CONSERVATION FEDERATION
The Voice for Missouri Outdoors JANUARY 2017 - VOL 78 | NO. 1
BE THE DIFFERENCE FOR CONSERVATION
JOIN CFM TODAY
NOW IS YOUR CHANCE to join the organization that unites thousands of Missourians with the goal of preserving the state’s immense natural resources. Your actions now will create a better future for generations to come. Visit www.confedmo.org/join to become a member of CFM today.
Director’s Message
Land Ownership Opens Door to Conservation Work
D
reams come true. As long as I can remember, I've wanted nothing more than my own piece of ground. Nearly three decades of waiting finally came to an end when I purchased a 42-acre wilderness paradise in the heart of Missouri's Ozark Mountains this past September. It's on a creek and borders over 60,000 contiguous acres of public land. Current River and the Jacks Fork flow nearby. Bear, deer, turkey, bobcat and more call this place home. Everything I thought I’d feel as a landowner has been realized. There’s a strong sense of pride, but also of responsibility. It’s a blossoming love affair. The relationship between man and land must be constantly nurtured. I am promised to improvements on an already magical property. Ryan Diener, a biologist with Quail Forever and member of the CFM board of directors, surveyed the ground for wildlife habitat improvement. He’s developing a long list of projects for me. Jason Greene, manager of Pioneer Forest, has helped me plan a selective timber harvest, which will improve wildlife habitat and return about a third of the cost of the property. Electricity has been reinstalled after being disconnected from an old cabin many years ago. I discovered a small glade, which is beautiful, but needs to be restored to a much larger size. And to my great excitement there are a lot of deer and turkey on the property, but unfortunately also a lot of feral hogs. During deer season, I was blessed with two 8-pointers. I killed one with a bow and one with a rifle. The first went in my freezer. The second was donated to Share the Harvest. The bow buck was a perfect representation of what this place means to me. Shannon County is tough country. Folks work hard just to survive in these mountains. It’s rugged and rocky, and nothing comes easy. The busted up bruiser crossed my path deep in the forest. This is a wild, remote area. There’s a real good chance no other hunter ever saw him before.
The buck didn’t have a name. He wasn’t on a “hit list.” He wasn’t managed for years to be harvested when ready like a crop. He was a wild animal, living in a wild place. He fought hard for his status amongst his peers, breaking off three of his eight points. This particular buck is one I will always remember. I will forever be thankful. Wilderness philosopher, Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Wildness is the preservation of the World.” For me, wilderness is certainly the preservation of my soul. The endless work of land stewardship has just begun, but I look forward to a never-ending list of projects. With all the resources available from MDC and many of CFM’s affiliate organizations, I have more than needed to guide me through the process of constant improvement.
Yours in Conservation, Brandon Butler Executive Director, CFM
JANUARY - 2017
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CONTENTS
Conservation Federation January 2017 - V78 No. 1
Features
OFFICERS Ron Coleman
President
Gary Van De Velde
1st Vice President
Mossie Schallon
2nd Vice President
Richard Mendenhall Secretary Randy Washburn
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54
58 30
46
Branson, Missouri: An Exciting Four Season Retreat Branson, Missouri offers fun for everyone in the family.
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Understanding Shotgun Stocks: Part 2
Part two of the series educates on how to handle a shotgun accurately.
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Dogwood Canyon: A Great Place to Learn Trout Fishing The once raw landscape has been polished into a breathtaking gem.
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Treasurer
STAFF Brandon Butler
Executive Director & Editor
Rehan Nana
Director of Corporate Relations
Micaela Haymaker
Director of Operations
Laurie Coleman
Membership Director
Jennifer Sampsell
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Michael Wardlaw
Events Manager
Emma Kessinger
Creative Director
ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
Missouri Squirrel Hunting Memories
Missouri's squirrel hunting season will create memories to last a lifetime.
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Real Estate & A Hunting Passion Creates Friendship
Two men's love for hunting led to their creation of UC Hunting Properties.
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Missouri's Native Pine
The shortleaf pine plays an important role for wildlife in Missouri.
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St. James is a Trout Fishing Town
The town offers an outdoor connection for Missourians around the state.
Departments 3 6 8 10
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Director’s Message Business Alliance Spotlight President's Message Member News Member Memories New Members Gear Guide Calendar Wildgame Recipe Affiliate Spotlight Agency News CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Highlights 18 20 28 41 49 57 61 62 63
CFM Annual Convention CFM Hires Michael Wardlaw Yeti Membership Promotion Missouri Passes the Parks, Soil and Water Tax Missouri Prepares for Eclipse ATV Safety Tips Angling for Ethanol Winter Hikes in Missouri CFM Named NWF Affiliate
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: LColeman@confedmo.org | 573-634-2322
FRONT COVER Snowy Fox Squirrel Copyright: Kenneth_Keifer
Business Alliance
Thank you to all of our Business Alliance members. Platinum
Gold
Silver
Alps OutdoorZ Bushnell Diamond Pet Foods Enbridge, Inc. Kansas City Zoo MidwayUSA Redneck Blinds Riley Chevrolet Roeslein Alternative Energy, LLC Weston Products United Country Real Estate
Burgers’ Smokehouse Custom Metal Products Doolittle Trailer Forrest Keeling Nursery G&W Meat & Bavarian Style Sausage Co. G3 Boats Jaguar Land Rover St. Louis Learfield Communication, Inc. Lilley’s Landing Resort & Marina Logboat Brewing Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
Mitico Moneta Group National Feather-Craft Co. Pure Air Natives, Inc. SportDOG Brand Starline, Inc. Sydenstrickers Tiger Hotel
Hodgdon Powder Company, Inc. Huzzah Valley Resort Inn at Grand Glaize Missouri Wine & Grape Board
NW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Sierra Bullets, LLC Walter Knoll Florist
Greenbrier Wetland Services Grundy Electric Cooperative, Inc. HMI Fireplace Shops Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning J&B Outdoors Kansas City Parks and Recreation Kleinschmidt’s Western Store Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative Meramec Bison Farm, LLC Midwest Mailing Service Missouri Conservation Pioneers Missouri Credit Union Missouri Deer Classic
Missouri Teardrops MTAR Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. REMAX Boone Realty Shade Tree Service, Inc. St. Joseph Harley Davidson Tabor Plastics Company Tanks Pawn & Gun Truman’s Bar & Grill United Electric Cooperative, Inc. White River Valley Electric Cooperative
Bronze Association of Missouri Electric Coop. Black Widow Custom Bows, Inc. Drury Hotels Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Iron Advantage Metals Recycling Bass Pro Shops (Independence) Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Blue Springs School District Blue Springs Park and Recreation Bob McCosh Chevrolet Buick GMC Brown Printing Cap America Central Bank Columbia Daily Tribune Dickerson Park Zoo Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association General Printing Service
Your business can benefit by supporting conservation. Contact Rehan Nana: 573-634-2322 or RNana@confedmo.org. JANUARY - 2017
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Business Alliance
MidwayUSA's Visionary Impact
A
t MidwayUSA, everything starts with a vision, which is: to be the best run, most respected business in America, for the benefit of their customers. This is a bold vision, but a vision that is accomplished through the hard work of its employees and founders, Larry and Brenda Potterfield.
In 1980, Midway received the first shipment of what was to be a total production run of 500,000 rounds of 8mm Nambu brass, produced by B.E.L.L. Labs of Chicago. Much of this brass was loaded into ammunition and can still be found at gun shows in a bright orange box.
Today, MidwayUSA is a leading internet-retailer of over 100,000 shooting, reloading, gunsmithing, and hunting products. However, MidwayUSA started as a modest gun shop in Columbia, Missouri, on June 18, 1977, in a 1,600 square foot metal, pole-frame building. The mail-order division of MidwayUSA was started later in 1977, with a small offering of ‘handmade’ 8mm Japanese pistol ammunition and 25 Remington rifle ammunition.
Computerization played a major role in the development of MidwayUSA; Larry had one computer class in college, and in 1982 he purchased the Company's first computer, an Apple III. In 1986 he bought the first IBM; in March 1987 they began networking their computers together.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Business Alliance In 2014, MidwayUSA became an online only retailer moving away from mail order and the master catalog upon which the company was built.
As of September 2016, the MidwayUSA Foundation is known to have paid $12.6 million in grants and assisted 2,505 teams with endowments.
MidwayUSA recognizes their responsibility to provide leadership to the outdoor industry and to give back to the community. Owners Larry and Brenda Potterfield, support the NRA and the Shooting/Hunting Sports Industry by donating 50% of their pre-tax profits, mostly to help fund youth shooting programs. MidwayUSA also supports community efforts, which includes the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM).
“Throughout my conservation career, I’ve been inspired by the steadfast dedication MidwayUSA and the Potterfields have for American conservation, our outdoor heritage and the future generations of outdoorspeople who have not yet stepped foot in the great outdoors. At every corner, MidwayUSA and the Potterfields have been working with organizations across the country to further our outdoor-values,” said Rehan Nana, Director of Corporate Relations for the Conservation Federation of Missouri. “It makes me proud that as Missourians we have business leaders like MidwayUSA that recognize and support conservation in our great state.”
Since CFM founded the business alliance program, MidwayUSA has been a “Gold” level supporter. The Company’s steadfast dedication to Missouri’s outdoors and CFM’s conservation mission has allowed CFM to protect and promote Missouri’s outdoors. “Brenda and I want to do what we can to make sure future generations have the same opportunities we’ve had,” said Larry Potterfield, Founder and CEO of MidwayUSA. “That’s one reason we passionately believe in and support CFM’s vision to ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources.” Larry and Brenda established the MidwayUSA Foundation, a 501C3 public charity, in 2007. The Potterfields began the Foundation as a result of their passion and interest in education for shooting, hunting, firearms safety and outdoor skills. The Foundation’s largest fund is the Team Endowment Account Program, an endowment to provide financial support to youth shooting teams. The MidwayUSA Foundation works to help communities and organizations raise funds to support their high school, college and other youth shooting teams and activities.
In 2015, MidwayUSA earned the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for innovation and performance excellence. A recipient of the 2009 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, MidwayUSA is one of only seven organizations to earn the award twice since the first award cycle in 1988. ‘Conservation is the Wise Use of Natural Resources’ and is at the center of who the Potterfields are and the core of the MidwayUSA business. From a beginning in the pole-frame building to their current national prominence as leaders in the outdoor industry, the Potterfields and MidwayUSA certainly have used their resources wisely, efficiently and effectively for all of our benefit. To learn more about MidwayUSA visit their website at www.midwayusa.com.
The Foundation also manages donor advised endowed funds for these communities and organizations. Active teams can grow their Team Endowment Account balance several ways, including donations, fundraisers and earnings. Teams are then eligible to apply for a grant once per year to use for team expenses, such as travel, ammunition, range fees, equipment and more. JANUARY - 2017
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President’s Message
The Winds of Change and A New Year in Conservation
F
irst of all on behalf of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) I want to extend a Happy New Year to all of our many CFM members and partners with the hope that 2017 will be a healthy, prosperous and productive New Year for all. I also want to thank you for your generous and kind support of CFM this past year. The new year brings many challenges for conservation and the Federation with a new president at the federal level of government and a new governor here in Missouri - both soon to be sworn into office. At this early stage in their respective administrations we have little idea about how they view the conservation of our national and state natural resource programs. As always we do know that the winds of change in government always tends to create an unsettling effect about what the future may hold on the political landscape – nor do we yet know the course of action planned by our new leaders and their appointed representatives for our state. Fortunately, here in Missouri because of the past outstanding non partisan conservation work done by so many dedicated conservationists over the past 80 years our new governor and the general assembly will inherit one of the finest and best managed conservation agencies and parks programs in our nation today.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Missouri sportsmen continue to turn out in great numbers to enjoy bountiful hunting of our deer and wild turkey. Fishing opportunities for our bass and trout on Missouri lakes and streams has never been better. Our beautiful award winning Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites continue to have record setting attendance. For nearly eight decades CFM has been confronted with the winds of political change from election to election and its bipartisan collaborative approach to developing a shared vision for enhancing and protecting our states land, water and wildlife resources is the way it has always been with CFM. This past fall Missourians turned out in great numbers during the November 8 General Election to pass Amendment #1 by a 80.3 percent margin reflecting how strongly citizens feel about our soil, clean water and state parks programs here in Missouri. This was the first time such a measure passed in every Missouri County. It represents a clear mandate it seems for the next decade of statewide elected leaders. As we enter 2017 and the new year the Conservation Federation of Missouri welcomes our new leadership and stands prepared to assist in any way possible during this critical transition in government when it comes to creating understanding and respect for the intricacies of our states rich outdoor heritage.
Yours in Conservation, Ron Coleman President, CFM
Member News
CFM Staff Member Memories From 2016 (Left) Brandon Butler, CFM Executive Director, is all smiles after landing a nice brown trout on the North Fork of the White River. (Right) Laurie Coleman, CFM Membership Director, and boyfriend Chris Wilson enjoy kayaking in Matlacha, FL. (Bottom) Rehan Nana, Director of Corporate Relations, enjoys hunting in Minnesota.
