Once a year, Branson packs a little bit of everything it has to offer into five fun-filled days showcasing world-class performers, local arts and culture, and authentic Branson fare. BransonFest welcomes spring each year with a virtual smorgasbord of everything this amazing tourist destination has to offer – and all in one location!

Celebrating its 16th year, BransonFest 2008 is set for April 8-12 at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater complex.  At the daily "Main Stage" inside, you can sample some of Branson's best shows twice each day.  If you attend all the Main Stage performances, you'll sample at least 50, yes, 50 shows! No wonder this festival has been named a "Top 100" Event in North America by the American Bus Association since 2004!

The five-day event kicks off on Tuesday, April 8th. Activities begin at Noon on the grounds and the first "Main Stage" show is in the American Bandstand Theatre at 7 pm.  Wednesday through Friday, the outdoor activities begin at 9 a.m. and the daily "Main Stage" performances are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Saturday, the final "Main Stage" show is at 2 p.m. Individual show tickets and packages are available.

And if that's not enough to whet your appetite, the daily outdoor activities in the Great American Entertainment Tent and the Hospitality, Business and Arts areas are free and open to the public.  BransonFest 2008 is your chance to sample the multi-dimensional experience that Branson offers its more than eight million visitors annually.

Outdoor Activities
The Great American Entertainment Tent features outstanding entertainment all day long!   Enjoy a variety of performances and local talent from Branson's shows and organizations – and there's no admission charge.

Get a Taste of Branson! The finest eating establishments offer for purchase a variety of local and traditional dishes.  From ribs to pizza, soup or sandwiches – be prepared to enjoy! 

The Hospitality and Business Expo areas feature booths with representatives from area theaters, attractions, businesses and civic organizations.  They're there to answer your questions about everything that's new with the shows and entertainment at their venues. Enter to win prizes and even visit with your favorite Branson entertainers, one-on-one, during special autograph sessions.

The Arts, Culture & Heritage event, sponsored by the Branson Arts Council, showcases Ozark Mountain art, culture and history. Nationally recognized local artists display and often demonstrate their unique craftsmanship.  BransonFest atmosphere is featured throughout the festival in the outdoor area between the tents. It's a great way to be entertained and enjoy the beautiful spring days of BransonFest.   

Nature is on display, too!
BransonFest celebrates spring -- a special time of renewal in America's Live Entertainment Capital.  Branson, Missouri, is nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains where Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show with brilliant displays of flowering trees (dogwood, redbud, Bradford pear) and bushes (forsythia, crepe myrtle, lilac) contrasting against the dark green cedars and beginning-to-leaf-out trees.  There's also a plethora of colorful flowers dotting the landscape, signaling the annual period of rebirth and renewal in the Ozarks.  It's also the perfect time to explore scenic nature trails, walking paths and shorelines of area lakes and recreational facilities.  

BransonFest Is Big Entertainment!
BransonFest is a great opportunity to sample the best of Branson and decide for yourself what you'll want to come back and enjoy even more of throughout the year! Great American Entertainment Tent and all Outdoor Activities are free.  For individual tickets to the daily "Main Stage" shows in the American Bandstand Theatre and updates on the daily entertainer lineups, go online to www.BransonFest.org or call 877-588-1957. Springtime in the Ozarks and BransonFest 2008 just can't be beat!

The internationally-awarded 1880s-style theme park Silver Dollar City launches its biggest festival year ever April 3, presenting World-Fest with an all-new Irish Celebration and hundreds of performances showcasing entertainment from around the world. The month-long festival, running through May 4, brings in performers from five continents for a spectacular presentation of international traditions, costumes, cultures and craftsmanship, all part of the nation's largest international festival.

This year's Irish Celebration features the all-new production Feet of Fire in the park's largest presentation hall, with a full cast of champion step dancers, singers and musicians, plus dramatic "fire dancing."  Fire dancers twirl flaming fans and "poi swings," making dramatic patterns with flames as they dance to traditional Irish flute music. In addition, an Irish crafts colony presents the isle's finest weavers, hat makers, crystal glasscutters, drum makers, stone carvers and jewelry makers.

Also new, the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda presents African rhythms, contemporary gospel vocals and ethnic dances, along with a message of hope from their homeland. Another children's group, Noticky, presents the folk dances and music of the Czech Republic, and fiddler and dancer Jennifer Roland makes her first World-Fest performance presenting the music and step-dancing of her native Nova Scotia.

