November -December 2019
Outdoor ag Guide M
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HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL
Opening Day......................Page 4
Chinese Rabbit................Page 19
Hell’s Canyon..................Page 25
Boxer Bird Dog................Page 28
Snowshoe Adventure..........Page 29
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Webworms.......................Page 31
The Wild Man.................Page 32
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MISSOURI - ILLINOIS - AND OTHER EXCITING OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS
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November-December 2019
Family Offers Stealth Photography
Combining a love for the outdoors with modern technology has turned into a business venture for a Crystal City, MO, hunter and his family. The Meyer Trail Camera company evolved from an interest in the outdoors and experience video-taping hunts. Scott Meyer and Meyer adjusts the positioning his dad, Larry Mey- Scott of a trail camera. It is one of three er, had spent a couple models he created. of years capturing video for the Sportsman Channel, and a decade or so before that filming for various other productions. But the remote scouting game-camera equipment they used didn’t always meet their needs. “We wanted to get a trail camera we really liked, so we started looking at manufacturers,” Scott Meyer said. “We had a passion for the outdoors and wanted to get into that industry, so we decided to take the plunge.”
BETTER SPECS They provided specifications that addressed some of the inconsistencies they found in other products. They wanted long battery life, reliability, a wider-angle view and no-glow infrared flash. So they combined those features into three different models now available on the company website or at Dunn’s Sporting Goods in Pevely. “Our top-of-the-line model is the X-9. It has a 130-degree angle view (most trail cameras have a 65-degree view) with a hybrid mode that takes pictures and video,” Meyer said. In addition to images, the camera records date, time and moon phase and has a built-in LCD screen for reviewing content in the field. The two other models have many of the same features with slight tweaks and lower prices. The X-9 costs $180, the HL-1 is $160 and the HL-2 basic model lists for $130. “The HL-2 has three quick sets,” Meyer said. “You pick Setting 1 to take a picture every 30 seconds, Setting 2 for three pictures every 30 seconds, or Setting 3 for 10-second videos. “One click and it’s ready to go. You can run it on set-up and pick all your settings, but some guys don’t want to have to worry about all of that.” The cameras are activated by infrared detection that senses the animal’s body heat up to 65 feet away at night and as far as 100 feet during the day. “The night pictures are really crisp and clear,” he said. “There is not a better scouting tool than a trail camera.” PERFECT FOR FALL Monitoring the motion in your woods can be enjoyable year-round, but Meyer said the real action begins with some recommended reconnaissance in mid-summer for the upcoming fall hunting season. “I like to get them up at least by July and have them out until their antlers fall off in the winter,” he said. “From July through September, you’re doing inventory. Once you hone in on a particular buck, you might move them to a particular part of the farm to get intel on where he’s going to feed or hide.” The strategy paid off last year for Meyer during archery hunting season when the cameras identified a big deer that showed up at a particular spot three times in five days just
Meyer monitored the movement of this buck for several days before he identified the deer’s patterns.
before sunset. He set up his stand, and two nights later he took a buck that had a net score of 176-plus inches of antlers. GIVE IT SOME TIME Part of the stealth in the system is resisting the urge to check your cameras often. It is also the reason battery life in important. “People get all excited about seeing the pictures,” Meyer said. “I love the pictures too, but we try to stay out for at least three or four weeks at a time. We don’t put cameras deep in the woods. We try to stay on the perimeter and catch them coming or going.” Filming for the Sportsman Channel took Meyer and his dad on trips to Canada for black bears and New Mexico for elk hunting, but most of the white-tailed deer footage came on their farm property in northeast Missouri where he hunts with his dad and nephews Zac and Austin Meyer. For more information on the cameras, apparel, accessories, and a collection of images, check out www.meyertrailcameras.com. John J. Winkelman is community engagement manager at Mercy Hospital Jefferson. If you have news for Outdoor Guide Magazine, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com and you can follow John on Twitter at @johnjwink99.
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November-December 2019
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November-December 2019
Deer Hunt Opener Is a Great Missouri Tradition
Photos and Text By BRENT FRAZEE Many Missourians look at the deer opener as a treasured holiday, second only to Christmas. Dates are circled on calendars, vacations are planned around it, country motels are booked a year in advance, and friends and family from across the nation gather for reunions in the woods. Deer camps are set up in
exactly the same spot every year, hunters paint small towns orange with the bright safety clothing they are required to wear, and country cafes become hopping places. Yes, the Missouri deer opener is a big deal. What fascinates me about the hunt is the wide diversity of the participants. Young and old, white collar and blue collar, men and women, urban residents and rural residents, rich and poor – they all par-
Missouri deer hunters dream of big bucks once November arrives. Chris Kappler fulfilled that dream in 2014 during a hunt in Pettis County.
ticipate. Good luck trying to come up with a stereotype of the typical Missouri deer hunter. If I’ve learned anything from covering the Missouri deer opener for 40 years, it’s that hunters come from all walks of life. When you have a hunting season that attracts close to 400,000 participants, I guess that’s inevitable. THE HUNTING GRANNNY Jean Talbert, the “hunting granny,” was a shining example. When she retired from teaching, she took up deer hunting and started accompanying her husband Bill into the woods on the ground they owned near Rolla. It wasn’t long before she developed a passion for hunting the bucks that the couple would see on a routine basis. She routinely would shoot a deer each season. But she saved her best for last. In 2015, when she was 84, she shot her bucket list buck – a 10-pointer. That turned out to be her last deer season. She died less than a year later. I will always remember her love of the hunt and the excitement she felt once November arrived, even though she was in failing health. “I’ll tell some of my friends that I still like to hunt deer and turkeys, and they’ll just be amazed,” she told me.
“They’ll say, ‘At your age?’ “But age doesn’t mean anything. As long as I am still able, I’ll be out there.” NEVER MISSED A NOVEMBER HUNT Jean Talbert was far from the only hunter I met over the years who typified the passion Missourians have for the deer season. I remember a story I did in 2008 on Bill Bolling, who was 81 at the time and one of the few hunters who had hunted every November since Missouri’s modern gun season opened in 1944. “I was a teenager at the time, and I hunted on our family farm down near Taneyville, Missouri,” he told me. “We had seen deer a few times on our land, but they were few and far between. “No one really knew how to hunt them at the time. It was new to us. I remember I tried to walk them up, but that didn’t work. I could hear them up ahead of me, running away.” Despite that lack of success, Bolling didn’t give up. He became an avid hunter and was one of many who benefitted from the Missouri Department of Conservation’s deer reintroduction program. FAMILY TRADITIONS As the whitetail population grew, so did Bolling’s success. He and his wife Sue bought a
A doe pauses in a clearing near Lake of the Ozarks.
farm in Ray County in 1964, and the deer opener became a family tradition. “The deer opener is kind of like Christmas for us,” he told me. Bolling passed away in 2008, just weeks after the deer season. Other moments also come to mind when I reminisce about the Missouri deer season. I remember following Bryan and Beth Lukehart to a special deer stand in the woods in Daviess County during the 2015 season. The rusted stand didn’t look like much, but it meant everything to the Lukeharts. Twelve years earlier, that’s where Bryan got down on his knee and proposed to Beth.
I also recall joining the Stoops family at their deer camp deep in the Ozarks in 2008. Their land was a deerhunting paradise, filled with thick timber overlooking a bend on the Jacks Fork River. The patriarch of the family, Andy Stoops, purchased the land in 1952 and eventually opened a sawmill business there. But it was also valued as a spot to hunt deer every fall. “We’re a deer-hunting family,” Stoops told me. “Deer season is a huge deal down here. “They even let school out on the Monday and Tuesday of deer season. They figured they might as well do it. There would be a lot of kids skipping school anyway.”
Conservation Group Fights for Public Access Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER When I was living in Montana, I spent some time hunting elk. Not so successfully, as I’ve only one cow to my credit. But I burned some boot leather and saw a lot of beautiful country. One specific area I found particularly enchanting was the Crazy Mountains. The Crazy Mountains are about 100 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. With peaks over 11,000 feet, the Crazies loom over the surrounding prairie landscape like an island in a sea of grass. Yet for all their natural beauty, these mountains have been clouded by a shadow of ugliness for decades as access disputes between private landowners and public land users continued. IN THE CRAZIES The mix of public and private land in the Crazies has created controversy for many years. At many corners, two pieces of public land meet opposite of each other, and two pieces of private land meet opposite of each other, all touching the same fence post like the red and black squares
on a checkerboard. A ridiculous corner-hopping rule basically says if you come to one of these fenceposts that marks the corner where public and private lands come together, you cannot cross over that fencepost from one piece of public land to another piece of public land without trespassing, because you are passing through private air space. This rule makes access to millions of acres of public land across the west illegal, giving adjacent landowners exclusivity to public lands owned and paid for by all Americans. Thankfully, conservation organizations across our country are working on behalf of all of us who value public access to solve situations like this one. In the case of the Crazies, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), spearheaded an effort to improve public access. RMEF has worked with members of the Crazy Mountain Working Group and other partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers Association, private citizens and more, to come up with a plan for constructing a 12-mile trail
to allow better access for nonmotorized travel. Construction is beginning on a nearly 3-mile segment. “Securing access in and around the Crazies has been complicated and challenging for a long, long time,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “We are grateful for landowners, agency partners and others who are working collaboratively to make this new access venture possible.” GETTING RESULTS Spend any time around government or organizational rule making and you quickly come to realize that compromise is the way to results. Organizations and individuals on each end of the spectrum are so entrenched in their beliefs and desires that they are incapable of compromise. More often than not, it’s the majority in the middle to thank for action that requires a little give and take. Numerous concerned groups working together has led to better access in the Crazy Mountains. “Sitting down with stakeholders of differing interests and respectfully discussing challenging issues to find long-
The Crazy Mountains of south-central Montana now have better public access thanks to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a coalition of stakeholders.
standing, reasonable solutions strengthens our communities. This is what the Crazy Mountain Working Group is cultivating,” said Stacy Donald, Crazy Mountain Stockgrowers Association vice president and a member of the Crazy Mountain Working Group. I choose to be part of conservation organizations that try to find ways to protect natural resources and public access to those resources without expressly alienating those who may have legitimate issues with the management of those resources. After learning
about the efforts of RMEF to collaborate and seek a solution in the Crazies, I feel better than ever about sending in my membership dues each year. Even if you never step foot on a specific piece of public property, it should feel good knowing you have that option and that thousands of your fellow citizens will benefit. Added Henning: “RMEF remains committed to working with all parties in finding solutions to complex on-theground access issues. Creating and improving public access lies at the heart of our mission.”
ADD IT TO YOUR BUCKET LIST If you have never visited Montana, add it to your bucket list. The Big Sky Country is worth every minute and dollar it takes to get there. If you’re looking for a place to hike that isn’t overrun with people, like the national parks can be during the peak season, smaller mountain ranges around the state offer incredible hikes. And now you have better access to the Crazy Mountains, one of the prettiest ranges I’ve ever experienced.
November-December 2019
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Tips, Tricks and Thoughts for the Great Outdoors LARRY L. WHITELEY is the host of the internationally syndicated Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Radio and nationally syndicated Outdoor World newspaper and magazine tips.
By LARRY L. WHITELEY I think we can all agree our world is a little crazy. You can get depressed by just watching the national and even local news or reading a newspaper. Just driving to work can be very stressful, and when you get there it can be even worse. You have to be really careful what you say and how you say it so you don’t offend anyone. I could keep going on but I won’t. How do you escape this crazy world? Go take a hike. It’s good for your heart and your soul. Sit around a campfire. Warm yourself by its flames and clear your mind as you watch the flames dance and flicker. Go canoeing or kayaking on a lazy river and listen to the sounds of rippling water. Experience the tug of a fish on the end of your line. Feel your heart beat faster as ducks respond to your decoy spread. A big buck’s antlers in your hands, or those of your kids or grandkids, is a memory that will last forever. Sunrises and sunsets in the
outdoors are a whole lot better than TV, smart phones and video games. The outdoors is a stress reliever and a worry reducer that slows down the hectic pace of life for at least a little while. In this season of thanksgiving, we really need to be thankful for the great outdoors. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” – Willie Nelson DOE HUNTING IS IMPORTANT Don’t let peer pressure keep you from hunting the does. It is important to the overall success of all deer hunting. Wildlife managers have proven time and again the importance of taking the does as well as bucks. Where the deer population has saturated the habitat’s carrying capacity, doe hunting is the best way to check the herd growth and prevent the overpopulation that can harm the area’s entire deer herd.
How to Escape This Crazy World
Sam opens his new Stoeger S-6000-A and gets a chance to try it out.
WATERFOWL AND WEATHER Waterfowl hunters tend to think that any time there is a cold front, it pushes ducks and geese south, but that is not always so. They’ll stick around as long as they can find suitable areas to roost and feed. Hunters also think that if it is a bright, sunny day, ducks and geese won’t feed, but that’s not always true either. If the temperatures dip, they will feed actively if it’s sunny or not. THE SHOW OUT YOUR WINDOW It is important to feed birds during winter because many of their natural food sources are gone now. Black oil sunflower seeds are the best overall seed and provide lots of energy to
help birds keep warm. It’s also better than watching TV. CHRISTMAS CRAPPIE Are you inside your warm house reading this right now? Why aren’t you out there fishing? Yes, it may be December, but winter fishing can be hot enough to make you forget about how cold it is. Winter is my favorite time to go catch a mess of crappie. Your annual Christmas dinner could be a plate full of fried crappie instead of turkey or ham. Wrap up warm and get out there! A GIFT TO THE FUTURE Earlier this year, I got a text from our youngest grandson, Sam, in Wisconsin that read, “Do you have a scope for the pellet gun? Oh yeah hi!” I
suddenly realized that he and his brother Ty are teenagers now and have outgrown the air rifles Grandma and I got them several years ago. Knowing they both still enjoy shooting them at targets and pests like pine squirrels and chipmunks with their dad, I texted back that I would do better than that. They would both be getting new air rifles that fit them better and have a quality scope. A text came back. “That would be nice. Thank you.” I had purchased a really good quality Stoeger air rifle with scope for myself many years ago to help control the squirrels and blackbirds getting into our backyard bird feeders. I still use it and love it. That’s what I wanted for them, too. For Sam, I decided on the
Stoeger S-6000-A and for Ty the Stoeger S-4000-E. Developed by Italian engineers and designers with the feel of high caliber rifles, they will one day be passing them on to their kids or grandkids long after I am gone. A few weeks after getting their new Stoeger air rifles a text from Sam popped up on my phone. “Thanks for the pellet guns.” That was followed by a text all grandparents love to see – “Love you!” If you want a Christmas gift for your kids or grandkids they would love to get and will last for several generations go to usa.stoegerairguns.com. CHRISTMAS QUOTE “There would be no Christmas if there were no Easter.” – Gordon B. Hinckley
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BE A RESPONSIBLE RIDER Remember, Multipurpose Utility Vehicles (Side-by-Sides) can be hazardous to operate. Always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection, and clothing appropriate to the driving situation. Keep doors and side nets closed. Never carry a passenger in the cargo bed, stay off public roads, obey cargo limits and guidelines, and never drink and drive. ALL MUV DRIVERS SHOULD WATCH THE SAFETY VIDEO “MULTIPURPOSE UTILITY VEHICLES: A GUIDE TO SAFE OPERATION.” Be sure to follow the Owner’s Manual directions when carrying cargo or towing a trailer. Avoid excessive speeds, and never drive faster than conditions permit. All Pioneer models are recommended for drivers 16 years of age and older, and tall enough to wear the seat belt properly and reach all the controls. The passenger(s) should also be tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly and brace themselves, if needed, by placing both feet firmly on the floor while firmly grasping a hand hold. Whenever you drive off-road, make sure you follow all the “TREAD LIGHTLY” guidelines, and always stay on established trails in approved areas. Keep your off-road area clean, use common sense, and respect the rights of others. We strongly recommend that you use only Honda approved accessories that have been specifically designed and tested for your vehicle and do not remove any original equipment or modify your Honda in any way that would change its design or operation. Operating your Side-by-Side vehicle with a modified engine, emissions control system, or noise-control system may be illegal. Always obtain written permission before driving on private lands, and obey all the laws and regulations governing your off-road areas. Specifications, programs and availability subject to change without notice. All specifications in this brochure—including colors, etc.— apply only to models sold and registered in the United States. Some models shown with optional accessories. Pioneer,™ Unicam,® Honda Phantom Camo,® QuickFlip,® are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. FOX® is a registered trademark of Fox Factory, Inc. ©2017 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. A3909
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November-December 2019
Baby Stik-O Writes Its Own Chapter
Photos and Text By BILL SEIBEL
Bass Pro Shops’ fishing lure gurus have done it again. For the past few years, the now-popular Ned Rig has become a staple for in-theknow bass anglers, especially those plying clear water. The standard Ned Rig, so-named for outdoor scribe Ned Kerhide, consists of an ultra-light mushroom-head jig dressed with half a Senko-type plastic worm. The little bait produces lots of bites when fished on light tackle and probably more than its share of decent-tobragging sized bass. Several companies, especially Z-Man, came out with shorter versions of the straight worms with a subtle wiggle and a variety of other small
soft plastic lures for Ned Rig fishermen. And some work pretty well. Then, just a couple of years ago, Bass Pro Shops came out with its Split Tail Stik-O, a 3 ½-inch version of its Stik-O worm with a forked Flukestyle tail. The catalogs urged putting this little worm on a Ned Rig mushroom jig “and magic happens.” And the catalog was correct. One morning, my wife caught a 5-pound largemouth bass, a 19-inch walleye and a bunch of other fish on that little bait. I was the net man. Many days since, that little bait in various colors has saved fishing for many of our friends as well as for us. THE LATEST STIK-O And now Bass Pro Shops has done it again. They call it
Bass Pro Shops’ Baby Stik-O Craws flank a Shroom Head jig.
