54 Independence City Guide
2012
The Examiner
THINGS TO DO
• Outdoors recreation FROM PAGE 53 mdc.mo.gov/regions/kansas-city/ lake-city-shooting-range. u BURR OAK WOODS CONSERVATION AREA 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs 816-228-3766 The Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area features six designatred hiking trails (including on disabled-access trail), a Nature Center, a 167-seat auditorium, a live animal display, a bird-viewing area and a 3,000-gallon aquarium containing native fish. The Missouri Department of Conservation facility, around since 1977, is in a 1,071-acre forest that is home to a wide variety of wildlife, as well as fields, ponds, glades, creeks and limestone outcroppings. Several times a week the nature center offers special events and classes for adults and children. The center’s website is updated frequently. Some events require preregistration. Burr Oak also features two picnic areas. The trails are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during standard time and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time. The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and all Monday state holidays. Pets, horses, hunting, fishing, collecting, littering, fires and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the area. Mushroom collecting is permitted for personal use. Bicycles and
HUNTING/FISHING LICENSES
Missouri residents need permits for most hunting and fishing in the state. Hunters born after Jan. 1, 1967, must also complete an approved hunter education program to hunt with a firearm unless they qualify for an exemption. Children under the age of 15 do not need to complete a hunter education program if they are under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter. Hunters should carry their hunter education card with them while hunting with a firearm or have their certification verified at the vendor’s computer terminal. Fishing permits are required unless the angler is fishing on privately stocked waters or qualifies as disabled under an exemption. Visit mdc. mo.gov/permits/fishing-permit-information to learn more. Tags may be purchased for a day, year or lifetime. Trout tags must be purchased separately. Different permits are available depending on the season and animal. An online system, https://www.mo.wildlifelicense.com/, allows hunters to pick and choose permits depending on what kind of game they will be hunting. Most permits cost less than $20. There is a $1 convenience fee for purchasing permits online. Permits can be printed at home. There is a $2 convenience fee for purchasing permits over the phone, 800-392-4115. Allow 10 days for delivery. Permits can also be purchased at the Kansas City regional conservation office, 12405 S.E. Ranson Road, Lee’s Summit , or at any authorized vendor. For more information, visit www.mdc.mo.gov. motorized vehicles are restricted to paved roads. For more information call 816-2283766 or visit http://mdc.mo.gov/ regions/kansas-city/burr-oakwoods-nature-center u FLEMING PARK Located 2 miles east of I-470/Missouri 291 on Woods Chapel Road, Fleming Park encompasses both Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake, and it covers more than 7,800 acres. There are campsites at both lakes that are open April 1 through Oct. 31.
The prices are $27 for a full hookup. To reserve a site, call 816-503-4805. Credit cards only. The park also includes the Native Hooved Animal Enclosure, where visitors can see elk and bison. Blue Springs Lake: Blue Springs Lake covers 720 acres and offers numerous activities including jet skiing, power boating, tubing, swimming, water skiing and fishing. Boating and motor permits are required. Available services at the marina include boat rental, lakeside gasoline pumps, concessions, fishing supplies, fishing
licenses, boat ramps, bait and overnight slip rental. The marina, at 1700 N.E. Bowlin Road, is open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. each day (weather permitting). Dock fishing closes at 7 p.m. A fish-cleaning station is provided for fishermen wanting to clean and filet their catch. Fish species include hybrid striped bass, bluegill, catfish, carp and largemouth bass. The beach, at 1500 N.E. Bowlin Road in Lee’s Summit, is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, weather permitting. Entrance costs are $3 for children 15 and younger and $5 for adults. Group rates and season passes are also available. For more information call 816-503-4876. Lake Jacomo: This lake covers 970 acres and offers activities such as windsurfing, sailing, boat rentals and fishing. The marina, at 7401 W. Park Road in Blue Springs, offers fishing supplies, fuel and a convenience store. The marina is open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Lake Jacomo has a limited-horsepower regulation, which keeps the lake still for sailboat and paddleboat use. Fish in the lake include crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, hybrid striped bass and carp. Dock fishing is also offered. Lake Jacomo also offers cruise tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Call 816-795-8888 for prices and times. Numerous recreational events are offered during the summer. For more information call 816-7958888. – Karl Zinke