The 22nd annual meeting of the Missouri Herpetological Association will be held September 26 - 27, 2009 at Bull Shoals Field Station, approximately 10 miles southeast of Kirbyville off of Route J in Taney County, Missouri.
Paper sessions will begin at 1pm on Saturday afternoon. Members planning to present a paper should fill out and return the attached registration form to Jeff Briggler no later than September 11, 2009. Registration for the meeting is free.
An evening potluck dinner is planned. Please bring a hot dish, salad, chips, dessert, hot rolls, chicken wings, etc. Supply your own drinks and tableware for dinner. Fellowship, musical entertainment (bring instruments), and telling tall tales will follow dinner.
A Sunday morning field trip (9am to noon) is planned in the vicinity. Details will be finalized that weekend based on local weather conditions and site availability.
Accommodations include a dormitory (bunk beds and cots for approximately 30 people on a first come basis). Tent camping sites near the Drury House are available. Bring pillow, sleeping bag, or bedding. There is a $5 charge for anyone staying overnight. Motel rooms are available in nearby Forsyth and Branson for the less adventurous.
From Springfield, take Highway 65 south about 38 miles, then exit at MO 248 (red route - red diamond on exit sign). There will be a traffic light at the intersection of the exit ramp and 248. Turn left (east) which will take you into old downtown Branson. At the roundabout, select Veterans Blvd (Business 65) that continues south through a major intersection with Main Street. After this intersection the road becomes MO 76 east. Continue on 76 for 6 miles. As you leave town, cross Lake Taneycomo and turn left after the bridge. After the long hill and some curves, you will also pass a golf course and new developments on the right. Shortly after passing a small school (Kirbyville), turn right (south) onto county road J. Follow J for about 6 miles, and then go straight through the four-way intersection (a MO Department of Conservation sign points toward the near by Mincy Conservation Area for a turn to the right).
The pavement turns to gravel as you pass through an open gate where you will see yellow Department of Conservation signage for the Drury Wildlife Area. You will later pass through a second bar gate, which is usually locked, but open for special events. Follow the gravel road for 4 miles until it dead ends at the field station. You will see the Bull Shoals Field Station sign and the large stone house overlooking the lake.
The following documents contain more information. If you have questions, please contact Jeff Briggler.