J u l y - Au g u s t 2 018
Outdoor ag Guide M
e n i z a
HUNTING • FISHING • CAMPING • BOATING • SHOOTING • TRAVEL
Wildlife Decline...............Page 8
Lyme Disease..................Page 20
Bats, Cotton Candy......Page 22
Texas Rigging.................Page 23
Missouri Cats...................Page 29
Grouse Restocking.........Page 32
Bream Fishing................Page 38
MISSOURI - ILLINOIS - AND OTHER EXCITING OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS
Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
Surplus Auction Becomes Online Sale
(Editor’s note: Outdoor Guide Editor Bobby Whitehead’s Dogwood Journal column is taking this issue off, but will return in the September-October issue.)
Grandpa ever got was at an auction just a few miles from home. He was all smiles as we rumbled toward the farm with his old Chevy truck towing his new, old manure spreader. With its chain-driven cross beams and spinning blades, the contraption was capable of recycling barnyard waste as fertilizer with great efficiency. “If anyone gives us any (s---) now boys, we got just the place for it,” Grandpa said in the comedic way that endeared him to me and all my cousins. It was the kind of thing we knew not to repeat around Grandma, but I heard him use the line quite a few times in retelling the story in appropriate places like the feed store or farmer’s market. The state conservation department auctions seemed like the kind of place I could find a real steal of a deal. The agency tasked with managing fish and wildlife selling its old and surplus property might be a great place to find a boat or motor, canoe or car, truck or trailer, or any number of tools for working the water and woods.
Text by JOHN WINKELMAN For years, I have seen the notices from the Missouri Department of Conservation announcing its semi-annual surplus auction. I always thought I would like to attend the event at the maintenance warehouse in Salem, MO, hoping to find a bargain or something I couldn’t live without. Probably what I liked best about the concept was how it reminded me of going to farm auctions with Grandpa Joe when I was a kid. Those on-site sales were usually bittersweet, because it often meant someone was getting out of the farming business for good. On the other hand, someone looking to add to their collection of equipment could land something “new” to park in the barn. In northern Jefferson County in the 1970s, it was not uncommon for a family to have decided to abandon the plows and planters and allow developers to turn their fields and pastures into subdivisions. THE NEW OLD SPREADER The most memorable – if not the best – bargain that
A 2010 Kubota M7040 tractor is on the auction site, bid up to $10,500.
THE NEW DEAL But those sales are no more. The state announced that rather than hold the live auctions in June and October, items would be added to the govdeals.com website as they came available and could be purchased year-round. “Our move to all-online auctions with offerings posted throughout the year makes it easier and more convenient for many people to see, bid on, and buy items offered by the Department,” said general services supervisor Jeff Arnold, who coordinates the department’s auction activities. “It also provides significant time and cost savings by eliminating the need to transport and store auction items from throughout the state to the Salem Maintenance Center, prepare each item, advertise, and staff the live auctions.” Each auction item listed includes pictures and detailed information on what is being offered, where it is located, inspection information and options. The items include bid dates and other details, payment methods, removal/collection of the items by the buyers, special instructions, and a way to submit questions about the item. Another advantage for the buyer in the online sale is that purchasers are not only limited to items sold by local entities. Surplus items from government agencies all over the U.S. and Canada are available at the site. Users can search for Missouri Department of Conservation and see only the items listed there. Two 16-foot Pelican canoes were available last week. One was going for a bid of $150 and the other “new listing” was only $30 with a few more days to go until the sale closed. Users may also search the website by their home location and find items being sold by entities closer to home than Salem. The global list of products brings up many other interesting items to browse including fire trucks, at least one Zamboni machine, all-terrain vehicles, gambling equipment, tractors and other farm machinery. Just no manure spreaders. John J. Winkelman is community relations 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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July-August 2018
Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
Missouri a Great Place for Kayaking Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER
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There are many advantages to a kayak. They’re usually light, making them easy to transport and control. One person can handle most. You can take them anywhere. They’ll fit on top of most vehicles. Kayaks also provide exercise. They don’t use gas or batteries, so they’re environmentally sound. The list can go on. Here are a few Missouri waters where kayaks are great to paddle: MISSOURI RIVER Urban areas rarely receive the recognition they deserve in terms of outdoor opportunity. Visual perception often clouds reality, causing many otherwise perfectly sane outdoor-minded individuals to turn up their noses at natural enjoyment within city limits. But to do so is a mistake. The Missouri River is not to be messed with. You need to respect her enormity and power. However, the Missouri is one of the grandest rivers in the world, and to ignore the opportunity to float along her course would be a shame. The Missouri River makes its way through two major urban areas in our state – Kansas City and St. Louis. Between the two cities, she courses through the countryside, passing by wonderful communities like Boonville, Jefferson City and Washington. Those with some experience in a kayak should not overlook this incredible river. Just be sure to use
precautions, like always wearing a life vest and paddling with a friend whenever possible. NORTH FORK, WHITE RIVER The North Fork of the White River is a scenic gem. Tucked away deep in the Missouri Ozarks, this fast-flowing river is a perfect place to get away from it all, as well as an amazing fishery. Combine the two, and the North Fork is ideal for kayaking. The North Fork flows for 67 miles across Douglas and Ozark counties before emptying into Northfork Reservoir near Tecumseh. It is heavily spring-fed and has long stretches of riffles and even some class II whitewater. Smallmouth bass, goggle-eye and sunfish can be caught throughout the river. The lower 12 miles are trophy trout sections. Since the North Fork is so far south, and located a great distance from any large population base, it remains rather less crowded than some of the more northern float rivers in Missouri. Don’t mistake less crowded for not crowded. The North Fork does have its floaters, but it’s not as crowded as many rivers closer to large cities. NIANGUA RIVER The Niangua flows through a beautiful landscape of looming forest and unique rock features. There are many access points where you can launch a kayak. The Bennett Spring area is a hub for this river, where you can rent a kayak
from one of many local liveries. Bennett Spring is one of the most popular state parks in Missouri, with visitors coming from all across the Midwest each year to fish, camp, picnic and more. The spring from which the park derives its name is the third largest in the state, producing an average of 100,000,000 gallons of water a day that pour into the Niangua River. Camping in the park or staying in one of the cabins is a great experience. This is a great place to camp for the weekend and spend a couple of days kayaking different sections of the river. ROCKY FORK CONSERVATION AREA Whether you call them strip pits, lakes or ponds, the waters of the Rocky Fork Conservation Area are worth a visit. Located just six miles north of Columbia on Highway 63, Rocky Fork is an easily accessible, outstanding place to paddle a kayak. Rocky Fork consists of 2,200 acres. About 1,200 of those acres were stripmined before the Missouri Department of Conservation acquired the property in 1979. Today, the reclaimed land consists of roughly 60 strip pits. Most of the strip pits are small, as in less than a few acres. For the most part, the pits are secluded, with heavily forested shorelines. The water often drops off deep from the bank. You can bring a camera on this kayak trip and likely find some nice nature scenes to photograph.
