Conservation Federation January 2020 Vol 81 no 1 by Conservation Federation

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

The Voice for Missouri Outdoors JANUARY 2020 - VOL 81 | NO. 1

BE THE DIFFERENCE FOR CONSERVATION

JOIN CFM TODAY

THE TIME IS NOW to join the organization that unites thousands of Missourians with the goal of preserving the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immense natural resources. Yearly membership: $35 Life membership: $1,000

Visit www.confedmo.org/join

Director’s Message

Get Out and Share Your Outdoor Passions

new year and a new decade bring about renewed opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. I hope that your 2020 is off to a wonderful start. The recent holiday season is a special time to spend with family and friends. I hear about unique traditions that revolve around annual hunting trips this time of year. I love hearing people talk about their deer camps, bird dogs, the food they eat, or the people they spend time with. I rarely hear about how the hunting is, but to me, that’s what it’s all about! A new year also brings on a new legislative session in the Capitol. CFM is working very diligently to represent our members in the Statehouse. We definitely can’t do this alone, and we need your support to help preserve all the great resources and outdoor passions that we have. Missouri truly is blessed to have two dedicated sales taxes that help fund our outdoor passions. What if all that went away? What if you had to pay admission to a state park, or pay to launch your boat at a conservation area? How many of us take for granted what fantastic and free opportunities we have? CFM fights for you to preserve these things. Many Missourians don’t realize that politics could potentially take a significant toll on our amazing resources. I consistently hear from many of our affiliates that appreciate the hard work that we do to spread the conservation message for them. Some of these organizations simply cannot take a stance politically, so that is another facet that CFM accomplishes for these organizations. Being a big tent for so many groups and organizations also can have its challenges. We cannot always take a specific stance on the needs of particular interest groups, and that is OK. We fight for the greater good and ensure that our grandchildren have fish to catch, game to hunt, streams to float, and much, much more. The elk that has been recently poached is a major concern, and justice must be sought. The last legislative session we helped pass the law that raised the fines for these and other game animals stolen from you and me.

Operation Game Thief is another program under our wings, and we have upped the reward up to $20,000 to the first person that helps with information that leads to the first conviction on one of these elk poachings. If you would like to contribute to OGT’s efforts financially, please see our recent news release on page 61, or contact our anonymous hotline today at 1-800-392-1111. I urge you to sign up for our Legislative Action Center at confedmo.org/lac so you can keep up on what is happening. This stuff really matters to our future, and we will not sit back and watch it erode in any way. When we let out the call for action this session, please react. We have made it easier than ever to get your information to your elected officials, so please check it out. Keeping politics out of conservation isn’t an option. That’s why CFM will keep up the work that we do. We need your support, and your voice. One of my respected mentors always said, “Many hands make light work.” We certainly need all hands involved, in some way, shape, or form. Thanks for each of you for all that you do to support our mission. My door, and my ears, are always open, so feel free to stop by or call me anytime.

Yours in Conservation, Tyler Schwartze CFM Executive Director JANUARY - 2020

CONTENTS

Conservation Federation January 2020 - V81 No. 1

Features

OFFICERS Gary Van De Velde - President Mossie Schallon - 1st Vice President Richard Mendenhall - 2nd Vice President Ginny Wallace - Secretary Randy Washburn - Treasurer

STAFF 30

Tyler Schwartze - Executive Director, Editor Micaela Haymaker - Director of Operations Michelle Gabelsberger - Membership Development Coordinator Colton Zirkle - Education & Communications Coordinator Elizabeth Peoples - Events and Fund

Development Manager Joan VanderFeltz - Administrative Assistance Emma Kessinger - Creative Director

Another State Record Brown Trout

Trapping Matters

Where are the Birds?

Midwinter Flickers

A Bobwhite Year: From Coveys, to Pairs, to Broods

A Note to My Grandchildren's Generation

Where Have All the Antler's Gone

Let Your Gun Dog Work

Time Around the Campfire is Really Something Special

Departments 3 8 11 13 14 36

Director's Message President's Message New Members Gear Guide Affiliate Spotlight Agency News

Highlights 18 20 22 23 29 63

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

CFM Nomination Committee Slate Annual Convention Info Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis CFM Hires Colton Zirkle CFM Events Schedule Conservation at the Capitol Day

ABOUT THE MAGAZINE

CFM Mission: To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships. Conservation Federation is the publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (ISSN 1082-8591). Conservation Federation (USPS 012868) is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November for subscribers and members. Of each member’s dues, $10 shall be for a year’s subscription to Conservation Federation. Periodical postage paid in Jefferson City, MO and additional mailing offices. Send address changes to: MGabelsberger@confedmo.org | 573-634-2322

FRONT COVER Taken at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in Holt County, MO. Taken at ISO 100 1750th sec. at f5.6 and 480 mm.

Business Alliance

Thank you to all of our Business Alliance members. Platinum

Gold Bushnell Custom Metal Products Diamond Pet Foods Doolittle Trailer Enbridge, Inc.

FCS Financial G3 Boats MidwayUSA Pure Air Natives Redneck Blinds

Riley Chevrolet Roeslein Alternative Energy, LLC Weston

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery Mitico Moneta Group Simmons

Sun Solar Starline, Inc. St. James Winery Trailerman Trailers

Drury Hotels Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc. HMI Fireplace Shop Hodgdon Powder Company, Inc. Missouri Wine & Grape Board

NE Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. NW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Ozark Bait and Tackle POET Powder Horn Gun & Archery

Community State Bank of Bowling Green Dickerson Park Zoo Explore St. Louis Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association Gascosage Electric Cooperative GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc. Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning Missouri Native Seed Association

REMAX Boone Realty Say Insurance Shady Lanes Cabins and Motel Tabor Plastics Company Truman’s Bar & Grill United Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Silver Forrest Keeling Nursery Learfield Communication, Inc. Lilley’s Landing Resort & Marina Logboat Brewing

Bronze Association of Missouri Electric Coop. Black Widow Custom Bows, Inc. Burgers’ Smokehouse Central Electric Power Cooperative Custom Screen Printing and Embroidery

Iron Bass Pro Shops (Independence) Bee Rock Outdoor Adventures Blue Springs Park and Recreation Boone Electric Co-op Brockmeier Financial Services Brown Printing Cap America Central Bank

Your business can benefit by supporting conservation. For all sponsorship opportunities, call (573) 634-2322. JANUARY - 2020

Known for their intricate dances and booming calls during the spring mating ritual, the greater prairie chicken is an emblem of native grasslands. However, it has dwindled to dangerously low numbers in Missouri due to loss of habitat. Current conservation funding has not been enough to prevent the continuing decline of the species, and more is needed to restore the prairie chicken and grasslands it depends on.

Missouri & the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Missouri’s State Wildlife Action Plan touts the state’s guardianship of “nationally significant river and stream systems, some of the largest forested tracts left in the Midwest, a high density of cave and karst features, and some of the largest remnants of the eastern tall-grass prairie.” With its unique array of landscapes and rich assortment of wildlife, the opportunity to conserve Missouri’s natural heritage is great. Missouri residents and visitors enjoy fishing for smallmouth bass, watching birds, and hunting deer and quail. However, with more than 1/3 of America’s wildlife currently at risk of extinction, Missouri could lose much of its beloved wild features. By providing dedicated funding for state and tribal-led wildlife conservation efforts, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will help wildlife at risk before they need the “emergency room” measures required by the Endangered Species Act.

By the numbers:

603 species

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has identified 603 species that need conservation assistance, including the eastern meadowlark, shovelnose sturgeon, and monarch butterfly.

$23 million

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would give MDC $23 million every year to help the 603 species in need by restoring their habitats and conducting other conservation action.

$1 million

The current source of federal funding in Missouri for proactive, locally-led wildlife conservation—state and tribal wildlife grants—is inadequate to help the species at risk.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act America is in the midst of an unprecedented wildlife crisis. Once abundant populations of fish and wildlife are now facing steep declines because of habitat loss, disease, and other threats. The bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would dedicate $1.4 billion annually to state and tribal-led wildlife conservation — helping prevent wildlife from becoming endangered in the first place. Learn more at www.nwf.org/recoverwildlife

Missouri Conservation in Action The pallid sturgeon was listed as federally endangered in 1990 due to habitat loss and fragmentation along the Missouri and Mississippi River basins. Each spring since 2008, the Department’s Missouri River Field Station crews, along with local volunteers, have captured wild pallid sturgeon to send to a hatchery in Sweet Springs, MO. They hope these adults will spawn and reproduce to help supplement the dwindling population. Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would support further recovery of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River until the population is once again self-sustaining.

Northern Bobwhite

Photo: USFWS

Pallid Sturgeon

Photo: MDC

The distinctive “bob-WHITE” whistle of this new world quail is a sure sign of spring, and can be heard across the farms and fields of Missouri. While still relatively common, this popular game bird has been declining in recent decades due to the loss of grassland habitat and unfavorable weather during winter and nesting season. With support from Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, the Missouri Department of Conservation hopes to reverse the downward trend in bobwhite numbers and improve the statewide population through several initiatives including public education, recreation opportunities, and landowner assistance.

Other Missouri Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Monarch Butterfly

Eastern Hellbender

Cerulean Warbler

Photos: Tom Koerner/USFWS; Brian Gratwicke/National Zoo; NPS; Ryan Haggerty/USFWS

Naomi Edelson

National Wildlife Federation EdelsonN@nwf.org 202-797-6889

Tyler Schwartze

Conservation Federation of Missouri tschwartze@confedmo.org 573-634-2322

American Badger

President’s Message

Anticipation!

o you remember watching the clock in school? For me, it was pure torture until class was dismissed so I could get on with what I really wanted to do. As soon as I heard that bell, I was hustling to get on the dusty school bus, get my chores done and then do something enjoyable like riding my pony into the far reaches of the pasture, imagining how the Wild West was won. On my rides through the fields, I now reflect on examples of good conservation ethics I saw even then: leaving a small grass strip or a seedling to grow wild, leaving the right waterway grass for quail, growing a grove of pines for owls’ winter weather protection, or building a pond for erosion control and fishing. There is always a balance to be struck between living in the moment and preparing for tomorrow. As conservationists, we do both. Preserving our natural resources for our enjoyment and future generations’ enjoyment is at our core. So, in a way, we are always in anticipation mode. While I have yet to find a crystal ball that can tell me what to expect, there are a few things I know of, which we should be mindful of as we anticipate 2020. What are the conservation issues you foresee for our future generations? Looking back, how many times have we missed a clue or not thought of a consequence when dealing with our environment? What can we do now to nip some of these problems in the bud? CFM has the responsibility of looking at the big picture. One thing we must do is ensure the next generation is engaged in conservation. Our Conservation Leadership Corp program is a good start. I challenge each of us when the opportunity arises to encourage and support a young person’s desire to become involved.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

With the new year will come a new Missouri General Assembly legislative session. The first day of the 2020 session is January 8. CFM’s Legislative Action Center provides an improved tool for helping anticipate and track the movement of legislation through the Missouri Assembly. Thank you to Steve Jones, who does an outstanding job maintaining the legislative center, and Zach Morris, chair of our Legislative Committee. I know with the work of Kyna Iman, our lobbyist, the legislative committee, and the new Missouri Outdoors Coalition, we will see positive results in this session. Finally, I can’t express enough the importance of each of us contacting and visiting our legislators. Take the time to ask their position on legislation affecting conservation. We may not be able to know exactly what the future holds, but the opportunity to anticipate and meet tomorrow’s conservation needs is in our hands.

Yours in Conservation, Gary Van De Velde President, CFM

Committed to Community & Conservation Owned by the members they serve, Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric cooperatives do more than provide reliable and affordable electricity. They are active in their communities, concerned for the wellbeing of their neighbors and devoted to the rural way of life that makes the Show-Me State a special place to live, work and play. Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric cooperatives are dedicated to protecting the land, air and water resources important to you and your quality of life. Learn more at www.amec.coop.

