Post by L Roebuck on May 4, 2006 7:26:32 GMT -5
Take time to visit the real bat cave
NEWS-LEADER STAFF
FUSON CONSERVATION AREA
What: John Alva Fuson Conservation Area
Where: Wright County
Why people go: Smittle Cave, the fifth largest cave in Missouri and one of several caves at Fuson, was historically a maternity cave for gray bats until it was developed for commercial use.
In 1985, the cave was bought by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The department put a gate over the cave, and it now once again serves as a maternity cave for more than 50,000 federally endangered gray bats.
These helpful animals keep bug populations down by eating insects, including mosquitoes. One gray bat can eat thousands of insects in an evening.
Disturbance of maternity caves can cause bats to abandon the area and can result in the death of young bats. A single disturbance can have a big impact on the population.
That's why people aren't allowed in the cave — except for a few times a year with special permission. The public has been invited inside from April 15 until this Sunday, then again when the bats leave the cave in September. To ask about a permit to enter the cave, contact the Ozark Regional Office of the Conservation Department at (417) 256-7161.
If you can't get to Smittle before it again closes to the public, Lowell Cave and Little Smittle Cave are always accessible. The caves are found near the first parking area off Smittle Cave Road. Groups of more than 10 people will need a permit to enter a Conservation Department cave.
The Conservation Department also requires that everyone going into caves have appropriate gear: a hardhat or helmet with a chinstrap, electric headlamp, two reliable light sources per person, spare batteries and appropriate clothing. Since caves are muddy and slippery, hiking boots with rubber soles are recommended (forget the flip-flops if you want to stay safe). Tough gloves are needed, and knee pads can help in smaller caves where crawling is necessary.
In the cave, state law forbids digging, fires, littering, breaking of formations and vandalism. Removal of anything but trash is also not allowed.
What other recreation opportunities are there: After you've explored the caves, you can refuel at a picnic area before hiking or bird watching. A two-mile loop trail sits to the right of Smittle; it heads over a ridge and into a valley.
The hook-and-bullet set won't be bored at Fuson. The Conservation Department says sunfish are plentiful and ranks the area as a good spot to hunt for deer, doves, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Sportsmen can train their dogs at the site if they get a special-use permit.
Directions: John Alva Fuson Conservation Area is approximately 60 miles northeast of Springfield. Take U.S. 60 east to Mansfield, then take Missouri 5 north to Grovespring. The area is a little more than three miles north of Grovespring on Missouri 5, then 10 miles west on Smittle Cave Road. This road leads to Parks Creek Road, which runs through the forest part of the conservation area.
Cost: It's free to visit and to camp.
Hours: Visitors are welcome from sunup to sundown. Primitive campsites, without water, electricity or restroom facilities, are available for those who wish to stay overnight. Campers can stay for a maximum of 10 days.
For more information: Call (417) 256-7161 or see www.mdc.mo.gov.
Ozarks Outdoors
NEWS-LEADER STAFF
FUSON CONSERVATION AREA
What: John Alva Fuson Conservation Area
Where: Wright County
Why people go: Smittle Cave, the fifth largest cave in Missouri and one of several caves at Fuson, was historically a maternity cave for gray bats until it was developed for commercial use.
In 1985, the cave was bought by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The department put a gate over the cave, and it now once again serves as a maternity cave for more than 50,000 federally endangered gray bats.
These helpful animals keep bug populations down by eating insects, including mosquitoes. One gray bat can eat thousands of insects in an evening.
Disturbance of maternity caves can cause bats to abandon the area and can result in the death of young bats. A single disturbance can have a big impact on the population.
That's why people aren't allowed in the cave — except for a few times a year with special permission. The public has been invited inside from April 15 until this Sunday, then again when the bats leave the cave in September. To ask about a permit to enter the cave, contact the Ozark Regional Office of the Conservation Department at (417) 256-7161.
If you can't get to Smittle before it again closes to the public, Lowell Cave and Little Smittle Cave are always accessible. The caves are found near the first parking area off Smittle Cave Road. Groups of more than 10 people will need a permit to enter a Conservation Department cave.
The Conservation Department also requires that everyone going into caves have appropriate gear: a hardhat or helmet with a chinstrap, electric headlamp, two reliable light sources per person, spare batteries and appropriate clothing. Since caves are muddy and slippery, hiking boots with rubber soles are recommended (forget the flip-flops if you want to stay safe). Tough gloves are needed, and knee pads can help in smaller caves where crawling is necessary.
In the cave, state law forbids digging, fires, littering, breaking of formations and vandalism. Removal of anything but trash is also not allowed.
What other recreation opportunities are there: After you've explored the caves, you can refuel at a picnic area before hiking or bird watching. A two-mile loop trail sits to the right of Smittle; it heads over a ridge and into a valley.
The hook-and-bullet set won't be bored at Fuson. The Conservation Department says sunfish are plentiful and ranks the area as a good spot to hunt for deer, doves, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Sportsmen can train their dogs at the site if they get a special-use permit.
Directions: John Alva Fuson Conservation Area is approximately 60 miles northeast of Springfield. Take U.S. 60 east to Mansfield, then take Missouri 5 north to Grovespring. The area is a little more than three miles north of Grovespring on Missouri 5, then 10 miles west on Smittle Cave Road. This road leads to Parks Creek Road, which runs through the forest part of the conservation area.
Cost: It's free to visit and to camp.
Hours: Visitors are welcome from sunup to sundown. Primitive campsites, without water, electricity or restroom facilities, are available for those who wish to stay overnight. Campers can stay for a maximum of 10 days.
For more information: Call (417) 256-7161 or see www.mdc.mo.gov.
Ozarks Outdoors