Places to Go, Things to Do

Eagle Days is big event in January

One of the neat outdoor activities for kids and their families in January is Eagle Days. That's the chance to view wild eagles from the Chain of Rocks Bridge on the Mississippi River.

The free viewing from the bridge will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17 and 18. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

In addition, lots of kids from both Illinois and Missouri will be on eagle watching school field trips earlier in the week.

The bridge has been reserved for Illinois school groups on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Missouri school groups have the bridge on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 15 and 16.

All the viewing slots for school groups already have been filled.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) host the Eagle Days.

Special viewing scopes will be installed on the bridge to provide close-ups of the eagles. Conservation agents will be on hand to help kids use the scopes.

In addition, educational programs will run every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Re-enactors also will acquaint visitors to aspects of the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery exploration.

Dick Turner of the Missouri Department of Conservation said eagles started moving into the St. Louis area early in December. The Mississippi River at St. Louis is an ideal wintering spot because the river remains open. That means the eagles can find plenty of fish in open water.

In addition to free admission, free parking also is available.

The free parking is close to the bridge on the Illinois side. On the Missouri side, the free parking is a little further away but there are free shuttles from the lots.

On the Missouri side, $5 parking is closer to the bridge.

Missouri is one of the nation's leading bald eagle states. Thousands of eagles migrate south from Canada and Great Lakes states every fall, searching for open water.

The bald eagle has been the national symbol since 1782. After a sharp decline, eagle numbers in the U.S. have made a comeback in recent years. There were more than 2,200 eagles reported in Missouri during a recent winter.

For information on the Chain of Rocks Eagle Days, you can call Trailnet at (314) 416-9930, the IDNR at (618) 462-1181 or the MDC at (314) 877-1309.

Trout fishing plus a chili feed

Kids get a special two-for-one fishing treat in January at the Suson Park lakes in south St. Louis County. On January 24, there will be after-hours trout fishing opportunities for kids as well as an all-you-can-eat chili supper.

The event is from 4-8 p.m. Admission is $5 for kids 6 through 12 and $8 for those 13 and over. Kids under 5 are free.

Advance registration for the fishing event is required. Call (314) 416-4374.

The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks trout in a number of lakes in metro St. Louis during the winter. The lakes at Suson Park are included in that stocking program.

Then, twice during the winter, Ranger Tim of the County Parks Department comes up with special chili suppers to make the fishing at Suson even better.

The first event was in November and the final one is January 24.

The chili comes in two "heats," Regular for tenderfoots or Leg Kickin' Hot.

For a story about all the city fishing lakes that have been stocked with trout, click here.

Hunter education classes

January is a good time for kids to take their mandatory hunter education classes. Both the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the St. Louis County Parks are offering classes this month.

In addition, there are mapping classes offered by the County Parks to keep you from getting lost on those hunting or hiking trips.

Certification of completion of hunter education classes are required before kids can get hunting licenses in any of the 50 states.

In St. Louis County, special hunter education certification classes will be offered on January 3 and 10. They will be offered at the Greensfelder Rec Complex in Queeny Park in west St. Louis County.

The MDC will offer hunter education classes at the Jay Henges Shooting Range and Training Center on January 10 and 11. The range is located off I-44 at 1100 Antire Road in High Ridge.

Both the county and conservation classes are for 11 and over. Kids under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Advance registration is required.

For the county, call (314) 416-4374. For the MDC classes, call (636) 441-4554.

St. Louis County Parks also are offering a class on using topographical maps and a compass. That's helpful information to keep you from getting lost on a hunting trip or while out hiking.

This mapping class will be offered January 18 at the Alpine Shop in Kirkwood.

The cost is $3 and advance registration is required. Call (314) 416-4374.

For information on other St. Louis County programs, visit www.stlouisco.com/parks. For more information on MDC programs, visit www.mdc.state.mo.us.