the “Baby Stik-O Craw,” all 2½ inches of wiggling soft plastic crawdad that fish can’t seem to let alone. I thought it might be a goodie as soon as I saw it in the Bass Pro fall angler catalog with a big “New” flag on it. On my first trip to Springfield from Stockton, I
managed a short stop at Bass Pro to grab a few. On a windy, wet September Saturday on Stockton Lake, I shared a boat with Gregg Kitzelman, an avid bass chaser from west St. Louis County. It wasn’t the most pleasant fishing day, but it was better than sitting at home. Fishing
November-December 2019
Outdoor agazine Guide M HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL Volume Twenty Seven, Number Six • Published Six Times A Year Office: 505 S. Ewing, St. Louis, MO 63103 Office/News Department — 314-535-9786 www.outdoorguidemagazine.com e-mail: ogmbobw@aol.com COVER PHOTO: Created by Kathy Crowe, Graphic Designer, Outdoor Guide Magazine
Bobby Whitehead, Editor/Co-Publisher Kathy Crowe, Graphic Designer
John Winkelman, Associate Editor — ogmjohnw@aol.com Lynn Fowler, Circulation Manager Carl Green, Copy Editor
was tough. The lake had been super high most of the spring and summer, but the Army Corps of Engineers had dropped it fast to a couple of feet below normal to facilitate some work on the dam. After an hour of trying several old favorites without much luck, I decided to try a new Baby Stik-O Craw on a 1/8-ounce Bass Pro Shroom Head jig. I made a cast to a gravel point and scooted the little bait about a foot. Bang! I was so surprised, I missed the strike. It was a dark, cloudy, windy morning, so I was using the black with blue flake color. It was difficult to feel the little jig in the wind as I dragged it along, but I managed to catch a few small smallmouth bass with a few feisty bluegills, with big ideas thrown in for laughter. Several fish hit as the little craw slid off a small ledge, the hooked fish diving under the next big rock. Goodbye fish – and jig. Kitzelman was throwing a variety of his stand-bys, with a small lipless crankbait producing best for him.
ROCK’S CLAIM As the day wore on, the wind eased off and so did the bites. It remained cloudy, but the sky was lighter than it had been. About that time I dragged the little jig behind a rock that decided it liked my jig and needed it more than me. Six-pound-test fluorocarbon line is tough, but sometimes rocks are tougher. As I retied, I looked at the sky and decided on a lighter color – green pumpkin pepper. Again, first cast and bang. But this time the bass was smarter than me and dove behind another big rock. As I was retying again, I offered Gregg one of the little craws. Green pumpkin is his favorite color.
FIVE FOR FIVE And the fun truly began. We caught largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, drum, warmouth bass, bluegill and walleye. On one rocky point with a light breeze blowing onto it, Gregg caught five bass on five casts. Many of our fish were small, some not so small. Some struck hard, some took the lure so softly you felt only a mushy pressure and hardly knew a fish was there. It was a great day on a lake that currently is so full of baitfish, the bass looked a lot like pot-belly pigs. Fishing probably would have been better if the fish were not so well fed. But as the late Bill Rose, a fantastic guide and lure maker on Bull Shoals Lake many years ago, once told me, “When the fish are so well fed matching the hatch doesn’t work, you’ve got to give them an ice cream cone.” I think Bass Pro Shops new Baby Stik-O Craw definitely fits into the dessert category. The lure is 2¼ inches long and is offered in eight colors – Black with blue flake, Blue Craw (green pumpkin with blue underside and claws), Cally Craw (green pumpkin with red and gold flake), Green Pumpkin, Houdini (similar to watermelon with red flake), Peanut Butter & Jelly (purple and brown or tan), Summer Craw (green pumpkin with chartreuse underside and claws) and Sungill. We fished these little baits on 1/16th- or 1/8th-ounce jig heads with 6½- to 7-foot medium-fast action spinning rods with spinning reels in the 2000 size. I used six-poundtest fluorocarbon line while Gregg was using a light-test braid and six-pound fluoro leader. Bass Pro has done it again.
— Account Executives — Dan Braun, Marketing Director Lauren Marshall — Regional and Specialty Editors — Joel Vance Darrell Taylor Ray Eye Brent Frazee Brandon Butler
Curt Hicken Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones Bill Seibel
John Neporadny Jr. Rick Story T. J. Mullin Ron Henry Strait
Larry Whiteley Ted Nugent Ron Bice John Sloan
In Memoriam — Jared Billings • Charlie Farmer • Richard Engelke • Mark Hubbard Spence Turner • Hank Reifeiss • Bill Harmon • Barbara Perry Lawton • Danny Hicks • Ron Kruger
Scott Pauley Tim Huffman John Meacham Bob Holzhei Jeannie Farmer Kay Hively Tyler Mahoney
— Staff Writers —
Claudette Roper Brad Wiegmann Mike Roux Craig Alderman Randall Davis Jerry Pabst Ryan Miloshewski
Kenneth Kieser Gerald Scott Russell Hively Roxanne Wilson Gretchen Steele Jo Schaper Jed Nadler
Don Gasaway Terry Wilson Bill Keaton Charlie Slovensky Michael Wardlaw Larry Potterfield Tom Watson
Gregg Kitzelman caught this nice-sized Stockton Lake smallmouth bass.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
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Share the Harvest donate venison to those in need
Find information and processors at mdc.mo.gov www.confedmo.org
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Outdoor Guide
Will the Governor Hijack the Missouri Conservation Commission? By STEVE JONES Conservation Editor In 2018, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled against the confined deer industry in its attempt to avoid regulation by the Conservation Commission. But recently, in an apparent attempt to circumvent that ruling and appease the industry for the defeat, Governor Parson appointed the founding president of the “Missouri Big Game Farmers and Breeders Association” to the Missouri Conservation Commission. Really. Dr. Steven Harrison, an orthodontist, served as president of that group, now known as the Missouri Deer Association (MDA), for three years. Until recently, he also held a permit to operate a highfence “Big Game Hunting Preserve” near Rolla. The detailed bio in the governor’s press release regarding Dr. Harrison’s appointment made no mention of his involvement in the confined game industry. The Commission runs the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and sets all of its regulations. Four commissioners serve six-year terms each. Appointments take immediate effect but are subject to later “advice and consent” of the Senate. If the Senate does not consent, the appointment it is nullified. This consent can take place only while the Senate is in session, normally from January through May. WORD GETS OUT Some years there are special sessions. This year there was one from Sept. 9-13, and there were signals that the appointment was on a fast track for consent. Concerned conservationists mobilized and got the word out. On Sept. 10, after the facts surrounding this appointee began to be more widely known, Parson temporarily withdrew the appointment, reinstating it on Sept. 18, after the special session. This moved the opportunity for Senate consent out to the regular session in January. The omission of Dr. Harrison’s history seems a clear attempt to mislead the public. What possible explanation could there be other than to ensure that senators hear as little about this as possible before they are called on to consent to the appointment? It should alarm citizens concerned for the future of wild deer in Missouri – a future clouded by the clear threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). All evidence suggests that CWD was trucked into Missouri by the confined deer industry. There is no way to transport live deer without the risk of spreading CWD. Citizens have only one practical opportunity to influence a Commission appointment. After the Senate consents, that commissioner answers to no one for six years. AN ATTACK ON CONSERVATION At best, this appointment is highly disrespectful of the Missouri constitution and the language voters approved to create the Conservation Commission. At worst it is a devastating attack on Missouri’s tradition of quality science-
Guest Editorial
based conservation, placing the economic interests of those who confine big-game animals on a par with the public interest in healthy wildlife for future generations. Take a look at the timeline regarding CWD related regulation of industry: • The Commission passed new CWDrelated regulations impacting captive cervids. • The industry sued to block the regulations and was granted a temporary injunction. • The circuit court ruled against MDC, making the injunction permanent. MDC appealed. • The appellate court declined to rule, advancing the case to the Missouri Supreme Court. • The Supreme Court overturned the circuit court, ruling in favor of the Commission. It also said the Commission has authority over all big-game species in Missouri, free-ranging and confined. • Governor Parson appoints the former president of the industry association to the Commission. NOT INVOLVED? Harrison now downplays his industry involvement, saying his role in the Missouri Deer Association was just “one element of information from many years ago.” But he appears to keep very close ties. Consider the case of Charles “Sam” James, who co-founded the MDA with Dr. Harrison in 2001 and still serves as its vice president. In 2016, a federal grand jury indicted James for felony violation of the Lacey Act, for smuggling deer into Florida. In 2007, James pleaded guilty to a similar crime for smuggling deer into Arkansas. And in June, 2016, the Linn County MO prosecutor charged James with felony conspiracy to forge and falsify a Department of Agriculture “breeder movement certificate” – a document allegedly used to conceal the illegal transport of an untested “shooter buck” from a deer breeder to James’ shooting pen. In July 2016, after James pled guilty to the Florida charges and just before his sentencing hearing, Dr. Harrison sent a character reference for James to the federal court. So just three years ago, he openly supported a serial deer smuggler, which implies flexibility about such matters. This is alarming in a Conservation Commissioner. THREAT TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST Public interest demands that CWD be fought by every means available. The Commission must address all threats to wildlife resources on behalf of all Missourians, not moderate their regulations in sensitivity to an industry that poses a clear threat to that public interest. Commission appointments should not conflict with the clear intention of the Constitution. No games, no tricks, just conservation. Dr. Harrison’s appointment does not fit that bill. He should withdraw, or Parson should permanently withdraw his appointment. Failing that, the Senate should decline to consent to this appointment in January. For more detail and to learn what you can do to keep the confined deer industry off of the Conservation Commission, go online to bit.ly/silentcoup.
November-December 2019
— Random Shots — Exquisite Agony In the Deer Blind
By JOEL M. VANCE
It was long ago, at a time when we all were edging toward the inevitable. They say that bitter memories fade in time, leaving only recollections of the good times. It is true. Once, I spent much of every hunting season with Spence Turner and Dave Mackey, two of the best guys ever to share field and forest with, now sadly both gone. But the memories do remain and they are good. I wrote the following chronicle of deer hunting misadventures and stuck it in a drawer and forgot it until now. I can’t bring Spence and Dave back except in memory, but I cherish every moment we spent together. Even when it wasn’t so good, it was good. As the announcer on the Lone Ranger radio show used to say, “Come with me once again to those thrilling days of yesteryear.” Here they are. OK, some maybe not so thrilling…. ‘DON’T YOU DARE PEE’ A country thrush is singing “Cool Hearted Man” on Spence’s truck radio and his dashboard clock blinks 1:38, which means we either are very, very early or his clock is out of commission. It is misting and chilly and dark, as only pre-dawn on an overcast deer opener can be. We are heading for the Taj Mahal of deer blinds, a shack with windows – far more elaborate than the rickety tree blinds I’m accustomed to. Our buddy Dave Mackey, weary of crouching in a tree swaying in a bitter north wind, has provided the blind. It has comfortable chairs and an empty milk jug into which we are ordered by Dave to relieve ourselves. “Don’t you dare pee around my blind—you’ll run every deer out of the country.” The jug hangs from a nail above our heads, a pale reminder in the dark. A thinking hunter would not drink several cups of coffee before the hunt, nor take a Thermos to the blind because of the inevitable imperative. But Spence and I each have a Thermos filled with coffee strong enough to float a boat anchor. MUST BE A CURSE I don’t know why I’m here, other than terminal stupidity and the Vance family unwillingness to give up in the face of overwhelming odds. I am in the best deer county of the state, but there is a curse in effect. When I was little I went to movies that featured monsters that appeared to have cornered the market on surgical gauze, and they were forever laying curses on guys who messed with their tanna
That night, Spence Turner had a bit better luck.
leaves. I never messed with anybody’s tanna leaves, but it has to be a curse because I never kill a deer at Dave’s. I never see a deer at Dave’s. I can hunt at Dave’s until I’m ready to drop and then go to the little cabin which serves as hunter headquarters, dragging my rifle, not to mention my butt, and there will be a knot of fellow hunters admiring each other’s freshly killed trophy bucks. SORE IN THE THROAT It has happened too many times to be coincidence. Once I sat in a rickety blind for four hours on a sleety afternoon. There was a semi-roof but most of me was exposed. I did not see a deer all afternoon, but when I left the blind there was a line of tracks within 20 feet of the back of it. I came down with a monster cold. Another time I sat in a tree, facing a gully that was an interstate highway for deer, a travel lane so auspicious that deer were drawn to it from other states. The temperature was about 15 degrees and the wind was directly in my face, but no matter because it would be only minutes until I could pick a trophy from among a herd of deer. I sat there until I was unable to feel anything from the neck down and then I went back to the deer shack where Dave’s preacher, an elderly gentleman physically unable to hunt in any other way, had briefly left the warmth of the wood stove, quietly opened the door and shot a nice doe that crossed in front of the cabin, about 50 yards away. Dave was field dressing it as I heard the story. I came down with a case of laryngitis that kept me from cussing for a week. BRAGGING PREVENTED Another time I was in a blind in the middle of a crop stubble field when a huge buck, the kind you brag about until people can’t stand you anymore, headed directly toward me. As I later reconstructed his path, he would have come so close that I could have stuck the gun barrel in his ear. Except that Tim Schrage shot him about 100 yards before he rounded the bend. I helped Tim load the buck in his pickup, and it was all we could do to wrestle the huge animal over the tailgate. Gee, that was fun! As George Santayana said, “Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it” and thus I am stumbling down a steep hill in the pit of night, following Spence, who claims he knows how to find the Taj Mahal. I had been with Spence in broad daylight when he got lost. Once he took two of us trout fishing on a stream where he’d fished many times, and we explored a half-dozen gravel roads before he stopped at a farmhouse and trotted to the door to phone a friend for directions. The other fellow said, “You know, God must have been drunk when he made Spence.” We struggle up a steep hill and watch for a side trail; otherwise, Dave has told us, we will be in a tangle of brush from which no one ever has returned – kind of the Bermuda Triangle of deer habitat. I spot the side trail, give thanks that I have gotten this far without being attacked by catamounts, and we climb yet another hill. This is north Missouri, not See DEER BLIND page 10
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
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Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019
Quail and Pheasant Numbers Look Better Missouri Department of Conservation
With quail and pheasanthunting season starting Nov. 1, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) advised hunters that quail and pheasant production appeared better than expected despite harsh conditions last winter and flooding this spring. Each August, MDC conservation agents record the numbers of quail and pheasants they see while driving a 30-mile route, called the roadside index. A total of 110 routes are com-
pleted around the state. These numbers are then tallied and grouped by eight geographic areas of production – called zoogeographic regions. This year’s statewide average roadside index of 1.8 quail per route is slightly above last year’s index of 1.7. An average of 0.3 pheasants were recorded per route, unchanged from last year. “Hunters can expect to find a similar number of quail as last year, except for the Northeast Riverbreaks and Western Prairie regions, where numbers were down notably,” said MDC
Small Game Coordinator David Hoover. HABITAT REPORT Hoover said opportunities to hunt pheasants are more limited, but northern portions of the Northwest Prairie and Northern Riverbreaks regions showed the best numbers this year. “The amount of quality habitat is the most important factor for maintaining quail and pheasant populations, but weather also plays a very important, and often unpredictable, role,” he said.