Member News

Why I Became a Life Member of CFM: Arlene Segal

grew up as a “city kid” with minimal experience in the outdoors on family summer vacations in the “country.” I was overwhelmed by the clear blue sky, the forests and other plants, and the birds and animals. As an adult, I sought out these places as much as possible. I visited National Parks in the US, hiking and exploring. The beauty and serenity of nature temporarily erased the problems and stresses of everyday life. Scientific studies support that time spent in nature promotes good health. In recent years I have been fortunate to travel worldwide to see animals in their natural habitat and visit parks in other countries. Because of my interest in science, I tried to learn more about wildlife and its valuable interaction with its surroundings. There is strong evidence that up to a million species are threatened or becoming extinct and that a large portion of the land and ocean areas are altered. Much of this is humanmade. These changes have significant impacts on our lives and economies. Wildfires, floods and devastating storms are all too frequent and more severe than in recent history.

All living things, from the tiniest insect to the largest animals such as elephants and whales, and humans somewhere in the middle, need clean water, clean air, healthy land, and each other. It is our responsibility to correct the problems that we created and restore healthy ecosystems. We must leave a healthy planet Earth for future generations. It will take strong collaborations to accomplish this, and I want to help CFM through my contributions. Individually there are things we can do – plant pollinator gardens, plant trees, contact your representatives in Congress and ask them to vote for legislation to recover wildlife, protect national parks, and use natural resources sustainably. And of course, support CFM.

Become a CFM Life Member When you purchase a Life Membership with CFM, your money is added to an endowment supporting the administration of the organization in perpetuity. Each year, we draw earnings from the endowment, so your contribution will truly be supporting the CFM for the rest of your life and beyond. This is an important funding source for our Federation. We hope you will consider joining the over 260 dedicated conservationists who have already made a life commitment to the Conservation Federation of Missouri by becoming a Life Member today.

Contact CFM at (573) 634-2322 or email info@confedmo.org.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Member News

WELCOME NEW CFM MEMBERS Richard Bable, Ballwin Toni Bernotas, Saint Louis Jean Binder, Saint Peters Elke Boyd, Columbia Deborah Brandly, Troy Wayne Breer, Ballwin Brad Bryant, DeSoto Carol Childress, Eminence James Civiello, Branson Lawrence M. Coan, Kimberling City Joe Coelho, Lewistown Billie Cooper, Saint James John Dean, Columbia Dick Deerfield, Springfield David Fleming, Columbia Bob Fry, Greenwood

Linda Hanley, Oak Grove Carl Haworth, Springfield Glennon Hunn, Chesterfield David Knisley, DeSoto Jim Koetting, Columbia Daniel Kopf, O'Fallon Richard J. Kramer, Fenton George B. Kroeger Jr., Saint Louis David Maywright, Lake Saint Louis Richard McPherson, Saint Louis Joseph Miller, Arnold Justin Norris, Lowry City Mark Pfaff, Saint Louis Benjamin Poeschl, Lee's Summit Brian Rathsam, Kansas City Elizabeth Rawley, Arnold

Rick Remmler, Saint Louis Steve Remspecher, Ballwin Charles Robertson, Rolla Marie Rock, Bellflower Pam Sebastian, Slater Jimmy Sexton, Neosho Steven L Sheriff, Columbia Caitlin Shoults, Camdenton Edward Smith, Brentwood Gene Smith, Fayette Bruce Templer, Union Howard Thomas, Jefferson City Martin Trapp, Saint Louis CFM thanks the 206 members that renewed since our last publication.

CFM Conservation Federation Podcast Listen to CFMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Podcast Did you know CFM has a podcast? In each episode, CFM staff discuss conservation issues with special guests. Past episodes include interviews with Governor Jay Nixon, MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley, Glenn Chambers, Steven Rinella and many other passionate conservationists.

Have you heard our lastest episodes? Episode 22: Frank Oberle and Zach Coy Episode 21: Alex Rutledge on the Ozarks Episode 20: Share the Harvest 2018

Find the Conservation Federation podcast on the CFM website and on iTunes.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your

SEASON

Shelter InsuranceÂŽ is a proud sponsor of Share the Harvest & the Conservation Federation. Contact your local Shelter agent to insure your auto, home, life, and all your hunting & fishing gear. Find an agent near you at ShelterInsurance.com.

Member News

Gear Guide Nockturnal Lighted Nocks Nockturnal is a leading designer and manufacturer of lighted nocks for arrows and crossbow bolts. The Nockturnal unique, patent-pending, bow-string-activated, linear switch is piston driven and ensures L.E.D. illumination every time. With no assembly required, Nockturnal nocks feature super-bright LEDs and long-life lithium batteries for superior illumination that lasts. Nockturnal also manufactures the Predator line of lighted crossbow bolts. Lighted nocks allow you to better follow your shot and to find your arrow once it’s on the ground. www.feradyne.com

CZ 557 American - BUSINESS ALLIANCE With a 24” version of our cold hammer forged and lapped barrel, the 557 American picks up where the short-barreled Sporter left off. The longer barrel squeezes a bit more velocity out of the chosen chamberings, to include 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08. With a high comb and no sights, this rifle is intended for use with a scope, and built-in dovetails mean there are no bases required — allowing scopes to be mounted directly to the action and enabling a simpler, more robust attachment method. www.cz-usa.com

Athlon Optics - Talos 8x42 Whether you’re hunting, hiking, fishing, or adding a new species to your birding life list, the Talos lightweight binoculars are built tough. They feature a rubber-armor housing that’s O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for 100% waterproof/fog-proof dependability. They stretch available light with advanced fully multi-coated optics and premium BaK-4 prisms with phase coating, delivering outstanding color fidelity and sharpness. www.athlonoptics.com

CMP - Texas Shooting Star- BUSINESS ALLIANCE The Texas Star target features five 8" diameter, 3/8" thick AR500 steel targets mounted on the rotating arms of the wheel. The arms are also made from AR500 steel for those shots that are a little off target. Shoot one of the targets off the arm and the wheel starts rotating. Try to keep up with the moving targets! As you hit each one the wheel may speed up, slow down or even reverse direction. Every shot is a new challenge. www.custommetalprod.com

Alps Outdoorz- Allure Pack The Allure pack was designed with women in mind and features a fully adjustable sternum strap and a unique two-piece adjustable waist belt for a tailored fit. The Allure pack was designed with input from over 2,000 women living all across the country. www.alpsoutdoorz.com

Weston Products - Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - BUSINESS ALLIANCE With the Weston® Sous Vide Immersion Circulator, you'll prepare restaurant-quality food at home like a pro. Cook steaks, game meats, fish, and other meats and vegetables to the precise temperature, while retaining the delicious flavor and juiciness. www.westonbrands.com

JANUARY - 2020

Affiliate Highlights

Missouri Grouse Chapter of Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF)

he MO Grouse Chapter is dedicated to creating early successional forest habitat for ruffed grouse and other forest wildlife and providing an opportunity for youth to engage in outdoor activities. We have worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) over the years, and this has culminated in the ongoing grouse restoration project. MDC recently completed the 2nd of a 3-year trapping effort where 100 birds are trapped in Wisconsin each year and released in the river hills of south Warren, Montgomery, and Callaway County. After completing years of habitat work, the project is nearing completion. Ruffed grouse are a native species and we are excited to have grouse back in our forest to see and hear drumming. The grouse chapter has several events. Our fundraiser is a banquet held each year on the 3rd Saturday of March at Valentine Hall near Hermann. This banquet draws nearly 400 attendees each year and due to our excellent meal and 30 plus guns, we have been told it is one of the best banquets around. We also have a habitat day at a Bill and Margie Haag property west of Hermann on the Saturday before the spring turkey season. This event draws 25-50 landowners each year to view habitat work completed for grouse and other wildlife. This driving tour shows examples of early successional forest habitat, woodland management, glade management, edge feathering, and other management practices. It allows landowners to see these practices and ask questions to foresters, biologists, loggers, TSI contractors, and other landowners.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Youth Event picture. (Photo: Tom Westhoff)

We also sponsor a YOUTH (Youth Outdoors United Through Hunting) event. Held in Hermann each year in late March, this event hosts about 200 kids who put down their electronic devices for a day and get to choose from about 20 outdoor activities to participate in. Activities include shotgun shooting, .22 rifles, atlatl, BB gun, crossbow, archery, muzzleloading, fly tying, hunter safety, trapping, and other outdoor events. Early successional forest is critical habitat for many wildlife species, and due to the dedication of our chapter committee members, we can continue to help provide funds to private landowners to provide this needed habitat.

Affiliate Highlights

Affiliate Organizations Anglers of Missouri

Missouri Bow Hunters Association

Archery Big Bucks of Missouri

Missouri Caves & Karst Conservancy

Association of Missouri

Missouri Chapter of the

Electric Cooperatives

American Fisheries Society

Missouri Soil & Water Conservation Society-Show-Me Chapter Missouri Sport Shooting Association Missouri State Campers Association

Audubon Society of Missouri

Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society

Bass Slammer Tackle

Missouri Coalition for the Environment

Burroughs Audubon Society of

Missouri Community Forestry Council

Missouri Taxidermist Association

Missouri Conservation Agents Association

Missouri Trappers Association

Capital City Fly Fishers

Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation

Missouri Trout Fishermen's Association

Chesterfield Citizens Committee

Missouri Conservation Pioneers

Missouri Whitetails Unlimited

Missouri Consulting Foresters Association

MU Wildlife & Fisheries Science

Greater Kansas City

for the Environment

Missouri State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management

Columbia Audubon Society

Missouri Ducks Unlimited- State Council

Conservation Foundation of

Missouri Forest Products Association

Northside Conservation Federation

Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF

Open Space Council of the St. Louis Region

Missouri Hunter Education

Osage Paddle Sports

Missouri Charitable Trust Deer Creek Sportsman Club Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri Forest Releaf of Missouri Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Garden Club of St. Louis Gateway Chapter Trout Unlimited Greenbelt Land Trust of Mid-Missouri Greenway Network, Inc. James River Basin Partnership L-A-D Foundation Land Learning Foundation

Instructor's Association

Graduate Student Organization

Ozark Chinquapin Foundation

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation

Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc.

Missouri Master Naturalist -

Ozark Trail Association

Hi Lonesome Chapter Missouri Master NaturalistMiramiguoa Chapter Missouri Master NaturalistOsage Trails Chapter Missouri Master NaturalistBoone's Lick Chapter Missouri Master NaturalistSpringfield Plateau Chapter

Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme De Terre Chapter Muskies Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc. Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever River Bluffs Audubon Society Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association South Side Division CFM

Legends of Conservation

Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation

Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers

Little Blue River Watershed Coalition

Missouri Native Seed Association

St. Louis Audubon Society

Magnificent Missouri

Missouri Outdoor Communicators

Stream Teams United

Mid-Missouri Outdoor Dream

Missouri Park & Recreation Association

Student Air Rifle Program

Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited

Missouri Parks Association

The Fallen Outdoors-Team MO

Midwest Diving Council

Missouri Prairie Foundation

Tri-Lakes Fly Fishers

Mississippi Valley Duck

Missouri River Bird Observatory

Troutbusters of Missouri

Missouri River Relief

United Bow Hunters of Missouri

Missouri Association of Meat Processors

Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc.

Wild Bird Rehabilitation

Missouri Atlatl Association

Missouri Rural Water Association

Wonders of Wildlife

Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation

Missouri Smallmouth Alliance

Young Outdoorsmen United

Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative

Missouri Society of American Foresters

Hunters Association

JANUARY - 2020

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

OLD SCHOOL

CRAFTSMANSHIP

16MM SCOPE DOVETAILS

CONTROLLED-ROUND FEED

TRUE MICRO-LENGTH MAUSER-STYLE ACTION

SINGLE SET TRIGGER

COLD-HAMMER-FORGED BARREL

DETACHABLE MAGAZINE

CZ 527 AMERICAN Designed specifically for small-base centerfire calibers, it is a true micro-length Mauser action. With controlled-round feed, a detachable single-stack magazine, a cold-hammer-forged barrel, integral 16mm dovetails and our renowned single set trigger, many people think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ultimate small-caliber platform.

