Part of the satisfaction of hunting is knowing exactly where your meat has come from.  If you’re a successful deer hunter, you’ve already taken that first step in procuring healthy, naturally sourced protein.  The next step is to also learn how to get that meat ready for the table.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a free class to help get you from field to fork by demonstrating how to make two of the most popular meats.  MDC’s August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center will host a Venison Burger and Sausage Making class Monday, Dec. 2 from 5 - 7 p.m.  It will take deer hunters through the step-by-step process needed to process fresh venison into ready-to-eat delicacies.

This event will provide instruction on how to grind and season harvested deer meat to create tasty burgers and sausage of the best quality possible.  The class will look at every aspect of the process, from safety considerations to the right equipment to use, to the ideal parts of the meat for processing.  

“After processing your harvest, making your own sausage and burger is a great way to season to your own taste and save money,” said MDC Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center Manager, Bryant Hertel.

Besides traditional hamburgers, hunters will find low fat ground venison to be an excellent and healthy base for other dishes too, such as spaghetti sauce, chili, tacos, sloppy Joes, pizza topping, meat loaf, and casseroles.

Venison Burger and Sausage Making is a free program open to all ages, but advanced online registration is required at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Kq for each person attending. 

The August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center is located at 3550 Route D, approximately five miles west of Highway 94, in Defiance.

Preliminary data from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows deer hunters in Missouri harvested 68,312 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season Nov. 16 and 17. Of the 68,312 deer harvested, 42,283 were antlered bucks, 5,105 were button bucks, and 20,924 were does.

Top harvest counties for opening weekend were Franklin with 1,627 deer harvested, Texas with 1,305, and Pike with 1,161.

Last year, hunters checked 90,253 deer during opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season.

According to MDC Cervid Program Supervisor Jason Isabelle, the drop in harvest this year was due to a combination of factors.

“The calendar shift this year put the November portion a week later than last year, which results in lower deer harvest,” said Isabelle. “The peak of the rut in Missouri occurs around Nov. 10. When the calendar shifts, it puts the opener about a week past peak rut when deer movement isn’t as high as it is earlier in the month.”

Another factor that Isabelle believes significantly affected this year’s harvest total is an abundant acorn crop.

“Throughout much of Missouri, there are a lot of acorns in the woods this year,” said Isabelle. “When that happens, deer don’t need to move as much to find food and they frequent fields and other open areas less often, making them less visible to hunters.”

Isabelle noted that the counties with the largest decline in harvest were in the more heavily forested portions of the state where acorn abundance has a more significant effect on deer movement.

Warm temperatures were another factor that contributed to this year’s lower opening weekend harvest total according to Isabelle.

“Although the warm temperatures this weekend made it comfortable for hunters to be in the woods, it likely had an adverse effect on deer movement,” said Isabelle.

Isabelle noted that the unseasonably mild temperatures probably also affected the desire of some hunters to harvest deer given the necessity for rapid processing.

“Fortunately, there are cooler temperatures in the forecast for the latter half of the November portion, which should result in better hunting conditions,” said Isabelle.

For current, ongoing preliminary harvest totals by season, county, and type of deer, visit the MDC website at extra.mdc.mo.gov/widgets/harvest_table/.

For harvest summaries from past years, visit mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-reports/deer-harvest-summaries.

Firearms deer hunting in Missouri continues with the November portion running through Nov. 26 followed by the CWD portion Nov. 27 – Dec. 1 in open counties. The Late Youth portion runs Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 followed by the Late Antlerless portion Dec. 7-15 in open counties and then the Alternative Methods portion Dec. 28 through Jan. 7, 2025. The archery deer season reopens Nov. 27 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.

Get more information on Missouri deer hunting from MDC’s 2024 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold and online at mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer.

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s highway workers are part of a larger group of emergency responders who put their lives on the line on Missouri’s highways responding to crash scenes. Alongside police officers, fire fighters, EMS, and tow truck operators, they respond to traffic incidents, assist drivers, and help keep traffic flowing.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for EMS responders and law enforcement officers. To remind motorists what’s on the line, the FHWA has declared the week of Nov. 18-22 as National Crash Responder Safety Week. 

"Crash Responder Safety Week serves as an important reminder for drivers to be mindful of our dedicated first responders, who work tirelessly to keep our roadways safe every day," said Chris Engelbrecht, MoDOT’s Director of Safety and Emergency Management. "These individuals put their lives on the line to protect us, so it's crucial to show respect by following the state’s move over law, staying focused, and reducing speed when approaching emergency vehicles."