“This year’s better-than-expected production highlighted this complicated relationship. The wetter-than-normal conditions this spring and early summer likely benefited birds in areas with good habitat due to the unusually high number of crop-field acres that did not get planted and were left fallow for much of the summer.” He added that hunters focusing on the best available habitat should find birds even in regions with lower bird counts. “To find birds, hunters should key in on areas with an abundance of diverse native
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grasslands or CRP (Conservation Reserve Program), shrubby cover, and some cropland nearby,” Hoover said. SEASON RUNS THROUGH JAN. 15 Hunting season for quail and pheasants is Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, 2020. The daily bag limit for quail is eight with a possession limit of 16. Daily bag limit for pheasant is two male pheasants with a possession limit of 4. Get more information from MDC online at https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/huntingtrapping/species.
• Deer Blind Nepal, but you couldn’t tell by looking at 5 a.m. IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT The blind is a darker blot on a dark landscape. I stumble across rough ground, plowed by Dave’s grandson for a wildlife food plot. The blind is in the middle of it. Bryan has planted radishes and other garden produce for the deer which, we hope, will appreciate the salad course so we can appreciate the meat course. “I didn’t get carpet down, so it’s noisy,” Dave had told us. “You have to be careful.” The night is as still as the jungle after a big cat kill, everything holding its breath. Spence prepares his nest with the finesse of a water buffalo in rut. He clatters the chair, clomps the floor with his boots, rummages in his kit bag like someone stirring ball bearings in a tin can. “Looking for some stinkum,” he says. Finally he finds deer scent and goes to scatter it on the wind. I shake my head, imagining trophy bucks just crossing the county line, fleeing the cacophony. Finally Spence is back and settles in, and silence momentarily returns to the woods. Then Dave appears, wearing rain gear that rustles with the sound of someone ripping 15 yards of Velcro. I pour a cup of coffee in the dark of the blind, misjudging the flow so it slops over the top of the cup, scalding my hand and my legs where I have the cup clamped. I try not to scream – bad form when deer hunting – and whisper Olde English words. TWO FOR THREE It now is light enough to distinguish a deer from a tree. Dave has eyes like a barred owl and he whispers, “Two does!” to Spence, who somehow has gotten himself in the right position. I possibly could knock him out of the way and stand on his neck while I take the shot, but the uncharitable thought is quickly gone – not because I’m charitable, but because he can whip me. Spence aims, fires and I see the flick of the tail of the deer that he killed. This is my deer sighting for the day. I spend the
Good quail and pheasant hunting may be found in areas with quality habitat in the north and west-central portions of Missouri.
from page 8 next three hours getting progressively colder, butt-sprung and weary. I fall asleep at least 1,000 times, for five seconds each time. I see deer in the weeds at the top of the hill, but when I put the scope on them, they are weeds. A half-dozen turkeys eddy into the clearing below us and regard the blind with the same suspicion a spinster lady regards a bum clutching a paper sack from which the neck of a wine bottle protrudes. They retreat into the woods, probably to alert the deer that would have been mine if there were any justice in this world. There are numerous shots in the distance “That’s good,” says Spence, who has his deer so everything is good. “That’ll run them toward us.”Agood theory, like the one that maintained the Earth is flat. GALL AND WORMWOOD Finally Spence, who no doubt is running over venison recipes in his mind, says, “Well, let’s go get some lunch.” At the cabin, an eightpointer sprawls on the tailgate of Phil’s pickup. Todd has a six-pointer. There are several does, freezer fodder. Everyone has at least one deer. Everyone else, that is. They have their deer and they are drinking coffee and telling tales of success. I have what I always have, grim resignation. I wait for the inevitable question … “So, how’d you do?” “Never saw a deer,” I growl, as if chewing carpet tacks. Phil says, “Gee, I’ll bet I saw 30 deer this morning,” not realizing that his words are battery acid on my wounded pride. I rub my gritty eyes, get a cup of coffee that tastes like gall and wormwood, the bitter Biblical drink that punishes man for idolatry. I don’t think it applies to the idolatry of deer, but maybe so. Maybe it’s not the mummy’s curse but instead a great voice from the skies that thunders, “I don’t know, Vance, there’s just something about you that really ticks Me off.” Perhaps Spence will invite me over for venison chili. Thus, memories of the thrilling days of yesteryear …
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 11
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Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019
Cold Weather Care for Sport Dogs Photo and Text By PURINA PRO-PLAN Cold weather can be harmful for sporting dogs. It can affect their energy and immune systems, making them prone to disease and injury. Winterizing kennels helps to reduce disease and the risks of hypothermia (a dangerous drop in body temperature), and frostbite, the freezing of tissues caused by exposure to very low temperatures. Both heated and unheated kennels should have adequate
insulation. Kennel doors should be closed at night, particularly when it is cold and windy. Good ventilation, without excessive cross drafts, will help keep air fresh. Additionally, air should be exhausted from the ceiling to the floor to prevent warm air near the ceiling from being pulled out. Vents should be opened whenever the outside temperature is warmer than the inside temperature. Inside shelter may be necessary if temperatures become extremely cold. “A
doghouse may not keep a dog warm when subzero temperatures prevail,” said Karl Gunzer, Purina director of sporting dog programs. “You also want to keep a dog’s coat dry in this type of weather. A damp coat drains body heat.” OUTDOOR HOUSES Outdoor doghouses should be located where there is good drainage and raised a few inches off the ground to help keep out moisture. The elevated area should be
shielded with boards to prevent wind from gusting under the doghouse. A canvas flap can be placed over the door of a doghouse, or an inside partition can be used to help deep direct wind off your dog. Gunzer suggests a doghouse with an inside partition to a sleeping area. “With a cover on the outside door, this type of doghouse goes a long way in keeping drafts off a dog,” he said. “It also helps to conserve heat.”
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Adequate heat and proper sanitation are important, too. It’s best to maintain a constant temperature around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Good sanitation should be practiced year-round, but a hose may be impractical in winter due to freezing water lines. Instead, a scraper or shovel may be used to remove waste from concrete runs. Waste should be picked up daily. The bottom line is to use common sense in caring for your dog during the winter months. Although you can’t change the weather, you can be sure your dog is healthy and comfortable. WINTER NUTRITION Did you know that a dog needs 7 percent more calories for every 10 degrees the temperature drops below the moderate temperatures of spring and fall? In fact, the caloric needs of an active dog in winter could double. Feeding a high quality, complete and balanced canine diet year-round is recommended. One such product is Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula. Poor-quality dog food is not a per-calorie savings. In winter, it helps to allow dogs to gain a small amount of weight for insulation and energy reserves. However, it still is important to maintain dogs in ideal body condition, defined as ribs palpable without excess fat covering. A dog should have ample water in winter because of the metabolic changes that take place and to help process extra food. Be sure to keep your dog’s water from freezing. A CHECKLIST FOR KENNELS Winter care for dogs in kennels involves taking practical
steps to ensure their safety and comfort. Follow these tips to get through the frosty winter months: • STAY DRY – Be sure kennels are dry and draft-free. Like people, dogs are susceptible to hypothermia, frostbite and illness if kept too long in the cold or a constant draft. • SLEEP DRY – Dogs should have a place to sleep that is comfortable and elevated off the ground. A fiberglass sleeping pallet with bedding material, such as fleece, thick carpet pads, blankets and dog beds, provides comfort. • DOOR FLAPS – Add door flaps to doghouses to help hold back wind and weather. • KENNEL SAFETY – Kennel runs should be kept free of snow and ice, and maintain your kennel at a constant temperature between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit when possible. • STOCK UP – Be sure to stock extra dog food so you are ready for severe snowstorms. • BEWARE ANTIFREEZE
– Dogs are attracted to the sweet taste of ethylene glycol in antifreeze, but it is toxic. If a dog licks antifreeze, prompt veterinary care is essential. • PAW M A I N T E N A N C E
– Regularly check a dog’s footpads. Constant exposure to moisture caused by rain, snow or mud can irritate a dog’s footpads, causing skin damage and infection from bacteria or fungi. If a dog has cracked or bleeding paws, consult your veterinarian. • WATCH OUT – Throughout winter, keep an eye out for cuts, abrasions, debris in eyes and pad injuries. • VACCINATIONS – Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are current. The stress of severe cold is even greater for dogs in poor health.
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Outdoor Guide
November-December 2019
Page 13
OH THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS
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Page 14
Outdoor Guide
November-December 2019
Camping Gear & Gadgets Awning Cover System Extends Life of Fabric Camping World is offering the
Awning Pro Tech cover system to protect awning fabric from the effects of sun and weather and extend its useful life. It is stain resistant, easy to clean and will not get brittle or discolor. The system snaps on, installing in minutes, but will last indefinitely and is virtually unbreakable. The included transport clips allow for travel with the cover installed, and the awning can be extended with the cover in place for easy removal. The cover will accommodate late-model RV awnings, including electric, as long as the diameter of the rolled-up awning, including fabric, is between 3.65” and 4.25” Campingworld.com had more information and was offering the awning cover for $137.72.
Bug Bite Thing Uses Suction to Relieve Itches Bug Bite Thing is part of a new wave of external bite treatments that promise to be more effective and pain-free than the traditional cures, without using harsh chemical. It’s a gadget that uses suction to remove insect venom, saliva and other irritants left under the skin, and stopping the resulting itching and swelling. Bug Bite Thing is effective on bites from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, sea lice and more. It’s also compact, reusable, lightweight, easy to carry, clinically proven and 100 percent guaranteed. Bug Bite Thing was being offered for $9.95 at Amazon. com.
Author Offers 101 Dumb Things that RVers Do
Author Larry McDonald will make you laugh at the misadventures of RV fans – like backing into a tree or bending a jack stand – in his new book, “RV Oopsies: 101 Dumb Things that RV’ers Do!.” For 10 years, McDonald asked RVers the same question: “What’s the dumbest thing you’ve done while RVing?” Each year, he gives an award for the dumbest. Now he has combined 101 of these mishaps into a funny and helpful handbook so readers can learn from others’ mistakes, maybe saving them unnecessary grief and lost cash. McDonald’s book lists for $24.95 at Amazon.com
Trailer Tray Carries Up to 300 Pounds
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Camping World offers the Trailer-Tray A-Frame CargoCarrying System, which lets you carry up to 300 pounds of cargo safely on the A-frame of your trailer. The system fits most A-frame trailers, and the platform adjusts up to 12 inches fore and aft to clear the distributing hitch, battery boxes and propane bottles. It can carry a generator, cooler, compressor, firewood and more. The brackets fit trailer frames from 3½” to 6½” high. The platform is 32” wide and 20” deep with a metal floor that lets water drain away. Trailer-Tray A-Frame Cargo Carrying System was selling for $189.99 at campingworld.com.
The Curt 19101 RV camper hitch is rated for up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds of tongue weight for dependable strength in towing a boat trailer, utility trailer or cargo carrier from your RV. Its 2” by 2” receiver allows for towing options including a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and more. It bolts onto any 2” by 4” RV bumper for easy installation. Curt hitches are protected with a black powder coating combined with the rust-resistant liquid Bonderite to resist rust, chipping and UV rays. The Curt 19101 is available from RV stores and auto parts stores, typically selling for about $55.
RV Sign Proclaims Our Love for Camping
Barbecue Organizer Has Whatever You Need
We didn’t know we needed this until we saw it at rustyroostermetal.com – a 28-inch long, 11-inch high sign proclaiming “Home Is Where You Park It” to anyone who may have doubted our devotion to trailer or RV camping. The sign is plasma-cut from 14-gauge steel and powder coated so it will last as long as any camper without warping, fading or rusting. It comes with stone or wood backgrounds in a variety of colors to fit any RV or home, and the slogan itself can be made to say whatever you want. The “Home Is Where You Park It” sign is available for $68.40 plus shipping at rustyroostermetal.com .
Sportsman’s Guide is offering something new – a handy Barbecue/Campsite Organizer to use for grilling and picnics. It comes with a 3.5” screw clamp mount to hold securely to a grill or table, and it has four doublesided hooks to hold cooking utensils, plus a paper towel holder for quick cleanups. Its shelf measures 12” by 8”, and the whole thing is 28” high and just three pounds. Sportsmansguide.com offers the Campsite Organizer for $24.99 or $22.49 to its Buyers Club members.
Inflatable Lounger Does It All Wekapo offers this inflatable lounger that can serve as a sofa, bed or hammock. It’s easy to inflate – just whisk it through the air, no pump required. It has a pillow-shaped headrest, too. The lounger is built with a new anti-deflation technology that keeps it inflated for up to six hours. It also comes with a hand-carry bag and a specially designed stake that keeps it firmly in place, even on windy days. It’s great for the backyard, beach, picnics, camping and music festivals. The Wekapo Inflatable Lounger was being offered by Amazon.com for $30.98 with a risk-free guarantee, and they had some used ones for lower prices, too.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 15
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Outdoor Guide
Page 16
November-December 2019
Tree Stand Safety, Revisited Again
By GERALD J. SCOTT
It’s been 11 years since I proved that the law of averages doesn’t apply to safety, by falling out of a tree stand for the first time in the 43 years I’d been a deer hunter. Fortunately, I completely recovered from injuries that included three fractured vertebrae, one broken rib and some torn cartilage, with minimal medical attention. I quickly became more conscious of my own personal safety. Several years later, in fact, I did a considerable
amount of research on tree stand accidents. Much of this information was first reported in a column four years ago, but I believe it’s worth repeating and updating today. After all, based on the few studies available, there’s never been a deer season anywhere in North America in which both deaths and serious injuries from tree stand accidents didn’t far exceed those caused by firearms. There’s never been a scientific study of accidents involving tree stands in Missouri, but there’s no reason to think that
Missouri’s statistics would vary significantly from the following interesting tidbits gleaned from studies compiled from hospital records over a 10-year period in Vermont and North Carolina: • 74 percent of accidents happened when climbing up or down or during installation. • 21 percent involved structural failure. • 58 percent of hunters who fell were not wearing full body arrest systems. Another medical study specifically about falls from tree stands all across North
America revealed that spinal injuries – some of which impacted the spinal cord – occurred in approximately half of the accidents.About 25 percent included head injuries and limb fractures. FULL BODY ARREST Fatalities after reaching a medical facility were relatively rare but did occur almost every year in almost every state covered in the study. I was unable to locate statistics regarding fatalities prior to the arrival of professional medical aid, but it’s logical to assume that more
Hunter Safety System sells this rope-style tree strap on Amazon for use with a harness. It comes with an adjustable Prusik knot for maneuverability.