CZ-USA.COM

Member News

CFM Nomination Committee Proposed Slate for 2020-2021

he Conservation Federation of Missouri Nominating Committee recommends the following slate of individuals to serve as Officers, Executive Committee Nominees, National Wildlife Delegates and At-Large Directors Elected Nominees. Officers (2 year term): President: Mossie Schallon 1st Vice President: Richard Mendenhall 2nd Vice President: Martin Mac Donald Secretary: Ginny Wallace Treasurer: Randy Washburn Executive Committee (3 year term): Bill Lockwood Zach Morris NWF Representatives (2 year term): Ron Coleman Dana Ripper (Alternate)

At-Large Elected Directors (2 year term): Earl Cannon DeeCee Darrow Keith Hannaman Bill Kirgan Bill McGuire Zach Morris Jerry Presley Tom Russell George Seek Norman Stucky Dan Zekor This proposed slate was considered formally at the December meeting of the CFM Board of Directors. The slate will now be proposed for formal approval at the annual meeting of the membership, to be held on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, MO.

CLC Update - Students Travel to Texas for Young Leaders Event

n November 8th-10th, six current CLC students traveled to McKinney Roughs Nature Park to attend the 2019 Confluence of Young Conservation Leaders (CYCL), hosted by the Texas Brigades. In attendance were nearly sixty participants from various organizations across ten different states, including Missouri, Wisconsin, Texas, Hawaii and Florida. Over the course of the weekend, students were given the opportunity to meet with several resource professionals from within the state of Texas and visit locations that highlighted water conservation efforts within the state. On Friday, participants traveled west of Austin to visit the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, where they were able to tour the property and talk with its founder, J. David Bamberger.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Saturday consisted of leadership and teambuilding activities at the ropes course and kayaking on the Colorado River to learn about and perform a river assessment. On Saturday evening, students participated in small group discussions to talk through current natural resource issues, different career opportunities, and what it takes to help build and support the next generation of conservation leaders. According to Marissa Forbis, “What was most impactful about CYCL was the students’ lack of a consistent ‘favorite activity.’ I believe their varied answers were a testament to the Texas Brigades’ dedication to creating an experience that would impact everyone that attended, regardless of their interests.” This event served as a fantastic learning experience for all involved, and our Missouri students left with renewed passion for their chosen field, along with inspiration on how to further conservation efforts here at home.

www.orschelnfarmhome.com

Going to the woods? Gear up with • Hunting Clothing • Hunting Boots • Guns & Ammo • Blinds & Stands • UTVs • & More!

Legacy Flag Chassis 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle 107408411

CONNECT WITH US

Wicked Ridge Invader X4 Crossbow 107414185

Orscheln Outdoors™ 2-Person Ground Blind 107419147

Don't miss CFM's largest event of the year!

Let your voice be heard!

Capitol Plaza Hotel 415 W McCarty St. Jefferson City, MO

Be a part of the resolutionÂ discussions that affect your outdoor passions.

Annual Conservation Awards Ceremony

Natural Resource Breakouts Saturday from 9:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Archery & Shooting Sports Big Game, Turkey & Furbearers Education & Outdoor Recreation Environment & Ecology Forest Resources & Management Grassland & Prairies Public/Private Lands Rivers, Streams & Fisheries Upland Wildlife Wetlands & Waterfowl

This is the time for conservationists to gather and share fellowship, present awards and discuss resolutions to improve the outdoors.

Meet the Conservation Leadership Corps

Natural Resource Breakouts

Banquet Live & Silent Auctions

For more information: confedmo.org/annual-convention/ (573) 634-2322

Accommodations:

Schedule:

Lodging must be made with the Capitol Plaza Hotel at (573) 635-1234. Rates are $93/night for a standard room while block lasts. Room block ends February 5.

Friday, March 6 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Registration Open Dinner Break (on your own) Social Hour Conservation Awards Ceremony

Registration:

Saturday, March 7 7:30 - 5:00 p.m. 8:00 - 8:45 p.m. 9:00 - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Registration Open Keynote Session Natural Resource Breakouts Lunch Break (on your own) Board & Affiliate Leader Luncheon Resolution Committee Meeting Social, Silent Auction & Raffles Banquet & Live Auction

Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 W Main St. Jefferson City, 65101 Meeting Registration Package: Member: All natural resource breakout sessions Non-Member: All natural resource breakout sessions and one-year membership (new or renewing members)

Sunday, March 8 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

General Assembly Board Meeting to follow immediately

Saturday Night Banquet Registration Package: Silent and Live Auctions, Raffles, Games, and Dinner

Registration Closes February 26 Register now for CFM's 84th Annual Convention Name(s): Address: Phone: ( ) E-mail: Special Needs: (Dietary, Access, Handicap, etc.):

First Time Attendee :

Yes

Meeting Registration Package

Quantity Member- $40/person Non-Member- $70/person

Awards Ceremony RSVP Saturday Night Banquet Registration Package- $40/person

$ $

No Cost

Slow Roasted Beef

Chicken Wellington Vegetarian Pasta Primavera

Children's Meal (12 & under)- $15/child - Chicken Strips and Fries

Table Reservation for 10- $375/table (please choose 10 meals)

Registration Total

Check: made out to CFM

Fee

Credit Card #: _______________________________ Exp. Date: ___/_____ Signature:_____________________

Member News

Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis 2019

FM held its Annual Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis event at Quail Ridge Lodge in Wentzville. Attendees gathered the night of October 3rd to enjoy a meal of smoked ribs prepared by Bill and Mary Ellen Kirgan, bid on a silent auction items, enter a raffle for a CZ Shotgun, and purchase live auction items. St. James Winery and Public House Brewing donated wine and beer for attendees to enjoy. CFM volunteers assisted throughout the evening with set-up, teardown, auctions, and more. A live auction was held with many trips and great items auctioned off to support CFM. Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway, was the keynote speaker of the night. She presented an exhibition of the Great Rivers Greenway’s plans for increasing green spaces in the St. Louis region. St. Louis is lucky to have Trautman and her team leading the way in creating accessible and safe spaces of outdoor recreation.

Susan Trautman from the Great Rivers Greenway speaks to the crowd at the annual St. Louis event. (Photo: Courtesy of CFM)

CFM Executive Director, Tyler Schwartze, closed the evening by drawing the shotgun raffle ticket winners and thanking everyone for supporting CFM’s efforts by attending this year’s Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis. Thank you to our table sponsors from this year’s event: Ron Coleman, Larry Meyers, Mike and Mossie Schallon, John and Mary Risberg, Hunting Works for Missouri, Dan and Connie Burkhardt, Missouri Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Kyna Iman, BC Construction, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Dan Zerr, and Bass Pro Shops. We would also like to thank our committee members who assisted throughout the planning process and during the event: Mossie Schallon, Bill & Mary Ellen Kirgan, Briana Scholz, Craig Laboube, Dan Zerr, Katherine Sanders, and Ron Coleman. We look forward to seeing everyone next year in St. Louis.

Numerous silent auction items are on display at the regional event. (Photo: Courtesy of CFM)

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Member News

Colton Zirkle joins CFM as Education and Communications Coordinator

he Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) welcomes Colton Zirkle as the newest member of the team. Colton will fill the position of Education and Communications Coordinator, where he will manage the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC), the Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance, and continue the development of the Young Professionals group. Also, he will manage CFM's website and social media accounts. "We are very excited to add Colton to our talented team here at CFM. His outdoor passions, coupled with his experience and desire to make a change in conservation, make him an excellent fit," said Tyler Schwartze, CFM Executive Director. "Our CLC program is an amazing opportunity for our conservation-minded students to take hold and be the voice of the next generation. Colton is a great fit to grow our young leaders and help them reach their full potential," said Schwartze. Colton first came to the CFM through the CLC where he later became president of the youth organization. He holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and an M.S. in Entomology. During his time in the CLC and working for Missouri State Parks, he developed diverse skills in communication and networking. Most recently, he has worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation in outreach and education and has also helped coordinate social media and draft web articles for other conservation organizations. "I cannot wait to get started and further CFM's many efforts and programs. Bringing together people that seem so different in today's political climate can sometimes be a challenge. CFM does a great job of bringing diverse backgrounds and uniting them under the banner of conservation. I hope to help strengthen these bonds within the Federation and be a voice for Missouri conservationists," said Zirkle. "The CLC is an amazing program that influences so many young leaders. I look forward to bringing them together to form bonds and relationships where we can all benefit well into the future."

Colton is a lifelong Missourian, born and raised in St. Joseph and has always had a passion for conservation. When he's not out hunting, fishing, and kayaking, he's teaching others outdoor skills like archery, camping, or wild edibles. To learn more about the Conservation Federation of Missouri or to become a member of CFM, visit www.confedmo.org.

JANUARY - 2020

PROFESSIONAL ANGLERS

RUN ON E10

Get the truth about ethanol. www.mocorn.org

Winning takes the right fuel. That’s why every Crappie Masters winning team runs on gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol. Made in America. Better for the environment. Higher octane for speed and performance. E10 is the choice of professional anglers on the Crappie Masters Tournament Trail.

MISSOURI-BORN. MISSOURI-BASED. DIAMOND PET FOODS PROUDLY SUPPORTS ALL THOSE WHO HELP KEEP OUR STATE BEAUTIFUL.

©2016 SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC. DIAMOND, DIAMOND & DESIGN, DIAMOND NATURALS, TASTE OF THE WILD AND APPALACHIAN VALLEY ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS AND DIAMOND CARE AND THE TASTE OF THE WILD SEAL ARE TRADEMARKS OF SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.

JANUARY - 2020

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

JANUARY - 2020

Member News

Conservation Pioneers Hold Rifle Raffle for CFM

on’t riffle past the rifle raffle, it might be your best shot! That’s what David Tankesley learned after nearly riffling past the raffle when he received the August 19th newsletter of the Missouri Conservation Pioneers (MCP). The MCP is an association of retired employees of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and an affiliate member of CFM. David’s father, Harry Tankesley, was a retired conservation agent from the MDC Protection Division. He had been a member of the Pioneers for many years until his recent passing in July of 2019. David’s eyes slowed while hunting for his father’s death notice he had submitted to the newsletter, and then he noticed another article, “Gun Raffle at the Pioneers Annual Meeting September 16, 2019”. The article announced a raffle to be held at the meeting, inviting readers to purchase tickets, available immediately at $10 a chance, with proceeds donated toward CFM’s legislative efforts and expenses. There would be a total of 100 tickets sold and attending the MCP meeting wasn’t required to win. The prize was a unique Browning .22 caliber leveraction rifle, generously donated by Pioneers member Gary Christoff. The rifle up for raffle was not only a very nice gun but a distinctive commemorative limited edition, issued in 1986 in honor of the thenupcoming 50th Anniversary of the MDC in 1987. David usually took little stock in guns, but he didn’t riffle past this raffle. He had his reasons. Harry had purchased the companion limited edition .357 revolver in 1986, and David saw a chance to honor his father in multiple ways. The goal was in his sights, and now was the time to pull the trigger. He contacted the Pioneers treasurer Ann Holland immediately and shot off a letter and payment to purchase a block of tickets, a donation his father would’ve approved of instantly. Harry had supported conservation efforts for well over 60 years. He was a commissioned employee of the MDC before agents training in the early 1960s, then completed training in 1965, gaining national honors as MDC Agent of the Year in 1979.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

The other reasons were natural. David has two young daughters, Alex and Erin, ages 9 and 8. Winning this gun would provide a unique opportunity to pass on high-quality MDC commemorative weapons to each of them from their grandfather and father. Keepsakes to remember Harry and honor his longterm involvement with the MDC, and wildlife conservation efforts. With a bit of luck, this shot in the dark would hit the target. The raffle was a success, with ticket sales and additional donations raising $1,102 for CFM. Then came the final agenda item of the Pioneers meeting when the winning name was drawn, but the winner wasn’t present! When the call was made that evening, David answered and heard, “You won the gun!” The message ricocheted in his mind. Pioneers secretary Gary Novinger volunteered to take the gun to David in Springfield, where he first got to see it. Now he found out the gun was even more special; this one was stamped “1 of 105”. The .357 revolver Harry had purchased? It was “1 of 250”. Alex and Erin know they were both No. 1 to their Granddad Harry, and now have the guns to back up the claim. Hit the target, nothin’. BULLS-EYE! Gary Novinger

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

Another State Record Brown Trout

atching the state record brown trout was for sure a day I will never forget. Really at this point, I have no idea for a title for this story, or a reason that God made it possible for me to catch it. It was merely his plan. With a sad note in that, we were not able to get it properly released even with the amount of care that we provided. It was just not to be, and there is a reason for everything.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

This trip was a pleasure fishing trip for me, which is unusual given I am normally guiding trips on Taneycomo. It fortunately seems like there have been a few pleasure trips lately since I just got back from Alaska with my good friend and owner of Lilleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing, Phil Lilley. Nevertheless, my long-time best friend from grade school, Mark Mauss came down to trout fish with me on this record-setting day. Our initial intent was to get him a couple of beautiful plump rainbows to take home.

