September 2012 VOL. 73, NO. 5
Pull For Conservation Weekend! Pre-Shoot Dinner & 6th Annual CFM Sporting Clays Classic For results, sponsors, donors and more photos, see inside.
Inside This Issue:
MISSOURI
Wildlife
Featured articles Missouri Native Grasses To The Rescue .....................................................4 CFM Strategic Planning Report ..........................................................5 Understanding and Managing CWD in Missouri ....................................6 Grapevines — Another Reason to Hate Them .................................9 Fall Conference Registration . . ..................................................................12 Heckmann is Tree Farmer of the Year . . ..........................................13 Our First Pull For Conservation Banquet .................................................14 Pull For Conservation Clay Shoot Sets New Record for Participation . . .....16 The Mission of the Conservation Leadership Corps ..................................20 Nominate an Outstanding Student .. ..........................................................20 Marathon Team Raises $60,000 . . .............................................................22
news, updates and columns View From The Stone House......................................................................................2 President’s Message......................................................................................................3 Open Space Council The Friends of La Barque Creek Honor Three MDC Conservationists..........................8 Teaming With Wildlife A Great Man & Colleague Retires - Good Luck Gene Gardner!............................... 10 CFM Presents Mike “Tater” Haviland at the 2nd Annual FilmFest 4-H in Branson, MO................................................................................... 11 Agency News DNR - Providing Assistance to Missourians During Extreme Drought Conditions....18 MDC - Deepening Drought Affects Forest, Fish, Wildlife.................................28 Calendar.............................................................................................24 Member Information Business Alliance Members..................................................................... 5 Honorariums and Memorials..................................................................13 Affiliates of the Federation.....................................................................13 Conservationists For Life...................................................................... 26 New Members...................................................................................10
September 2012 Vol. 73, No. 5
Officers Richard Ash President Al Vogt 1st Vice President Ron Coleman 2nd Vice President Mossie Schallon Secretary Randy Washburn Treasurer
Staff Dave Murphy
Executive Director/ Editor Director of Travis Scott Development Teaming With Debra Lee Wildlife Coordinator Micaela Haymaker Office Manager Laurie Coleman Membership Associate/ Managing Editor Joe Pendergrass Design & Production Mission Statement: Missourians for Conservation of Natural Resources and Protection of Our Outdoor Heritage.
Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. ISSN 1082-8591
728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 Phone • 573-634-2322 Fax • 573-634-8205 Email • dmurphy@confedmo.org Online • http://www.confedmo.org MISSOURI WILDLIFE (USPS 012868) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, Sept ember and November for subscribers and members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559. Of each member’s dues ($25 minimum) $10.00 shall be for a year’s subscription to Missouri Wildlife. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO. and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MISSOURI WILDLIFE, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 COVER: Giant Canada Geese /Missouri River
Cover caption: “The wild geese shall cry overhead, and he who loved them shall not hear their passing.” – I.T. Bode at the death of E. Sydney Stephens
©Glenn D. Chambers
Visit Glenn’s new website: www.glenndchambers.com
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view from the stone house
Burned Out or High Water Mark? Days in triple digits. Nights over 90 degrees. Winds stealing all remaining moisture, right down to the dew drops. An historic drought…the most severe since the days of the Dust Bowl. Corn and beans promise a trifling harvest. Even with Federal Crop Insurance, we will lose producers. The 53,000 Missouri families who raise cattle are running out of grass and being forced to feed their winter cache of hay in early autumn. Many are selling all or parts of their herd. It is a serious and challenging time for livestock producers in Missouri, who generate half of our leading industry’s revenue. Wild crops are in great peril. We have a poor acorn crop. Many of our privately owned forests are mature and too many are heavily overstocked. We can expect serious mortality among trees already approaching the ends of their lifespan. At our farm in Clark County, we have reduced some of the consequences of this drought by managing our forest for health, sustainability and productivity. Timber Stand Improvement has reduced stocking rates and has provided some relief. Fewer trees are competing for the available water and nutrients. So far, we haven’t lost many. AND we have been blessed with at least some rainfall. Grasshoppers are abundant. They provide food in high quality and incredible amounts for those able to capture them. All kinds of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish are cashing in on the bonanza. Pond restorations, easier because of the drought, are happening everywhere. And, of course, the incredible staff of DNR and MDA, are working non-stop to get relief to those in direst need. Subsidized wells are being dug by the thousands. Perhaps there will be no better time for us Missourians to get serious in our consideration of water. Our usually abundant supply of water is severely limited, and we are suddenly experiencing what other less fortunate Americans have dealt with for over a century. Our current water law has its weaknesses exposed, just when we need it most. A statewide water plan, called for by partici2
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pants in our 2009 A Summit on the Future of Missouri Outdoors, is becoming an urgent necessity as conflicting demands intensify.
Lest you leave this column in hopeless despair, let me share two of the things from the last few days: The new John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Education Center in Springfield MUST be experienced to comprehend. The W.O.L.F. school is moved in there. The CFM OAKs committee got to visit this facility before school began. Nowhere on earth at no time in history has such an environment for conservation education been created. The Springfield 5th graders to experience W.O.L.F. each year are fortunate, indeed. But all of us benefit! The Bass Pro Shops Founder, CFM Life Member and great partner, John L. Morris has imagined, created and brought to life an exemplary facility and program which is already inspiring countless folks to spread the conservation message throughout our society. You must see it.
Recently I had the great pleasure of a serene evening on a sternwheeler on the Missouri River. The River is as low and gentle as it has been in years. The folks heading up Missouri River Relief held a friend-raiser river cruise. Yes, I have heard that the Missouri River is our most underutilized natural resource in Missouri. Yes, I am a river rat and have been a lover of flowing waters since boyhood. Yes, I have heard the accusation that a ride on the river can be dangerous. BUT I cannot remember a more thoroughly relaxing, peaceful or fulfilling experience in my recent life than this cruise. Thanks to Missouri River Relief, even at these historically low river levels, not one piece of trash did we see. Cormorants, the blood red orb of the setting sun on the wild and natural vista of Ploughboy Bend Conservation Area… all to the accompaniment of the quiet, steady pulse of the drum of the sternwheeler. One could vividly imagine early travelers riding the decks upstream all the way to Yankton more than a century ago. You see, there are those among us who refuse to long be discouraged by circumstance. May it always be so. May those of us who insist on wise use of our natural resources, who insist on consideration of them in every decision and every action continue to find a home in Missouri and in CFM. It is essential that we not miss the unique opportunity we have been given to leave our world a little better for our brief time here. Consider this when you vote in November. No party has proprietary ownership of the outdoors. Consider carefully the conservation ethic of each candidate as you cast your vote. — Dave Murphy Executive Director, CFM
president’s message
Another Fond Memory Since we last visited through the pages of Missouri Wildlife, I was blessed with an experience I’m sure to remember for quite some time. My fiancée, Judy, had resided in the Wisconsin Nort’woods area for several years and has some very close friends there who extended an invitation for us to visit. Although tentative at first, my uneasiness was mitigated just a bit when Judy “dangled the hook” by mentioning there might be a chance to go fishing. And, that a good old fashion fish-fry was for sure a part of the planned activity. Yes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” and without question the food was scrumptious! Our hosts, Linda and Pete Venturi, surely were master chefs. As someone who has been to many a fish fry, never had I experienced one like we were treated. Sorry, can’t tell you Pete’s secret recipe. Yet I’ve got to brag on the blue gill fillets – they were gourmet fix’ns!!! Oh yes, did I mention Linda’s bumble berry pie? Now, I’d enjoyed traveling a bit of Wisconsin before but not within the Nort’woods. To the community’s credit, our hosts could easily have been mistaken for real estate sales representatives. We toured nearly everything on a “to see” list including parks, lake-front mansions, trails and space-ships in the woods. But frankly, it was Mother Nature who was a key selling point. The vast acres of swamps, meadows, forest and crystal clear lakes and streams have to be noted as highlights. And yes, there was the fishing! I’ve enjoyed fishing since my Father put me on the edge of an Illinois quarry pond armed with a cane pole, bobber and a can of worms. Yet, I must admit that after 50+ years, my fishing skills are still pretty primitive. Ask all my buddies who’d be the worst fisherman amongst us. Without question they’d point towards me. Yep, Judy did “bait the hook” for possible Wisconsin visits now and then. But, it was Pete “who set the hook”. He found it in his heart to go out on the water not once but four times “guiding” me. One
outing was a late afternoon try at catching muskie. Now I have to say that Pete fishes a lot – recreationally, in tournaments, and even had a stint on our U.S. Team for the World Bankfishing Championship (in Ireland). And now he’s been fishing with me and he’s probably still chuckling. He was patient and even taught me a few tips. Until this trip, I’d only caught one walleye and that was frankly a fluke while trolling in Canadian waters. Yes, Pete wasn’t just a “guide” but an instructor. We fished three mornings for walleye and brought home a sampling of each day’s catch for filleting. On the final outing when we left the lake, we’d caught 21 walleye and five goodsized smallmouth bass. And yes, I did land my share of the catch! Oh, and what about the muskie fishing? Well, neither of us got a strike. But, I’m looking forward to another try though – either up Nort’ or at Pomme de Terre Lake or Fellows Lake which is nearer to
our Ozark home. Okay, so how does this relate to CFM? Well, there is no doubt that we’ll be making a return trip or two to Wisconsin. So what “landed me”? I got a feel for it when at the Venturi ‘deer camp’ property and the new cabin – a work in progress right in nature’s thicket. Too, I sensed it when we took a countryside wind-shield tour and a later boat ride on a chain of lakes. But, frankly I have to admit, I struggled trying to identify what “IT” was because “IT” was right in front of me every day there. Yes, it was very evident in their yard as this landscape also brought nature “close to home.” Simply put, Linda and Pete exuded “IT” with their not-so subtle addiction to their natural world and an unbridled willingness to share it. I still recall the enthusiasm and pride with which Pete and Linda shared “IT.” Yes, think about it - What if every CFM member was like Pete and Linda? I urge you not to take for granted what we have here in Missouri. Our state can provide outdoor experiences to create first class memories. As a CFM member you know that; but, do you experience it as often as you should? Do you invite others along on outdoor excursions? Too, let me ask you candidly – do you exude the enthusiasm and addiction for Missouri’s natural world as Pete and Linda do for Wisconsin? If you do, please become more involved in CFM and the work it does. Also, do consider taking time to attend either CFM’s Fall Conference (Sept. 14-16, 2012) or the Annual Convention (February 22-24, 2013) – or maybe even both. And, perhaps consider serving as a member on one of CFM’s committees? In any event though Experience Missouri’s Outdoors, Share It & Support It! Richard L. Ash Jr. President, CFM MISSOURI
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Missouri Native Grasses to the Rescue With over 1.2 million acres enrolled, USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is Missouri’s most important conservation program when it comes to conserving and protecting highly erodible soils from erosion, maintaining clean water and providing quality habitat for Missouri’s wildlife. Throughout the evolution of CRP the conservation and wildlife community, working hand in hand with USDA and Missouri landowners, have demonstrated that the use of native grasses with forbs (wildflowers and native legumes) with their massive root systems and inherent DNA for coping with Missouri soils and climate, provide better long-term soil health, sequester water at high rates and create productive and beautiful landscapes for Missouri wildlife. As the impacts of the drought became apparent “burning-up” Missouri crops, cool season grass pastures and hay land, members of the State Technical Committee (STC), a volunteer group of producer and conservation entities charged to provide technical input, recommendations and comment to USDA programs, were asked to provide comment as to the potential impacts releasing CRP acres to emergency haying and grazing could have on the soil, water and wildlife goals of CRP. As a member of the STC, representing the Conservation Federation of Missouri, it was rewarding to see both the wildlife community and producer groups working together to find compromise and agreement to assist struggling producers and in July USDA authorized and provided 4
