Outdoor Guide Magazine January-February 2022 by OutdoorGuideMagazine

OUTDOOR

GUIDE

January-February 2022

MAGAZINE

Bear hunt................ Page 6

Wolf survives........... Page 8

Kids fishing............Page 24

Laguna Madre.........Page 27

Deep crappie..........Page 29

HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL Missouri, Illinois and Other Exciting Outdoor Destinations!

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Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

State nursery already selling out

Maybe it is for the best, because I have had mixed success trying to grow the trees I have ordered from the George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking, Mo. When I went to the website this winter to place an order, I found that nearly 75 percent of their trees were sold out. I have cooperated with a couple of projects that have paid some dividends, but my personal attempts at growing forests have been pathetic at best. I should probably just give up, but “plant native” is such a good concept and the pricing is hard to pass up. Seedlings are available for as little as 34 cents each. The flaw in my plans this

year is that I considered the suggestion to “order early before supplies run out” to be a marketing ploy. I know a little bit about that trick, but in this case it appears I should have trusted to order them in the fall and have them shipped in the spring at the proper planting time. The last time I checked the online order form, only 17 of the 69 varieties had remaining stock. PUCKER WHEN GREEN More than once I have ordered persimmon trees from the agency, and even the last time, I divided them into two bunches to double my chances to have plants that produced the fruits that made you pucker if you

try to eat them green but are delicious when mushy and ripe. In one location I gave them all the tender loving care and attention I could muster, and in the other planting site I gave them a start and let Mother Nature do the rest. I really wanted them to grow to attract deer and feed wildlife that enjoy the sweet treats. Their seeds’ ability to predict upcoming winter weather is another story for a different time, but as with most similar lore, I am pretty skeptical. Back to my experiment. The trees that received all my immediate attention lasted into their third year before I finally gave up on what was left of the dead twigs in my backyard. The ones I planted on the farm property were indistinguishable from the other forest edge growth before the end of the first summer. A FEW GOOD CROPS Coincidentally, we have since found several stands of persimmons in the same vicinity that just showed up naturally. With some regular monitoring, mulching, and most importantly, more careful mowing, we have managed to produce a few

crops. Other than a few passing tastes, we leave all of them to the deer. To the good fortune of this year’s persimmon seedlings at the White Nursery, they are sold out, and I don’t have an opportunity to kill more of them. The other times I have planted trees from the state, the results have been better. The loblolly pines we put in have produced a few tall trees along the farm driveway, but their real claim to fame is how determinedly the buck deer have destroyed their trunks by rubbing them with their antlers each fall. Most of the trees planted around the big field are just stumps that more resemble ground cover. It seems as soon as they manage a shoot of a few feet off the ground, their trunks get destroyed. On the other hand they have been living that way for a dozen years or more. Loblollies are one of the species that is still available for order. CYPRESS SUCCESS The best success that I have seen is with the bald cypress trees we planted around the pond. They have thrived along the lake banks. They have not

Like most of the species at the George O. White State Forest Nursery, persimmon seedlings are no longer available for this year. – JohnWinkelman photo

quite turned the place into a tiny Reelfoot, with the trees’ notable knees poking from the water surface but still growing strong. The famous Tennessee lake had a century or so of a head start on us. Unfortunately for those wishing for similar success, bald cypress trees are among the seedlings listed online as sold out for this growing season. Among the trees that remained in stock at the state nursery were Norway spruce, nuttall and overcup oak, redbud, river birch, rose mallow, short leaf pine, silky dogwood, silver maple, sweet gum and sycamore. Ordering from the nursery begins as early as Sept. 1 each

year. A catalog is included as an insert in the September edition of Missouri Conservationist magazine, and the online catalog at mdc.mo.gov offers up-todate information on which trees are still available. Telephone orders are not accepted, but for more information about the nursery, you can call (573) 674-3229. John Winkelman is Marketing Director for Liguori Publications near Barnhart, Mo., and Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas to share for Outdoor Guide, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can follow John on Twitter at @johnjwink99.

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January-February 2022

Outdoor Guide

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Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Gone Fishin’

Make a new man for the new year

By BRENT FRAZEE

Visit Our Website at www.outdoorguidemagazine.com

New year, new me? I certainly hope so. I’m one of those people who make New Year’s resolutions and stick to them … for a couple weeks. Then they are forgotten, and I go back to my old ways. There was the time I resolved to keep my fishing tackle better organized. I cleaned the garage and put lure types in separate tubs, arranged most of my rods and reels in racks, and kept my accessories – minnow buckets, tackle boxes, cricket cages and old electronics – neatly arranged on shelves. I stood back and admired my work and even had my wife come out to approve of the garage’s new look. It looked like a well-organized tackle shop. But that ended after a couple of fishing trips. I would come home and toss my gear, waders and cold-weather clothing into a pile, and that mound slowly grew. Now it looks like the mess that I once resolved to clean up. LIFE GETS IN THE WAY Then there was the time I resolved to become a better duck hunter. I had just purchased a Labrador, my son got his hunter’s ed training and we had great plans. A friend invited me down to get some on-the-job training at his private duck marsh. We had great intentions, but that training never materialized. Kids’ sports, a busy schedule and life got in the way, and Zoey became a house dog and I remained a flawed duck hunter. I also remember the year when I resolved to go to South America for some peacock bass fishing (never happened), the time I resolved to take lessons and become a better fly fisherman (put it off) and the time when I resolved to get a new bass boat with loaded electronics (couldn’t afford it). But this year will be

different. Maybe. Going into the new year, I have some resolutions that I plan to keep. • I resolve to quit looking at myself as old. I’m almost 71, and sometimes I let that hold me back. But I don’t feel old when I’m out fishing, hunting or hiking. I have to get off the couch and ignore my senior citizen status. Age is just a number. • I resolve to do more to share my love of the outdoors with my grandkids. My two older ones, Caty and Chloe, love to hike, and I need to help them discover some of the beauty that Missouri provides. My 4-year-old granddaughter, Avery, has already taken to fishing, and I need to help her progress from the worm and bobber stage. And I need to bring up my little guy, Jack, with a fishing pole in his hands and out in a boat with Grandpa. • I resolve to do more to “pass it on.” I’m already involved in several programs that introduce youth and families to the outdoors. But the older I get, the more I feel I need to do more. I resolve to take more parents and their sons or daughters fishing and share my passion. • I resolve to do more traveling. During the last few years in the COVID era, my wife and I have been pretty much stay-at-home people. In short, we’ve become boring. We need to get back to our favorite resort on Fort Myers Beach and to travel to Utah to tour the beautiful national parks out there, as we’ve talked about for years. • I resolve to step outside of the box and try new things. I want to set aside fishing trips on my home lake to learn new ways to catch bass. I want to experiment with using big swimbaits, get good at fishing a drop-shot rig and use more topwater lures. You’re never too old to learn. • I resolve to regain my explorer’s spirit. When I See FRAZEE page 6

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

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January-February 2022

Missouri hunters take 12 black bears By JOE JEREK MDC News Service

Missouri hunters harvested 12 black bears during the state’s inaugural bear hunting season, which ran Oct. 18-27. More than 6,330 hunters had applied for 400 permits for the season with the maximum total harvest for the season being 40 bears. “This was an incredibly successful first bear hunting season for Missouri, given that we have a highly regulated season, that bears in the state are widely distributed throughout some pretty rugged wilderness, and that many hunters had never hunted bears before,” said Laura Conlee, black bear biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). “A harvest of 12 bears in our first season is testament

to the hunters,” she said. “Bear hunting is an extremely challenging endeavor, especially under the framework that we established. This was a new experience for many hunters, and they put in the work to be successful and take advantage of this new hunting opportunity.” Conlee said MDC took a conservative approach in developing its bear-hunting regulations. “Our highly regulated and limited season included a sustainable maximum harvest of 40 bears, which is about 5 percent of our total bear population,” she said. “We also prohibited baiting and the use of dogs, limited hunting to 10 days, and restricted the number of hunters who could participate,” she said. “With any new season, it is difficult to predict hunter

OUTDOOR

success, so we took a conservative approach to limiting the number of hunters and length of the hunting season. This was to ensure we didn’t over-harvest the bear population in any one zone.” A LIMITED HUNT Bear hunting in Missouri is limited to Missouri residents and restricted to three designated areas of southern Missouri called Bear Management Zones (BMZ). Each permit issued is for a specific zone, and hunting is limited to public or private property within the zone. Permit and harvest quotas for the 2021 bear season were: • Zone 1: Permit quota of 200 with a harvest quota of 20 bears. Nine were taken. • Zone 2: Permit quota of 150 with a harvest quota of 15 bears. Three were taken. • Zone 3: Permit quota of

GUIDE

January-February 2022

MAGAZINE

HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL Volume 30, No. 1 • Published six times a year Office: 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103 News department — 618-972-3744 www.outdoorguidemagazine.com e-mail: news@outdoor-guide.com COVER created by Kathy Crowe, graphic designer.

Carl Green, editor – carl@labortribune.com John Winkelman, associate editor — ogmjohnw@aol.com Bob Whitehead, editor emeritis – ogmbobw@aol.com Lynn Fowler, circulation manager Kathy Crowe, graphic designer — Account executives — Dan Braun, marketing director 314-256-4136 Lauren Marshall 314-614-5175 — Regional and specialty editors — Darrell Taylor Ray Eye Brent Frazee Brandon Butler

Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones

Bill Seibel John Neporadny Jr. T. J. Mullin

Larry Whiteley Ted Nugent Ron Bice

– In Memoriam —

Joel Vance • Ron Henry Strait • Jared Billings • Charlie Farmer • Richard Engelke • Mark Hubbard • Spence Turner • Hank Reifeiss Kay Hively • Bill Harmon • Barbara Perry Lawton • Danny Hicks • Ron Kruger • TJ Stallings • John Sloan

Claudette Roper Gerald Scott Bill Keaton Charlie Slovensky Jerry Pabst Ryan Miloshewski

Kenneth Kieser Terry Wilson Bob Holzhei Jeannie Farmer Jo Schaper Jed Nadler

— Staff writers —

Don Gasaway Mike Roux Craig Alderman Randall Davis Larry Potterfield Tom Watson

Tim Huffman Russell Hively Roxanne Wilson Michael Wardlaw Tyler Mahoney Richard Aites

Kelsie Wikoff of Hume took this 268-pound boar (male bear) on Oct. 21. She spent 48 hours in a tree stand over three days. – Kelsie Wifoff photo

50 with a harvest quota of 5 bears. None were taken. The more-than 6,330 hunters who applied during May to hunt a specific zone each paid a $10 application fee. The 400 hunters selected for permits through a random drawing of all applicants then paid a permit fee of $25. Among those selected for permits, Kelsie Wikoff of Hume harvested a 268-pound boar (male bear) in Zone 1 on Oct. 21. She said she had spent 48 hours in a tree stand over three days after the season began Oct. 18. According to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, the harvest limit is one bear per permit. Only lone black bears may be taken. Hunters may not take bears that are known to be in the presence of other bears,

• Frazee

including female black bears with cubs. Bears may not be disturbed, pushed, harassed or taken from a den. Bear hunters must wear hunter orange, make reasonable efforts to retrieve shot bears, and may not leave or abandon commonly edible portions. Learn more about bear hunting in Missouri at mdc.mo.gov/bearhunting. MORE EACH YEAR Black bears were historically abundant throughout the forested areas of Missouri prior to European settlement but were nearly eliminated by unregulated killing in the late 1800s, as well as from habitat loss when Ozark forests were logged. Over the past 50 years, bear numbers and range

in Missouri have grown to around 800 black bears, with most found south of the Missouri River and primarily south of Interstate 44. The Missouri bear range is expanding. Bear numbers in Missouri are increasing each year by approximately 9 percent and are expected to double in less than 10 years. As bear numbers continue to increase, MDC will use a highly regulated hunting season as an essential part of population management. MDC’s 2020-2030 Black Bear Management Plan will guide bear management in Missouri for the next decade. Learn more about black bears in Missouri and MDC management efforts at mdc. mo.gov/bears.

from page 4

was younger, I challenged myself to hike to the top of an Ozarks mountain, to slide down into an Ozarks cave and to go whitewater rafting out west. Sadly, I don’t challenge myself to do that anymore. Maybe my age won’t allow me to do some things, but I can still get my heartbeat up more than I do. • I resolve to watch far less daytime TV and do far more outdoors. Shows like The View, Dr. Phil and Jerry

Springer are mind-numbing and only add to my “whatis-the-world-coming-to?” frame of mind. The only reason I watch is to reassure myself that I’m far more normal than some of the guests they have on the air. • I resolve to lose weight. I’m a tub, and I need to get away from eating lunch out of a fast-food bag. Sorry, McDonald’s, I plan to spend less money at your place this year.