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fatalities would occur before help arrived than after. Everywhere I looked in my search for information on deer stand safety, full body arrest systems used in conjunction with a lineman’s climbing belt were touted as a virtual fallprevention panacea, so long as the user “remained tethered to the tree at all times.” It’s difficult to argue with universal endorsement, despite the fact that none of the sources I found provided adequate instructions about how to maintain a continuous tether, especially during the dangerous maneuver of transferring from climbing apparatus to stand. I can only assume the 42 percent of the hunters in the referenced study who suffered injuries requiring medical treatment while wearing safety gear either didn’t or couldn’t maintain a continuous tether. SUSPENSION TRAUMA It’s possible to have a fatal fall from a tree stand without hitting the ground. The culprit is “suspension trauma,” which is the result of reduced blood flow to the brain due to blood pooling in the legs, while dangling vertically in a full body harness. The victim can become unconscious in as little as five minutes and will die approximately 15 minutes later. Since the date of my original report, a few hunting-oriented safety resources have begun to mention “suspension trauma,” and most full body harnesses now include a boot strap that can be deployed and then used to temporarily reduce the pressure the harness exerts on the groin. That said, suspension trauma is inevitable whenever a person is dangled head up in a vertical position, as is the case with every full body harness marketed
zine
Ma y - June 2018
OOr aga OutdG uide M
TRAVE L SHOOT ING • • BOATIN G • G • CAMPI NG HUNTI NG • FISHIN
Daylight Savings ................Page
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White Perch ......................Page
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Strange Seeds ..................Page
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Albino Catfish ................Page
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Hobo Meal .......................Page
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Scrapes Tales ...................Page
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Asian Carp ......................Page
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MISSOUR I
to hunters. The most a boot strap can do is delay the onset of suspension trauma from a few minutes to perhaps – and I stress the word perhaps – as much as 15 minutes. SOME SOLUTIONS Fortunately, there are steps a hunter can take to minimize the inherent danger of full body harnesses without sacrificing their value in preventing falls. One of the best of these is a tree attachment device that will automatically lower you to the ground if you fall. These units run about $100, but that’s a fraction of what a visit to the emergency room costs, let alone a funeral. While you do have to climb the tree once in order to attach it, about 30 feet of half-inch braided rope with a Prusik knot wrapped around it and then attached to the tether strap on a safety harness can make falling impossible from the time the hunter leaves the ground until he/she returns to it. Store-bought ones run between $30 and $40. If you make your own, be sure that both the main rope and the lighter rope used to make the Prusik knot have a high coefficient of friction and are resistant to both rot and sunlight. Never climb a tree without having a readily accessible cell phone capable of providing rescuers with your exact GPS coordinates. If you fall, call for help immediately. Hunting from a tree stand is statistically very safe, and only 25 percent of reported falls require medical care. That said, let me assure you that statistics don’t mean very much when you’re lying at the bottom of a tree, wondering if the feeling is going to come back into your legs.
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ILLINOIS
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EXCITIN G AND OTHER
OUTDOO R
DESTINA TIONS
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Outdoor Guide
November-December 2019
Page 17
ARE YOU AIMING FOR THE
ULTIMATE HUNTING GEAR? X-Ring Takedown VR .22 LR Rifle
New from TacSol in 2019 is the X-Ring Takedown VR .22LR Rifle with a newly designed ambidextrous bolt. It’s everything that a premium rimfire rifle should be; lightweight, compact, durable, accurate and threaded for the addition of a suppressor. Available in a variety of standard colors and stock combinations.
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The Gunfighter
Coming out later this fall, Pietta Firearms is adding to its already impressive line up of single action pistols by introducing the 1873 “Gunfighter”. As part of the Great Western II line-up, the Gunfighter is sure to become one of the top-selling SA, replica pistols in the Pietta line-up. Available in both .45lc and .357mg and a 4.75” barrel, the Gunfighter is true to the original of one the most popular and most used pistol of gunfighters and lawmen of the Old West. Look for the Gunfighter in finer firearms and sporting goods stores nationwide or on www.piettausa.com
• Left or Right-hand charging capable • Green Fiber Optic Front Sight • Fully Adjustable Rear Sight with Fiber Optic • Integrated 15MOA Scope Base on Receiver • Ruger® BX-Trigger™
High Voltage by JEBS Chokes From the leading choke tube company in the nation, JEBS High Voltage Chokes are taking the waterfowl community by storm. Designed to easily and effectively handle steel, lead, bismuth or any other shot. The patented design gives the shooter more of a consistent pattern and incredible knockdown power for those longer shots. Offered in ported and non-ported models in either black nitrate or original dull.
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The Protector
The Protector Folder from ABKT is the perfect everyday carry or hunting companion. Made from D2 tool steel with a HRC from 59-62 (the same hard steel used in steel dies), handle is a black or Blaze Orange contoured G10, shaped to fit your hand. This folding knife is precision CNC machined, then inserted around a pivot pin with a set of stainless steel ball bearings, to insure a friction free smooth opening and closing. The blade is held closed with a detent ball that keeps the knife closed until you apply enough pressure to open. The blade will flow quickly and easily all the way open until the liner lock engages, just as fast as an automatic without all the hassle and danger.
Hellfire Muzzlebrake
Like with all of their 1200+ products, Guntec USA is always striving to improve upon and/or create AR products that stay ahead of the competition in both innovation and price, the “Hellfire” Muzzle Compensator is no exception. The AR 9mm “Hellfire” Gen 2 Muzzle Compensator with QD Blast Shield is manufactured in Guntec’s own facility in Scottsdale, AZ.
Specs:
• Muzzlebrake and blast shield are steel • Crush washer included • QD Blast Shield threads down over muzzle comp • Nitride finish • ½ x 36 thread • 9mm cal • Reduces felt concussion in close quarters • Total Weight: 5.8 oz (Muzzlebrake and Blast Shield) • O.D. 1.4”
• 10 Gauge
Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019
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November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 19
Wild Wine Life
Chinese Rabbit, Local Wine Photo and Text By RAY MAXWELL
There are a lot of different ways to make braised rabbit. This is a Chinese version with an American twist. You can do this entire process in your cast-iron skillet at camp. Serve this Chinese braised rabbit with a nice Nebbiolo wine like the Casata Monticello from Italy, or try Meramec Vineyards’ Chambourcin to stay closer to home. Both wines pair well with this dish. It’s all about having fun and enjoying yourself! CHINESE BRAISED RABBIT • One rabbit – chopped up; you
can use wild or farm-raised. If wild, brine it in salt water for a day. • Dry white wine – non-oaked, non-buttery and one that you like to drink. Traditional Chinese rice wine can be used, too. • Mushroom soy sauce. • Soy sauce – lighter than the
mushroom soy sauce. • Fresh ginger root – peeled and chopped. • Half a garlic clove. • Bay leaves – three to five. • Dried chili peppers – two or three. • Anise – three stars. • Sugar cubes – three to five. • Fennel seed – one teaspoon. • Clove – one teaspoon, dried not ground. • Bell peppers – two,
chopped. • Onion – one, chopped. • Green onions – four, chopped. Place the chopped-up rabbit into a bowl, pour about four ounces of the dry white wine over the rabbit and then add two tablespoons of mushroom soy sauce for flavor and color. Afterwards, add two to three tablespoons of the lighter soy sauce, then add half the ginger root. Mix everything in the bowl.
Allow the rabbit to marinate for about 15 to 20 minutes after mixing in the bowl. Pour some olive oil into your pan and both pre-heat and heat it. Cook on a low heat setting. Once the pan and oil are heated, add the sugar cubes. Stir until the sugar cubes melt and do not allow the sugar to brown. Add garlic and remaining ginger into the pan. Then add the rabbit into the pan, including the marinate.
Then add the remaining spices into the pan and mix everything in the pan. After cooking 10 minutes, if the juices have evaporated from the pan, add another 2 to 3 ounces of wine. Then add the peppers and onion (not the
chopped green onions). Cook the entire contents for an additional 10 minutes. Then add the green onions to the pan for visual appeal and crunch. For the video version, go to Wild Wine Life on Facebook or Youtube.
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Chinese braised rabbit can be made at home or at camp
Kieser Takes First Grand Prize in Angling Awareness Awards
Kenneth L. Kieser, a frequent contributor to Outdoor Guide Magazine, won the grand prize in the first annual Angling Awareness Awards, presented by the American Sportfishing Association. The awards were presented Oct. 8-11 in Stevenson, Wash. at the 2019 Sportfishing Summit. They were designed to recognize writers who inspire people to participate in recreational fishing. The awards are part of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s campaign, called “60 in 60,” to increase the current 49 million annual U.S. anglers to 60 million by December 2021. Three awards were given for articles in outdoor-related publications and three for pieces in outlets not specifically geared to fishing or outdoor activities. The awards recognized writers of the most effective stories about recruiting new anglers, retaining current anglers and or re-activating lapsed anglers back into the sport. CALM AND CONFIDENCE Kieser’s article, “Fishing Is a Calming Experience,” focused on Kim Deister, a Missouri grandmother who likes to go fishing with her kids at Bennett Spring State Park, a
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world-class fishery. The kids develop self-reliance, motor skills, confidence and planning abilities. It ran in the June 15 Independence (MO) Examiner. Kieser has been an outdoors writer for 43 years. He was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 2010, the Missouri Waterfowler’s Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Park Hill High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2019. He was named 2014 Conservation Communicator in Missouri and 2015 Conservation Communicator in Kansas. He has also been president of both the Missouri Outdoor Communicators and the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and he served on the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers’ board of directors.
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Outdoor Guide
Page 20
November-December 2019
What Can We Do About EHD?
By RYAN MILOSHEWSKI
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has become a keyword in the world of whitetails over the last years. The virus is voracious and causes a lot of fatalities when an outbreak occurs. But what it is and how it is spread causes a lot of confusion among hunters. EHD is a disease in ruminants (like deer) caused by a virus from the Orbvirus genus. It is found throughout the U.S., infecting both domestic and wild animals.
The disease is transmitted to deer via a bite from the biting midge fly, Culicoides variipennis. You know these flies as “no-see-ums.” The midge fly is a host in the virus’ lifecycle. This means the fly is not affected by the virus but is simply used as a transmitter to complete the cycle. The fly usually enters the deer’s nasal cavity to have a blood meal (bites the deer), transmitting the virus. It is important to remember EHD is not the same disease as Blue Tongue. They are in the same family of viruses but are not
interchangeable. WORSE WHEN RAINFALL IS LOW Although EHD does not need drought conditions to thrive, it tends to be worse when rainfall totals are low. This is because of two reasons, biologists suppose. First, the biting midge needs large deposits of mud and silt to lay their eggs. During a drought, these are plentiful, providing ample breeding grounds. Second, during drought conditions, deer are forced to concentrate on the only avail-
able water sources. A lot of deer going to one water source where the midges are thriving equals disaster. Warm winters and high spring rainfalls contribute as well, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). DON’T EAT IT While the virus cannot be transmitted to humans, cats or dogs from the bite of a midge, the MDC recommends not eating venison from a deer infected with EHD. There are potential secondary infection risks if ingested. Proper care
The disease tends to be worse during low rainfall conditions. – National Park Service photo
and handling is advised. If you suspect you harvested an infected deer, contact your local conservation department. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent EHD. Some management practices, like increasing aquatic or terrestrial vegetation around water
sources, can help prevent the mud/silt breeding grounds from thriving. Once an outbreak occurs, your best bet is to assess the damage (i.e. walking your entire property) and adjusting your harvest during the season.
Catch-and-Release Trout Season Will Begin Nov. 8
The annual winter catchand-release, no-creel trout fishing season at Missouri’s four trout parks begins on the second Friday in November – the 8th, this year, with fishing allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The season runs Fridays through Mondays through Feb. 10 at the three state parks in the group – Bennett Spring, Montauk and Roaring River. The separately owned Maramec Spring Park is open seven days a week and can be fished from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. At all of them, anglers will need a fishing permit and a statewide trout permit, $7. FLY-ONLY RULE Fishing in the parks is limited to “Fly Only.” In Missouri, that means the lure must be a single hook and constructed of any material (except soft plastic, natural or scented bait) that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached. Small jigs and rooster tails are considered flies and may be fished with a spinning rod as long as they have a single hook and meet all other material requirements. At Montauk, in Dent County near Salem along the Current River, more water will be open than in previous years. The restaurant, snack bar and store will be open for limited hours Friday through Sunday each weekend. Campgrounds, some cabins, motel rooms and the conference room will be available, at 345 County Road 6670, Salem MO. Call (573) 548-2201 for more information. At Roaring River, permits will not be available at the inn but will be at the hatchery office. The trout parks account for about 10 percent of all the fishing in the state. Each of the parks has a beautiful Ozark spring creek generously stocked with nice-sized trout. Bennett Spring is located in Dallas and Laclede Coun-
ties, 12 miles from Lebanon. Maramec Spring is in Phelps County, eight miles from St. James. Roaring River is in Barry County, in the Branson region. The On-Line Fishing Report of Weaver’s Bait Shop near Bennett Spring reports that all three zones of Bennett Spring may be fished, but only those flies that are legal in Zone 1 may be used, according to the Fly Only rule. “Barbless hooks are not required, but if using a hook with a barb, mashing it flat makes releasing fish easier and quicker,” the report adds. HANDLING TIPS Weaver’s also gave these tips for handling and releasing trout: • Minimize the time you “play” a fish. Playing a fish to
the point of exhaustion severely stresses it and can even lead to its death. • Avoid handling fish more than needed. Excessive han-
dling may damage the mucous covering on the fish’s body (which prevents infection) and reduce survival. • To remove the hook, keep the fish in the water. Hold the fish by the lower jaw to do this. If you must hold the fish out of the water to remove the hook, wet your hands and hold the fish lightly around the mid-section, then slide it back into the water as gently and as quickly as possible. • Use a hook disgorger or needle-nose pliers to back the hook out. Never pull a hook from the fish’s throat or stomach. Instead, cut the line or hook shank. • Never put your fingers in the gills or eye sockets. • To photograph a fish, have the camera ready and do it quickly. Get someone else to take the picture or to hold the fish. If possible, keep the fish in the water by cradling it or by keeping it in a net.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 21
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Outdoor Guide
Page 22
November-December 2019
A Little Gun, Loaded with Memories
By THAYNE SMITH
A big fox squirrel, ever alert while walking the limb of a large oak, stops in mid-step as I shoulder the little gun and search for its open sights. My movement and the sound of the safety being released, 40 feet below, are warning signals. Instantly, he flattens his body and bushy tail on the leafless oak limb, but it’s not enough. I can still see his head. I place just a tad of the shiny front bead in the U-notch of the rear sight and slowly squeeze the trigger. My aim is true!
I open the bolt, place another shell in the chamber, set the safety and again start the waiting game, while admiring the gun I hold. I muse that it has been a part of my family, and my life, for more than 70 years. THE HAND-ME-DOWN My late brother James received it as a gift from two older brothers, after my father and mother and their three youngest of eight sons, moved to a rocky, hillside farm near Marshall, AK, in 1936 to escape the infamous Dust Bowl that ravaged our home in western Kansas.
Two older brothers purchased the gun – a Model 33 Remington single-shot .22 caliber bolt-action, with 24-inch barrel and one-piece walnut stock-forearm – for $6 in 1937 – at Pruesch’s Hardware in Healy, KA, our hometown and my birthplace. The price included a box of .22 long-rifle shells. Measuring 42 inches, it weighed only four and one-half pounds. It was a hand-medown (as were most of our possessions) to me on Christmas Day in 1939 after James decided to join (as had four
brothers) the Civilian Conservation Corps, a popular federal work program of that era. By then, of course, the gun was already loaded with memories. I added many more! A HARD LESSON FOR CHRISTMAS I sneaked it to the woods on that Christmas Day, accompanied by Danger, my beautiful collie, and a gift box of shells. Trained by a neighbor and used often by my brothers, Danger was a champion at “treeing” squirrels. I returned after about four hours, proudly carrying a
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dozen of them. Unfortunately, the rest of the family didn’t share in my jubilation. I soon learned some valuable lessons! In the eyes of a boy, it mattered not that we were poor, had no electricity, refrigeration or running water, or that Mom’s cooking was over a wood-burning stove. Game was never wasted and appeared often on our table, but I had no appreciation for how it got there. “Never, ever bring anything home that causes work on Christmas Day,” Mom scolded as she dragged pots and pans from a cupboard. After drawing water from our cistern, Dad and the boys quickly taught me how to clean and cut squirrels, which Mom canned in glass jars using a pressure cooker. NEVER IN ANGER I romped back roads and trails, wooded areas and acres of oak-wooded areas, plunking squirrels and cottontails for eating, and snakes, lizards and turtles for practice. The gun has never been fired in anger but was used to dispatch old Kate, our plow mule, when she collapsed and couldn’t get up. We had no vehicles. Neighbors helped haul her away, somewhere, in a wagon. We left the Ozarks in early 1942 and moved back to Kansas, settling at Dighton, which
I still call home. The gun went with us, while James and four of his brothers went to war. It was used often to build memories on trips with rowdy high school friends. We shot coyotes from a speeding stripped-down Model A, numerous jackrabbits and cottontails, prairie dogs and even a turkey vulture. James returned to reclaim the gun in 1945 and used it extensively at a Ninnescah River fishing camp while living in Wichita, then after retiring to a rural place near El Paso, AK. It eliminated a lot of turtles from his favorite fishing holes and kept varmints in low numbers. He again loaned it to me about 20 years ago. I used it often for hunting, photo and writing trips in Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and near home in Oklahoma. THE GIFT OF FAMILY It still shoots well, but it’s tattered and rusty outside. The varnish on its wood stock and forearm yielded long ago to scratches and scrapes from rocks, barbed wire and other offenses. I view the blemishes as marks of pride, however, and ponder them between shots. Did they come while Dad or my seven brothers, all now departed, used it in the Ozark hills years ago? I find pride in wondering, and in counting the blessings of a family extended.