Missouri’s Move Over law requires drivers to either change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary MoDOT, law enforcement or other emergency vehicles with flashing lights on. To help protect those who protect us, all 50 states enforce some form of the Move Over law. 

In 2023, more than 136,000  traffic crashes were reported on Missouri roadways that required emergency response. MoDOT emergency response personnel respond to more than 6,000 traffic incidents each month on average. 

Crash Responder Safety Week provides a valuable chance to remind drivers about Missouri's Move Over law, educate them on crash prevention, and promote critical training for all traffic incident responders. “It’s important to give our responders the space they need to work safely, ensuring everyone can make it home to their families at the end of the day,” said Chris Engelbrecht. 

Harvesting a deer during the hunt is only the first step in creating a great meal for the dinner table.  What are the steps needed to properly prepare venison?

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering a free class to help hunters get from field to fork by demonstrating how to cook with venison. MDC will host a Venison Cooking Class on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12 – 2 p.m. at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in Spanish Lake.  This class will guide deer hunters through the step-by-step process of transforming fresh venison into delicious meals.  The program is free and open to anyone age nine years and up.

"Part of the satisfaction of hunting is knowing exactly where your meat has come from,” said MDC Conservation Educator, Scott Boyd.   “If you’re a successful deer hunter, you’ve already taken that first step in procuring healthy, naturally sourced protein The next step is to learn how to prepare that meat for the table.”

The event will provide instruction on various cooking techniques and recipes that highlight the rich flavors of venison. Participants will learn how to prepare a range of dishes, from steaks to flavorful venison chili and stir-fries, showcasing the versatility of this game meat. 

“Hunters will gain valuable skills to ensure their venison dishes are of the highest quality at this special field to fork event," Boyd said.

Venison Cooking is a free program, but advanced online registration is required at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4zF. 

Columbia Bottom Conservation Area is located at 801 Strodtman Road in north St. Louis County.  The area can be reached by taking the Riverview Drive Exit from I-270 and travelling north approximately three miles.

Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events by going to  https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) announced today that Ed Hassinger is the new director of the Missouri Department of Transportation. His leadership at this time will ensure the continuity of MoDOT’s delivery of critical infrastructure projects currently underway and on very tight construction schedules.

"We are delighted that Ed Hassinger has agreed to be MoDOT’s director during this critical time for project execution and the development of our next chapter of MoDOT leadership," said MHTC Chairman W. Dustin Boatwright.  "We are very grateful to the Governor, the General Assembly and to the people of Missouri, who we are accountable to, for the historic funding they have provided to fund so many big infrastructure projects across the state, including expanding I-70 to six lanes across Missouri, improvements to I-44 in preparation for its expansion, replacement or repair of 971 bridges across the state, repaving of Missouri's low volume rural lettered roads, and hundreds of other important transportation projects in MoDOT's $14.6 billion Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)."

"The Commission feels a strong obligation to its many stakeholders and all Missourians to ensure continuity during this time of unprecedented project construction and has prioritized on-time and on-budget execution of the historic number of projects underway now," said Boatwright.  "That requires someone as director who can hit the ground running with years of project management experience and a track record of fostering leadership development.  We are grateful to Ed that he will serve in this role for us to bookend his 40 plus year career with MoDOT."

Director Hassinger holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer. He has dedicated over 40 years of his career to fulfill the mission of MoDOT. He has consistently produced results that have made Missouri a national leader in project delivery, providing great value to Missourians. Hassinger is fully aware of what is necessary and is capable of delivering the projects outlined in the STIP. He is committed to partnering with the General Assembly and industry partners to improve Missouri’s transportation system. He is also committed to MoDOT employees, their development and welfare.    

"It’s my great honor to serve as director and work with the Commission and Missouri’s key transportation stakeholders to ensure we stay on track and on schedule with the historic investment Missouri has made in our infrastructure," said Hassinger.  "I understand and appreciate the importance of meeting the Commission's and the public's expectation for delivering the largest transportation program in the state’s history. Fortunately, we are blessed with a world class team of professionals who are currently being battle tested and will be ready to lead the next chapter of MoDOT. I’m thrilled for the trust and opportunity of the Commission and look forward to leading during this transformational time period.” 