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Cool season pasture in the foreground – hayed Native Grass CRP in the background – Livingston County. Photo credit: George Seek
guidance for the emergency haying and grazing of Missouri’s CRP acres. What is even more rewarding to me as a member of the Missouri Native Seed Association (a group of passionate folks who produce and collect Missouri source identified native grass and forb seed for conservation programs), and as a person who loves his beef steaks, is knowing seed produced by our members and purchased by landowners enrolled in CRP is now being used to help my cattle producing neighbors through these tough times. Healthy diverse grasslands using natives are vital to the long-term health and well-being of our soil, water and wildlife resources. If you’re a cattleman here are some useful facts to consider: Natives are drought tolerant – Native grasses, such as big bluestem and Indian grass have been documented to grow roots to depths of 10 feet or more where bedrock is not limiting. Switchgrass, another na-
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tive, produces almost four times the root biomass as tall fescue within the first year after planting. Over ten years, studies have shown that switchgrass will produce about 5 tons per acre of root mass within the first 12 inches of the soil horizon. Such root systems, common to all of these tall-growing natives, make these the most drought-tolerant forage grasses that we grow here in Missouri. Natives Produce Quality Summer Forage - Recent research at the University of Tennessee has demonstrated that cattle do well on these grasses during summer months, commonly posting gains of between 1.5 and 2.0 pounds per day on steers. Bred heifers typically gain between 1.0 and 1.5 pounds daily on these grasses. Blends of big bluestem and indiangrass provide better daily gains, but switchgrass and gamagrass can support heavier stocking rates. How Much Summer Forage is Enough? – Studies
have indicated that about 30% warm-season forages may be an appropriate level – perhaps more farther south and less farther north. Consider that 3 – 4 of the 9 – 10 grazing months we have in Missouri occur during the hot part of the year. Given the efficiency of native grasses, virtually all dedicated hay ground could be in these grasses. Regardless of the proper ratio, start small and evaluate your need for more summer grasses as you go. Cost-assistance to establish natives is available - Programs through your local Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA and the Department of Conservation can help defray some of the expenses of converting portions of your pastures, hay land or CRP acres to native grasses. Go to http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=dZQXFn6Sq3o for videos which provide basic instructions for establishing native grasses. George Seek
CFM Strategic Planning Report The Strategic Planning Committee spent quite a bit of time and a bit of printers ink, some computer wear and tear, and meetings with E. Sydney Stephens Committee (ESS) and the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) to prepare for a committee meeting on May 23rd. The meeting was attended by CFM president, Richard Ash, vice president, Al Vogt, treasurer, Randy Washburn, Glenn Chambers, Diana Mulick, Don Mulick, Dave Murphy, Duane Kelly and five members of the Strategic Planning Committee. Ron Coleman, vice president, was not able to attend but had submitted input prior to the meeting. Mike Schallon, past president , Mossie Schallon, secretary and
Ryan Diener, committee member were not able to attend. Among items discussed at the May 23rd meeting were: (1) freeing up more time at board meetings to discuss action items, (2) developing descriptions as to what each CFM committee does, (3) continuing to issue news releases on accomplishments of CFM and involvement of CFM in critical issues for this might help the CFM become better known by the general public, (4) sharing articles and news releases with affiliates, (5) increasing efforts with CFM affiliates to participate in CFM priorities and programs, and (6) improving the structure of the plan by reducing its length, making sure we have staff buy-in on
Thank You! Our sincere thanks to all of our Business Alliance members. Your support of CFM is making a difference for Missouri outdoors!
the plan, adding graphics to the plan and a spreadsheet to track progress. The committee recommended, and the board approved at the summer board meeting, for establishment of a Consent Agenda. The committee also recommended proposing that the CLC establish an alumni group and to recommend help for the CLC to establish their strategic plan within the CFM plan. The board accepted the recommendations in principle which will be presented to the board at the fall board meeting as amendments to the strategic plan. Two recommendations from the ESS Committee for changes to the funding and membership goals were
discussed at the May 23 meeting and were shelved for this time at the request of President Ash who asked for time for the appropriate committees to address them. Duane Kelly discussed population pressure at the Strategic Planning Committee meeting on May 23 indicating he needed advice from the group on dealing with population problems. This was followed by a brief discussion pertaining to population problems that might be within the scope of CFM and our Mission Statement. Howard Fisher Earl Cannon
Business Alliance Members Basic
James T. Blair IV
Bee Rock Outdoor Adventures, LLC
Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative
Cap America
Macon Realty Company
Central Trust & Investment Company
McRoberts Farm, Inc.
Platinum
Citizens Telephone Company
Meramec Bison Farm, LLC
Bass Pro Shops
Columbia Daily Tribune
Midwest Mailing Services
Drury Hotels
Cooper’s Oak Winery and A & K Cooperage, LLC
Osage Canoes, LLC
Shelter Insurance Companies
Dickerson Park Zoo
Quality Forest Management, LLC
D.J. Case & Associates
REMAX Boone Realty
Gold
Farm Management Service (Dan & Cheri Erdel)
Riley Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac
MidwayUSA
Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association
R. L.’s Swimming Pools, LLC
Forrest Keeling Nursery
Show Me Printing
Silver
General Printing Service
Sierra Bullets, LLC
Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
Greenbrier Wetland Services
Tabor Plastics Company
Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Heartland Restoration, Inc.
The Bank of Missouri
Pyramid Home Health Services
Hornbuckle Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Inc. MISSOURI
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Understanding and Managing CWD in Missouri In January 2012, Missouri detected chronic wasting disease (CWD) within the free-ranging white-tailed deer population in Macon County. Due to the potential long-term effects of CWD and the importance of white-tailed deer biologically as a keystone species, recreationally as a hunted game, and economically as an annual billion dollar revenue to Missouri, it is important that management efforts focus on limiting the prevalence and further spread of the disease. Chronic Wasting Disease belongs to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) which cause degeneration of the brain in cervids, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The disease is caused by a mis-folded protein called a prion. Clinical symptoms of CWD include emaciation, lethargy, drooping head and ears, excessive salivation, incoordination, tremors, behavior changes, and eventually death, as there are no vaccines or cures. However, it can take 18 months for clinical symptoms to be expressed because CWD progresses slowly. To determine if a deer is CWDpositive, the lymph nodes or brain stem must be submitted for laboratory testing. This disease is primarily transmitted directly through animal to animal contact during social interaction, including nose-tonose contact and social grooming. However, CWD may also be transmitted to animals that have contact with soil contaminated by prions shed by infected animals through urine, feces, saliva, or carcass decomposition. Infected animals that do not 6
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This map illustrates the CWD Containment Zone comprised of a six county area and the locations where free-ranging CWDpositive deer were sampled (shown in red).
exhibit the clinical symptoms, but have contracted CWD, can shed the infectious prions into the environment. Missouri Department of Agriculture states there is no scientific evidence that CWD can naturally affect domestic livestock. The Center for Disease Control and Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services states there is no evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans via the consumption of venison. Missouri’s first CWD case was
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found in a captive white-tailed deer at a private hunting preserve in Linn County in February 2010. Ten more CWD-positives were found in captive whitetailed deer at the private Macon County facility since October 2011, totaling 11 CWD-positive captive deer in Missouri. Both CWD-positive facilities are owned and operated by the same entity and have been declared depopulated. In response to finding CWD in captive deer in Linn and
Macon Counties, MDC worked with hunters during the 2010 and 2011 firearms deer seasons to collect tissue samples from 2,027 deer harvested in the area. From this sampling, two bucks harvested during November of 2011 from Macon County tested positive for CWD, which were the first for free-ranging deer in Missouri and were found within 2 miles of the Macon County hunting preserve. In response to the two CWD positive free-ranging deer,
MDC worked with landowners in February 2012 to sample an additional 657 free-ranging deer from a 163 square mile area in Linn and Macon counties in an effort to determine the distribution and prevalence of CWD in north-central Missouri. The sampling identified three additional CWD cases within two miles of the two original cases. The close geographic proximity of all five CWD-positive deer and low prevalence rate indicates a recent introduction of the disease into the free-ranging deer population. Our management efforts will focus on limiting the prevalence and further spread of the disease. However, we know from the experience of other states that once established it is very unlikely that CWD will be eradicated. Research indicates that in early stages of infection limiting the growth of environmental contamination through the reduction of infected individuals may offer some control in limiting disease prevalence and distribution. However, once CWD has been introduced within an area, the primary source of exposure for uninfected deer will be direct contact with infected deer. Therefore, targeted culling of infected or potentially infected deer has the greatest likelihood of interrupting the transmission of disease and reducing the further spread of the infection. Additionally, research indicated that culling infected deer appears to be a management strategy that will limit the rate of CWD growth. Therefore, in targeted situations where significant environmental contamination has not occurred, targeted removal of individuals is most likely to succeed in limiting the prevalence and further spread of CWD.
As part of our efforts to manage the prevalence and distribution of CWD in Missouri, two regulation changes have been implemented within the CWD Containment zone, which is comprised of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan counties. One regulation change is banning the placement of grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable natural or manufactured products within the CWD Containment Zone. This is because activities such as feeding and placement of minerals/ salts artificially concentrate deer, which increase the likelihood of disease transmission by increasing direct (nose to nose) and indirect (contaminated feed and environment) contact among individuals The other regulation change is the removal of the antlerpoint restriction (four-point rule) in the CWD Containment Zone effective September 15, 2012, the opening of archery season. This is because antlerpoint restrictions protect yearling bucks and increase the buck age structure, and since males have a higher CWD prevalence rate than females, a reduction in the number of male deer can help limit the spread of CWD. Also, the dispersal of yearling males from their natal areas in search of territory is also one of the primary means of expanding the distribution of CWD and the antler point restriction would protect this cohort. We are not advocating the removal of large numbers of young bucks, but recognizing their role in disease transmission and are removing the antler point restriction to give hunters the opportunity to harvest these individuals. Cooperation from hunters
and landowners has been critical in monitoring and ultimately detection of CWD in Missouri. This fall we will be continuing to monitor the distribution and prevalence of CWD in north central Missouri. As part of this effort we are asking hunters to voluntarily submit samples for testing during the archery and firearms seasons. Detailed
information on sample collection locations can be found in the 2012-2013 Fall Deer and Turkey Informational Booklet or online at mdc.mo.gov. Jason Sumners & Emily Flinn Resource Scientists, MDC
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open space council
The Friends of La Barque Creek Honor Three MDC Conservationists
The Friends of La Barque Creek honored three Missouri Department of Conservation employees for their dedication over the past decade to land and water conservation in the La Barque Creek Watershed. Mark Van Patten of the Mis-
souri Department of Conservation Streams Division, Kevin Meaneu, a St. Louis Region Fisheries Biologist and John Vogel (Not pictured), a WildlifeBiologist. Mark, Kevin and John were each presented a plaque by Judy Browne of
Photo’s by Ron Coleman of CFM
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the friends group at their annual picnic held on Saturday, August 11th. The La Barque Creek Friends also unveiled a new “Habitat Trailer” acquired with the help of a small grant from the LAD Foundation to be
used for watershed workdays and community conservation activities. La Barque Creek is the core of a highly diverse watershed located in Northwest Jefferson County, Missouri.