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July-August 2018
Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
Still the Place for Bass Lake of the Ozarks Has the Perfect Mix
Photo and Text By BRENT FRAZEE The more things change, the more they stay the same at Lake of the Ozarks. Once-untouched banks are developed, new condominiums spring up, cruisers and high-powered speedboats
roil the water, and the lake is increasingly crowded on summer weekends. But the bass don’t care. It’s an incredible story, really. When most fishermen envision ideal fishing water, they think of some secluded jewel of a lake, far off the beaten path, where the birds
sing and life is slow. But Lake of the Ozarks, the 54,000-acre reservoir in the middle of Missouri, is a notable exception. It was a gem of a bass lake before the development boom began, and it still is, now that coves are lined with cabins and boat docks. “The graph of our bass sampling over the years is kind of boring,” said Greg Stoner, the Missouri Department of Conservation fisheries biologist. “It’s just a straight line
(of good numbers), without a lot of ups and downs. “Year in and year out, we see a lot of bass and a good age structure, too. You don’t see that at many places.” THE HUMAN CHURN In other words, the bass are thriving in a reservoir churning with human activity. That never ceases to amaze me when I travel to Lake of the Ozarks each spring to fish. I notice spawning banks that are
July - August 2018
Outdoor agazine Guide M H U N T I N G F I S H I N G C A M P I N G B O A T I N G O UT D O O R TR AV E L
Volume Twenty Six, Number Four 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: Ryan Lilly, Brand Manager for Johnson Outdoors’ Watercraft Division, is as passionate about fishing as his customers are. He caught this beautiful largemouth during a cool morning on Lake Ouachita last month. Photo by Billy Lindner/Traditions Media.
Bobby Whitehead, Editor/Co-Publisher Kathy Crowe, Graphic Designer Maria Murphy, Production Coordinator
John Winkelman, Associate Editor — ogmjohnw@aol.com Lynn Fowler, Circulation Manager Carl Green, Copy Editor
— Account Executives — Dan Braun, Assistant Marketing Director Lauren Marshall (314) 256-4136 (314) 256-4141 — Regional and Specialty Editors — Joel Vance Darrell Taylor Ray Eye Brent Frazee Brandon Butler Bill Seibel
Curt Hicken Bill Cooper Thayne Smith Steve Jones Larry Dablemont
John Neporadny Jr. Rick Story T. J. Mullin Ron Henry Strait Larry Whiteley
Ted Nugent Ron Bice Colin Moore Jim Cassada 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 Barbara Gibbs Ostmann Tom Uhlenbrock Michael Wardlaw Larry Potterfield Tom Watson
Looking for proof that Lake of the Ozarks still has big bass? Check out the 7.59-lb. bass John Odom caught to win the Big Bass Bash this spring.
now covered by docks, condos that stand where mom-and-pop resorts once graced the shoreline, and activity in coves that once were secluded and quiet. But the bass seem oblivious. So, why is that? Stoner says the big lake has a unique formula for success. • Plenty of food – Bass seldom go hungry at Lake of the Ozarks. The lake has a steady shad population, which thrives in the nutrient-rich water fed by major tributaries. That drives the bass population, Stoner said. • Location – The big lake’s geographical location plays a major part, too. The water doesn’t stay as cool as it does in lakes in northern Missouri nor as hot as it does in southern Ozark reservoirs. The shad grow but not rapidly. Stoner said they will still measure 3 inches by the end of the first season – a perfect size for bass to prey on. • Habitat – Lake of the Ozarks doesn’t have the visible habitat – the flooded timber or brush – that reservoirs such as Truman or Smithville do. But it still offers plenty of places for bass to hide, Stoner said. The lake has 25,000 boat docks, many with landowners who sink brush to attract crappies. That also attracts bass. • Spawning banks – The many coves at Lake of the Ozarks often have gravel banks, the preferred spawning habitat for bass. • Steady water level – Lake of the Ozarks doesn’t have the drastic water-level fluctuations that reservoirs such as Truman, Bull Shoals or Table Rock do during the rainy season. That aids spawning and translates to bigger year-classes of bass. • Good water quality – The lake received bad publicity several years ago when high e-coli rates forced the temporary closure of a swimming beach. But in a way, that was a good thing. It spurred a
more extensive test of e-coli readings throughout the lake, and the results showed levels were generally low and overall water quality at the lakes was good, another factor helping fish populations.
LOTS OF KEEPERS In Stoner’s electrofishing surveys last year, he found that that 20 to 25 percent of the bass collected and released measured 15 or more inches. I was never very good at math, but that upper level translates to one out of every four bass being a keeper, and that’s impressive. Those keeper bass aren’t always easy to come by. With all of the fishing pressure Lake of the Ozarks receives, it pushes bass, especially the big ones, to the most remote, hard-to-reach places they can find. And there are days when they just don’t bite. With the prolonged cold weather this spring, many fishermen grumbled that the bass fishing was far worse than in a normal spring.