• I resolve to write more.

It’s more than a job to me, it’s a hobby. I love meeting interesting characters and telling their stories. • I resolve to clean the garage and get my fishing tackle organized again. And to keep it organized for more than a couple weeks. My wife will like this one. The book “Brent Frazee’s Ultimate Guide to Missouri Fishing” is available for $14.95 at brentfrazee.com.

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

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EXPERIENCE ELLINGTON missouri the

&explore outdoors e l l i n g ton mo . com Hike the ozark trail

~ Only 2 Hours South of St. Louis ~

Clearwater Lake & Webb Creek Park – Hwy H –Bring the family to camp, boat, fish, and unwind on crystal clear Clearwater Lake. This area of the lake is formed where Webb Creek and Logan Creek empty into Clearwater Lake. The lake is known for its crappie, catfish and bass fishing. Camping is available at Webb Creek Recreation Park; plus a full service marina with boat/wave runner rentals on site. Webb Creek Webb Creek Marina Park features over 40 campsites, swim beach, playground, showers, picnic pavilions, boat launch, and more. Services are limited after mid-September but camping is still permitted. Call Webb Creek Marina at 573-461-2344 for marina, boat rental and campsite information or visit www.recreation.gov to make reservations. If you are interested in all the conveniences of home call Webb Creek Cabins for cabin rentals, 573-461-2244. Black River and K Bridge Recreation Area – K Hwy – Float, canoe, fish and explore the beautiful Black River. Enjoy swimming, camping and picnicking right on the banks of the Black River. K Bridge Recreation Area and Campground offers playground, showers, electric and comfort station, visit www. recreation.gov to make reservations. Floats (raft or canoe) can be arranged on site by calling Jeff’s Canoe Rental at 573-598-4555. A small Highway K Camping general store is also available on site.

Current River & Log Yard Gravel Bar – Hwy 106 to

HH Highway- Fish, swim, camp and relax on majestic Current River. Great place to explore Current River. This area is often referred to as Cardareva by locals and is a favorite summer hangout. Primitive camping is available right on the river bank, camping is also available at the nearby School Yard with picnic tables, lantern hooks and fire pits. These sites are available on a first come basis. Bring your canoes, rafts and kayaks; Camp Current Riv er a perfect day float….Powder Mill to Log Yard. Boat launch available. Powder Mill Recreation Area and Campground re-opened. Camping available with views of the Current River. Picnic table, firepit & lantern hook available at each site, reservations not available. Water/elect not provided.

Current River, Blue Spring & Powder Mill Recreation Area – Hwy 106 near Current River bridge

Powder Mill reopened summer 2020. Camping is available with views of the river, picnic tables, fire pit and lantern hook. Reservations are not available. Powder Mill is a perfect camp base for day trips to area attractions like Blue Spring, Rocky Falls, Peck Ranch, Johnson Shut-Ins, Elephant Rocks and more. Wild horses are often seen in the fields near the bridge. The Ozarks offers countless options for family adventure.

Blue Spring

Rocky Falls- NN Hwy- A cascading crystal Rocky Creek

drops from the Ozark Mountains into a lazy pool which eventually winds through the Ozarks to Current River. A must see if you are in the area and fun for all ages. Wear non-slip shoes and use caution when climbing on the falls. Picnic tables provided.

Current River Conservation Area –Consists of 28,000 acres of state land. Deer, turkey, eagles, elk and a multitude of wildlife can be seen. UTV’s, ATV’s and vehicle traffic are welcome on miles of gravel roads and trails that wind through some 60+ food plots. Buford Pond, Missouri’s first fire tower, a 1926 log cabin and an earthen Fort Barnesville can all be found here. Buford Pond provides fishing and picnicking and is a favorite location of all. For hunting enthusiasts an unstaffed rifle and archery range are provided. Current River Conservation Area is home to the Missouri Ozark Ecosystem Project, the world’s most comprehensive forest management study. This 100 year project spans over 9,000 acres. Main park entrance located on South Road in Ellington, other entrances located off Hwy 106 and HH highway. Primitive camping is available. Elk viewing and maps of the area are available at the main park entrance.

Local Flavor – While in town you won’t want to miss the Reynolds County Museum. This Museum is filled with relicts from days gone by and the rich history of the Ozarks. Volunteers staff the establishment and are happy to answer questions; Open March-November, Reynolds Co Museum Tues-Fri, 10-4 or by appointment. Call 573-663-3233 for more information. Want some nostalgia from a couple decades back; how about a drive in movie? One of only a few drive-ins left in the Midwest is located just south of Ellington Wild Horses on highway 21. 21 Drive-In opens in May with summer family favorites and offers movie events into the fall including Halloween and Christmas.

Blair Creek- Hwy 106 – This area is a favorite of the local’s spring, summer and fall. For the person who is looking for the unknown, adventure into the wild Ozark hills for the beautiful views, caves, swimming, picnicking. Here riding the back roads in ATV’s, UTV’s and 4-wheel drives is exciting and fun. Entrance located North of Hwy 106 across from Blair Creek Blue Spring entrance.

10 Ozark Trail

- Hwy 106- Blair Creek & Current River section; Hwy 106 – Whether you are looking for a one day hike or want to make a few days of it; hiking these sections of the Ozark Trail is rewarding and adventurous. Such splendid locations as Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill and Buzzard Mountain Shut-Ins are located right on the trail. For the adventurous visitor Klepzig Mill this is a must!

11 Peck Ranch

- H Highway, Shannon County- Plan a trip for the fall to ‘Listen for the Bugle’! Elk are roaming the hills of the Ozarks and can be seen in Peck Ranch, Current River Conservation Area and the surrounding region. Thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Elk Restoration Program the herd has expanded to over 200 bulls, cows and calves. Peck Ranch and Current River Conserva- Elk tion Area is open from sunrise/sunset daily and offers a driving tour. Bugling occurs Sept-Nov. Check the MDC website for park closing details. Maps are available at the park entrance.

Scenic Highway 106 - This 26

mile drive between Ellington and Eminence is known state wide for its scenic views and beauty, and is especially a favorite in the fall. This section of highway is also home to the Trans-America Trail and sees many bicycle travelers from April-October. Bicycle enthusiasts say it’s one of the “toughest sections on TransAmerica Trail the trail” and known for the steep hills & hollers.

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Ellington Chamber of Commerce | www.ellingtonmo.com | Find us

Outdoor Guide

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Who manages our nation’s wildlife?

By JERRY PABST

We are well familiar – especially those of us who hunt or fish – with the intricacies of managing both sport and commercial pursuit of wild game in United States. Legal hunting and fishing have been recognized and revered as legitimate outdoor activities, available to all U.S. citizens from the days of the earliest Pilgrims’ arrival to the present, and predating them all the way back to the first humans that crossed the Arctic land bridge from Europe into the North American continent. Without exception, these early migrants depended on wild game and fish for their survival. Over the course of thousands of years, as human habitation built up, their need for wild game increased proportionately, but they managed nicely by simply moving their camps periodically to areas holding sufficient populations of fish and animals. It is thought that Native Americans relocated their dwellings on about a seven-year rotating basis, moving on as game became scarce. PLENTY OF GAME Although millions of Native Americans were on hand when the first European settlers showed up, plenty of wild game was available, and their hunting was done with primitive but effective gear. Keep in mind that there were an estimated 60 million bison roaming around the country’s mid-section. But the Europeans came in an unbroken steam that continues to this day, and they brought horses and guns that replaced moccasins and bow and arrows. Everything changed. Think of this: When Lewis and Clark made their epic journey up the Missouri River and over the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean in 1805, if they explored by land on the Great Plains, they had to throw stones at the herds of bison, deer, elk and antelope The gray wolf has just to get them out of the list. their way. These were animals that had never encountered humans, as were large numbers of aggressive grizzly bears and wolves. Oh, my! Swiftly the immigrant population grew and spread across the continent, and within 100 years the bison were gone, most of the Plains animals had been driven into the mountains, waterfowl were becoming scarce, and many fish species were threatened. By the early 1900s, it was becoming clear that uncontrolled hunting and fishing were overpowering the natural resources of the country. We were faced with two choices, each inconceivable just a few decades earlier – to take steps to conserve the wild game, or to lose it entirely. Fortunately, sportsmen supported the burgeoning conservation ethic,

Guest Editorial

and influential leaders stepped forward to give it momentum. ROOSEVELT WASN’T ALONE I will cite President Theodore Roosevelt, one hero among many, for his landmark establishment of the first national parks and unwavering support of numerous conservation initiatives. The list of these well-known, far-sighted conservation leaders is too long to list here. Responsibility for formulating and administering U.S. conservation laws and regulations is generally divided between the states and the federal government. Congress enacts applicable laws and international treaties and agreements, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), implements them. These wildlife-specific laws and treaties, along with FWS authority, apply to federal lands, interstate commerce, international treaties and endangered species, as defined by the Endangered Species Act (ESP). No doubt there are others, but these are the major FWS jurisdictions. Some examples of FWS jurisdiction are national parks, BLM lands, commercial fishing in the Great Lakes, the International Migratory Bird Treaty and all species whose population is threatened with extinction. WILL THE WOLF SURVIVE? Conservation management of any individual species not on federal land is controlled by the state or tribe where the species is resident. The exception to this policy is any critter listed as threatened or endangered on the Endangered Species List. The list of threatened species is a long one, stretching from tiny dace and minnows, all the way up to giant grizzly bears. Recently, the gray wolf, after a long stay on the endangered list, has been delisted upon reaching a population in the lower 48 states of over 6,000 animals, well over its recovery goal. The delisting will return the wolves to state control, which of course has sent anti-hunting groups into a been taken off predictable rage, and into court. The current administration, like the Trump administration, sought dismissal of the case on the basis that since gray wolves exceeded their recovery goals, it is inappropriate under the current law to continue to list the animals as endangered. The ESP should be administered based on scientific evidence, not on personal policy preference. I must say that during my many years as an outdoor writer, I have never met an employee for any conservation agency, state or federal, who was not highly motivated to provide the utmost enjoyment possible for participating constituents consistent with responsible resource protection. We may not always understand why the game laws change around, but we can be confident they are being adjusted for a good reason.