Grapevines — Another Reason to Hate Them Look closely and you’ll see this magnificent buck has a grapevine wrapped around his antlers. Can you imagine the horrible, slow death he suffered while trying to free himself? Two hunters, Matt Holliday and Gary Hook found the entire skeleton of this deer in November, 2009, in Cooper County. They took the antlered skull and placed it on the leaning tree for the picture showing the grapevine still entangled in the antlers. Grapevines are a huge problem on good soils where they grow best and less of a problem on poorer soils where they are not as common. Most foresters hate grapevines; wildlifers often like them. Why? Grapevines like more fertile soils and need sunlight for best growth; thus, they often grow upward to the top of a tree and spread out over the crown for more sunlight. The weight of the vines in high winds, ice or snow storms can break out the tops of the best trees growing on the high value sites. On younger trees, the grapevines often bend the trees over, ruining the future timber value and shading out wildlife food such as acorns and soft mast, i.e., cherries, persimmons, etc. Dense areas of grapevines even kill the trees. Many wildlife biologists like grapevines for their wildlife
@
food value. This fact is true in some cases and is a plus for grapevines. However, foresters consider grapevines to be a huge minus in overall forest and wildlife management considering the dollar loss of forest products
and the loss of wildlife food produced by suppressed trees or worse losses by dead and/ or dying trees. For example, a grapevine may produce five pounds of grapes, but shade out 20 pounds of acorns, cherries,
persimmons, wild plums, etc., and ruin hundreds or thousands of dollars of timber value (black walnut trees). In our intensively managed Tree Farms, we kill grapevines. We manage our timber for quality forest products and wildlife. To kill grapevines, we cut them off near the ground where they go up into the tree. We also cut them where there are loops of vines coming out of the ground before going up to the tree. If there are three loops, we make six cuts plus one more where it goes up the tree. We do this to stop resprouting and to give more cut surface area to apply herbicide to kill the vine. Without herbicide application, grapevines will sprout back in most cases, and in a very few years the same problems reappear. We apply (usually with a spray bottle) undiluted Pathway. We buy Pathway, which has an identical label to Tordon RTU. Pathway is much cheaper in 2.5 gallon containers than Tordon quart sizes. This treatment kills grapevines year around except March to about mid-May when sap is flowing. Applying herbicide then is like treating the end of a flowing garden hose. Scott Brundage Certified Forester #1443
Would you like to be added to our electronic newsletter list? Please email your name and email address to lcoleman@confedmo.org or call us toll free at 800-575-2322 MISSOURI
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teaming with wildlife
A Great Man & Colleague Retires Good Luck Gene Gardner! Many friends of conservation know and respect Gene Gardner, Wildlife Diversity Chief at Missouri Department of Conservation. Recently Gene announced his retirement as of August 31, 2012. It is good for Gene that he gets to retire, but many of his colleagues are going to miss his infinite knowledge of natural history and the fervor with which pursued conservation interests and issues. If you had to guess what this great man has accomplished, I’m sure you would always find exciting surprises. A brief article cannot begin to tell the whole story. In short, he has been on the frontline as a researcher and discovered 26 new species to science. He even has a cave amphipod named after him that is endemic to MO, Gardner’s Cave Amphipod. He worked as an Assistant Research Scientist at the Illinois Natural
History Survey with the University of Illinois where he lured Liz Cook who then became his lovely wife. The first ever radiotracking studies of the federally endangered Indiana bat were conducted by Gene and he is still one of the original members of the US Fish & Wildlife Service Indiana Bat Recovery Team. Returning to Missouri in 1993, he took a job with MODOT as
WELCOME Tim Banek, Holts Summit Patricia Berg, Mexico Dustin & Sarah Berry, Centralia Connie Blackmore, Columbia Bill Bodand, Centralia Tom Burkhart, Salisbury Terry Caldwell, Shelbina Denny Carothers, Clarence Danny Coltrane, Sapulpa, OK Jen Crawford, Slater John Cunning, Columbia DeeCee Darrow, Columbia John & Beth Derendinger, Columbia Ben Doerge, Mexico Robert Doerr, Saint Louis Gregg Dougan, Saint Louis
Mike Embree, Lenexa, KS Larry Fredrick, Morrison Randy & Donna Gregory, Butler Sherri Hartung, Wildwood Jim Harvey, Salisbury Ed Haskins, Saint Louis David Hooper, Kansas City Nathan Iven, Columbia Tim Johannes, Grandview Steve Kalvinsky, Salisbury David Kelly, Hartsburg Mark Layne, Saint Charles David Lynn, Moberly Mary Lyon, Columbia Nick Marchiano, Rich Hill Don Masek, Fulton
Senior Environmental Specialist where he fondly recalls working with one young wetland specialist, named Bob Ziehmer. Dan Witter brought him back to MDC as a Policy Coordinator in 2001, but Gene says it was when he joined the Wildlife Division as Wildlife Programs Supervisor that he felt like he had made the full circle and come home. In addition it must be mentioned that he is a prolific writer, an award-winning project manager, a talented marksman and has been known to frequent a reenactment rendezvous or two in full frontiersman attire complete with beard. This year I had the pleasure of working with Gene Gardner through the Teaming With Wildlife Program at CFM. Gene has championed many causes for conservation over his esteemed career, but I’m sure the challeng-
es and successes he experienced were nothing more than “all-ina-days work” from his perspective. He is passionate about the outdoors and a true hero through advocacy, professional contribution and dedication to our natural resources. Whether he is working, hunting, or simply sharing his appreciation of the natural communities across Missouri, Gene is an example of a great leader and mentor. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from him and see the Teaming With Wildlife Coalition in action. Good Luck Gene!!!!! Thank you for your passion, commitment and service! Debra Lee Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator, CFM
C F M N E W mem b ers Dwight Massey, Linn Tony McCollum, Keytesville Curt McLeland, Macon Zach McLeland, Macon Aaron McVicker, Macon Carl Miller, Saint Louis Clint Munzlinger, Napoleon Steve Nagle, Saint Louis Danny Olson, Ashland Eric Parsons, Centralia Allison Pickett, Columbia Ronald Plontek, Fenton Zach Pollock, Jefferson City Bryan Poole, Granite City, IL Todd Pridemore, Ashland Thomas Proctor, Hallsville
Tom Sanders, Moberly Erich Schark, Lake Saint Louis Steve Schultz, Columbia Tamara Snodgrass, Saint James Jeff Staake, Ashland Gary Strack, Raymore Brandon Vogt, Colorado Springs, CO Tara Vogt, Decatur, GA Kenneth Voss, Saint Ann Edward Warmann, Saint Charles Cody Wheeler, Centralia Floyd Wilkinson, Warrenton Bettie Yahn-Kramer, Saint Charles Dan Zekor, Columbia
CFM would like to thank the 377 members that renewed since our last publication. 10
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Teaming with wildlife
CFM Presents Mike “Tater” Haviland at the 2nd Annual FilmFest 4-H in Branson, MO
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ward-winning producers, photojournalists, writers and directors were present at the 2nd Annual FilmFest 4-H held August 6-8, 2012 in Branson, Missouri. The presenters included Russ Weston, National Geographic’s Director of Photography for “Amish Out of Order”, casting director Joni Tackette and writer-director Sandy Tung. The event, becoming more popular each year, was very well-attended with approximately 80 registered participants. Future filmmakers from around the country are hearing more about the event and CFM has proudly offered to support the efforts of the organizers as they expand their outreach to youth on a national scale. Conservation Federation of Missouri asked Mike “Tater” Haviland, to bring his expertise to the growing event. “Tater” generously offered to help CFM partner with 4H providing attendees with an insight to the outdoor cinematography industry. His expertise in filming
Tater Haviland provides an insight on outdoor cinematography to FilmFest attendees.
wildlife, hunting expeditions and fishing trips around the world is sought by large corporations including Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s in addition to many of the top outdoor programs, sportsmen and locations promoting hunting and fishing. He provided professional instruction on props using hands-on demonstrations with equipment and shared tips on low cost solutions for common problems in the field. Tater has travelled to the arctic to film polar bears, Africa to film safaris as well as to
all 50 states for work involving wildlife, hunting, fishing and the outdoors. CFM is hopeful that this venue will continue to grow and bring more young filmmakers to the outdoors. In future years, CFM would like to find a way to provide scholarships or incentives to encourage the attendees in their creativity for outdoor cinematography. This year was a great success for the partnership. CFM would like to thank Mike Haviland for his time, effort and support in reaching out to
a group that can showcase our outdoor heritage . If you have a need for an outdoor program or have questions regarding outdoor filmmaking, please contact Mike “Tater” Haviland via email at mike@bossoutdoors.net. For more information on FilmFest 4-H, please visit http://4h.missouri.edu/filmfest. Debra Lee Teaming with Wildlife Coordinator, CFM
Rick and Drake Morris did a fantastic job with the turkey I shot this past April. I thanked Rick, Drake, and the Turkey Roost family for their extraordinary craftsmanship and commitment to conservation. This was a dream of a lifetime to have a mounted turkey, and I got a mount by the finest turkey taxidermists in the world, thanks to their gift to conservation through the CFM Holiday Sweepstakes. Dan Witter MISSOURI
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C onserva t ion F edera t ion of M issouri A F F I L I A T E S Anglers of Missouri, Inc.
Missouri Association of Meat Processors
Missouri State Campers Association
Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
Missouri Atlatl Association
Bass-Hole Bassmasters of Missouri, Inc.
Missouri Bass Federation
Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station
Big Game Hunters, Inc.
Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative
Missouri Taxidermist Association
Bobwhite Quail Restoration Association
Missouri Bow Hunters Association
Missouri Trappers Association
Bridlespur Hunt Club
Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association
Capital City Fly Fishers
Missouri Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society
Missouri Whitetails Unlimited
Missouri Conservation Agents Association
Open Space Council
Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment
Missouri Conservation Pioneers
Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc.
Missouri Consulting Foresters Association
Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club
Deer Creek Sportsman Club, Inc.
Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council
Perry County Sportsman Club
Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club
Missouri Forest Products Association
Pomme de Terre Chapter Muskies, Inc.
Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri
Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF
Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc.
Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association
Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever
Gempp Park Commission Greenway Network, Inc.
Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Heaven’s Anglers
Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation
South Side Division Conservation Federation
Howardville Community Betterment
Missouri Native Seed Association
Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers
Jefferson County Coonhunters, Inc.
Missouri Parks & Recreation Association
Tipton Farmers & Sportsman Club
Lambert Field Rod & Gun Club
Missouri Parks Association
United Bow Hunters of Missouri
Meramec Area Sportsman Association
Missouri Prairie Foundation
Walnut Council & Other Fine Hardwoods
Mid Missouri Outdoor Dream
Missouri River Bird Observatory
Wecomo Sportsman Club
Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited
Missouri Smallmouth Alliance
Wild Elk Institute of Missouri
Midwest Diving Council
Missouri Society of American Foresters
Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club
Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Association
Missouri Sport Shooting Association
Central Missouri Chapter Safari Club International
North Side Division Conservation Federation
River Relief, Inc.