THEY’RE OUT THERE But despite their cold nature, the bass were still out there. And big ones were caught. Bob Bueltmann runs the bassingbob.com website that chronicles all things bass fishing at Lake of the Ozarks, and he verified that three bass in the 8-pound range were caught this spring at the big lake. But those aren’t even the biggest fish he has seen caught at the central-Missouri reservoir. His friend, Jack Uxa, guided a customer to a bass that weighed 10 pounds, 11 ounces in 2016. Bueltmann has caught and released nine bass in the 7-pound range over the last five years. But he is still waiting to catch that elusive 8-pounder. That’s not an unrealistic dream at a place such as Lake of the Ozarks.
July-August 2018
Outdoor Guide
Protect your favorite places from invasive tree-killing pests that hitchhike on firewood.
Learn more at treepests.missouri.edu
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Outdoor Guide
Forming Young Hunters Takes Dedication, Effort Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER
We have a problem. While statistics show we are doing a good job of introducing youngsters to hunting, we are, unfortunately, experiencing a poor rate of retention. With special youth seasons and many programs dedicated to first-time hunters, we are getting new folks out into the field, but once they’re on their own, participation wanes or ends all together. New hunters face many challenges, none moreso than access to places to hunt. Often, participants in organized first-timer hunts are invited to a special piece of property. Someone who has years and years of hunting experience may even guide them. In such situations, the new hunters often see a lot of game and have a chance to fill their tags. Then, turned loose on their on, reality sets in. Even if they are fortunate enough to have a piece of quality hunting land, they likely won’t experience the level of satisfaction found during their introductory hunt. After a few unsuccessful experiences, they are likely to just hang it up. FIRST FAILURE I’m guilty. A couple of years back, a colleague approached me about taking him hunting. I was surprised by the ask, because frankly, this fella doesn’t fit the mold of someone you would think was interested in becoming a hunter. But he said he had become very interested in where his food comes from and would like to go hunting. I was excited and immediately invited him to come on a turkey hunt with me. The hunt was great. We didn’t kill anything, but we heard plenty of birds, had a few unique encounters with wildlife and shared a nice morning in the woods. When it was over, I made a few suggestions on equipment he should buy, gave him the name of a couple of public land conservation areas he should check out and wished him luck. I realize now how insignificant my introduction to hunting really was, which has been confirmed by the fact that this guy has never gone hunting again. SECOND CHANCE I’m not going to make the same mistake with Chris Brown. If you recall a column from a couple of years ago, or the cover of Conservation Federation magazine from March of 2017, Chris was my partner for the 2016 Governor’s Youth Turkey Hunt and he successfully killed a turkey, in grand fashion. After dinner in the Governor’s Mansion, I took Chris to an exceptional piece of pri-
Guest Editorial
vate property, one most hunters could only dream of experiencing. The turkey-rich woods produced on the first day of Chris’ first hunt. Sounds great, right? In some ways, yes, but in others it was a recipe for a quick exit from hunting. How could his second hunt compare? It took me four years to kill my first doe. At age 14, I blew so many hunts and missed a number of shots before I finally took a yearling doe. My motivation grew from a lack of success. My deep connection to hunting was forged by the struggle. When I found success, it was the culmination of a quest and a reward for intense dedication at a young age. Without the struggle, these first-time hunters are not developing the roots necessary to keep the passion alive. THE YOUNG MAN LEARNS Chris is a Clark Middle School star on the gridiron and hardwood from Fayette, MO. Like most kids his age today, he’s a busy guy. Academics and athletics require near constant attention. But the hunting bug is alive in him. And I’m so pleased he has continued to ask me to take him hunting. Of course, he wanted to go back to the 600-acre private farm with the log mansion where he killed his turkey, but this season, I brought him down a peg or two. Chris killed a doe on our fourth hunt this year. He had many opportunities to take small bucks and other does, but we worked on patience. We also worked on woodsmanship. I am proud of this young man for being able to sit perfectly still on the ground next to a tree on the edge of an open agriculture field without spooking deer feeding only 20 yards away. After his successful hunt, Chris gutted his doe. I don’t think expected to tackle this chore. This was his second deer, and he didn’t gut the first one. I told him that hunting isn’t all about magazine covers, and to “put those gloves on and get over here.” He did, and I explained every step of the way. When it was over, I asked him if he could do it on his own, and he said yes, and that I am proud of. BEWARE FALSE EXPECTATIONS Please don’t get me wrong. Taking a hunter out for the first hunt is great, and I sincerely commend anyone who does so. However, setting up false expectations and then sending them out on their own too soon is a recipe for an early exit from participation. I hunted five times with Chris this year, and with each hunt I could see his skills developing. When he gets his drivers license in a couple of years, I have no doubt he will have both the experience and determination to strike out on his own and remain a hunter for life. Brandon Butler is executive director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri.
Chris Brown and Brandon Butler show the doe Chris took on his fifth hunt of the year.