(Left) Micaela Haymaker, Director of Operations, pictured with her family (left to right) Cody, Josie, Scott and Hailey. (Right) Jen Sampsell, CFM Education and Outreach Coordinator, her sons Joshua and Jacob and husband Todd on vacation in Glacier National Park.
Share your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and they could be published in the next issue! 10
CONSERVATION FEDERATION
ConFedMo
Member News
WELCOME NEW CFM MEMBERS Rachal Aye, Saint Ann
Paul Kemner, Augusta
LeeAnn Sydenstricker, Saint Louis
Ann Brenner, Saint Louis
Shannon Kostyshock, High Ridge
Rachael Throm, Florissant
William Brenner, Saint Louis
Bill Lockwood, Jefferson City
Steven Throm, Florissant
Jill Clymer, Saint Albans
Greg Luce, Columbia
Chris Tomschin, Wright City
Emily Cobb, High Hill
James McGuire, Columbia
Edward Warmann, Saint Charles
Kevin Cobb, High Hill
Jon McRoberts, Columbia
Katie Wiesehan, Imperial
Sandra Conklin, Columbia
Merlin Moore, Troy
Terri Winchester, Saint Albans
Lesly Detmering, Webb City
Sandra Moore, Troy
Wayne Winchester, Saint Albans
Mark Engelhardt, Ballwin
Teak Phillips, Saint Louis
Debbie Wingo, Wentzville
Marlan Graham, Manchester
Jerry Risch, Chesterfield
Gerald Wisdom, Florissant
Glennis Grimm, Foristell
Lois Schultz, Saint Albans
Catherine Harris, Columbia
Walter Schultz, Saint Albans
Fred Isensee, Maryland Heights
Stephen Shifley, Centralia
David Jones, Springfield
Barbara Singleton, Vienna
CFM would like to thank the 174 members that renewed since our last publication.
Why I Became A CFM Life Member: TJ Kohler
W
hen I grew up in Jefferson County south of St. Louis the area was still very rural with many big farms and open spaces which afforded me the opportunity to play and enjoy the outdoors close to my home. Our family knew most of the area landowners so it was easy for me to get permission to hunt or fish on their properties. Our house was located next to a small tributary of the Mississippi River therefore, I learned about the impact and value of water. I was fortunate to gain so many positive outdoor experiences as a youth. We were also lucky to have a cabin on Lake of the Ozarks where friends and family gathered during the summer to fish and swim. Those trips to the lake to share time with dad, friends and relatives are still lingering as memorable experiences in the back of my mind. Many good times and good fishing trips on the water.
Because some of my family were involved with CFM I decided to join and I got hooked on the organization as I learned more about its mission to protect our outdoor experiences. I am now a proud life member of CFM and glad to support its good work. TJ Kohler Barnhart, Missouri
Deer and turkey hunting in Missouri has been a life-long passion of mine. Spending time outdoors has provided me with the respect for how we should manage our states forest, fish and wildlife for the future. JANUARY - 2017
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Committed to Community & Conservation Owned by the members they serve, Missouri’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. Missouri’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.
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Member News
Gear Guide Polar HD 1200 Trailer Turn your ATV or lawn tractor into an all-purpose hauling machine. The HD 1200 is by far Polar’s most popular model, and the perfect size for most any job. Extra-thick bed, walls and gunnels stand strong while landscaping rock, firewood, gear, and game like no other. Built rugged, durable Tubular Frame Technology. Sheet metal frames don't compare. The pass-through axle and rugged, wide-track tires let it easily maneuver over any terrain. And when it comes time to dump your load, the tilt & pivot bin with quick-release tipper latch let you remove your debris with little or no effort. Stop hauling harder and start hauling smarter. www.clamoutdoors.com
MyTopo Maps Need a high quality, true-to-scale map of a public land area, a USGS quad, or a satellite image of your farm or hunting camp? MyTopo offers waterproof topographical or aerial photograph maps of any place in the US or Canada. You can add public land boundaries and/or private property boundaries with owner names. Missouri’s over 500 federal and state public lands are already pre-centered to make them even easier to order. MyTopo prints and ships within 24 hours for quick delivery to your mailbox. www.mytopo.com
Silent Rider The Silent Rider is one of the most valuable ATV/UTV accessories a hunter can have. Once you install your ATV silencer, you will have the quietest ride in your hunting area. The Silent Rider is an auxiliary muffler that when attached to your stock/OEM exhaust system quiets the popping noise of your ATV/UTV’s stock muffler. It is easy to install and remove. Silent Rider offers a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty and 30-day return policy. Proudly manufactured in the U.S.A. www.atvsilencer.com
Weston Smoker - BUSINESS ALLIANCE Weston makes products that empower people to reconnect with real food. Turn your wild game into smoked culinary delights. With the 36" Weston Propane Smoker, you can make your own smoked sausage, jerky, charcuterie products, roasts, fish and more. This smoker includes a stainless steel door, porcelain water bowl, smoking box, chrome-plated cooking racks and sausage hooks. This Weston smoker is propane fueled with fully adjustable delivery system for use just about anywhere outdoors. www.westonsupply.com
Wildgame Innovations Feeder The Wildgame Innovations Heavy Metal 200 D Feeder holds 200LBS of feed and has a 30 ft. 360 degree range. It features a built in funnel to reduce feed waste and has a 12-piece powder coated leg kit. The digital power control unit allows for 4 feeding times and comes with a galvanized spinner plate. It also has a varmint guard system and runs off a 6V battery, not included. www.wildgameinnovations.com
JANUARY - 2017
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Member News
CALENDAR UPCOMING AFFILIATE EVENTS BURROUGHS AUDUBON SOCIETY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY JAN 7: Bird Banding, Burroughs Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, Blue Springs (10am) FEB 4: Bird Banding, Burroughs Nature Center and Bird Sanctuary, Blue Springs (10am) GATEWAY CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED FEB 17: Annual Fundraising Dinner, Tapawingo National Golf Club, St. Louis (6pm) GREENWAY NETWORK JAN 2: Board Meeting, St. Peters (7 - 9pm) FEB 5: Board Meeting, St. Peters (7 - 9pm) MID MISSOURI TROUT UNLIMITED FEB 24: Annual Awards and Fundraising Banquet, Stoney Creek Inn, Columbia (5:30pm) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATION JAN 11: Monthly Meeting, American Legion Hall, Brentwood (7:30pm) FEB 8: Monthly Meeting, American Legion Hall, Brentwood (7:30pm) MISSOURI CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE SOCIETY FEB 1: Deadline for Group Achievement Award& TWS Fellows Nominations FEB 13: Annual Conference Call for Contributed Papers and Posters MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED JAN 21: Banquet and Auction, VFW, Cape Girardeau (6 - 10pm); Dave Parker (573) 576-6008 JAN 21: 35th Annual Banquet and Auction, Adkins Auction and Riverview Realty, Lexington (5:30 - 10pm); Craig Rodekohr (816) 699-5109
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FEB 11: Longview's 37th Annual Banquet and 80th Anniversary, Memorial Station, Belton (6 - 10pm); Jerry Ford (816) 8962221 FEB 11: Dinner, Knights of Columbus, Kearney (6 - 9:30pm); Marion Morgan (816) 392-8592 FEB 11: Dinner, All Occasions Banquet Center, St. Charles (6 - 9:30pm); Don Molitor (636) 485-7179 FEB 18: Gateway Greenheads Dinner, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Town and Country (6 - 10pm); Steve Wunsch (314) 703-9074 FEB 18: Southern Boone County Dinner, Optimists Club, Ashland (5:30 - 10pm); Sara Bennett (573) 642-7730 FEB 25: Dinner, Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center, St. Charles (6 - 10pm); Dustan Disselhorst (636) 699-9869 FEB 25: Southfork Flyway Dinner, Creed O's Sports Bar, Mexico (6 - 10pm); Dave Craghead (573) 473-6967 MISSOURI FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOC. JAN 10: Winter Meeting, Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City JAN 11: Legislative Breakfast, Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION JAN 7: Missouri State Banquet, TanTar-A Resort, Osage Beach (5pm); Tim Besancenez (636) 262-0815 JAN 14: Honey Creek Strutters, Community Center, Cameron (5:30pm); Chad Foreman (816) 632-2017 JAN 14: Current River Callers, School, Winona (5pm); Troy McAfee (573) 3254475 JAN 21: Union Covered Bridge Gobblers, Community Building, Madison (5:30pm); Bruce Mills (573) 721-2268 JAN 21: Springtown Wattlenecks, Annunciation Community Center, Kearney (5:30pm); Troy O'Dell (816) 506-9422 JAN 21: Dent County Thundering Toms, Indian Trail Archery, Salem (5:30pm); John Steelman (573) 247-9217
JAN 21: Clearwater Longbeards, Trinity Methodist Church, Piedmont (5pm); Richard Ayers (573) 223-2356 JAN 26: Perry County Gun Blast, Knights of Columbus, Perryville (6pm); Al Huber (573) 517-1936 JAN 27: Salt River Sharp Spurs, Father Buhman Center, Shelbina (5:30pm); Jason Pollard (573) 248-4976 JAN 27: Willard Thunderin Gobblers, The Round Barn at Clear Creek, Walnut Grove (6pm); Carrie Bussard (417) 827-0782 JAN 27: Shaky Ground Gobblers, Southern Comfort, New Madrid (6pm); Walter Campbell (573) 380-7928 JAN 27: Indian Creek Chapter, Civic Auditorium, Neosho (6pm); Matt Friend (417) 389-5443 JAN 28: Ray County Short Spurs, Ray County Veterans Memorial Building, Richmond (5:30pm); Mark McCorkendale (660) 398-4785 JAN 28: Hickory Country Jakes and Jennies, Hickory Country Senior Center, Wheatland (5:30pm); Tim Pratt (417) 7181114 JAN 28: Southern Ozark Longbeards, His Place, Doniphan (5pm); Sam Griffin (573) 996-2148 FEB 2: Swampeast Strutters, United Methodist Church, Charleston (5:30pm); Kevin Miller (573) 683-3203 FEB 3: Walt Beumer Memorial Chapter, The Boeing Machinist Building, Hazelwood (6pm); Brian Duckett (314) 574-9213 FEB 3: Heartland Longbeards, Civic Center, Oak Grove (5:30pm); James Drake (816) 718-1100 FEB 3: Rogersville Strutters, First Baptist Church, Rogersville (5:30pm); Cody Wilson (417) 753-2548 FEB 4: Tick Ridge, Expo Center, Macon (5pm); Matthew Burks (660) 395-1404 FEB 4: Chariton River Full Strutters, Knight & Rucker Building, Brunswick (5:30pm); Jordan Harmon (660) 247-5306 FEB 4: Lincoln Hills, Sacred Heart Parrish, Elsberry (5pm); R. Jay Herring (573) 8985420
Member News FEB 4: Black Mountain Longbeards, St. Michaels Catholic Church, Fredericktown (4:30pm); Jason Wengler (573) 783-9988 FEB 4: Delta Bootheel Gobblers, VFW, Kennett (5pm); Lynn Smith (573) 888-0054 FEB 10: Upper Meramec Longspurs, Recklein Auditorium, Cuba (6pm); Shane Staples (573) 259-7405 FEB 11: Platte County Longspurs, Platte County Fairgrounds, Tracy (5:30pm); Doug Yeager (816) 807-4277 FEB 11: Young's Creek Strutters, Nick and Noah's, Centralia (5:30pm); Eddie Schultz (573) 682-4659 FEB 11: Gateway Longspurs, St. Theodore Catholic Church Gym, Flint Hill (5pm); Dan Zerr (636) 699-7000 FEB 11: Bootheel Boss Gobblers, Bavarian Hall, Jackson (4pm) FEB 24: Kingdom of Callaway Limbhangers, 54 Country, Fulton (6pm); John Burk (573) 676-5994 FEB 24: Sand Burr Strutters, VFW, Sikeston (5:30pm); Tony Beeson (573) 380-5814 FEB 25: Fabius River Fantails, Community Center, Edina (5:30pm); Jeremy Holman (660) 341-8823 FEB 25: Grand River Gobblers, American Legion, Bethany (6pm) FEB 25: Summit Ridge Longbeards, St. Andrews Catholic Church Gym, Holts Summit (6pm); Glenn Farris (573) 6906425 FEB 25: Moniteau Monarchs, Knights of Columbus, Tipton (5:30pm); Brian Hill (573) 796-3885 FEB 25: South Grand River Gobblers, Elks Lodge, Harrisonville (5:30pm); Joshua Stafford (818) 289-8921 FEB 25: Lead Belt Longbeards, Knights of Columbus, Bonne Terre (5pm); Kathryn Wolff (573) 701-2050 MISSOURI PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION JAN 31: Legislative Action Day MISSOURI RIVER BIRD OBSERVATORY JAN 7: Banding, Burroughs Audubon Nature Center, Blue Springs (10am - 1pm) JAN 14: Banding, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, Blue Springs (10am - 1pm) JAN 20: Banding, Birds-I-View Bird Garden, Jefferson City (1:30 - 4pm)
JAN 27: Presentation, Mid-American Organic Association Conference, Kansas City (8am - 5pm) FEB 4: Banding, Burroughs Audubon Nature Center, Blue Springs (10am - 1pm) MISSOURI SHOW-ME CHAPTER SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY FEB 1-3: Missouri Natural Resource Conference and Show-Me Chapter Annual Meeting, Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach MISSOURI SMALLMOUTH ASSOC. JAN 17: Monthly Meeting, American Legion, Brentwood (7 - 9pm) FEB 21: Monthly Meeting, American Legion, Brentwood (7 - 9pm) MISSOURI SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS FEB 1 - 3: Missouri Natural Resource Conference, Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach MISSOURI TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION FEB 18: Fur Sale/Auction, Montgomery County Fairgrounds; Montgomery City; Justin Elliott (573) 692-4454 MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD JAN 5: Monthly Meeting, Conservation Nature Center, Springfield (6 - 9pm) JAN 14: Winter Trip, Lake Taneycomo, Branson (8:30am - 5pm) FEB 2: Monthly Meeting, Conservation Nature Center, Springfield (6 - 9pm) MISSOURI WHITETAILS UNLIMITED JAN 7: Missouri Kids Outdoors Banquet, State Fair Ag Building, Sedalia JAN 21: River Hills Chapter Banquet, Osage Centre, Cape Girardeau JAN 28: Harold Hoey Chapter Banquet, Saline County Fairgrounds, Marshall FEB 11: Lincoln Whitetails Chapter Banquet, Knights of Columbus, Warsaw FEB 18: Tall Tines Chapter Banquet, NEMO Fairgrounds, Kirksville FEB 25: Mid-Missouri Deer Camp, Holiday Inn Executive Center, Columbia
OZARK FLY FISHERS JAN 26: General Membership Meeting, Edgar M. Queeny County Park, Ballwin (7 - 9pm) FEB 23: General Membership Meeting, Edgar M. Queeny County Park, Ballwin (7 - 9pm) OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUB JAN 1: First Day Hike, Clinton State Park, Lawrence, KS (1 - 2pm) JAN 14: Water Quality Testing, Minor Park, Kansas City (10 - 11am) JAN 14: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30 - 7:30pm) JAN 14: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30 - 9pm) FEB 11: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30 - 7:30pm) FEB 11: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30 - 9pm) PHEASANTS FOREVER/QUAIL FOREVER JAN 7: Mid-MO Young Guns QF Youth Rabbit Hunt, Conservation Area, College Mound (8am - 3pm); Keith Carter (660) 651-3811 JAN 14: Mid-MO Young Guns QF Annual Banquet, Expo Building, Macon (5:30 10pm); Keith Carter (660) 651-3811 FEB 4: NW Missouri Longtails PF Annual Banquet & Member Appreciation, No Place Bar, Saint Joseph (5pm); Steven Meyer (816) 718-4845 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION FEB 18: Elk Prairie Big Game Banquet, Salem; Sharon Pace (573) 729-5325 FEB 25: Big Game Banquet, Saint Louis; Brett Grimm (314) 892-2666 ST. LOUIS AUDUBON SOCIETY JAN 7: Riverlands Bird Sanctuary (9am - 12pm) JAN 28: Riverlands/Columbia Bottom (8am - 5pm) CFM EVENTS MAR 10-12: Annual Convention, Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City APR 12: Conservation Day at the Capitol, State Capitol, Jefferson City
JANUARY - 2017
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Wildgame Recipe
Weston Recipe: Weston Rabbit Directions: 1. Brine - Combine brine ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Stir until salt is dissolved, then allow to cool completely. Place the rabbit into a Vacuum Sealer bag (or canister), then pour in the brine. Seal and refrigerate 8-12 hours.