January-February 2022

The Life Outdoors Missouri is great for handgun hunters

Photo and Text By RICHARD W. AITES

It’s been several years since the Missouri Department of Conservation changed the muzzleloader deer season into the alternative methods season. This change allowed for handguns as an option to traditional and in-line muzzle loading rifles. ALTERNATIVE METHODS As much as I enjoy hunting with my reproduction Hawken-style rifles, I find nothing more gratifying than harvesting game with a pistol or revolver. And the alternative methods season provides an additional 10 days for my favorite type of deer hunting. Handgun hunting can be challenging because it requires lots of practice to become proficient with the short-barreled firearm, and you’ve got to get close to your quarry. Many outdoorsmen liken it to bowhunting because ranges are usually limited to 50 yards or less. THE ORIGINAL MAGNUM Over the past decade or so, most of my deer hunting has been done with a handgun because it is also legal during the regular firearms and antlerless portions here in Missouri. I’ve harvested six or seven deer with handguns, most of which were taken with an older model Smith and Wesson 686 .357 magnum revolver topped with a long eye-relief scope. However, one particular deer season, I harvested a handsome 6-point buck with a black powder revolver. The Uberti Colt Walker’s cylinder was crammed full of pyrodex powder (55 grains) and .454 lead round balls. With a perfect broadside shot at 25 paces, the deer managed only 40 or 50 yards before succumbing to the 140-grain projectile. Though I have owned .44 magnums in the past, and currently own a Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt that can handle loads that exceed Dirty Harry’s magnum, the .357 is still my favorite. Developed in 1935, the “original magnum” was made to shoot through the thick, steel, car doors of the day. It was also loaded hot enough to take down any big game animal on the North American continent.

This coyote was taken with a Thompson Center Contender in .357 magnum during the 2021 Missouri deer season.

Versatile? the .357 magnum can be loaded with the more subtle .38 special round for self-defense, smaller game and inexpensive target practice. CHOOSING YOUR HANDGUN Any of the magnum cartridges in a revolver platform from Taurus, Ruger or Smith & Wesson will work fine for deer in Missouri. The .41 and .44 magnum are old favorites and have a bit more punch than the .357 magnum. Buffalo Bore and Cor-Bon produce some .45 Colt loads that are on par with Dick Casual’s .454 casual (another old magnum). And if sauropods are your game, the wrist-breaking 500 Smith and Wesson magnum would be a good choice. My favorite hunting handgun is the Thompson Center Contender G2. This single-shot pistol can handle an array of cartridges from the diminutive .22 lr to rifle cartridges like the 30-30 and 35 Remington with the simple swap of a barrel. I currently own .223, .357 magnum, and 410 gauge barrels. The .357 magnum is topped with a Simmons red dot scope and is my primary big game set-up. The 12-inch barrel pushes the magnum cartridge to its full potential. The .223 tube is mounted with a 2x7 LER scope and is great for punching paper and dinging steel at 100 yards, while the 410 gauge barrel holds a surprisingly tight pattern at 20 yards. I don’t do much small game hunting anymore, but when I do, I usually carry one of my long-barreled .22 revolvers or my Pietta 1851 Colt Navy .36 reproduction. But because the TC Contender with the 410 barrel patterns so well, I may start carrying it in the woods for squirrels and rabbits. 2021 DEER SEASON I was committed to using the handgun (and the handgun only) for the 2021 season. In the November portion of the firearms season, I only saw three deer, two of which were young bucks that did not meet the point requirements, and a single doe. Fortunately for me, the doe presented a good broadside shot at 40 yards, and the 158-grain jacketed hollow-point did the job. At 1600 feet per second from the muzzle, the bullet completely penetrated the animal’s torso and created a massive exit-wound. The 95-pound deer went down immediately. On another early morning during the season, a smallish coyote trotted to within 30 paces of my ground blind. When the “wiley” predator paused for a second to catch my scent, another 158-grain JHP from the my “contender: found its mark. That 25-pound wild canine will no longer be terrorizing the local residents’ free-ranging chickens and turkeys. Handgun hunting isn’t for everyone, but if you want to try something new and enjoy the challenge of getting close to your game, it might be for you. And the great deer hunting state of Missouri provides plenty of opportunities for the handgun hunter.

January-February 2022

Outdoor Guide

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Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Don’t overlook public land for a chance at a late-season buck

Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER

It’s not too late to tag your buck. In many Midwestern states, the regular firearms seasons are behind us. A large number of bucks have found their way to fame in hunters’ Facebook feeds, but for those of you still struggling to fill your freezer,

don’t give up now. There is still plenty of opportunity left to wrap your tag on a buck. Late-season deer hunting affords the chance to return to patterning deer. With the rut over, the remaining bucks are desperate for calories. They need to recover from all those miles they spent chasing does. They are going to be looking for high protein food sources.

One of the best places to find still-standing soybeans and other prime food plots is on public land, because those acres are typically managed for wildlife. Meaning, the crops planted there are left in the fields longer to benefit critters, not checking accounts. Many Midwestern deer hunters make the mistake

of overlooking public land. Stereotyped as small chunks of crowded last resorts, public parcels in the Midwest are often misunderstood. The truth is, millions of acres of public lands across the Midwest produce tons of deer, including mature bucks, each fall. In the late season, you might find yourself all alone on public parcels.

THE BEST HABITAT Conservation areas, Fish and Wildlife areas, state forests, national forests and wildlife refuges all are managed in some capacity for wildlife by their respective agencies, making these lands some of the best habitat around. Bucks don’t know if the property they inhabit is public or private. What they know is that when hunting pressure is applied, they must retreat to the most remote areas they can find. These are often found on public land. Bucks that learn to avoid hunters survive to reach maturity. If you want to tag a public land buck, then you have to know where to look. Take a midday ride around the perimeter of a public parcel on a hunting season Saturday and you’ll likely learn where hunting pressure is being applied on surrounding private lands. Stopping and knocking on doors to ask for permission is still a good idea, because even though you are likely going to be denied, you will find out if others are hunting there or if the landowner doesn’t allow hunting. Make this knowledge work in your favor. If you know there is hunting pressure on bordering private land, then scout the public land to figure out where deer will cross onto it once bumped from the private. Be sure to be in your stand early enough to catch deer leaving the private land as those hunters spook them while heading to their stands. Also, stay in your stand late enough in the morning to be in position to catch fleeing deer bumped by the private-land hunters on their way out.

INSIDE CORNERS On Midwestern public land, you do have to expect other hunters might move through your area at some point. If they do, they’ll likely move deer. Inside corners are a prime location to put a stand because nervous deer won’t cross an open expanse unless they must. They’ll move inside the cover, and on an inside corner, you’re covering two different directions from which they can come and go. Inside corners are located on the edges of agricultural fields, pastures where habitat changes. If you can locate an open bedding area back inside the timber, set your stand on the inside corner so you can shoot into the open area but also cover the trails running inside the timber alongside the field. Many public properties in the Midwest surround a large lake or run along a river. Few hunters are going to put in the effort of loading into a boat before dawn to motor or paddle their way to a deer stand. Remember, the typical public land hunters are only going to walk a couple of hundred yards from where they park their cars. When they do this, they are going to push deer back into the remote areas. If you slip into a stand from the water, then you can be set up and waiting in one of these remote areas that aren’t easily accessible from the road. For more of Brandon Butler’s Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcasts on www.driftwoodoutdoors. com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Page 11

Hunters, let’s aim for health & safety! Photo and Text By TED NUGENT

Love makes the world go round, so they say. And in many ways, I am sure that it does. Within our core inner circle family lives, I am sure nothing is more true, but as hunters, we are connected quite powerfully in many ways that are everything like being a family. Not a day goes by that I fail to tell my family members that I love them. More and more lately, I have been telling my extended hunting family members that I also love them. Having lost so many friends this past year to old age and health issues, I increasingly make it a point to let my friends know how much I do indeed love them. The silly tradition of my father’s generation to not utter the words “I love you” should be a thing of the past, for if we truly wish to make the world go round and bring happiness into those lives we care about,

we should never hesitate to express such powerful, supportive, strengthening, sincere human emotion to everyone in our lives. TOO MANY OVERWEIGHT Nearly all my friends who died of various health issues had one thing in common – they were all dangerously overweight. The statistics prove and all medical professionals will unhesitatingly tell you that somewhere in the upper 90 percentile of early deaths are a direct result of foolish lifestyle choices and suicidal diet choices. As hunters, we of all people should know this and make certain we act upon such knowledge. A dear hunting buddy fell out of his tree stand recently while trimming some branches, figuring a quick trimming job didn’t necessitate the wearing of his safety harness. He is lucky to be alive and his hunting life, and life itself, have changed forever

The annual rate of tree stand deaths is staggering.

for the worst. Well, my name is Ted Nugent, and to all my fellow hunting families out there, I say unto thee, I love you! And I want you to take good care of yourselves so you can continue to live your ultimate lives as hunters, and that means putting your heart and soul into wise choices

in life, beginning with diet, exercise and always wearing a fall restraint system every time you leave the ground! TREE STAND DEATHS The sheer number of deaths, serious injuries and hunters paralyzed for life as a result of falling out of tree

stands each year is staggering, and most horrifically, totally avoidable with but a modicum of thought and responsible choices. And like that glaring reality, the same goes for overall basic health choices! Think man, THINK! Even though I hunt exclusively from rock solid ladder stands at a mere 12-14 feet off the ground, we make it a point to replace all straps each year, double check the condition of each ladder, and I for one have vowed to always wear my Hunter Safety System vest and make certain I have strategically installed extra tree steps to stand on in the event I do need them. Tragically, the inventor of the Hunter Safety System died wearing his invention because he hung there for an extended period of time with nothing to step on to hold his dangling weight. Honestly, examining the ways by which hunters die in the field each year should be a shocking eye-opener for all of us. In pretty much

100 percent of the instances, the death and/or injury was absolutely preventable by just thinking through things ahead of time.

LIVE FOR MORE HUNTS! I love my fellow hunters, each and every one of you, and if we all truly love each other, and truly love this hunting life we have chosen, we must make it the battle cry of our tribe to reach out to each other with guidance and love to eliminate the unacceptable scourge of unnecessary injury and death of our brethren. Always bring up the subject of safety at the range, in camp, around the campfire, at work, school, church, here, there and everywhere in our dedication to save the lives of our fellow hunters. We can do this! We must do this! Let us do this! It is the person who celebrates the most Opening Days that wins! Live smart and open up many more! I love you dammit!