Feature Story If you follow our fishing reports, you know that the fish have been all over the Power Worm. Bubble Gum. Don't buy any. Both fellow guide Duane Doty and I had been fishing the same stretch of water just below the restricted zone for a week. Duane more than me, as a matter of fact, I keep wanting to fish a scud in the restricted zone, and he, as they say, "made me do it." None the less, since we were going to keep a couple, we started below the mouth of Fall Creek, with the Pink Worm. At this point, I will tell you there is never a day that my equipment is not gone over. I never fish terminal line or tackle two days in a row. Never. Everything is broken down and rebuilt every day. Never fail, and what Mark and I were fishing was put together last night. Here are the things I was using to land this record fish. On my main line on the Daiwa Fuego, BP Excel mono in 4 lb. to a carrot float. Below the float a Spro, sampo style swivel and then 7'6" of Orvis 6X tippet 3.1 lb. test at .005 diameter. All fished on a Rod Shop 7' Signature White River Outfitters Custom Rod. We were using of course, the pink worm. The worm was on a 125th. oz. full micro jig. First super glued and then cemented. Before Turner Jones passing, he made me 100 heads without bodies on size 12 Mustad hook. They are excellent in the Full Micro size but a bit weak in the half micro size of 14. These were the Full; they work perfectly with the PW as the head glues directly to a wide flat jig head surface.

We were fishing a trough, and the fish immediately headed for mid-stream. By then, just a 1/2 minute or so, Mark had reeled in and grabbed the net. I hit my bow switch and trimmed my main motor out of the water and pointed my trolling motor to the middle, and let it pull drag, keeping the rod high, letting it absorb the pressure instead of the line. The drag was set perfect, and I never had to touch it, it just peeled off like string after a kite. The fish made two circles in front of the boat and then headed to the back. It went under the boat and then came out with its head up.

Bill Babler landed the state record Brown trout on Lake Taneycomo on September 4th, 2019. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girth was 28 inches, length 41 1/4 inches, and weighed a whopping 40 lbs. 6 oz. It was certified as the new Missouri State Record.

We were running a bit late and not on the water till 8 o'clock, as Mark drove down about 60 miles. Our first pass he put a nice rainbow in the boat while I got him going, just like I would on a guide trip. Here is a great deal. Very much unlike a guide trip I was going to get to fish. On the second pass I grabbed a rod after he was drifting nicely, and about that time, a cloud came over and it got kind of dark on the water, and it looked great. My float dipped under and before I could even lift the fish came to the surface and just swirled. I told Mark this was a big fish; then I said, "A HORSE" as the drag started whirling and buzzing, smooth as silk.

We were not quite ready, and he went under the boat. He did the same thing again, and we were ready this time, and landed him right into the fishpond net. As we lifted him into the boat, his nose went through the basket as I lowered him, and he rested on the carpet. We immediately put him in the live well and did our best to keep him alive.

I have three people in this world that I would have loved to share that type of an experience with. First, is my son Steven, and the next two are my buddies Mark, and of course Phil. I am really glad that it was Mark, and it was a day that I will never forget. Just feeling so blessed to be in the right place, at the right time. Bill Babler Trout Record Caption: Bill Babler poses with his Triploid Brown Trout that he caught on Lake Taneycomo September 4th, 2019. The girth was 28 inches, length 41 1/4 inches, and weighed 40 lbs. 6 oz. (Photo: Courtesy of Bill Babler)

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

TRAPPING MATTERS 32

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Feature Story

he title of this article was taken from a workshop I attended in 2004. It was presented by Dave Hamilton, who was the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) furbearer biologist at the time. Dave, now deceased, felt furbearer trapping was an essential part of Missouri's outdoor heritage and presented this workshop to all MDC employees to show the importance of maintaining trapping in Missouri. The workshop covered many facets including the role of trapping in wildlife management, best management practices, and contacting the public. The three main points covered in the public contact portion included: 1. The public cares deeply about wildlife 2. The public does not take lightly the killing of animals. 3. The public is highly uninformed about trapping. I will cover these topics in addition to presenting information on the Missouri Trappers Association (MTA) and how you may get involved. Trapping has an important role in wildlife management. As a biologist, I believe that habitat is the key to having adequate wildlife populations. Species such as quail, grouse, turkey, and rabbits must have sufficient habitat to flourish, and they can withstand predators as long as those predators are in balance. Currently, we have an extremely high number of several furbearer species, and they are out of balance. Raccoon, beaver, coyote, otter, and bobcat populations are increasing, and some are at record high numbers. Raccoons especially are abundant in most areas of the state. Raccoons are egg eaters and quail, grouse, and turkey all suffer when there is an overpopulation of raccoons. During the 1997-98 trapping season, over 200,000 raccoons were trapped for $20 plus per raccoon. In the 2017-18 season, there was just over 26,000 raccoon trapped for $4.86. In the 1980-81 trapping season, there were 13,248 trapping permits sold in MO, and in the 2017-18 season, there were 7,189 permits sold. Also, there were only 42 fur buyers permits sold limiting where trappers can sell their fur. We need to keep trapping these predators and reduce their numbers. Fur prices are slowly increasing, offering some hope, but with today's political instability and anti-fur activists, it will likely take years to recover, if it ever does at all.

To help educate trappers and the public, Missouri participated in a program called best management practices (BMP). Since 1997, Missouri has actively participated in this BMP trap testing program. This comprehensive program has studied trap efficiency and damage to furbearers caught in traps. All species in Missouri have been studied, and results published. This program had an individual accompany a trapper and remove all animals caught, and then the animals were delivered to a veterinarian to be analyzed for damage. Based on sound scientific research, BMPs address the welfare of the captured animal and have identified the most efficient, practical and safe trapping techniques and traps. BMPs are intended to maintain the integrity of furbearer management programs and to support trapping now and in the future. Even with all the regulations, studies, and research, anti-trapping groups still believe trapping should be outlawed. When you go to the anti-trapping group websites, the common word they use is cruel. BMPs show that the traps we use have little damage to the animal and are not cruel. Foothold traps are not designed to injure the animal but only to restrain them until the trapper arrives on the scene. Trappers do not want damage to the animal. Body grip traps are designed to dispatch the animal immediately, which eliminates suffering. As any trapper will tell you, it is a rough life out there for all these furbearers. After harvesting an animal, trappers usually skin and flesh the animal in preparation for selling the hide. Nearly all these animals have injuries or parasite damage. The higher the population, the more prevalent the injuries are. As they come into contact with one another, they fight constantly. In nature only the strong survive. Nearly every raccoon I have ever skinned had some damage. Other animals such as muskrats and beaver fight constantly in the spring and nearly every one of them have injuries caused by other members of their same species. Overpopulation leads to more fighting. The anti-trapping groups ignore research and want to see an end to all trapping. They have been successful in some areas to get trapping banned.

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story The state of California recently banned all trapping, and other states are considering it. What has happened in nearly every case where trapping has been banned is that the furbearer population increases, and then the taxpayers have to pay a government trapper to come in to reduce or eliminate the damage. The ironic thing is that the government trappers use the same traps and techniques and must dispose of the animal without it being utilized. Doesn't it make more sense to let a trapper do it for free and use the animal rather than costing the taxpayer money and throwing it away? The organization that promotes trapping in Missouri is the Missouri Trappers Association (MTA). Its mission is to preserve the heritage and profession of the fur trapper, create mutual understanding and goodwill with groups or individuals by practicing and teaching the skills that will conserve and maintain a balance of nature without misuse, and provide for the harvesting of a renewable resource. Founded in 1959, the MTA continues today to support legal and ethical trapping. Each year we have a fall rendezvous where we gather and have meetings, have demonstrations by some of the best trappers in the state, and schedule trapping clinics all across the state. We especially stress conducting youth trapping clinics where we introduce young trappers to the sport. All youth clinics and events are listed on the website. If you would like to get more involved in trapping or the MTA, go to the website at www.missouritrapper. com. You can get lots of information as well as how to become a member. For $30/year, members get the Trappers Post magazine, the MTA publication called the Missouri Mountain Men, and most importantly, a voice in trapping issues. Non-trappers are uninformed about trapping methods, the traps we use, and mostly, about why we trap. This past July, I attended the National Trappers Convention in Springfield, MO. At the general meeting, Slim Pederson, who is now about 90 years old, and a famous coyote trapper, relayed a story about being stopped by a lady who said she loved wildlife, including coyotes, and asked why he trapped them and killed them.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Teaching the next generation to properly trap is important for our habitat to stay in balance. (Photo: Courtesy of Tom Westoff)

He thought for a minute and said I trap them because I love them. I spent my entire life studying them and trapping them, and the best thing I can do for coyotes is trapping them legally, ethically, and help keep the population under control and in balance with nature and ranchers. Trappers love the animals they pursue and understand that nature and society need balance. Trappers help maintain that balance. Tom Westhoff (Cover) A Bobcat. (Photo: Courtesy of Tom Westoff)

Outdoor News

Muzzleloader Tips for Success

he woods were full of silence that only an early December morning could bring. I watched as a coyote moved through the area. I heard a twig snap a few moments later and turned to see the coyote again. Instead, a big, mature doe stood there looking at me. I raised my CVA and let a bullet fly. The shot was true, and the doe ran only 40-yards before piling up. My first deer, and one of my first solo deer hunts, produced that doe with my muzzleloader, and ever since, I have been an avid alternative weapons hunter. Hunting with a muzzleloader has its challenges, but it can be a rewarding adventure—and helps keep your desire for using a firearm going here in the Show-Me State. Here are some tips to keep in mind when going out this alternative methods season in Missouri. 1) Practice and Know your Gun—A lot of times folks purchase a muzzleloader to be able to extend their firearms season. That is the reality. They pull out their muzzleloader once a year. Instead, shoot your gun and sight it in. Practice as you do with your other rifles. Make sure you fine-tune how much powder (or pellets to use), what type of bullet, etc. Treat your muzzleloader as a primary weapon, and you will be much more successful. 2) Don’t Make it Super Clean—Avoid cramming bore butter down your barrel, as well as cleaning it thoroughly. I know—sounds weird. But most muzzleloaders shoot a lot better with a slightly fouled barrel. It improves your accuracy, ironically. 3) Keep your Eyes on the Target—This is a tough task when shooting a muzzleloader. The cloud of smoke right after you pull the trigger makes it imperative you keep your eye on the deer. Keep the deer in your scope, get your binoculars or something where you can focus in on the deer. Seeing the behavior of a deer after the shot will tell you a lot about the lethality of the shot.

4) Mark your Ramrod—Seeing as you cannot simply check the barrel of a muzzleloader, marking your ramrod with your “standard” load is a great trick. It will let you know you have the right powder, a bullet, and they are both set well. Load your muzzleloader, and with a bright marker, put a line around your ramrod where it meets the barrel. 5) Keep it Dry!—If one thing can do you in when using a muzzleloader, it is moisture. The wet powder won’t ignite well (if at all), and it can create rust and a litany of problems. Make sure you store your powder, bullets, and primers in a way where moisture does not have a chance of getting to them. When afield, I put a piece of electrical tape over my barrel when the weather is rainy or snowy. The bullet will easily go through it, and it keeps any of the wet stuff from entering the barrel. I learned this the hard way after a snowy hunt a few years ago. I went to shoot a doe after a snowstorm cleared. All I had was a click of the primer. After taking it apart, I noticed the powder pellets were soaked. Live and learn! There are five tips to make your muzzleloader hunting better this season, as well as seasons to come. Make your muzzleloader hunting consistently part of your deer season, and you will be rewarded at the moment of truth.