One of the festival's most popular groups ever, the Zunyi Acrobats from China, return for their third exclusive U.S. performance at World-Fest, presenting their show of amazing balance, agility and strength. From acrobatic feats atop chairs stacked over 30 feet in the air to aerialists flying above the audience, the Zunyi Acrobats show why their precision and skill have netted them worldwide acclaim.  Additional World-Fest performers include: Invaders, a steel drum band from Trinidad and Tobago, presenting traditional calypso and reggae music of the Caribbean islands; Russian Academic Band, a brass band from Russia, playing brass ensemble music from Russian classics to American jazz; Ecuador Manta, pan-flute musicians from Ecuador, performing traditional songs of the Andes, with contemporary Latin and Caribbean rhythms; Beggar's Row, high energy Celtic music of Scotland, with drums and bagpipes.

Dining is an international experience too at Tastes of the World, a pavilion of global specialties. Guests can feast on selections such as hearty Irish stew, savory Czech Kolacky meat pies, Greek salads, desserts from baklava to German apple dumplings, and even international Coke flavors.

A new evening show debuts April 3, Great American Country Nights In Echo Hollow. The show, presented by the popular country music network, is featured each evening at park closing in the 4,000-seat amphitheater, and stars a cast of talented singers and dancers presenting today's greatest country hits.

World-Fest runs April 3 – May 4, with the park offering Family Spring Break Days on select dates in March. During World-Fest, the park is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. For park information, schedules and tickets, call 800-831-4FUN or visit www.silverdollarcity.com. For season passes, call 800-888-PASS.

Spring Break is a great time to bring your family to Branson and enjoy one of the best times of the year at this premier vacation destination in the Ozark Mountains. Moms, Dads and kids will love to spend time together at the indoor water park, take in a giant-screen production at IMAX, a chance to race each other around the track on Go-Karts, play a round at 300+ holes of Mini Golf, Ride the Ducks on a fun, scenic tour of the lake, board the TITANIC – World's Largest Museum Attraction, see the New Shanghai Circus Acrobats of China or visit the The Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, where you can walk among 1,000 live tropical butterflies from around the world. And don't forget to visit the caves – Talking Rocks Cavern, Cosmic Cavern and Fantastic Caverns – all good places to go during a spring shower!

Many of Branson's 50+ live performance venues introduce their new acts and new shows in the spring of each year, and 2008 offers an unprecedented variety of  music, comedy, magic, acrobats, Broadway-style production shows and more. And if you are into golf, the area's newest course, Murder Rock Golf and Country Club, is ready for play. You can take your family for a hike along an Ozarks nature trail, or take a boat out on the lake and enjoy some of the best fishing this time of the year on Table Rock Lake, especially for lunker bass.

Silver Dollar City kicks off its biggest festival year ever on April 3 with World-Fest presenting an Irish Celebration with an all-new Irish production show, Feet of Fire, featuring a full cast of singers, dancers and musicians plus authentic fire dancing.  Hundreds of performances from around the world celebrate the cultures and heritage of exotic lands. Once a year, Branson packs a little bit of everything it has to offer into five fun-filled days with eight shows featuring world-class performers, local arts and culture, free shows in the Great American Entertainment tent and authentic Branson fare.  BransonFest welcomes spring each year with a virtual smorgasbord of everything this amazing tourist destination has to offer – and all in one location! Celebrating its 16th year, BransonFest 2008 is set for April 8-12 at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater complex.  

The Showboat Branson Belle launches its season headlined by ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his trio of live talking dogs, Branson's premier lake experience includes a 3-course dinner, a cruise on Table Rock Lake and a world-class production show, in the 700-seat theater aboard the paddlewheeler.

Additional information about Branson, its live entertainment, theme parks, lakes, golf courses, family attractions, shopping and other features is offered at explorebranson.com or you can call 1-800-BRANSON for a 2008 Vacation Guide.

The Showboat Branson Belle invites guests to travel back in time and celebrate the beauty and grandeur of the 1890s paddlewheel riverboats with a 3-course dinner, production show and cruise on beautiful Table Rock Lake.  This Showstopping show features entertainers from around the world, from the Russian Adagio dance team to world-class musicians.  The 700-seat paddlewheeler sets sail March 14 for a new season of lunch and dinner cruises on Table Rock Lake.

