Ozarks outdoor spring web

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SPRING 2014

Get up. Get out. Get going.

: L A C I T C TA 11 MAKING EVERY MILE COUNT

18 WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

30 OFF THE BEATEN PATH: BUSIEK STATE FOREST

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

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WHAT’S IN A NAME

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

outdoors Get up. Get out. Get going.

SPRING 2014

MOSS CLOSEUP BY LAYNE SLEETH AT DEVEL’S DEN INSIDE EDITOR Joshua Boley boley556@gmail.com ART DIRECTOR Veronica Zucca connection@monett-times.com ADVERTISING Sheila Harris Marion Chrysler Jim Sexton Diane Newcomb

PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles henry Ford II Chuck Nickle Kerry Hays Jeff Terry

Send e-mail inquiries to boley556@gmail.com Mailing address: P.O. Box 40, Monett, MO 65708 Ozarks Outdoors is published and distributed free in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.

Ozarks Outdoors is a publication of the Cassville Democrat, The Monett Times, the Lovely County Citizen, Carroll County News and Rust Communications.

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STATE PARKS OF THE OZARKS: Devil’s Den

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MAKING EVERY MILE COUNT

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ASK A FEW QUESTIONS

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MAN’S BEST FRIEND This dog has a passion for fishing

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WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

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COOL STUFF GEAR GUIDE

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TACTICAL: WHAT’S IN A NAME

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OFF THE BEATEN PATH Busiek State Forest

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TAKE YOUR PIC

On the cover: Loading Fiocchi and Hornady .223 rounds in AR-15 magazines ready for a day at the range or home defense rounds. The AR-15 rifle platform is popular because of the infinite modifications and custimzation that is avaiilable for these rifles. Photo by Joshua Boley

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

CONTRIBUTORS Sheila Harris Lee Stubblefield Mark Conner Jennifer Conner Richard Reed Jared Lankford Layne Sleeth

To advertise: 417-847-2610 - Cassville 417-235-3135 - Monett 870-423-6636 - Berryville 479-253-0070 - Eureka Springs

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KINGS RIVER FLOAT TRIP AN OZARK ADVENTURE

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We keep your boat in the water!

We stock marine batteries.

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We offer guided fly-fishing trips on the beautiful Taneycomo section of the White River

We offer:

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

• Wade, drift-boat, or combo trips • fly-fishing schools • Fly-tying clinics

Now scheduling for our full day fly fishing schools in April, May & June.

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FROM THE EDITOR:

W

ITH ANY LUCK, BY NOW, WINTER HAS LEFT THE OZARKS and we can finally come out of hibernation. As this spring issue hits the stands, many of us are digging out fishing rods to take to the lake or targets and ammo for time at the range.

Whatever your outdoor passion, it is good to feel the warmth of the sun again and get outdoors. While I applaud and admire those hardcore among us who brave the snow and ice to get their outdoor fix, I would be lying if I said I am not happy for winter to be done.

Spring has always seemed like a new beginning for me. It is a time to shake off whatever cobwebs are still lingering around and get out of the office.

As for me personally, I will be trying to spend some quality time with friends at the gun range and hiking some old trails with the camera. If all goes well, I may even find myself floating down the river at some point.

While being the editor of an outdoor magazine does have many benefits, such as getting to read the contributors’ articles, I also receive letters to Ozarks Outdoors about all sorts of ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The suggestions range from hopping on a bike for a ride to training for a 5K run. While I am currently content spending time in the woods and shooting, you never know...

I really appreciate hearing from our readers. Don’t forget to take time this spring to get up, get out and get going in the Ozarks.

Thanks for reading and God bless, Joshua Boley boley556@gmail.com

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SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

HOME

DEVIL’S STATE PARKS OF THE OZARKS:

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

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ESTLED AMIDST the dipping valleys of the Boston Mountains sits a 2,500 acre treasure, Devil’s Den State Park, named after the park’s large sandstone crevice cave.

This Arkansas state park features over 20 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A long winter is on its way out, and if you look and listen closely, you can see the first signs of spring shyly emerging from the quiet leaf-littered woods.

Lee Creek rushes over the dam and Twin Falls flows steadily due to early March snow melts.

Woodpeckers are busy at work, and about the only greenery visible now is the knobby cedars and evergreens, moss and lichen that blanket the places less-tread, and the ferns that line the caves and crevices.

Soon, however, these woods will be abundant with stirring wildlife and lush plant life.

L’S DEN S TO R Y A N D Ph OTO S BY L AY NE S L E E T h

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Caves

Devil’s Den was selected as a park site in 1933 and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Roosevelt’s “Tree Army.” The men built the trails, cabins, and buildings, as well as the stone dam enclosing an eight-acre lake on Lee Creek. Devil’s Den is one of five CCC state parks in Arkansas.

The park is a geological gem with its rocky escarpments and outcrops and has one especially unique feature, the concurrent presence of both limestone and sandstone caves.