JANUARY - 2020

Agency News

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION MDC Welcomes 11 New Conservation Agents

he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates 11 new conservation agents upon their graduation from MDC’s 2019 Conservation Agent Training Academy. The agent class of 2019 took the Conservation Agent’s Oath during a special graduation ceremony Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City. “When I think of our conservation agents, you’re not only enforcers of The Wildlife Code of Missouri, but first and foremost, you are ambassadors for this agency,” MDC Director Sara Pauley told the new agents. “You have a responsibility to carry forward and mentor those around you. That includes in your work and in your community.” The new agents have spent the past six months living at the Highway Patrol Academy in Jefferson City while receiving intense instruction in and out of the classroom. Training included courses in legal studies, communications and conducting educational programs, and first aid/first responder and CPR certification. Agents also received training in criminal investigations, defensive tactics, firearms qualifications, and technical instruction in fish, forest, and wildlife management. Upon successful completion of this training, agents are issued a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) license from the Missouri Department of Public Safety. The conservation agent training program is also certified by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. These new agents will join the 179 existing MDC agents in serving and protecting Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

MDC congratulates the conservation agent class of 2019 for completing their rigorous training and taking the oath to protect Missouri’s fish, forest, and wildlife. Front Row (L to R) Commissioner Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln, Alex Walker, Griffin Surtin, Christine Hibler, Rachel Webster, Drew Miller, Travis Phillips, MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. Back Row (L to R) Matt Easton, Haeley Eichler, Kyle Dick, Dirk Otterstein, Ben Bardot. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

The new agents are: Benjamin Bardot, Kyle Dick, Mathew Easton, Haeley Eichler, Christine Hibler, Drew Miller, Dirk Otterstein, Travis Phillips, Griffin Surtin, Alexander Walker, and Rachel Webster. CFM was on hand at graduation to administer the spirit award to the top agent that the trainees voted on themselves. The Spirit Award is given to the Agent that has shown the most leadership, courage and determination, while bringing a positive attitude and being a great team player to their fellow agents throughout this training. This year’s winner was Kyle Dick. The new agents have been assigned to counties and will be involved in field training operations and special assignments while under the supervision of veteran field agents for a six-month probation period during which they will acquire vital field experience. For more information about MDC careers, visit mdc.mo.gov.

Agency News

Attend MDC Waterfowl Workshop

DC workshops in January, February, and March will solicit hunter input about duck season dates and zone boundary locations for the 2021-2025 seasons. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites waterfowl hunters to a series of public workshops around the state in January, February, and March to gather hunter input about duck season dates and zone boundary locations for the 2021-2025 seasons. Participants will have the opportunity to review longterm waterfowl data about weather, migration, habitat use, harvest, and hunter opinions, and discuss their season date and zone preferences with other hunters and MDC staff. MDC will use hunter input gathered through the workshops, combined with hunter opinion surveys, to establish Missouri’s 2021-2025 duck season dates and zones. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives states the opportunity to change the number and location of duck zones every five years," explained MDC Resource Scientist Doreen Mengel. "We’re holding these meetings to get hunter input as we plan Missouri’s 2021-2025 duck season dates and zones.” The following 2020 waterfowl workshops will be from 7-9 p.m. No reservations are necessary. Call the related phone number for more information. For more info, visit https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/huntingtrapping/species/waterfowl/waterfowl-reports-prospects/ duck-zones-and-season-dates

Attend one of the waterfowl workshops to give your input on upcoming seasons. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

• JAN. 28 IN HARRISONVILLE: Cass County Sherriff’s Office, 2501 W. Mechanic, 660-885-6981 or 816-6220900 • JAN. 29 IN EXCELSIOR SPRINGS: Lake Doniphan Conference and Retreat Center, 12856 Doniphan Lake Road, 816-622-0900 • JAN. 30 IN COLUMBIA: Riechmann Indoor Pavilion at Stephen’s Lake Park, 2300 E. Walnut St., 573-815-7900 • FEB. 4 IN JOPLIN: MDC Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, 201 W. Riviera Drive, 417-895-6880 • FEB. 5 IN SPRINGFIELD: MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4600 S. Chrisman, 417-895-6880 • FEB. 11 IN DEXTER: National Guard Armory, 1702 Missouri Hwy 114, 573-290-5730 • FEB. 12 IN CAPE GIRARDEAU: Drury Plaza Hotel Cape Girardeau Conference Center, 3351 Percy Drive, 573290-5730 • FEB. 13 IN PORTAGEVILLE: Fisher Delta Research Center, 147 State Hwy T, 573-290-5730 • FEB 18 IN ST. JOSEPH: MDC Northwest Regional Office, 701 James McCarthy Drive, 816-271-3100 • FEB. 19 IN CHILLICOTHE: Comfort Inn and Suites, 250 E. Business 36, 816-271-3100 • FEB. 20 IN KIRKSVILLE: MDC Northeast Regional Office, 3500 S. Baltimore St., 660-785-2420 • MARCH 3 IN ELSBERRY: The Armory, 105 S. 3rd St., 636-441-4554 • MARCH 4 IN ST. CHARLES: Wapelhorst Park Gould Upper Level, 1875 Muegge Road, 636-441-4554

JANUARY - 2020

Agency News

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION Discover Nature with MDC Through Eagle Days

hrough February, Missouri's winter eagle watching is spectacular. Discover nature with MDC through Eagle Days events around the state or enjoy watching bald eagles on your own. Because of Missouri’s big rivers, many lakes, and abundant wetlands, the Show-Me state is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing. Each fall, thousands of these great birds migrate south from their nesting range in Canada and the Great Lakes states to hunt in Missouri. Eagles take up residence wherever they find open water and plentiful food. More than 2,000 bald eagles are typically reported in Missouri during winter. MDC Eagle Days events are listed below. They include live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, and guides with spotting scopes. Watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water's edge. View them early in the morning to see eagles flying and fishing. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don't forget cameras and binoculars. • SMITHVILLE: Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Jan. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Smithville Lake Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse north of Kansas City, 18212 Golf Course Road • ST. LOUIS: Jan. 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off Riverview Drive in St. Louis • SPRINGFIELD: Jan. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 19 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S Nature Center Way • CLARKSVILLE: Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lock and Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater in Clarksville, 702 S. 2nd St. • STELLA: Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stella Veterans Memorial Park, 774 Ozark St. • JEFFERSON CITY: Feb 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MDC Runge Conservation Nature Center, 330 Commerce Drive.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Missouri is one of the leading lower 48 states for bald eagle viewing during winter. Discover nature with MDC through Eagle Days events around the state or enjoy watching bald eagles on your own. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

Can't make the events? Some hot spots for winter eagle viewing on your own include: • Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia, • Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell, • Lock & Dam 20 in Canton, • Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville, • Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield, • Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City, • Mingo National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Puxico, • Moses Eagle Park in Stella, • Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270 off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis, • Riverlands Environmental Demonstration Area east of West Alton, • Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs, • Smithville Lake north of Kansas City, • Stockton Lake near Stockton, • Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner, • Table Rock Lake and Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery southwest of Branson, and • Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw. For more info on bald eagles, visit nature.mdc. mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/bald-eagle. For more info on Eagle Days, visit nature.mdc.mo.gov/ eagle-days-5.

Agency News

MISSOURI STATE PARKS New Trail Coordinator Brings Enthusiasm for Trails and Outdoors to Missouri State Parks

hen Ben Nagy joined Missouri State Parks as the division’s trail coordinator in July, he brought with him several years of trails experience and a strong enthusiasm for the outdoors. Nagy’s experience includes working as a recreation leader within the Columbia Parks and Recreation trails and biking programs, as well as serving as commissioner for the Show-Me-State Games mountain biking event. In addition, he is a founding member of the Columbia Missouri Trail Association, a group dedicated to the development and maintenance of trails in the Columbia area. As trail coordinator, he is now responsible for providing statewide oversight for the trails of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. Nagy says that he is passionate about trails because they can be used by almost everyone and do not require any kind of special equipment. “They are a great resource for people to get outside and enjoy,” he said. “A lot of people might not realize they have great trails right in their backyard.” Nagy loves not only spending as much time as possible outdoors himself, he also enjoys getting others outside – especially those who are not traditional users of parks. “As a member of state parks, I want to help make trails accessible to all people who come and visit the awesome park system we have in Missouri,” he said. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails in Missouri’s state parks. If you are trying to decide which one you’d like to visit first, access the Trails of Missouri State Parks interactive map at dnr. mo.gov/trails and head to mostateparks.com for more information.

Ben Nagy isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. As trail coordinator, he is now responsible for providing statewide oversight for the trails of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. (Photo: Ben Nickelson of MoDNR)

JANUARY - 2020

NATURE is Healthy

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Get healthy in nature this year.

mdc.mo.gov/placesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;go

Road trip. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t choose the perfect playlist. Or program the GPS. But we did fuel the car that made you realize there are no wrong turns, only new adventures. When the energy you invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, amazing journeys happen.

JANUARY - 2020

CLARITY EQUALS CONFIDENCE Engage, the newest line of optics from Bushnell, gives you optimized clarity on the hunt or on the range. Best-in-class glass with Bushnell’s EXOTM Barrier offers unmatched performance in any situation, and toolless locking turrets secure your zero at any distance so you have the advantage no matter the target. Don’t just look; engage with the best name in optics. GET BEHIND THE GLASS AT BUSHNELL.COM/ENGAGE

Available in 9 configurations in exposed or capped turrets.

BNL6276_Engage_Clarity_Digital_7.25x4.35.indd 1

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

8/4/17 4:28 PM

Small farm, big memories. Recreational Land Loans Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true, memories can be made anywhere. But those shared with family and friends on your own piece of rural land compare with little else. For more than 100 years, we have helped people finance their dream properties from a handful of acres to thousands. Our passion for rural Missouri drives us but our experience and knowledge of rural financing sets us apart from other lenders.

a a a a a

Small to large acreage financing Competitive interest rates to save you money Fixed rates Service from online to on-the-farm with experienced staff Cabins, pole barns, outbuildings and other site improvements can be included in your financing

Find an FCS Financial office near you:

1.800.407.8984 WWW.MYFCSFINANCIAL.COM

Growing Relationships. Creating Opportunities. is a trademark of FCS Financial, ACA.

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

Where are the Birds? Almost three billion birds are gone from North America in the past 50 years.

his is the stunning conclusion of a team of researchers announced in the fall of 2019. On a more personal level, this staggering figure translates to one out of every four birds disappearing during the lifetime of anyone alive in 1970. To put this in perspective, if you have three Blue Jays at your feeder today, you would have had four 50 years ago. However, if we look more closely, it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just one out of four: some species were hit much harder. Take for instance, our winter visitors, Dark-eye Juncosâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we have lost one out of every three. Twelve under the feeder today could have translated to 16 in 1970. The news is even worse for grassland birds where we have lost over half: one out of every two. Iconic grassland species such as Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Bobolinks, and prairiechickens are facing critical declines.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Recently I came across a Burroughs Audubon newsletter from 1975 that gave a report on spring bird sightings from that year. One entry logged a trip made just across the state line to the Olathe Naval Air Base in Kansas, now known as New Century Air Center. This airfield is acclaimed for the airstrip where John Glenn made his first solo flight in the 1940s, but little fanfare is given to the wildlife that once also shared the runways. In 1975 it was Greater Prairie-Chickens Burroughs Audubon members wanted to see. On that day, they saw four booming with several more in the air. However, they went on to note that it was also just as likely one could see as many as two hundred prairie-chickens dancing on the air strips.

Feature Story That is an astonishing number of birds seen in essentially the suburbs of Kansas City. Moreover, this occurred within my lifetime. Today if someone in Kansas City wants to see prairie-chickens boom, they must travel many miles and more than an hour to find a place where they still exist. The news for prairie-chickens in Missouri is, unfortunately, dire. Despite efforts of bringing in hundreds of birds over the last 40 years, the population is down to just a few dozen birds statewide. Habitat loss is largely to blame. There are high-quality grasslands in Missouri, protected by conservation organizations and private land stewards, but unfortunately, these fragmented pieces comprise less than 1% of what was once here. Important for other imperiled birds such as Henslow’s Sparrows, it is simply not enough to sustain Greater Prairie-Chickens. There is good news also, and we have been here before. We have faced catastrophic bird decline before, and we know how to save birds. Conservation efforts have brought back the Bald Eagle from the brink of extinction and returned Peregrine Falcons to the skies over Kansas City and St. Louis. We have once again had successful nesting Trumpeter Swans in Missouri, the first in over 100 years. We know how to save birds, but it takes everyone’s help. Here’s some ideas: •

Join a CFM affiliate that provides on-the-ground conservation that protect the wildlife and habitat in Missouri.