July-August 2018
— Random Shots — One Man’s Habitat, Another’s Weedpatch By JOEL M. VANCE I knew a man who loved blackberry cobbler above all else. He cleared out a huge patch of wild blackberries … and then planted nursery-raised canes. The irony never occurred to him. He was symptomatic of landowners who have been conditioned away from the wild bounty of the land and into a manufactured version of it. Another landowner I know is a staunch supporter of wildlife conservation. But he cleared out a long brushy draw and a fallow field and planted alfalfa from which he cuts hay, usually during the nesting season. He wonders where his quail have gone. Habitat loss has many names: wetland loss, desertification, deforestation and fragmentation are just a few. The result is that whatever lived there has lost its home. Some animals adapt to new conditions. Most don’t. Some migrate to suitable habitat. Many don’t. So-called “clean” farming has become the norm. It flowered fully during the unlamented tenure of Earl Butz as Ronald Reagan’s secretary of agriculture. Butz’s mantra was “fencerow to fencerow” farming, and he meant it literally – do not ever let a weed, a bush or a tree invade your fencerow, lest you be accused of sloppy farming. A USEFUL NEGLECT Let’s face it – much wildlife habitat is the result of neglect. As much as any factor, it was responsible for the revival of wildlife during and after World War II. A generation of young farmers went to war, and the farms they left behind often were in the draft-horse era, small holdings where the concept of mega-farms wasn’t even a glimmer. There were brushy gullies and fencerows, woodlots untouched, fallow fields gone to weeds, no pesticides, no herbicides. In other words, a set table for wildlife. Deer, turkeys and other animals thrived under this neglect. It has been a downhill slide for wildlife habitat since Johnny came marching home. In the 1950s, Missouri’s pasture land was more than 90 percent legumes such as clover, alfalfa and lespedeza, all beneficial to wildlife. By the end of the century, more than 90 percent was fescue, a rank grass that cows don’t even like much but that grows anywhere and is cheap. It’s estimated that five times as much land is in agriculture now compared to when the Pilgrims landed. Coupled with fescue conversion came the flourish of pesticides and herbicides. Rachel Carson’s landmark 1962 book, Silent Spring, awoke America to the dangers of hard pesticides and put an end to the worst of them barely in time to arrest the skid of the bald eagle toward extinction (hard pesticide residues in eagle prey caused
eggshell thinning and a subsequent decline in baby eagles). Has 70-plus years of sluicing the land with chemicals affected wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds and small animals? It’s not a rhetorical question – there are indications that chemical poisoning causes genetic disruption, ranging from deformities to sex change in male creatures. QUAIL IN DECLINE No one to my knowledge is investigating whether quail, an indicator species if ever there was one, have been genetically altered over the years by chemical exposure. For argument, let’s say that seven decades of chemically treated quail food (seeds and green matter) have resulted in less potency among male quail or perhaps a one-egg decline in the average clutch size among females. The result, obviously, would be fewer quail. Couple that factor with habitat loss, increased predation, even global warming and possibly some other factors we don’t understand and the result is the most widespread poor quail population in the country’s history. Hitched to changes in agriculture is the proliferation of people. Not only did Johnny come marching home, he came equipped and supercharged to breed. Since 1945, when the war ended, the U.S. population alone has grown to 320 million. HAVE FEWER KIDS The rate of increase has declined since 1990, when several million a year were being added, but it still is well above zero population growth, never mind a negative See RANDOM SHOTS page 12
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Claudette’s Kitchen
There’s No End to What Dogs Can Do By CLAUDETTE ROPER
“Hey honey, I’m going shed hunting!” Bless his heart. Most sheds had been lying around since late December through mid-February and this was mid-March. That’s ample time for them to be deteriorated from
critters consuming them for their minerals and protein. Always positive, Mountain Man didn’t seem too concerned about that. He’s pretty smart. March and April can be a great time for shed hunters, especially for those with an eye out for morels. That’s probably why he always slips a few bread bags in his pocket as he walks out the door. Last year at this time, we had some friends come up to work with their shed-hunting dog. Having had outstanding retrievers ourselves, it certainly piqued my interest. Why stop at sheds? This past bow season, neighbors put their one-year-old miniature Dachshund to work. She tracked two deer, one of which they wouldn’t have found without her. Wow, now if only we could teach her to find morels, I pondered.
Have you ever Googled “mushroom hunting dog?” If you read the first few of the over 750,000 results, you’ll find out that there are also truffle-hunting dogs trained to replace truffle-hunting pigs and that truffle-hunting dogs can hunt morels as well.
MUSHROOM-HUNTING DOGS Apparently they found that it’s hard to keep pigs from eating their finds, but dogs are satisfied with a treat and a few words of praise. Of course, when truffles bring almost 10 times the price per pound of morels, I’d be pretty concerned about pigs eating the profit, too. You can spend a lot of time reading about the most popular breeds for all these activities, but it really got my attention when I read that an already-trained truffle-hunting canine sells at a six-digit price. Perhaps I’m in the wrong business! In the end, it appears the best dogs are those that are smart and easily trained. They should possess a good work ethic and be cooperative. I tried to hire someone like that once, but I digress. While sporting breeds are ideal, that “mini doxie,” as her mistress calls her, keeps coming to mind. Here’s a breed that was bred to hunt smaller prey and yet has been used in this country to track deer and hunt prairie dogs. The bottom line may be best described by a line from a dog training service – “Where the training happens at both ends of the leash.” So what does this have to do with cooking? That’s a fair question, which I would answer by saying that anything related to food is fair game, including dogs that can help us get more morels. My second-grade teacher, on the other hand, would probably attribute it to something that in today’s world would get me labeled. CHRISTMAS COOKIES Admittedly, my mind does wander, but all those thoughts and topics are tied together like a ball of yarn that the cat got into. It may have been Mountain Man heading out to shed hunt, but I had my mind on German Christmas cookies. Yes, you read right – German Christmas cookies, Lebkuchen more specifically. They and numerous other cookies are made with Hirschhornsalz. I’ll bet you read that and said, “Ah! Now I get it!” Not. Hirschhornsalz (aka “hartshorn”) is ammonium carbonate, which is used for leavening. One source of it is antlers, which is where the name comes from: Hirschhorn means stag antler, and Salz means salt. Now I’m sorry to leave you with a cliffhanger, but you can read more about it in the November/December issue, where a cookie recipe for its use will be included. Mountain Man keeps mumbling something about ground antler, but this is a family magazine! This fajita recipe that I’m sharing with you uses a venison heart. HEART FAJITAS • Cut the heart in half and then cut away all the fat and arteries. Slice thinly until all is cut up. • In a bowl, mix one tablespoon each of olive oil and lime juice, one minced garlic clove and half a teaspoon each of chili powder, cumin, hot pepper flakes, black pepper and salt. • Add the meat, stir to coat and set aside. • Slice two onions and two bell peppers and sauté in a little oil until the onions are transparent. • Remove onions and peppers from the pan and add the meat to the skillet. Cook only for three minutes or until no longer red. • Add the onions and peppers back long enough to heat through. • Spoon it into the warmed tortillas and top with your favorite toppings. Fold up and serve.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
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HIKE, RIDE, CAMP OR FLOAT. ~ Only 2 Hours South of St. Louis ~
Clearwater Lake and Webb Creek Recreation Area - Hwy H – Bring the family to
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boat, ski, fish, and unwind on crystal clear Clearwater Lake. This area of the lake is formed where Webb Creek and Logan Creek empty into Clearwater Lake. It is known for its crappie, bass and catfish fishing in the spring and Clearwater Lake fun for the entire family all summer long. Camping is available; at Webb Creek Recreation Park; plus a full service marina with boat/wave runner rentals on site. Webb Creek Park features over 40 campsites, swim beach, playground, showers, picnic pavilions, boat launch, and more. Call Webb Creek Marina at 573-461-2344 for marina, boat rental and campsite information or visit www.reserveamerica.com to make reservations. If you are interested in all the conveniences of home call Webb Creek Cabins for cabin rentals, 573-461-2244.