In fact, Devil’s Den Cave is the largest sandstone crevice in the U.S., extending 550 feet into the hillside.

Twin Falls and Devil’s Den Cave can be found on Devil’s Den Trail along with a variety of magnificent rock formations.

The trail head sits behind the friendly little visitor’s center and is a 1.5 mile loop that slowly ascends and winds around massive natural monoliths then levels out a bit once you reach the crevices.

On a hot summer day, you’ll want to pause for a moment at Devil’s Ice Box Cave where air funnels out of the entrance and creates gusts of natural air conditioning.

If you want a gorgeous, sweeping view of the whole valley, hike the Yellow Rock LAST SUMMER I SPOTTED THIS NORTHERN WATER SNAKE TAKING A NAP IN SOME TREE ROOTS ON THE BANK OF LEE CREEK.

are abundant in the park and around the Ozarks-as are those cute winged mammals, bats. There are five species that inhabit Devil’s Den: the tri-colored bat, the northern long-eared bat, the big brown bat, and the endangered Indiana bat and Ozark big-eared bat.

Unfortunately, however, white nose syndrome is a deadly fungal disease that threatens bat populations.

Since discovering the disease in 2006, caves across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. have been closed to eliminate contact between humans and bats. Bats control insects and, thereby, reduce need for pesticide use on crops. Do your part to protect these little helpers and don’t go into marked caves or disturb areas where bats are hibernating. To find out more about white nose syndrome, go to: www. whitenosesyndrome.org

Trail. This three-mile loop trail is a park staff favorite in the mornings as the sun rises and fog hovers above the water below. The view will make you want to sit down and stay awhile.

Devil’s Den has something for everyone-- enchanting trails, paddle boating and fishing on the lake, campgrounds, interpretive

programs, guided hikes, cabins, a pool, an informative visitor’s center, a quaint park store, and even a restaurant, the Ridge Runner Cafe.

To get to Devil’s Den, take I-540 eight miles south of Fayetteville and take the West Fork Exit, #53. Follow Ark. 170 southwest for about 17 miles and you’ve made it!

WILDFLOWERS SPLASH THE LANDSCAPE WITH COLOR, LIKE THIS YELLOW IRONWEED OBSERVED LATE LAST SUMMER ALONG THE ONE-MILE LAKE TRAIL.

Hiking tip: Be sure to wear hiking boots, bring plenty of water, and even a hiking stick may be a good idea on this craggy terrain! Pay close attention to trail markings, as some are easy to overlook, especially on the Devil’s Den Trail.

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

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Come shop our selection of specialized road and mountain bikes. Or spend a day enjoying the lakes and rivers in a new or rented kayak.

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151 Spring Street • Eureka Springs, Arkansas • Wed. - Sat. 9-5 Phone: 479-253-0900 or 479-466-6095 Fax: 479-253-0901

MAKING EVERY MILE COUNT

“HEY, THESE GUYS ARE LOOKING FOR RUNNERS. CHECK IT OUT!” WWW.ONERUNFORBOSTON.ORG week. That race is what really brought the gravity of Boston to the forefront for me. My cousin Michael Leverich was running the full that day. It was cold, but you could feel the buzz about Boston in the air. I do remember being awakened in my Los Angeles apartment by a phone call from my sister on Wednesday, April 19, 1995, “turn on the TV, something is happening in Oklahoma City.”

Every station was showing the half destroyed Murrah Federal Building. The runners of Oklahoma City had a unique perspective to what Boston was feeling. I couldn’t help but

have that rub off on me. Then I got that email message. An email that would eventually lead me to some very special people, the organizers of One Run For Boston (ORFB).

As I understand the story, friends Kate Treleaven and Danny Bent had been visiting as the news from Boston began to trickle in. They were both runners themselves, so the news of bombs, at arguably the most famous marathon in the world, really hit home for them. That could have been either of them, their friends, or their family that could have been hurt. Along with another

friend, James Hay, the three conspired to come up with some sort of fundraiser for the victims of the marathon bombing. There’s really not anything strange about three people wanting to make a difference for others in need, except in this case, the need was in Boston, and, and these three friends were runners from the United Kingdom.

Their concept was simple and enormously crazy all at the same time. Run a relay, which is a person after person, on foot from Los Angeles to Boston to raise money for those most affected by the bombings.

319 LEGS, 3300 MILES, 2000+ RUNNERS CARRIED “MILES” THE BATON IN BASICALLY 10-MILE SEGMENTS FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA. Shaun and I caught what they were throwing so much that we both ended up flying to Boston as a result of another simple email.

One day, Shaun sent to a few of us something like, “Wouldn’t it be cool to see how this all ends up?” Two weeks later he and I were sharing a room with Skip Mann, a St. Louis native, who along with friends Mary and Patrick Hoatlin, also had to see the end in Boston.