•

Buy a Duck Stamp! Waterfowl numbers have greatly benefitted from wetlands conservation programs, and nearly every dollar you spend on a Duck Stamp goes to habit protection and enhancement. They are also beautiful! You can buy Duck Stamps at U.S Postal Service post offices, Missouri Department of Conservation Regional Offices, and online.

•

Plant Natives! Birds rely on the insects—which must feed on native host plants—to feed their young, as well as the seeds and berries produced by the plants they have evolved with over thousands of years. Look for native plant sales in your area, buy natives, plant them, and you’ll notice not only an increase in different types of birds, but also other wildlife such as butterflies and pollinators in your yard. Go to www.grownative.org for more ideas and information.

•

Reduce the use of pesticides! Some pesticides can impact birds directly as was the case with DDT and the Bald Eagle. Other pesticides reduce their food sources, especially when feeding young, and result in population declines.

•

Reduce, reuse, recycle. The “Three Rs” help keep habitats clean and healthy while reducing the need to extract resources from the Earth that destroy habitat.

•

Chose bird-friendly, shade-grown coffee.

•

Help to reduce window strikes that kill up to a billion birds a year. You can help by keeping outside lights turned off during migration and reducing window reflections that can confuse birds and cause collisions through the use of screens, decals, and other products that reduce reflections and make the windows visible to birds.

•

Keep cats indoors. Even the best fed cat still has the instinct to hunt. The result is that an estimated 2.4 billion birds are killed each year in the United States by cats. The American Bird Conservancy has great ideas on their website on how to keep cats happy indoors. (https://abcbirds.org/catio-solutions-cats/)

•

Participate in local citizen science projects such as using eBird (www.ebird.com), or joining projects such as the Christmas Bird Counts run by local Audubon Societies, Project Feederwatch (https:// feederwatch.org/ ) and the Great Backyard Bird Count February 17-20, 2020 (https://gbbc.birdcount. org/).

•

Spend time in nature and take friends and family with you. Nature is not only good for mental and physical health but also connects us to species and landscapes that need our help.

The news of our lost birds is tragic, but we know how to save birds. We have done it before, and with everyone’s help, we can do it again. Mary Nemececk President of Burroughs Audubon White-throated Sparrows have lost an astonishing 93 million birds over the past 50 years. (Photo: Mary Nemecek)

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

Midwinter Flickers

hat do you suppose is the most popular wildlife-based activity in Missouri and nationwide? If you guessed deer hunting or bass fishing, you missed the mark. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 survey of outdoor recreation showed that a little more than 1 million Missourians engaged in fishing and spent $505 million doing so. Missouri’s 576,000 hunters spent $773 million on their sport. That’s big. But 1.7 million Missourians reported watching wildlife, and they spent $1.2 billion on their hobby, including buying bird food.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

I thought of this yesterday when I bought my 10th 40-pound bag of sunflower seeds since October. Squirrels get their share of our sunflowers, but most of that 400 pounds has disappeared down the throats of finches, juncos, doves, cardinals, chickadees, titmice, wrens, nuthatches and blue jays. It’s amazing that such tiny animals can consume so much food.

Feature Story Sunflowers are only part of what we provide. Cracked corn, millet, sorghum and thistle seed also are on the menu, and I have lost count of how many suet cakes we have gone through. I would guess it’s more than 50 storebought cakes, plus several pounds of dense, high-energy fat from deer that I shot. I don’t want to know how much we will spend feeding birds by the time the nectar feeders come out of storage in the spring. All I know is that the show is well worth the price of admission. We used to believe we fed birds to help them get through the winter. But our friend, the late Jim D. Wilson, who was Missouri state ornithologist for many years, informed me that was an illusion. He said birds have plenty of natural food and don’t need handouts from people. People feed birds, he said, because they love seeing them and want to bring them close enough for a good view. Lately, I’ve been getting a great view of some of my favorite birds, woodpeckers. I have had a soft spot in my heart for Northern flickers since I was nine years old and rescued one that had probably flown into a window or a tree limb and then got so cold sitting in the snow that it couldn’t fly. We brought it indoors, and an hour later, it flew away, apparently as good as new. That hour of close contact with the pigeon-sized bird made a lasting impression on me. Our house in the woods has always had an abundance of downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers. Even the big pileated woodpeckers that frequent our woods pay regular visits to our suet feeders. But in the past, we hardly ever saw flickers and never a red-headed woodpecker. This year, for some reason, several flickers have put us on their daily feeding rounds. This prompted me to set up my camera and tripod. My office window looks out on several feeders, so I can continue to work, reaching out to touch the shutter release when birds show up. Woodpeckers are a particularly attractive group of birds, but for my money, none is more handsome than the flicker. It’s also the most widely distributed in North America, with a range extending from north-central Alaska to Nicaragua and from Nova Scotia to Cuba. Although there is only one species, the flicker shows a surprising variety of color phases across its range.

Eastern flickers are commonly called yellow-shafted or golden-winged flickers or yellowhammers, on account of the yellow shafts and undersides of their flight feathers and the bright yellow shafts of their tail feathers. Their heads are gray, except for a red band on the nape of the neck. Their most endearing feature is a black moustache, which only males have. Out West, flickers’ wing and tail feathers are red instead of yellow, so they are sometimes called red-shafted flickers. Their heads, necks and throats are uniformly gray, except for males’ moustaches, which are red. Both sexes lack the red nape patches of their eastern relatives. In the Southwest, male flickers also have red moustaches. Both sexes have rusty brown caps, and gray cheeks and throats. Otherwise, they look just like their neighbors farther north. The bodies of all three varieties are dappled with jetblack spots. Their backs are barred, and they have white rump patches that are seen only in flight. The flicker’s final dramatic touch is a striking black chest patch, which is present in both sexes and all regions. These are called “gorgets,” a reference to a piece of 18th-century armor designed to protect the wearer’s throat. Flickers differ from most other woodpeckers in that they spend much of their time foraging for ants and other insects on open ground, often in the company of robins or bluebirds. In areas where trees are not available, they will nest on the ground like nighthawks or killdeers, scooping out shallow depressions in which to lay their eggs. Our house is surrounded by forest, which is why we haven’t seen much of them before. I have no explanation for their appearance in numbers this year. Now, if I can figure out how to attract red-headed woodpeckers, we will have all the species commonly seen in central Missouri. That might be a tall order since they favor farmland with dead trees standing in the open. But we can hope! Jim Low In the eastern U.S., Male flickers have black moustaches in addition to the red nape patch and yellow feathers. (Photo: Jim Low)

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

A Bobwhite Year: From Coveys, to Pairs, to Broods

he new year is a special time when we reflect on 2019, envision 2020, and think about how our evolving family, friendships, and livelihoods fit into our big picture. Bobwhite live on a much faster taimeline; come January, most individuals in tightly-knit coveys have one year to establish breeding territories, find mates, nest, and raise their brood. Each season social networks, behavior, habitat needs, and even diets change as individuals shift their energy from winter survival to summer breeding activities. Bobwhite are a popular upland game bird and have been studied extensively since the 1930s. Researchers, natural resource professionals, and hunters have tracked annual boom and bust cycles of bobwhite numbers and seen steady, long-term declines.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

While we know quite a bit about bobwhite, our modern landscape continues to change, and effective management requires a better understanding of how seasonal survival, reproduction, and population growth respond to different wildlife management strategies. The Missouri Department of Conservationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wildlife and Resource Science Divisions and the University of Missouri have partnered to evaluate bobwhite population dynamics in a unified, full-annual cycle analysis. This research will help identify which seasonal vital rates contribute most to population growth.

Feature Story The project compares population performance on traditionally-managed areas—which incorporate food plots, grass strips, and feathered woodland edges, to extensively-management areas—which maintain native plant communities and replicate natural disturbance regimes with prescribed fire and grazing. January is the perfect time to share some of what we know about a year in the life of “Bob” and address information gaps that Missouri’s Southwest Quail Study is seeking to fill. Bobwhite are a resident bird. As colder weather moves in and the breeding season closes, individuals, pairs, and broods shuffle to join groups, or coveys, for safety and warmth through the winter season. Coveys forage together during the day and roost together at night. They feed along the ground, consuming wild seeds and plant food. At night coveys roost in a circle, wing-to-wing, tails in, and heads out. Individual covey members benefit from reduced heat loss and the safety of group vigilance. At first, light coveys will give a loud koi-lee! call, signaling their location to neighboring groups. The best chance a bobwhite has to survive winter is by sticking with about ten other covey mates in a quality habitat that requires less movement for excellent foraging opportunities and protective woody cover. In early spring coveys break up, members disperse, and you can catch the clear, slow 2-note whistle of a male bob-WHITE! call. Thus the breeding season begins. Bobwhite have one of the longest breeding seasons of any temperate North American bird. In Missouri, nesting starts in early June and ends in early September. They have a flexible mating strategy adapted to maximize the number of young produced each summer. Both males and females can incubate nests and raise broods as pairs or independently. Females will renest if early attempts fail, or they may even attempt to raise a second brood. Precocial chicks leave their nest the day they hatch. They cannot fly or regulate their body temperature until about 2—3 weeks of age. Attending adults select brood-rearing habitat, protect young from rainfall and temperature extremes, and even signal food to young calling tu-tu-tu. Broods tend to occupy areas with plenty of bare ground for easy movement and abundant invertebrates to satisfy high protein requirements for chick’s rapid growth. We’ve found siblings tend to stay together as a unit from hatch into the next fall.

Winter habitat with mixed woody cover. (Photo: Alisha Mosloff)

Bobwhite are declining due to significant habitat loss. The expansion of row crop and non-native grassland monocultures, sprawling development, and fire suppression on open landscapes have all contributed to a decline of useable space. Our efficient, productive, and simplified modern landscapes have lost the diversity, complexity, and disturbances that characterize quality early successional bobwhite habitat. There are many underlying mechanisms we don’t fully understand contributing to population declines in these landscapes. For example, non-native grasses on working lands may be too thick, too short, or lack food resources for nesting and brood-rearing activities. Human developments may add food subsidies for native predators or introduce non-native predators to an area. Despite underlying complexities of landscape change, bobwhite populations will persist if habitat supports adequate rates of survival and productivity. Bobwhite’s high reproductive potential and density-dependent growth mean small populations can rebound quickly as habitat is restored. So what is suitable bobwhite habitat, and how is it maintained? In winter, woody cover and food resources are essential for survival, but does pattern and composition of trees and shrubs matter? Do coveys preferentially forage in food plots or spend their day in native grasslands? In summer, bobwhite broods will occupy woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields, but where is survival greatest? Do bobwhite prefer grasslands that are idle, or managed with mowing, fire, grazing, or both? Do these preferences change across seasons and are bobwhite selecting habitat that optimize survival rates, nest, and brood success? The Southwest Quail Study is addressing these questions for targeted bobwhite management. Identifying seasonal demographic sensitivities to habitat and management efforts will ensure space, time, and resources are effectively contributing to population growth. Early results from this study demonstrate the importance of high interspersion of woody cover for winter habitat and disturbance by fire and grazing in native grasslands for brood habitat. More details will come over the next six months as the study wraps up and hopefully provide managers with better information to help reverse declines of this popular bird. If you are interested in learning more, MDC is hosting Missouri Quail Summit January 24th in Columbia. This will be followed by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Hops for Habitat Pint Night and the PFQF Missouri State Convention January 25th.

Emily A. Sinnott JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

A Note to My Grandchildren’s Generation

o my grandchildren and their generation: The good, clean outdoor experience enhanced my life. I want to leave you this cherished legacy.