Brine: 1 cup red wine 1/4 cup kosher salt 3 large sprigs rosemary 5 sprigs sage small handful thyme 5 cloves garlic, smashed 2 teaspoons whole cloves For Smoking: 3 large sprigs rosemary 5 sprigs sage small handful thyme
Mashed Potatoes: 4 Yukon Gold potatoes 3 cloves garlic 1 handful flat leaf parsley 2 tablespoons butter Ÿ lb fresh peas, shelled ½ red onion 1 carrot salt & pepper, to taste
2. Smoke - Soak wood chips for 30 minutes. Preheat your Smoker to 200 degrees F and fill the water bowl. Remove the rabbit from the marinade and rinse under cold water for 5 minutes to remove excess salt. Use Butcher Twine to tie the rosemary, sage and thyme to the rabbit. Once the smoker is preheated and the wood chips have soaked, place the rabbit onto a rack of the smoker. Smoke at 200 degrees for 2 hours. Change the wood chips every half hour. 3. Potatoes and Vegetable - While the rabbit smokes, make your favorite homemade mashed potato recipe. Also while the rabbit smokes, shell the peas and slice the carrots. 4. Slow Cook - Remove all of the rabbit meat from the bones - be sure to leave behind any gristle and tougher outer layers. Place the pieces of rabbit into the bottom of your Slow Cooker with the carrots and peas. Layer the mashed potatoes over top of the meat, then slow cook on high for four hours, or until the potatoes begin to form a crust around the edges and the rabbit meat falls apart on its own.
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Member News
Save the Date for the 2017 Annual Convention
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he Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is hosting our 2017 Annual Convention at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City the weekend of March 10-12. Each year, the CFM convention brings together hundreds of our state's staunchest conservationists representing a multitude of diverse conservation interests to fellowship, collaborate, and plan conservation action. We hope you will join us as we honor conservation leaders with awards, and take part as resource committees discuss resolutions aimed at improving Missouri's already incredible natural resources and wildlife. Staff and volunteers are already busy making preparations to ensure this year's Annual Convention is the biggest and best yet. The Saturday night banquet and auction is a highlight of the year. If you have any items, trips or services you would like to donate to help raise funds to support CFM efforts, we would sincerely appreciate receiving those. Just ship them to the office or contact us for help with delivery.
Brandon Butler speaks during the banquet dinner at a CFM Annual Convention. (Photo: Emma Kessinger)
Mark your calendar today and save the date for this special event. We look forward to seeing you and your guests at the 81st Annual Convention.
MARCH 10-12, 2017 CAPITOL PLAZA HOTEL JEFFERSON CITY, MO
NATURAL RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES Archery and Shooting Sports: archery, firearms & shooting, hunting & hunter ethics, hunter safety, sportsmen’s rights Big Game, Turkey, and Furbearers: turkey, deer, elk, bear, mountain lions, furbearers Education and Outdoor Recreation: conservation education, camping, hiking, canoeing, boating, bicycling Environment and Ecology: species of concern, threatened habitats, pollinators, climate, air & water quality, waste, recycling Forest Resources and Management: public & private forest management Grassland and Prairies: grassland management, prairie preservation & restoration Public/Private Lands: state parks, conservation areas, federal lands, habitat management, public access Rivers, Streams, and Fisheries: rivers, streams, lakes/reservoirs, fish, fishing Upland Wildlife: quail, doves, rabbits, squirrels Wetlands and Waterfowl: wetlands, ducks, geese, water birds
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Come Home to Years of Conservation
81 SCHEDULE: Friday, March 10
2:00 - 5:00 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
Saturday, March 11 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
7:30 - 5:00 p.m. 8:00 - 8:45 a.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 - 8:00 p.m. 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Breakfast (on your own)
Registration Open Keynote Session Resource Committee Meetings Lunch Break (on your own)
Board & Affiliate Leader Luncheon Resolution Committee Meeting Social & Silent Auction Banquet Live Auction
Sunday, March 12
7:00 - 8:00 a.m. 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast (on your own) General Assembly with Board
Meeting immediately following
ACCOMMODATIONS: Lodging must be made with the Capitol Plaza Hotel at 573-635-1234. Rates are $90/night while block lasts.
REGISTRATION: Register online at www.confedmo.org/annual-convention or cut and mail below registration to: CFM 728 W. Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 *Early registration deadline is Friday, February 24.
Register now for CFM’s 81st Annual Convention Packages: #1: Member: All sessions, awards ceremony, silent auction #2: Non-Member: All sessions, awards ceremony, silent auction, one year CFM membership for new members
_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Telephone: ____________________________ Email: _______________________________ Credit Card #: __________________________ Exp. Date: ____________________________ Signature: ____________________________ Name(s): Address:
Special Needs (dietary, access, room, handicap):
____________________________________ ____________________________________
First Time Attendee Award Ceremony RSVP - Guest Count ____ *No registration fees for spouses not attending meetings or children under 18
Registration Package
Quantity
Fee
#1: Member Pkg - $40/person
$
#2: Non-Member Pkg - $70/person
$
Banquet - $40/person Capitol Ribeye Steak
$
Maple Lacquered Salmon
$
Vegetarian Pasta Primavera
$
Children Banquet - $15/person Chicken Strips & Fries
$
Registration After Feb. 24 Late Fee
$10/person
Total Registration
$
Member News
CFM Hires Michael Wardlaw as Events Manager
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he Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) staff continues to grow with the addition of Michael Wardlaw as Events Manager. Wardlaw, a St. Louis resident, will be charged with growing the highly successful Pull for Conservation events to the "Explore" Missouri event series. "I am truly honored to join the Conservation Federation of Missouri team," says Wardlaw. "Growing up hunting and fishing in Mississippi I gained a great appreciation for what it means to be a conservationist. Through my career experiences I know I can help expand an already successful CFM event platform." Michael received his bachelor's degree in marketing from Mississippi State University. He is a former member of the PGA of America where he produced a variety of golf events, concerts, and charity fundraising events. In addition to his time in the golf business he worked in sports media covering Southeastern Conference football for a variety of news outlets. Michael also spends time roaming the Missouri countryside serving as a land specialist for United Country Real Estate helping outdoors minded individuals find the property of their dreams. "Events are critical to the effectiveness of CFM. Each event helps us gain exposure, recruit new members and fundraise. With Michael now in place as our Events Manager, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, I expect event growth and participation to quickly reach a level we could only imagine before adding him to the team," said Brandon Butler, CFM Executive Director.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Michael Wardlaw and his daughter Lillian enjoying a little time on the farm. (Photo: Courtesy of Michael Wardlaw)
Michael, his wife Jennifer, and their children, Lillian and Trey, enjoy spending time in the outdoors. They enjoy chasing whitetails, fishing in the Ozarks, camping along the Meramec River and playing with their bloodhound Delta. To learn more about the Conservation Federation of Missouri, visit www.confedmo.org.
Member News
Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis was a Huge Success
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FM held its Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis event in October at the Country Club of St. Albans. The World Bird Sanctuary had an educational demonstration on raptors and birds of prey. Noppadol Paothong, Missouri's premier outdoor and nature photographer gave a presentation on "Images of Missouri Nature and Wildlife". Bryan Haynes, who illustrated "Growing Up with the River" was onsite signing books. Special thanks to our sponsors: Cabela's Feather-Craft Fly Fishing Forrest Keeling Nursery G & W Meats Jaguar Land Rover St. Louis Mitico Pure Air Natives Statehouse Strategies Sydenstricker Walter Knoll Florist
We would also like to thank the donors, attendees and committee members for supporting conservation in Missouri.
Top: Ryan with The Wood Den works on carving an eagle for the live auction. (Photo: Jen Sampsell) Bottom: The World Bird Sanctuary educated attendees on raptors and birds of prey. (Photo: Jen Sampsell)
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Affiliate Spotlight
Greenway Network
T
he Greenway Network, Inc., an all volunteer organization, originally started out as a St. Charles County based organization. They soon learned that the problems they faced as a rapidly changing community were most efficiently dealt with by cooperative efforts. They realized helping one another with problems does not stop or begin at county or corporate lines. Their mission is to conserve natural resources, encourage sound management of the watersheds and protect the quality of life for the St. Louis region. They do that by creating a network of communication and consensus among citizens, government leaders and other organizations that share their goals. The St. Louis region is rich in water resources and native wildlife habitat. It is a land of abundant river bottoms, fragile wetlands, tranquil riparian woods and rolling hillsides along soaring bluffs. The region includes some of the fastest growing communities in the country. Rapid development presents challenges with community planning, transportation, loss of natural areas, stormwater and water quality issues.
The Greenway Network hosts a booth at the St. Louis Earth Day. (Photo: Greenway Network)
The Greenway Network is not anti-development, but believes development needs sustainable plans providing low impact considerations for our natural resources. They believe people can live in harmony with nature if they plan wisely. The Greenway Network is your "eyes, ears, and voice" to conserve what is naturally best about St. Charles County and the St. Louis region. To learn more about the Greenway Network, visit www.greenwaynetwork.org.
