30 minute read
Finding a Place to Hunt
Finding a Place to Hunt Before it’s Too Late
Turkey season just ended and deer season is just around the corner. This is the window of time you have to find your next great piece of hunting property. It may not happen the first time you ask. You may have to earn it.
Free hunting permission is nowhere near as easy to acquire as it once was. A lot of the big parcels and best parcels are being leased these days. That doesn’t mean you still can’t find a great piece of property to hunt that produces quality deer and turkey every year. You just have to adjust your thinking.
First of all, there are many great public lands to hunt in Missouri. So if you want to skip the process of obtaining permission altogether, you can do that. You can use these next five months as your opportunity to locate and scout a few places to hunt this fall. You can spend a lot of time hiking these public lands right now, to figure out where you’ll hang treestands in a few months.
Most of Missouri is private land. You can get permission to hunt good spots even if you don’t have family or friends with land, but you’re going to have to work hard if you hope to gain and keep permission on someone else’s land.
Obtaining permission to deer hunt a quality of piece of private property is no easy task. In fact, it can be down right out painful. Rejection after rejection, with reasons as diverse as, “I don’t allow any hunting,” or “sorry, but there are already others hunting here,” to perhaps the worst, “I just leased it to a couple of guys from the city.” Ouch.
A friend of mine has been hunting the same piece of private property since he was a kid. Every year, he cuts firewood for the landowner. He does it before the landowner needs it, and always cuts more than enough to last the entire winter. He drops by in the summer to ask if there are any additional projects he can help with and never oversteps his bounds during the hunting season. Because of the location, the landowner often gets asked if he’d be willing to lease his land. He says no, and continues to let my friend hunt for free. Why? Because he earns it.
Deer hunting in Missouri is a favorite pastime. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)
It takes time to establish a relationship like this, but you can talk about your desire to do so up front. When you are making your ask, be sure to acknowledge you are more than willing to help the landowner in some way to compensate for their generosity. Landowners appreciate the gesture. They may or may not take you up on the offer, but they appreciate it nonetheless. This is a great way to establish a long lasting relationship with a landowner.
If you already have a good piece of private property to hunt, you’re lucky. A lot of people don’t. If you’re on the hunt for your next great place to hunt, here are a few tips on where to look. Start close to town. I’ve taken a lot of deer out of woodlots in the back of subdivisions. You don’t need to acquire permission on a 500 acre farm. Use aerial maps, like onX or HuntStand, to locate pinch points or funnels. Look along rivers and creeks, and don’t overlook small acreages bordering parks.
Develop a list of properties you’re interested in hunting then devise a plan to obtain permission to hunt at least one, or hopefully, two. If you’re lucky enough to obtain permission, plan to do more for the landowner than they ask. Drop them pie at Thanksgiving, or maybe a small Christmas gift with a card. Start providing a service. Make yourself valuable, so you’re not expendable.
Brandon Butler
Exploring the Ozarks with Paddle MO
Whether you've paddled the Current River too many times to count or you've never paddled it at all, you won't want to miss Paddle MO Ozarks, October 17 to 19.
"Paddle MO programs are unique in that they are much more than just a float trip," says Mary Culler, executive director of Stream Teams United (STU) and an affiliate member of CFM. "Along the route, scientific and historical experts share about the ecology, history and culture of the river and its nearby communities." Paddle MO trips also help break down barriers that people might have regarding a multi-day river trip, says Mary. "By providing the coordination of logistics, transportation, food, river guides and fellow paddlers, Paddle MO provides the resources for paddlers to complete multi-day journeys that might otherwise be challenging to plan on your own."
While the original Paddle MO, launched in 2016, focuses on the final 100 miles of the Missouri River from Hermann to the confluence with the Mississippi River (see pg 48), Paddle MO Ozarks highlights Missouri's Ozark streams.