Many of us continued the fight for conservation throughout the 1970s and several decades into the next century until our time ran out. This fight was started over a century before you were born by a conservation president named Roosevelt and many other like-minded men and women that persevered to keep our outdoor heritage. President Roosevelt and many that followed are my heroes, and many of us were inspired to save our section of this enormous world. I have a voice as do you, and our opinions are essential to this world’s survival. So, here are thoughts for you and your generation on continuing the legacy fought by many magnificent Missouri outdoor communicators: 1. We once used writings to block a big development in one of America’s most important migratory bird refuge areas. A huge conservation disaster was avoided through our efforts. I was proud to have spearheaded this, so don’t ever believe your opinion is not important.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

2. Bees are fighting a war to survive as I write this in 2019. Reports state that honeybees, wild and domestic, perform about 80 percent of all pollination worldwide. A single bee colony can pollinate millions of flowers each day. Grains are primarily pollinated by the wind, but fruits, nuts, and vegetables are pollinated by bees. About 90 percent of the world’s nutrition — is pollinated by bees and our survival depends on their survival. 3. The definition of conservation is “Wise Use,” but I prefer to think common sense is an crucial ingredient sometimes missing. The war has always paired conservation efforts against greed or political agendas. Maintaining our beautiful outdoors requires effort and money to fund ongoing projects, purchasing land for conservation and maintaining these properties. Some politicians and others seem to be trying to reroute conservation monies for their agendas continually. We constantly fight that exact problem in Missouri and beyond. Other states are enduring this same type of fight, and likely future generations always will.

Feature Story 4. Protecting your wildlife is an important issue. A sound conservation system regulates limits and seasons for fish and game. These important laws are a system to allow hunting or fishing while ensuring enough of each species remains to reproduce and survive. We learned our lessons in the 1800s and the following years on how large, healthy populations of wildlife can be wiped out by over-harvesting. American bison are likely the most documented species to almost become extinct because of overharvesting, but waterfowl species once suffered the same fate. Market hunters from the 1840s through 1920 significantly reduced duck numbers on the eastern seaboard by using bow-mounted cannons and other methods to kill large rafts of canvasback ducks and other species. These ducks were shipped by rail in barrels of ice to restaurants and city markets for delighted customers. Waterfowl numbers were greatly reduced, and eventually, this trade was thankfully halted. Waterfowl numbers are still hurt by a lack of habitat or other factors every few decades. Wildlife harvest numbers reflected in daily limits or possession limits are decided to stop species from overpopulating. Crappie or bluegill, for example, reproduce in large numbers and suddenly, fish in small lakes or ponds can no longer grow because each species is struggling for food. Overharvesting is just as deadly for fish. Human populations grow larger and fish or wildlife numbers can easily be reduced. 5. An ancient problem associated with declining species numbers is poaching or taking fish and game over legal limits. Poaching is a slap in the face to every hunter or angler that purchases hunting or fishing licenses and takes legal game or fish by legal methods. 6. Hunting is often challenged because of the killing factor. Certainly, there is more to a hunt, and for most, killing is the least part. Watching dogs work, sharing time outdoors with family or friends and just enjoying a beautiful sunset from a deer stand is why hunters love their sport. Hunting is not for everyone! Animals should be harvested for food or other important reasons set up by game laws. Call it killing or harvesting, legal numbers of game taken are set by wildlife biologists working for groups like the Missouri Department of Conservation or other onservation groups to avoid overpopulating. This is important because territorial animals like deer tend to overpopulate and die terrible deaths of disease or starvation. 7. Finally, Mark Twain once said, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore,” so your generation must do a better job of policing the land we have better than my generation. Littering is a sad reminder that the human species includes slobs, as evidenced by lakeshore littered with plastic bottles and other trash.

Take a kid hunting or fishing and teach them the importance of conservation. (Photo: Kenneth Kieser)

The bottoms of lakes, streams, rivers and oceans are covered with trash are too covered with trash. Conservation minded people clean up after these low-life individuals, always at a significant cost. 8. Sewage occasionally runs into waterways, and this pollutes water, fish and other wildlife in delicate ecosystems. Humans overpopulating mean more construction and greater opportunities for damaging runoffs-an ongoing fight that can never be ignored. Your generation can never fight this battle alone. Support your local conservation commissions and groups like the Conservation Federation of Missouri, The Missouri Conservation and other sound groups that continue to fight for our good, clean outdoors. So, my beautiful grandchildren and members of your generation, understand that I have only listed a few of many conservation issues. There are other fights to be won; our earth and your grandchildren’s survival depends on continued success. Maybe some of you will become conservationists that dedicate your lives to a better outdoor environment. Or maybe you will only contribute to conservation causes while you pursue other careers. Then you too will become my heroes while fighting the good fight, even long after I am no longer around!

Kenneth L. Kieser

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

Where Have All the Antlers Gone?

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Feature Story

ow would you like to invest in a new Ferrari each year, knowing that come January you were going to lose it and need to buy another? It doesn’t sound like much of a deal. But that’s basically what male whitetailed deer do every year. It seems crazy at first, but it’s not when you think a little deeper.

Around a buck’s fourth year of life, he stops growing. From then on, all his extra nutritional resources can go into antler development. For a few years, he will grow his most impressive racks, peaking around his fifth or sixth year. If he is lucky enough to survive past his physical peak, the size of his antlers will diminish each year.

To a male whitetail, antlers are pretty much the equivalent of a nifty new sports car for a human male. Without a nice rack to show off and match with other bucks, a whitetail has little chance of competing for the attentions of a cute doe. A handsome set of antlers is just as significant investment for a buck as a sports car is for his human counterpart. However, bucks start “driving” a little younger. They grow their first antlers the year after they are born.

Some time in late December or January, bucks’ hormone levels shift, and they go out of breeding mode. The change in body chemistry causes reabsorption of a thin layer of bone at the base of the antlers, and they fall off.

Why did this seemingly wasteful arrangement evolve, forcing bucks to regrow antlers annually? One reason is energy efficiency. Hauling around several pounds of headgear (which is prone to get caught in brush and vines) puts unnecessary demands on a buck’s energy Often the first year’s antlers are only unforked “spikes.” “budget.” It’s like making car payments while your This is because young deer are still Ferrari sits in the garage for ten months growing. Antlers are made of bone, and of the year. On a deer’s balance sheet, It’s like making car in young bucks, skeletal development dumping their antlers in January and payments while your regrowing them a few months later gets priority over headgear. Still, healthy yearlings with plenty of nutritious food makes sense. Ferrari sits in the have been known to produce miniature garage for ten months If you still think this is wasteful, take to racks with as many as 10 points. of the year. On a deer’s the woods in June and try to find shed Bucks start laying down the bony Nature wastes nothing, and balance sheet, dumping antlers. substance of antlers in April. It squirrels, chipmunks, and other rodents their antlers in January are quick to cash in on the bonanza of accumulates inside a layer of plushlike skin at the top and back of bucks’ and regrowing them a nutrients contained in antlers. skulls. This “velvet” is richly supplied few months later makes Even deer themselves gnaw on castwith blood vessels that deliver calcium, phosphorus, proteins, and other antleroff antlers, using them as a natural sense. building materials. nutritional supplement. With plenty of high-quality browse and a little luck during hunting By late August or early September, antlers are completely season, the average buck is back cruising the block each formed, and the velvet dries out and sloughs off. Bucks autumn with a bigger, better model than the year before. hasten this process by rubbing their new antlers on saplings and tree trunks. This “horning” activity also No need to pity the whitetail. He doesn’t have to worry polishes the antlers. Just as some kids who drive Jaguars about insurance payments or transmission trouble. Think are born with silver spoons in their mouths, some about that next time you honk your horn at a doe-eyed deer inherit status-symbol antlers. Food availability deer. determines how large a particular buck’s rack is each year, but the rack’s shape is genetically determined and Jim Low follows the same pattern throughout a buck’s life. Exceptions to this hereditary pattern occur when the Getting out and looking for shed antlers is a great way to get exercise and developing antlers are injured. For instance, if screw find a trophy shed antler. (Photo: Jim Low) worms attack the tender tips of the velvet-covered rack, “acorn” points may result. Or, if the infestation is severe, a big buck can produce a spectacular “atypical” rack with asymmetrical form and dozens of unique points. JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

Let Your Gun Dog Work

t was the first time I sat in a duck blind with the guy. A stranger to me, he wanted to impress the rest of us with his tales of expensive guns and impressive shots. My guard went up when he began barking senseless commands at his high dollar yellow Labrador as soon he let the dog out of the truck. The dog was beautiful and high bred, but his owner badgered him relentlessly. “This dog just needs some control from his master,” the gentleman yelled, between a run of useless commands of “here,” “heal,” “sit,” “get out,” and other confusing rants. Frazzled by the barrage of loud voice and whistle commands, the young dog soon had enough.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

The owner, of course, snapshot the first teal that buzzed the decoys. The shot belonged to the fellow on the left end of the blind. Regardless, Mr. Dog Owner began another barrage of voice commands, insisting his dog retrieve the downed bird. After a couple of long minutes of shouts and insults, the retriever halfheartedly tromped through the marsh, picked up the duck, ran to the nearest thick cover, and ate the bird. Unfortunately, that guy was not unique. I have witnessed his type of behavior towards gun dogs many times over. Nagging a hunting dog never achieves desired results.

Feature Story Quiet Commands Work Top-notch dog trainers are quiet people. Regardless of breed, they deliver voice and whistle commands, or corrections, only when required to achieve the desired goal. Successful trainers suggest that dog owners spend less time barking confusing commands and more time watching their dog’s behavior. Too much noise and distraction confuse gun dogs. The result is an interruption of the process of dealing with birds, which is a dog’s primary desire. When communications between handlers and the dog begin to break, performance suffers. All too often, owners then begin to shout more commands in an aggressive tone, which further ensures the dog’s failure. Relax the Control Dog owners exhibiting excessive control over their best friend is a sure sign of their lack of faith in their dog and the owner’s neediness for ego trips. A typical problem owners exhibit is shouting commands as soon as his dog begins a retrieve. Allowing a young dog to work out its own mistakes helps build confidence from experience. The hunter who tries to control the dog’s every move creates confusion for the dog and, ultimately fear of reprisal from the owner and eventually, failure. Then most often the owner blames the dog. No Place for Anger There is no place in the training phase, duck blind or pheasant field for anger expressed towards a dog. It takes time to train a dog properly. Beginning sessions should be short and fun. Too often, puppies are set up for failure by owners who pressure them immediately. A puppy getting its first whiff of a planted bird is going to be exuberant. Shouting at the puppy to guide it to the bird creates confusion. Continuing to shout “whoa” as the pup approaches the bird adds to the confusion. Allow the puppy to use its instincts to find and point or flush the bird, according to its breeding.

Puppies that are set up for failure by their owners often reap the owner’s wrath as well. Puppies will learn quickly from their mistakes and soon realize that they can’t catch birds. Frustration and anger in the field always produce little for the dog or the owner and even less for hunting buddies. Our frustrated duck blind companion succeeded in ruining a perfect day of duck hunting for everyone. And the expensive Lab became a house dog. Conclusion Acquiring, training and hunting with a gun dog, of any breed, are special occasions in life. They should be enjoyed beginning to end. Any bird hunter will all you that hunting with his dog is an essential part of the hunt. The interaction between hunter and dog just can’t be surpassed by another other segments of the hunt. Every hunter loves to watch his dog work a bird field, pick up the scent, make a point or flush, and make a to hand retrieve, once the bird has been shot. Each of those scenarios is replayed in a hunter’s mind over and over after the day’s hunt is over. The stories that are told around campfires and gatherings last a lifetime as they are played out again and again. If you want a happy, successful hunting dog, relax and let your dog work. The dog will relax with your lead, learn quickly, and provide years of enjoyment for both of you. Bill Cooper The bond between dog and owner is a special commitment. Allowing the dog to work and keeping commands soft and limited goes a long way towards creating fond hunting memories. (Photo: Bill Cooper) Bird dogs provide many fun hours afield hunting. They will respond quickly to firm, but gentle commands and provide years of quality hunting for family and friends (Photo: Bill Cooper)

JANUARY - 2020

Wildlife are wild about...

Building Tomorrow Jim Blair leads Moneta’sSM support of the Conservation Federation of Missouri in their efforts to protect Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preserve our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.

James T. Blair, Coleman Sheehan and John Steffens 314.244.3263 | monetagroup.com

DINING WILD on American Beauty Berry.

Our native plants provide birds with seeds, berries, insects and nesting sites. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery PRZOGÁUV#VRFNHW QHW www.mowildflowers.net

You need our excellent catalog by mail or online.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

• Superior mast production • Greater survivability • Faster growth

Bucks’ Unlimited Oaktm is a trademark owned by the University of Missouri (“MU”) for a tree developed at MU with the support of Forrest Keeling Nursery. Forrest Keeling Nursery is the exclusive licensee for this product.