2 Black River and K Bridge Recreation Area
- K Hwy – Float, canoe, fish and explore the beautiful Black River. Enjoy swimming, camping and picnicking right on the banks of the Black River. K Bridge Recreation Area and Campground offers playground, showers, electric Black River and comfort station, visit www. reserveamerica.com to make reservations. Floats (raft or canoe) can be arranged on site by calling Jeff’s Canoe Rental at 573-598-4555. A small general store is also available on site.
3 Current River
-Hwy 106 to HH Highway- Fish, swim, camp and relax on majestic Current River. Great place to explore Current River. Rough camping is available at Log Yard Landing (known to the locals as Cardareva Gravel Bar) and the School Yard. These are available on a on a first come basis, electric is not available. Bring your tubes, rafts and Current River kayaks; a perfect day float….put in at Powder Mill and float to Log Yard. Enjoy the quiet outdoors, a nice campfire and Current River this summer!
4 Blue Spring
- Hwy 106- This spring is the 6th largest spring in Missouri and known for its deep blue color. It has been said that this spring is so deep, if submerged the Statue of Liberty’s torch would not be seen above the water and actually the bottom has never been found. Take your camera! Blue Spring can be accessed by boat, kayak, float or a short .25 mile hike from Powder Mill Recreation Area. Located on Current River, near Powder Mill.
5 Rocky Falls
6 Current River Conservation Area
- NN Hwy- A cascading crystal Rocky Creek drops from the Ozark Mountains into a lazy pool which eventually winds through the Ozarks to Current River. A must see if you are in the area and fun for all ages. Wear non-slip shoes and use caution when climbing on the falls. Picnic tables provided.
–Consists of 28,000 acres of state land. Deer, turkey, eagles, elk and a multitude of wildlife can be seen. UTV’s, ATV’s and vehicle traffic are welcomed on miles of gravel roads that wind through some 60+ food plots. Buford pond, Missouri’s first fire tower, a 1926 log cabin and an earthen Fort Barnesville can all be found here. Buford Pond provides fishing and picnicking and is a favorite location of all. For hunting enthusiasts an unstaffed rifle and archery range are provided. Current River Conservation Area is home to the Missouri Ozark Ecosystem Project, the world’s most comprehensive forest management study. This 100 year project spans over 9,000 acres. Main park entrance located on South Road in Ellington, other entrances located off Hwy 106 and HH highway. Maps are available at the main park entrance.
7 Local Flavor
– Ellington Chamber of Commerce & Copeland-Shy Visitor Center – One of the oldest homes in Ellington, built in 1886 by Dr. William Copeland, was recently opened as a visitor center. We invite you to stop by and pick up brochures and information about the area. Located at 155 W. Walnut Street (Hwy 106) in Ellington. Copeland-Shy House Also while in town you won’t want to miss the Reynolds County Museum while visiting Ellington. This museum is filled with relicts from days gone by and the rich history of the Ozarks. Volunteers staff the establishment and are happy to answer questions; Open Mar-Nov, T-F 10-4 and 2nd Saturday of the month 10-4. Call 573-663-3233 for more information. Need a spot for the kids to play, then visit Brawley Park located on South Road. This park features a playground, basketball courts, picnic pavilions and short hiking trail. Want some nostalgia from a couple decades back; how about a Drive In movie. One of only a few drive-ins left in the Midwest is located just south of Ellington on Highway 21., call 573-945-2121 for info.
9 Blair Creek
- Hwy 106 – This area is a favorite of the local’s spring, summer and fall. For the person who is looking for the unknown, adventure into the wild Ozark hills for the beautiful views, caves, swimming, picnicking. Here riding the back roads in ATV’s, UTV’s and 4-wheel drives is exciting Blair Creek and fun. Entrance located North of Hwy 106 across from Blue Spring entrance.
Scenic Highway 106 10
- This 26 mile drive between Ellington and Eminence is known state wide for its scenic views and beauty, and is especially a favorite in the fall. This section of highway is also home to the Mid Atlantic Bicycle Trail and sees many bicycle travelers from April-October. Bicycle enthusiasts say it’s one of the “toughest sections on the trail” and known for the steep hills & hollers.
11 Peck Ranch
- H Highway, Shannon County- Listen for the bugle this fall! Elk are now roaming the hills of the Ozarks and can be seen in Peck Ranch, Current River Conservation Area and the surrounding region. Thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation’s recent Elk Restoration Program elk were released into the elk zone beginning in the summer of 2011. With the third release the summer of 2013 the elk herd is nearing 200 bulls, cows and calves. Peck Ranch is open from sunrise/sunset daily and offers a driving tour. Bugling occurs in the fall, Sept-Nov. Check the Missouri Dept of Conservation website for park closing details. Maps are available at park entrance. Elk
8 Ozark Trail
- Hwy 106- Blair Creek & Current River section; Hwy 106 – Whether you are looking for a one day hike or want to make a few days of it; hiking these sections of the Ozark Trail is rewarding and adventurous. Such splendid locations as Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill and Buzzard Mountain Shut-Ins are located right on the trail. For the adventurous visitor this is a must!