For 2008, Showstoppers! is back by popular demand.  This Broadway-style musical features a cast of talented singers, dancers and musicians performing some of the most recognizable hits from Broadway to the big screen, from "Phantom of the Opera" to "Hairspray" - nearly 50 all-time favorite tunes.  From the luscious greens of the spring scenery to the burnt orange leaves of fall, the cruise aboard the Showboat Branson Belle is one-of-a-kind, sailing along Table Rock Lake with its 800 miles of shoreline.  

Evening cruises feature comedian and ventriloquist Todd Oliver with his cast of wise-cracking canines.  Todd and his troupe have been featured on such national TV shows as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman.  Lunch and Sunday cruises present comedic magician Christopher James, named Comedy Stage act of the Year and Magic Act of the Year by a professional magician organization.  
All meals are freshly prepared onboard in the Showboat Branson Belle galley and served by a first-class wait staff. The dinner menu includes a main course of Admiral's Choice Braised Beef in demi-glace sauce and Chicken Cordon Bleu, with a lemon berry torte dessert. 

Premium dining experiences are available for small groups or those celebrating special occasions.  In the Paddle Wheel Club Room, guests dine overlooking the ship's paddlewheels in a more private dining area.  The guests select dinner from a menu including grilled Mahi Mahi with shrimp, Captain's special-cut rib-eye steak, Caribbean stuffed chicken, and a choice of desserts.  After dinner, guests are seated in box seats in the main dining room for the show.  Another option is the Captain's Row where first row balcony guests get the Showboat Branson Belle main dining room atmosphere while choosing from menu selections.

Cruises sail from March 14 through New Year's Eve. All cruises run approximately two hours and 15 minutes, and begin at noon, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  For ticket information, schedules, complete menus and reservations, call 1-800-775-BOAT. Information and ticketing are also available at www.showboatbransonbelle.com.

Celebration City, Branson's Biggest Nighttime Attraction, presents the biggest park expansion to date, and the largest new ride in the Ozarks for 2008.  Roaring Falls, a $2 million water adventure ride, takes riders on a water-filled journey through fast-moving rapids and features a 5-story, 55-degree angle drop for an enormous splash finale.

"Roaring Falls is the biggest ride we have added since the park opened in 2003.  This new ride adds even more thrill to our lineup of coasters, rides and games," said Celebration City General Manager John Fitzgibbons.  Each 20-person boat follows the themed path of uncharted territory down a powerful river towards the massive waterfall for the final 50-foot plummet.    

New for summer, the night place for families takes on a new twist with the all-new JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Show on the Great Lawn.  World-famous Lou Mack and his Frisbee-catching dogs take performing to a whole new level with this energetic show that features some great feats of agility and talent.  Also new is Extreme Parrots, with colorful and clever exotic birds that sing, fly and talk in an entertaining show about the amazing abilities of these intelligent animals. 

Celebration City features more than 30 rides and attractions, from the original 8-story classic wooden coaster, The Ozark WildCat, and the breathtaking tower drop ride, the Accelerator, to the family favorite Electric Star Wheel.  The Route 66 area highlights mini golf, the high-speed Stinger, and Woody's Go-Karts – all free with park admission.

The night's finale is the spectacular $3 million nighttime special effects show, Ignite the Night.  This nightly presentation is filled with inspiring moments that celebrate the American spirit with pyrotechnics, water cannons, gigantic video projections, and special effects. 

Celebration City is part of the Silver Dollar City Attractions family offering the biggest ride package in the Ozarks. Celebration City is open 3-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays April 18 – May 17 and Aug. 22 – Oct. 25 (closed Sept. 27 & Oct. 4), with daily operations May 23 – Aug. 17. For information, complete schedules and tickets, contact 1-800-831-4FUN or www.celebrationcity.com.

Forget American Idol. These aren't just pretty faces with great vocal chops. They're all that plus personality and performance. And they write their own songs!

On Saturday night, March 29, at Branson, Missouri's beautiful Mansion Theatre, twelve outstanding performing songwriters and their groups gathered for the 15^th Billboard World Song Contest Awards Show and Performance. They came to the entertainment mecca of the Midwest to prove they're ready for the big-time and to compete for cash prizes. Each was already a category winner in the Billboard World Song Contest. But now they had to step it up a notch and deliver the goods head to head with other equally impressive songwriters across twelve different genres of music. And deliver they did.