"After hosting Paddle MO on the Missouri River for three years, we were ready to expand the program to additional rivers in the state," explains Mary. "After scouting a few possible rivers, we chose the Current River for the first Paddle MO Ozarks adventure in 2019. The Current and Jacks Forks rivers in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) are world-class streams in Missouri. We wanted Missourians and visitors to not only have a way to paddle these rivers on multi-day trips but also to learn about the ecology and history of these rivers."
Paddle MO Ozarks 2020
Paddlers on this year's trip will explore 25 miles of the Current River, from Cedar Grove to the upper landing at Round Spring. "Current River State Park (CRSP) was a wonderful setting for the inaugural Paddle MO Ozarks trip," says Mary. "Because of uncertainties with the septic system at the lodge at CRSP, we have moved the lodging and camping to Montauk State Park for this year."
Friday arrivals will enjoy a group dinner. The trip officially begins on Saturday, with check-in at Montauk and a safety briefing at Cedar Grove before putting in and floating 7.7 miles to Akers Ferry. The Sunday float is 9.5 miles from Akers Ferry to Pulltite. On Monday, the float is 7.8 miles from Pulltite to Round Spring. In addition to educational stops on the river, guest speakers join the group at various points to talk about cultural and historical highlights along the route.
Last year, for example, Mark Van Patten, whose wife, Regina, is a direct descendant of the family who once owned Welch Spring, talked about the history of the spring and the hospital ruins. Siblings Judy Maggard Stewart and Eugene Maggard recalled growing up at Akers Ferry, which the family still operates, and their deep family roots in the area. Neal Humke, with the L-A-D Foundation, explained forest management techniques and the foundation's role in conserving the Current River watershed. ONSR interpreter Dave Tobey described the cabin and spring at Pulltite.
Evening entertainment included music, campfires, and a variety of speakers. Rick Mansfield, historian, storyteller and author from Ellington, regaled listeners with the tale of his re-creation of the 900 miles in 90 days exploration of the Ozarks by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, 200 years to the day after the original.
Alan Banks, historian and author from Eminence, brought books, photos, arrowheads and other artifacts to illustrate his natural history talk.
Current River State Park representatives David Savage and Connie Weber discussed the Native American history of the area while Connie prepared Indian fry bread and Three Sisters (corn, squash and beans) stew.
The historic lodge at CRSP was full of life and laughter as it must have been back in the early days when it was a private hunting and fishing club for the Alton Box Board Company. When Friends Pickin', a bluegrass group from Ellington, started playing, the fun really began. Similar types of speakers and entertainment will be offered this fall at Montauk.
On-water education
On the river, the educational programming is led by Bill and Jody Miles, co-directors of Earth's Classroom, a non-profit based in Rosebud. Since 2016, they've served as lead river guides and on-water educators for the annual Paddle MO trips on the Missouri River.
"I would put the Current River up against any river in the world for its amazing beauty, springs and biodiversity," says Bill. "Paddling on one of the most spectacular float streams in the world is always filled with new adventures and discoveries."
One of the highlights last year was the discovery by Bill and Jody of a blind cavefish, the Southern Cavefish (Typhlichthys subterraneus), in a small cave spring in the Pulltite to Round Spring section of the river. "To the best of our knowledge, the cavefish had never been recorded for that location until our finding," says Jody. There are three species of cavefish in the Missouri Ozarks. "Wow. Blind cavefish. Who knew?" marveled long-time "river rat" and 29-year Stream Team veteran Ted Haviland, of Arroll, as he gazed at the small, white cavefish in the palm of Bill's hand.
No ordinary float trip fare
If you think you'll lose a couple of pounds on Paddle MO because of all the outdoor exercise, you might want to rethink that. "The food on these Stream Team expeditions is always top-notch," says Ted.
Some meals will be cooked by Stream Team volunteers and some by Chef Chris Feaster, chef/owner of Feasters Route 66 Bistro and head chef for Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity in Rolla. Chef Feaster also cooked for last year's trip.
