An Outdoor Day with DaD The Great OUTDOORS

By Larry Whiteley

An award-winning magazine and newspaper writer, radio host and blogger for more than 40 years. His book, “Seasons: Stories of Family, God and the Great Outdoors,” is available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

Online and big-box retailers are happy to tell you what Dad would love to get for Father’s Day this year, and it just happens to be on sale. However, the best Father’s Day gift you can give Dad is time alone with him outdoors. Maybe it is a fishing trip, paddling a lake or stream in a canoe or kayak, camping or a hike together. Doing these things will give you quality time together on his special day.

When I was young, my dad took me fishing with him once but never taught me how to fish. I remember one deer hunt, but he never tried to teach me anything. It was not his fault. I realize now he did not know how to be a dad because his dad did not know how to be a dad with him. Kids need a dad.

Thankfully, I grew up on a farm with streams and woods around me. I taught myself to hunt and fish. I camped and explored. My love for the outdoors was passed on to my kids and grandkids. New generations will continue to pass it on.

If you are lucky enough to have a dad who passed on to you all there is to do in the outdoors, there is nothing he would like better than you and him doing something outdoors together. It would be a Father’s Day he will never forget and will add to his and your storehouse of memories.

In Search Of The Outdoors

If you are beginning to learn to enjoy the outdoors or are a seasoned outdoor enthusiast wanting to discover new places, apps are available to help you do that quickly and easily.

Check out the MO Outdoors app, available on Android or iPhone platforms, at mdc.mo.gov/mooutdoors. Information about Missouri fishing, hunting, shooting, camping, hiking and birdwatching are all there. It will show Missouri Department of Conservation areas, what types of activities they offer, hours, regulations and maps on how to get there.

If fishing is your love, you can download the MO Fishing app. It helps you find the best places to fish in Missouri. You can also buy fishing permits and see available facilities, seasons and regulations.

This free application starts by showing you bodies of water near your current location. You can refine the list by searching for a specific body or fish species. Each body of water will display boat ramps, parking lots and restrooms available. By clicking on the map, a user can see the spatial location of these facilities. The map also shows the exact location of underwater fish structures the Missouri Department of Conservation has established over the years. These fish-attracting structures act as a habitat for fish. The geolocation feature can guide your boat to your favorite fish attractor, and you can start fishing.

The MO Hunting app lets Missouri hunters buy and store annual permits. This application allows hunters to notch their permit and Telecheck their harvest directly from their deer or turkey permit within the application. MO Hunting also lets hunters view all deer and turkeys they have previously checked.

To log in to MO Hunting, users will need their Conservation Number. This nine-digit number can be found on the back of your Heritage Card. The Conservation Number can also be found on any current or previous permit.

After harvesting a deer or turkey, it is still necessary to immediately notch the month and date of harvest on your permit, which you can now do within the MO Hunting application. Telecheck your harvest by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest and record the Telecheck confirmation number on your voided permit.

More and more states have gone to these types of apps to make your outdoor enjoyment even better. Check with your state to make sure they are available and discover the outdoor opportunities your state offers.

I Stand For Our Flag

Flag Day is June 14 every year. It all started with a resolution passed by the Continental Congress in 1777 that called for an official American flag. It was to be a day for celebration and recognition of the flag of our nation.

It has never been an official federal holiday. You do not get off work to go camping, boating or fishing. There may be some parades and observances where you live but most likely not. You probably will not hear it mentioned on the national news or social media.

As a veteran, I fly our flag every day. It is a symbol of the many freedoms a lot of countries do not have. It honors those who fought and died for it.

I do not understand anyone who would dishonor our flag in any way. In this broken world we live in today, I will continue to kneel for the cross, pray for our nation and stand for our flag.

Something To Think About

The Wisdom Of Old Boone

Camping allows us to experience the splendors of our national parks up close. There are hundreds of parks, recreation areas and other facilities. Within these parks are campgrounds open to the public. Campsites are usually available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

A few campgrounds do offer reservations online. Go to www.nps.gov and search for camping areas. National park campgrounds are not expensive and have a maximum stay of 14 days. Amenities are few, but you came to enjoy the park, not the campground. Make a camping memory in our national parks.