Wildlife (Springfield, Carthage, Branson: camping, live in, garden)

[CountryLuvinWoman1]

What wildlife would u say you actually see alot of? Like we have racoons here but u rarely see one unless it's dead on the road..but u will see alot of deer in certain places..
And how often do ya'all see the crawly spiders? I hate spiders..(and I am a big camping person go figure) i can deal with snakes as long as I know they are there but I hate spiders and the bigger and hairier..the worse i am scared..

[firebll31]

I live in Carthage, about 60 miles west of Springfield. I live in town, but travel outside of town frequently. I see deer on almost a daily basis. Frequent dead-on-road: raccoons, rabbits, armadillos, squirrels, skunks, turtles (snappers) hawks, opposums, coyotes, snakes.
In town we often see: squirrels, skunks, opposums, rabbits, and raccoons if you leave the cat food out.
Where my husband works, just outside town (2000 acres w/ no hunting) : in addition to the above: bobcats, turkeys, foxes
A few years ago a black bear and 2 cubs were seen nearby, presumably up from Arkansas. They were trapped and returned.

Missouri has a great Conservation Department and enough green areas left, our wildlife is flourishing!

[CountryLuvinWoman1]

Thank you so much. I can't wait to come this week-end...I plan on bringing my camera and hopefully I can get a shot or two of something that I wouldn't find in my neck of the woods..

[visualevo]

You are a little late to see the 'spiders'.... We have several species... but the one that actually migrates through here that a lot of people don't know about is the tarantula I see them every year when they migrate. I've actually sat at one of the road side picnic areas and taken several pictures of them. They're harmless, even if you approach them they will just run the other direction.

I see just about all of the above listed animals, minus the black bears (never seen one in Missouri). BUT, I'm also out and about taking pictures a lot.

Snakes wise you can find Rattlers, Copperheads, Water Moccasins, Run of the mill garden snakes and lots lots more.

Birds, Pretty much just about any kind of bird you could think of being on North America can be seen here at some point in time (minus maybe a flamingo and a few other south only birds.) Eagles, Hawks, Robins, Cardinals, Bluejays, all kinds of ducks, Geese, Swans (yes there are several that can be found outside of zoos/parks), owls and lots more.

Lets put it this way, I've traveled to 46 of the 50 states. I've taken pictures in all 46 of wildlife....and my home, imo, is the best state to find just about anything and everything to photograph or just look at.

[firebll31]

If you want shots of something unusual, travel to Marionville, just a little south and west of Springfield. They have a large population of all-white squirrels there that are the town mascot. Go to the city park or ask a local the best place to find them.

I saw 6 wild turkeys last night about 6 o'clock. Look on the edges of hayfields or other open areas near dusk. Better have a long lens, because they are very wary. Missouri's turkeys have been used as currency in the past with other states because they are a purer strain, not intermingled with domestic turkeys.

[GreenGeek]

A really freaky thing to see is the migrating tarantulas. I was about 10 miles east of Branson on 160 three weekends ago and saw dozens of them crossing the highway in a 2 mile stretch. Pulled over to get some pics but didn't get close enough to get any good ones. They're so big that 2 or 3 of them could probably carry your small dog or cat away (and maybe your kids!).

[Ciaerin]

lol i havent seen any migrating taurantula's as of yet. here in my woods we see alot of hawks, buzzards, rabbits, squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, raccoons, deer, etc... your normal woodland wildlife. im loving it here in good ol' missouri .

[Catankerous]

Originally Posted by Ciaerin

lol i havent seen any migrating taurantula's as of yet. here in my woods we see alot of hawks, buzzards, rabbits, squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, raccoons, deer, etc... your normal woodland wildlife. im loving it here in good ol' missouri .

Those chipmunks are so cute, had never seen one before I moved here.

[Ciaerin]

hehe we had them all over in georgia when i was a youngin. good to see me again so chipper and fun loving. i love to watch them scamper around and play.

[Willy-Bill]

Was in South Springfield a couple of Months ago and enjoyed watching Deer and Wild Turkey with my morning coffee.
Within the City Limits.