Parting thoughts
When paddlers were asked to describe Paddle MO Ozarks in one word, these were some of the responses: User-friendly, educational, eye-opening, exciting, relaxing, challenging, amazing.
100 Miles on the Missouri River
Paddlers from 15 states have participated in Paddle MO on the Missouri River since it was first held in 2016. The 100-mile trip from Hermann to the confluence with the Mississippi River will be September 23 to 27, with the shuttle day on September 22. Paddlers can join the full five-day trip or the two-day weekend option.
Fees for Paddle MO vary depending on the length of the trip and whether you book a shuttle, opt for the multi-person canoe, or rent cabins instead of tent camping. For information or to register, visit paddlemo.org. Sarah Wright, an environmental specialist with the Department of Natural Resources in Jefferson City, has fly-fished the Current often, but had only floated it once prior to last fall's trip. "So many people know this river and this area for floating and fishing, but to get such an up-close look (on Paddle MO) is priceless," says Sarah. "It will make every trip back there more enjoyable because I was given a peek at so many deeper parts."
"Being on the river for days with folks is a natural bonding that can't be duplicated anywhere else," says Jody. "When you add in good food and drink, campfires and fabulous evenings of foot-stomping music along the river, you get magic -- memories to last the rest of your life." Perhaps Mary sums it up best: "Paddle MO is a once-in-a-lifetime type of adventure -- that you can participate in more than once!"
The nitty-gritty
The registration fee for Paddle MO Ozarks is $300 for the three-day trip. It includes nine meals, transportation of boats and participants each day (with the exception of moving your vehicle to the take-out point on Day 3), river guides, education, entertainment, river maps and journals. It does not include camping/lodging, which must be booked with Montauk State Park. It does not include canoe or kayak rental. For more information or to register, visit paddlemo.org and click on the Ozarks link on the upper right. All funds raised on Paddle MO support Missouri waterways.
Paddle MO Ozarks is supported by L-A-D Foundation, Missouri Humanities Council, Conservation Federation of Missouri, Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust, Bass Pro Shops, Piney River Brewing Company and Missouri Wine and Grape Board. The Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Parks and the National Park Service at the Ozark National Scenic Riverways assist with programming.
Note: If the Current River or Missouri River event is canceled due to COVID-19, flooding, or natural disaster, participants will receive a full refund of their registration costs.
Barbara Gibbs Ostmann
A sunbeam points to the bluffs dotted with caves, plants and wildlife. (Photo: Barbara Gibbs Ostmann)
Conservation Organizations Launch Responsible Recreation Pledge
State by state, different rules have been implemented regarding outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. These rules have led to confusion at best and anger at worst. Many have argued against closures of parks and open spaces, limits on boating, and changes to hunting and fishing opportunities. Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
So many of us who live an outdoor lifestyle have maintained the mindset that the outdoors is the best place to be during these unprecedented times. Yet, we still need to take precautions. There is now a large consortium of conservation organizations coming together to collectively call for responsible recreation.
“The Responsible Recreation campaign seeks to engage all who are enjoying the outdoors safely and responsibly, “said Ron Regan, Executive Director for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “We encourage everyone to recreate locally, be safe, be prepared, and be respectful.”
It is great to see organizations of different specific missions, like hunting, fishing, and general outdoors coming together in support of #ResponsibleRecreation. Some of the big names you might recognize, or even better belong to, are National Wild Turkey Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
“Whether participating in hunting, fishing, shooting sports, or numerous other outdoor activities, individuals and families are getting outside as a means of coping with the challenges of this health crisis,” said Whit Fosburgh, TRCP’s president and CEO. “The conservation community recognizes that this is a privilege, one that sportsmen and women take very seriously.
Just as we’ve stepped up to fund conservation efforts and recover at-risk species, hunters and anglers have yet another opportunity to lead by example and ensure that outdoor recreation can continue to delight and facilitate healing for anyone who ventures outside.”