Affiliate Organizations Anglers of Missouri, Inc. Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives Audubon Society of Missouri Bass Slammer Tackle Big Game Hunters, Inc. Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City Capital City Fly Fishers Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment Deer Creek Sportsman's Club, Inc. Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club Forest and Woodland Association 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. Jefferson County Coon Hunters, Inc. Katy Land Trust L-A-D Foundation Lincoln University Wildlife Club Mid-Missouri Outdoor Dream Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited Midwest Diving Council Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Association Missouri Association of Meat Processors Missouri Atlatl Association Missouri BASS Federation Nation
Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Missouri Bow Hunters Association Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society Missouri Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society Missouri Conservation Agents Association Missouri Conservation Pioneers Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council Missouri Forest Products Association Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association Missouri Hunters for Fair Chase Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation Missouri Native Seed Association Missouri Outdoor Communicators Missouri Parks & Recreation Association Missouri Parks Association Missouri Prairie Foundation Missouri River Bird Observatory Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Missouri Society of American Foresters Missouri Sport Shooting Association Missouri State Campers Association Missouri State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association
Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station Missouri Taxidermist Association Missouri Trappers Association Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association Missouri Whitetails Unlimited Mule Deer Foundation North Side Division Conservation Federation Open Space Council of the Saint Louis Region Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc. Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club Ozarks Water Watchers Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme de Terre Chapter Muskies, Inc. Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc. Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever River Bluffs Audubon Society Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation South Side Division Conservation Federation Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers St. Louis Audubon Society Tipton Farmers & Sportsman's Club Tri-Lakes Fly Fishers Troutbusters of Missouri United Bow Hunters of Missouri Walnut Council & Other Fine Hardwoods Wecomo Sportsman's Club Wild Elk Institute of Missouri Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club
JANUARY - 2017
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As the first Cabela’s in Missouri, we pulled out all the stops to bring a serious outdoor experience to the Show-Me-State. The Hazelwood Cabela’s store was built to not only surround customers with quality outdoor products, but to engage them with lifelike taxidermy, local fish swimming in the aquarium and an indoor archery test area.
5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd. Ste. #167 Hazelwood, MO 63042
(314) 225-0100
Located just off I-270, north of I-70 (Exit 22B, Hwy. 370), the impressive 130,000-sq.-ft. retail showroom is packed with outdoor equipment. Whether you’re visiting the St. Louis Arch, exploring the wilds of the Ozarks or just stocking up on gear, our experienced Outfitters are ready and waiting to help you get the most out of your next adventure.
STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL UPCOMING STORE EVENTS AT CABELAS.COM/HAZELWOOD 24
CONSERVATION FEDERATION
The importance of your motor running well, especially in tournament fishing, is to get you there quicker. Spend more time fishing instead of more time traveling. That’s why Crappie Masters supports gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol - a fuel made from corn grown in America. Mike Vallentine, Crappie Masters President
Get the truth about ethanol. www.mocorn.org 2014 Crappie Mag_Half Page.indd 1
11/5/2014 1:00:44 PM
Mackenzie Mountain Signature Extreme PARKA & BIBS
We wanted to create and offer our Customers some of the best hunting garments on the market today at an affordable price. The Mackenzie Mountain Signature lineup includes everything you could want in hunting clothing and then some, including features like: • Waterproof • Windproof • Breathable • YKK Zippers • Primaloft Gold Insulation
Available in Realtree Xtra
Realtree Max-1 XT
Realtree Max-1
Realtree AP Snow
JANUARY - 2017
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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.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
PROUD SPONSOR
EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
DELIVERING INNOVATION, PERFORMANCE AND VALUE CROSSFIRE X
F O R E V E RY H U N T I N G N E E D. P R E M I U M D E S I G N F E AT U R E S B A L L I S T I C & H Y PA L O N FA B R I C S LY C R A ® S O F T- E D G E S T R A P S M O L D E D F OA M S U S P E N S I O N
JANUARY - 2017
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CFM'S HISTORY OF SUCCESS Member News
ϭϵϯϱ
ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ &ĞĚĞƌĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ DŝƐƐŽƵƌŝ formed at the Tiger Hotel.
Join CFM41936 for Three Years to Get a FREE CFM Yeti Rambler Amendment created DŝƐƐŽƵƌŝΖƐ ŶŽŶͲƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ͘ or a limited time, the Conservation Federation
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of Missouri (CFM) is offering a three-year membership for $100 that includes a stainless1960 &ŝƌƐƚ ƚƵƌŬĞLJ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ŝŶ Ϯϯ LJĞĂƌƐ͘ steel 20 oz. CFM Yeti Rambler. The many historic 1982 achievements of CFM have KƉĞƌĂƟŽŶ 'ĂŵĞ dŚŝĞĨ ĨŽƌŵĞĚ͘ all been made possible thanks to individuals like you working together to 1990 accomplish extraordinary &ŝƌƐƚ ƐĞŐŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ <ĂƚLJ dƌĂŝů feats. If our future is to be ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ ZŽĐŚĞƉŽƌƚ͘ as successful as our past, then we will need your help. Please join CFM today.2002
Our members are hunters,1940 fishermen, foresters, campers, trappers, hikers,&ŝƌƐƚ ĚĞĞƌ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ŝŶ ϳ LJĞĂƌƐ͘ paddlers, birdwatchers, gardeners and general outdoor enthusiasts. Anyone who appreciates Missouri's 1976 natural resources and sporting heritage benefits ĞƐŝŐŶ ĨŽƌ ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ ^ĂůĞƐ dĂdž ƉĂƐƐĞĚ͘ from the actions of CFM. We are “The Voice for Missouri's Outdoors” for 1984 citizensWĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ^ŽŝůƐ across the state and at the Capitol. Become a ^ĂůĞƐ dĂdž ƉĂƐƐĞĚ͘ member and know you are supporting the outdoors you cherish. 1992 ^ŚĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ,ĂƌǀĞƐƚ ĨŽƌŵĞĚ͘
To join CFM, visit our website for easy online ŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶ >ĞĂĚĞƌƐŚŝƉ Your membership ŽƌƉƐ ĨŽƌŵĞĚ͘ includes registration at 2006 www.confedmo.org/join, mail a three-year subscription to DŝƐƐŽƵƌŝ ǀŽƚĞƌƐ ƌĞŶĞǁĞĚ ƚŚĞ WĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ our magazine Conservation the below application to 728 ^ŽŝůƐ dĂdž ďLJ ƚŚĞ ŚŝŐŚĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĐĞŶƚĂŐĞ ƚŽ ĚĂƚĞ͘ Federation, special memberW. Main Street, Jefferson only discounts to select businesses and invitations to City, MO 65101 or contact Laurie Coleman at Today CFM events throughout the year. 573-634-2322 ext. 107. &D ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞƐ ϴϬ LJĞĂƌƐ ŽĨ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƟŶŐ Missouri's natural resources.
I want to support CFM’s mission to protect Missouri’s natural resources and outdoor heritage. EĂŵĞ͗ ____________________________________ ĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ __________________________________
__________________________________ dĞůĞƉŚŽŶĞ͗ ________________________________ ŵĂŝů͗ ____________________________________
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ƚŚƌĞĞͲLJĞĂƌ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐŚŝƉ͗ ΨϭϬϱ Discount price: ,QFOXGHV D )5(( <HWL 5DPEOHU
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zŽƵƌ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĂůůŽǁƐ ƵƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƉƌŽƚĞĐƟŶŐ DŝƐƐŽƵƌŝ͛Ɛ ŐƌĞĂƚ ŽƵƚĚŽŽƌƐ ĨŽƌ ŵĂŶLJ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŵĞ͘
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Federation Destinations
Branson, Missouri: An Exciting Four-Season Retreat
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here is an adventure awaiting everyone in Branson. From outdoor fun to amazing live entertainment, there’s no shortage of great things to do in Branson. On land, air or water, there’s lots of ways to enjoy yourself— whether you want to get out and be active or just take it easy and unwind. No matter how you love to vacation, Branson offers something for everyone. Set amidst the rolling hills of the Ozarks, Branson has plenty of natural beauty and activities to entertain every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Avid anglers will find bass fishing in Table Rock Lake and trout in Lake Taneycomo. Hikers and birders will enjoy trails in Dogwood Canyon and other nearby recreational areas. You'll also find horseback riding, zip lining, boating and more. Whether you want to enjoy a beautiful sunny day on the water, or an invigorating walk on a crisp fall day, there are plenty of ways to get outdoors and enjoy Branson. Live Shows For more than 50 years, live shows have been a staple of a vacation in Branson. Morning, afternoon and night, Branson offers a variety of entertainment options for every member of the family. Sure to be a hit show in the 2017 season, Clay Cooper will be preforming #1 Hits of the 60's. This is a high energy, upbeat family-friendly show featuring over 100 songs from artists like the Temptations, The Beatles, Paul Anka, and many more. Clay Cooper said, "I think the #1 Hits of the 60's will be a great show addition.” Golf Buffalo Ridge Springs and Branson Hills earned top placements in GOLF Magazine’s biennial 2016-17 “Top Courses You Can Play” by state course rankings, determined by a panel of experts who review courses throughout the country.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Big Cedar Lodge stands tall in a coat of snow. (Photo: Branson Area CVB)
“This distinction for Branson/Lakes Area courses helps people understand the high quality of our golf,” says Lynn Berry, Branson/Lakes Area CVB director of communications. “Buffalo Ridge Springs and Branson Hills are the tip of the iceberg. Other area courses include Ledge Stone, Thousand Hills, Pointe Royale and Top of the Rock, to name some, and there are two more under construction that are scheduled to debut in 2017 and 2018.” Outdoor Adventure Within minutes of the bright lights of Branson, enjoy hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, trout and bass fishing, hunting, trap and skeet shooting, spelunking, rock climbing and other recreational activities. Public parks, resorts, campgrounds, forests and recreational facilities abound. The area is also home to three crystal clear lakes, offering the perfect outdoor experience for all ages. Table Rock Lake is perfect for boating, bass fishing, waterskiing and more. Lake Taneycomo is ideal for trout fishing, kayaking and other activities. For more information, visit www.explorebranson.com.
Federation Destinations
Make Plans to Visit These Incredible Outdoor Destinations Looking for your next family vacation, quiet fishing trip, thrilling hunting experience or outdoor adventure? We encourage you to consider one of the following destinations.
Take the short drive
TO AWESOME.
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Traverse City has the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet!â&#x20AC;? - Kevin and Jonathan VanDam Professional Bass Fishermen
ff Capt. Chris No
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150+ inland lakes | rivers & streams Lake Michigan charters microbreweries | wineries | distilleries great restaurants | casinos | golf variety of lodging
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Interested in promoting your business or destination? Contact the CFM office at 573-634-2322 to learn more about our Federation Destinations. JANUARY - 2017
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View our real estate listings at UnitedCountry.com
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
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 - 2017
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Feature Story
T
here are many factors involved in shooting a shotgun accurately, but one of the most important and least understood is gun fit.
Here’s a run-down of some of the measurements in a rough order of importance:
Drop at Toe This is the distance from the rib line down to the bottom tip of the butt, ‘D.’ This is the lowest portion of the butt stock and is also the lowest part that contacts the shoulder. Drop at toe is equally as important to felt recoil as drop at heel, but for a different reason. Comparing the drops at heel and toe, the more the difference, the longer the butt pad is and in turn the larger the recoiling surface is. The larger the pad, the more distributed the recoil is on the shooter’s shoulder. A small pad, having little difference between drop at heel and drop at toe, will result in a gun that sends all its force through a smaller surface, resulting in more felt recoil. When shooters complain about a shotgun bruising their shoulder, it often because of too little drop at toe or too little pitch.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Drop at Monte Carlo This is the furthest comb measurement before the heel, ‘E.’ Not all guns have Monte Carlo style stocks, but those that do tend to fit the shooter much better than traditional style stocks. Common on target guns, it is important to realize that the Monte Carlo has a huge effect on the drop at the heel and the drop at the toe, resulting in a gun that is comfortable for high volume shooters as it allows for better fit and considerably less felt recoil. Field guns many times do not have Monte Carlos because of the increased dimensions translate into more weight. The CZ Redhead Target and Sporter models all come standard with Monte Carlo style butt stocks.
Pitch Pitch is the angle of the butt pad’s back surface, measured off of a perpendicular line drawn down from the rib (‘F’). Pitch is most important for people with large chests, usually women. For those shooters, a stock with too little pitch will distribute recoil with only the toe section of the butt, creating an uncomfortable experience and many times bruising their shoulder.
Feature Story
Understanding Shotgun Stocks Part Two of a Two Part Series
By having more pitch, the stock will distribute recoil through the entirety of the butt pad, making the gun more comfortable to shoot. There are several ways to measure pitch. Measuring the angle of the pad is one way, but another way commonly used in the US is to draw a line from the heel across the top of the breech and into the air above the front sight. The distance from the muzzle up to that line is measured in inches and is then referenced in relation to the amount of pitch in the gun. The problem with measuring pitch this way is that barrel length has to be taken into account, since an identically-stocked gun with longer barrels will have a different measurement for pitch. CZ shotguns have approximately 8 degrees of pitch. To appeal to female shooters, the Lady Sterling has unique stock dimensions and 12 degrees of pitch.