Ellington Chamber of Commerce | www.ellingtonmo.com | Find us
Outdoor Guide
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• Random Shots figure. All those people demand space … not just space to live, but space to work and shop. Yesterday’s mom-andpop grocery is today’s WalMart parking lot. The solution is at the same time simple and impossible – to quit having so many kids. That elementary conclusion rams head on into religious and other considerations that make it impossible to legislate or often even to talk about. Yet anything else is a Band Aid on a grievous wound. All the programs for wildlife
from page 8
restoration or habitat improvement, and all the incentive payments to protect and enhance habitat don’t mean a thing if the world population continues to constrict what’s available for critters. Western states, with their hefty proportion of public lands (national forests, grasslands and Bureau of Land Management holdings) are better off than their eastern counterparts – fewer people, more untamed acres. But most of the country lives where wildlife habitat is at a premium.
Public programs come and go. In the 1950s, the Soil Bank retired many row crop acres to fallow fields, and pheasant numbers flourished. But the Soil Bank contracts ran out, and farmers plowed up that habitat to take advantage of high grain prices. Same thing is happening with the Conservation Reserve Program as its contracts run out. It is a boom and bust cycle for wildlife that depends on old field and early succession acres. A BEAUTIFUL NUISANCE Some landowners simply don’t like wildlife. It’s compet-
itive with them and a nuisance. Even songbirds eat grain that otherwise would generate cash for the farmer. That group never will accept any idea that encourages critters. Another, larger, group can’t afford to idle acreage or share with wildlife. Farming is a crap shoot, subject to fickle weather and market fluctuations. The smallest group is those who can afford to subsidize wildlife habitat or who, through a form of genius, have figured out how to make money from it. I know a man who was about to sink as a crop farmer but converted his farm to a dog training preserve and righted the economic ship.
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July-August 2018 The late Eugene Poirot, a southwest Missouri farmer, took a worn-out acreage and turned it into a money machine with creative ideas like filling ponds through spring rainfall, raising catfish for market in them, then draining the water for irrigation of crops when drought struck. His long out-of-print book Our Margin of Life details his many ideas for living with wildlife and making money at the same time, but it takes a person of rare vision, even with Poirot’s blueprint, to make it work. DON’T KNOW MUCH There really is no way to quantify wildlife habitat loss. We know what constitutes good habitat for some animals but less about what others need. Some species have proved more resilient than we thought. When I began working for the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1969, our turkey biologist, John Lewis, felt that Missouri would have open hunting in about half its 114 counties, and he thought he was being optimistic. Now all counties are open, and most have the best overall turkey hunting in the country. White-tailed deer have been a similar success. Both animals have adapted to living cheekby-beak with humans. Not so the prairie chicken, once a common citizen of Missouri’s native tallgrass prairie, which spanned a third of the state. Prairie chickens fueled wagon trains heading west in the 1800s. Along with the bison, they were meat for land-hungry settlers and goldhungry prospectors. But habitat loss had the grouse teetering on the brink of extinction long before the first chemical spray hit the land. The plow herded the birds into ever-decreasing prairie enclaves (less than 100,000 remain of what once was 15 million tallgrass acres). Hunting stopped more than 100 years ago. But the population has stumbled down ever since, until now the estimate is less than 500 birds statewide. You can have a prairie without prairie chickens, but you can’t have prairie chickens without a prairie. It all boils down to habitat, and no animal is more dependent on the right habitat than the prairie chicken. But what constitutes a prairie? There are more questions about Missouri’s prairie chickens and their habitat than there are the birds themselves. Despite repeated efforts to stay the trend, the population of the once-common pinnated grouse has declined to the point that they now are facing extirpation. TOWARD EXTINCTION “Extirpation” means gone from a given territory. “Extinction” means gone from the world. Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and a few other states can claim tenuous prai-
rie chicken populations. If there is hope for the rest of the grouse’s historic range, it is that other states have brought the birds back from near-extirpation. The loss of prairie chicken habitat has been staggering. In Illinois, it went from more than 60 percent of the state’s acreage to less than one-one hundredth – hardly enough acreage for a backyard garden. The chicken population estimated in the early 1960s at 2,000 in two Illinois counties, Jasper and Marion, fell to 50 birds by the 1990s. Habitat loss coupled with genetic loss. The birds, confined to fragments of their former range, became inbred, and hatching success fell from the 90th percentile to under 40 percent. So Illinois began restoring habitat and introducing birds from other states, with genetic backgrounds similar to that of the Illinois birds. Starting in 1992, Illinois sweetened its ragtag remnant with 500 prairie chickens from Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas. After new blood came into the gene pool, the hatch rate jumped back to 94 percent. SONG OF THE DODO That is an example of a habitat problem identified by nature writer David Quammen in his book, The Song of the Dodo. He calls the concept “island biodiversity” and in essence, it means that a given wildlife population in an island of good habitat, surrounded by poor habitat, is doomed to, at best, become what he calls a “museum flock” and probably to long-term extinction. Is that what’s happening with quail? Certainly, where I hunt the habitat is outstanding … but in many cases that’s the only good quail habitat farm in a community of clean farms, fall plowed and devoid of winter cover. Maybe my survivor quail are inbreeding themselves to extinction, even though their home habitat is excellent. A neighbor is a back-tothe-land advocate – they have a garden, raise about 40 chickens for eggs and meat, have a wood stove. But they live in a house carved as part of a rural housing development out of a farm where I used to hunt quail. Six of one, half a dozen of the other… I can’t complain about usurping rural land from wildlife. We moved to 40 acres nearly 30 years ago, but I like to think we haven’t disturbed the ecosystem that much. I’ve killed turkeys on the ridge across our small lake, and I photographed a chuckwill’s-widow nest there. We have wood ducks nesting, as well as doves. Two barred owls often chat across the lake, and there are numerous box turtles. But the covey of quail that used to be on the place is gone. Maybe I could blame the neighbors, but I suspect we all share equally in the guilt.
July-August 2018
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July-August 2018
What Makes a Fox Roll in the Rot?