Social distancing outdoors is easy, but precautions should be taken to ensure for #ResponsibleRecreation. (Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Butler) All of these groups want to see citizens of every state enjoying the outdoors across our nation’s public lands and waters. They are just trying to encourage everyone to use social distancing guidelines while adhering to other best practices in line with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Now more than ever, Americans want to recreate outdoors for the health, physical, and social benefits,” says Jessica Wahl Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “As our country begins to reopen, we encourage outdoor enthusiasts to continue practicing social distancing, respect the communities you visit, and follow the health guidelines applicable to your activities. If we work together to steward the outdoors and keep safety top of mind, we can help our public lands and waters remain open and get our recreation economy and jobs back on track.”
Here is a list of guidelines from the #ResponsibleRecreation website:
Plan ahead; purchase licenses and park passes online, if available. Recreate close to home Adhere to best practices for avoiding COVID-19 Follow state and federal guidelines Pack out your trash as a courtesy to others and to avoid the appearance of overuse Share your adventures in a respectful way on social outlets
If you would like to learn more or sign the #ResponsibleRecreation pledge, visit www.responsiblerecreation.org.
Brandon Butler
How I Survived a Copperhead Snakebite
In late May, while doing scientific research on bird It is important to note that snakes are venomous, not populations near Branson, MO, I was bitten by a poisonous. Venoms and poisons differ mainly in their copperhead. I was walking along a well-beaten use and form of delivery. Poisonous organisms often footpath where I had walked countless times. I stopped use their toxins for defense, affecting the aggressor to clear a few plants and had been standing in the through touch, ingestion, or inhalation (e.g. poison same place for over a minute when I shifted a bit and ivy). Venomous organisms more often use their felt a stinging on my left foot. toxins for immobilizing or killing prey by injection I looked around for the wasp I had disturbed but saw dangerous if injected. While a few species of snakes nothing flying. I looked down at my foot in my Chaco can emit chemicals that cause skin irritation (so, sandal, expecting to see the mark of a wasp sting, but technically poisonous), snakes are almost exclusively instead, a tiny drop of blood had formed on my second venomous. little toe. My confusion changed to slight panic as I noticed the orange and brown patterned snake coiled The venom of snakes in Missouri, including the under some leaves. copperhead that bit me, is mostly hemotoxic, meaning The Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is blood clotting and damaging tissue near the injection the most common venomous snake in Missouri. They site. These snakes use their venom, not to kill are timid, preferring to stay hidden and hopefully necessarily, but to immobilize prey, allowing them to unnoticed, relying on their leafeasily capture and kill their prey- pattern camouflage for protection. They prefer rocky areas and forest The pain was a dull, -usually small rodents, fish, or amphibians. edges and hunt almost exclusively small rodents. pulsing throb. I could feel the blood pressure Unlike other venomous snakes with venom that attacks the nervous Missouri is home to five species of snakes considered potentially dangerous to humans due to their in my foot increasing as the tissues swelled, system, hemotoxic venom is slower to react. Often hemotoxic snakes must follow their prey's scent trail venom: Eastern Copperhead, constricting blood to find the immobilized animal. In Northern Cottonmouth, Massasauga Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, vessels. humans, the venom is rarely fatal, but complications can arise, and and Timber Rattlesnake. Despite medical attention should always be this fear-evoking label of "venomous", there have sought if you suspect a venomous snake has bitten you. only been five reported deaths attributed to snake bites in Missouri, while lightning (47 cases) and dogs The bite itself had not felt like I had expected. The (32 cases) have killed many more. In most, if not all, immediate sting was like a wasp, but my surge of the instances where death resulted, other underlying adrenaline almost instantly masked the pain before medical conditions also existed. I was driven to Cox Medical Center in Branson. The All five species of snake belong to the subfamily left foot. The three smallest toes began swelling within Crotalinae, a group of about 150 snake species minutes, as did the body of my foot. commonly referred to as pit vipers. This taxonomic group is distinguished by the presence of a heatThe pain was a dull, pulsing