The Commission and Director Hassinger will work collaboratively with a new advisory council to be formed with representatives of the department’s key stakeholders including key elected officials, local planning partners, the MoDOT contractor community, state and local economic development, and others critical to delivering this transportation improvements. Efforts will focus on review and fine-tuning of MoDOT's organization to strengthen its commitment to several key areas of continuous improvement critical to project delivery success and operations. 
These include:

1.      Safety in all operations and project management;

2.      Outreach to and coordination with state leadership and elected officials to make the STIP process as locally driven as possible with sensitivity to timely local needs as they arise;

3.      Build even closer partnership with the department's critical private sector contractor community and regional planning partners;

4.      Recruit and retain the essential and valued MoDOT workforce;

5.      Increase focus on operational needs to keep MoDOT's system maintained, useable, clean, and responsive to citizen reported upkeep; and,

6.      Innovate and use technology for the future to maximize efficiency and cost-effective delivery of programs and services.

"I am committed to working with the Commission and the department's stakeholders through this new advisory council to look for ways to achieve continuous improvement in the Commission’s six key focus areas,” said Hassinger.  “Making these improvements and having accountability to the Commission and to the public for each of them is critical to the success of transportation in Missouri."

Hassinger replaces previous MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna who resigned in September 2024 after serving in the role since December 2015.

For more information and to download a high-resolution image of Hassinger, please visit MoDOT’s online newsroom at www.modot.org/newsroom. To see the recorded news conference announcement, please visit www.modot.org/MHTC/live.

$7.50 may not seem like a lot of money these days, but it can go a long way feeding those in need, thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Share the Harvest Program. 

Inflation is putting the squeeze on many families now more than ever.  Consider that a resident antlerless deer tag costs a hunter only $7.50.  Imagine how many times over that tag can pay for itself with the amount of nutritious and healthy venison it can provide families in need.

The Share the Harvest Program provides food to the hungry through deer meat donated by hunters.  Hunters can choose to give part or the entire deer they harvest.  They simply bring their deer to an approved meat processor to process the venison, usually into ground meat, where it is then packaged for distribution. 

Share the Harvest is a statewide partnership between MDC, the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM), cooperating meat processors, and hunters.  The St. Louis area is fortunate to have another key partner in the program, Operation Food Search (OFS).  Thanks to contributions by OFS, St. Louis area hunters donating their entire deer through Share the Harvest can do so with little to no processing fees.

The Overland-based non-profit hunger relief organization feeds 200,000 people in need each month through over 200 outlets in the metro area.  According to OFS, fresh protein like venison is one of the most popular items and the number one in demand.

Meat processors typically charge around $100 to process a deer into ready-to-prepare meat.  CFM has funding to cover $75 for hunters donating whole deer statewide.  Operation Food Search now contributes an additional $30 per deer.  Cooperating processors in St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson Counties agree to limit their deer processing fees so there is little to no net charge for donating hunters.  All members in the partnership work together to help alleviate the costs for hunters who donate their entire deer.

“Operation Food Search is helping reduce costs for hunters who want to donate whole deer to Share the Harvest, so it’s easier for them to participate,” said MDC Conservation Agent Corporal Jeff Breuer.

The following is a list of meat processors in the St. Louis Region that parent with OFS to offer minimal to no cost processing for hunters donating for processing a whole deer, grouped by county.

St. Louis:

• Kenrick’s Meats and Catering, South St. Louis County
• John’s Butcher Shoppe, Overland

St. Charles County:

• Josephville Meat Processing, Wentzville

Jefferson County:

• John’s Butcher Shoppe, Festus

Corporal Breuer reminds hunters that deer harvested from Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone counties can be donated only to processors participating in the Share the Harvest CWD Testing Program.

For more details on the Share the Harvest program and a list of these processors, visit mdc.mo.g6ov/share.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has closed the mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling station located at Huzzah Valley Resort in Steelville due to flood conditions.  The station is one of 74 mandatory CWD sampling stations that will be open in select CWD Management Zone counties throughout the state the weekend of Nov. 16 - 17.

MDC recommends using one of the following two mandatory CWD sampling stations in Crawford County as alternatives:

• The Cuba Knights of Columbus Hall at 7057 Old Route 66 in Cuba
• The Steelville Fire Protection District Station No. 2 at 20437 Highway 19 near Cherryville

Alternatively, hunters may also take their deer to a mandatory CWD sampling station elsewhere in the state.

MDC is conducting mandatory sampling of harvested deer in select CWD Management Zone counties Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16 – 17, the opening weekend of the November portion of firearms deer season, to test for CWD, an illness fatal to deer.   