When the dust onstage had settled, Mariella Gonzalez and her band, The Mariella Show had danced away with top honors and a $5,000 Grand Prize. Their dazzling and flawless performance of her Latin category winning song, "Flyaway", transcended all genre barriers and brought the thoroughly engaged Mansion crowd to its feet with a roar of approval. Flanked by a hot three piece band and two backup singers, New Yorker Mariella was a dynamo of energy and exuberance that lived up to her superb songwriting.

Runner-up honors went to Rick Huckaby of Nashville. With a casual and confident air of Country cool, Huck, as he likes to be known, backed himself on acoustic guitar and delivered his Country category winning song "Ain't Enough Blacktop" with stunning emotion and clarity. When tears and applause mixed at the end of the song, Rick had sealed the deal. He took home $1,500 for pouring his soul into it.

Soulflege', led by rapper Derrick Ashong, took the next award and $1,000 for what can only be described as a mesmerizing performance of communication, life affirmation, and outstanding harmony. Soulflege's Rap category song, "From the Soul", indeed flowed from their soul and into the hearts and soul of the audience. Their ability to connect at every level was undeniable. Ashong's personal magnetism is off the charts.

Terrestrial and internet radio personality and concert promoter extraordinaire, Davit Souders emceed and gave the night a perfectly mixed blend of gravity, humor and discovery. Souders has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry and could not hide his admiration as each act reached deep inside themselves to deliver breakthrough performances. "I was completely amazed by the level of talent and they all certainly rose to the occasion of the event, which just reaffirmed to myself and everyone present why they are Billboard World Song Contest Winners."

The judging panel of industry impresarios which included talent buyers, a hit songwriter and founders of a top music industry conference had the toughest job in the house as every act was extraordinary and the talent margin between them very slim.

The show kicked off in high gear as Portland, Oregon's keyboard extraordinaire, Robert O'Hearn and his wife Wendy set the bar extremely high with their soaring performance of their World category winning song, "Lost Sons of Erin", co-written with Australian poet Paul McCann. Next came the Pop category band "Specimen" with leader Matt Gorny exuding star power to match any major act. They were there in place of Pop act Joel Plaskett who was unable to attend. Specimen's song, "Do U Damage" was perfectly crafted Pop and Gorny's performance indicates a bright future.

Dance category winner, Alyson was next and brought the moves to her song "Here With Me" to life. Already making waves in the California dance music scene, Alyson appears to be a star to watch. Then Americana winner Jared Scharff and the Royals took the stage. And made it their own. Scharff recently became a member of the Saturday Night Live house band and showed why he is in such high demand. Their song "Bedroom Eyes" could shake radio up.

Listen up, Hollywood! If you ever remake a James Coburn style spy movie, i.e. 'Our Man Flint' get DBC to do the soundtrack (or any other soundtrack for that matter). This fresh production team of DJ Boom and Scotty Beam with the gorgeous Victoria Patchen on flawless vocals scorched the image of 60's spy caper/ beach flick right into their Electronica/Soundtrack song "Back To You".

Then lightening struck in the form of Mariella Gonzalez and her band The Mariella Show. Her song, "Flyaway" was hands down winner in the Latin category of the song contest, which chooses songs by their composition, form and structure, melody, lyrical impact and mass appeal. But no one could have predicted the performance that would burst forth from the stage from their very first note. With a tight three piece band (which adds horns and percussion when closer to home), tight harmonies and tight choreography with her backup singers, Mariella penetrated deeply into the sacred territory of diva royalty without ever losing her own unique and deeply appealing identity.

Derrick Ashong and Soulflege' brought their song "From The Soul" quite literally. There is 'something' about Rap category winner Derrick Ashong that makes you want to be in his presence. Bandmates Jonathan Gramling and Kelley Nicole Johnson exude that same 'something'. Whatever 'it' is, they can project it out into an audience. Their lyrics are worldly, intelligent and concise…realistic yet hopeful. Their harmonies have a blended 'oneness' about them. Soulflege' gives you the distinct impression that everything will indeed be alright.