Photo and Text By WHIT GIBBONS
When I saw the fox stick its face down onto a road-killed possum and then roll around on its back to get a thorough coating of the dead animal smell, I was reminded of every dog I had ever had. To watch a dog eat or squirm around on top of a rotting animal or other disgusting item is to observe one of their most undesirable behaviors. But watching a fox perform the act was fascinat-
ing, as it would not be coming home with me to jump on the couch. I have previously extolled the virtues of wildlife cameras in allowing us to glimpse parts of the natural world we would otherwise seldom see. Wildlife biologists and hunters commonly use such cameras for ecological studies or to assess hunting opportunities for game species. I use them to find out what animals are in the vicinity of our cabin at night and what they are doing.
SCAVENGER BUFFET Observing the fox’s enthusiastic behavior upon finding a dead possum did not happen by chance. I had put the roadkilled possum at the edge of the field bordering our woods two days earlier and set up the camera to see who would visit. Using fresh road kill to set up a scavenger feeding station is like putting sunflower seeds in a bird feeder. But tossing a steady supply of dead possums, coons and gray squirrels into your backyard
in town is not recommended. Though you might enjoy the show, your neighbors are likely to be less enthusiastic. But setting up a scavenger buffet in a remote rural habitat is acceptable, and the customers, who come mostly at night, are generally more interesting than blue jays and house finches. In viewing the photos, I was interested to see that wild foxes can exhibit the same behavior as dogs when they find a smelly mess on the ground. I wondered why
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A wildlife camera catches a gray fox sniffing a dead possum before exhibiting scent rolling behavior.
they do so. Scent rolling, as it is called, did not evolve simply as a pointless exercise that members of the dog family engage in when they are bored. Presumably, the behavior in domestic dogs is a holdover from their wild ancestors. But for foxes and other wild animals, the action must have a function, although behavioral biologists do not agree on what it might be. A FEW THEORIES Some wildlife biologists posit that wolves roll on carrion or animal droppings to bring information back to the pack about the presence in the vicinity of a prey species, such as deer or elk. A predator might also be providing evidence to a mate of its own prowess at finding prey. Likewise, being made aware of a competing species or predator nearby might be useful. A fox might take it as a warning if its mate came home smelling like bobcat or coyote dung. Another proposal has been that a fox may mask or camouflage its own scent when sneaking up on a rabbit or mouse. Of course, one has to wonder about any prey animal that would not be alarmed upon smelling a long-dead possum approaching, so
I’m not enamored with that hypothesis. One suggestion was that a predator might roll around on a dead animal in order to mark its territory by leaving its own smell. But how detectable would a live animal’s scent be amid the overpowering smell of a rotting carcass? FOR SHOW? Yet another idea is that to dogs, wolves and foxes, the sense of smell is dominant and they may enjoy putting on a new scent the way some people like to stand out with their choice of perfume, jewelry or unconventional clothing. My appreciation for wildlife cameras has grown immeasurably with the realization that they not only show me what is running around in the area but also reveal normally unseen behaviors. When we uncover wildlife’s hidden biodiversity and observe what it is doing, we enter a new realm of understanding and appreciation for the natural habitats that surround us. Gibbons is professor emeritus of ecology at the University of Georgia and has written books including Ecoviews Too and, most recently, Snakes of the Eastern United States.
Readers Write
Pabst Column Brought the Truth
266 Fort Zumwalt Square, O’Fallon, MO •
(636) 281-3524
Located 1/4 mile west of K on Veterans Memorial Parkway
Dear Outdoor Guide blood brothers: A big truthful, logical, common-sense and biological reality salute to Jerry Pabst for his honest and clever celebration of wildlife value management 101 in the May-June issue. His indisputable, science-based overview on elephant hunting was a home run. It is tragic that such basic sustain-yield habitat carrying capacity science has to be explained to anybody in a world that
thinks expanding elephant populations should be managed differently then expanding deer populations. Nobody in Africa is stupid enough to think they can tell Americans how to manage whitetail deer, but embarrassingly, just the opposite seems to be true over here. Thank you, Jerry and Outdoor Guide, for bringing such utilitarian pragmatism to the forefront. Godspeed, my spirit-ofthe-wild blood brothers. Ted Nugent
July-August 2018
Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
Jeannie’s Journey
Market House the Dining Hub in Ozark By JEANNIE FARMER
Research reveals numerous buildings contributing to the prominence of the famous Courthouse Square Historic District in the beautiful city of Ozark, MO. In various styles of architecture and attraction, they join to form the hub of the city’s famed business district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
Surrounding the always busy Classic Revival threestory brick courthouse, the public offerings appeal to tourists, local shoppers, Christian County government employees, taxpayers and vendors. It’s also a restful retreat for hikers, bikers, anglers and other outdoor-loving enthusiasts who frequent two popular Finley River Greenway parks along the clear-flowing stream which flows within
walking distance. Most of the structures speak of bygone days in appearance and style, several dating to the 1880s and most others to before the turn of the century. One, while maintaining heritage, loyalty and proud association with the past, also harbors a modern twist. NO TIME TO RETIRE Among those structures forming the west complex of
the four-block square is the Market House Cafe and Bake Shop. It’s owned and operated by my longtime friend Barbara Hendricks Hardy, an Ozark resident of 10 years. A registered nurse, she retired in 2014 after serving 25 years at Mercy Hospital in nearby Springfield, but she wasn’t content with idle time. She felt a need to seek out new adventures. “For many years, I would go home after work and un-
The Market House Cafe and Bake Shop in Ozark, MO, is among the main attractions on the courthouse square. – ThayneSmithphotos.