throb. I could feel the sensing organ located between the snake's eye and blood pressure in my foot increasing as the tissues nostril. This organ is especially valuable for the swelled, constricting blood vessels. As my bloodstream snake as it allows them to more easily detect both carried the venom, a wave of tingling sensation—that prey and potential predators, as well as allowing for I liken to a leg falling asleep—slowly rose up my calf, nocturnal hunting. The genus Agkistrodon, to which through my thigh, and into my hip. the copperhead and cottonmouth belong, roughly translates as fishhook-tooth, referring to the shape of (e.g. wasps, spiders, and scorpions). Venoms are only it damages the red blood cells--often interrupting snake had bitten me on the second smallest toe of my the fangs. Copperhead have a beautiful pattern that is often described as Hershey Kiss brown on copper orange. This camouflaging pattern allows them to stay hidden in leaf litter. (Photo: Kendell Lloyd)
I was admitted into the ER and remained in a private room for 6 hours of observation. My foot was elevated, and the swelling was monitored and marked by writing directly on my leg. The pain increased throughout the day and transformed into a sharp pulsing sting, for which I was given medication. The swelling at its highest extent, went to my lower thigh.
In the following days, I had to stay seated with my foot above my waist or the pain would become unbearable. Two days after the incident, I could readily walk using crutches, and four days after, I could begin putting weight back on the foot. It has been a week since the snake bite and I can now walk, but I have a limp. My foot and ankle are still swollen, but I can now make out my big toe's extensor tendon. Certain areas of my calf, foot, and toes are still sensitive to touch. Many of my toes and part of my foot are still a purple-blue from bruising. It will take more time, but the damage will be temporary. I should make a full recovery.
I was not given antivenom for several reasons. Firstly, Copperheads do not have very potent venom. Overall, they are small snakes that consume small prey, meaning they never need to kill human-sized animals and thus do not possess venom readily strong enough for this.
Amazingly, studies show that snakes can calculate the amount of venom they need to inject: injecting more for larger prey and less for smaller prey. This is beneficial for the snake because the venom is energetically expensive for the snake to make. In a defensive situation, like my snake was in, a small, painful dose typically does the trick, and I received the message loud and clear. In almost all cases of copperhead bites, the body can clear the venom and recover all on its own.
Secondly, antivenom is incredibly expensive, usually costing several thousand dollars per dose, and snakebite cases can require as many as six to eight doses. The price can be attributed to the complicated method of harvesting antibodies from other animals. Due to the pharmaceutical market in the United States and the tiny demand, antivenom can cost 100 times what it costs in other countries. Lastly, there can be many adverse reactions to antivenom that are impossible to predict. Reactions are typically mild but can be life-threatening, so antivenom is given only when necessary.
Some people asked me if I killed the snake, and I did not. I left the snake where I found it—or where it found me, rather. Snakes invoke fear in many people. They are depicted as evil in many cultural stories, and having no legs makes many people uncomfortable with their appearance. I have heard people say: "The only good snake is a dead snake", and it is really a shame because snakes can be quite beautiful.
Snakes are an important part of a healthy ecosystem too. They are great predators and play a crucial part in controlling populations of rodents and insects, many of which negatively impact crops and livestock.
In Missouri, all snakes are protected by law and it is illegal to kill a snake that is not directly endangering a person. By that definition, I had the right to kill the copperhead that bit me, but I chose not to. I chose to respect the wildlife in its habitat, and the snake had done nothing wrong by biting me. It was a poor coincidence that our paths crossed, but it was me that intruded into its territory, not the other way around. Despite the pain and discomfort the snake inflicted on me, I was the guest in the forest that day, and unfortunately, I was reminded of it. The animal only acted when it felt that its life was in danger.
When going outside this season, keep in mind that you are stepping into hundreds of organisms' homes, some of which can cause harm. It is up to you to be proactive, so you do not have to be reactive. Keeping an eye out for snakes and other potentially harmful organisms, doing some basic internet studies on snake identification, and giving the animal its space may help keep you safe and avoid a trip to the hospital.