On the last day or so, the relay fell behind schedule. That final leg from Newton to Boston was supposed to start around 6 p.m. As it turned out we didn’t start running until about 11:30, but that didn’t matter. People began to funnel into the transfer site hours before the handoff.

It gave us some time to physically connect with a lot of people we had come to know mainly

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My cousin Michael ended up running a leg of the relay a couple of days before me last year, so I had some heads up as to what to expect.

What I remember most was him telling me about Danny. I guess I would call him the front man, the singular most vocal and visible member of the One Run For Boston trio. When the relay crossed through Southwest Missouri, I ran my 11.5 mile segment with Derek Glos, flanked

by Rufus Racing Teammates Shaun Steele and Allison Osburn-Nelson on legs before me, and Phillip Butler on the leg after. It all went off without a hitch, but much like Michael, I was left with a huge amount of admiration for both Danny and Kate. There is something so generous about their spirit, their message of love and positivity, that it felt almost contagious.

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That may not be the exact wording, but that’s at least how I remember it. This simple email would lead me to a yearlong investment, if not partial obsession. It really all started a few months before.

I never really cared for running, but in winter of 20122013, I began running two to three miles every week or so, mainly as a diversion from the exercise routine I had been following for a couple of years.

The plan was to jump into triathlons, of which I ended up participating in a few last year. The training I did for running was mainly because it was one of my weaker areas. As my miles increased and I gained confidence in my running, I took on longer races, and I began looking to the half-marathon distance as something I might be able to handle.

As I was yet to really call myself a distance runner, I actually don’t remember where I was on April 15, 2013, but when I first heard about the Boston Marathon bombing, my first thought was that I had known someone that had just missed their qualifying time that year and he didn’t get to run. “I guess it’s a good thing he wasn’t able to go. Maybe all things happen for a reason.”

That next weekend I registered for my first half marathon, to take place in Oklahoma City the following

S TO R Y BY RI C hA R D R E E D

ORGANIZER DANNY BENT AND BOSTON BOMBING SURVIVOR JOHN ODOM JUST BEFORE THE START OF ONE RUN FOR BOSTON 2, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA.

through Facebook. It was hot and muggy as we started our eight-mile run, but just as we started up heartbreak hill it started to sprinkle. It was perfect. We ran into the heart of Boston in the middle of the night, with almost no one on the street who wasn’t there to run, but that didn’t matter. I would say that we now all share a bond in having witnessed one particular moment.

John Odom was waiting near the finish line for his daughter, Nicole Reis, when the bombs went off. He took shrapnel in both of his legs, severing major arteries in both. He was in critical condition for several weeks, a true miracle of survival. Nicole had been stopped a mile before the finish, not knowing what had happened.

We would finish at the actual Boston Marathon finish line late that night. I didn’t run my fastest, but that wasn’t the point. I knew that Nicole Reis was running the final mile with the baton, but what I didn’t know will stick in my mind forever. Nicole was running in with baton in hand, and just before the finish line her father, John Odom rolled out into the road. She handed him the baton, and pushed him across the finish line. It was such an amazing event to be a part of.

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WEEKS, 3300 MILES, 14 STATES, TOGETHER WE RAISED $91,000 TO BENEFIT THE ONE FUND BOSTON FOR BOMBING VICTIMS. A community was born.

Over the next few months, the One Run For Boston Facebook group blossomed. Of course, many swapped stories about their participation in the relay.

It became a place for new runners to get advice from seasoned veterans. Several members made it a point to educate and update the community on the progress and triumphs of bombing victims as they made each new step in their recovery. There was a document created for everyone to put what races they would be running over the next year or so, kind of an open invitation for any other ORFB member to join you or meet up at a race. I myself attended three races with other group members in the last year. There was a spirit

of love and support fostered by this community that with time became a bit like family.

In fact, members of the group often make posts addressed to their ORFB family. And family help each other out. There are countless stories of love and support of members for each other, but one really stands out for me.

During the first relay, Arizona runners Amanda Hughes and Julee Lynch ran together on one of the desert legs. This fostered a friendship that really came to light when Jullee was involved in a serious accident that resulted with both of her ankles being crushed. Amanda reached out to the ORFB community, and they responded with prayer, cards and donations.

Amanda drove to visit Julee

in Las Vegas to visit her in the hospital. She delivered a bouquet of blue and yellow roses from her fellow runners.

It’s this kind of caring and spirit that encouraged Danny, Kate and James to make the next leap.

On January 3, in the dead of winter, One Run For Boston 2 was officially launched. The new relay would take a slightly different route through California and Arizona in order to miss and winter weather that might pop up. This new iteration would start on March 16 and wind it’s way through the country into downtown Boston on April 13, just a few days before the anniversary of the bombing. There was more time to plan this new adventure, and much more ambition.

RICHARD REED AND DEREK GLOS RUN FROM AURORA TO BILLINGS FOR ONE RUN FOR BOSTON.