Heckmann is Tree Farmer of the Year
The Heckmann famliy on their tree farm near Hermann, Missouri.
John Heckmann, owner of Bear Valley Tree Farm near Hermann, is Missouri’s Tree Farmer of the Year. Wildlife, wood products and recreation are Heckmann’s top considerations in managing his family’s 800-acre farm. His management plan focuses on creating more browse, cover and acorn production to benefit wildlife. It calls for selective tree thinning to improve forest health and stimulate understory plant growth. The plan also calls for glade restoration through the removal of invasive cedars and maples and prescribed burning to encourage native grasses and forbs for wildlife food and cover.
With MDC help, Heckmann got cost-share help through the federal Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP) and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). He also entered a conservation-easement agreement with the National Wild Turkey Federation to protect the farm from development or poor wildlife management. The easement provides a perpetual plan that will help guide Heckmann’s children when they inherit the farm. The Tree Farm Program helps landowners manage woodlands for wildlife and timber production, and helps connect participating landowners with similar interests. MISSOURI
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Our First Pull For Conservation Banquet
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loodline TV host and celebrity hunter Alex Rutledge had the crowd on the edge of their seats during the Fall Hunting Classic at Bass Pro Shops Sportsmen’s Center in Columbia, MO. His electric personality, helpful hunting tips and family fun entertainment shined through as he held court from the back seat of a fully rigged Tracker Bass Boat on August 10. Over 160 guests gathered to enjoy the evening with Alex and to support the
Conservation Federation of Missouri. Nearly 50 new members joined CFM that night! Many attendees also picked up door prizes, silent auction and raffle prizes. Hank Patton won a three day fall turkey hunt/smallmouth bass fishing trip with Alex as grand prize. We at CFM would like to thank our event sponsors, all attendees, Alex Rutledge and Bass Pro Shops for a great first banquet! Come join in the fun next year!
Half the crowd. Photo Credit: Debra Lee
Thanks to volunteers Marvin Behnke, Nathan Bias, Glenn Chambers, Jeannie Chambers, Jim Choate, Dustin Collier, Bill Hilgeman, Caleb Knerr, Delbert Knerr, Zachary Knerr, Jerry Kopel, Tyler Mason, Zach Morris, Claudia Murray, Charley Ponciroli, Pat Ponciroli, Tom Russell, Mark Sharp, Garrett Strodtman, Grayson Strodtman, Levi Strodtman, Beth Stucky, Norman Stucky, Dan Thornton, Jerry Thornton, David Urich, Shiloh Walden and Emily Wilbers.
Special Thanks to our major contributors for this year’s Pull For Conservation Weekend Bass Pro Shop Sportsman’s Center – Columbia Mid MO Recycling & Midwest Mailing Shafer, Kline and Warren Inc. Arch Roofing and Restoration Truman’s Bar & Grill Missouri Conservation Pioneers
And thanks to our food and beverage donors Hostess Brands, Randy Washburn and Truman’s Bar & Grill 14
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Alex holds court. Photo Credit: Debra Lee
A BIG THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Gateway Long Spurs Chapter of the NWTF
Open Space Council/ Op Clean Stream
SelecTurf, Inc.
Abe & Jan Phillips
Gene Smith
Outdoor Guide Magazine
Sierra Bullets
AGRI Services of Brunswick
Paddlefoot Productions
Smarr Garage Door
AJ’s Automotive
George Clark MO State Chapter of the NWTF
Powder Horn Guns & Archery
Graf’s Reloading Supercenter
Snow Creek Apparel
Ammo Alley Arch Roofing & Restoration
Hawthorn Bank
Pure Air Native Seed, F. & J. Oberle
St. Louis Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF
Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
Hazelwood Auto Body, Inc.
Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation
Sundvold Financial
Shafer, Kline & Warren
Bass Pro Shops
Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning
Bee Rock Outdoor Adventures
Jim & Anna Blair
Randy Washburn
Black Riffle LLC
Mid-Mo Recycling
Red Weir Athletic Supplies
Bob McCosh Chevrolet
Mid-City Lumber
Richard Ash, Jr. & Judy Dixon
Boggs Creek Sporting Goods
Mid-State Chapter of the NWTF
Riley Chevrolet – Buick-GMC-Cadillac
MidwayUSA
River Hills Sporting Clays
Mike & Mossie Schallon
Ron Moser Construction
Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters
Scott & Sara Pauley
Boone County Lumber Carroll Rehma Motors Chariton Legacy Farm Clean Uniforms Creative Building & Design D.J. Case & Associates
True American Gamehunter Trumans Bar & Grill UPS Store-Columbia What-Ya-Say Whitetails Unlimited Wilson’s Fitness ZK Guns
Missouri BASS Federation
Denny Dennis Sporting Goods
Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation
Dents Unlimited and Toalson Glass
Missouri Conservation Pioneers
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Missouri Native Seed Association
Don Johnson / Dennis Stubbs
Timberlake Engineering
Quail Forever
Family Pawn – Paris Road, Columbia
Mr. Duck
Farmers Co-op Elevator in St. Peters
NH Scheppers Distributing
National Wildlife Federation Nick’s Family Restaurant
Pre-shoot dinner silent auction. Photo Credit: Debra Lee MISSOURI
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Pull For Conservation Clay Shoot Sets New Record for Participation
timely break in the longest summer heat wave almost anyone can remember helped set the stage for the biggest turnout yet at CFM’s 6th Annual “Pull … for Conservation” August 11. Charley Ponciroli toiled in the sun along with help from Pat Ponciroli, Jeannie Chambers, Claudia Murray, and Beth Stucky to feed the record crowd of more than 130 shooters. Enjoying the beautiful weather, 51 individual shooters and 72 scramble teams including Governor Jay Nixon shared part of their day having a blast while supporting CFM. Kevin and Barbara Pickett had the course at River Hills Sporting Clays looking incredible, Bass Pro Shops again generously supplied the prizes, and with a helping
hand from several Conservation Leadership Corps scorer/trappers and a few others the event ran smoothly. The competition at the top was tough as always with two of CFM’s perennial Scramble course participants John and Cheryl Dowil breaking all but three of the 75 clays thrown for them. Dale Hopke and Aaron Madrid dropped only six targets to finish in second place and in third place overall, also with a team score of 69 were Jon Doolittle and Garrett Benskin. Finishing first in B Class with a score of 56 broken clays was MidwayUSA Team #2, consisting of Brittany Sapp and Chris Zeller. They edged out fellow MidwayUSA co-workers, Tanner Timmons and Erin Evans by way of tie-breaker station and the
third place team of Jeff Cockerham and Nathan Woodland who shot a 55. Rounding out the scramble winners with first, second and third place tie scores of 50 were MidwayUSA shooters John Franklin and Terry Gentry, Mike Schmitz and Tom DeWall of team Miss A Lot and shooters Howard Tanzey and Robert Witherell of team Mutt and Jeff respectively. In the Individual round James Hayhurst took top honors for the second year in a row with a score of 47 out of 50 possible targets. Cheryl Dowil and Clint Munzlinger also completed the individual course with scores of 47 and finished in second and third place respectively by a three-way tie- break to round out the top of class A. In the second Lewis Class a four-way
David “Opossum” Smith and Scott Pauley.
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Don’t quit your day job, Travis...lost a pair.
tie score of 39 was settled by “longest run” to determine the winners. Steve Elliot took first, Jerry Linhart finished second and Ryan Blair took third, and finishing just out of the prizes was Adam Bell also with a 39. In our final round of winners on the individual course Nick Dothage finished first with a score of 31 edging out Brian Boos in the tie breaker who also broke 31 targets. Third place was awarded to John Staats with a score of 30. Special thanks are again in order for our 2012 shoot committee consisting of Glenn Chambers, Matt Gaunt, Chad Shoemaker, Norman Stucky and our chairman Tom Russell who kept the team on track.
Shooters on the individual course.
Scott Pauley ready to shoot.
MDC Traveling Trophy Winners – Jake Hindman and Eric Edwards.
A-Class Scramble Team Winners – Aaron Madrid and Dale Hopke.
Trapping volunteers pictured from left to right: Delbert Knerr, Nathan Bias, Tyler Mason, Zachary Knerr and Dave Murphy, CFM Executive Director.
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Agency News - Department of natural resources
Providing Assistance to Missourians During Extreme Drought Conditions
Water quantity, quality and availability affect the wellbeing of all Missouri citizens. With this year’s drought, many Missouri citizens are struggling with securing adequate water. This brings the importance of this precious resource to the forefront. Last summer many farmers and residents along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers were affected by flooding. Less than 12 months later, Missouri has been smoldering through record summer temperatures with minimal to no rainfall resulting in all 114 of Missouri’s counties receiving disaster designations due to drought. According to the National Climatic Data Center’s Historical Palmer Drought Indices, the last time the state faced extreme drought conditions was in 1954 and 1934. Through all weather conditions, the citizens of Missouri can continue to count on the support provided by various state agencies including the Department of Natural Resources. In response to the historic heat and drought, Gov. Nixon made funding available to help livestock producers and farmers drill or deepen wells or expand irrigation systems by issuing Executive Order 12-08. The emergency cost-share program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation districts, targeted the program to alleviate the immediate water shortages facing Missouri agriculture. Under the program, 90 18
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percent of the eligible project costs were covered, with a maximum cost-share award of $20,000. Applications were submitted online or directly through the
Funding for this emergency program comes from unallocated reserve funds provided by the State Soil & Water Districts Commission and state resources made available by Gov. Nixon
relief to livestock producers and farmers to protect their livelihood. To better plan for and respond to drought events in Missouri, the Department of
local soil and water conservation districts for processing. Governor Nixon’s executive order also established the Agriculture Water Resource Technical Review Team, which includes staff from the Missouri departments of agriculture and natural resources with agricultural and water resource experience. The team, numerous additional departments’ staff and the county soil and water districts have worked many thousands of hours to assist in the expedited processing of applications and the implementation of the costshare program.