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Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

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January-February 2022

Page 13

Claudette’s Cottage

Cider’s good for celebrating, consoling By CLAUDETTE ROPER

“You know, they say any time you have livestock, sooner or later you’ll have ‘deadstock.’ ” Apparently that was supposed to make me feel better, but this young gal was my favorite. It’s one thing not to have favorites with your kids, but cows? Hands down, she was my favorite, and the last offspring from our long-time and now deceased bull, Git-Er-Done. I had named her Got-Er-Done. So how did she go from vibrant and bouncing around to dead and bloated in less than 24 hours? Mountain Man said something to the effect of “I’ll have to mull it over.” “Thank you, Honey, thank you! You just gave me an idea!” We rued Got-Er-Done’s loss on that cold, dreary evening. Instead of snow, there was a steady drizzle outside. The wood stove was doing a great job, but something was still missing – some soothing, hot apple cider. Now this can get challenging if you don’t keep fresh cider on hand. At our house, however, there is usually a good supply of home-juiced and canned apple juice as well as pear juice. A BIT OF PULP Our home-canned juice includes the pulp. It doesn’t look as clear as the juice on the local grocery store shelves, but neither it nor my home-canned has quite the bite, for lack of a better description, that you get from apple “cider.” My solution has been to add a squirt of lemon juice and then add a sliced orange (leaving off the two ends for aesthetic

reasons) to the pot of juice. That bit of citrus makes all the difference. Add some cinnamon sticks, some cloves and let it all simmer for a while. This is also one of the best smells that can permeate a house! Recently someone asked for the recipe, and of course there was none. I just told her what you just read above. This did, however, send me on a quest to see if there was a recipe similar to what I usually do. Oh my goodness! Don’t Google anything unless you want to drown in information. Of course it wouldn’t do to stop there – exactly what does “mulled” mean? Here’s a little bit of filtered information that I gleaned – and I do mean only a little bit. ‘MULL’ IT OVER To mull something means to heat, sweeten and spice it. The spices vary considerably, with some adding star anise as well. My typical advice: if you don’t like the taste of star anise, don’t add it. Some add apples or cranberries. Dice the apples and add them as well as the cranberries to the liquid at the beginning of cooking. In these recipes the simmering time is 45 to 60 minutes. This allows the fruit to cook and the flavors to meld. NOTE: When the recipe says simmer, it means simmer, not boil. Yes, Mountain Man, it really does matter. Sheesh! Regarding sugar: It may be my imagination, but it seems the further south in the U.S. that the recipe comes from, the more sugar is used. Maybe it’s like their iced-tea or “sweet tea.” Additionally, besides deciding how much to use, there’s the choice between brown and

Home-canned apple juice includes the pulp. – pioneerwoman.com photo

white sugar. Brown sugar would be my first choice, but keep in mind that brown sugar adds a flavor of its own. White sugar only adds sweetness. Use other sweeteners, if necessary. Depending on what you use, the flavor may vary. CRANBERRY RULE If you choose to add cranberries, you will probably want

to add some sugar even if you normally wouldn’t. The same may be true if you add alcohol. Also, if you choose to add alcohol, add it close to the end and just barely bring it back up to temperature. This is not only soothing on a cold and windy day, it’s nice to have the ingredients on hand to serve unexpected guests and gather around the fire or some flickering candles.

Much like food, some of it is in the presentation. Add a cinnamon stick to each mug. If you used apples and cranberries, float some in each mug as well. The recipe below doesn’t qualify as “mulled cider” since there is no sweetening involved, so in this house we call it “hot apple cider.” HOT APPLE CIDER • Half-gallon apple juice (with

a squirt of lemon) or cider • 1 orange, sliced/ends removed • 3 or 4 cinnamon sticks, 2” length • 2-4 cloves

Bring everything to a simmer – leave the lid off to enjoy the aroma. With only these ingredients, it won’t take long. Ladle into mugs and enjoy.

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Outdoor Guide

What’s in your woods? How attractive are your woods to deer, turkey, and other wildlife? A properly conducted timber harvest can improve your hunting and recreation opportunities, while adding land value and generating revenue. A professional forester is uniquely qualified to help you with a timber harvest that accomplishes your goals. CALL BEFORE YOU CUT provides a free packet about working with a forester to take care of your woods. If you own 30 acres or more, you may qualify for a free site visit and consultation.

January-February 2022

Outdoor Guide

Page 15

The Rural Rambler

It’s a good time to walk in the woods

By RUSSELL HIVELY

states, it seems every other vehicle is a semi-truck. Yet January and February are according to the Missouri the cold months in Missouri. Department of Transportation Yet there are many days when only 20 percent of the vehicles walking in the woods, search- on the interstate are trucks. ing for dropped antlers and *** merely taking secluded walks Elephant Rocks State Park are perfect leg-stretchers. The trees are bare of leaves, is a favorite spot for picnics and people can sometimes see, and exploring. Before this land at a distance, things they didn’t became a park, it was mined realize existed. Perhaps it is an for granite. The mining comabandoned nest, animal trails, pany specialized in making or a perfect place for next fall’s paving stones, which were used on the streets of St. Louis. deer stand. *** *** Road signs can be of special Sometimes an old-timer’s advice is still the best, such interest to outdoorsmen. In as, “Live every day like it is 2001, a sign near Buffalo, MO, read “Squirrel Dogs for Sale.” Saturday night.” *** *** Did you realize that eight Why do armadillos always different wild grapes grow in give birth to four babies? Missouri? *** *** Do you realize that the term Witch hazel is one of the “snake oil” had a legitimate origin? Chinese immigrants few wild plants that bloom in to America introduced snake the winter. The next fall, the oil made from a Chinese water witch hazel fruit dry up and snake. This oil is high in a pop with such power that the substance that heals inflamed shiny black seeds can fly 30 muscle tissue. American ped- feet from the mother plant. dlers claimed their oil had this *** substance in it while it did not. Finding a buckeye bush Hence, “snake oil” became in the woods while hunting a euphemism for deception can be a treat, especially if and fraud. a missed buckeye is on the *** ground nearby. Old timers carA person can have an ried buckeyes in their pockets unusual camping experience to prevent rheumatism. The by seeking sites at wineries. buckeye itself grew darker and Twenty-four wineries in Mis- shinier as it was carried. With souri offer services for camp- age, it also developed a hollow ing or RV hookup. It is best spot which, when rubbed, was to call ahead for reservations. said to bring good luck. *** *** Gourds have been popular When driving the interforever. Old-timers used them

for a variety of purposes such as ladles, bowls, spoons, bird holders and masks. Some small gourds were dried so the seeds shook inside and were offered to babies for rattles. *** Newly hatched bobwhite chicks are barely bigger than a bumblebee when first hatched. They weigh an equivalent of six paper clips, yet within days

they are able to catch insects. *** Logging in the Ozarks is more prevalent than most people think. It is not unusual to see a logging truck on the road or a piece of tree bark lying alongside the road. *** If you think buying hunting and fishing supplies is going

up in price, remember it takes the U.S. government two cents to make each penny. *** Country schools once were very prominent parts of rural communities. There used to be 80 one-room schools in Shannon County, Missouri. *** In today’s world there are

a surprising number of homes that use wood as the basic winter heat source. Most places have furnaces, too, in case they forget or are unavailable to fill the fireplace, stove or outside burner. Still, keeping warm is the basis of life in the winter. Keep warm, explore the outdoors whenever possible, and enjoy life. Anyway, that’s what this rural rambler believes.

Local and Family Owned Since 1948 Located at Hwy 44 & 109 in Eureka

636-938-2000 www.byerlyrv.com Elephant Rocks State Park is a great place for exploring. – RiverfrontTimes photo

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January-Febraury 2022

Outdoor Guide Magazine

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January-Febraury 2022

Outdoor Guide Magazine

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January-February 2022

Tips, Tricks and Thoughts for the Great Outdoors

LARRY L. WHITELEY has been an award-winning magazine and newspaper writer, radio host and blogger for more than 40 years. His book, “Seasons: Stories of Family, God and the Great Outdoors,” is on Amazon and Amazon Kindle.

At 75, what have we learned?

By LARRY L. WHITELEY

Last Christmas, I also celebrated my 75th birthday. I am now three-quarters of a century old. To put that into perspective, the year before I was born, World War II had just ended. I was delivered by a country doctor at my grandpa and grandma’s farm and not in a hospital. There was no electricity, so light came from kerosene lanterns and candles. Water came from a spring not a faucet. The bathroom wasn’t inside, it was 30 yards out the back door. I know that may be hard to comprehend for some of you reading this. It sure is for my kids and grandkids. They also have a hard time believing that the average hourly wage for city folks back then was 40 cents. A gallon of gasoline was 21 cents, a gallon of milk 67 cents and a dozen eggs was 59 cents. On the farm, Grandma butchered the chickens and gathered

eggs. Grandpa milked the cows by hand and butchered the hogs. Grandpa hunted squirrels and rabbits, and Grandma would fry them up on the old wood cook stove and serve them with biscuits and gravy. There were very few deer and turkey to hunt back then. It was a time before they dammed the rivers to create lakes, so they fished rivers and creeks with mostly a cane pole, a bobber and a worm. If you wanted to camp out under the stars, you strung a rope between two trees, put a blanket over it and tied down the corners. There were no Bass Pro Shops to go to for outdoor gear. When you made trips to town, the local hardware store might have a few fishing lures, some hooks, braided line and maybe a rod and reel or two. They always had .22 shells, but they were 50 cents a box, so Grandpa had to make sure he didn’t miss when he shot at something. Seventy-five years later, I

FISHING

Coyotes are on a growth spurt because of a lack of predators. – Ohio Department of Natural Resources

look back on all that and I thank God that’s the way I grew up. It shaped and molded me into who I am. Thinking about that time long ago helps me to appreciate what I have. My health is good, but I do realize that can change at any time. I am still hunting, fishing, camping and writing

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pounds of food per day. They will eat trash, cat and dog food, your cat and dog, rabbits, newborn calves, other livestock and even full-grown deer. In some places they are responsible for up to 96 percent of deer fawn mortality. They will travel up to 100 miles to find their next meal. Afemale coyote can birth 4 to 12 coyotes in a litter. The average lifespan of a wild coyote is 10 years, and they are ready to mate at 20 months. That means a female coyote can potentially give birth to more than 120 coyotes in its lifetime. Their only natural predators are bears, mountain lions and wolves, which do little to control them. It is a serious problem that needs our help as hunters and may even mean learning to be a trapper. DID YOU KNOW? Did you know the shooting sports can be good for your personal well-being? Target shooting is not only a great sport for keeping you active, it also builds self-esteem, confidence, and is an excellent way to spend your downtime as well as developing lasting friendships. It is also proven to have measurable health benefits both physical and mental.

Whiteley going into Sports Hall of Fame

DON’T DREAM IT! LIVE IT!