Jazz winner Alyse Black brought her song "Stood For Stand For" into the realm of instant classic with smooth delivery and dynamic presence. Strikingly pretty with a voice to match, her recent move to Austin, Texas would mean the Lone Star State isn't so 'lone' anymore. The Contemporary Christian/Gospel category was well represented by Carmen Calhoun and her song "Dare 2 Be". This is also a song that transcends boundaries and defies genre limits. Appealing in every way, "Dare 2 Be" is a song that instills hope. Carmen's strong, soulful, angelic voice made the message ring true.

R&B/Blues winner Leah Tysse and her smoking hot band charged through her original "You Don't Scare Me" with impressive authority. It was a lesson in the Blues, as they say; and a fine one at that. Her voice, her songs and her band are making huge strides in their state of California and beyond. DO NOT miss this girl when their bus rolls into your town.

By the time Country winner Rick Huckaby took the stage with just his guitar in hand, it would be hard to imagine how anybody could top the dizzying array of dazzling performances that had gone before. But "Huck" just let the astounding strength of "Not Enough Blacktop" do the talking. Of course it didn't hurt that he comes across as the ideal blend of what you like best about Alan Jackson and George Straight, except with his own sure and solid voice. There is star written all over Rick Huckaby, but he says you can just call him Huck.

The Jimi Anderson Band closed the show and proved that Rock and Roll is alive and doing very well. And it will continue doing well if their song "Another Way to Run" is a harbinger of where Rock is headed. The song carries broad appeal essential to reaching mass audiences and Jimi's band delivered its message with authority and confidence. If you want rock music that moves you, seek out this rising star.

After the performances all the bands gathered onstage for the scores to be tallied and awards to be handed out. Billboard Song Contest director Mark Furnas states, "In all my years around music and theatre, this was the most talent on one stage, at one show, I've ever seen. We choose the winning songs in this contest without ever knowing who's behind them. Then the discovery process starts and we end up with a show like this that I would put up against anyone, anywhere, any time. These are the most talented performing singer/songwriters you can find."

The event was sponsored by The Mansion Entertainment and Media, The City Of Branson and Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, and produced by Billboard World Song Contest.

More than 100 people applauded as ground was broken Friday for a $250 million development in Hollister anchored by the Wilderness in the Ozarks Resort with an indoor/outdoor water park and whole-ownership condominiums.

"This is an extraordinary date in history for the city of Hollister," said Hollister City Administrator Rick Ziegenfuss.

The development set to open next spring is on the southeast corner of the U.S. 65 interchange in Hollister, adjacent to the planned east-west corridor linking the highway to Eastern Taney  County.

"Hollister will go from being a bedroom community to a tourism destination," said Gorden Weathers, spokesman for the Hollister Chamber of Commerce.

Developers of the project are brothers Justin and James Gage of the Hollister Interchange Development Group. Partnering with the Gages is Jerry Crumpler, a former NFL star with the Dallas Cowboys. Crumpler is a developer and investor with more than five million square feet of commercial space in Southern California, Malibu and Ventura County. This is his first Southwest Missouri project.

Wilderness in the Ozarks Resort includes four acres of outdoor water park and a 75,000-square-foot indoor water park with rides including SurfRider and Tornado plus a Wave Pool, four family tubes rides and more. The indoor park will be covered with a special "foil-tec" roof, making guests feel like they're outdoors. Tanning is possible. More than 400 condominiums will adjoin the water park. The water park is part of 120 acres known at The District. It is the site for a 7,500-seat entertainment center. Also planned is Whiskey Creek Steakhouse, Wyndham Garden Hotel, Cold Stone Creamery, Cody's Convenience Store, Walgreens, a multiplex cinema/bowling center, Wendy's, Arby's and Holiday Inn Express.

Gage also is building 240 apartments behind Lowe's for workforce housing for the 1,000 jobs that will be created by the development, Justin Gage said.

Gage broke down in tears as he introduced the project. The family recently lost patriarch Steve Gage. He said his father would be proud of the project that has been in the works for more than two years. Gage said they've already spent $45 million in infrastructure including roads and utilities.

"When we start on something, I guess we've never been smart enough to quit," he said.

He thanked city officials who approved the project for tax-increment financing and a community improvement district. He also thanked voters who recently approved Hollister's first hotel tax.

Pete and Pat Helland and Tom and Tim Lucke, founders of Wilderness Resorts, based in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., will operate the project, said Pete Helland.

