Wes Johnson
News-Leader
Springfield, MO, United States
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Past articles by Wes:
A few last words at the end of a 40-year journalism career
Thank you readers, and I hope you'll continue to support your local newspaper. - Outdoors reporter Wes Johnson → Read More
Snow showers possible midweek, according to NWS
The low will drop to 29 degrees Wednesday night, plenty cold enough to turn any rain showers into snow showers. → Read More
Hike off that Thanksgiving meal at Branson hatchery
The guided hike along Lake Taneycomo is limited to the first 10 people who sign up. → Read More
Park authorities offer $5,000 reward to solve multiple deer poaching case near Big Spring
All three were determined to have been shot from roadways with high powered rifles at some time on November 22 or 23. → Read More
Missouri boy, 9, scores monster buck of a lifetime
The 9-year-old hunter from Brookfield, Missouri, shot an absolutely massive whitetail buck on his dad's soybean field during the early youth portion of deer season. → Read More
Three hunters accidentally shot during firearms deer season opener
“One of the big things people need to remember is, when hunters are transporting their firearms, they should be unloaded and the actions open." - Hunter Education and Shooting Range Coordinator Justin McGuire. → Read More
COVID concern postpones Ozark Mountain State Park meeting
State parks officials are considering a number of improvements aimed at improving hiking and camping opportunities in the new park. → Read More
Missouri boy, 9, scores monster buck of a lifetime
"I got real excited and started shaking." - 9-year-old Cole Huwar → Read More
Sunny and warm: Fall weekend weather looks to be spectacular
Friday's high is forecasted to reach 75 degrees, with sunny skies and gentle wind. → Read More
Young Missouri hunters killed 15,591 deer during youth deer season
"This year’s harvest of about 15,600 deer puts us about in the middle of the range when compared to harvest totals from the past five years.” - Jason Isabelle, MDC cervid program supervisor → Read More
Greene County tops state during fall firearms turkey season
Hunters in Greene County bagged 70 birds, according to MDC. → Read More
CU worker in critical condition at Mercy burn unit
According to CU, the employee was severely burned when he contacted a live 13,200-volt circuit. → Read More
Final score: Missouri elk 1, hunters 0 in inaugural archery season
"Many of the hunters had close calls, but for their own reasons/the specific situation decided not to take the shot." - Aaron Hildreth, MDC elk expert → Read More
Missouri's champion bur oak tree seared by lightning strike
At one point, firefighters cut into the big tree, which appeared to be burning from inside its core. → Read More
Got big outdoor plans next week? NWS eyes possible big cold surge
The National Weather Service says there's a chance of a wintry weather mix at night Monday or Tuesday in Springfield. → Read More
Elk eluding hunters so far during Missouri’s first official elk season
“There’s no guarantees. Sometimes you go out and come back empty," said Aaron Hildreth, an elk specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. → Read More
Fellows Lake cleanup planned ahead of bike trail opening in December
So far, construction crews have completed more than 8,100 feet of mountain biking trail. → Read More
Hunt bears next fall? MDC wants public input beginning today
Should Missouri start hunting black bears next year? Beginning Friday, Oct. 16, the Missouri Department of Conservation wants to hear from the public about a possible bear hunting season no sooner than the fall of 2021. The MDC is accepting comments through Nov. 14 at www.mdc.mo.gov/bears. According to MDC Furbearer Biologist Laura Conlee, Missouri’s bear population in recent years has been… → Read More
Frost likely overnight: Time to cover up those valuable plants
If you have sensitive plants outside and want them to survive, it would be wise to either cover them up overnight or bring them indoors, according to the NWS. → Read More
Arkansas man drowns at Table Rock Lake
He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Stone County coroner. → Read More