Outdoor Guide Goes to the Doctor’s Office
Here’s a neat little story for Outdoor Guide Magazine readers. Our friend Len Patton was in a doctor’s waiting room with his Outdoor Guide, sitting next to a fellow there for a treatment. Len had just read Bobby Whitehead’s column on making good use of opportunities to show kindness, in the September-October issue. The guy next to him looked like he could benefit from a little kindness. “He was not in very good shape, with head down and sweating like you can’t believe,” Len recalls. “I opened the Guide and started to turn pages. He looked over and asked me what I was reading. I told him about the Guide and asked him if he had ever seen it.” The man responded, “No, but it really looks interesting. I used to hunt and shoot and even fish, but I can’t do any
of that now.” PERKING UP Said Len: “I handed him the Guide and he started to thumb through it. His head came up, and he started laughing and commenting on the different articles. His wife looked at me and said, ‘I have not seen him laugh in six months.’ “When his name was called, he started to give back my copy, and I said that it was his, and I hoped he would enjoy all of the articles. “He said, ‘Thank you, and now I will have something to read while I’m in chemo.’ That got to Len a little bit. “I was so moved by this that I wanted to share this with you,” he said. “I regret that I never got his info, because I would love to send him a subscription to the Guide. One never knows when the opportunity arises to express some degree of kindness.”
Outdoor Guide
November-December 2019
Page 23
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Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019
It’s Time to Prepare for Winter
By JEANNIE FARMER
By early November, autumn’s beautiful colors have reached a fever pitch and are at the peak of their splendor. But as the days on the calendar trickle down, the countryside goes ablaze with a brilliant ensemble of lush purple, red and golden leaves. Of course, they will soon change, fade and begin to turn brown. Why does this natural transformation occur? Research shows that it’s caused by the deterioration of chlorophyll, a green pigment that is present in all plants and is responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis.
The U.S. Forest Service reports: “Intrinsically, the trees are aware that approaching winter weather will not offer enough sunlight or water to sustain their leaves, so the leaves fall off and the trees go dormant.” Mother Nature has a loving affection and intimate relationship with the natural world. She protects, preserves and prepares the wilderness and wildlife for the changing seasons, particularly autumn. This powerful bond of love and attachment alerts the animal kingdom of the future, and the winter weather that will follow. SURVIVAL MODE Forest trees, woodlands and spacious landscapes make
Colors dance on trees and brush at a hunting lease in central Oklahoma during the late October opening of the black powder deer season. – Thayne Smith photo
necessary preparations for wildlife by supplying an ample amount of food and shelter for survival. From September to November, animals such as beavers, mice, rabbits and squirrels forage and gather an accumulation of nuts, seed and berries to store for later consumption. To survive the extreme cold, mammals, including deer and foxes, grow thicker fur and increase their fat storage for insulation. Birds preserve their body heat by puffing out their feathers, trapping air within the layers for insulation. With winter on the horizon, I love taking advantage of the autumn days of November and spending time visiting the great outdoors and marveling at its wonders. Whether it’s a walk in the park or a short day hike on a trail, observing this spectacle of nature’s artistic splash of vibrant colors is something very special. I view it as the ultimate and most generous gift of Mother Nature. PLAN AHEAD When enjoying such a delightful adventure on a cool fall day, I realize that November weather can be finicky. Morning temperatures can range into the upper 50s, while the afternoon can climb to 75 degrees. With this in mind, before taking a nature walk or hike,
The colors of autumn grace the leaves of a dogwood, the Missouri state tree. – Jeannie Farmer photo
I plan my attire and prepare for what the future weather forecasts predict. Anticipating a day with plenty of sunshine and pleasant temperatures, wearing a lightweight longsleeved shirt and loose fitting vest is sufficient. If lower temperatures are predicted, consider switching to heavier hiking boots or shoes, flannel or fleece-lined shirts and jackets. Dressing in layers is often advisable. If you get too warm, it’s easy to tie a jacket around your waist. Most importantly, whatever the elements, take along a good container of drinking water. AUTUMN CAMPING Fall is also a lovely time to go on a weekend campout.
However, outdoor temperatures can quickly drop, bringing cold and rainy elements. If the agenda includes outdoor activities such as an afternoon trek that could take several hours, preparing and packing warm clothes is one of the necessary essentials. These could include water-resistant pants of highquality synthetic fabric that wicks away moisture from the body, and a waterproof rain jacket that provides protection from inclement weather. Good fitting, durable hiking boots that can withstand moisture and rugged terrain are a must. Be good to your feet by wearing comfortable
socks that provide warmth, are durable and have quickdrying features. Wool is best for socks and some clothing items, simply because it wicks away sweat from your feet and other body parts that can cause blisters and leave unwanted odors. Preparedness is the key for any outdoor weather event. Being comfortable in good quality outerwear makes for an enjoyable adventure. While the leaves are displaying their majestic golden colors and the animal kingdom has prepared for the cold weather months to come, it’s apparent to me that this cornucopia of nature’s abundant blessings is among life’s most precious gifts.
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We sell and service all Honda power equipment! For optimum performance and safety we recommend you read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment. Specifications subject to change without notice. All images contained herein are either owned by American Honda Lawn Mower Co., Inc., or used under a valid license. It is a violation of federal law to reproduce these imags without express written permission from American Honda Motor Co., Inc., or the individual copyright owner of such images. All rights reserved. Honda, Honda Lawn Mower model names and their trade dress are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. used under license from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Many Honda engine, trimmer, lawn mower, power equipment and veicle model names, and associated trade dress may be seen at ww.honda.com © 2108 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. C0579 Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in an enclosed or partially enclosed area where you could be exposed to odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. Specifications subject to change without notice.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
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Life or Death Climb at Hell’s Canyon Photos and Text By LARRY DABLEMONT
It looked fairly unthreatening to me, a hillside down into a small creek in western Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, with brook trout living in beaver dam pools. Maybe 10- or 12-inch brook trout wouldn’t appeal to most Ozark fishermen – until you ate a couple. After you have deheaded and gutted a few to fry whole, I would guess you might change your mind. I have never eaten any fish that good. I would trade a 15-inch walleye for a 10-inch brook
Kevin Kaltenbaugh and his dog Cashew at the bottom of Hell’s Canyon.
trout anytime. About the only thing I would rather have for supper is a 10-inch apple fritter! My partner, Kevin Kaltenbaugh, a mountain man, outdoorsman and naturalist who in all those phases is the equal of any man I know, is used to the wild country and thin mountain air. He said he knew of a little trail down through that thick underbrush, so off we went. It was there all right, not so much a deer trail or even a goat trail. It was more of a rabbit trail. INTO THE DEPTHS Clutching my little $10 ultra-lite spinning outfit, with my $600 Nikon slung across my back, I followed Kaltenbaugh into the depths of Hell’s Canyon. Until then no one had named it! The beaver dams were pretty much washed out, and I suspect the beavers had gone off looking for a new place to live. The water that was there had a foul smell, and the brook trout that Kevin had found there years before were only a memory. So I decided to try to find that little trail and go back up to the Jeep, only about 100 yards up the hill, resting on a trail where Kaltenbaugh’s wife had once come upon a mountain lion – too close, too big and too scary to forget. But there in the duskiness, only an hour away from darkness, the little trail eluded me.
A glimpse of the bottom of the canyon, where brook trout were supposed to be but weren’t.
There was only one thing to do, set forth into the mountain jungle before me and pray. I do quite a bit of praying, but not near as much as I did that next hour in the mountains of Colorado, where the oxygen is about a third as effective as what I am accustomed to. I was faced with patches of chest-high thick grass, and those patches lay in little 10- and 15-foot openings ringed by a thicket of 10-foot-high, thumb-sized woody plants which only small mice could go through. BULLDOZER, PLEASE Between those green thickets were the remains of dead thickets – brush piles you could not climb over. It was a maze that only the larger bulldozers I have seen could break through. Smaller dozers would have had to be left there, and here is why. In and amongst the high
grass which kept me from seeing the ground, there were ditches about three feet deep, containing almost two feet of that dark, dank, stinking water. It took only a few minutes to find a good deep one! When you give all your strength to break through grasses as thick as porcupine quills and then your foot goes into one of those ditches, it is a job to get it out, and you come out wet and cold, up to your knees. LIFE OR DEATH STRUGGLE I don’t want to try to describe the next hour. It reminds me of a life or death struggle, of which I have only had a few, in which for many nights later you wake up screaming in terror. I asked God to help me, but I think he was busy with something else. Then I asked what I had done to
deserve that but unfortunately he reminded me! In the next hour I got briars in both hands and gave all my strength to bulling my way through grass and high thickets and across dead branches stacked waist high. I could’ve handled it were it not for the ditches, and water likely filled with beaver dung and dead aquatic life. Again and again, down I went. Finally I went down and could not regain my feet. Exhausted and out of breath and weak, I lay there looking at the sky, recalling that commercial I saw once where some old lady was hollering, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Finally, gathering all the strength I could muster, I grasped a thick handful of grass and gained my weak and shaking legs beneath me. SAVE THE NIKON! I thought of how that mountain lion might feast upon my carcass in the night, and then I saw Kevin in a thicket just above me. He wasn’t a paid assassin after all! He showed me where he had broken a narrow path through dead brush, but between us was the biggest ditch of all. I tried to step across it but lost my balance and went in up to my shoulders. Kevin stepped into a waist-deep ditch next to me, and grabbed the camera off
my back to save it. We gained the ground on the other side and he clutched my belt to pull me up onto the brush pile. Moments later I was beside the Jeep, weak and wet and glad to be alive. THE DIAGNOSIS I might add the one good thing to come from that hour in Hell’s Canyon. Six months ago, they found that as healthy, strong, virile and obnoxious as I am, there were three blockages in small arteries around my heart. They laid me out on a table and ran a little bull-dozer type of thing up in there through my wrist to push out the blockages, which I gained from 40 years of eating all the donuts, pie and cake I could eat. I was awake the whole time the doctor did it, running the entire machinery up there wherever my heart was, and then as best as I can figure, putting little tiny things in there to keep it open so I can eat more donuts without consequence. The doctor said my heart was like new, like I was 30 again. But I doubted that. I figured then that if I had an ordeal like I had that night in the mountains, I would have to be hoisted out of that mess and air-lifted to the funeral home. But by golly, I guess he was right! I think now I might climb up a little higher and hunt some mountain goats on my next trip.
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November-December 2019
Your Guide to
GREAT GEAR Abu Garcia Adds Winn Grips to its Rods Lineup
Abu Garcia, part of the Pure Fishing group of brands, is blending its iconic features with custom rod grips by Winn to bring improved grip and comfort to its new LTD Program rods and combos. The Vendetta LTD and Veritas LTD standalone rods, as well as the Revo X LTD and Revo S LTD spinning and casting combos, provide exceptional durability and a comfortable, well-controlled grip to suit any angler. Vendetta rods feature IntraCarbon technology that creates a lightweight barrier, improving durability without adding weight. Veritas rods include Sublayer armor with high strength fibers that outfit the rods with superior hoop strength and durability. Modeled with lightweight, 30-ton graphite designs, the rods are available in a wide variety of colors and are available in stores now. Abu Garcia’s Vendetta LTD rods retail for $99.95, while the Veritas LTD retails for $119.95 in stores now. The Revo rods start at $149.95. For more information, go online to abugarcia.com. For other brands, go to www.purefishing.com.
Detecto Bike Lock Relies on Hardened Steel, 100 Decibels
ABUS, an international security products company, has developed the Detecto 7000 RS1 brake disc lock, which secures motorcycles using hardened steel and a 100-decibel alarm. The slightest movement or a vibration will trigger the alarm for 15 seconds. Then it will automatically re-arm itself. The 3x5 mm bolt, body and internal components are made of hardened steel. The lock is fitted with an ABUS Extra Classe cylinder and comes with a coded reversible key. An acoustic signal and optional LED will indicate battery status and active status. Operation is one-handed. An automatic keyhole cover protects against dirt and corrosion. It comes with a neoprene transport bag, and the batteries are included. Abus Detecto 7000 RS1 can be found online at sites including Revzilla, Cycle Gear, Walmart and Amazon for prices under $150.
Search Engine Helps Shooters Find Good Deals on Guns, Ammo
AmmoSeek is a search engine designed to help gun owners find in-stock ammunition, guns, magazines and reloading components at the best prices available online. The idea for AmmoSeek occurred in 2009, when there was enormous demand and a short supply of ammunition at high cost, and shooters were spending long hours searching online retailers’ offerings. The AmmoSeek search engine was launched in 2010. It does not sell the products but directs users to retailers who will. The service is free; the site is paid for with advertising. Last month, AmmoSeek was listing 262,515 products available from 94 retailers. Sellers are ranked and rated by users of the website. To check out AmmoSeek, go online to ammoseek.com.
Berkley Builds on Success of Fusion19 Snap Jig
Berkley’s popular Fusion19 Snap Jig has been turning up in tackle boxes from northern waters, where it is used to target game fish including lake trout and walleye, and southern bass waters, where it attracts largemouth and spotted bass. Fusion19 is now available in 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4-ounce sizes and with hook sizes ranging from 1/0 to 6/0 to accommodate larger soft plastics. Each weight-size is available in two hook sizes to allow versatility in rigging. Upgraded Fusion19 treble hooks are now available in both black nickel and red. New jigheads include Football Head, Swimbait Jighead, Shakey Head, Swing Head, Tube Jig, Under Spin and Weighted Wacky Head plus EWG Treble Hooks and Medium Shank EWG Treble Hooks. The new jigheads benefit from intricate design features, from recessed line-ties to recurved heads that allow a more snug fit when rigging soft plastics. Berkley’s Fusion19 Snap Jigs list for $6.99 for a twopack. Berkley products can be seen at Berkley-fishing.com.
Outdoor Edge Reinvents the Traditional Box Knife
Denver-based Outdoor Edge has redefined the traditional box-cutter with its new BOA (Box Opening Assistant) folding utility knife. The BOA’s perfect ergonomics and extensive jimping on the stainless steel blade holder delivers power from the hand directly to the cutting edge, and the force of the cut goes exactly where intended. A safety-guarded thumb button allows quick and safe replacement of the 1” blade with the flick of a finger. Constructed of 420J2 stainless steel with a sure-grip textured glass/nylon polymer handle, it’s as durable as it is lightweight. A pocket clip ensures it’s always accessible. The BOA’s overall length is 5.75” with the blade extended. It folds down to just 3.6” and weighs just 2.7 ounces, light enough to be nimble, but tough enough for hard use. BOA is available in blaze orange or black and comes with three standard utility razor blades, at retailers or outdooredge. com with a list price of $16.95.
Game Processing Kit Has Everything You Need for Butchering
The Outdoor Edge Game Processor is a complete, portable butchering kit for dressing big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, small game and fish. The set also doubles as a great set of cutting tools for camping and outdoor cooking, with handles made of ergonomic Kraton with a rubberized texture. It include four butchering knives in high carbon and stainless steel, plus a tungsten carbide sharpener, a 10” bone saw, carving fork, game shears, brisket spreader and 10” by 14” cutting board, all packed in a hard-sided carrying case. Buyers must be at least 18 years old. The Outdoor Edge game processing set lists for $74.99 and is available at Amazon.com and many outdoor retailers. Bass Pro Shops has been offering it for $49.95 recently.