ONE RUN FOR BOSTON ORGANIZERS JAMES HAY, DANNY BENT AND KATE TRELEAVEN

3328.2 MILES, 14 STATES, 336 LEGS, $1,000,000 THE NEW GOAL!

PICTURED FROM LEFT ARE KAREN PADRON, JULEE LYNCH, JO-ANN YOLANDA SCHOCH, SHANNA ROSENBAUGH, AMANDA HUGHES AND ERIN WHITTON GORDON. PHOTO BY AMANDA HUGHES

For my small part, I am raising money to donate to the One Fund. I am running four legs of the relay in three states. All to be a part of something big, something that makes a difference. As I sit here writing this article, the baton has been on the road 24 hours a day for the past four days. Undoubtedly there are friendships being forged, shoes being tied, water bottles being filled, signs being made to cheer on runners.

Most likely the baton will have passed through Southwest Missouri by the time this magazine hits the shelves, but it may have yet to reach Boston. As I type each word, there is someone in the mountains east of Phoenix who is running. Running for pleasure, running for a sense of community, running to make a difference.

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Four people lost their lives as a result of the Boston marathon bombing. I’ve never had an actual conversation with any of the victims. That doesn’t matter to me.

In an instant they had their lives shattered.

There is sadness, there is fear and there is pain. But there is also bravery, triumph, love and hope. I’ve tried to put my finger on the exact reason that I’ve chose to devote so much time and effort to this cause, a cause that I really have no direct link to.

The way I see it, the lives of the victims were forever altered by this horrible act of violence by a faceless enemy they have never met. I like thinking that in some small way through my participation with this group that their lives may now be altered for the better by a faceless friend that none of them have ever met.

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On a sunny Sunday afternoon, near the famous Santa Monica Pier, Danny and Kate stood in front of the group of more than a hundred runners who came to be a part of this historic event. Danny always has a speech, words of amazing positivity, with love and friendship just eminating from his whole being. The words were spoken, and it was time to start this four-week long run. He holds up the newly designed baton, and hands it to the man standing next to him to begin the relay. It may seem strange for a relay of this size and scope should start with a man using a cane, but this was John Odom himself. The same John Odom I had seen pushed across the Boston finish line in a wheelchair just eight months ago. He walked with the baton for a bit before he handed it off to make it’s long trek back to Boston.

I’ve been faithfully tracking the “Miles” on his new journey. Reading and “liking” posts and photos, wishing I could be out there with them. Just yesterday, Julee Lynch appeared for her leg in the relay this year. She hasn’t fully recovered from the accident, so Amanda and friends did the only logical thing a crazy group of runners or family would do. They pushed her the entire 10 miles of her leg. That is what is at the heart of One Run For Boston, people helping people.

For more information or to make a donation check out www.onerunforboston.org

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

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ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ON YOUR QUEST FOR BETTER HEALTH

BY JAN ELL PATTON

How do I get started?

This can be a daunting question. Many people want to participate in outdoor activities but are unsure how to prepare.

The good news is that there are a number of resources available to you, some for a fee and others are free.

Let’s say you want to train, participate, and finish a 5k.

That is an excellent goal, and a reasonable place to start.

Now what?

You’ve committed yourself to the goal (paid for the race), but now how should you get ready? That depends on you.

What kind of attention do you need or want? For every type of person there are options to fit your personality and desired level of attention.

Maybe an app on your phone would be best?

You want a measure of privacy, but also could use one on one coaching and accountability. There are experts/coaches who will train you one on one or in very small

groups. This gives you access to an expert, but the “safety” of having very few or no other training partners. The fee for this is typically higher than large group classes, but you are paying for attention and expertise.

Can you combine these to fit your needs and wants?

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Absolutely! Think of these as guidelines to help you figure out what might work for you.

In the mean time, if you have questions about these or other

potential options don’t hesitate to contact your local (shameless self promotion) athletic trainer at Cox Monett Rehab and Sports Medicine at 417-2362480.

New challenges and exercise are parts of a healthy lifestyle. You don’t have to have all the answers, just a willingness to ask a few questions. No matter where you are in your quest for better health, there are many options open to you. Good luck and have fun!

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

As an introvert, maybe exercising with other people is, well, less than desirable. There are many free apps available that will give you the ability to train for your race without having to be with or around other people. At the other extreme, as an extrovert, maybe you really appreciate having other people around (suffering the same way you are). There are many fitness and running groups that offer group classes for training for a nominal fee.

What if you are somewhere in between?

MAN’S BEST FRIEND This dog has a passion for fishing

S TORY A N D P H OTO S B Y KE R R Y H AY S

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T

HOSE WHO FLY FISH and travel know that the golden retriever is a wooly bugger-type fly that can be effective for catching trout under certain high water and murky river conditions.

Few would consider a golden retriever dog to be able to offer anything useful to the sport – much less being able to aid a river guide by pointing for trout and assisting with the catch.