If you see a snake, keep your distance and never make it decide between defending itself and surviving. Never try to pick up snakes. Most snake bites occur because the snake was intentionally provoked. Also, please wear appropriate footwear: a lesson I learned the hard way. The outdoors are wonderful and exciting, but it is up to you to be safe, respect wildlife, and make decisions that benefit yourself and nature.
Kendell Lloyd
New Tricks For Your Tackle Box
Ask any tournament bass fisherman if they throw a shakey-head worm? I am confident every one of them will tell you, "Yes I do." As usual, I had to learn the hard way about the effectiveness of this technique.
Fishing the Louisiana BassMaster Invitational on the Red River near Shreveport in the early 1990s, I was hitting one last spot, a rip rap wing dam near the weigh-in checkpoint, trying to catch just one more fish before the end of the day. A friend and Arkansas Pro Scott Rook, working the same thing, pulled in on the other side of the wing dam, the one I had just fished down without a bite. He caught one then another. What the heck was he throwing?
The shakey-head worm technique was brand new, and by today's standards pretty crude. It was a homemade lead jig head with a small plastic worm, cast on light line and hopped or shaken along the bottom. Almost every jig company now makes a shakey-head, and every tackle retailer stocks them on their shelves. The Zoom Trick Worm is the staple for the trailer but there are many other brands that copy the slim worms design.
My system is a green pumpkin 6.5-inch Zoom Trick Worm rigged on a ¼ ounce Jewel Squirrel head, 10 # fluorocarbon line, medium-heavy graphite rod, and a baitcasting reel. Others prefer to fish it on a spinning tackle with even lighter line.
Any method will work, throw it out, wait for the lure to fall to the bottom. Keep your rod tip high in about the 11 o'clock position, very slowly hop or shake the worm in place, then slowly work it back towards you. Often a bite is very subtle. As you pick up the worm or as you are shaking it, the lure will feel heavy or mushy like you have moss on the lure. You may see your line move off as a fish swims slowly away with the bait. Reel up some slack and set the hook.
Want another "trick" for your tackle box, rig the trick worm weightless, its very buoyant and easily fished in shallow ponds, around brush and vegetation. The weight of the hook lets the worm sink slowly. Lower your rod tip to 3 o'clock, make short twitches to the side, causing the worm to walk back and forth.
I get the most bites when I let the worm sink just out of sight, but another technique is to allow the worm to slow fall (called dead sticking) to the bottom. Bass can't stand to let the worm settle to the bottom, so the bites happen just before the worm gets there.
When fishing weightless, I use a Texas rigged Mustad Grip-Pin Edge 1/0 hook. My worm color choices are; bubblegum for ultra-clear water, green pumpkin for everyday use and merthiolate, yellow or limetreuse when the water has a little more color, or on a cloudy or rainy day.
I have caught bass over 6 pounds on these finesse techniques. Set your drag light enough to allow for the lighter line and be patient when fighting and landing the fish. Have questions? You are always welcome to email me at www.mofishing@aol.com.
Scott Pauley
Scott Pauley with a Lake Show Me bass (Photo: Sara Pauley)
The Eagle Sees the Round Rainbow
Independence Day is a federal holiday in America commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies. Our flag flies proudly during these celebrations, and we salute it and sing songs about it. Maybe it should also be a time we honor another symbol of America – the bald eagle.
The bald eagle’s role as our nations symbol goes back to 1782 when it was added to the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle was selected because of its great strength, stately looks, long life, and because it is native to North America. The design appeared on official documents, currency, flags, public buildings and other government-related items. The bald eagle became an American icon. To us as Americans, along with our flag, the bald eagle represents freedom and all that freedom stands for and is worth fighting for.