Fly In

about it. I don’t know how many more years the good Lord is going to let me keep doing that before he takes me home, but I will be ready when He does. If it is this year, I will be sure to thank Him for a great 75 years. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln WINTER’S BEAUTY In January and February, ear-

ly morning frosts leave pearls of ice sparkling like diamonds. Lasts year’s leaves lie frosted on the ground, and fields burst forth in the beauty of frost flowers. Icicles add beauty to a forested bluff. Trees stand starkly in fields and woodlands and have a particular beauty in their bare form. Woods are quiet, except for the twittering of occasional flocks of small birds moving through, and the clattering of bare branches in the wind. Winter birds are different from the summer ones. Many species have migrated southward. Waterfowl that stayed around are a special attraction as are other wildlife that can now be seen as they travel. Winter lakes and wetlands take on a particular character with mists over the water and the chill in the air. Take some time to get out and enjoy the beauty of winter. COYOTES Coyotes are predators that have little or no competition, and their population is exploding. They are the most adaptable animals in the world and can now be found throughout the entire United States including urban America. Each coyote needs 2 to 3

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Longtime Outdoor Guide columnist Larry Whiteley is receiving a new honor with his induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. The hall’s class of 2022 will be inducted on Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, according to Jerald Andrews, CEO and executive director of the Hall of Fame. The honors will start at 4 p.m. with a reception presented by Reliable Toyota, followed at 5 p.m. by the main program, sponsored by Advertising Plus, Bryan Properties, Great Southern Bank, Hiland Dairy Foods and Hillyard Inc. Whiteley is being inducted as both a conservationist and outdoor journalist. He is a 1964 graduate of Nixa High

School who served in the U.S. Navy. He hosted outdoor broadcast shows through The Great Ozarks Outdoors Inc., his family corporation founded in 1976, including 30 years for the award-winning Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Radio, which was carried on more than 1,200 radio stations including the American Armed Forces Radio Network. THAT FAMILIAR VOICE Whiteley was corporate public relations manager for Bass Pro Shops for 23 years. His voice was used to welcome customers and give outdoor tips, and he played a key role in conservation and outdoor education programs. He was heard in more than 18,000

radio shows and has written more than 5,000 articles about the outdoors. He still writes for Hook & Barrell, ShoeMe and the Missouri Conservation Federation, in addition to the Outdoor Guide, and he has won many awards from outdoor associations and was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. A total of 17 others are being inducted plus a few sports programs. Among the inductees are Willie Roaf of the Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals, Ken Morrow of the New York Islanders’ four Stanley Cup-winning teams and the U.S. gold medal hockey team; and television sports director Rich Gould.

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Page 19

Fly fishing evolves into a major sport

Photo and Text By DARRELL CURETON Fly fisherman of today are not your typical fly fishermen of the past 100 y e a r s . We have grown as a community and expanded our wings from dry flies and trout to small mouth and big streamers. What an evolution, from ties and sport coats to tattoos and beards, as well as everything in between. From the time when I was a kid and saw the film “A River Runs Through It” for the first time, I fell in love with the idea of fly fishing. Then I remember again seeing the Catholic priest in “The Quiet Man” fly fishing as well. I had this picture in my head that fly fishing was a rich man’s sport. Come to find out, I was

both right and wrong in my assumptions. IT’S ALL CHANGED It seems that through history, fly fishermen were typically men who were either retired or rather well off and who got to spend the most time in the river tossing a fly. In the last 20 or 30 years, that has all changed. Everyone has learned to enjoy our sport. I have seen people who seem like square pegs trying to fit in round holes start fly fishing and tying, but some of the purists have all but turned up their noses to them. Guys who came in all tatted and bearded were seen as outsiders. Yes, fly fishing has its cliques, just as anything else. They were less accepted than women when they broke into the sport. There is room for us all. With everyone breaking

into the sport, it has opened up so many opportunities. Remember that with anything, including fly fishing, there is strength in numbers. When the movie “A River Runs Through It” came out, a year later fly rod sales jumped by like 800 percent. Which is nuts. MORE CONSERVATION Having this wide variety of people involved in fly fishing helps the conservation efforts

grow. This is caused by influxes of funds. These people vote and bring the spotlight on issues like pollution and tourism to locations that they use. Back to the wide variety of fly fishing today, we have people nymphing, throwing huge to small streamers and using dry flies, and using these methods for anything that swims in salt and fresh water. It’s a far cry from what it was when it first started happening. Way back in the 1500s, a

Catholic nun taught fly fishing and I’m confident she was not throwing huge streamers for everything from trout to tarpon. I am sure she would be proud to see what the sport has become. Go fly fishing anywhere you want. Tie any fly that you have the ability to teach someone how to do. Go talk to other fly fishermen, whether it be a man, woman or child, no matter what their skill level. We are all are our sport’s future. Wel-

come everyone – you never know, they could be the next Lefty Krey, or who knows, the next president. Darrell Cureton, Jr., is founder and host of the Missouri on the Fly podcast and contributes to Fly Rod Journals on Facebook. He is a proud disabled veteran of the U.S. Army and enjoys camping and fishing in the Ozarks and beyond. Next issue, he will describe how fly fishing changed his life for the better.

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Outdoor Guide

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January-February 2022

Wild Wine Life

For a new year, try venison pot stickers Photo and Text By RAY MAXWELL

Many things about hunting, cooking wild game, and enjoying the meal are very communal. We have all enjoyed the pot stickers at our favor-

ite Chinese restaurants. A Chinese tradition is gathering as a family and making the dumplings or pot stickers.

I have very much enjoyed this food tradition since meeting my wife, and the one influence that I have brought to the table is making the pot stickers from venison. You will find this to be a fun and easy dish to make, and it is

OUTDOOR M a rch - A p r i l

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4 packages of dumpling wrapper (found at any Asian

specialty store)

2 pounds of ground venison

May-June 2020

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Beaver’s lesson

....... Page 8

She’s fishing again ... Page 4

Spring Turkey Hunt

..........Page 5

Missouri wildlife

.....Page 12

Elk hunt lottery ........ Page 5

......Page 8

The Visiting Otter.......

30 CELEBRATING

age 12 A Bluegill Pond ...............P

Spoon feeding ........Page 15

Amazing wolves ......Page 24

.....Page 20

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CELEBRATING

HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL Wrangling

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ge 31

Fishing for Trout .............Pa

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Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Camping and Outdoor Travel is NOW available for pick-up at over 80 locations. If your advertising needs an extra punch, consider taking advantage of the expanded reach of Outdoor Guide Magazine. ILLINOIS Moto Mart-Rte 157 Caseys General Store Randalls Wine and Spirits Eckerts Belleville Sports Sales Town Hall Archery Rural King Rural King Moto Mart Caseys General Store Dori Marine Moto Mart Gary’s Restaurant Rural King Caseys General Store Toms Market Rural King Schneiders Market ST. LOUIS COUNTY Chesterfield Power Sports Sybergs Smokee Mo’s BBQ Top Gun Shooting Sports Clancys Irish Pub / Grill Randalls Wines Uncle Bills Balabans Daves World Famous Bar/Grill Terra inside Ace Hardware Bones French Quarter

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(You can mix it with pork; I prefer pure venison)

2 sweet onions 1/2 head cabbage 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 2 tablespoons light soy sauce 3 green onions (finely

chopped)

Kayak fishing .........Pa

YEARS

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Spicy Squirrel ................

Coyote language

Pot stickers make a communal meal for the New Year.

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1/2 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder

PREPARATION • Remove the hard part of the cabbage and chop up into small pieces with the cabbage and onions, placing them into a bowl. • Using a food processor or mixer, place the onions and cabbage and mince everything. If you are using a regular cabbage, then place the minced vegetables into a bowl. If you are using a Chinese cabbage, add some salt and then squeeze the extra water out of the vegetables. • Add the egg, venison and spices next, mixing thoroughly. If you are using 100 percent venison and the meat seems dry, then add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil. The sesame oil is not needed if you have pork in the mix. The following is the part where multiple family members speed the process, and you can see who is best at filling and sealing the pot stickers. • The dumpling wrappers should be thawed out. Take a dumpling wrapper and place it onto a cutting board. Dip your finger into some water

and then draw a circle around the dumpling wrapper. • Using a spoon or chopsticks, take about 1 1/2 tablespoons (this amount is estimated) and place the filling into the wrapper center. Then fold the wrapper and pinch-seal the top center. • Next, going away from the center, pinch and fold over a portion at the top, and you should have six pinch creases when finished. • Any leftover filling can be placed into a container and set in the freezer for another time. Sautéed or boiled are your choices for cooking the pot stickers, and you really do not have to choose. • Pre-heat the large pan of your choice with some olive oil. Then add the pot stickers to the pan and gently turn. Chopsticks have proven to be the best tool for turning the pot stickers. Once fully browned, remove stickers from the pan and place onto a large plate. If you have a large number of pot stickers, you will need to oil periodically. • If you decide to boil the pot stickers, start with a large pot and fill it about 1/3 with water and bring the water to a boil. I will place around 15 pot stickers in the pot at a time. Take care not to break any open while placing them into the pot. Also make sure they are not sticking to the bottom. • Once the water starts to boil, add a small amount of water to the pot. The amount of water should be enough to stop the boiling. Repeat this two more times and take the pot stickers out after the water you added a third time starts to boil. See WILD WINE page 21

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Page 21

Volunteer workers clear tons of trash from sinkhole cave Missouri Department of Conservation Fifty Missouri Department of Conservation workers, Eagle Scouts, cavers with Meramec Valley Grotto and community members recently joined forces with Missouri Stream Team to remove 3.5 tons of garbage from a sinkhole cave in Ste. Genevieve County. Stream Team is a working partnership of citizens who are concerned about Missouri Streams, and MDC recognizes and supports the group’s passion for river conservation. Jason Crites, MDC Fisheries Management Biologist, said the area contains an extensive karst system – or multifaceted landscape – where the dissolving bedrock has formed sinking streams, sinkholes, springs, caves and other distinctive topographies. He said many of this system’s openings allow water to enter the ground and flow toward the surface streams, which in this case has a negative impact on the environment. “There was a large amount of trash in the walk-in entrance and throughout the cave,” said Alex Litsch with Stream Team. “Vertically trained cavers worked around the top of the 60-foot pit to hoist trash out of the cave, and volunteers were on the surface and in the cave moving trash to a dumpster.”

• Wild Wine • Place the pot stickers onto plate to cool. You can choose a spicy or mild dipping sauce, and some people enjoy the dish plain. TWO FINE WINES Simi Russian River Pinot Noir 2019 and Augusta Vignoles 2020 both work very well with this dish. For those who enjoy a spicy dipping sauce, the Augusta Vignoles 2020 is a great wine to cut the heat on even the hottest dipping sauces, with its wonderful peach, pineapple and cantaloupe flavors with

We offer different styles of campers including: Tires were prominent among the trash items the volunteers found. – MDC photos

250 TIRES REMOVED With the added help of the volunteers, Stream Team was able to remove 250 tires and other debris from the area during the one-day cleanup. To date, including past cleanups at the site, Litsch said Stream Team has removed nearly 500 tires and two 10-foot-by-5-foot-by-3-foot trailers filled with roughly 2 tons of additional litter. “Dumping trash and other refuse in sinkholes and caves will ultimately end up in our waterways,” Crites added. “I encourage people to refrain from dumping, especially in these locations.” Crites recommends notifying Stream Team or Meramec Valley Grotto for assistance if a trash sinkhole or cave is discovered in your area.

To get involved with future cleanups, visit Missouri Stream Team online at mostreamteam.org.

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The volunteers used this ladder to get in and out of the sinkhole cave.

from page 20 floral and slight spicy notes. The wine has a great finish and makes you want to come back for more. This semisweet wine will appeal to both dry and sweet wine drinkers while truly enhancing the meal. You can find this wine under $18 per bottle. For those who enjoy a nice red wine or just do not want a spicy dipping sauce, try the Simi Russian River Pinot Noir 2019. This wine has everything that I love in a Pinot Noir. You will find the wine light, delicate, yet powerful, and it will work wonderful-

ly with the dish while not overpowering the food. Dark cherry, strawberry, vanilla and hints of tea leaves make this wine a wonderful complement to the venison and spices in this dish. You can find this wine for under $45 retail, and it is a wonderful way to celebrate the Chinese New Year along with a successful hunt from the previous season. Find this recipe’s video version and other wild game recipes by visiting WILD WINE LIFE on Facebook and Youtube. Make sure to “Like” or “Subscribe.”