Hunters who harvest deer in any of the select counties within MDC’s CWD Management Zone during opening weekend—which includes Jefferson, Franklin, Crawford, and Washington Counties in MDC’s St. Louis region—must present their harvested deer at one of MDC’s mandatory CWD sampling stations on the day of harvest, so staff can collect tissue samples for testing. 

The data gathered will help MDC track and determine the extent of the disease, which so far includes confirmed cases in Crawford, Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington counties within MDC’s St. Louis region.

MDC is operating 11 mandatory CWD sampling station locations within the St. Louis region.  For more information and an interactive map for all mandatory CWD sampling stations in the state, go to http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4Ko.   

When three East Central College nursing students found themselves at the scene of a serious car accident, they were ready to save a life. Their quick response, grounded in training, experience, and unwavering resolve, helped stabilize an injured man and brought him back from the brink.

In late October, Olivia Reed and Audrey Schroeder, both from Washington, and Toni Sells, of Owensville—students in the first year of ECC’s Nursing Program—were on their way back to campus after lunch.

At a red light on Prairie Dell and Highway 50, the trio watched as a tractor-trailer struck a car in the intersection.

“I just knew we had to act immediately,” Sells said. “Everything else just seemed to kick into action.”

Sells, who was driving, pulled over, and the students rushed to the car.

“I knew there was a high probability of medical attention being needed immediately,” Reed said. “Jumping in to help the civilian was my only option.”

“The only thing that came to mind was saving this man’s life, as he had no pulse and was not breathing,” Schroeder added.

The victim had lost a lot of blood, had no pulse, and was not breathing. Relying on their training and each other, the students worked quickly to stabilize him. Schroeder, a patient care technician at Mercy Washington ER, said her experience in traumatic situations provided the confidence to take charge.

“I immediately used everything I knew and could do in this scenario,” she said. “I never had a second thought about what we were doing to help him.”

Reed, a patient care associate at Mercy Washington, began to apply sternal rubs—a technique used to assess response to pain and brain function—but there was no reaction.

“I knew we had to perform chest compressions, but didn’t want to remove him from the car, given his extensive injuries,” she explained. “As quickly and gently as possible, Audrey, Toni, and I reclined the driver’s seat to a position where I could safely and correctly perform the first round of compressions, while Audrey secured his head and neck.”

After two full rounds of compressions, the man’s pulse returned. Schroeder and Reed then switched roles, with Schroeder applying sternal rubs until he started breathing again.

“We continued to apply sternal rubs and talk to him constantly while we waited for the paramedics to arrive,” Reed noted.

Meanwhile, Sells checked on the driver of the tractor-trailer, who was in shock. She comforted him, contacted his wife, and stayed with him until emergency responders arrived.

Once paramedics were on the scene, Reed, Schroeder, and Sells could finally take a breath.

“Nothing else worried me at that moment other than saving him,” Schroeder said. “I felt relieved when the paramedics arrived with the necessary equipment to continue the care we’d started.”

After giving their account to the police, the students got back into Sells’ car to return to campus.

“After a few moments of silence, we all looked at each other, and then reality hit—we just saved a life!” Reed said.

“We realized how crazy it was that God put us there at that time to save his life,” Schroeder added. “If we hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would have happened. I’m just glad we’ll never have to find out.”

Nurse Training

The students agreed that their two months in ECC’s Nursing Program equipped them with both the skills and the temperament to handle an emergency calmly.

“I felt confident to take action,” Reed said. “Our instructors, Jessica Van Leer and Trista Elias, are the ones I have to thank. In just over two months, they instilled the confidence to jump in and act without hesitation.”

Sells echoed Reed's sentiment, saying, “I owe all the confidence in my capabilities to my nursing instructors, Jessica and Trista.”

Schroeder also praised her instructors and credited her prior job experience.

“Our instructors, Jessica Van Leer and Trista Elias, are outstanding,” she said. “Working in the ER helped tremendously, but knowing the ‘why’ behind what we do makes a difference.”

Van Leer and Elias expressed how proud they are of the students, noting that their actions reflect the commitment these students bring to their studies.

“Their courage, quick thinking, and empathy in the face of a medical emergency are a true testament to the dedication they bring to their education,” Elias said. “This life-saving moment highlights not only their abilities but also the strength of our nursing program in preparing students to rise to any challenge.”