A shotgun with no cast is straight and a line down the rib will continue straight down the center of the butt stock, when viewed from above. When looking from the back of the gun, a cast-off stock will show the center of the butt slightly right of the center of the rib line. The opposite is true of a cast-on stock. Cast allows a shooter to look straight down the rib, so a cast-off stock is meant for a right-handed person and a cast-on stock for a leftie. Mounting a cast-off stock lefthanded results in the shooter looking down the right side of the rib, meaning their eye will not align naturally with the rib. All wood-stocked shotguns that CZ-USA offers are castoff for right-handed shooters. The 712 ALS, 720 ALS and 712 Utility have neutral cast for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.
Cast
The right combination of these measurements will make a shotgun ‘feel right.’
The terms ‘cast-off’ and ‘cast-on’ are used to describe stock configurations for either a right-handed or lefthanded person. Simply put, cast refers to the deviation of the butt away from the center line of the gun.
CZ-USA is CFM's newest Platinum Level Business Alliance Member. Find the right shotgun for you at www.cz-usa.com. Read the complete article at www.confedmo.org/blog/.
Dave Miller Shotgun Product Manager, CZ-USA JANUARY - 2017
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Agency News
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION Still Time to Discover Nature Through Eagle Days Discover nature with the Missouri Department of Conservation through Eagle Days events around the state, or enjoy eagle viewing on your own. MDC Eagle Days events for January and February are listed below. They include live captive-eagle programs, exhibits, activities, videos, and guides with spotting scopes. Be sure to dress for winter weather and don't forget cameras and binoculars. Kansas City: Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Jan. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Smithville Lake Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse north of Kansas City. Call 816-5320174 for more information. St. Louis: Jan. 14 and 15 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. Call 314-877-6014 for more information. Springfield: Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 22 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the MDC Springfield Conservation Nature Center with viewing opportunities at the nearby Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina. Call 417-888-4237 for more information. Jefferson City: Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City with wild eagle viewing at the nearby Marion Access. Call 573-526-5544 for more information. Clarksville: Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lock and Dam 24 and Apple Shed Theater in Clarksville. Call 660-785-2420 for more information. Puxico: Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge near Puxico. Call 573-222-3589 for more information.
Bald eagles are usually observed near lakes, rivers, and marshes as they forage for fish or carrion. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)
Can't make an Eagle Days event? Other hot spots for winter eagle viewing include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Lake of the Ozarks at Bagnell Dam Access east of Bagnell Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area on Route K southwest of Columbia Lock & Dam 20 at Canton Lock & Dam 24 at Clarksville Lock & Dam 25 east of Winfield Mingo National Wildlife Refuge north of Puxico on Highway 51 Moses Eagle Park at Stella Old Chain of Rocks Bridge south of I-270, off of Riverview Drive in St. Louis Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary east of West Alton Schell-Osage Conservation Area north of El Dorado Springs Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge south of Mound City Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge south of Sumner Table Rock Lake southwest of Branson Truman Reservoir west of Warsaw
For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/EagleDays.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Agency News
Buy Native Trees and Shrubs from MDC State Forest Nursery Native trees and shrubs can help improve wildlife habitat and soil and water conservation while also improving the appearance and value of private property. The Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) George O. White State Forest Nursery offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. The State Forest Nursery provides mainly one-year-old bare-root seedlings with sizes varying by species.
MDC’s George O. White State Forest Nursery offers a variety of low-cost native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife food and cover, and other purposes. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)
Seedlings are available in bundles of 10 or increments of 25 per species. Prices range from 16 – 80 cents per seedling. Sales tax of 6.1 percent will be added to orders unless tax exempt. There is an $8 handling charge for each order. Receive a 15-percent discount up to $20 off seedling orders with a Heritage Card or Conservation ID Number. Orders are being accepted now through April 15, 2017. Supplies are limited so order early. Orders will be shipped or can be picked up at the State Forest Nursery near Licking from February through May. Find ordering information in the Department's 20162017 Seedling Order Form catalog. The catalog is available in the November issue of the Missouri Conservationist, at MDC regional offices and nature centers, online at mdc.mo.gov/seedlings or by contacting the State Forest Nursery at 573-674-3229 or StateForestNursery@mdc.mo.gov.
TOUR THE NURSERY Curious about how the MDC State Forest Nursery operates? MDC staff will offer behind-the-scenes public tours this spring. Tours will showcase how the nursery grows, stores, and ships almost 3 million seedlings each year. The open house is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To reserve a spot on the tour, call 573-674-3229, ext. 0.
Get Your 2017 Hunting and Fishing Permits Many hunting and fishing permits expire at the end of February, including 2016 permits for small game, fishing, trout fishing, and combination hunting and fishing permits. Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from one of many vendors around the state, online at mdc.mo.gov/ buypermits, or through the Conservation Department’s free mobile apps, Mo Hunting and Mo Fishing, available on Google Play for Android or the App Store for Apple.
Save time by buying permits for yourself, family, and friends in a single transaction. Select the “Additional Customer” option during your permit purchase. Commercial permits and lifetime permits can be purchased only through the Department’s Permit Services Unit by calling 573-751-4115.
JANUARY - 2017
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Agency News
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Missourians Value our Parks, Soils and Water Missourians have spoken and once again chose to keep a good thing going by renewing the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax by an overwhelming 80 percent. The sales tax is placed on the ballot every 10 years to reaffirm the voter’s support. Managing our state parks and historic sites and conserving our soil and water resources are vitally important and 4 out of 5 of all Missouri voters agreed! Since the sales tax was first established in 1984, this was the first time the sales tax was approved by voters in all 114 counties. In 2006, it was approved in all but three counties. The sales tax funds provide a benefit to every county in the state and we are fortunate to have the support of so many diverse partners across Missouri. Other states envy Missouri for its dedicated tax and support to promote good farming techniques that help keep soil on the fields, our waters clean and provide a state park system that is consistently ranked among the top four park systems in the country.
Missourians know how important our natural resources and our state park system are that they would vote multiple times to approve the sales tax. It provides sustainable and critical funding that supports both the Soil and Water Conservation Program and Missouri’s state parks system. Missourians and our water resources enjoy a sizable return on investment provided through the sales tax. A total of $694 million dollars in MoDNR cost share payments have been made and over 229,000 soil and water conservation practices have been implemented since the inception of the sales tax in 1984. These funds have leveraged an additional $173 million dollars from farmers. Our Missouri State Parks are celebrating its 100th centennial anniversary during 2017. Our state parks attracted more than 19 million visitors in 2015 and contributed to Missouri’s economy – many of whom were visitors to our state bringing in additional revenue.
Missouri has proven its combined sales tax formula is immensely successful thanks to your continued support. Over the years, we have been reminded that this effort is much greater than any one state agency. There is no better example of diverse partners coming together for a common cause than that of the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax.
The winter season provides hiking, biking and scenery in Missouri State Parks. Learn more by visiting mostateparks.com. (Photo: Tom Uhlenbrock, DNR)
The Department of Natural Resources would like to thank its many partners such as the Conservation Federation of Missouri and members, the Citizens Committee, agricultural partners, nonprofit organizations, landowners as well as the many Missouri citizens that enjoy and appreciate the benefits achieved through these efforts.
Protecting and enhancing Missouri’s natural and cultural resources continues to be a key focus in my 23-year career with the State of Missouri. When not working to improve Missouri’s natural resources by day, you can find me operating and managing a 536-acre row crop and hay farm in Monroe County, as well as an 80-acre farm in Chariton County.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Agency News Both my career and time spent working on the farms reaffirm my belief that the overall health of Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soil and water quality plays a critical role in the quality of life for all Missourians. It says a lot about our state when Missourians know how important our natural resources and state park system are that they would vote numerous times to approve a sales tax designed to enhance both.
I look forward to the great strides that Missouri will continue to make to enhance our natural resources. Thank you to all Missourians for their continued support and commitment as we continue to move forward.
Harry Bozoian Director, Department of Natural Resources
Spotlight on Missouri State Parks - Missouri State Museum In 1919, the Missouri General Assembly designated the first floor of the east wing of the Capitol as the Missouri Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Two years later, the Missouri Resources Museum was created on the first floor of the Capitol's west wing and displayed examples of the products, flora and fauna of Missouri. The two museums were combined in 1923, and designated collectively as the Missouri State Museum and are included as part of the Jefferson Landing State Historic Site. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources took over the museum in 1978. The Missouri State Museum is where visitors go to immerse themselves in the history of the Show-Me State. The museum houses an impressive collection of exhibits that portray Missouri's cultural and natural history in its two main exhibit halls - the History Hall and the Resources Hall. There are also exhibits with changing artifacts in the Missouri Veterans Gallery and the Foundations Gallery (state government and the State Capitol). A series of traveling exhibits can be used as educational tools by schools, civic and other groups. Interpretive staff offers various educational programs on aspects of Missouri's natural and cultural history.
March 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Museum After Hours Program Museum staff provides tours of the Capitol during weekdays as well as weekend and evening programs. Be sure to join the staff on March 1 at 7 p.m. to learn more about the museum and help celebrate Missouri State Parks turning 100 years old. The park system was officially established on April 9, 1917. Since then, the system has grown to include 88 parks and historic sites. The parks preserve and interpret some of Missouri's most outstanding natural and cultural resources for citizens and visitors to enjoy.
Museum Caption: The Missouri State Museum, located inside the State Capitol Building, houses an impressive collection of exhibits that portray Missouri's cultural and natural history in its two main exhibit halls - the History Hall and the Resources Hall. (Photo: Missouri State Parks)
Discover the history of the park system and what it has to offer you today. The Museum After Hours: 100 Years of Missouri State Parks program will be held in the Missouri State Museum's History Hall, located in the east wing of the Missouri State Capitol. In addition to the program, the museum's galleries will be open until 9 p.m. To learn more about the museum, visit mostateparks.com or call 800-334-6946.
Harry Bozoian Director, Department of Natural Resources
JANUARY - 2017
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Outdoor News
Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax Passes with an Impressive 80.1 % of the Vote
O
n behalf of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, thank you to every Missourian who voted yes on Amendment 1 to renew the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax (PSWST). This important vote passed with 80.1 percent of the vote. This is nearly a 10 percent increase from 2006 when it was passed with 70.8 percent. And for the first time ever, Amendment 1 passed in every county of our state. This monumental show of support for our incredible Missouri State Parks, and soil and water conservation proves once again how important the conservation of our natural resources is to Missourians. The Citizens Committee for the Renewal of the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax worked extremely hard to build support for the renewal.
This committee, which consisted of a diverse array of organizations and individuals, proves what we can accomplish when working together towards a common goal. The Conservation Federation, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Corn Growers Association, The Nature Conservancy, Missouri Soybean Association and Missouri Parks Association are just a few of the many that stepped up with staffing and fundraising to ensure the passage of Amendment 1. CFM applauds all citizens who spoke up for the tax, put a sign in their yard and voted yes on 1. Because of all of you, we are â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keeping a Good Thing Goingâ&#x20AC;? for at least another 10 years, and we have once again sent a message to the rest of America that conservation matters in Missouri.
THANK YOU MISSOURI CITIZENS! JANUARY - 2017
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Feature Story
Dogwood Canyon: A Great Place to Learn Trout Fishing
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ohnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, has turned the southwest corner of Missouri into a must visit outdoor destination. The flagship Bass Pro store is now home to the Archery Hall of Fame, Wonders of Wildlife Museum, an NRA museum and more displays. Just 30-miles to the south, near Branson, is Big Cedar Lodge, Top of the Rock and Dogwood Canyon. A visit to the area should include visiting all these properties, but anglers must not miss Dogwood Canyon.
Little Indian Creek has spent millenniums forming the canyon it flows through. Nature did well in creating a beautiful landscape, yet in the last couple of decades, it has been modified towards perfection. Little Indian Creek has been refashioned to represent the finest of fly fishing. Deep pools, quick riffles, waterfalls, perfectly placed boulders, frog water, fallen timber; it’s all there. Casting a fly into the pristine water is to be as much about natural bliss as it about catching fish.
The first time I laid eyes on the manicured, crystal clear spring creek following through Dogwood Canyon, I thought to myself, “Yep, if I had the means to build my own trout stream, this is exactly how it would look.”
I know this sounds too good to be true, so let’s just go ahead and put our cards on the table. If you’re even a halfway accomplished fly fisherman, then we both know taking advantage of a private water manipulated by the hand of man, and stuffed full with trophy sized trout, is sort of like dunking a basketball off a trampoline. It’s extremely fun, but nothing to brag about. Fun, though, being the key word.