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Outdoor Guide

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January-February 2022

Your Guide to

GREAT GEAR

Eureka’s family tent has plenty of room and features

Viper SD Treestand holds 300 pounds, keeps hunters secure

Take the family camping this year with the Eureka Copper Canyon LX tent with plenty of room, easy setup, smart design features and weatherproof construction. The rugged frame uses pole sleeves, corner hubs and quick clips for fast set-up by one person. Poles are durable steel and fiberglass. The body is coated polyester taffeta. With the walls nearly vertical, interior space is impressive. Windows are no-see-um mesh for ventilation and views, with waterproof curtains, and the door has extended fly coverage. An E! Powerport let campers connect an extension cord for lighting and charging phones. The tent comes in sizes for four, six or eight campers. Dimensions for six are 10 feet by 10 feet with a peak height of 7 feet, all weighing 21 pounds, 15 ounces but packing down to 28 inches by 9 inches. The Copper Canyon tents are available from Cabela’s, REI, Moosejaw and L.L. Bean, among others. Typical pricing is $250 for four-person, $300 for six-person and $450 for 8-person.

The right tree stand can make the difference between a successful hunt and a lost cause. The Viper SD Climbing Treestand by Summit is a smart option. It has an aluminum frame with Dead Metal sound deadening technology. The foam seat has a back rest and arm pads to keep you comfortable while you wait for game. Its RapidClimb stirrups help you get up quickly, and steel climbing cables and a utility strap keep you safely secure. All with a five-year warranty. The stand weighs 20 pounds, the platform is 20” by 36” and its maximum weight capacity is 300 pounds. It has a four-point harness with a safety strap. Tree size can range from 8 to 20 feet. The Summit Viper GS Climbing Treestand sells for $300 to $350 at stores including L.L. Bean. Cabela’s, Bass Pro and Amazon.

Moab 2 hiking shoe lets you adventure without big boots The Merrell Moab 2 ventilated hiking shoe is a nicely priced option for a sturdy and reliable adventuring shoe. Its upper body is made of 100 percent suede leather and mesh for ventilation, over a tough manmade sole. The closedcell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out, and a rubber toe cap provides solid protection. A breathable mesh lining keeps the foot cool and dry, and the Vibram TC5-plus sole gives solid support. Merrell Moab 2 is $68.95 at Amazon.com.

Darn Tough adventure socks really are darn tough Some of the toughest socks for outdoor adventures are the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion socks that provide miles of comfort and durability, tested on the Vermont Long Trail. The socks use shrink-treated merino wool for comfort and durability. The wool wicks away moisture and regulates temperatures for constant comfort. They’re reinforced at the heels and toes, with elastic support around the arch. Ring-toe construction hides the seams and enhances comfort. Legs are non-cushioned, wide-ribbed and crew height. And they’re made in the U.S. The fabric is 61 percent merino wool, 36 percent nylon and 3 percent Lycra spandex. Darn Tough Hiker socks are available from REI stores or at rei.com for $19 to $27.

Dometic vacuum bottles keep it hot or cold on the go Insulated vacuum-sealed bottles by Dometic ensure that your cold or hot drinks maintain their temperature while you’re on the move. The stainless steel used in the bottles is carefully selected to ensure longevity, easy cleaning and a high level of hygiene. The vacuum bottle also is leak-proof, dishwasher safe and BPA free, with several colors to choose from. Dometic vacuum bottles run from $21.99 for 16-ounce to $25.99 for 22-ounce. Handy reusable bottles are $19.99 to $24. See them and other Dometic products at dometic.com.

Great hunting stories are collected in a special book One of the great things about outdoor adventure is the story-telling that is handed down from one generation to the next. Now the book Incredible Hunting Stories makes them available to anyone. The publishers say, “From stalking the big game of the African savannah to grouse shooting in the American Northeast or bear hunting in the Pacific Northwest, a hunter’s experience is as varied as the terrain that he or she traverses.” Authors include Theodore Roosevelt on his legendary hunting trips, Lamar Underwood on snaring woodland birds, Col. J.M. Paterson on bringing down a killer lion and Jim Corbett on stalking a man-eating tiger, and many others, with photos and illustrations. Incredible Hunting Stories is available from Cabela’s for $17.99. On Kindle, it’s $12.99.

Nordic Pocket Saw travels light, cuts heavy limbs And now for something completely different. How about an ultralight portable camp saw that works like a chainsaw blade with no rigid structure? The Nordic Pocket Saw is designed for the minimalist backpacker for whom every ounce is crucial. To saw with it, you pull toward yourself rather than pushing down on the firewood log or to help get a fallen tree out of the way. It’s small and collapsible enough that you can stash it in its case in a pocket or on your belt. The blade is carbon steel, 25.6” long, and the handles are made of sturdy nylon. Nordic Pocket Saw is available for $49 from Amazon.com .

Outdoors Gourmet kitchen set goes wherever you go So you’re a great cook? What does that matter when you’re camping or backpacking? It will if you bring good gear like the GSI Outdoors Gourmet Kitchen Set 11, which stands for 11 useful pieces packed in a lightweight tote bag. Items include spoon, spatula, collapsible whisk, spicer, two condiment containers, cutting board, scrubber, scraper, camp towel and the “ballistic” nylon case. Tools are made with pivoting handles that won’t flop around. The spoon has gradations for measuring, and the spatula has tapered edges and a serrated cutting edge for frying, flipping and serving. A waterproof spice holder has four compartments that are easy to refill. The scraper helps get pots and pans clean with a rubber end for serving and a hard plastic end for scraping. The scrubby pad and camp towel make cleanup quick and easy. The whole thing weighs just 17.2 ounces, and it is 11.5 inches by 7.5 inches. The GSI Outdoors Gourmet Kitchen Set is available online from REI for $42.95.

‘She Explores’ offers 40 stories of women’s outdoor adventures Gail Straub, founder of She-Explores. com and host of the “She Explores” podcast, has collected a book of first-person stories, photos and artwork from women inspired by their outdoor adventures. The book includes stories from 40 women – outdoor advocates, enthusiasts, nomads, professionals and creative people, including their photography and art work. She reports: “The book shares their accomplishments and fears. It highlights mental health, motherhood, conservation, diversity, equity and inclusion, on-the-road travel, creativity and more.” “She Explores” is available from book dealers and online for $13.99 or $9.99 on Kindle.

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Wildlife Wrangling & Outdoor Ramblings

Special gift of the Burying Beetle Photo and Text By RANDALL P. DAVIS

How about a little entomological natural history this morning with your coffee? You know, something light to start your day. It happened on a mid-summer call when daughter Sarah and I were servicing a few mole traps that had been laid a week prior. The traps – more or less enlarged, stainless steel mousetraps – had done well. It was apparent the catch had been in the ground for several days and was in advanced stages of decomposition. While extracting the trap and catch, this carrion beetle rolled out. It had been several years since I’d seen one of these, and then I remembered one particular species has lately been on the endangered species list ... the American Burying Beetle. Could I have been so fortunate as to stumble headlong onto such a great find in the middle of an affluent chunk of suburbia? SCIENTIFIC JOURNALISM Sarah took photos to document the event, you know, for the newspaper headline: “Dead Mole Reveals Rare Bug for Old Badger!” It was during the photo shoot that we noticed the beetle was hosting a multitude of smaller, louse-looking bugs. This I had never seen. More photos followed. Satisfied with the 200-plus photo event that would provide enough evidence to ensure we’d be on the cover of the next National Geographic, we returned the beetle, bugs and mole to the earth. Later, while en route to the next stop, Sarah did a bit of smarty phone research and found these are Poecilochirus mites (I knew it! A lengthy Latin name most of us can’t pronounce. Perfect for our newspaper interview.) And this is what Uncle Google had to say about them: These mites demonstrate “phoresis,” the symbiotic relationship in which a non-parasitic organism hitches a ride on another. After being transported to a corpse by carrion beetles, the mites quickly eat fly eggs and even small maggots, thus reducing the fly population and creating more space and food for beetle larvae.

American Burying Beetle

Carrion beetles return the favor by hauling the non-flying mites to the next banquet of fly eggs when yet another animal dies. After a female carrion beetle’s eggs hatch, her larvae dine on the corpse as long as food lasts. The beetle larvae eventually fall to the ground and form subterranean pupae, at which point the female beetle flies off to find another corpse – taking some of her mites with her. Meanwhile, back at the old carcass, immature mites left behind may have linked up with beetle pupae underground. Thus, when a pupa opens after a few months and releases an adult carrion beetle, the new beetle already has its own complement of mites to transport on its maiden visit to a freshly dead animal. So I did a little more research once at home. I poured over bug books, compared photos on the Internet and even consulted university archives with our discovery. DREAMS DASHED But what I found was that this was not an American Burying Beetle, but a very similar looking Boreal Burying Beetle, quite common. Ugh! Oh, it’s just as well. I wouldn’t make a good celebrity anyway. Shopping at Wal-Mart incognito just isn’t my style. But it was a fascinating event, observing there’s even a tendril to the web of life that connects with death. Pretty cool. And it reaffirmed the reason we should give thanks to all of nature’s sanitation squad – bugs, beetles, buzzards, coyotes and possums. Without their propensity to process putrid protein, we’d be wading hip deep in carcasses. So now, as you empty that mug and start the day, you can think about this, mull it over and then have a little something to impress and enlighten others later this evening. Carrion always makes for great dinner conversation.

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Outdoor Guide

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January-February 2022

Union, NFL volunteers teach kids to fish Photos and Text By UNION SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE

More than 200 young anglers and their families lined the banks of Spring Valley Lake for “Take Kids Fishing Day” in Kansas City last Aug. 28.

Pro angler Brent Chapman, local union volunteers, members of the NFL Players Association and Kansas City Chiefs ambassadors showed up to help at the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) event. USA and the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council hosted the free event at Spring Valley

Dave Coleman, business manager of Ironworkers Local 10 and an event organizer, volunteered with fellow building trades members.