through House Bill 8, which provides the Governor the authority to direct funds for “responding during a declared emergency at the direction of the Governor, provided the services furnish immediate aid and relief.” Because of the emergency nature of the program, project applications were only accepted July 24 through Aug. 6. Both state agencies are continuing to provide support to the local soil and water districts in reviewing the pending applications to determine eligibility for funding. The program is quickly bringing much needed
Natural Resources is responsible for maintaining Missouri’s Drought Plan. The plan was first established in 1995 and continues to be reviewed and revised as necessary following drought events. Planning for drought requires accurate and timely water resource data. The department is responsible for collecting data, making surveys, conducting investigations and providing recommendations concerning the social, economic and environmental water resources needs of the state. The department monitors groundwater levels in Missouri’s
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Department of natural resources - Agency News
Extreme drought conditions have affected this cattle farm operation located in Lawrence County. The farm contains five sources for water; however, two of the ponds as well as Honey Creek have run completely dry. The remaining two ponds are expected to dry up within a couple of weeks. Through the state’s emergency cost-share program, this landowner will receive financial assistance to drill and develop a new well and distribution system to provide water to his more than 250 head of cattle. Photo credits: DNR
aquifers, which includes 164 monitoring wells statewide. The department’s Water Resources staff monitors and evaluates hydrologic conditions during droughts. Data collected by the groundwater monitoring wells is available online at http:// dnr.mo.gov/asp/wrc/gwells/ search.asp. Several observation wells have recorded all-time low water levels; however, the aquifers still contain a significant amount of water in storage. In most of the observation wells, groundwater levels have been dropping steadily since May 1, which is a typical pattern during summer months when water withdraw and use is high. The hot and dry conditions mean that many of Missouri’s
1,500 community water systems have experienced substantial increases in customer demand for water at a time when the supply of water for these systems are declining. The lack of rain means water levels in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and even wells are dropping to a greater degree than in normal years. Many water systems are fortunate to have emergency interconnections that allow them to purchase water from other suppliers if conditions worsen. However, each water system is unique. Some will have a steady supply of water regardless of the ongoing drought, whereas others currently are in need for customers to curtail use. Surface water systems are taking ad-
vantage of any auxiliary sources they may have to keep their drinking water reserviors as full as possible until rainfall becomes available. Many groundwater systems are lowering well pumps or drilling wells deeper or drilling additional wells. The department’s Division of Geology and Land Survey ensures any new private well drilled in Missouri is constructed to minimum standards set by state regulations. This helps protect our groundwater resources from contamination due to poor well construction. Private well owners in need of repairs or services may visit the department’s website to find a listing of water well drillers and pump installers who are permitted to operate in the state at dnr.mo.gov/geology. Well owners may also search online to find their well records at dnr. mo.gov/mowells. The department encourages all water suppliers to closely monitor their water supply status by regularly measuring static water levels in their wells and reservoirs, repairing leaks and tracking customer usage. These actions should be taken on a daily basis, however, particularly during droughts. In order to ensure a steady supply of water, public water systems and private well owners should consider initiating water conservation measures. As of Aug. 1, one-fourth of Missouri’s water systems had implemented either voluntary or mandatory water conservation measures. These measures are primarily intended to curb outdoor water use including lawn and garden irrigation, filling pools, etc. The department is keeping in regular contact with all water suppliers and provides technical assis-
tance to systems experiencing problems. Extreme drought conditions not only affect water supplies but can also create the potential for a spark to ignite and quickly spread as a wildfire. The severe lack of rain, extremely hot temperatures and low relative humidity levels has heightened wildfire danger across Missouri. Several wildfires have each burned hundreds of acres in Missouri this summer. Due to these weather conditions, Missouri State Parks issued an open fire ban on June 29 at all state parks and historic sites until further notice. The open fire ban includes prohibiting campfires and other open fires. Contained charcoal fires used for cooking as well as gas and cook top stoves are allowed. The grass, brush, trees...everything...is extremely dry. It’s important to keep in mind that simple actions may seem harmless but can potentially cause fires during severe drought conditions. It’s important to observe fire bans that are in place in many Missouri counties and communities, and be careful with potential fire hazards across the state. For additional fire safety tips and precautions, visit mo.gov. We certainly hope that rain will find its way soon to all of Missouri and provide some much needed relief for everyone. To learn more about the services the Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides during drought conditions, visit the Web at dnr. mo.gov.
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Sara Parker Pauley Director, DNR WILDLIFE
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The Mission of the Conservation Leadership Corps Mission Statement: Engaging youth in sustaining the conservation of our natural resources. Purpose: Sustain conservation leadership in Missouri and the Conservation Federation of Missouri through involvement, education and training of future leaders by providing selected high school and college students with networking skills, conservation education opportunities and full participation in policy making and the legislative process. Vision 1: Young members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri who are dedicated to its cause and are being educated and trained to assume future leadership roles within the organization. Vision 2: A cadre of involved, educated and trained young individuals committed to the conservation of Missouri’s abundant natural resources. Vision 3: A group of well-educated and trained professionals who are committed to working in the field of natural resources management in Missouri.
Nominate an Outstanding Student
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CLC Seeking to Expand Participation
emember that old Election Day saying “Vote Early and Vote Often”? Well, now you have the opportunity to do just that…legally! The Youth Leadership and Conservation Education Committee of the Conservation Federation of Missouri is seeking nominations of students to the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC). We are seeking nominations from all CFM members as well as conservation professionals in education and agencies. What is the Conservation Leadership Corps? Federation members who attended any of the past several Conventions are
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well aware of this vibrant group of young men and women that want to make an impact on conservation issues now and in the future. The CLC consists of a group of highly recommended students, ranging from juniors in high school through seniors in college. These students have already achieved academic success and have been involved in conservation projects and issues. The Corps began in 2002 with a small group of students. Each year the membership has expanded. In February of 2012, over 70 students fully participated in the annual Convention. The program has been
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enthusiastically received by CLC members and Federation members alike. Following are some comments received from the students: “Great meeting and talking with people as well as seeing how the resolution process works.” “The issues discussed were pertinent and important to all our members.” “A great way to meet people and gain knowledge of conservation.” “Thank you for allowing me this great chance.” Please take a few minutes to nominate that SPECIAL student! Provide an opportu-
nity for a young man or woman to see how CFM works. Let a budding conservationist meet and network with others on important conservation issues. Our aim is to engage students from every part of our great state. We also urge you to nominate students from the diversity of Missouri cultures and backgrounds. This is your chance to make a contribution bringing future conservation leaders into CFM! WE NEED TO RECEIVE YOUR NOMINATIONS BY OCTOBER 31, 2012. THANK YOU!!
CLC Nomination Form You are invited to nominate a Missouri high school junior through college senior student that has exhibited academic success and achievements in organized conservation projects. You may nominate more than one student.
Student Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Street or PO Box: __________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________ Zip Code: _____________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________________________________________ Present School and Class Level: _______________________________________________________ Nominator’s Name: ________________________________________________________________ CFM Affiliate or Sustaining Member: ___________________________________________________ Street or PO Box: __________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________ Zip Code: _____________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________________________________________ What qualities has the nominee exhibited that you believe qualifies him/or her for acceptance in the Conservation Leadership Corps?_______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________
Please return this form by October 31, 2012 to: Dave Murphy, Executive Director Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101-1534
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Marathon Team Raises $60,000 Kayla Horsman and Martin MacDonald held hands as they crossed the finish line in Anchorage, Alaska. “It was a special moment,” said MacDonald. “That made it all worth it, the fundraising, the training.” MacDonald and Horsman ran Alaska’s largest marathon to raise money for research on blood-related cancers. A decade ago, Horsman was a little girl battling cancer and MacDonald ran a marathon in her honor; now the duo were running together for Cara Hawxby, an 8-year-old from Springfield who has leukemia. Hawxby is hospitalized at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis with pancreatitis, which was caused by her chemotherapy. Horsman, a Missouri State University student, was 7 when she was diagnosed with nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. Two years later, she met MacDonald, who works for Bass Pro Shops, and promised to one day run a marathon with him. That day came on Saturday, June 23. Horsman, 20, completed the half marathon in 2 hours and 29 minutes; MacDonald, 64, finished the full marathon in 6 hours and 41 minutes. The two are members of Team Halibut, a local Team In Training raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Team Halibut raised $60,000 (which includes pledges, previous fundraisers and corporate sponsorships). MacDonald, who heads the team, said they hoped to raise $75,000 and are still accepting donations. 22
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Martin and Kayla crossing the finish line.
Kayla has raised about $1,000 of her $4,700 goal. Horsman finished her half marathon first and then surprised MacDonald by joining him in the last leg of his race and holding hands as they
crossed the finish line together. “When I was a mile from the finish, there she was, she was all smiles,” MacDonald said. “She had finished her marathon and was there cheering me on, and I had no idea she was going to do
that. She came over to be with me and help me finish. I will cherish that forever.” Juliana Goodwin Springfield News-Leader News-Leader.com
Want to help?
To donate to Kayla Horsman, who is still short of her fundraising goal, go to http://pages.teamintraining.org/gat/anchor12/khorsman. The page may not reflect the latest donations. Martin MacDonald serves as the Co-Chair of the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s OAKs (Outdoor Action Committee). Kayla Horsman and Cara Hawxby.