Dogwood Canyon is a pay to play paradise owned by Johnny Morris. It’s located in the heart of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Visitors often combine the experience with a stay at the nearby Big Cedar Lodge, also a Bass Pro Shops property.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Dogwood Canyon is a scenic private fishing water full of lunker trout. (Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Butler)
Feature Story When you step to the edge of the bank and lock eyes with a lunker effortlessly gliding a roll cast away, your grip gets a little tighter and your heartbeat a little faster. Sure, he may not be wild, but the bend in your rod leading to an acrobatic display of tail dancing is as real as death and taxes. Now imagine your new to fly fishing, or better yet, a beautiful woman you’re inclined to impress has always said she’d love to give fly fishing try. Dogwood Canyon is the place you want to take her. The same could be said for a child in whom you hope to develop an interest for angling. You’re about as sure to catch a fish at Dogwood Canyon as you would be if you were to drop a stick of dynamite in the fishing pond at the county fair. Encouraging a strike in Indian Creek isn’t difficult. In two trips I’ve guided two friends to their first fly rod fish, followed quickly thereafter by their fifth, tenth, twelfth and so on. Both were using small nymphs floated under an indicator. If you do the same, and simply leave your fly in the water long enough, a trout will swim by and grab it. That’s not to say though, that Dogwood Canyon can not pose a challenge to even the most accomplished angler. There are big fish that have been in the creek for years, and caught a number of times. These pigs aren’t so quick to suck in any offering. Locating a true giant, and fishing selectively to it, can be as much of a challenge as you’ll find on any spring creek, public or private. Dogwood Canyon is much more than a fishing destination. It’s an exquisite nature park with opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing tram tours, and more. Before it was ever opened to visitors, Dogwood Canyon was beautiful property, but under the watchful eye of Mr. Morris, the once raw landscape has been polished into a breathtaking gem. To learn more about Dogwood Canyon, and the many different methods in which you can fish in the park, log onto www.DogwoodCanyon.com, or call the park office at 417-779-5983.
Brandon Butler CFM Executive Director
BEGINNER TROUT FISHING TIPS & TRICKS BASIC A basic spin-cast rod and reel will work EQUIPMENT fine, but other combinations can be more
effective. Ultra-light rods and spinning reels are more flexible and easier to feel a strike. Rods 6 to 6½ feet long prove to be better for castability and make it easier to use a float. An ultra-light spinning reel is especially made for light line such as 4 pound test.
BAITS, FLIES Trout rely mainly on their sense of smell & LURES as well as sight to detect food sources.
For this reason, there is a variety of colored scented baits available to catch trout. Velveeta cheese and bread are also excellent choices. Hatchery-raised trout have fed on small brown pellets for most of their lives. Locally made dough-baits can prove great for catching trout. This type of bait is usually found in a park store.
METHODS Drift fishing, float fishing, fishing with jigs and tight lining are the best methods to trout fish. Pay attention to the fishing conditions and base your fishing method on them.
WATER Murky: use heavier line and a heavier CONDITIONS split shot during murky water conditions.
Murky water will help conceal heavier line. A heavier split shot or lure is often required because the water level will tend to be higher and swifter when murky. Clear: use clear nylon sewing machine thread or two pound test line for leader line on a clear sunny day. Trout will often see larger line and shy away under clear water conditions. Use your polarized glasses to locate fish. Trout generally tend to school up in deep holes when the spring level is low. For more information about your fishing trip such as stream conditions or directions, contact the hatchery office located in each park.
Visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov for more tips.
JANUARY - 2017
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Feature Story
Missouri Squirrel Hunting Memories
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Feature Story
O
range and red hues highlighted the eastern horizon. My buddy, Dr. Andrew Cline and I sat in a long oak ridge, waiting. We had arrived before daylight to watch the woods come alive. The sun hadn’t cleared the horizon before squirrel chattering started. Missouri squirrel hunting is a family tradition started long before I was born. My grandfather carried a .22 rifle in the fall while checking his cows. The sharpeyed old German occasionally brought in enough squirrels to feed his family of six when free meat was a precious gift and squirrel hunting was more than a sport. I sat thinking about past hunts. I looked at the tree where my daughter, Holly, shot at her first squirrel when she was seven. She practiced for months before her first hunt. That morning a squirrel had slipped out on a broken limb and sat gnawing on an acorn. She took careful aim with her .22 rifle and shot the nut out of that squirrel’s mouth. I glanced at the next ridge. My grandfather took me on my first squirrel hunt in that stand of trees. I shot a squirrel that morning, laid my gun and the squirrel down, and then started looking for grandpa to tell him. I returned and could not find my gun and squirrel. I finally found both an hour later. I never told him about that. Sunlight brought me back to the present. I soon heard four young squirrels chasing each other up and down the big oak I leaned against. I watched the squirrels jump into another tree to my left. A young female stepped out on a low limb. I took careful aim through my CVA .32 caliber black powder rifle’s steel sights, tickled the trigger and sent a pumpkin ball flying. The lead found its mark. I soon heard Cline shoot 20 yards up the ridge. He too had found a family chasing each other‘s tails. Another young squirrel had barked at him while he watched the chase. A slow turn and deliberate aim made an easy shot for the old college professor. The morning ended with four squirrels in our game bags. That afternoon we caught crappie from a nearby farm pond. I filleted the eight fish in anticipation of an incredible dinner.
That evening I lay in bed, thinking about a past hunt many years before with my cousin Ronnie. We had .410 shotguns and had not seen a squirrel. We decided to throw cans in the air to see who could hit the most in a day when .410 shells were still inexpensive. I shot my final shotgun shell in disgust. Ronnie had out shot me and savored his bragging rights. Squirrel hunting is a challenge, especially for those without patience. I stayed glued to a likely spot next morning while imitating a statue. I knew that a squirrel would eventually make a mistake. I started day dreaming about another hunt. My great grandfather’s best friend, Earl Stevens, showed me how he hunted squirrels many years ago. He had hunted for survival during the great depression. His wife died young and he fed his children with what he raised, caught or shot. He showed me how to shoot a limit of six squirrels from the same spot with six .22 rounds. That morning he shot and then mentally marked where each squirrel fell. I watched him shoot a limit and pick up each squirrel with little effort and only six shots. Time took a horrible toll on Earl’s eyes. Years after that hunt I took the almost totally blind man a limit of squirrels. I cut up the harvest, rinsed each piece out and sat down for a glass of iced tea. My eyes almost teared up when he said, “Boy, I would rather have those squirrels than beef steak. That meat reminds me of another time.” That was the last time I saw Earl. He died a few months later. We ended our two-day hunt with eight harvested squirrels, two excellent fried squirrel dinners and more precious time in the field. Our family tradition of Missouri squirrel hunting has created a lot of stories, some good, some sad, but I wouldn’t take a million dollars for the memories. Missouri’s squirrel season ends February 15. You still have time to pursue bushy tails on numerous public squirrel hunting areas. Contact the Missouri Department of Conservation for more information. Kenneth L. Kieser Kenneth Kieser cherishes all his squirrel hunting memories. (Photo: Kenneth Kieser)
JANUARY - 2017
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Outdoor News
Returning to the Wild
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n July 2016, three members of the Kansas City Zoo staff and approximately 1,000 Wyoming toadlets (Bufo baxteri) traveled to Wyoming in a continuing effort to conserve their species. These toadlets started their lives at the Kansas City Zoo where they were bred and hatched in the spring. Classified as extinct in the wild, Wyoming toad sustained populations exist only in AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Accredited facilities. Ongoing research into captive breeding techniques has resulted in the successful reintroduction of thousands of tadpoles and toadlets to their native range during the last several years. The toadlets were released in the Laramie Basin - their only known native habitat, in an ongoing effort to restore their wild population. Through conservation breeding programs like those at the Kansas City Zoo, Wyoming toads are starting to make a comeback in the wild with their numbers increasing but not yet self-sustaining.
Kansas City Zoo staff study Wyoming toadlets. (Photo: Courtesy of the Kansas City Zoo)
Visit the Kansas City Zoo and stop by the Discovery Barn to get an up close look at a Wyoming toad. Every visit helps the Wyoming Toad, and other animals, as the Zoo donates a portion of each ticket and membership sold to conservation efforts at home and around the globe.
Release Courtesy of the Kansas City Zoo
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Every visit you make to the Kansas City Zoo is a donation to conservation locally and globally. OPEN DAILY | kansascityzoo.org | 816.595.1234 The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District in Jackson and Clay Counties in MO, and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Outdoor News
Total Eclipse Headed to Missouri
A
70-mile-wide circle of darkness will cross Missouri at mid-day next summer. With the proper planning, you can achieve what star gazers call the “totality” of this astronomical experience. Missouri is one of 12 states in the direct path of a total eclipse of the sun that will occur on Aug. 21, 2017. The last total solar eclipse to cross the state was on Aug. 7, 1869, nearly 150 years ago. Those near the center of the path will experience “totality,” in which the moon blots out the sun totally, turning day into night. The eclipse will last for over two and one half minutes in prime locations. Eugene Vale, an interpretative resource specialist with Missouri State Parks, is passionate about astronomy. “A total eclipse at all is special,” Vale said. “I’ve never seen one, so I hesitate in getting too extreme. But the scientists are really excited about seeing this one. “It will occur about solar noon (1 p.m.), so the sun will be about at its absolute highest in the sky. No buildings or mountains or trees will get in the way. It will get dark. Temperatures will drop. The brightest stars will be visible. It will occur as a partial eclipse over the entire United States. Totality will spend about 90 minutes going across the country, from Oregon to South Carolina, and about 13 minutes over Missouri.
Parks Holding Eclipse Events The state park system has 42 locations where you can see the eclipse at parks and historic sites within the path of totality. Partial views of the eclipse can be seen at parks in other areas of the state. Nineteen parks are within the path of totality, and available for camping. Reservations, which require a three-night stay, from Aug. 18 through Aug. 21, will be available starting six months in advance. Many parks also plan special viewing events, and will have available eclipse viewers and eclipse glasses for sale for $1 each. The parks system also will hold a “total eclipse bicycle ride” on the Katy Trail that will start in Rocheport and end at the trail spur north of Jefferson City. An event will follow at the state capitol. Space is limited so registration is required at mostateparks.com/eclipseride. The 36-mile ride is limited to 500 people. A $50 registration fee includes an eclipse Katy Trail t-shirt, water bottle, special eclipse glasses and staff to provide information about the eclipse and how to safely view it. An optional return shuttle for $25 will haul riders and bicycles from Jefferson City to Rocheport. Make reservation by visiting mostateparks.com or calling 877-422-6766. More information can also be found at mostateparks.com. Release Courtesy of the Missouri State Parks A total of 42 Missouri state parks and historic sites are near the center of the path of the eclipse. (Photo: Courtesy of Missouri State Parks)
JANUARY - 2017
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Outdoor News
MDC Accepting Applications for MRAP Through Jan. 17
T
he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites eligible private landowners to apply for its Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP). The program provides incentive payments and habitat improvement help to participating private landowners who open their properties to the public for walk-in hunting, fishing, or wildlife viewing. More than 6,300 acres of private land are currently enrolled in MRAP. MDC is accepting MRAP applications from private landowners through Jan. 17. Offered lands must meet eligibility requirements, such as being at least 40 contiguous acres or at least a one-acre pond for fishing access. Land must also contain minimum amounts of quality wildlife habitat, such as native grass fields, crop-field buffers, restored wetlands, or managed woodlands. MDC encourages landowners who participate in other conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program, to apply. Annual payment rates are determined by factors such as the access type selected by the landowner and the amount of quality habitat available. Most participating landowners earn $15-$25 per acre each year they participate. Payment rates for fishing-only access are on an adjusted scale and are based largely on impoundment size or stream length. Landowners determine the type of activities that will be permitted on their land by selecting one of six public-access options: •
•
•
All Access Hunting and Fishing: This is the most open access option. Public users may pursue hunting and fishing under statewide regulations throughout the year. Archery Hunting: Public users can archery hunt all species eligible for take with archery methods under statewide regulations. Access is provided from Sept. 15 to Feb. 15 and during the spring turkey seasons. Fishing: This option only allows fishing in designated waters under statewide regulations throughout the year.
MDC is accepting applications from private landowners for its MRAP walk-in hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing program. Participating landowners get annual incentive payments and habitat improvement help in exchange for allowing limited public use on enrolled lands. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)
•
•
•
Small Game and Turkey Hunting: This option only allows hunting turkey and certain small game species under statewide regulations. Hunters can only pursue turkeys, frogs, rabbits, squirrels, quail, pheasants, rails, snipes, doves, woodcocks, and waterfowl. Access is provided during the legal seasons of these species. Note: Some of these properties are restricted to small game hunting and do not allow turkey hunting. Wildlife Viewing: Public users may hike, photograph, and enjoy nature throughout the year. All hunting and fishing activities are prohibited. Youth Hunting and Fishing: Accompanied by an adult, youths (under 16) may pursue both game and fish under statewide regulations throughout the year.
MRAP lands are open to foot traffic only and area users self-register at designated entry points. Parking typically occurs along roadsides. Participating landowners are offered liability protection under Missouri’s Recreational Use Immunity Law. For more information and an MRAP application, visit mdc.mo.gov/mrap, or contact local MDC Private Land Services staff. Release Courtesy of MDC JANUARY - 2017
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Feature Story
Recreational Real Estate and a Passion for Hunting Creates Friendship
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ravis Hamele and Jason Cleveland do business together, hunt together multiple times a year and often visit with one another’s families. Their love of hunting even spurred the idea of creating UC Hunting Properties together, a branch of United Country Real Estate that specializes in hunting land, recreational land and agricultural land for sale. Hamele lives in Portage, Wis., while Cleveland lives outside of St. Louis, Mo., and less than five years ago, they didn’t know one another even existed.