800 -FKN-2401 • (573) 898-5571 • forrestkeeling.com

GET YOUR FREE CONSULTATION 855.464.6786 USSUNSOLAR.COM

solar for your home and business • LIMITED TIME UTILITY REBATES AVAILABLE • 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT AVAILABLE THROUGH 2019 • NO MORE RISING ELECTRIC RATES • PAY $0 DOWN PURCHASE FROM YOUR FAVORITE RELOADING SUPPLIER OR ORDER FACTORY DIRECT.

• FINANCING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

100% AMERICAN MADE & OWNED

STARLINEBRASS.COM | 1(800) 280-6660

JANUARY - 2020

Feature Story

Time Around the Campfire is Really Something Special

here’s something really special about time spent around a campfire. Smoke drifts away or gets in your face. Wood crackles and pops. Flames dance and flicker. Sparks float hypnotically upward into a night sky. A campfire makes you feel better. It warms you to the bone. Magically it takes away stress and pressures no matter where it’s felt. It could be hunting camp, the riverbank, top of a mountain or down in a valley, or even just in your backyard. It doesn’t matter because they’re all magical.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Around campfires, there are no televisions smartphones or electronic gadgets. There are only friends and family, or the quiet and solitude of being alone. Campfires are for cooking food, lighting the night and keeping warm. They are for sharing memories of other times and other places, talking about loved ones and old friends who are no longer here, the big one that got away or missing the buck of a lifetime. We turn our backsides to the warmth of its flames but still shiver as our eyes widen, listening to someone tell ghost stories.

Feature Story Campfires are where grandkids roast marshmallows and share time with their Papaw. They are a place to watch the flames dance as the worry of the workweek melts away. They are a place for fish fry’s, cookouts and fellowship. It’s easy to sit and watch the flames play for hours while someone tells stories, or you listen to night sounds. Flames of a campfire are soothing and always changing. As a campfire dies down to coals, the night slowly takes over and you know it’s time to crawl into your sleeping bag or your bed until morning comes. To have a good campfire, you first have to know how to build one. Start by making a foundation of tinder using an old bird’s nest, dryer lint, pine needles and cones or fire cubes you can buy in your local outdoor store. On top of the tinder crisscross small pieces of kindling like small twigs or thin pieces of wood scraps, making sure there is plenty of room for air circulation. Now light your tinder from below, not on top to get both it and the kindling going. Keep adding kindling until you start getting a bed of coals and then gradually add bigger pieces of wood while you still leave room for air circulation. Now sit back and enjoy your time around the campfire you built. Heat from a campfire is also used for cooking food. The warmth of the food that feeds your body from the inside is the only real way to keep your body temperature up. Campfire cooking should be done over a fire that has hot coals rather than flames. Flames have less heat and more soot, which blackens pots. Coals also have more even heat, so food is cooked well. Food cooked over a campfire tastes better. It could be a shore lunch on some Canadian lake, grilled venison at deer camp or just hot dogs and s’mores.

One of my favorite times around a campfire is in winter or early spring before the sun starts the day. While my wife still sleeps, I quietly head outside to build a campfire in the backyard fire pit. It doesn’t matter how cold it is and if it’s snowing, that’s all the better and I still go. Flames reflecting off the snow are beautiful. The best time is when the sky is still dark, and millions of stars still fill the night sky. The wood sizzles and pops, the flames dance and the smell of wood smoke drift through the air. It’s a quiet time. Not many people are up early like me. I warm myself by the fire and sip my coffee. I think of my wife, my kids, my grandkids, my friends and how I am truly grateful for them. I think of my God and how much he has truly blessed me. I look up and thank him for the great outdoors that he created for us to enjoy and preserve for future generations. I thank him for the time in a treestand watching sunrises through the trees while I wait for a deer to come by. I thank him that I am still thrilled to find a deer antler or a mushroom. I thank him that a turkey gobble still gets my heart beating faster. I thank him for the sounds of geese high overhead and eagle cries. I thank him for time on the water catching fish or just paddling. I thank him for campsites and hiking trails. My thoughts turn to all the outdoor memories I have made with my kids and grandkids. I sure hope there are many more to come before God calls me home. I stir the fire, watch the sparks and wipe away a tear. Smoke must have got in my eyes. Time around a campfire is something really special. Larry Whiteley *Editors Note: In 2019 Larry was inducted into Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. He was recognized for making significant and lasting contributions to the sport and heritage of fresh water fishing. His iconic voice can be heard in Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s stores, and heard every day on radio stations and podcasts across America and Canada. Congratulations Larry.

JANUARY - 2020

LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER VISIT WWW.CONFEDMO.ORG/LAC CLICK "SIGN-UP"

"Be The Voice For Missouri's Outdoors"

Act fast on issues that matter to you. STAY INFORMED. SIGN UP TODAY

Outdoor News

OGT Offering $20,000 Reward for Help with MDC Elk Poaching Cases

issouri’s Operation Game Thief (OGT) is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the poacher/s that shot a female adult elk and left it for dead Nov. 18 on National Park Service property near the end of M Highway in Carter County. No meat or other parts of the animal were taken. By the time the dead cow elk was found by conservation agents, the meat was no longer salvageable for donation. OGT is an effort of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) to work with the public to help catch poachers. Learn more at mdc. mo.gov/contact-engage/report-problems-illegalactivity/operation-game-thief According to MDC, this is the sixth elk killed by poachers over the past several years. MDC Protection Division Chief Randy Doman said investigations into each incident are ongoing. The $20,000 will be rewarded to the first conviction received on any of the elk poaching cases. “The OGT reward monies have been donated by the public and reflect how much Missourians care about conservation, our native wildlife, and the laws that protect them,” Doman said. “We appreciate this strong support to help bring in information that could lead to convictions.” CFM Executive Director Tyler Schwartze added, “Poaching is stealing precious wildlife resources from all Missourians, and this must be stopped. We are offering this reward amount in hopes of finding those responsible for committing these selfish acts.” MDC and CFM ask that anyone with any information related to this investigation or other open elkpoaching investigations report it to Operation Game Thief at 1-800-392-1111. The hotline is managed 24 hours a day and callers may remain anonymous. Callers should request to be considered for the reward if the information leads to conviction.

Missouri’s Operation Game Thief is offering a $20,000 reward for information that leads to conviction of the poacher(s) who illegally killed this cow elk on Nov. 18 in Carter County, or other open investigations involving elk illegally killed in Missouri. Call OGT at 1-800-392-1111. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

Elk were once found throughout most of the state, but by the mid-1880s market hunting had erased any trace of free-ranging elk from the Missouri landscape. From 2011 through 2013, MDC reintroduced 108 elk captured in Kentucky onto Peck Ranch Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks. These elk formed the base of Missouri’s current free-ranging elk herd of nearly 200 animals in parts of Carter, Shannon, and Reynolds counties. Learn more at mdc.mo.gov.

JANUARY - 2020

Outdoor News

MO Hunting App Convenient Addition

’m not one to usually offer advice on adding technology to your traditional outdoor pursuits. But in this case, the MO Hunting App offered by the Missouri Department of Conservation, provides so many conveniences, I think you are going to want to add it to your mobile devices. Unless you’re still using a flip phone, which in that case, you are a hero of mine. This time of year, I’m using the MO Hunting app frequently. First of all, the app lists all the Missouri hunting season dates. So I no longer have to carry the booklet around with me. I have everything on my phone, in my pocket. So the answer to most Missouri hunting related questions is readily available, and it is free. The app also allows you to purchase and store all of your hunting licenses. I can’t tell you how many paper licenses of mine over the years ended up wet or lost or forgotten in a different pair of pants. Having your license with you at all times on the app is super convenient and gives you piece of mind, knowing you are always in possession of the documents that make your pursuits legal. You can also use the MO Hunting App to telecheck your deer, and it keeps track of your telecheck history. Now, I miss the old check stations as much as anyone. There was nothing like hanging out by the buck pole watching hunters pour in with deer to check in the beds of pickup trucks. The biggest bucks would be weighed. Anything over 200 pounds drew a lot of attention. I miss the days when bucks were judged by weight. Where I grew up hunting, back in the 1990s, big buck contests were won with pounds, not inches. It was better that way. Today we have the telecheck instead, so might as well make convenience as convenient as possible. This app does that. When you have the App, your digital licenses are legal copies, so you don’t need to print on paper. And best of all, you don’t have to go stand in a store waiting for someone to miraculously show up in the sporting goods section to help you at the counter. Or if you’re a procrastinator, you won’t have to wait in line at a counter while a dozens of other people buy licenses in front of you.

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Once you harvest your buck, the MO Hunting App makes telechecking simple. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

You can notch a license on the app without an internet connection. You must notch your license before you can telecheck, which you do need an internet connection for. I burned my preference points this past year for a managed hunt in December at Stockton Lake. I can’t wait for a Christmas season cast and blast of deer hunting and crappie fishing with my buddies Shags and Kris Nelson. But I’ll be back to building preference points next year. The MO Hunting App makes that super easy and quickly lets you know how many points you have. Signing up for the app is simple. Simply download it from wherever you download apps. For me, that’s the App Store on my iPhone. You need to know your Conservation Number to create your profile and log in the first time. The MDC also offers MO Fishing, MO Outdoors and MO Conservationist Magazine. All also free. If you’re the owner of a smart phone, put it to use with a smart decision, and download the MO Hunting App. It will keep you more organized and more informed during hunting season. Brandon Butler

Conservation Day at the Capitol

April 1, 2020 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Third Floor Rotunda

We protect your investment with…

We build thousands of trailers, but each one is just for you.

Trailerman Trailers, Inc® coats YOUR trailer with a top-of-the-line, industrial grade paint system, consisting of two-component epoxy and polyurethane technology. To become a dealer for Trailerman Trailers, Inc.® Call us today 573-754-6972 and join the profitable Trailerman® Dealer Network! 1997-2018

www.trailermantrailers.net

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Fully focused on providing safe, affordable and reliable electricity to member-consumers at the end of the line. Visit northeast-power.coop for more information.

Proud to support our outdoor heritage Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives

OPEN

SMOKED MEATS — SINCE 1927 —

3 281 9 H IG HWAY 87

MON-FRI 8AM-5PM

SMOKEHOUSE.COM 1-800-624-5426

CALIFORNIA, MISSOURI 65018

10,000 sq ft Facility = Capable and Established

Many Items to see, f eel and try on!

We want YOU to Stand Out!

missouriwine.org

CFM MEMBERS RECEIVE RATES DISCOUNTED AT

888.691.1126 POET.COM/Laddonia

10 %

DRURYHOTELS.C OM 800-DRURYIN N

Free Hot Breakfast Free Hot Food & Cold Beverages at 5:30 Kickback Free Wi-Fi Throughout the Hotel 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

JANUARY - 2020

You’ve got it bagged with legendary Hodgdon powders. Phone 913-362-9455 www.hodgdon.com

H170-044538-6_MOWildlifeGuide_Ad.indd 1

6/13/16 4:30 PM

P WDER H RN

CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS

A program of the Conservation Federation of Missouri www.confedmo.org/clc

T I A B K OZAR CKLE & TA

• LIVE BAIT • ARCHERY • TACKLE

• GUNS

• PERMITS

• AMMO

VERSAILLES, MO LAURIE, MO 573-378-2220 573-374-6065 www.edgarssports.com

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

GRAVOIS MILLS, MO *Storage Only* 30’ & 40’ Storage Units

Planning Your Future?

Include the Conservation Federation of Missouri in your estate plans. Leave a legacy for the natural resources and traditions you have valued throughout your life. Make CFM a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance policy or retirement plan. Any amount helps preserve Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resources and natural history for generations to come. What will your legacy be?

Call 573-634-2322 to find out more information.

If there are errors in your name or address, please notify us at: Conservation Federation 728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call 573-634-2322.

PROTECTING WILDLIFE AND HABITAT Restoring millions of acres of habitat, healthy rivers, lakes and streams across North America with our partners.

CONNECTING NEW AUDIENCES TO THE OUTDOORS Creating the next generation of outdoor stewards — more than 100,000 kids catch a fish with us each year.

ADVOCATING FOR SPORTSMEN’S RIGHTS Building coalitions to expand outdoor recreation access for everyone.