The instructors agreed that this experience will have a lasting impact on the students' careers, inspiring them to continue making a difference in healthcare for years to come.

Healthcare Careers

Sells is still exploring which path she will take in the nursing field.

“Every part of nursing has something good to offer,” she said. “I can’t decide this early into the program.”

For Schroeder, she plans to continue her work in the ER as a registered nurse and possibly move up to a Level 1 trauma facility.

Reed, who is the reigning Washington Town and Country Fair Queen, wants to become an operating room nurse.

“After receiving my associate degree at East Central, I plan to further my education with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and eventually become a first assist in the operating room,” she said.

For more information about the ECC Nursing Program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/allied-health/nursing or contact Nancy Mitchell, Director of Nursing and Dean of Health Science, at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu.

More than 70 firefighters and 13 departments responded to a fire in downtown Hermann Monday morning.

Hermann’s Antique Attic Shop was destroyed after the roof, ceiling and back wall collapsed. The Shop is located in the 220 East First Street.

The fire engulfed a two-story building, destroying a bed and breakfast on the second floor and an antique shop on the first floor.

Washington respond with their ladder truck.

Owensville Fire Department was called to assist with the fire.

It took approximately three hours to get the building extinguished.  

The building has been deemed a total loss.

Have nature lovers on your holiday gift list? The Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) online Nature Shop makes holiday shopping a breeze for anyone interested in nature-themed gifts. Offerings include the ever-popular Natural Events Calendar, plus a variety of books and more for all ages.

Holiday shoppers can also skip retail stores and visit one of the MDC nature centers around the state in Kirkwood, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Kansas City, Blue Springs, and Jefferson City for an array of reasonably priced, nature-themed holiday gifts. Find MDC nature centers at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/nature-centers.

MDC holiday gift offerings include:

• 2025 Natural Events Calendar ($9) -- This annual favorite has amazing images of native animals, plants, and places, along with phases of the moon, holidays and days of recognition, daily notes about natural events, and more.
• Coneflower Nature Journal ($8) – It includes simple tips to get started drawing or writing about nature. It is spiral-bound with plenty of blank pages.
• Cooking Wild in Missouri ($16) – This favorite cookbook features more than 100 recipes for native game, fish, fruits, nuts, and mushrooms.
• Strange but True ($8.95) -- This fun offering was adapted from the pages of MDC’s Xplor magazine and features 350 weird and wild facts and illustrations about creatures that inhabit Missouri.
• A Paddlers Guide to Missouri ($9) – This newly revised edition makes a great gift for canoeists, kayakers, and floaters with color photos, maps, and descriptions of 54 rivers and streams. The 102-page, spiral-bound guide includes trip planning tips, equipment recommendations, paddling pointers, and more. New to the 2023 edition are maps of the upper Mississippi River from Hannibal to St. Louis and an expanded section on the Big River.
• Owl & Nuthatches Notecard Sets ($8) – This is great for gift giving. Each set includes 12 cards of either a barred owl or brown-headed pair of nuthatch birds. 
• Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms ($26) – This book is a great guide for hunting, identifying, and cooking the state's most common mushrooms.
• Discover Missouri Natural Areas, Second Edition ($19.95) – This handy reference helps nature lovers experience 50 great examples of our state’s natural heritage. The new edition features updated maps, text, references, and scientific names.
• Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri, Third Edition ($29) – This classic book has been updated and expanded to a 522-page illustrated guide that provides descriptions, distribution, habitats, habits, breeding, and other information on nearly 130 species of native salamanders, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards, and snakes.

Buy these and other items at MDC nature centers, through the MDC online Nature Shop at mdcnatureshop.com or by calling 877-521-8632. Order early. Applicable tax, shipping, and handling costs will apply.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has announced that the opening of the winter catch-and-release trout season at Montauk State Park in Dent County and Maramec Spring Park in Phelps County has been postponed due to flood damage. Both parks are still closed due to damage caused by flooding that stemmed from heavy rainfall earlier this week.

MDC’s winter catch-and-release fishing season is a winter fishing opportunity at Missouri’s four trout parks where MDC oversees the fishery. This season, which is in effect only at those four trout parks (Montauk State Park, Bennett Spring State Park, Roaring River State Park, and Maramec Spring Park), opens Friday, Nov. 8, and runs through Feb. 10. However, because Montauk State Park and Maramec Spring Park are currently closed to the public, catch-and-release fishing at those two sites will be closed until the parks reopen. When this season resumes at those sites, fishing will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily at Maramec Spring and from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at Montauk.