“Quincy is a typical golden retriever who loves the water,” said Steve Dewitt who serves as one of the guides at Dogwood Canyon near Lampe, Mo. “he will point and focus on a single trout and concentrate on that fish while I cast. he has really taken to fishing instead of field work.”

Steve is originally from Blue Springs near Kansas City and his earliest experiences

in fishing began when he was about 4 years old. his family traveled throughout the Midwest hunting and fishing not only in the Ozarks, but also in the northern areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

When he was 10, his grandfather decided it was time to teach the boy how to cast using a fly rod.

“My grandfather had a grape arbor – a big area that

was high and wide. he created a broomstick with a 20-foot piece of old fly line and he made me learn how to roll cast down through that grape arbor,” Steve recalled. “he told me when I got good enough to roll cast and then do a simple back cast and not hang up the sides of the grape arbor, he’d take me trout fishing at one of the parks.”

After learning to cast with a fly rod through the arbor,

Steve would accompany his grandfather to trout opening day during the late 1950s. Over the years, Steve would fish and hunt throughout the country and eventually follow in the footsteps of his father, Ken DeWitt, who was an occasional guide on the White River in Arkansas.

“As far as big game, I’ve guided in all of Wyoming and northern Missouri,” said Steve.

“All of this was on private land – my cousins have a ranch in Wyoming. I’ve guided antelope hunts, white tailed deer, mule deer, and elk.”

Steve would make a living working for Bell Laboratories in software development after earning a master’s degree in project management. It’s no surprise that he would return to his passions of hunting and fishing – while helping others learn after retirement.

“I consider myself a student of nature,” Steve said.

“There’s nothing better than someone asking you a question that you don’t know the answer to. I’ve told students that we live in the best of times, and

they have so much information right in front of them with just a Google search. The beauty of the Internet is that if you can describe the animal or plant you saw, you can pretty well get a picture of it to come up. There’s really no question that’s been asked of me that I haven’t been able to research and answer.”

Steve answered a newspaper ad for an archery instructor in 2011, and that’s when he began his association with Dogwood Canyon. he works two days a week teaching archery in the mornings and fly-casting in the afternoons. he’s also called upon regularly to assist with guided fishing on the stream. his role as a guide is to help guests have a positive and memorably experience.

“I make sure that the equipment that my guests are using is solid – that they’ve got good tippet,” said Steve. “More than anything else, it’s just furnishing that companionship and camaraderie – making sure that the guests are enjoying themselves.”

Steve’s golden retriever, Quincy, has been part of this

“I CONSIDER MYSELF A STUDENT OF NATURE. THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN SOMEONE ASKING YOU A QUESTION THAT YOU DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER TO.” STEVE DEWITT

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conscience of protecting the fish, Steve discourages this behavior.

“He knows that when I show him the leash, he does a lot better for a while,” said Steve. “Sometimes the fish swim between his legs after being released. he’s always happy to greet them.”

Dogwood Canyon is a private nature park on highway 86 near Lampe, Mo., whose purpose is to preserve, conserve and protect 10,000 acres of pristine Ozarks mountain area. A variety of activities are provided at the park and information can be found at DogwoodCanyon.org or by calling 417-779-5983.

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

experience for a little over a year and Steve considers him to be a great ambassador for the park because he’s very friendly and kids seem to love him.

Quincy has been trained to provide valuable assistance as a hunting dog while fishing with Steve. When a desirable fish is spotted, Quincy will focus on that particular fish, and if Steve is fortunate enough to hook the trout, Quincy will focus on the landing and the release finding enjoyment and reward from the experience.

Being 2 years old, Quincy has a great deal of energy and he will sometimes follow the fish in and hold it down gently with his paw while Steve releases the hook. Always

FAMILY-BASED SERVICE AT THE QUIET AREA OF THE LAKE STOR Y AND PHOTOS BY KERRY HAYS

N

EARLY 60 YEARS AGO,

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the unincorporated stretch of land known as Eagle Rock, Mo., was a quiet community nestled along the White River basin. People would come from all over to swim, fish and maybe even find a place to launch a boat – if you could navigate the dirt roads.

That all changed when the Army Corps of Engineers began a project that would culminate in what would become Table Rock Lake. Connected by a common waterway with other communities of the Ozarks, Eagle Rock would soon become one of many stopping points along the way for boaters looking for a place to rest and refuel.

WHATEVER F YOUR BOAT

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

“This store building here is probably the oldest building on the lake,” said Darrel Tilford, a former teacher who manages Eagle Rock Marina, LLC, “and I have tenure on anyone else on the lake because everyone else has changed managers, and this will be my 38th year.”

Darrel began working at the Marina in 1977 when it was already on its third owner. Construction began on the original structures before the Table Rock Lake project was even completed. Bill Obins had the vision of providing a place for boat owners to launch and moor their vessels. Slips were available for rent, a small general store provided necessities, and those in need of refueling could pull their boat up alongside the lakeside pump and be on their way in no time.