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Join the CFM Business Alliance today! Check the annual member category you prefer: q $250—Basic q $1,000—Silver q $5,000—Gold q $10,000—Platinum CFM Business Alliance members will receive a one-year subscription to Missouri Wildlife, recognition in each issue of Missouri Wildlife and a CFM Business Alliance sticker. Please mail this form with your gift supporting CFM to:
Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 The Conservation Federation of Missouri is a 501(c)(3) organization. If you have questions, call us at 1-800-575-2322 or visit us at www.confedmo.org to sign up online Business Name:_______________________________________________ Contact Name:________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________
Honorariums and Memorials Mark special days or show tribute to someone you care about with a donation to CFM. You could honor loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries or other special events. This could be a respectful remembrance of friends and relatives who have passed away. We will list honorariums and memorials within the pages of Missouri Wildlife. Your gift would help in so many ways: to benefit our Share the Harvest Program, the Conservation Leadership Corps, our publications or website, our building fund or help our day-to-day operations. We gladly accept cash, check or credit card–just return the form to CFM. Mail this form and payment to: Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101
City:________________________________________________________
o $25 o $50 o $100 o $250 o $500 o $Other __________________
State:________________________________________________________
In memory of _________________________________________________________________ In honor of ___________________________________________________________________
ZIP code:____________________________________________________ Work phone:__________________________________________________ Home phone:_________________________________________________
Please notify (name) ___________________________________________________________ (address) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Donor Info:
Fax number:__________________________________________________ E-mail address:_______________________________________________
o I would like more information about including the Conservation Federation of MIssouri in my will or trust. Name _____________________________________________________________________
Please make checks payable to the Conservation Federation of Missouri. We also accept MasterCard, Visa, or Discover below or online at www.confedmo.org
Address ___________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State______________ Zip_________________
Credit card number:___________________________________________
Phone __________________________ Email ______________________________________
Expiration date:_______________________________________________
CC# _________________________________________________ Exp Date ________________ Signature ____________________________________________________________________
Signature of cardholder:________________________________________ MISSOURI
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CALENDAR MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS
AFFILIATE EVENTS FOREST AND WOODLAND ASSOCIATION OF MISSOURI SEPT 28: Pre-Harvest Gathering, Howard & Faye Gillis Farm, Stockton (9:00am - 3:00pm) OCT 4: Missouri Tree Farm Committee, MDC Credit Union, Jefferson City (10:00am - 3:00pm) GREENWAY NETWORK SEPT 3: Monthly Board Meeting, Community College Center, Saint Charles (7:00pm - 9:00pm) SEPT 8: Kiefer Creek Hike, Castlewood Park (10:00am - 12:00pm) SEPT 15: Living Lands and Water Litter Pickup at the Arch (7:30am 12:00pm) SEPT 15: Grand Glaize Creek Monitoring (8:00am - 12:00pm); Darlene Haun (636) 225-3946 or Bob Jung (314) 494-8432 SEPT 15: Fox Creek Water Quality Monitoring (8:30am - 12:00pm); Leslie Lihou (314) 726-2140 SEPT 22: Prairie and Wetland Surveys at Hidden Creek Savanna, Forest Park (8:30am - 12:00pm) SEPT 27: Water Quality Monitoring, Deer Creek (8:00am - 12:00pm); Danielle (314) 961-4410 SEPT 29: Green Homes Festival, Missouri Botanical Garden (9:00am - 5:00pm) SEPT 29: Tree Planting at the Confluence Public Lands Day (9:00am - 2:00pm) SEPT 30: Dardenne Creek Fall Monitoring Day (9:00am - 1:00pm); Larry Ruff (636) 734-6330 OCT 1: Monthly Board Meeting, Community College Center, Saint Charles (7:00pm - 9:00pm) OCT 6: River Des Peres WatershedWide Water Quality Review (8:30am - 1:00pm) OCT 7: Bike With Your Boots On, Gravois Greenway (1:00pm - 4:00pm) OCT 13: Kiefer Creek Hike and Watershed Planning Meeting, Castlewood Park (10:00am - 1:00pm) OCT 13: River Des Peres Trash Bash; Eric Karch (314) 603-8834 OCT 25: Water Quality Monitoring, Deer Creek (9:00am - 12:00pm); Danielle (314) 961-4410
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MIDWEST DIVING COUNCIL SEPT 8: Annual Stockton Lake Clean-up , Stockton Lake (8:00am 2:00pm) MISSOURI ATLATL ASSOCIATION SEPT 7-9: Annual Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site Competition, Collinsville, Illinois SEPT 14-15: Fall Osage Knap-In, Boonville; Jon Wood (573) 881-6622 MISSOURI BASS FEDERATION SEPT 8: Board Meeting, Bass Pro Shops, Columbia OCT 12-14: State Tournament, Table Rock Lake MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED SEPT 14: Osage County Dinner, Saint George Parish Hall, Linn (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Dale Williams (573) 690-9676 SEPT 15: 7th Annual Dinner & Auction, Athletic Complex, Parkville (6:00pm - 11:30pm); Dan Mason (816) 377-0696 or Dave Velky (816) 804-8006 SEPT 20: 75th Anniversary Big Piney Sponsor Dinner, Pershing Community Center, Fort Leonard Wood (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Adam Brill (573) 586-7704 or Mike Mette (573) 337-0226 SEPT 22: Gateway Greenheads Dinner, Assumption Greek Church, Town and Country (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Chris Rhynerson (314) 435-5723 SEPT 22: Swampeast Annual Sportsman’s Dinner, Saint Francis Xavier Parish Center, Sikeston (6:00pm 9:30pm); Andy Piepenbrok (573) 3804580, Darrin Johnson (573) 380-2862 or Nathan Lorenz (573) 475-0800 SEPT 22: Grand River Dinner, Elks Lodge, Chillicothe (6:00pm 10:00pm); Eric Reeter (660) 646-8147 SEPT 22: 75th Anniversary Membership Dinner, Pulse, Carthage (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Wayne Wilson (417) 3594093 or Jason Hill (417) 850-5111 SEPT 22: Mineral Area Annual Sportsman’s Dinner, Saint Paul’s Lutheran Gym, Farmington (6:00pm 9:30pm); Justin Raith (573) 783-9784 SEPT 28: Greater Kansas City Golf Tournament, Heartland Golf Club, Kansas City (12:00pm - 4:30pm);
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Richard Woody (913) 905-2150 or John Dillow (816) 453-4321 SEPT 29: Conservation Area Dedication & 75th Anniversary Celebration, Montrose (1:00pm - 5:00pm); Kevin Raynes (660) 429-6959 or Bill Cox (816) 524-0987 SEPT 29: 75th Anniversary Event, Knights of Columbus Hall, Warsaw (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Rick Limback (660) 438-2588 or Larry Bybee (660) 438-7714 OCT 4: 75th Anniversary Event, The Peabody Opera House, Saint Louis (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Jane Bell (314) 570-1040 or Todd Carlton (573) 415-6697 OCT 4: Boonslick Dinner, Knights of Columbus Hall, Boonville (6:00pm 1:30pm); David Wax (660) 882-0058 or Musial Wolfe (660) 882-6387 OCT 6: Cass County 75th Anniversary Dinner, Elks Lodge, Harrisonville (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Phil Needham (816) 250-2185 OCT 13: Greenheads Annual Sportsman’s Dinner and Auction, Elks Lodge, Dexter (6:00pm - 11:30pm); Brian Jones (573) 421-1771 or Mike Wilburn (573) 421-3713 OCT 13: Lake Stockton Gun Bash, Ray Zumwalt Expo Center, Stockton (6:00pm - 9:00pm); Don Chubb (417) 276-2535 or Mike Grady (785) 691-8491 OCT 20: Membership Dinner, Ryther’s Community Center, Lawson (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Bill Williams (816) 804-5405 or Rick McQuerrey (816) 868-4950 OCT 25: Grand Prairie Membership Dinner, Elks Lodge, Blue Springs (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Paul Bybee (816) 665-3460 or Lorn Dennis (816) 590-5711 OCT 27: Marmaton Valley Membership Dinner, Elks Lodge, Nevada (5:00pm - 9:00pm); Jason Meisenheimer (417) 667-3699 MISSOURI HUNTING HERITAGE FEDERATION SEPT 6: Board Meeting, Bass Pro Shops, Independence SEPT 7-9: Hunter Education Clinic & Dove Hunt, Settle’s Ford Conservation Area, Garden City; Allan Hoover (816) 540-3908 SEPT 15: NRA YHEC for Disabled, Lake City Range, Jackson County SEPT 15-16: Bowhunter Education Clinic & Archery Hunt, Jerry Litton Center, Smithville and Smithville Lake; Dwayne Holtzclaw (816) 6378387 or (816) 853-6507
SEPT 29: 2nd Annual Shoot For The Future, Saddle & Sirloin Club, Kansas City; Allan Hoover (816) 540-3908 OCT 5-7: Hunter Education Clinic, VFW Post 3118, Pleasant Hill; Allan Hoover (816) 540-3908 MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION FUND RAISING BANQUETS SEPT 8: Cedar County Upland Chapter, Orleans Trail Resort, Stockton; Micky Morrison (417) 282-6671 SEPT 14: Little Dixie Longbeards, Audrain Fairgrounds 4-H Building, Mexico; Bernard Doerge (573) 4737009 SEPT 15: Lewis County Stutters, Queen of Peace Parish, Ewing; Ron Richardson (660) 462-3640 SEPT 22: Sugar Creek Gobblers, Christian Church, Pineville; Dan Fuller (417) 223-7554 SEPT 28: Rock Town Gobblers, Celebration Family Worship Center, Iberia; Travis Lawson (573) 480-1916 SEPT 29: Clay Howlett Memorial, Pulaski County Shrine Club, Waynesville; Clinton Jarrett (573) 774-0339 OCT 5: Gasconade River Gobblers, Community Building, Belle; Kyle Lairmore (573) 437-8899 OCT 6: Bunt Cumbea Laclede County Chapter, Cowan Civic Center, Lebanon; Karen Ray (417) 588-1643 OCT 12: Jefferson City Strutters, Lions Club, Wardsville; John Slicker (573) 680-5903 OCT 20: Hickory County Jakes and Jennies, Senior Center, Wheatland; David Wright (417) 722-4488 OCT 20: Southern Warren County Strutters, Saint Ignatius Parish Center, Marthasville; Amy Mergeimeyer (636) 221-1538 JAKES FIELD DAYS SEPT 23: Saline County Strutters, 4-H Trap Range, Marshall; Joe Pycke (660) 631-3407 SEPT 29: Spring River Toms, Baugh Flight Park, Carthage; Jerry Hartman (417) 793-0310 WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS SEPT 7-8: NEMO Outdoor Skills, Mark Twain State Park, Stoutsville; Judy Martin (573) 769-4189 SEPT 22: Tri-Lakes Ladies Day Out, Rec-Plex, Branson; Catherine McGregor (417) 593-6333 OCT 13: Ladies Bow Deer Hunt, North West Missouri Outfittes, Denver; Kimberly Smith (660) 638-4337
CALENDAR MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS
MISSOURI PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION SEPT 19-21: Leadership Development Institute, Klondike Park, Saint Charles County Parks OCT 9-10: Aquatic Facility Operator Course, Legacy Park Community Center, Lees Summit MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATION OCT 13: Hi Lonesome Master Naturalist Evening on the Prairie, Cole Camp MISSOURI SMALLMOUTH ALLIANCE SEPT 19: Monthly Meeting, Powder Valley Nature Center, Saint Louis (7:00pm - 9:00pm) OCT 17: Monthly Meeting, Powder Valley Nature Center, Saint Louis (7:00pm - 9:00pm) MISSOURI TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION SEPT 8: Fall Trapping Clinic, Show Me Auction Company, Versailles
OCT 6: Fall Trapping Clinic, Orscheln’s Farm & Home, California OCT 20: Fall Trapping Clinic, Orscheln’s Farm & Home, Eldon OCT 20-21: Fall Trapping Clinic, Prairie Star Restoration Farm, Bland MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION SEPT 6: MSU Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm) SEPT 13: MSU Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm) SEPT 20: MSU Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm) SEPT 22: MSU Fishing Trip, Roaring River State Park (9:00am - 4:00pm) SEPT 22: Great Outdoor Day, Bois Arc Conservation Area (9:00am 3:00pm) OCT 4: Monthly Meeting, Conservation Nature Center, Springfield (6:00pm - 9:00pm) OCT 4-6: Southern Council Conclave OCT 27: Chili Feed MISSOURI WHITETAILS UNLIMITED SEPT 8: Warren County Disabled Freedom Hunt Banquet, American Legion Post 122, Warrenton SEPT 8: Northern Missouri Chapter
Banquet, Rupe Center, Carrollton SEPT 15: Kingdom of Callaway Chapter Banquet, Saint Peters Hall, Fulton SEPT 22: Anchor City Chapter Banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall, Centralia SEPT 29: Southern Boone Chapter Banquet, Optimist Club, Ashland OCT 6: Mississippi Valley Chapter Banquet, American Legion Post 55, Hannibal OPEN SPACE COUNCIL SEPT 25: Board Meeting, Forest Park Visitor Center (4:30pm); (636) 451-6090 OZARK FLY FISHERS SEPT 13-16: Taneycomo Outing SEPT 27: General Membership Meeting, Greensfelder Recreation, Queeny Park (7:00pm) OCT 4-6: Fly Fishing Festival, Mountain Home, Arkansas OCT 8: Board Meeting, Maplewood (7:00pm - 9:00pm) OCT 13: Current River Water Quality Monitoring OCT 13: Stream Team Level One Workshop, Babler State Park (8:30am - 5:00pm)