More information about winter fishing opportunities in Missouri can be found at mdc.mo.gov.

Fall in the Missouri outdoors offers some wonderful wildlife viewing for the hundreds of thousands of hunters in the field, along with many hikers, wildlife watchers, and others.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) asks hunters and others to report sightings of key animal species they see when outdoors. They include elk, black bears, mountain lions, and rare furbearers -- badgers, least weasels, long-tailed weasels, and spotted skunks – along with invasive feral hogs. Report Wildlife Sightings online at mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/report-wildlife-sightings.

LEARN MORE

Elk can be found in portions of Carter, Reynolds, and Shannon counties and are occasionally seen in other areas of the state. Get images and more information online at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/elk.

Most black bears are found south of the Missouri River but wandering individuals have been seen as far north as the Iowa border. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/american-black-bear.

There is no evidence of a breeding population, but there have been more than 100 confirmed sightings of mountain lions scattered statewide. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/mountain-lion.

Badgers can be found statewide but are seen most in areas with sandier soils near major stream systems. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/american-badger.

Least weasels are typically found in northern counties, the bottom of their home range. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/least-weasel.

Long-tailed weasels can be found statewide. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/long-tailed-weasel.

Spotted skunks were once found statewide with recent sightings being from the southern Ozarks. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/plains-spotted-skunk.

Invasive feral hogs could potentially be found anywhere in Missouri, but most established populations are in the southern third of the state. Get images and more information at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/feral-hog-feral-swine.

For more information on Missouri wildlife species, visit the MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide.

In anticipation of current Meramec River flooding predictions, the Missouri Department of Transportation will close northbound and southbound Route 141 under Interstate 44 in St. Louis County prior to morning rush on Thursday, Nov. 7.  The closure is expected to remain throughout the weekend.

Crews have placed message boards in the area warning drivers of the closure and will monitor the river during overnight hours.

During the closure, there will be limited access to eastbound and westbound I-44 from Route 141. Signed detours will be in place directing motorists around the closure.

Route 141 motorists traveling north can detour using Interstate 64 or Route 100 (Manchester Road). Route 141 drivers from the south can detour using Interstate 55, Route 21 (Tesson Ferry Road) or Route 30 (Gravois Road). 

The commuter lot at the northwest corner of Route 141 will close this evening, Wednesday, Nov. 6 at dusk.

Other area roads closed due to flooding include:

• Route AC (between Routes CC and HH) in Franklin County
• Route UU in Franklin County
• Route C in St. Charles County 

Motorists should never drive into water over a road. Turn around. Don’t Drown.

The following roads are closed in Franklin County due to flooding:

• Old Highway K (St. Clair area) is almost entirely closed, with the exception of the area where Little Indian meets Old Highway K.
• Project Road (St. Clair area) is closed at the slab, closer to the Old Highway K side.   (CLOSED AGAIN, 1:30 PM on 11/06/2024)
• Oak Grove Church Road (Robertsville/Lonedell area) is closed at Mill Hill Road, North to address: 5436 Oak Grove Church Road.
• Mill Hill Road (St. Clair area) is closed approximately 0.1 miles West of Brush Creek Road, due to water over the road.
• Mill Hill Road (St. Clair area) is closed approximately 0.3 miles West of Hwy. TT to 2300 Mill Hill Road, due to water over the road.
• Mill Hill Road (St. Clair area) is closed at the flood gates due to water over the road.
• Bend Road (Pacific area) is closed from the bridge to the flood gate, due to flooding.
• Shawneetown Ford Road (Union area) is closed from Shawneetown Ford Spur to the river due to water over the road.
• Big Indian Creek (Sullivan area) is closed approximately 1.1 miles from New Hope Church Road, due to water over the road.
• Robertsville Road (Robertsville/Villa Ridge area) is closed at the flood gates.

• St. John’s Creek Road (Washington area) is closed at the slab due to high water.
• Old Cove Road (Union/St. Clair area) is closed due to water over the road towards the Moselle side.    
• New Hope Church Road (Lonedell/Sullivan area) is closed due to flooding towards the Little Indian Creek side.
• Chapel Hill Road (Sullivan area) is closed at the slab due to high water.
• Hoeman Road (New Haven area) is closed at the slab due to flooding.
• Detmold Road (New Haven area) is closed at the slab due to flooding.
• Boeuf Lutheran Road (New Haven area) is closed at the low water bridge.