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Hamele and Cleveland grew up states apart, but with a lot in common. Both have a long history and strong passion for hunting and both own recreational property in their home states. Hamele’s family owns a 640-acre farm that yields 150 acres of row crop while the rest is timberland and hunting ground. It’s a piece of property that has been in his family for generations. Jason Cleveland and Travis Hamele took their passion for the outdoors and knowledge of hunting and land ownership and turned it into a business. (Photo: Courtesy of Travis Hamele)
Feature Story “My grandpa bought the farm in the early 1900’s and we still manage the property today,” said Hamele. “I always say that our land is the reason why people buy land. It’s been in our family for four generations now because my kids now hunt on it. There’s a special place in my heart for this land.” Cleveland shares a similar story. He purchased his first piece of land on the border or Mark Twain National Forest with his father and his father’s friends when he was 15 years old. He also started hunting when he was a child and recalls watching his father kill his first deer in 1976 on an island on the Mississippi River. “Owning land is different than just hunting. It’s 365 days a year and it becomes a way a life,” said Cleveland. You can see it with all the photos I post of my girls. One of my daughters actually shot her first deer with a cross bow this year. I will post those photos and use the hashtag ‘feed the family’ because the kill is only a small part of everything that goes with hunting and owning hunting land.”
Travis and his daughter harvest a doe. (Photo: Courtesy of Travis Hamele)
“It gives us time to wind down and talk about business, but it’s also about the atmosphere and brotherhood that comes with hunting,” said Hamele. “We can schedule a hunting trip at the spur of the moment and not worry about others coming on our land. That’s the perk of us both being land owners. It’s about owning land and really taking pride in it.”
"It gives us time to wind down and talk about business, but it’s also about the atmosphere and brotherhood that comes with hunting."
Both men took their passion for the outdoors and knowledge of hunting and land ownership and turned it into a business. Hamele is the owner and broker for United Country Real Estate | Hamele Auction and Realty in Wisconsin and Cleveland is one of the owner/brokers for United Country Real Estate | Trophy Properties and Auction in St. Louis. Even with both being avid hunters, running a business together and owning separate successful real estate businesses within the same franchise, Hamele and Cleveland only met four years ago. They became close friends after meeting at real estate convention in Dallas back in 2012. Since meeting, the two have become inseparable despite being states apart. They visit each other regularly, are close with one another’s families and speak often. They even plan three hunting trips together per year, two in Missouri and one in Wisconsin, and also hunt in multiple states.
Cleveland said sometimes they can’t get together to hunt due to time constraints, but even when that happens, there is always work trainings and other social events to keep their bond strong and business booming.
“Knowing each other through the network has increased our businesses because we both know a lot of people in the industry and can share resources. But we’ve also shared a lot of moments together during our hunting trips and have seen a lot of great places across the Midwest,” said Cleveland. United Country Real Estate is the leading fully integrated network of auction and traditional real estate professionals nationwide. To learn more, visit www.UnitedCountry.com. Lauren Aleshire Marketing Director, United Country Real Estate
JANUARY - 2017
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Outdoor News
MDC Thanks Hunters for Help in Collecting 19,200 Tissue Samples for CWD Testing
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he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reports that it collected approximately 19,200 tissue samples for chronic-wastingdisease (CWD) testing from mandatory sampling efforts at 75 stations in 29 counties in and around where the fatal deer disease has been found in northeast, central, and east-central Missouri. The Department’s goal was 18,000 – 20,000 tissue samples collected. Department staff will send the collected tissue samples to an outside laboratory that specializes in wildlife disease testing. MDC expects test results to begin being available in 4-6 weeks. Hunters can get free test results for their harvested deer online at mdc.mo.gov/CWDtestresults. “Thank you to the thousands of hunters who made this effort successful by bringing their deer in for CWD testing -- and for the golden opportunity to listen to their stories and share in their excitement about their harvests,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. “And thank you to the dozens of local businesses and organizations who provided facilities and services for this monumental effort. I also want to express my appreciation to Department staff and volunteers for their incredible work that weekend.” Pauley added, “As we get the final test results back in the coming weeks, we will be evaluating our next steps in our CWD management efforts, including future testing efforts in the CWD management zone and around the state.”
Hunters who harvest deer throughout the rest of
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
These MDC staff were among about 1,200 who collected 19,200 tissue samples from hunter-harvested deer to test for chronic wasting disease. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC )
the hunting season in the 29 counties of the CWD management zone can still have their deer tested. To do so, contact the nearest MDC Regional Office. Hunters can also find voluntary CWD sampling stations at mdc.mo.gov/CWD. Chronic wasting disease is a deadly deer disease that has been found in 33 free-ranging deer in northeast, central, and east-central Missouri. According to MDC wildlife-disease experts, chronic wasting disease has the potential to greatly reduce deer numbers, deer health, and deer hunting in Missouri. CWD could also hurt the many Missouri families and businesses that rely on deer hunting. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/CWD.
Release Courtesy of MDC
Outdoor News
Play it Safe on Your ATV
I
t's a great day to hit the trails on your ATV. You're ready to hop on and go, but you don't want to take the time to put safety gear on, or you think it will be too hot or too bulky. Unfortunately, when ATV safety precautions are ignored injuries can—and do—occur. As of December 31, 2014, the Consumer Products Safety Commission received reports of 385 ATV-related fatalities and an estimated 93,700 ATVrelated injuries treated in emergency rooms. You can avoid some of the danger with these simple safety precautions.
Boots: ATV boots can help protect your ankles, toes and legs from injuries and protect your legs from scratches if you ride through heavy brush or sand.
Gear Up for Safety
Other Safety Tips: • Take an ATV safety training course • Don't allow passengers unless it's a dualpassenger ATV • Don't allow a child to drive an adult-sized ATV • Don't drive an ATV on paved roads • Don't drive under the influence • Avoid hills that are too steep for your ATV • Keep your body weight forward • Keep your speed appropriate for conditions
ATVs are designed to drive through rough terrain. As a result, mud, rocks, sand and other debris can fly up and damage your skin. Never wear shorts or shortsleeved shirts when riding an ATV. Helmets: The most obvious piece of safety equipment for any ATV rider is a helmet. You never know when you will hit something you don't see that will send you flying off your ATV, and you'll need adequate head protection to avoid a traumatic brain injury. Goggles: A good pair of goggles is just as important. Your ATV can send mud, rocks and other debris flying—sometimes right into your eyes. Besides being in a lot of pain, this could damage your vision.
Long-Sleeved Shirt: It's smart to wear a longsleeved shirt, even in summer, to protect your arms from scratches if you ride through or near heavy brush or sand. Gloves: Gloves with padding will protect your hands from soreness and blisters.
A little common sense can go a long way when operating an ATV. Don't be so anxious to get to the fun that you forget safety. If you have questions about insurance options for your ATV, find an agent at ShelterInsurance.com. Release & Photo Courtesy of Shelter Insurance JANUARY - 2017
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Feature Story
Missouriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Native Pine
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n a state known for its heritage of prairies, wetlands and rolling Ozark Mountains, Missouri has but one native pine- the shortleaf pine. The shortleaf pine once covered over 6 million acres in the state. Relatively fire-resistant, the shortleaf pine benefited from centuries of fire purposefully set by the aboriginal inhabitants of the area. Fire supports the shortleaf pine by keeping out deciduous trees such as oaks and hickories and leaving open savannas of pine trees, free to enjoy full sun, with grasses and forbs below. Fire also provided the bare soil necessary for germination of shortleaf pine seed by eliminating leaves and other debris from the forest floor. As European settlers moved east so did an increasing thirst for timber. By 1880 the demand for lumber was unquenchable. Not only was construction of homes and other buildings growing at a rapid pace, the shortleaf pine was especially prized by the railroad industry for its expansion west.
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
As the miles of railroad tracks grew, sawmills sprung up in Missouri and millions of acres of shortleaf pine turned into billions of board feet of lumber and railroad ties. The Missouri lumber boom was in full swing. Legendary log drives down the rivers of the Ozarks were commonplace, and thriving towns rose up around the timber commodities of southern Missouri. Thirty years after it started, the Missouri Lumber and Mining Company closed the largest mill in Missouri located in Grandin, Carter County, in 1910 signaling the end of the boom. A town that once boasted a population of over 3,000 dropped to 300 by 1938, but that wasn't the only population decline. The clearing of forests and subsequent widespread erosion took a grave toll on sectors of Missouri's economy and once abundant Ozark wildlife. In 1937, the birth year of the Missouri Department of Conservation, estimates put the deer population in Missouri at a staggering low number of 3,500 deer.
Feature Story The depleted landscape of the Ozarks left a legacy of abject poverty for its residents and its ecology. Streams and valleys filled with rock and debris from eroded slopes leaving no grass for cattle to graze, and with no timber to hold Ozark soil in place, the livelihoods of those remaining also washed away. The shortleaf pines left fell casualty of 30 years of timber prosperity and population growth as well. The continued suppression of fire allowed other hardwood trees to spring up alongside shortleaf pines and limited the ability for the stands that once blanketed the Ozarks to rejuvenate. The almost pure stands of shortleaf pine trees, with their carpets of native grasses and wildflowers, were largely gone. For over a decade the U.S. Forest Service has been promoting large woodland restoration efforts in Mark Twain National Forest. These efforts put fire, an essential component to shortleaf pine habitat, at the center of the plan. With increased restoration efforts covering approximately 29% of the forest's 1.6 million acres, the hope is wildlife will also return to their previous range in Missouri. Birds dependent upon shortleaf pine habitat include Bachman's Sparrow, Brown-headed Nuthatch. and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. A bird survey in southeast Missouri in 1907 by E. Woodruff documented these three species in the remaining but rapidly disappearing shortleaf pine habitat. The Brown-headed Nuthatch has not been seen in the state since. Bachman's Sparrow has become increasingly rare in the state. Records of Bachman's Sparrow over the past decade have been limited sightings on glades in Ozark and Taney counties. The last of the Red-cockaded Woodpeckers disappeared from Missouri in 1946. In a time of rapidly disappearing habitat and increasing pressure on wildlife, any and all efforts to preserve and restore the ecology of natural areas is a win for wildlife and all Missourians. Mary Nemececk Conservation Chair of Burroughs Audubon
THE SHORTLEAF PINE
DESCRIPTION A large tree with a long, clear trunk and broad, open crown. The leaves are 3â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5 inches long, slender, flexible and a dark bluish-green. The bark is a thick, reddishbrown to nearly black, broken into large, irregular, scaly plates.
HABITAT It occurs in moist to dry upland forests and margins of glades on acidic soils derived from sandstone, chert, or igneous substrates; also grown in plantations. It is Missouri's only native pine. Today, some scattered pine populations, mostly on public lands, are being managed to preserve the natural character.
DISTRIBUTION Naturally occurring mainly in the Ozarks of southern Missouri, but commonly planted elsewhere.
STATUS Once a dominant tree community over much of the Ozarks, shortleaf pine woodlands are being restored not only for their intrinsic value and the sake of the plants and animals associated with them, but also for future generations to know and appreciate this part of our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural heritage.
ECOSYSTEM It is hard to place a value on what was CONNECTIONS once the dominant tree over many
thousands of acres, influencing the soils below and defining the character and community of all the plants and animals that lived beneath its canopy. Many birds and small mammals eat the seeds, and deer browse the new twigs.
Visit mdc.mo.gov for more information on the Missouri pine.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers depended upon shortleaf pine habitat in Missouri. They were last seen in the state around 1946. (Photo: John Hammond) JANUARY - 2017
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Outdoor News
Missourians for Monarchs Gains Momentum
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hen I assumed my new role in midSeptember, the monarchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fall migration was already underway. But just as the butterflies began their journey down to Mexico, our conservation efforts on their behalf began ramping up. By the time the monarchs return in the spring, Missouri will be even closer to achieving our statewide goal of establishing 19,000 acres of pollinator habitat in 2017. One catalyst for our recent momentum is a two-year grant awarded to Missourians for Monarchs by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This grant supports five individual projects, including those focused on creation of habitat as well as outreach to homeowners and landowners. Missouri Master Naturalists and Gardeners are spearheading one of these projects. During the next two years, volunteers will enhance or convert 10 areas of public and private lands to monarch habitat in communities that connect to the Interstate 35 corridor. The Missouri Prairie Foundation, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and the University of Missouri are just a few of the collaborative partners involved with this grant. One deliverable that has many excited is the creation of a comprehensive Missourians for Monarchs website. This will allow us to disseminate information about pollinator conservation, provide resources to homeowners and landowners and allow individuals to share their backyard habitat improvements with the collaborative. To assist with this, a part-time graduate student will be hired at Mizzou beginning next semester. Another grant-funded development is the creation of the Missouri Master Pollinator Steward Program. Administered by University of Missouri Extension and funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this six-part program is being designed to educate the public on conservation issues surrounding pollinators in both natural and managed situations.