Lake Park. “This was the first year the Greater KC Building Trades participated in an event like this,” said Alise Martiny, secretary and business manager of the trades council. “It was exciting to see the youth – some of our future members – learn to fish. Many were surprised it was free and that they got to keep the rod and reel. Our volunteers are really looking forward to doing the event again next year.” The event was the latest in a series of free, community-based youth outreach activities held as part of Work Boots on the Ground, the Alliance’s flagship conservation program. The goal of the events is to introduce the next generation of anglers and conservationists to the joys of fishing. “We knew this event was successful when lunch was ready, but the kids kept fishing,” said Mike Christensen, president of the Pass It On outdoor mentors group. “Having mentors and USA volunteers share their love for fishing gave youths the opportunity

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All youth participants received free rod-and-reel combos, courtesy of Humana, so they can keep on fishing.

to see themselves as future anglers, and opened their eyes to future career options.” GEAR TO GO Each of the young anglers received a free fishing rod and reel, courtesy of Humana, to ensure everyone had the chance to participate and hopefully continue fishing for years to come. Many of the kids won additional outdoor gear, provided by Bass Pro Shops, in giveaways held during lunch. Union volunteers from the NFL Players Association, Iron Workers Local 10, Roofers Local 20, Sheet Metal Workers Local 2, Bricklayers Local 15, Electrical Workers Local 124, Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local 518, Insulators Local 27, and Teamsters Local 41, along with several ambassadors for the Chiefs and staff from supporting organizations provided the instruction and assistance, including rigging the participants’ new fishing poles and offering advice on how to hook a big one. Other participants were Major League Fishing, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pass It On outdoor mentors, Kansas City police, Marriott Hotel, Bank of Labor, Kansas City Parks, the Priest Holmes Foundation, Humana and the Missouri Department of Conservation. THE KIDS LEARNED “It was fun to witness so many kids catching their first fish, and all the smiles and happy faces,” said Steven Coleman, community part-

nerships coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters. “So many kids didn’t know how to cast a line at the beginning of the event but were practically pros by the end, thanks to the volunteers and mentors from the USA and its partners.” USA Executive Director Scott Vance thanked everyone who helped. “While we often share the number of participants, volunteer hours, and fishing rods

given away at our outreach events, the immeasurable part is how many lives are enhanced by the experiences and opportunities provided,” he said. “This urban event enabled us to engage with youth and families who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience all the outdoors has to offer and to provide them with the knowledge and tools to continue to fish on their own.”

Former NFL linebacker Dan Skuta helped youth reel in their fish.

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Page 25

Finding and catching deep water bluegill Photo and Text By TERRY & ROXANNE WILSON

Bluegills locate in shallow water for an extended period during their initial spring spawn and again for brief feeding forays during twice-daily migrations in the summer and autumn seasons. That leaves a high percentage of their lives spent elsewhere. To know precisely where anglers need to fish, they must first understand why the bluegills vacate the shallows. Depth provides comfort both in terms of body temperature and avoidance of direct sunlight. Without eyelids, their exposure to sunlight is the human equivalent of staring into the sun. While able to withstand a wide range of water temperatures, bluegills, as cold-blooded creatures, are most comfortable between 75 and 85 degrees. This provides us with a clue concerning their deepwater hideouts, but even more importantly, we need to assess the depth of sunlight penetration. In weedy environments, sunlight penetration is the depth

from which the weedline grows. That depth can vary significantly from one body of water to another depending upon the clarity of the water.Even with these parameters, we still have a wide array of possible bluegill locations. If the water contains a lot of structure such as brush piles, submerged stumps, rock piles or humps, and depressions, the task of locating the large bluegills is simplified. By checking water temperatures at various depths and understanding the depth of weed growth, we can seek structure at those depths. PONDS ARE MORE LIKE FISH BOWLS But most ponds aren’t rich in subsurface anomalies capable of holding fish. Many have even had their bottom character erased by piles of silt that have covered the contours and structure over the years. These ponds have, in effect, become “fish bowls” that are vacant of structure. This complicates the process of locating deepwater bluegills, but fortunately most of these silted ponds are smaller than their well-structured counterparts.

These two presentation options aid in the search for suspended bluegills.

Large bluegills often suspend over deep water, even in structurally diverse lakes. Sometimes this is simply a matter of convenience. A lengthy migration to structure is rejected in deference to suspending over deep water near the shallow feeding flats. In fishbowl waters, suspension is the only available option. At times bluegills suspend surprisingly shallow over deep water. For example, they may be located only 3 feet deep over a

28-foot bottom, but they might also suspend at 26-feet off that same bottom. The difference is primarily related to sunlight penetration. Exceptionally overcast skies will find fish locating higher in the water column, but only if a comfortable water temperature can be found at that depth. Further inducement to locate there can be a feeding opportunity such as nymphs rising to the surface or a nearby pod of

minnows. Bright, penetrating sunlight, on the other hand, will force the bluegills to locate much deeper. Two presentation options will aid the search, whether you can navigate the waterway or are confined to the bank. First, lures with a uniform sink rate can be used to “count down” to various depths until the search produces fish. The other option involves exploring different predetermined depths by utilizing either a strike indicator or a conventional slip bobber. Since these suspended fish are not actively feeding, they are not inclined to chase a meal, but will feed opportunistically, making a strike detection device a good option. Presentation success is largely dependent upon whether the bluegills are tightly or loosely schooled. If the fish are loosely schooled, they will be easier to locate because they will occupy a larger area. All of the school will locate at nearly the same depth to experience the same level of comfort. Bluegills tend to suspend loosely in times of stable weather, as indicated by a rising or stable barometer, and

when they are undisturbed by predators. Tightly schooled bluegills band closer together during a rapidly falling barometer or when they have been frightened. The tightly schooled fish are more difficult to locate because they occupy a smaller area, but once found, anglers may induce them to feed competitively by enabling hooked fish to fight amongst their buddies. Often in this situation, another bluegill or perhaps several can be seen following the hooked specimen. They can also be seen pecking at the fly lodged in the fish’s mouth. They may regard that bluegill’s gyrations as an attempt to keep the tasty morsel from them. Too often, bluegill fishers search the shallows to the exclusion of other options. They fail to consider the conditions facing their target species. Taking seasonal needs and the adverse effect of sunlight penetration into consideration will enable fishermen to adapt their presentations to match the prevailing conditions and experience the joy of catching more large bluegills on a regular basis.

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January-February 2022

Outdoor Gallery

JACKSON’S DOE – Jackson Bequette, 9 years old, of Arnold, MO, harvested this doe in the youth firearms season last Oct. 30 in Imperial, MO. He made a perfect 50-yard shot.

FAMILY HUNTSMEN – The Clarks of Collinsville IL make a good pair of hunters. The father, Dan, at left, took this 7-point buck with a muzzleloader on private ground, while son Chris, at right, took this 10-point buck with a bow on private ground, both in Massac County, IL.

ANTELOPE ALAN – Alan Blair, of Osage Beach MO, took this trophy antelope at 425 yards in New Mexico. Blair owns Blair‘s landing in Osage Beach, home of the original photo shop and boutique stores.

SQUIRREL RACE – Gregory Billings of Ste. Genevieve MO displays a race of squirrels killed just off the Big Piney River on a trip in October with Bobby Whitehead, Outdoor Guide editor emeritus. The river is a tributary of the Gasconade in south-central Missouri.

RUM’S HANDFUL – Rum Binkley of Norfork,AR, went crappie fishing on Lake Norfork with her husband, the guide Darrel “Bink” Binkley, and caught two limits, as seen in this photo. Bink reports he is still guiding and living the good life.

Send in your favorite outdoor photo to news@outdoor-guide.com or mail to Outdoor Guide Magazine Gallery – 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103

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January-February 2022

Page 27

Fishing Laguna Madre for reds, speckled trout Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER

If you enjoy seafood and gorgeous stretches of Gulf Coast beach along with fishing, you need to check out South Padre Island at the southern tip of Texas. As an angler, you come to Laguna Madre for the large numbers of redfish and the legitimate chance to catch a trophy-sized speckled trout. You’ll find the island atmosphere packages this special place into a vibrant sporting destination. The Laguna Madre, Spanish for “Mother Lagoon,” is one of six known hyper-saline lagoons on the planet. Meaning, it is saltier than most seawater, creating a unique ecosystem for fish, animals, and plants. There is abundant sea grass in the lagoon. It’s very shallow, with an average depth of approximately 3 feet. In total, the lagoon stretches 275 miles from Corpus Christi to La Pesca, Mexico. It’s connected to the ocean by only two inlets. THE PROUD TEXAN Steve Brigman is a Texan. And like all my Texas friends, Steve is proud to let you know Texas is the best place in the world. After telling him how much I enjoyed redfishing in Louisiana, he set out to convince me that Texas should be considered a top redfish destination. Having many connections to the island, Steve set up the entire trip, including our guide, lodging and itinerary. It was nice, just showing up and stepping onto the boat. We fished two days with Captain Mike Mahl of M&M Charters. Mike has been guiding fishermen on Laguna Madre for 20 years. He quickly proved to know where the fish are and how to catch them. Which requires running a special tunnel haul skiff into water less than a foot deep. Don’t haul your bass boat down to the lagoon thinking you can run anywhere and do this yourself. You’ll quickly find out most of the water is too shallow for traditional boats. We started our fishing trip before sunrise. The water was so still you could see ripples from tiny bugs hitting the surface. Mike handed rods to Steve and I and told us to

be ready when he slowed the boat. He sped around rapidly until he found what he was looking for – a school of reds cashing bait. He pulled back on the throttle and as the boat settled, Steve and I both threw into the large school of fish. Instantly, we hooked up on a double. BIG ONE GETS AWAY After sunrise, the fish took more to cover so we had to work a little harder for them. We were throwing popping corks with jigs, spoons and topwater plugs. A lot of people use shrimp, but we stuck with artificial baits and did well. We caught a mix of redfish and trout in the same spots. Of course, there was the big one that got away. I hooked a fish so big, it felt I was trying to pull a vehicle off the bottom. I never saw it before it spit my hook. What I really missed was my fly rod. Targeting reds in clear, shallow water would make this trip special. Laguna Madre is a great destination for a cast-andblast. The lagoon is the wintering range for approximately 77 percent of North American redhead ducks, according to the National Park Service. Many more waterfowl species take up winter residence in Laguna Madre, including a healthy population of pintails. THE LOCAL DANNO I always enjoy talking with local experts, and when it comes to Laguna Madre, Danno Wise is just that. He’s sort of a renaissance man – a writer, photographer and fishing guide who doubles as a local teacher. Danno has published three books about the area – “Coastal Fly Fishing Quick Start Guide,” “Tips for Fishing the Texas Coast,” and “Fishing for Photographs.” The first two are short, to-the-point publications that give you the basics of what you need to know to get started fishing the lagoon. The photography book is great, because it shows you what your experience is going to be like. I recorded a Driftwood Outdoors podcast with Danno. You may want to check it out to learn more about the region and fishing the lagoon.

THE LITTLE VILLAGE If you make a trip to South Padre and have additional time to travel, you should consider a venture across the border into Nuevo Progresso. I’m aware of the concern about safety crossing into Mexican border towns, but I have crossed there twice and both times found this little shopping village to be inviting, fun and perfectly safe. I’ve gone during the day both times and stuck to the main street. I’ve never felt

unsafe. I enjoy the shops and street vendors. You’ll find plenty of unique souvenir options at prices you’ll appreciate. There are a lot of pharmacies, doctors and dentists catering to Americans in Nuevo Progresso, so I believe that influences the safety and cleanliness of the town. For more of Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast at www.driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.

From left are Brandon Butler, Captain Mike Mahl and Steve Brigman with a few fish for the freezer from Laguna Madre.