Predator Rifle Gets Precision Cartridge for Long-Range Shots
Mossberg introduces the 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC), designed for long-range shooting with rifles such as the new compact Patriot Predator bolt-action. The 6.5 PRC offers a balance of velocity and manageable recoil combined with a flat trajectory, inherently accurate with exceptional ballistics to beyond 1,000 yards, The Predator features Mossberg’s twin-lug, push-feed, machined-steel action, fed from a lightweight polymer, flush 4-round box magazine. The standard contour, free-floating 24-inch barrel features a 1:8 twist rate, straight-edge fluting and is threaded (5/8”- 24 threads per inch) for the addition of a suppressor. The barrel is constructed of carbon steel and features a matte blue or Patriot Brown Cerakote finish. Every Patriot rifle features Mossberg’s Lightning Bolt Action user-adjustable trigger with a 2 to 7 pound range of adjustment. To see the complete line of Patriot rifles, visit a dealer or go online to www.mossberg.com.
Pietta’s New 1873 Series Is True to the Original
Pietta Firearms, a leader in fine replica firearms, introduces the 1873 Single Action Series of Firearms, some of the most true-to-original firearms on the market. This series is available in 45LC, 357MG, 44/40W, 44MG, .22MG and .22LR and in a multitude of design options. The series is designed for long-lasting reliability and accuracy and to be able to easily interchange with the old West originals. The company was founded by Giuseppe Pietta, who was born the seventh of nine brothers in 1938 in Italy and helped his brother Mario make hunting rifles. He founded his own company, originally to make parts for rifles. It has a new factory in Brescia. For more information, go online to www.pietta.it. To buy, go to www.emf-company.com, where prices start at $525.
Tac-Sol X-Ring Rifle Has a New Ambidextrous Bolt
Tac-Sol has introduced the X-Ring Takedown VR .22LR Rifle, with a newly designed ambidextrous bolt. It’s designed to be everything that a premium rimfire rifle should be – lightweight, compact, durable, accurate and threaded for the addition of a suppressor. It’s available in a variety of standard colors and stock combinations. The rifle weighs 3.5 or 3.7 pounds depending on the barrel, overall length is 35”, barrel length is 16.5”. Its front sight is green fiber optic, and the rear sight is fully adjustable fiber optic. The trigger is Ruger BX. The X-Ring Takedown VR .22LR rifle can be seen at dealers’ shops or online at tacticalsol.com. List prices start at $1,155. The version shown has the Magpul Backpacker stock.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 27
Rural Ramblings
Deer Season Is a Family Time
By RUSSELL HIVELY
Deer season in Missouri may be the biggest of all hunting events. For many people, it is a family time when entire families get together in deer camps or come in from the fields or woods at noon for a family gathering. Moms and youngsters, boys and girls both, join the hunts. It is a special family time, kind of a preview to Thanksgiving and Christmas. *** Paul Crews, Neosho, became the state brown trout recordholder on Feb. 23, 2019. He caught a 34 pound, 10 ounce brown trout on Lake Taneycomo to set the record. Crews has been an outdoorsman all his life. His mother would take him, his brother, and the neighbor kids on outdoor treks as often as possible in the Coon Foot area southeast of Neosho. *** With so many trees, the months of November and December in the Ozarks region of Missouri could be called a “leaf zone.” Leaves pile in the yards, cover the floors of forests, blow down the street in a race to nowhere, pile in ditches and fence lines, fill the gutters on your home and cover the roof and yards of nearly every house. ***
Time has changed our trains. At one time, Barry County had 11 depots. Now the only one remaining is the refurbished Missouri and North Arkansas depot in Wheaton, which is used a museum. *** Sometimes, while hunting in the woods, a person comes upon an unusual plant or tree. For example, a devil’s walking stick tree can be found in the Cape Girardeau Conservation Area but in few other parts of the state. *** Some towns have unusual ways of obtaining their names. Licking, in Texas County MO, was named for a nearby buffalo salt lick. *** For those who like to hike, Lake of the Ozarks is a treasure. HaHaTonka State Park has 14 trails, while Lake of the Ozarks State Park has 12. One of the Ozarks State Park trails is accessible only by water. *** Have trouble swallowing? Great blue herons have been known to choke to death on fish too large for their throats. *** When hunting or walking in the woods, have you ever noticed the spider webs are larger than usual? Large webs
Southern Illinois Habitat Projects Are Granted Funding
Wildlife habitat projects newly funded by the Illinois Habitat Fund include four in southern Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced. Funding is through the sale of habitat stamps to outdoorsmen and women. The projects include: • Pyramid State Park
An Illinois habitat stamp – A helicopter spraying project will remove and a water control structure invasive growth of autumn olive followed by and pump, using state waprescribed burns to remove terfowl funds in cooperation dying brush thickets and re- with Ducks Unlimited. store prairie grassland areas • Quail and Upland Game Alliance – This statewide at the park in Perry County. • Jefferson County Soil project, with a focus on and Conservation District southern Illinois, will convert – Money was allotted to buy more than 1,000 acres from a drill planter to replace one fescue and brome grasses that has been used since 2008 to high quality habitat for and has planted more than upland game and non-game 4,000 acres of habitat in eight species, making a prairie landscape beneficial to quail, southern Illinois counties. • Horseshoe Lake State Park turkey, deer, pheasant and in Madison County – The grassland birds. The flowers project will restore wetlands blooming in all three seasons at Raskey Slough in the park, will benefit pollinator insects including 600 feet of berm on and the milkweed will benefit the southern end of the slough monarch butterflies.
are said to predict a bad winter. *** Big Spring, near Van Buren, provides an average of over 250 million gallons of water per day. *** How many people have seen a skink with a shortened or no tail? *** How many hunters have seen large round hole in the side
of a hill or gully and wondered what lives or lived in it? A skunk? A groundhog? Or is it a fox den? *** Why do so many people enjoy the smell of a cabinwarming fireplace or cook stove? *** Who could say that December is not a month dominated by the color red?
There’s holly, ribbons and Rudolph’s nose. *** Acid in a vulture’s stomach is so strong that it kills germs. By eating roadkill, vultures keep germs from spreading. *** Did you realize a deer can leap over eight feet in the air and run up to 35 miles per hour? No wonder they get away so often. ***
November and December are cooler months. These are times when people cook good-smelling foods such as pumpkin pies, hot rolls and gingerbread cookies. *** The last two months of the years are special family months. There are holidays that honorAmerican history and the birth of Jesus. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from the Rural Rambler.
Kenrick’s MEATS
4324 Weber Rd. St. Louis, MO 63123
314-631-2440
Known for our variety of Fresh and Smoked Sausages • Deer Processed by Union Local 88 Meatcutters •
Whole Deer Processed $
only 89 Skinning only $30 Save Skin & Antlers Only Full Cap Shoulder Head Mount $10 Extra
Standard Saw Cut
• Round Steaks • Backstraps Boneless Whole • Backstraps Boneless Cut Into Butterfly Steaks • Tenderloins • Roasts • Ribs • Chops Bone-In Back Straps • Stew • Boneless Venison for Grinding • Ground Venison Mixed with Pork $2.75 lb. Mixed with Beef $2.75 lb. SHOT GUN SEASON DEER PROCESSING HOURS Mon.-Fri. 7:00 to 6:00 Sat. 8:00 to 5:00 • Sun. 9:00 to 8:00
$50.00 DEPOSIT REQUIRED FOR ALL DEER PROCESSED
Kenrick’s Specialty Venison Sausages 3 lb. Stick Hickory Smoked
Summer Salami............................ $4.29 lb. ............. $12.87 per stick 3 lb. Sticks
Jalapeno & Cheddar Salami ....... $4.99 lb. ............. $14.97 per stick 3 lb. Sticks
Polish Krackow Sausage ............ $4.99 lb. ............. $14.97 per stick 3 lb. Sticks
Bologna Venison.......................... $4.99 lb. ............. $14.97 per stick 3 lb. Sticks
Habanero Summer Sausage ....... $4.99 lb. ............. $14.97 per stick with Hot Pepper Cheese Snack Stick
Landejager ................................... 3 lbs. for $14.97 ........... $4.99 lb. Snack Stick
Pepperoni ..................................... 3 lbs. for $14.97 ........... $4.99 lb. Deer Jerky .................................... 3 lbs. for $14.97 ........... $4.99 lb.
Great for the Grill
Fresh Venison
Bratwurst ...................................... 3 lbs. for $11.97 ............ $3.99 lb. Fresh Venison
Saziza............................................ 3 lbs. for $11.97 ............ $3.99 lb. Fresh Venison
Country Sausage ......................... 3 lbs. for $11.97 ............ $3.99 lb. Fresh Venison
Jalapeno & Cheddar Brats .......... 3 lbs. for $13.47 ........... $4.49 lb. Fresh Venison
Bacon & Cheddar Brats .............. 3 lbs. for $13.47 ........... $4.49 lb.
Deer Burgers 1/3 lb. Plain (mixed w/beef) ........................ 3 lbs. for $8.97 ............. $2.99 lb. Jalapeno & Cheddar .................... 3 lbs. for $9.87 ............. $3.99 lb. Bacon & Cheddar ........................ 3 lbs. for $9.87 ............. $3.99 lb.
Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019
Anticipating Winter Changes
Photos and Text By JOHN L. SLOAN
It was cool, bordering on cold – a still almost frosty 37 degrees. Dawn was coming. I could just see it, creeping around the edge of the thicket. It was November 16, and autumn was changing into early winter. Mother Nature was changing her clothes, shedding the colorful leaves of a week ago, exhibiting more naked branches. I was 10 feet off the ground in a ladder stand, hidden back in a thicket on the edge of a small field. I was cautiously confident. They came first on the field edge, three does with two fawns. He came next upon an anxious six-point. Then a fat raccoon and a murder of crows. Ten minutes later, just as the sun began to cast beams through the thicket, he jumped
the old fence at the crossing. I knew from where he came, and I knew where he was going … on my wall. WAITING FOR CHANGE I had placed the stand in mid-September. I had not yet hunted it. This was my first time. I had waited, waited for the change. As Ma Nature was changing, so were the bucks. It was worth the wait. I was in a strip of mixed hardwood thicket about 400 yards long and 250 yards wide. On one side was a large, mowed hay field; my ATV was parked on the far side as decoy. On the other was a row of four houses. On one end, a paved road; across the road was a picked cornfield. On the other end, a golf course. There was an old fence around the thicket, rusted and
The recovery was far easier than getting him to the field edge. The thicket is in the background.
• Five – I also knew I had
Don’t move. Just sit still and wait. He may be right behind her.
down in a few places. The does would cross the road at first light and walk the edge of the field. I knew this because I had, from another stand, already killed three. The buck, when the buck came, would cross the road and jump the fence at a low place, looking for the does from the safety of the thicket. My stand was 22 yards from the crossing. I don’t hunt hard any more. Back then, I scouted more than I hunted. I didn’t and don’t own a trail camera. I do it the old fashioned way but the results are, or at least can be, the same. If – and it is a big if – you know what you are looking for and how to use it. SCOUTING, WITH NOTES I had gotten permission to hunt this property in the previous December. Mostly I just scouted it. I saw the trail, clearly marked with rubs, just
inside the fence. I walked it from one end to the other and made notes. Over a half-century of deer hunting had taught me quite a bit about deer. I applied that knowledge. • One – I knew that the travel patterns of the mature bucks would change as the early stages of the pre-rut approached. That, for this area, would be late Octoberearly November. They would move, often into new and unknown territory. • Two – I knew that hunting from a stand I wanted – to at least have a chance for a mature buck, prior to the time of change – would greatly lessen the odds. • Three – I also knew it was important to wait for the right conditions, both wind and temperature. • Four – I knew it was too early to rattle or even spar. Sit quietly, wait and watch.
not seen the buck for which I was waiting and quite possibly, he had never been in that thicket. It was the time of change. TRAIL IS MARKED In my 50-plus years of hunting, studying, writing about and guiding for deer, I asked a lot of questions. For some, I got answers. For example, I learned one of the least productive ways to kill a mature buck was to scrape hunt. Seldom does a buck over 4½ years visit a scrape in daylight, if at all. So I pay little attention to scrapes. It is the signpost rub that draws my attention. Those are the rubs that mean something. Like our road signs, they mark the trail for the traveling buck. When I was with Tri-State
Trophy Outfitters in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri, I spent almost all of February scouting, mapping and making notes. Then, when we put the 55 stands up in late summer, we knew just where to put them and when to hunt them. I feel sure that was a huge part of our unbelievable success with bow hunters. I applied the same tactics at home. As the early pre-rut begins, bucks travel, often to areas they have never visited. They instinctively follow the signpost rubs and make new ones. They change their habits, and so do I. The string came back. The sight settled and my fingers opened. Oh, the shot was good. He went less than 70 yards. Anticipate the change.
This is a signpost rub. As the rut progresses, it will be ‘worked’ by several bucks.
The Story of Maddie, an Unlikely Bird Dog
Photos and Text By BILL KEATON
As some of you may know, back in the 1960s, Benton County in northwestern Indiana was a pheasant hunter’s dream. It rivaled South Dakota. It was not uncommon for 50 to 80 pheasants to get up and fly at the end of a field in front of the hunters. However, farming practices changed over the years with increased use of insecticides and removal of traditional fence rows and other cover, resulting in a dramatic decline in the wild pheasant population. Fortunately, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources initiated a program about 20 years ago in which funds from the sale of upland game license fees (Game Bird Habitat Stamps) were used to purchase land in the traditional wild pheasant range with restoration of pheasant habitat. WINNING THE DRAW A drawing is held each year to allow a few hunters to hunt pheasants and any other lawful game on these restored habitat areas. Successful hunters may take two other hunters with them if they choose.
E v e r y y e a r, M i k e Schoonveld, Tom Berg and I have applied for the hunt with the plan that if any of us were to be drawn, we would take the other two on the hunt. We have applied for at least 15 years, and we have only been successful twice. I was lucky enough to be drawn to hunt in 2018. Mike could not go on the day of the hunt, so I invited Tom and my son Will. Until recently, I have always had an English setter and sometimes a Labrador retriever for bird hunting. My last setter died about three years ago, and I did not get another. A dog is absolutely essential for hunting wild pheasants. I have always found that a flushing dog is better than a pointing dog on pheasants because pheasants tend to run out and away once a dog comes on point. A crippled bird will also run faster and farther than one can imagine. WHY NOT A BOXER? Since I no longer had a setter, I decided to try to train my boxer pup (one-year-old Maddie) to hunt birds. You may have read my article about her success at shed hunting in the November/ December 2018 issue of Out-
Bill Keaton thought he might as well train his boxer Maddie to hunt birds.
door Guide Magazine. I learned in the first part of October that I had been drawn to hunt on Nov. 7. I got all my dog training equipment out and started working with Maddie shortly after I learned I had been drawn. She has a great nose, and she did very well at finding and retrieving dummies with pheasant scent, so I was encouraged.
Although Maddie is very well disciplined, I was concerned that with the excitement of the hunt and plentiful wild pheasants, Maddie might run wild in the field and ruin the hunt. To see how she would behave on live pheasants, Will and I took her to a preserve the Friday before the hunt was to occur. We paid to have four pheasants released in a very
large partially wooded field. To our joy, Maddie found and flushed all four and one extra bird, all of which we shot! When we downed a bird, she located it quickly. However, when she first tried to pick the bird up to retrieve it to me, there were two problems. The bird was big for her mouth, and she didn’t like a mouthful of the loose feathers that pen-raised birds tend to shed. However, she stayed on the bird and held it down with her mouth and her big paws until we got there and took it. RUNNING DOWN THE ROOSTER On the day of the wild bird hunt, it was very cold, with a steady 20 mph wind out of the west. These were tough conditions for the hunters and would be difficult conditions for even an experienced bird dog. We were able to hunt perpendicular to the wind, which mitigated the difficulties significantly. Maddie worked the cover as well as any flushing dog with which I have hunted. We hunted from 9 a.m. (the lawful start time) until almost 3 p.m., with only a short rest at noon. Maddie never quit, and on the last bird, Tom’s shot just
broke a wing. The big rooster went down running! Maddie caught the trail and took off after him, running through briars like they weren’t even there. She caught the rooster about 100 yards in front of us. We saw the bird jump up and try to fly, but Maddie caught him a foot off the ground and tried to bring him back to me. He was fully alive, and she had trouble holding the bird. She finally pinned it to the ground and held him with her mouth until I got there and took the bird from her. We got our limit of six cock pheasants. THE LESSON Following this successful hunt, I took her several times to a preserve where we mostly hunted Chukar. Maddie got better every time I took her and very quickly made full retrieves of the partridge-sized birds. She was very efficient and nothing escaped her keen nose. She had been very impressive for a year-old pup, let alone, a year-old Boxer. I was really proud of her, and I planned to take her bird hunting again. The lesson we should take away is that many breeds of dogs will make great hunting dogs if we just take the time to train them.