"We like the Gage brothers," Helland said. "It's a family business."

Helland said he and his brother worked in the Dells' water park industry since they were children.

"In the past 15 years, we've refined the concept into a concept that works," he said. 

Wisconsin Dells, with three million visitors a year, has 10 water parks operating year-round. The Branson area has similarities including its target market, the beautiful scenery and the volume of tourists, Helland said.

Built 10 years ago, Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells is a 900-acre resort complex with the equivalent of 12 football fields of indoor and outdoor water parks. A second will open soon in Sevierville, Tenn., near Pigeon Forge.       

The Killian Group will build the project, aiming for completion in 10 months, said Bill Killian, who arrived at the groundbreaking in a sleek, black helicopter.

The DVD shown during a presentation at the Keeter Center following the groundbreaking opens with shots of Branson attractions including Branson Landing "only minutes away."  It also notes the Branson Regional Airport set to open next year.

"This is going to raise the whole area and be good for the whole area and the state," Killian said.

Any day of the year, a person can catch fish on Branson's lakes, says fishing enthusiast Jim Slagter.

And you don't have to be an expert or even have the gear to experience the thrill of landing a lunker, he says.

Slagter, who's 28, said his parents started bringing their children to Branson from Iowa for vacations when they were young. They'd take a pontoon boat out and catch dinner. A decade ago, Slagter—who works for Branson's Vacation Channel—and his brother, Andy Slagter, moved to Branson "because of the fishing," Slagter said. "There are very few places I know of that you can go and bass fish and catch trout the same day. The year-round trout fishing here is incredible," Slagter said.

Branson's a town of about 7,000 residents in the Ozark Mountains, and it draws nearly eight million visitors a year for its live entertainment bonanza, its authentic Ozarks hospitality and the many choices for active relaxation. The three nearby lakes and wooded hills and valleys offer opportunities for swimming and boating as well as fishing and hunting.

Table Rock Dam, completed in 1958, created Table  Rock Lake where bass thrive. At the base of the dam, Lake Taneycomo has colder water coming from the bottom of Table Rock, creating a perfect environment for trout. More than 750,000 10-to-12-inch rainbow and brown trout are stocked into the lake each year by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Many Missouri record trout have come out of Lake Taneycomo.

In downtown Branson, visitors may rent equipment and fish along the Taneycomo lakeshore at public docks near Branson Landing, the town's newest shopping, dining and boardwalk attraction. There's also a Bass Pro Shops store there.

"For a woman to go shopping, and a guy to rent a boat down there, it's perfect," Slagter said.

That's where Scotty's Trout Dock comes in. Lamar Patton and his wife, Kerrie, liked the downtown lakefront so much when they vacationed in Branson that they bought Scotty's Trout Dock in October from longtime owners Rich and Joannie Milstead. The Pattons also have a daughter, Hanna Belle, 10, and a son Madison, 13. Patton grew up fishing in Bossier City, La., where he worked at a Peterbilt truck dealership.

"It's a vibrant trout fishery," Patton says of the lake. "Whatever kind of fishing you do at home with night-crawlers, you can catch trout that way here."

The marina has boats and equipment for rent, sells bait and can arrange a U.S. Coast Guide-licensed guide. More than half of the guided trips include children, and the guide helps the kids right down to baiting hooks, he said.

"That way, the adults will actually get to fish," Patton said. "People want to go 'catching,' not 'fishing,'" he said.

For hunters, the Branson area has strong populations of deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl, said Shawn Pingleton of Empire District Electric Company. There are firearms and bow hunting opportunities in nearby conservation areas including portions of Mark Twain National Forest and U.S. Corps of Engineers property around Bull Shoals and Table Rock lakes.

The state's deer population is estimated at about 1 million. Public meetings have been held recently to rework deer seasons to provide more time to hunt and attract more out-of-state hunters, said Francis Skalicky, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hunters need to bring their own equipment and obtain the needed licenses. A good source of information is the conservation department's website at www.mdc.mo.gov. Branson is in Missouri's south zone.

There are plenty of opportunities for the hunter to enjoy the sport without taking time from family activities, Pingleton said.

"I'll get up and go waterfowl hunting, and I'll be back by 10 a.m.," Pingleton said. "I've been off hunting, and they're just getting up, and I didn't even use up any 'wife points.' I save those for my longer trips."