I am interested in Northwest Missouri Outdoors

My blog is about Northwest Missouri outdoors. I live in the northwest part of Missouri so I know it like the back of my hand. When I’m not studying for classes I can be found outside doing something. Mainly I will be hunting, fishing, camping, or riding horses. When you are in the outdoors you can let your mind wander and it is hard telling where it might lead you. Plus when I’m in the outdoors I can look at everything that God has created and enjoy the wonderful scenery. The outdoors provide you with a lot of activities. Northwest Missouri is special because its varied terrain supports several species of wildlife. I enjoy hunting the abundant deer, turkey, and other small game. I also enjoy the excellent fishing at lakes and farm ponds.

Dove Season

Dove season started the first day of September and will end November 9, 2010. I hope all of the dove hunters out there are having awesome luck in the field. I haven’t made it out to the field yet to shoot some doves this year but I’m hoping I will have a little break from studying to do some dove hunting. Last year I went dove hunting and I filled my limit.
The best place I found to hunt doves is over a silage field. When you use this location for hunting you will have to watch the doves fly into the field. This will help you to know how to position yourself to shoot the doves. When you position yourself make sure that you are camouflaged as much as possible. The best way I found out is to sit up in the standing corn stalks. If the farmer has used the whole field for silage you will have to use timber to camouflage yourself really well for the doves will not see you. Once you fill your limit it’s time to prepare them to eat and I hear that smoked dove is delicious. Here is a recipe to try out:

 6 dove breasts
 Apple juice
 Hickory smoke
 Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste
 BBQ sauce
 1 large sliced onion
 bacon
First place the breast in an 8x10 baking pan. Next pour the juice in the baking pan just enough to cover the bottom. Do not forget to add few drops of hickory smoke. Now mix your dry ingredients in a bowl and rub the mix over the dove breasts. Place the dove breasts in the pan. Pour ¼ Cup bbq sauce on the breasts. Then lay onion and bacon on top of the breasts. Place the pan in the smoker on the grill and cook until meat easily pulls from the bones.

Hopefully I will get the chance to bag some doves and try out that recipe. Good luck to all dove hunters out there. Please come by later this week for more updates on things to do outdoors in Northwest Missouri.