Eagles figure prominently in the mythology of nearly every Native American tribe. In most Native cultures, eagles are considered medicine birds with impressive magical powers, and play a significant role in their religious ceremonies. The bald eagle was an important clan crest for some tribes. Eagle designs can often be found carved on totem poles, ceremonial staffs, and other traditional art.
Eagle feathers were earned by Plains Indians as war honors and worn in their feathered headdresses. In some tribes today, eagle feathers are still given to soldiers returning from war or people who have achieved a great accomplishment.
In the wild, a Bald Eagle will live 30-35 years. A full-grown Bald Eagle has a wingspan up to 7 feet. They can fly up to 30 miles an hour and dive at 100 miles an hour! Eagles feed primarily on fish, supplemented by small mammals, waterfowl and carrion.
Bald Eagles mate for life, and an established pair will use the same nest for many years. Over time some nests become enormous; they can reach a diameter of 9 feet and weigh as much as 2 tons! The female lays 2 or 3 eggs and both parents share incubation and guard them diligently against predators. While the chicks are small, the parents move about the nest with their talons balled up into fists to avoid harming them.
For such a powerful bird, the Bald Eagle emits surprisingly weak-sounding calls that are usually a series of highpitched whistling or piping notes. The female may repeat a single, soft, high-pitched note that is said to be unlike any other calls in nature. Fishermen who recognize the sound of an eagle usually stop fishing just to watch this majestic bird soaring in a bright blue sky.
The bonus is when they dive from the sky to the water to do a little fishing themselves. Campers, hikers, canoers and kayakers are sometimes also treated to the sights and sounds of the eagle. It’s a memory that stays with them forever.
The Missouri Department of Conservation holds many eagle watching events across the state during winter. If you can’t make it to one of these events, search online for locations to enjoy eagle-viewing on your own. From late December through early February, watch for eagles perched in large trees along the water’s edge. Get out early in the morning to see the eagles flying and fishing.
Many years ago, I was flying back home to Springfield from Chicago in an old prop airplane. The plane flew very low coming back. As I watched out the window, I thought to myself, “this must be what an eagle sees as he flies around.” I pulled out a piece of paper, started writing the below poem, and finished it before landing.
The line about the round rainbow was added later and the title was changed after my wife and I were flying back from Florida. When we looked out the window of the plane, we were amazed to see a round rainbow with the shadow of the airplane right in the middle of it.
Rainbows are created when the sun reflects off raindrops reflecting a multitude of colors. Most people don’t realize that a rainbow gets its traditional semicircle shape from the horizon because we are only seeing half of it. When the same atmospheric conditions that create a rainbow are observed from an airplane or by an eagle, a rainbow is a full circle. A round rainbow is called a glory, which NASA defines as an optical phenomenon. To us, this glory was a sign that God was watching over us that day. He still is!
Larry Whiteley
What must it be like to perch on a limb in a tree on a mountain high? Then look above and spread your wings and fly into the sky.
The eagle sees the round rainbow that has no beginning or end. He sees the flatlands, hills and valleys and places I’ve never been.
What must it be like to look below at cloud shadows on the trees? It must be wonderful to be so wild and free.
The traffic on the roads must appear like ants continually on the go. Following straight and winding roads to places only they know.
What must it be like to fly along the rivers carving out the land? Over ponds, lakes and oceans All created by God’s mighty hand. The patchwork quilt of the fields below, the prairies, the deserts, the plains. How could you ever get tired of looking when your view is never the same?
What must it be like to fly over rows of houses, giant factories, malls and other stuff? For a majestic bird so used to nature’s beauty, neon lights, billboards and concrete must be tough.
I wonder if tears come to an eagle’s eyes and they fall to the ground. When he sees streams filled with trash instead of fish and pollution all around.
What must it be like to fly above when the seasons come and go? To see the landscape turn from green to gold and red to the white of a winter snow.
What must it be like to be an eagle and soar way up high? Oh the sights we would behold if we could see through an eagle’s eyes.