The next owner, hank Lowe, offered small engine repair services for those in desperate need of getting their motors adjusted. Over the years the name would change from the Eagle Rock Boat Launch, then the Eagle Rock Landing and finally the Eagle Rock Marina. Services would also change over time, but a quality familycentered purpose is the one thing that would remain constant through the years.

“We provide storage of boats and services of boat rentals, equipment and

“I THINK THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID ABOUT BEING ABLE TO BE VERY PERSONABLE. ENJOY YOUR CUSTOMERS, LET THEM ENJOY YOU, AND MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE THEY’RE AT HOME. THAT’S WHAT THIS END OF THE LAKE IS STILL ABOUT.” DARREL TILFORD

The Style You Want If you’re running out of space in your home, it’s time to talk with Morton about a new building. From basic storage buildings to garages that complement your home, Morton will work with you from concept through completion to ensure your project runs smoothly and results in a quality building.

Morton buildings are custom built to meet your needs and style. Working with your sales consultant, you can get exactly what you want and need in a building.

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Š2012 Morton Buildings, Inc. All rights reserved. A listing of GC licenses available at mortonbuildings.com/licenses.aspx.

Reference Code 043.

Amazing To See Off-Trail Wild Cave Tour!

Cosmic Cavern

Located between

21

6386 Hwy 21 North, Berryville, AR Eureka Springs 870-749-2298 and Branson cosmiccavern@windstream.net • cosmiccavern.com

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

fuel,� said Darrel. “I definitely strive to provide a family-oriented marina and water center.�

Darrel takes great pride in sharing his many stories of the families who keep coming back as return customers. Many who first experienced the marina as children are now bringing their children – and even grandchildren – to share memories of a place that somehow seems to barely change with the years.

Yet small changes, for the better, are what have been taking place at the Eagle Rock Marina for the past several years.

Ron and Rick King are the current owners, and they have embarked on an ambitious program to change and grow in an effort to provide a higher level of service. “In the last five years, we’ve added 66 maintenance-free slips of various sizes,� said Darrel. “We have added a new gas dock, and we resurfaced the parking lot.�

Part of the overall plan is to remove most of the older structures of the marina.

To that end, Darrel has provided input in the plans that will culminate in a new, larger store and wider walkways scheduled to open in the spring of 2015. “This old building and I have been a part of each other for almost 40 years,�

Darrel stated, “but it served its time and it’s time to move forward.�

The marina currently provides 150 covered slips that are available for annual and daily rentals. There are no contracts on the slips and Darrel sees this as a way of showing appreciation and respect to his customer – many of whom return to the marina each year.

Eagle Rock is located in an area of the lake that has remained relatively unknown to many of those who travel the many crevices of Table Rock Lake. Eagle Rock Campground, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, is adjacent to the marina, but additional overnight accommodations are unavailable. There are those who see this as an advantage because the lack of accommodations lends itself to a quieter and more peaceful experience.

Darrel can be reached at the Eagle Rock Marina by calling 417-271-3398. he’s almost always available in the mornings and early afternoons. Come any later than that, and you may see him fire up the boat for another day of fishing with his grandson.

f f u t s l o o c Boat shoes are getting a kick with the Swims loafers. These shoes are machine washable and made from water resistant breathable nylon. Swim loafers have anti-slip non marking soles to ensure you keep tracking when walking on wet surfaces. Swims offers loafers for men and women with multiple options between $159 and $179.

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

http://www.swims.com/MEN/Shoes/tabid/132/ProductID/58/Default.aspx

There are a plethora of solar charging devices on the market, however the issue has always been how much power are you gaining from the sun. The Practical Meter from Power Practical solves this issue. The Practical Meter uses small LED bars to indicating the charging range. The meter is compatible with USB ports, and includes cables for several devices at $24.99 http://www.powerpractical.com/product/practical-meter

Chrome was king and then came black rims. Now, camouflage may be taking over. V-Tec offers three sizes of Off-Road Rims available in RealTree hardwoods camo. Wheels are available in 17 x 8.5, 18 x 9 and 20 x 9. Prizes range from $154 to $218 each. http://www.vtecrims.com/V-Tec-Off-Road-326-RealTreeHardwoods-Camo-Wheel-Packages---vtec-offroad-326-realtree

Looking for a new baitcast reel? The Tour MG from Quantum maybe your next reel. This magnesium 5.4 ounce reel is light weight and features an enclosed six-leve brake weight adjustment knob that pops out. The reel also has the companies ACS cast control and ceramic brake system.

The Tour MG offers a variety of gear ratios for about $280. http://www.quantumďŹ shing.com/products/2607/TourMG.aspx

Sometimes a piece of gear comes along that is a two-in-one marvel.

Run Phones combines the utility of a moisture wicking head band with the luxury of high quality speakers.