Outdoor Guide
November-December 2019
Page 29
All My Trails
Snowshoes Let You Enjoy Winter
A Journey of Discovery, One Step at a Time
By CARL GREEN Photos by LOIS GREEN I never know what to get her, so when she said she’d like to try snow-shoeing, I jumped right in and bought a couple pairs of the shoes – small for her, elephantine for me – and the matching poles. Then we waited for snow … and waited. A year went by and the gear was still in the closet until last January, when a nice load of snow was dumped all over the St. Louis region. We put on the shoes, stomped around in the yard and then took the gear out to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville cross-country trails for an extended training run. We learned we could at least do it, and that it was a lovely, relaxing way to get very cold. The snowshoe is a long and wide metal frame and platform that attaches to your boot and keeps you from sinking too deep. Metal teeth under your feet give a grip, and the poles help you stay upright. Altogether, it makes walking through semi-deep snow a lot
like normal walking. You don’t go fast but you do keep going. The hardest part is getting everything strapped on properly. SWIMWEAR NOT NEEDED After our successful first attempt, that February beach cruise we were pondering morphed into a snowshoe adventure. There would be a beach, all right, but nothing tropical. It was Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, in cherry wine country at the north end of Lake Michigan, where some well-defined cross-country ski trails can also be used for snowshoeing. When we arrived in the summer tourist town of Traverse City, Mich., we quickly got a room and set out to find a place for a late-afternoon snowshoe run. It took some scouting, but Traverse City State Park proved to be a large and thoroughly vacant campground with snow, slopes, trees and several hundred upturned picnic tables to provide an eerie ambience. The rangers had no objection to us traipsing about the place, and it made for a nice capper to a long day of driving. X-DAY ARRIVES The next day was X-day – the big excursion, that is – and while our drive out to
FISHING
The old bull moose heads out into the snow.
the dunes was icy and slow, we again found we had the place to ourselves. This National Parks property not only has tall dunes with great views of Lake Michigan, its interconnecting cross-country ski and hiking trails are ideal for silent, gorgeous, all-wintry snow-shoeing solitude, and we took full advantage. Mrs. Green was off and running in the snowy wilderness. So
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with all the grace of an old bull moose, I headed out, just trying to keep up. Sleeping Bear Dunes was once declared “the most beautiful place in America” on Good Morning America. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s pretty nice, even in February. We tromped around in good fashion except for one place where the snow was so deep we felt we were being swallowed up. The only sounds were our shoes going “haunch, haunch, haunch” in the unmarked snow, and the birds warning each other that weird walkers were on the prowl. It was only about 10 degrees, but we were bundled and busy enough not to get bit.Agreat day of outdoor adventuring! OLYMPIC FESTIVAL We wanted to stop someplace for a little more “shoeing” on the trip home and found that Muskegon State Park, at the city to the south but still along the lake, has a virtual Olympic festival of a place called, blandly enough, the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex. Anyone who has zoned out watching Winter Olympics should visit here, where peppy Alpine-style music plays overhead and busloads of participants constantly arrive
and depart. You can see people skating on the big outdoor rink or even along a trail through the woods, or sliding down one of the luge runs or cross-country skiing on miles of trails, all marked continental-style in kilometers, of course. TRAILS CALLING What called out to us, though, was the layout of four separate, designated snowshoeing trails. We strapped on our gear for our next event – covering the three short trails and part of a much longer one. This was not about solitude – the noises of people and music were everywhere – but we were the only ones on snowshoes as we spent the afternoon plodding along. The snow was not as deep as at the dunes, but it was just deep enough. One challenging section had a beautiful bluff view overlooking an iced-over section of Lake Michigan – a memorable view. Another great day – more about outdoor enjoyment than adventure, I guess. So our short trip ended with three outings in three days and enough snowshoeing to pacify us for the time being. THREE LESSONS • Lesson One – Snow shoeing is a safe and easy way to enjoy
snowy scenery and weather, and well worth the small expense and effort if you don’t plan to take up skiing. It’s slow, quiet and peaceful. • LessonTwo – You won’t get to do much snow-shoeing in Missouri and Illinois. There’s just not enough snow most winters. • Lesson Three – I guess the cruise ship and tropical beach trip will have to wait this coming winter – until after we’ve had our second annual snowshoe adventure. Carl Green is copy editor of Outdoor Guide Magazine and Illinois correspondent for the St. Louis-Southern Illinois Labor Tribune. His wife Lois is a retired teacher and confirmed adventurer.
The adventurous couple pause for a sudden selfie on the snowshoe trip.
Page 30
Outdoor Guide
November-December 2019
Outdoor Gallery Send in your favorite outdoor photo to ogmbobw@aol.com and be featured in the Outdoor Gallery of Outdoor Guide Magazine.
ERIE CONNECTION–Devoted fisherman Jim Craig from Glen Carbon, IL, caught this 21” smallmouth in September on Lake Erie, using a crayfish on a drop-shot rig. He was fishing with guide Bob Troxel.
FIRST FISH – Layne Riley, granddaughter of John Marsanick of St. Louis, shows her first fish, caught this summer at Lake of the Ozarks with a little help from Grandpa.
PIKE PARADE – Andrew Sharp and Neal Holland show a trophy northern pike they caught in Canada not long ago.
MERAMEC MEN – Dr. Steven Grossman (at right) reports that he and fishing partner Barry Schraier (at left) had a great summer chasing smallmouth bass, mostly in the Meramec River. They pulled these three-pounders out just long enough to take pictures and then release them to fight another day. He added, “The paper has been great as always and the articles are very informative. Keep up the great work, and I hope you have continued success.”
TANEYCOMO TREASURE – Brad White sent us this photo of Parker White of St. Clair, MO, who caught his biggest bass so far at just over 5 pounds at Lake Taneycomo.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 31
Spider Webs Cross the Trails in the Fall
Photos and Text By LARRY DABLEMONT
PIKE STRIKE – Our friend Russ Reed of Edwardsville IL landed this 36” Northern pike while fishing in August with a group at Snowshoe Lake in western Ontario.
As much as I like to be in the woods, this is a rough time because of all the spider webs across trails. One of the old Front Bench Regulars in the pool hall back home said that God didn’t create spiders, ticks and flies. He said they were here when God got here, before he went to creating the good stuff. Darn, they make me itch and get miserable. I don’t remember them being here when I was a kid because I hunted squirrels in the hickories in late August. We didn’t seem to have any problems with spider webs back then. I have a feeling that all these spider webs portend great problems to come. I think that fires and earthquakes and floods will get so bad in years to come it will be hard to keep living in the Ozarks. Another problem this time of year is in the trees, what they refer to as fall webworms, which are the larvae of an unspectacular small white moth. I eliminate that problem around my home with a long pole and a wad of newspaper wrapped and taped at one end. Light the paper and stick the
flaming torch up under the web which encases the worms … problem solved. I wrote about how to do this a couple of years ago and a reader sent me something that said a “torch on a pole” procedure which I had written might damage trees. I have killed webworms like that for 30 years, and there is never ever any damage to trees, not even temporary damage. The specialist’s recommendation was pesticides, of course, malathion and sevin, which will leave the web and all its ugliness intact while it kills the worms and perhaps some birds that come along and eat the poisoned worms. Use the long pole and torch. You will never harm a tree that way. TENT CATERPILLARS Tent caterpillars, as most of us country folks call them, are worse on hickories and persimmon trees. I have seen persimmon trees just enshrouded with the awful things, but first frost will solve the problem, and I have heard that the worms won’t kill a healthy tree. They might do harm if they are thick for two or three years on the same trees, but I have never seen a tree which was
MILES TO GO – Matt Miles of Rogersville, MO, author of “Missouri Wild and Wonderful,” lands a smallmouth near Bunker Hill Resort while out on the Jacks Fork River with float fishing guide Dennis Whiteside.
One sure cure for webworms.
First frost solves the problem of tent caterpillars.
damaged much on a longterm basis. This time of year, stripping leaves from the tree by eating them, they pass them through their bodies to drop a large number of little brown balls of digested leaves. But I have some walkways and decks and a concrete pad outside my basement that I don’t want those brown droppings on. To eliminate that, use the burning paper at the end of a long pole, held just under the web for a second or two. Do this for the trees around your home and don’t worry about the ones out in the woods or fields. SQUIRREL MIGRATION There are so many hickories around my little cabin on Lightnin’ Ridge that I have a problem with squirrels. I can’t take a nap on my hammock for the sound of squirrels chewing on hickory nuts. As a boy I loved to hear that … squirrels gnawing on the hulls of green hickory nuts quite often made them easier to find in the late-summer woods and therefore easier to skin and cut up for a pot of dumplings.
I brought home so many squirrel tails you could have used them to insulate the chicken house. We have so many squirrels around this area that we just might see a squirrel migration next spring. That used to happen in the Ozarks every few years, and it was something to see, hundreds of squirrels, both the grays and reds (fox squirrels), moving en masse through the woods in one direction. In the 1980s, I saw a tremendous number of squirrels swimming across Bull Shoals Lake in the Tucker Hollow area, and dozens of them drowned trying to get to the southern bank. A migration of that sort usually is not a long one; perhaps the squirrels will move 10 or 15 miles or so, but not much farther. NOT JUST SQUIRRELS As for me, if I was young, I would be migrating too, north into the western part of Canada, up there to sparsely populated northern Manitoba where the geese and ducks move through by the millions in early fall, and moose and timber wolves still roam the bush with all kinds of animals we’ve never seen here.
Fall Turkey Hunt Is Down
Missouri Department of Conservation
BASS BLAST – Kent Brueggeman of St. Louis, along with his friend Bill Kunz of Dittmer, MO, had a heck of a day with float fishing guide Dennis Whiteside on the Little Niangua River recently, landing well over 100 bass for the day.
Preliminary data shows that hunters took 1,952 turkeys during Missouri’s fall firearms turkey season, Oct. 1-31. Top harvest counties were Crawford and Greene with 61 birds harvested in each, followed by Laclede with 59, and Phelps with 58. Hunters harvested 2,170 birds during the fall 2018 firearms turkey season. In the 2018 spring season, the total was 34,072, with youth hunters taking 1,729. Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl of the Department of Conservation had expected fall turkey hunting to be challenging.
“A wet spring and flooding during the spring and summer created challenging nesting conditions across much of the state,” Tyl said. “This contributed to below-average poult production throughout much of the state, so we have fewer young birds on the landscape this year.” ANNUAL SURVEY Each summer, as part of the state’s wild turkey brood survey, department staff and citizen volunteers record the number of hens and recently hatched turkeys they see, called poults. These observations are then tallied to determine the success of the hatch, which is most often
reported as a poult-to-hen ratio, or simply the average number of poults per hen observed during the survey. The ratio is a good measure of nesting success and poult survival. The annual wild turkey brood survey for this year showed turkey production was below average statewide and in most regions. The statewide poult-to-hen ratio for this year is 0.9, the same as last year but lower than the average for the previous five years, 1.1. Turkey production was higher in southeastern Missouri this year than in other parts of the state. MORE TO LEARN Tyl said there is still much to be learned about factors that
affect turkey production, something she and her colleagues are working on. “We’re looking at our longterm turkey brood survey dataset and trying to determine how turkey numbers, weather, landscape, and their interactions affect production. This research should help explain some of the trends we’re seeing in turkey production,” she said. Fall archery turkey hunting is set to end Nov. 15 and resumes Nov. 27 through Jan. 15. See the 2019 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet, available where hunting permits are sold or go online to huntfish. mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/ downloads/2019FDT.pdf.
Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019
Wildlife Wrangling and Outdoor Ramblings Photo and Text By RANDALL P. DAVIS
Interview with a Wild Man
Occasionally, I’m asked to speak to organizations that feel hearing what I have to say is interesting. All I can reason is it must be a dry period for the activities director. Optimist clubs, Boy Scouts, Ladies auxiliaries, genealogy associations, even dog catcher’s conventions seem to crave knowing about raccoons in attics, bats riding ceiling fans or snakes in the underwear drawer. Or perhaps they’re just politely staring at me, daydreaming of more fascinating things like washing dishes. I’ve been introduced and interviewed a few times on a radio station and the local paper as, “The Wild Man,” “The Mole Catcher,” “Groundhog Guy” and “The Bat Dude.” The listening audience and readers wanted advice about solving wildlife problems and to hear it straight from the “expert.” Boy, did I ever have them fooled. I can›t even keep the moles trapped out of my yard. THE REAL YOU But recently, I saw a posting on a social media platform that posed numerous ques-
tions regarding yourself so others might get to know the real you. I’ve taken the idea further and added questions I’ve received throughout the years. Some of you may think it’s too personal to divulge. At my age ... I’m snarky and don’t care! • HOW OLD ARE YOU? – Currently 63, but this morning, feeling 83. • WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL? – The one I’m get-
ting paid to remove.
• WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST UNUSUAL JOB? – I
was called to a small commune-like gathering where the free-living residents complained about something damaging and removing what they referred to as their, “financial fungus” – magic mushrooms to the rest of us. Upon inspection I told them they had a packrat problem. The tribe was offended, thinking I was admonishing their lifestyle. I kicked over a nearby nest. Packrats ran everywhere. That’s when the two-legged rat pack dispersed as well. HAVE YOU EVER… • Been bitten by a wild animal? Yes, I’ve been pierced
numerous times by ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers.
• Had surgeries? Once, a
kidney stone the size of a hen’s egg. The doc called it a trophy. I did NOT call the taxidermist. • Been tattooed ... inked?
Nope. But I have received innumerable scars from gouges, burns, bruises, cuts, contusions, lacerations and tongue lashings. • Been caught in your own trap? One time, setting rac-
coon traps in an old corncrib. Wind blew door shut and it latched. Three days later they found me. Since then, little desire for corn on the cob. • Fired a gun? Really? C’mon folks, it’s me. I kill for a living. • Quit a job? Years ago – never was that smart. I stayed until I was fired. Trouble is, lately I’ve tried to fire myself, but I’m afraid of employee retaliation. • Been on TV? Yes, I once photo-bombed a crime scene. All fun until I was detained and questioned as a suspect. • Hit a deer? With what, a bow or a rifle? Well, yes. A vehicle? A wet cat? No. • Ridden in an ambulance? As a participant? No.
But I did make an emergency run to the vet with a bird dog. I guess you could say I’ve been an ambulance driver.
• Sang Karaoke about the outdoors? Sure, in an out-
house after a week’s camping with nothing to eat but chili. And you think driving and texting is bad? Pfft, this takes real skill. • Ice skated while muskrat trapping? Attempted. Failed.
It was August.
• Ridden a motorcycle? As
a passenger behind a buddy, holding a 12-pound flathead. (Actually, it was in 1970 and we were riding a mini bike.) • Stayed in hospital? See above K-stone extraction. Side note: not only did the medications allow for wonderful sleep, they did have good food. AND WHAT ABOUT… • Morning or night? Early morning. It’s the best time to answer all these questions before anyone is conscious or had their coffee. • Last phone call? I hope not! • Last text from? Daughter. Sent a discreetly taken photo of me lugging a 40-pound beaver out of a scummy pond. It was a slick, muddy mess. Me, not the beaver. • Lake or ocean? Depends on where the biggest fish are best biting. • Favorite pie? Either hot or cold (one of my dad’s favorite lines) and over the years I’ve consumed pious amounts of both in the form of humble pie. • Favorite season? From the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice. Beyond that I either hibernate, pupate, or
The author is sometimes referred to as the Wild Man when questions are asked. His answers are not always what is expected.
migrate. And finally....
• Worst wildlife nightmare?
