Creature Comforts

Our favorite entomologist Audrey Harrison joins the show to highlight the beauty of the butterfly. Milkweed plants are critical for the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and can be a great addition to any garden. The miracle that is the butterflies migration is aided by the habitats created and maintained by butterfly lovers around the state, but there are also reasons butterflies may be missing from your area. Throughout the hour Dr. Mjaure also answers a few pet questions, while we get deep into the butterfly effect with Dr. Audrey Harrison.

All persons born after January 1, 1972 are required to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Mississippi hunting license. And today on the show Director of Hunter Education for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Megan Fedrick is here to make sure everyone knows this. Either in person or online completing a hunter education course does not have to be a chore. They are designed to be informative and help keep hunters legal. Also on today's show we talk about caring for animals that are not your pets. From stray dogs to raccoons there are certain rules to adhere when dealing with animals that you are not familiar with.

Biologists in Mississippi are using environmental DNA (eDNA) to document the occurrence of alligator snapping turtles throughout the state. Sheena Feist, Conservation Resources Biologist with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, joins the show today ahead of her lecture next Tuesday on the subject. She gives us a preview into her findings and joins in the conversation with callers about their brushes with nature. Also, Dr. Majure discusses things to consider when adopting (or purchasing) at pet.

Enjoying the Mississippi outdoors is encouraged here on Creature Comforts with being safe and legal a top priority. Today on the show we bring in Central Mississippi Boating Coordinator for the Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, Marc McCleskey. We talk about the regulations for boats on the water, who need to be a registered, and how to share the water with fellow boaters. Also Dr. Majure talks about aging dogs and the dangers of interacting with raccoons.

Fishing in Mississippi is one of its most popular recreational activities and there are plenty of places to catch great game fish. Jerry Brown, State Lake Coordinator with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks joins the show to take about these great natural waters and how to stay safe and legal while fishing. We even discuss some of the record breaking fish caught in the state. Also Libby is back from her trip and Dr. Majure answers your pet questions.

Donna Yowell has been an advocate for trees and green spaces for almost all her life. Now as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Urban Forest Council she educates communities throughout the state about proper tree planning and the benefits of having trees in urban areas. On this episode of Creature Comforts we dive into the work of the council and talk about the trees that attract certain wildlife. Also we get an update on the stray kitten found by our producer Java.

With the change of every season nature brings us new sights and sounds. This summer do you know what birds are nesting in your neighborhood? Are you doing the right thing to attract these birds to your yard? Today our friend Joe Magee is back on the program to talk about nesting birds and answer some of your birding questions. Also, we discuss how you should deal with finding an animal that is far from home.

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The kitten that Java found in the middle of the street on his way to work.