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Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Presentation, rigs for deep crappie

Photos and Text By TIM HUFFMAN

A fisherman has several choices when crappie fishing in cold water. No one rig or bait is perfect for every situation, but the following rigs cover most presentations needed to catch a mess of deep, cold-water crappie. SLOW TROLLING A CAPPS-COLEMAN RIG Before this rig came along and before depth finders, fishermen used a heavy weight on the bottom of a double-minnow rig. The weight was bounced on the bottom to learn depth and to find cover. When cover was located, the rig could be held still to catch fish. Flashers, liquid crystal and paper graphs opened up a whole new world to fishing. Bottom bouncers still worked, but spider rigging became more popular. Ronnie Capps and Steve Coleman, winners of more national tournament championships than any other team in history, finetuned slow trolling, a version of spider rigging. “Slow trolling is different from spider rigging,” Coleman

said. “Spider rigging has poles sticking out all over the boat, making it look like a spider. Slow trolling positions poles in the front of the boat so all the baits can be put in a brush pile or on a ledge, instead of being spread out all around the boat.” The rig they developed uses a lighter sinker, lightweight hook and lighter line. The advantage is a rig that allows more minnow action and the ability to use more sensitive poles. “The concept of the rig is the same as the old-timers developed,” Capps said. “Our rig is different because it uses ultra-light wire hooks (Eagle Claw 214EL) so it doesn’t damage the minnow, and light wire makes it easier for the minnow to move around. The hook can be easily bent out when hung up, too. Our sinker is usually 1/4- to 3/4-ounce and leaders six- or eight-pound-test.” THE BASIC RIG Tying the basic rig: Use a three-foot leader and tie a hook on one end. Place an egg sinker 12 inches above the hook, wrapping the line four times through the sinker to keep it in place. Tie a 3-way swivel to the opposite

Barry Morrow prefers vertical jigging year-round but will do whatever it takes to catch fish. He uses a jig but says a minnow is a better bait when the water turns cold.

end of the leader. Tie a 12-inch leader and hook to a leg of the swivel. The main line goes to the last leg of the swivel. B’n’M Pole Co. offers the Capps-Coleman pre-tied rigs for fishermen wanting the convenience. “This rig can be fished any depth during any season,” Capps said. “The key to catching crappie in cold water is to move as slowly as possible – at a snail’s pace. It’s the difference between

catching and not catching.” SINGLE-HOOK VERTICAL JIGGING Crappie become less aggressive as water cools. Handholding a jigging pole or holding one in each hand are great ways to both probe in cover and feel the light bites. There are two theories for equipping, with one being an 11-foot pole (10 to 12 ft.) that

is medium action with a very limber tip. The limber tip shows more delicate strikes. Two examples are the B’n’M BGJP jigging pole and the Grizzly Pro Balance, usually matched with six-pound or eight-pound test monofilament high-vis line. A 1/8-ounce jig is a good pick to get down deep. The second theory is to use a stiff 10- or 11-foot pole matched with 15-pound test braided line. Fishing guide and Crappie Master’s Angler of the Year, Mississippi State Champ and Missouri State Champ Barry Morrow says, “Holding a pole instead of having them in pole holders gives you more information about what is going on with your bait. I believe in a stiff Todd Huckabee rod and with braided line and a heavy 1/8 or 1/4-ounce jig. “The combination of stiff pole, no-stretch line and a heavy bait provides the best sensitivity to feel bites,” he added. Morrow has two tips. “First, crappie are transitioning from jigs to minnows as the water gets cold. I prefer jigs, but a straight minnow can be awesome in colder water. A jig can always be tipped with a small

Page 29

minnow, too,” he said. “Also, unless you’re strong, use a 10-foot pole because it’s easier on elbows and wrists. It just makes the day go better when your arm and shoulder aren’t worn out at the end of the trip.” PITCHING/DROPPING WITH LIVESCOPE The newest trend is using Garmin LiveScope to find a crappie and present bait directly to it. Kelley Graham and Dustin Harris finished second in the 2020 Crappie Masters Championship on the Ouachita River, Louisiana, and are former Grenada Lake winners. They are converted LiveScopers. “LiveScope is the best and worst thing to happen to fishing,” Graham said. “It is great because we’ve learned a lot about fish reactions, and we can target big fish. It’s also the worse thing to happen because fishermen with decades of fishing knowledge have been taken out of the ballgame, at least for tournaments. For now, LiveScope is here to stay and is fantastic for locating and catching big crappie.”

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Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Ice fishing the Dave Genz way

Photo and Text By DON GASAWAY

Decent-size bluegills are available pretty much anywhere water freezes over, veteran ice angler Dave Genz says. Genz has made a lifelong study of ice fishing for bluegills. He points out that accessibility to a spot regulates the size of the fish. If it is easy to get to the fishing spots, then lots of anglers pressure the fish. “Pretty soon the biggest ones are smaller than they used to be,” he said. But in remote or private waters, bluegills can get big. Ice fishing is changing. Time was when all you needed was a short rod, a bucket, and a way to cut holes in the ice. Today, anglers such as Genz have studied the quarry and developed systematic approaches to the sport. Today, ice rods are made specifically for ice fishing. They are made of materials that best

handle the light line and light lures used in the sport. The rods are still stiff enough to transmit feel with a taper that retains the feel of the light lure. It is good to choose a rod based upon the line and average weight of jigs the angler plans to use. “Do not use the size of the fish you plan to catch as a way of judging a rod,” Genz said. MATCHING THE LINE In matching the line to the rod, choose one that is thin enough in diameter to allow baits to hang straight down. The line can be spooled on a small spinning reel or closed face reel. These small reels are important in the new ice fishing. They permit the angler to back reel, etc. When it comes to lures, Genz uses larvae bait to tip the jigs for maximum performance. His favorites are colored larvae (maggies) and wax worms. He keeps fresh bait on his jigs at all times. If artificial grubs are

Gasaway hopes to see his float sink, indicating a bluegill bite.

used, Genz recommends using a trailer hook attached to the hook of the jig. He also feels

it is important to keep the bait moving in search of fish that are biting.

With the help of electronics, lake maps and GPS units, the ice fisherman of today can move about on the ice to specific locations where fish are known to be found. Those spots where fish are found in structure during one day on the ice can be relocated again the next time out. The key to ice fishing for bluegills, according to Genz, is location, location, location. With warm clothing and a power auger, Genz prowls the lakes of his native Minnesota in search of his favorite fish, the bluegill. In covering larger geographic areas, he uses a snowmobile to transport his equipment. Genz believes that the modern ice fisherman, who is willing to modernize his way of thinking, can successfully find bluegills in virtually any body of water. If he insists on going where everybody else fishes, drills one home and then sits there in his ice house or on a

bucket, the angler will not catch fish consistently. KEEP MOVING Moving around to find fish is important to Genz. He looks for water clarity, absence or presence of weeds and what condition they are in, as well as bottom content. Bluegills like a bottom that is not muddy goo and yet is not hard sand, clay or rock. “You fish bluegills where the bottom is right for weeds and bugs,” he said. Bluegills also tend to be in water that is shallower as opposed to deeper, all other factors being equal. A popular hideaway of the winter bluegill is something Genz calls a “sticky bottom flat.” It is a flat between two drop-off areas that is shallow enough and the water clear enough that weeds might be growing on the flat. At mid-depths, deeper than weeds typically grow, there can be flats that house burrowing insect larvae that attract bluegills.

Outdoor Guide

January-February 2022

Fishing the A-rig for bass in winter

Photo and Text By JOHN NEPORADNY JR.

When big bass get hungry in the winter, the fish look for a super-sized meal rather than an appetizer. The cold causes a bass’ metabolism to slow down in the winter so the fish eat less. A big bass then targets a larger meal that will keep his belly full for days. So Table Rock Lake guide Pete Wenners offers heavyweight bass a buffet of baits attached to an Alabama rig. “It catches big fish, and it is actually kind of a fast-moving bait for cold water,” Wenners said. Adorned with multiple swimbaits, the Alabama rig gives the illusion of a meal that will fill a big bass’ stomach for days. “You can take a single swimbait and hardly catch anything then, but there is something about four or five baits being together like that that really seems to trigger those bigger fish,” he added. The Missouri guide also favors the A-rig because he can fish it

at various depths in the water column, unlike a suspending stickbait or a jig. The A-rig works best for Wenners during the winter when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees. Ideal winter conditions for Wenners to throw an A-rig are a cloudy day with a slight ripple on the surface and water clarity of 3 to 5 feet.

LURKING BASS Wenners will fish the A-rig down to depths of 35 feet. where big bass are usually lurking around standing timber on bluff ends, channel swings next to bluffs or deep docks next to channel swings. “It is a bait that you can get down deep enough to where the fish are,” he said. His favorite A-rig is the Strike King Tour Grade Titanium Umbrella Rig, which he outfits mainly with swimbaits. “It seems like it has a lot more action when you stop and start your retrieve again,” he said. “It flares out like a spinnerbait then.” The former Bassmaster Opens competitor mixes the brands, sizes and colors of

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The Alabama rig produces best for Missouri guide Pete Wenners throughout the winter when bass are in deep water.

swimbaits he attaches to his umbrella rig. “I always put my biggest bait on the center wire, usually a 4.8- or a 5-inch lure,” he said. The surrounding wires of his A-rig usually feature 3.8inch swimbaits. His favorite swimbaits for the A-rig are Strike King Rage Swimmers, Keitech Swing Impacts and Zoom Swimmin’ Super Fluke Juniors. Wenners favors his A-rig swimbaits in chartreuse sexy shad or rainbow shad col-

ors for fishing clear water. If the water is stained, he sticks with the same hues but dips the lure tails in chartreuse dye. BALLHEAD JIGS, WEEDLESS BAITS The Missouri guide combines his swimbaits with 1/8-ounce ballhead jigs that he pours. Wenners prefers this size of jighead because it allows him to fish his rig slower in deep water, and he can also

fish it in shallower water by late winter when bass start moving into their pre-spawn stage. If he is fishing close to standing timber, Wenners will make his baits weedless by covering the jig hooks with Bass Pro Shops Hook Guards. Missouri law restricts anglers to only three lures with hooks on each line, so when fishing on his home lake, Wenners equips his A-rigs with three swimbaits with hooks and two “dummy” swimbaits in smaller sizes without hooks. He attaches the dummy lures with screwlock clips to two of the rig’s top wires. Bass usually attack an A-rig from the bottom, so Wenners notices the fish miss the dummy baits that tend to ride on top of the rig. When fishing Arkansas waters such as nearby Bull Shoals Lake, Wenners uses all five swimbaits with hooks on his A-rig, which is allowable by state law there. After casting his rig, Wenners counts down the rig until he estimates it reaches the desired depth. “I usually just start with a slow steady retrieve but I like to stop and pause it

Page 31

like a crankbait,” he said. “I think, with that titanium wire, when you reel the rig it pulls the baits together, then when you stop reeling the titanium spreads out. Also I think if a fish is following the rig and if you pause, a lot of times the fish will react and bite it.” KEEP AN EYE OUT Watching his Garmin Panoptix electronics allows Wenners to see any bass following the A-rig. “If I see a fish coming up and following it but I am not getting a strike, then sometimes I will even speed up my retrieve like I would with a big spoon or a crankbait,” he said. “Then I will just stop it for a second and speed it up again.” Wenners describes a strike on the A-rig as similar to what he feels when fishing a single swimbait. “Sometimes the fish will hit it two or three times before they will actually load up,” he said. TheA-rig has produced some big bites for Wenners in recent winters. He has caught two bass over 9 pounds from Table Rock on the rig and weighed in an 8-06 fish in a winter tournament.

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January-February 2022

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Outdoor Guide Magazine January-February 2022

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