Being cornered and held hostage by a congress of sasquatches (probably didn’t know this is the collective noun for a group of uncontrol-
lable, wild and smelly beasts with little regard for your well being, huh? Now you do ... and how our Congress earned its name.) Now, I might have over done it. But remember, I’m 63 and a snarky Wild Man.
Creating the Entire Illusion to Call Deer By RYAN MILOSHEWSKI
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A few months ago, I mentioned the book “Whitetail Strategies” by Peter Fiduccia, FIDUCCIA host of Woods ‘N Water, as a mustread for every deer hunter. One of its key concepts revolves around deer calling tactics. A tenet of Fiduccia’s calling is “creating the entire illusion.” The basic premise is simple – don’t just blow on a grunt tube, bang some antlers together or throw out a doe bleat. They may be natural sounds, but just making them haphazardly is not as effective as putting yourself into the scenario. Let me explain with standard calls you may use. • RATTLING – When rattling, try to put yourself in the position of the two bucks about the clash. Imagine how they are posturing to each other, what angle they are taking, etc. As
you start your sequence, imagine how they are going about it. Make grunts, have a “dead period” where no noise is made (as bucks get locked up a lot). Put out some buck urine prior to rattling, too. If you have a decoy, even better. The point is to make any buck that may approach as comfortable as possible in believing there are other deer making the noise. • GRUNTING – It is easy to pick up your grunt tube and blow some short, nasally grunts. Same with a bleat call. When grunting, I base my “grunt type” on the time of year. If deer are chasing, I’ll use short, frantic “brrrp” grunts. If they are tending does, I will use long, drawn-out grunts. If they are in search of a hot doe, you can use anything, but usually some short, sporadic grunts work best. Use your past experiences or hunting videos to see how bucks act when grunting, and vice versa. • BLEATING – I like to do two or three short bleats from a canstyle call. I usually accompany the bleats with tending grunts to create the illusion a buck is with the hot doe. This is deadly
during November. You do not just want to turn the can over every 20 minutes. Make it seem like a doe is in estrus, with or without a potential mate. Is the doe bedded or wandering around frantically? Think about how they would act based on what you’ve seen before! Use doe in estrus urine prior to calling.
STAND PLACEMENT The biggest tip I can give is to pick stands you will call out of carefully. If you are in a wide-open field or woods where a deer can come to 100 yards and simply stand and look for the deer, you are in the wrong spot. Call from a stand with brushy, thick cover around. I like to place stands with a backdrop of a blowdown or thicket. This almost always ensures the buck will have to come by to make sure the “other deer” is not behind the brush. I hope this concept helps you with your calling sequences and helps you create an illusion to put a big buck down for years to come!
November-December 2019
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Outdoor Guide
Page 34
By LARRY DABLEMONT
November-December 2019
Last of the Bobber Watchers
If I were ever asked to list the 10 things I have enjoyed most in my life in the outdoors, not too far down the line I would list, “watching a bobber.” It was one of life’s greatest pleasures in my youth. You too have likely done that if you grew up in the country. If you have been there and done that, you know what I mean. When I was five or six, Grandma McNew and I watched bobbers on my Uncle Roy’s pond, which he allowed no one else to fish except my
cousins and me and Grandma and Grandpa. Back then, summer ponds weren’t all filled with the scum and algae you see today. The water there in the shade of the big oak tree was dark and deep, full of bluegill and bass and catfish. And in the summer, Grandma and I often sat there in the shade, watching a bobber sit stone-still on a smooth surface, knowing that any moment it might dance a little, throwing out little ringlets on the water, then dive out of sight in a flash, the braided line cutting through the depths.
BLUEGILL TO CATFISH It only took a jerk on the cane pole to know what you had. But no matter, it would be dinner the following day; not filets in a skillet but whole fried bass or bluegill with the fins left on, just scaled and gutted with the heads cut off. Usually that disappearing bobber meant only a hand-sized bluegill, but sometimes a bass 12 or 14 inches long would pull it under. Once or twice in every few hours of fishing, it would be a catfish, and if you weren’t careful you might break the end
off the old cane pole by jerking too hard. You landed a bigger fish by walking backwards and dragging it up the bank. As I grew a little bit older, I had another reason for using a bobber. Dad and Grandpa Dablemont loved to set trotlines on the Big Piney River for whopper-sized flathead catfish that would weigh from 20 to 40 pounds. While other species of catfish can be caught on stink-bait or small minnows or any kind of dead bait, a flathead doesn’t get caught often on anything but large, live bait. Green sunfish, which we always called “black
Engraving from the October, 1938 Outdoor Life
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Claudette’s Kitchen ........Page 10
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age 15 Lovable Leeches ..............P
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perch” were pretty high on a flathead’s menu. HOW TO BAIT A TROTLINE Across the fence behind our house was a neighbor’s pond, an old one, built to water an old milk cow or two. It wasn’t pretty, and muddy most of the time. But that pond was filled with black perch from 3 to 5 inches in length and I could catch enough in 30 minutes to bait a trotline. By that time I had an old fiberglass rod and a Shakespeare casting reel and a red and white bobber. I would sit there on that orange clay bank, sweltering in the heat, with a bucket and a can of worms. I’d fling the baited hook out 6 or 8 feet from the bank and watch that bobber like a cat watches the pendulum on a clock. It was almost always dancing around, and when it did I would give it a jerk, so the little sunfish wouldn’t swallow the hook. I have pictures of big flathead catfish Dad and Grandpa and I would bring home just because of my ability with a hook and bobber in the pond across the fence. THE HAPPY HUMP It was only eight or 10 years later, the first summer I worked as the Outdoor Editor for the
Arkansas Democrat, that I met a fellow by the name of Yarbrough, who was a guide on Dardanelle Lake. There was a small arm on the north side of that lake known as Spadra Creek, and Mr. Yarbrough showed me where there was a hump coming up in the middle of that long deep tributary where I could catch crappie on minnows. To make a long story short and happy, I took some minnows and a bobber and caught my limit there in just a few hours of the evening on several occasions. I got to watching that bobber with such concentration, I scarcely noticed the metal fishing boats that would pass, staring at that old wooden boat I had brought from back home on the Piney and had paddled out there to watch a bobber and fill my stringer with crappie. It is a different time. Modernday outdoor writers seldom write about bobbers. Maybe they never use them. But there is one writer who still leans back and watches a bobber every now and then, just to bring back a taste of the good old days … and I am him! For more of Larry’s stories, see his website, larrydablemontoutdoors.blogspot. com.
Shawnee May Add Fees National Public Radio
It could soon cost money to see some of the most popular sites in the Shawnee National Forest. The nearly 290,000acre forest in southern Illinois attracts a lot of visitors to its amazing scenery and numerous plant and animal species. Laura Lecher, a staff officer for the Shawnee, said federal funding has been flat or declined in the recent years. “On top of that, our recreation facilities are all getting older,” she said. “Most of them were built anywhere between the 60’s and 80’s. You get older buildings, they start needing more help and maintenance.” That’s led to a plan for a $5 dollar per vehicle admission
fee to certain locations including the Garden of the Gods, Little Grand Canyon and Bell Smith Springs trails, the Pomona and Johnson Creek boat launches and the Pounds Hollow beach. The forest’s website indicates those locations were picked because they have “significant infrastructure in need of repair.” An annual $30 pass, allowing for unlimited visits, would also be available. The money would go for upkeep and maintenance. If approved by the U.S. Forest Service, the fees could go into effect next summer. Public meetings are being held to gather input and comments are also being accepted through the website, www. fs.usda.gov/Shawnee.
November-December 2019
Outdoor Guide
Page 35
Monarch’s Amazing Journey at Risk
Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER
Monarch butterflies are truly a phenomenal species that bewilders scientists who try to figure out the annual migration the monarchs make from the Oyamel fir forests in central Mexico to Canada and back. This journey is shared by four to five generations. Yet somehow, monarchs are imprinted to end the migration in the same tiny area where their ancestors began. These butterflies, which inhabit and breed on more than a billion acres across North America throughout the year, all end up in a tiny 10-acre area in central Mexico. It’s hard to fathom. MISSOURI BOUND Monarchs that overwinter in Mexico head to Texas in early spring to lay eggs and die. Those eggs hatch, and that generation migrates north to the Missouri area to lay eggs and die. The next generation makes it to northern Iowa or southern Minnesota, and the next into Canada, each with the goal of reproducing before perishing. These northbound monarchs live four to five weeks.
But the next generation, the Methuselahs, leave out of Canada in the fall and fly all the way back to Mexico, often returning to the exact tree their great-great grandparents left from in the spring. The Methuselahs overwinter in Mexico and head to Texas in the spring. They live up to eight or nine months. But Kelly Srigley-Werner, a Missouri representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based in Columbia, has a warning for monarchlovers and everyone else. “The monarch butterfly in the past two decades has had a population collapse,” she said. “There were close to a billion monarch butterflies 20 years ago wintering on about 45 acres. In the winter of 2013-2014, the population had declined to an estimated 33 million, occupying just 1.66 acres. The problems that are happening revolve around habitat loss and climatic issues affecting monarch wintering grounds in Mexico.” THE METAMORPHOSIS Monarchs undergo complete metamorphosis. Like all moths and butterflies, they have four parts to their life cycles: egg, caterpillar, pupa
Monarchs rely on milkweed plants in Missouri to reproduce and continue their journey.
and adult. The process takes about a month to complete. All moth and butterfly species rely on a host plant that is chemically compatible with their species. For monarchs, only milkweeds can serve as a host. “Milkweed is essential to monarch butterflies, because they are the only plants females lay their eggs on and the only plants the caterpillars eat before becoming butterflies,” Srigley-Werner said. “There are a number of milkweed species in Missouri. The ones most prevalently used by monarchs are Swamp
Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Butterflyweed, Purple Milkweed and Whorled Milkweed.” Once a female monarch mates with a male, she must find a milkweed to lay her eggs. Caterpillars usually hatch within in a week. These caterpillars molt five times, shedding their skin and growing slightly larger each time. After the fifth molt, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, in which it turns into a butterfly. The butterfly, weighing about as much as two soybeans, forces itself out
First Cast: A Custom-Made Rod
Photo and Text By BOB HOLZHEI
I slowly walked to the pond behind our rental home at Kings Gate, Punta Gorda, FL to field-test the custom fishing rod I had Tom Marks make. He is an avid outdoor angler from Derby NY. Marks vacations in winter at Kings MARKS Gate and orders his rod-building supplies from Mud Hole, a rod-building and tackle crafting supplier in Oviedo, FL. I baited the No. 2 hook with a Mr. Twister worm, after fellow outdoor writer Dave Barus, from Aurora, NY, showed me how to place the hook, making the worm weed less. The Custom Metallic Red 7-foot rod, complete with a rattlesnake skin handle, created a one-of-a-kind treasure. It was my first cast with the new custom rod. I slowly opened the bail on the STX Abu Garcia reel and slowly arched the rod behind me. The bait was cast to the other side of the pond. In that first cast, the line was suspended mid-air for a moment, and frozen in my memory. In early years, I fished once a year if Dad had a good year on the farm. We’d drive just
over an hour to Tawas, MI, to board a perch fishing boat, the Miss Charity Isle. A love affair with the natural world was conceived on that family farm and was nourished as the crops sprouted from the ground. As I got older, I’d ride my bicycle to nearby ditches and adjoining cuts located near Quanicassee, MI, to fish for perch from piers. HOOKED ON SALMON Later, I took my three boys on a charter salmon fishing trip out of Ludington, MI. We boated 12 nice-sized salmon. Needless to say, I was hooked. The following spring, I purchased a used 1979 18-foot 11-inch Sport Craft boat. I was hooked, reeled in and would enjoy a lifetime love affair with the natural world. The boat has now been stored in a pole barn for three years, and I suppose I should sell it. Anglers go through stages of fishing – first fishing from nearby ditches, then cuts, from piers and eventually a boat is purchased. I’ve transitioned back to where I began, and this summer have again been fishing nearby piers. As I returned 70 years later, I discovered the landscape had drastically changed. There were no perch or panfish in the area. The perch party boat relocated to a southern port and was taking folks across Lake Huron to Port Austin, at the tip of the thumb. That’s a long
of the chrysalis and begins its leg of the journey. Native nectar sources are of great importance because adult monarchs require nectar to live. Native Missouri nectar plants monarchs prefer include Eastern Blazing Star, Purple Coneflower, Showy Goldenrod, Smooth Astor, Wild Bergamot and more. Unfortunately, we continue to see a decline in native wildflowers, along with milkweeds. Habitat change is the greatest factor in the decline of the monarchs and all other pollinators. ALL HANDS ON DECK Monarchs are vital to agriculture. Pollinators move pollen from one flower to another. They actually fertilize the plants, allowing for reproduction. More than 30 percent of our food relies on pollinators. Fruits like strawberries, cherries, apples, tomatoes and melons wouldn’t exist without pollinator insects. “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Canada and Mexico on an international scale to coordinate and collaborate on monarch habitat, But we are also working close to home,” SrigleyWerner said. “We are working
with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for additional funding so people can compete for grants to get funds to help with habitat restoration. We are working with communities, federal and state agencies, non-government organizations, individuals. It’s all hands on deck for the monarch.” MISSOURI ROUTE Missouri is located in the heart of the annual monarch butterfly migration, making our state a key geography for monarch restoration efforts. A lot of the population is found along the Interstate 35 corridor, but don’t think of that as a narrow window because it’s actually around 400 miles wide. Monarchs must find milkweed and nectar sources in the corridor to survive. These days, they’re having a much harder time doing so. Monarchs begin appearing across Missouri towards the end of April. They show up in southern Missouri first and work their way north. So if you see a monarch in the spring, it’s heading north. Starting in August and through much of September, we’ll start seeing monarchs again heading south to Mexico.
A Backpack Designed for Fishing Tackle Photo and Text By BOB HOLZHEI
The rod came with a rattlesnake skin handle.
way to travel across the lake for fish dinners at a restaurant. Perch could be ordered from various restaurants in the area. and the menu clarified, “the perch come from Lake Erie.” HIGHER PRICES My wife and I camped for a month at a city park, noticing first that between 12 and 16 campsites were vacant. This popular park had always been filled to capacity. After visiting with campers, I found out the park had raised its camping rates by $90 a month to an
outrageous $1,000 a month. That was too much for a park with only water, sewer and electricity. No additional amenities were provided. Internet and cell phone service was available only occasionally or non-existent. After the first week, I longed for the month to end so we could return to the west side of Michigan. I suppose it’s good to camp at new places from time to time, to determine where my wife and I feel most comfortable.
Gill’s new fishing tackle backpack was perfect for my upcoming fishing trip to Niagara Falls to fish the Niagara River for walleye and then head off to a fish camp sponsored by the Chautauqua Visitors Bureau. Walleye was the targeted fish, and I intended to come back with fish to enjoy during the coming months. The Gill Backpack was perfect for a fisherman who doesn’t want to take along too many tackle boxes. The backpack allows anglers to select tackle for the desired species, rather than taking a number of tackle boxes along. The backpack was ideal, compact and designed for onshore as well as offshore use. It will withstand rugged use while keeping its contents safe and dry. The waterproof fabric guarantees protection from the elements. The spacious main compartment has a padded laptop sleeve and also inner zippered pockets. The cushioned backpack was very comfortable on my 74-year-old back. You can see the backpack at www.gillfishing.com. WALLEYE WORLD I had the opportunity to field-test the Gill Backpack while fishing for walleye at the Niagara Falls River in New York and also in Lake Erie, near
Dunkirk NY. There I attended a fish camp sponsored by the Chautauqua County Visitor’s Bureau and Dave Barus, a consultant for fishing and hunting. The rented home for the camp overlooked Lake Erie. As daylight began to break, I watched two doe and four fawns walk along the water’s edge. Watching the sun rise over the lake was breathtaking. The water was calm, announcing a great day on Lake Erie. I anticipated the 7 a.m. fishing charter departure from Dunkirk Harbor, arriving at the fishing grounds aboard the 28½ foot Baha Sport Fisher, captained by Steve Geiger of Clean Living Charters. The downriggers took the lines down 65 to 75 feet of water. No sooner had the lines reached their destination than the first of many walleyes were on. A limit of walleye was boated each day during the fishing camp sponsored by the Chautauqua County Visitor’s Bureau.
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Outdoor Guide
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November-December 2019