OCT 20: Fall Chili Tie-In OCT 25: General Membership Meeting, Greensfelder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:00pm) OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUB SEPT 8: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm – 7:30pm) SEPT 8: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm – 9:00pm) SEPT 24-25: Niangua River Clean Up, Riverside Campground OCT 13: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm – 7:30pm) OCT 13: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm – 9:00pm) OCT 14-19: Fall Canoefest, Current River POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIES, INC. SEPT 22: Guide For A Day OCT 5-7: Fall Tournament OCT 20-21: Mail In Tournament OCT 29: Region 4 Fall Board Meeting CFM EVENTS SEP 14-16: Annual Fall Conference, Camp Clover Point, Osage Beach
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CFM Conservationists For Life ($1,000 Contribution)
Matt Gaunt, Columbia Timothy Gordon, Belgrade Blake Gornick, Kirkwood Richard & Sally Graham, Hartsburg Joseph Gray, Saint Joseph Debbie Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Gery Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Mark & Kathy Haas, Jackson Christopher Hamon, Kirbyville Herman Hanley, Grain Valley Milt & Deanna Harper, Columbia Jack & Pat Harris, Saint Louis Mickey Heitmeyer, Advance Loring Helfrich, Sikeston Randy Herzog, Saint Joseph James Hill, Mexico Allan Hoover, Pleasant Hill John Hoskins, Fremont Larry & Joan Hummel, Glencoe Patricia Hurster, Saint Louis Jim Jacobi, Saint Charles Aaron Jeffries, Jefferson City Don Johnson, Festus Malcolm “Mac” Johnson, Hartsburg Roger Johnson, Humansville Pat Jones, Williamsburg Tom Karl, Farmington Cosette Kelly, Kansas City Duane Kelly, Kansas City Marty King, University City Judd Kirkham, Climax Springs Elizabeth Knight, Charlotte, NC Jeff Kolb, Weldon Spring Carl Kurz, Leawood, KS Ann Kutscher, Jefferson City Larry Lackamp, Bates City Kyle Lairmore, Owensville Jay Law (Deceased) Gerald Lee, Kansas City Joel LeMaster, Fulton Norman Leppo, Saint Louis John Lewis, Columbia Leroy Logan, Arnold Christine Logan-Hollis, Blackwell
Charles Abele, Saint Louis R. Philip Acuff, Saint Joseph Duane Addleman, Springfield Michael Duane Addleman † Nancy Addleman † Nancy Carol Addleman, Springfield Tom Addleman, Harrisonville Craig Alderman, Buffalo James Agnew, Arnold Allen Appell, Calhoun Richard Ash, Ozark Carolyn Auckley, Ballwin Michael Baker, DeSoto Dane Balsman, Frankfort, KY Don Bedell, Sikeston Jim Tom Blair, Saint Louis Jeff Blystone, Independence Glenn Boettcher, Owensville Marilynn Bradford, Cape Girardeau Stephen Bradford, Cape Girardeau Mark Brandly, New Baden, IL Scott Brundage, Columbia Glenn Chambers, Columbia Bryan Chilcutt, Columbia Ed Clausen, Jefferson City Ron Coleman, Saint Albans Mark Corio, Arnold Bill Crawford, Columbia Ryan Diener, Marthasville Joe G. Dillard, Columbia Ron Douglas, Springfield Charlie Drury, Saint Louis Chuck Drury, Saint Louis Tom Drury, Saint Louis John Enderle, Kelso Howard Fisher, Higginsville Mary Louise Fisher, Higginsville Andrew Fleming, Columbia Howard Fleming, Moberly Lori Fleming, Columbia Matt Fleming, Moberly Paula Fleming, Moberly Sara Fleming, Moberly Manley Fuller, Tallahassee, FL
Ike Lovan, Steelville Wayne Lovelace, Elsberry Chip McGeehan, Marshfield Teresa McGeehan, Marshfield Richard Mendenhall, Columbia Tom Mendenhall, Columbia Cynthia Metcalfe, Saint Louis Walter Metcalfe, Saint Louis Davis Minton, Dexter Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City John Moore, Jr., Gelena Johnny Morris, Springfield John & Patricia Mort, Smithville David Murphy, Columbia Dean Murphy, Jefferson City First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon, Jefferson City Governor Jay Nixon, Jefferson City Larry & Nancy O’Reilly, Springfield Austin Owens, Lebanon Jeff Owens, Marshfield Sara Pauley, Hartsburg Scott Pauley, Hartsburg Abe Phillips, Saint Louis Jan Phillips, Saint Louis Jessica Plaggenberg, Florissant Becky Plattner, Grand Pass Jerry Presley, Centertown Albert Price, Columbia Nick Prough, Blue Springs Kirk Rahm, Warrensburg Kurtis Reeg, Saint Louis David & Janice Reynolds, Springfield Gerald Ross, Jefferson City Tyler Ruoff, Savannah Bruce & Jan Sassmann, Bland Fred Saylor, Independence Evelyn Schallon, Ballwin Mike Schallon, Wentzville Mossie Schallon, Wentzville Ronald Schwartzmeyer, Arnold Timothy Schwent, Jackson Travis Scott, Columbia George Seek, Meadville
E. “Sy” Seidler, Saint Louis Sara Seidler, Saint Louis Anita Siegmund, Saint Louis Gary & Susanna Smith, Neosho M. W. Sorenson, Columbia Ed Stegner, Pilot Grove Charles & Winnie Stribling, Mexico Mary Stuppy, Joplin Mark Sullivan † Jacob Swafford, Columbia Jim Talbert, Jefferson City Travis Taylor, Lawson Tim Thompson, Lake Saint Louis Jeff “J. T.” Tillman † Robert Tompson, Moberly Alex Uskokovich, Glendale Gary Van De Velde, Jefferson City Barbara vanBenschoten, Kansas City Lee Vogel, Kansas City Al Vogt, Columbia Julius Wall, Clinton Ginny Wallace, Jefferson City Randy Washburn, Versailles Henry J. Waters, III, Columbia Mary Waters, Columbia Robert O. Werges, Arnold Mark Williams, Lawson Michael Wilson, Saint Louis Stephen Wilson, Hartsburg Addie Witter, Annville, PA Brenda Witter, Holts Summit Daniel Witter, Holts Summit Owen Witter, Columbia Dick Wood, Saint Louis Howard Wood, Bonne Terre Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre Nicole Wood, Bonne Terre Dan Zerr, Lake Saint Louis Jim Zieger, Blue Springs Emily Ziehmer, California Robert Ziehmer, California Ethan Zuck, Strafford Guy Zuck, Strafford † Deceased
When will you add your name to the list? CFM Life Membership Application Name:___________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________ Payment Method (circle one): Cash Check or Credit Card __________________________________ Exp. Date:__________
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Agency news - Department of Conservation
Deepening Drought Affects Forests, Fish, Wildlife MDC is working with partners to address drought effects on citizens, forest, fish and wildlife.
Everything from trees to fish are feeling the pinch of heat and drought, and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is tracking the effects of extreme summer weather and doing what it can to help people and nature. The period from January through June was the hottest on record nationally. June was the sixth-driest on record in Missouri. The Show-Me State’s last rainfall of statewide significance fell on May 7. Meanwhile, extreme heat, wind and unusually low humidity have sapped what little moisture once existed in the state’s soil. One-hundred degree-plus temperatures began in June and lingered into August. In July alone, temperatures topped 100 degrees on 15 days in central Missouri. As of July 24, the National Climate Data showed the entire state of Missouri as being in at least severe drought. More than two-thirds of the state was in extreme drought, and the Bootheel and adjacent counties were in an exceptional drought, the most severe classification recognized by the National Climatic Data Center. The National Weather Service’s long-range forecast is for drought conditions to persist or intensify across Missouri. No significant increase in precipitation is anticipated before October. FORESTS Missouri forests were 28
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The parched ground breaks underneath a dying crop of corn suffering from severe drought . Credit: Laurie Skrivan
stressed by several factors even before the drought set in. Most of the state suffered a severe, late freeze in 2007, killing flower and leaf buds on many trees. Multiple ice storms that same year wrecked hundreds of thousands of trees over large swaths of Missouri, and a freak windstorm, known as a derecho, flattened trees across parts of the eastern Ozarks in 2009. The period from 2008 to 2010 set records for rainfall. Then, in 2011, the weather abruptly turned hot and dry, a trend that has worsened this year. Forests in southeastern and southwestern Missouri are hardest hit by drought, but trees are suffering statewide.
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As if weather challenges weren’t enough, Missouri witnessed the emergence of a brood of periodical cicadas that covered most of the state in 2011, followed by an outbreak of jumping oak gall wasps and defoliating insects. “All in all, it has been an extremely tough five years for Missouri forests,” says Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Nick Kuhn. “While it is still too early to know exactly how severe the effects will be, we expect to see some reduction in acorn and nut production. That could be a concern for animals that depend on acorns and other nuts for food, and for Missouri’s nut industry.” Kuhn says many trees are
dropping their leaves early to cope with the heat and drought. Shedding leaves reduces the amount of water trees lose through evaporation, helping them survive. However some trees will succumb to drought. Kuhn says the drought will be hardest on old trees and those already weakened by disease or parasites. Trees growing on west- and south-facing slopes will face greater drought challenges, as will trees that are crowded or poorly adapted to the sites where they are growing. The drought underscores the importance of proper forest management and working with a professional forest to properly manage forests.
“Landowners can help their forests be more resilient to insect and drought stresses through proper management,” says MDC Forest Products Program Supervisor Jason Jensen. “Forests need management much the same as a garden or any other crop. When left unmanaged, forests become overcrowded. Trees all compete for water, nutrients and sunlight. When there are too many trees competing for these limited resources, the trees will become stressed and won’t be as healthy and productive as a managed forest. Trees in well-managed forests grow faster and provide better wildlife habitat.” For landowners who are interested in managing their forest or are seeing trees that have died as a result of the drought, a timber sale may be in order. Landowners should seek the assistance of a professional forester when considering a timber sale. MDC has foresters available to assist landowners. To find a forester in your county go to www. mdc.mo.gov and select “Who’s My Local Contact.” Private consulting foresters are also available to assist landowners. To find a consulting forester in your area go to www.missouriforesters.com. The ongoing drought also has heightened wildfire danger. Unlike western states, Missouri’s primary wildfire season is late winter. Once trees leaf out, the shade they provide causes humidity levels on the forest floor to increase, reducing fire danger. This year is an exception. MDC saw a 150-percent increase in the number of reported fires from May through June. This does not include fires on the
Wildfire danger remains high in current drought. Credit: MDC
1.5-million acre Mark Twain National Forest. Since Jan. 1, MDC has recorded 2,280 fires affecting 26,944 acres. Those fires destroyed 15 homes and l51 outbuildings and damaged 331 other structures. Causes of these fires included: • Debris Burning – 794 fires consuming 4,942 acres • Equipment Use – 154 fires consuming 1,937 acres • Arson – 117 fires consuming 4,470 acres • Smoking – 49 fires consuming 189 acres • Campfire – 34 fires consuming 82 acres • Children – 34 fires consuming 83 acres • Lightning – 23 fires consuming 75 acres • Railroad – 7 fires consuming 38 acres • Miscellaneous causes – 1,068 fires consuming 15,129 acres Compared to a normal year, total burned acreage has tripled. MDC normally sends
crews to help fight fires in the western United States, but this year the agency’s entire force of 754 firefighters is at home, responding to calls for help from local fire departments. MDC has mutual aid agreements with more than 800 fire departments and has assigned approximately $70 million in federal excess property equipment to these partners for wildfire suppression. MDC also provides training to volunteer firefighters and awards an average of $400,000 in cost-share grants annually to fire departments to purchase wild-land fire suppression equipment. Burn bans across most of the state discourage trash burning or any other open fire. MDC has banned open fires on all conservation areas. “Everyone needs to be extra careful when working or playing outside,” says Forestry Field Programs Supervisor Ben Webster. “It doesn’t take much to start a wildfire.”
At home and on the farm, barbecue grills should not be left unattended. Exercise extreme caution when using farm machinery, mowers or other equipment that could strike a spark or put hot engine parts in contact with dry vegetation. This includes driving vehicles off road. Smokers are urged to put cigarette butts in ashtrays rather than discarding them along roadways. Homeowners should visit www.mdc. mo.gov/node/5290 and use the Firewise checklist there to ensure that you can protect your property from wildfire. WILDLIFE Native wildlife is well-adapted to the range of conditions that can occur in Missouri. That does not mean, however, that weather does not affect animals, which may have to alter normal behavior patterns to meet their needs for food, water and shelter.