These headbands feature Polartec and PowerDry for warmer weather moisture wicking and padded speakers with a 48� cord. Run Phones are available in; black, blue, orange and green and three sizes for $39.95. http://www.runphones.sleepphones.com/Headphones_for_ Runners_Summer

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http://www.multitaskertools.com/

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

Multitasker has designed the Multitool specifically for AR-15 owners. This tool includes all the tools someone looking to do work on AR-15 rifle would expect to have. All tools are CNC machined and are covered with G10 scales. Included are a magnetic bit driver, Radiusdded carbon scraper and dual lug M4 castle nut spanner wrench. These multitools start at $180 retail.

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Do you know

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

SOMEONE, SOMETHING, SOMEWHERE you’d like to see featured in Ozarks Outdoors?

Share it with us.

outdoors Get up. Get out. Get going.

Email Editor Joshua Boley at boley556@gmail.com PHOTO BY JOSHUA BOLEY

25

STOR Y AN D PHOTOS BY JOS HUA B O LE Y

For some the word conjures up images of men in helmets and black uniforms moving room to room, looking for a suspect.

For others, the word evokes images of camo-faced soldiers moving in and out of the shadows in some lost jungle.

However, for many Americans the word is a designation of a certain style of firearms, knives and gear.

Brent Ball, owner of 417 Guns in Springfield, Mo., has seen the tactical industry grow and change over the last 10 years.

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

WHAT’S IN A NAME

TACTICAL:

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

first because of all the bells and whistles that can be incorporated. However, with proper training, these concerns can be minimized.

“Get into it,” Brent said.

“A lot of people have this misconception that the AR15 platform is just a bullet hose and just going out and shooting crazy stuff. There are a lot of people doing the three gun stuff and shooting competitions. “ Brent said the biggest misconception with any gun is that guns kill people. He said that blaming a crime on the firearm was about the same as blaming hit-and-run on the vehicle.

“I can load a fully automatic HK MP5 with the nastiest, deadliest hollow point made and lay it on the table and in 20 years, it will still be laying there and not shot itself.” Brent said. “It takes somebody picking it up and doing something stupid with it.”

“We have a society problem not a gun problem.”

27

wood stock gun type of guy.

As a result, 417 Guns carries black guns and tactical gear which he knows and he said moves well.

While Brent’s shop is not the biggest in the area, Brent prides himself on knowing what his customers want. Right now, he said it is black guns and gear, with 60 percent of sales being firearms sales and the remainder predominately going to accessories.

Brent offered some advice for those who are just now getting into tactical firearms.

“There are several places around here that do training that are very good,” Brent said.

“Most of the time, find a good gun shop and just sit and listen.”

Brent advised against using the internet to seek out information in the beginning because as he puts it, “it will drive you crazy.”

Brent said people should learn their weapon and train with it regularly. Additionally, he said tactical firearms may seem intimidating at

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

“Actually, 10 years ago it was a prime opportunity to start,” Brent said. “There wasn’t near the gun shops open that there are now, so there was less competition.”

Brent explained that over the last several years, politics and media have played huge roles in not only the availability of tactical gear but also the public’s view regarding such items.

When Brent began 417 Guns, George Bush was president and according to him, everything was available.

In those days, Brent said that many of the desired firearms were on the shelf and it would be nothing to have 30 to 40 cases of ammo stacked ready to sell.

“Now, since 2008 when Obama took over, there has been political pressure the entire time,” Brent said. “Every time he comments or signs something or threatens to sign something, the rush is on.”

Brent said with his background of 16 years in law enforcement, he was never a

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Of STORY AND PHOTOS BY JENNIFER CONNER

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

BUSIEK S

L

ATE WINTER. The world is shrouded in brown monochrome.

Mouse-colored leaves litter the trails like worn-out clothing, shed by lofty oaks and hickories, forgotten in the promise of new and greener attire.

The leafless branches creak in the wind like old men in rocking chairs, relishing the quiet. There is an undercurrent of something in the forest that infuses the air with electricity. A thrum of energy traveling every which way, even underground. I feel the vibration in the

Off

K STATE FOREST

BLUETS

31

themselves with the nest they most likely established in late February or early March.

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area is a perfect destination to experience the best of the Ozarks without getting too far off the beaten path.

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation and is located off of highway 65, 18 miles south of Springfield, Mo., and coincidentally offers 18 miles of hiking trails to enjoy! Busiek State Forest also has a shooting range on-site and offers primitive

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

soles of my feet, even through Vibram soles made to cushion against mountain crags. It’s the inkling of spring. The desire of earth and creature and man alike forged into one crackling promise: that the world will soon burst into color and life.

By the time you read this, the world will have hopefully, transformed into spring.

And there’s no better time to take a hike in the Ozarks than in early spring when the first wildflowers like henbit and bluets are gingerly peeping out and bluebirds can be seen darting to and fro in pairs, busying

DEAD NETTLE

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

Small wonder

camping. An Ozarks sampling platter of landscapes abide here, including meadows, forests, open woodlands, streams and glades.