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A monarch butterfly caterpillar feeds on a milkweed plant. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)
The program is being modeled after the Master Gardener program in delivery, but would not create a cadre of volunteers. Rather, it will encourage participants to become involved in Missouri Master Gardeners and Missouri Master Naturalists. Missourians for Monarchs is participating in the curriculum development for this program, ensuring that monarch conservation is addressed along with honeybees and other pollinators. Look for more information on this program in the coming year, with a full launch expected in 2018. The U.S. Geological Survey has released a set of monarch conservation planning tools, including an ArcGIS Toolbox with a new milkweed calculator. Our collaborative is currently evaluating these tools and we will employ them as we seek to identify critical habitat areas for monarchs throughout the state. A lot has taken place in the 10 weeks since I joined Missourians for Monarchs, and the momentum we have will undoubtedly carry on through the winter and into early spring. If anyone has any questions, comments or suggestions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or if you just want to say hello â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I can be reached at jjenkins@quailforever.org or 573-876-9386. Jason Jenkins
Monarch & Pollinator Coordinator, Missourians for Monarchs
Outdoor News
Angling for Ethanol
O
n the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail, there’s one thing every top angler has in common, and it sure isn’t bait. It’s fuel. In fact, 100 percent of our fishing champions use the same blend of 10 percent ethanol (E10) that powers nearly every car in the U.S. These competitors are tough. They take pride in having the best equipment possible. And not a single one has ever reported anything but satisfaction with ethanolblended gasoline. So lawmakers can be forgiven for their surprise when the oil industry claims that renewable fuels are a threat to small engines and boaters. The truth is that ethanol blends are ideal for watercraft, and companies like Kawasaki, Mercury Marine, OMC, Pleasurecraft, Tigershark, Tracker, Honda, and Yamaha all approve the use of E10 in their machines. The same is true in the racing community as other serious power boaters use blends up to E90, because it provides a massive octane boost that burns clean and cool. According to Keith Holmes, President and Owner of CK Motorsports, the introduction of ethanol blends has helped extend the life of many engine parts by 25 to 50 percent. Of course, better engine performance is just one reason to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which pushes oil companies to give renewable fuels a place in America’s energy mix. Many boaters put a high premium on freedom, and the RFS is vital to breaking America’s dependence on foreign oil cartels. Every truckload of ethanol displaces more than 60 barrels of imported oil from politically unstable regions, and that keeps more money in American hands. For many sportsmen, however, having better choices at the fuel pump is all about protecting lakes, rivers, and other recreational waterways. Ethanol helps to reduce the pollutants fossil fuels leave behind, preserving human health and marine life. And because it has a high oxygen content, ethanol displaces toxic additives like MTBE, an oil derivative with an ongoing legacy of groundwater contamination.
Mr. Sowers is Co-Host of Crappie Masters TV, covering the Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail based in Clinton, Missouri. (Photo: Courtesy of Brian Sowers)
Just recently, ExxonMobil was forced to pay $30 million to the town of Charlton in Worcester County, Massachusetts, where MTBE contaminated water supplies for the local elementary school and other sites. The RFS has also been the single most successful tool for combating carbon emissions. On average, corn ethanol reduces CO2 emissions by 34 percent and advanced biofuels can reduce emissions by 100 percent or more over gasoline, according to Argonne National Lab. No other policy provides a better pathway towards cleaning up our liquid transportation fuels, just as no other climate policy offers a better way to provide consumers with energy options that are more affordable – not less. Like many, I hope to take my own grandkids fishing and pass along my love of a great American pastime. That requires today’s generation to make smart choices that protect our air and water. The RFS is a vital part of that bipartisan effort. Today, most U.S. gasoline is a ten percent blend of clean, renewable biofuel. With strong support from policymakers, that share will continue to grow. Brian Sowers Co-Host of Crappie Masters TV JANUARY - 2017
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Outdoor News
Winter Hikes in Missouri: Explore Trails Year-Round
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hile many families think about getting outdoors in the fall, spring and summer months, winter is also a great time to get outdoors. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let cabin fever coop you up. Take advantage of this time to explore Missouri State Parks. With few leaves on the trees, winter is a perfect time for wildlife watching and enjoying scenic views. Several Missouri State Parks are home to wintering bald eagles, a magnificent and overwhelming sight. Otters, muskrats, beavers, great blue herons, belted kingfishers and trumpeter swans are other animals that you could catch a glimpse of while out on one of our award-winning trails. Make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready for a winter hike by wearing layers (your body will generate heat as you become more active), keeping your feet dry and warm with a good pair of socks, and bringing high-energy snacks and water. Here are some great choices for winter hikes in Missouri: Fire Tower Trail at Roaring River State Park: Most of this 3.75-mile trail is located within the Roaring River Hills Wild Area and passes next to Roaring River Cove Hardwood Natural Area. The area offers rugged terrain, dense hardwood woodlands, open dolomite glades, and deep hollows. The trail is excellent for birders and photographers.
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Bluff View Trail at Meramec State Park: This 1.5 mile-trail provides superb views from the edge of two bluffs along the Meramec River. Between the bluffs, the trail descends to the bank of the river. The trail is also connected to state park history since portions of it were laid out by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Thousand Hills Trail at Thousand Hills: Hike a short portion of this trail or enjoy a 10.25-mile backpacking adventure. This natural surface trail goes through forested terrain, passes through savanna restoration units and goes along Forest Lake. There is plenty of wildlife in the woods, so expect to see animal tracks, and maybe a deer or wintering birds. Lake Trail at Watkins Mill State Park: The eight-foot wide paved trail circles the 100-acre Williams Creek Lake and includes a number of bridges along with an overlook. The trail includes six wooden bridges and one metal truss bridge. In winter, geese and occasionally bald eagles can be seen on the ice or flying over the lake. Visit mostateparks.com for more info on winter hikes. Release Courtesy of Missouri State Parks Roaring River State Park. (Photo: Courtesy of Missouri Tourism)
Outdoor News
CFM Named NWF Affiliate of the Week
I
n honor of NWF's 80th Anniversary celebration throughout 2016, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recognized each of their Affiliate Partners in a special series that showcases the dedicated conservation efforts taking place across the country each day. The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) is the largest and most active conservation organization in the state. Serving as “The Voice for Missouri Outdoors,” CFM educates, inspires, and empowers individuals and organizations to support the conservation of Missouri’s natural resources, outdoor heritage, and wildlife such as whitetail deer, wild turkey, waterfowl, quail and more. With nearly 5,000 individual members and close to 100 affiliated organizations and clubs, CFM represents several hundred thousands of Missourians. Together, they make their voice heard as they work to ensure Missouri remains the greatest conservation state.
What We Do CFM’s mission is to ensure the conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources and the preservation of the state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships. They accomplish this through the following: Conservation Advocacy: CFM works with legislators and state agencies to proactively advance conservation and opportunities for conservationists. CFM is the leading organization for defending against legislation detrimental to Missouri’s natural resources and outdoor heritage. Conservation Programs: CFM’s conservation programs cover a broad array of programs to engage citizens and groups across the state for conservation causes they care about. Programs include the Outdoor Action Committee, Stream Teams, and Share the Harvest. Education and Youth: CFM works to develop future conservation enthusiasts and advocates. CFM’s Conservation Leadership Corps has been nationally recognized for its success in developing high school and college students into the next generation of conservation leaders. They are also expanding the Missouri Collegiate Conservation Alliance. It unites college students to educate them on conservation practices.
Brandon Butler of CFM with the Conservationist of the Year Award recipients Governor Nixon, First Lady Nixon and Bass Pro Shops Columbia Store Manager David Smith. (Photo: Courtesy of CFM)
Making a National Impact CFM has been making a national impact since the organization's creation in 1935 when sportsmen and conservationists from all over Missouri came together for the purpose of taking conservation out of politics. Their initiative petition campaign resulted in the creation the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), a non-political conservation agency that continues to be a model for other states. Since then, the Federation has undertaken many successful battles to ensure Missouri's natural resources. For instance, in 1976, CFM spearheaded the successful passage of the Design for Conservation Sales Tax, which created stable broad-based funding for Missouri’s forests, fish and wildlife.
Get Involved Attend the CFM Annual Convention March l0-12, 2017 in Jefferson City, MO. Learn about conservation efforts in Missouri and be a voice for Missouri outdoors. Register online at www.confedmo.org.
Connect with CFM Connect with CFM to get their latest news and keep up with their conservation efforts through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram or by visiting their website to sign up to receive their bi-weekly newsletters.
JANUARY - 2017
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Feature Story
St. James is a Trout Town
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he first reference I heard about St. James involved trout. I attended the University of Missouri, Columbia at the time, while pursuing a Masters’ in Outdoor Education. By happenstance, I bumped into Dr. Ken Chilman, a forestry professor at Mizzou. I had taken an outdoor recreation course under him in forestry school while in undergraduate school. We hit it off and occasionally visited with one another. Dr. Chilman quizzed me about my graduate research project. I had not started one. Chilman had the perfect solution. “How about I take you to St. James, to Maramec Spring Park, one of the four trout parks,” Chilman said. “I’ve got an idea for a research project concerning anglers perceptions of trout fishing as an outdoor recreation pursuit." Dr. Chilman and I arrived at Maramec Spring Park for opening day in 1970. I experienced trout fishing for the first time.
I had been reared in the swamps of southeast Missouri where I enjoyed spectacular fishing for behemoth largemouth bass, slap crappies and bluegills that covered a dinner plate. I seldom encountered another fisherman as I paddled my grandpa Cooper’s homemade cypress plank boat along the bayous and through ancient cypress trees older than our nation. Shock swept over me as Dr. Chilman explained to me that the hundreds of people lined a ribbon of a creek, called Maramec Spring Branch, to catch rainbow trout which had been stocked the night before. Stocked fish? I had never heard of such a thing. “That’s how we raise chickens on the farm,” I told Dr. Chilman. “But, the chickens do get a chance to roam free some. Do these rainbow trout live their entire lives in a concrete pen?” The concept of fish raised in a pen didn’t sit well with me.
Trout fishing programs at Maramec Spring Park are heavily supported by the community of St. James. (Photo: Bill Cooper)
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CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Feature Story Many of the anglers I interviewed referred to St. James as “the trout town.” Never in my life had I heard references to town and fish in the same sentence. It didn’t make much sense to me. I grew up 15 miles from the nearest town and still went deeper into the swamps to go fishing. The solitude, peace and quiet and the marvels of nature were as important as the fish I pursued. As I continued my research, I began to understand these strange trout fishermen. When asked what most influenced their enjoyment of trout fishing, common responses were: being in the wilderness, being in open spaces, the fresh air, the colors and the freedom. Wilderness? It slowly dawned on me that it was all a matter of perception. People who spent most of their lives on concrete and asphalt perceived Maramec Spring Park and trout fishing as an escape from their suburban jungle of fast paced living with all of the stresses of work and travel in the city and not having easy contact with nature.
I pondered Dr. Chilman’s proposal that I conduct a research project about factors affecting the quality of the trout fishing recreation experience for anglers at Maramec Spring Park. The idea of quality fishing perplexed me. How could people enjoy fishing under such crowded conditions. Stress levels of trout fishermen appeared to be through the roof. Dr. Chilman introduced me to Ford Hughes, Regional Manager of the James Foundation. The meeting went well. Hughes offered me a job in park maintenance for the summer, while I worked on my research project. I jumped at the chance and killed two birds with one stone. The work experience would cover a class I needed in field work. The money I saved would cover my next semester’s expenses. As my research project began, I quickly discovered that almost 70 percent of the people coming to Maramec Spring Park came from the St. Louis area. I began to understand. Few people had the opportunity to enjoy fishing as I had in the wilds of the swamps.
I began to empathize and try trout fishing for myself. I felt guilty at first. It seemed too easy and angry anglers upset my peaceful bubble. Fish get off, they break lines, and other anglers cast across your line and tangle you up. Stress created from fishing. It became a whole new dimension for me. Unbelievably, I became the superintendent of Maramec Spring Park. I met thousands of trout anglers and made some good friends over the six years I worked there. At every chance, I lived the idea among fishermen that attitude and being positive was everything in an outdoor setting was important. Patience, I taught, is important when dealing with fish and fishermen. Hundreds of individual sessions, group sessions, special fishing days, clinics and events helped me over the decades better understand trout fishermen. With over 1,500 fishing articles under my belt, the majority of which are about trout fishing, I feel I have a handle on understanding and appreciating trout fishermen. Today, I too am now proud to be called a member of that trout town, St. James. Bill Cooper
JANUARY - 2017
65
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Proud to support our outdoor heritage Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives 66
CONSERVATION FEDERATION
Celebrate 81 Years of CFM!
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Annual Convention
st
Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out on CFMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest event of the year!
March 10-12, 2017 Capitol Plaza Hotel Jefferson City, MO Convention Highlights:
This is the time for conservationists to gather and share fellowship, present awards and craft resolutions to improve the outdoors.
Annual Conservation Awards Ceremony Meet Conservation & Natural Resource Leaders Natural Resource Committee Reports Banquet, Silent and Live Auctions
Enjoy the opportunity to connect with other sportsmen who share your passion.
Check inside this issue for more details and a registration form.
For more information, visit: www.confedmo.org/annual-convention/ or call 573-634-2322
If there are errors in your name or address, please notify us at: Missouri Wildlife 728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call 573-634-2322.