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Drought continued An example of such behavioral changes came to light recently when Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer attached a video camera to the radio collar he placed on a black bear. When he retrieved the camera and watched the video, he discovered that the bear had spent pretty much all its time walking through the water in a small stream. Resource Scientist Jeff Briggler’s primary area of expertise is reptiles and amphibians, but he offers a general observation about how current weather could affect human interaction with wildlife. “Wild animals need water, which is extremely scarce right now,” says Briggler. “People have plenty of water, and watered lawns and gardens, birdbaths, even air-conditioners that drip water are very attractive to all kinds of wildlife.” Briggler says people shouldn’t be surprised to find squirrels munching their tomatoes or box turtles and frogs around backyard water features. Similarly, cool basements may attract animals trying to escape the heat. “If an animal can’t get far enough underground to get away from the heat and find moisture in their normal home area, they have to look for someplace they can,” says Briggler. Deer are traveling farther than usual for this time of year and moving during times of day when they ordinarily would be inactive. Aquatic turtles must move or die when ponds or streams where they live dry up. On the other hand, smaller, less mobile animals, such as frogs, often take the opposite 30
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approach, hunkering down to wait out the heat. Hummingbirds go where there is food, and this summer that means forests, especially around permanent bodies of water, where flowering plants remain available. As a result, fewer hummingbirds are
foods are seeds and insects. Shortages of these staple foods have meant capacity crowds at well-stocked feeding stations. Putting out black-oil sunflower seeds, seed mixes and suet blocks almost guarantees that mobs of birds will visit your feeder.
Drought and stressful moving conditions are killing off some reintroduced elk in the Missouri Ozarks. Credit: MDC
visiting nectar feeders in dry upland areas, causing some people to wonder what has become of the little birds. Wildlife Ecologist Brad Jacobs urges people to leave hummingbird feeders out well into the fall, however. “The southern migration of hummingbirds has begun,” says Jacobs, “with increasing reports of adult and young birds at nectar feeders. Artificial feeders are a welcome supplement for migrating hummers. The ruby-throats will be mostly gone by October, but several other western hummingbird species pass through Missouri on up until early December, and they might just stop by a feeder if you leave one out for them.” Jacobs says the current weather has the opposite effect on birds whose primary
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Likewise, people are reporting seeing more herons this year. Jacobs says the longlegged wading birds are not more numerous this year. They simply are more visible because they are concentrated around limited water. Shallow, shrunken pools present a bonanza for these predators of fish and amphibians. Waterfowl hunters have been encouraged by news that near-record numbers of ducks will head south from nesting grounds in the northern United States and Canada this year. However, reduced availability of agricultural crops and natural food plants on wetland areas could prevent ducks from lingering in Missouri long enough to provide much hunting opportunity. Keeping wetland areas wet enough for ducks could
be a problem if the drought continues. Low water levels in streams and wells have raised concerns about the availability of water later in the fall at managed wetland areas, including Bob Brown, Nodaway Valley, Fountain Grove and Otter Slough. On the other hand, low water levels allow maintenance work on boat ramps and other areas that normally are too wet. Lack of moisture also permits habitat work in areas where soil normally remains saturated throughout the summer and provides opportunities to control invasive plants. For all these reasons, the quality of this year’s waterfowl hunting remains a question mark in spite of the abundance of ducks. Resource Scientist Emily Flinn specializes in deer biology and management. She does not expect big changes in deer numbers on account of this year’s weather. “Deer are resilient animals and have dealt with extreme conditions for millions of years,” she says. “Although fawn survival can be affected by drought, the mild winter and early spring green-up allowed the deer population to enter the summer in excellent body condition. So I doubt that fawn recruitment will be significantly affected statewide.” Flinn says epizootic hemorrhagic disease and blue tongue (another hemorrhagic disease) always are concerns in drought years, because deer have more opportunity to transmit diseases when they are crowded around limited water supplies. She noted that hemorrhagic diseases are different and unrelated to chronic wasting
disease, or CWD. She has received some reports of dead deer around water, which is typical of hemorrhagic diseases, but she is awaiting test results to confirm the cause. Such outbreaks are difficult to document, since affected deer typically die quickly and are immediately consumed by scavengers. Citizens who see dead or sick deer can report the sightings to the nearest MDC office. Flinn says she is receiving a larger-than-normal number of complaints about deer damaging crops. She attributes this to reduced availability of other natural foods. At this time of year, deer normally are browsing on plant leaves, buds and fruits. MDC provides landowners considerable ability to manage deer by providing depredation permits to address localized crop damage and free or lowcost deer hunting permits during the hunting seasons. Flinn stresses that it is important for neighbors to work together to manage deer in their area. MDC is working with landowners to encourage quality deer management at the community level. Several deermanagement landowner cooperatives have started across the state where landowners are working together to better manage the local deer herd. “Deer hunting is a rich tradition in Missouri and important to our economy,” says Flinn. “MDC wants neighbors talking to each other about how they can work together to better manage the local deer herd “and we’re here to help.” MDC is hosting four deermanagement workshops in August and September that will focus on managing deer on
private land. For details, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/18243. For more information on deer landowner cooperatives, contact your county private land conservationist using the “Who’s My Local Contact” link at www.mdc.mo.gov. Weather conditions do affect deer behavior, and Missourians might be seeing evidence of that as deer travel longer distances to find food and water. This could result in deer being active throughout the day, rather than just from dusk to dawn, as they normally are. One thing that is unlikely to be affected by weather is the size of bucks’ antlers. Flinn notes that deer in Texas showed no change in antler growth last year after experiencing a record drought. “Again,” says Flinn, “the mild winter and early spring allowed deer to store nutrients and enter the summer in great body condition. I don’t think hunters are going to see any effect on antler size related to the drought and heat.” For the same reason, Flinn said deer don’t need supplemental feeding. “We do not need to provide supplemental food or water sources,” says Flinn. “This mainly increases the risk of disease spread, which could cause more harm than good.” Resource Scientist Beth Emmerich says warm, dry weather early in the nesting season gave wild turkeys, quail, pheasant and other upland birds a much needed break from the wet, cold weather that has plagued them in recent years. She says quail should have no trouble finding food because grasshoppers – one of their staple foods – are abundant. “Most people I’ve talked to
are seeing and hearing more quail than they have in the last several years, when it was wetter,” says Emmerich. “It should be good for rabbits, pheasants and other upland wildlife, too. Quail can tolerate periods of dry weather well, as they get their water from dew and food. The mild winter, coupled with a dry summer should be good news for them. I have my hopes up for good survival of quail chicks this year.” FISH The most dramatic effects of the current drought on fish and other aquatic life are occurring in ponds, small lakes and streams. Fisheries biologists across the state report increased incidence of fish kills in small impoundments. Although the number of fish kills is up, such events are normal occurrences in Missouri. In most cases, fish die because they can’t get enough oxygen. Warm water holds less oxygen than cool water, so hot weather is naturally more stressful. Fish usually can cope with this unless other factors come into play. Warm, fertile water sometimes promotes excessive growth of tiny aquatic plants known as algae. That’s fine as long as the sun shines and the tiny plants are using sunlight to put oxygen in the water. But cloudy weather turns algae from oxygen producers into oxygen consumers, so a couple of overcast days can have disastrous results for fish. Fish gulping air at the surface of a pond is an early warning of an impending kill. Sometimes pond owners can improve the situation by running an outboard boat
motor with the propeller close enough to the surface to mix air and water, increasing dissolved oxygen. However, they must be sure not to stir up mud, as this can make things worse. They also must ensure that the motor’s cooling-water intake remains submerged to avoid overheating. More information about how to prevent and deal with fish kills is available at mdc. mo.gov/node/4891. Fish in large lakes are not immune to drought and heat. Most of Missouri’s large reservoirs still have reasonably good water levels, but temperatures are climbing and dissolved-oxygen levels are declining. Fish grow sluggish as water warms and oxygen grows scarce, and this makes for poor fishing. Fish also are more susceptible to diseases and parasites in tepid lakes. The longer such conditions continue, the greater the likelihood that fish will die. At present, fisheries biologists worry about the possibility of isolated die-offs of large muskellunge at Pomme de Terre or the loss of walleyes and other prized game fish at other big lakes. Fish in streams also feel the effects of heat and drought. Streams with healthy watersheds – including good soil-conservation practices, vegetated stream-side buffer zones and trees that provide shade – generally have good water quality and avoid fish kills. But even fish in healthy streams can experience stress in extreme droughts. Trout in the Current and Niangua rivers and small spring-fed streams currently are at risk because reduced flow from springs has
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Drought continued raised their water temperatures. Pools that serve as refuges for fish in small streams statewide are disappearing, leaving fish with nowhere to go. Even where pools remain, severe flow reductions can leave fish vulnerable to pond-like fish kills. Anglers may find the water level in some streams so low that boat ramps are unusable. Until the drought breaks, it’s a good idea to inspect the bottom ends of boat ramps before launching to ensure the concrete apron extends far enough to support your boat trailer. Four of MDC’s five coldwater fish hatcheries rely on natural springs to supply water for their operations. Some of those springs are down to less than half their normal flows. This has forced some hatcheries to transfer part of their fish to Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery, which has an abundant supply of cool water from Table Rock Lake. MDC’s four warm-water hatcheries are making do with reduced flows, but hatchery managers are watching conditions closely. “Hatchery improvements completed the past couple years, such as dissolved oxygen systems, aerators, and renovated raceways have really helped us cope with the drought and low water levels,” says Hatchery Systems Manager James Civiello. “I’d hate to imagine where we would be in this drought without the hatchery improvements.”
Multitudes of fish have died in Missouri as the sizzling summer dried up rivers and raised water temperatures in some spots to nearly 100 degrees. Credit: Associated Press
PRIVATE LAND Livestock forage is critically scarce this summer, and MDC supported a request by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency to allow farmers to graze cattle on some land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program and permit haying on land enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Program. MDC also offers cost share to landowners interested in establishing native warmseason grasses for forage production. Native grasses are more drought-tolerant than introduced cool-season grasses such as brome and tall fescue. During the drought, native grasses like big bluestem and switchgrass are still growing and providing forage for livestock and cover for wildlife. For more information
on native warm-season grasses contact your local private land conservationist or regional MDC office. Private Land Field Programs Supervisor Rex Martensen reminds landowners that the Missouri Wildlife Code allows them to protect crops and property from deer, bears, raccoons, coyotes, beavers and other wildlife with MDC permission. A call to the nearest MDC office is all that is needed to get help from a wildlife damage biologist. CONCLUSION Good news related to the drought is scarce, but there are a few silver linings. One is that ticks and mosquitoes are not as troublesome this summer as they have been in recent years. Invasive zebra mussels can’t
tolerate warm water well and apparently were devastated by high water temperatures at Lake of the Ozarks last year. This year’s more extreme conditions could help contain the destructive mussels. While individual animals and local populations may suffer, MDC experts agree that forests, fish and wildlife overall will bounce back from the current drought and heat. “The resiliency of wild animals and the stability of natural systems is truly remarkable,” says Briggler. “Trees and animals don’t fret over the present or the future. They just persevere.” Jim Low News Services Coordinator, MDC
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