To choose the best path, I employed the help of my old friend Gerry. A Springfield resident and weathered hiking veteran, he has explored the entirety of Busiek and promised to take me through, what he believes, are the prettiest areas.

There are two main trail systems: the east system which has 10 miles of trail and the west system which has eight miles of trail.

The shooting range is located on the west side of the forest, so to avoid the possibility of loud “booms” we chose the east side.

The trails are color-coded with plenty of markers along the way making it nearly impossible to get lost. We chose the yellow trail because it appeared to cover the greatest variety of landscapes, plus there were multiple river crossings, which always makes for a scenic hike. Unfortunately there were no bridges in sight, which meant we had to either cross the Woods Fork stream on haphazard logs strewn into some semblance of a rudimentary bridge,

or trudge through the creek, getting our feet wet in the process. So take heart in the adventure if you venture to Busiek, or take river shoes... or better yet, take both!

The trail meandered through open meadows winding over gentle hills, dissected by intermittent streams, and peppered with bottom woodlands, which made for a picturesque and dynamic hiking experience. As we hiked from Woods Fork out into an open meadow, I was struck by how inviting the area might be for the elusive woodcock. Woodcock’s, colloquially known as a timberdoodles, are a secretive, almost laughable bird with cartoon beaks stretching out long and thin, like Pinocchio’s nose. Woodcocks are found in open woodlands, open fields and ecotones (an area of ecological transition) between the two, habitats commonly found throughout Busiek. Interestingly, during mating season, this comic of the bird world transforms into a winged acrobat as he ascends 300 feet in the air then spirals downward at break-neck speed. his chirp of longing and seduction echoes like an 1980s power/love ballad in the waning twilight as he plummets

The first wildflowers of spring always make my heart skip a beat.

It is then that I truly know we have turned the frosty corner of winter. ome of the first two most common wildflowers you’ll see in early spring are dead nettle and henbit. Both are in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and both have pinkishpurple flowers. Dead nettle can be identified by its larger heartshaped leaves which can sometimes camouflage the flowers, whereas henbit has smaller leaves, allowing the flower to shine through. These two harbingers of spring have a square stem, indicative of the mint family, and can be found in meadows, fields, glades, just about anywhere in the Ozarks in early spring, if you happen to be on the wildflower prowl!

HENBIT

back to earth and if he’s lucky, he will have enchanted the female. Love indeed, brings out the beauty of the woodcock. If you have the opportunity to take an evening hike at Busiek, between March and May keep a look out for these whirling, twirling, lovesick, timberdoodles.

The path took us from open meadows and bottomlands up the side of a gnarly Ozark mountain. As we ascended, the seemingly vast valley below became teeny tiny. Finally, the trees opened up into a breathtaking south-facing glade. From this vantage point we were able to view the surrounding Ozark Mountains, steep and close in their proximity. I made a mental note to return to this spot later in the spring as wildflowers were sure to provide a stunning foreground to the soon-to-be green rounded peaks of the Ozarks.

We decided to take the longer route back via the red trail which winded through more woodlands until it dropped back down and once again crossed a stream.

Since we knew the end was near and the temperature had finally exceeded 50 degrees and just maybe because the mileage we racked up in the woods and glades imparted some of its wildness, we splashed through the stream in hiking boots, undeterred by the promise of soggy socks. Â On the other side we found all of the bridges in-tact, standing lonely and collecting rust by the side of the trail, unable to fulfill their manifest-bridgedestiny. I looked back at the creek, its beauty unfettered by the bulk of a bridge and smiled, then hiked back to the trailhead, my feet swimming in smartwool and my heart singing like a timberdoodle.

SPRING SPRING2014 2014OZARKS OZARKSOUTDOORS OUTDOORS

33 33

takeyourpic

This Buck was in my yard last October. Unfortunately, he was missing the bottom of his right rear leg below the knee so I don’t expect him to be back next October. How he lost it I have no idea. If it was a car. that’s one thing. If it was from a hunter then they need to do a lot more practicing at the range before they go out hunting again. I have hunted for a deer like this all my life, and still would not take the shot if I did not think I could put him down.

By Thomas R. Wolff

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OZARKS OUTDOORS SPRING 2014

In each issue of Ozarks Outdoors, we want to feature nature photographs taken and submitted by our readers.

To submit nature photos for our next edition of Ozarks Outdoors, send your high resolution images to boley556@gmail.com.

George Washington Carver National Monument

By Bill Vincent

SPRING 2014 OZARKS OUTDOORS

35

Built to get dirty, not be dirty.

Introducing the all-new 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek™ Hybrid.

As the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive hybrid crossover in America,* it’s equipped to get you to all the places you love.

Responsibly built in a zero-landfill plant to help ensure those places are here for years to come. Love where it takes you.

Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.

Loving your Subaru is even easier now, because Adventure Subaru is looking after you. Every new Subaru gets 2 years or 24,000 miles

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of complimentary maintenance.1

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Customer must take delivery before 3/31/2015 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.