wind by doing some baking or cooking various and different dishes for dinner,” she said. That may have triggered the next big step in her life. “It’s a mystery why I chose to open a restaurant. I really had no idea of what it entailed. I just wanted to do it,” she said. Searching for a building that would fulfill her needs, she found the one that now serves her dream. She believes it was constructed in 1885. While investigating the site, Hardy was told that architecture students at Drury University in Springfield had made a study of the building. They suggested demolition, and that the site become part of the city’s Greenway Park system. “It was then that I decided to buy the two-story building,” Hardy said. “It was the ugliest on the square, but with all the aesthetic improvements, it now looks like it belongs.” It took Amish craftsmen, who live nearby, 18 months to do the renovation. Floors had rotted and couldn’t be saved. Matching wood was milled, laid and sealed. No staining was needed. Floor and ceiling joists were stabilized. Brick walls on each side are original. The first-floor tin ceiling, with antique floral pattern, was taken down, cleaned and stored, and later re-installed. The decor of some pieces was maintained. Antique lights were the hardest to preserve. Everything had to be pulled together for the right texture and shape. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to keep all of its historical appearance,” Hardy said. ONCE A DOCTOR’S OFFICE She is the second owner
A cafe sign matches the historic Courthouse Square decor.
of the structure. Its first was a doctor, with an office and surgery room upstairs and a pharmacy on the main floor. During remodeling of the upstairs, many interesting and beautiful old glasses and pharmaceutical bottles were discovered. “I have them at my home,” she noted. Two apartments now adorn the second floor. One is rented. The other is a bedand-breakfast. “Every aspect of each was created as if I was going to live there,” she said. “No shortcuts were made. Everything is new.” Establishing menus, Barbara began researching sandwiches and tempting food ideas. She wanted good, different and flavorful items that would spark an interest. “I wanted people to ask about ingredients and how things were made,” she said. Her mother’s recipe for potato salad is a specialty. “I’ve had grown men cry over it. There’s no extra stuff involved, just simply good and flavorful.” BREAKFAST OR LUNCH? Two menus – breakfast and lunch – include extensive offerings. For breakfast, there are sandwiches, French toast, homemade pancakes, eggs Benedict, migas, Santa Fe and other omelets and more. Other sandwiches and a variety of dishes are available at lunch. Breads, desserts and sauces are made from scratch. Various sauces such as garlic aioli, caper aioli, gremolata and Cubana add to the savory temptations. Because of her vision and inspiration, Barbara’s cafe has become a great success. Her love for creativity, baking, beautiful decor and delicious meals has made its atmosphere most inviting. “The best part is the customers – they become family,” she said. Located at 113 N. 2nd Street in Ozark, MO, (at 65721) the cafe is open Tuesday through Saturday. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
July-August 2018
Outdoor Guide
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Tips, Tricks and Thoughts for the Great Outdoors
Time to Celebrate Independence Day!
It is known as the 4th of July holiday, but to me it will always be Independence Day. To all of you men and women who served or are serving our country, I salute you and thank you for what you did or are doing. May you all enjoy the 4th of July holiday, but don’t forget why we celebrate it.
God Bless America! READ THIS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE I know deer season is still a few months away, so most of you aren’t thinking too much about it right now, but I want you to hear what I am about to tell you because it could save your life. According to
statistics, nearly one out of every three hunters who hunt from an elevated stand will fall at some point during their hunting days. I know you probably think it could never happen to you, but you would be wrong. Go online and read all the stories about people just like you who fell from a tree stand and how
it changed their lives forever. Ask my friend Mickey Black, from Bass Pro Shops, who fell from a stand last fall and escaped with injuries that took months to heal. He will be able to hunt again, but he will never do it without using a good safety harness and being very familiar with how it works.
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I don’t care if you hunt from a hanging stand, a ladder stand or a climber, it can happen to you in an instant, and the fall can leave you with permanent injuries or paralysis that can change you and your family’s life forever. It can even cost you your life. Get online right now or go to your favorite outdoor store and buy the best safety harness you can buy. Make it second nature to put it on every time you go out hunting. I started doing research several months ago for this article and it scared me so bad I went out and bought the Hunter Safety Systems Ultra-Lite Flex safety harness for myself and everyone in my family who hunts deer. But having a good harness is not enough. A full 86 percent of tree-stand accidents don’t happen while you are sitting or standing. They occur while ascending or descending the tree or getting into or out of the stand. I wanted all of my family to stay attached to the tree, from the ground to the stand and back down the stand again, so I also got everyone a Hunter Safety Systems Lifeline. I love my family too much to ever hunt again without using a safety harness and lifeline. My family members that hunt will never get in a tree stand again without both of these lifesaving items. I hope I have scared you enough that you will do the same. TRASH TALK If you throw a soda or beer can out your car window, it might possibly be degraded back into the soil in the year 2505. That plastic doughnuts wrapper that blew into the woods at deer camp this year might be obliterated by about late 2247. And would you believe that if you leave a glass bottle on the river bank this year, it will still be around in the year 1,002,004. Think about these facts the next time you leave loose trash in your boat or pickup to be blown out to litter our
beautiful outdoors. As the great Sioux Chief Seattle said, “What we do to the earth, we do also to ourselves. Take care of the earth.” SUMMER SUN CAN KILL YOU The summer sun can kill you fast or kill you slow. The fast way is by heat exhaustion or heat stroke from not having enough liquid, shade and rest, and it doesn’t care how young and healthy you are. The slow way is skin cancer, and it doesn’t care who you are, either. It can happen to anyone. Don’t let it be you. MORE LOONEY LAWS • It’s illegal to hunt moths under streetlights in Los Angeles. • Geese may not walk down Main Street in McDonald, Ohio. • In Alaska, it’s illegal to push a live moose out of a moving airplane. • It’s illegal in Indiana to open a can of food with a gun. Just remember that our tax dollars pay the salaries of the politicians who come up with these looney laws. SUMMER BIRD FEEDING If blackbirds dominate your feeders, safflower is the solution. Most birds, such as cardinals and chickadees, will eat safflower seeds, but blackbirds find it distasteful and will leave your feeders alone. Squirrel problems? Most squirrels don’t like the taste of safflower and will quickly learn to stay off “bird only” feeders. Safflower is more expensive, but it turns out to be an economical seed to use since feeders usually empty more slowly. NATURE QUOTE “There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” – Linda Hogan
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July-August 2018
Lyme Disease, Deadly Epidemic By TED NUGENT
tious, cherished morel mushrooms, wild asparagus, leeks and scallions back in our favorite bailiwick? Berries coming soon! Does your wild ground celebration never end? Beyond the pavement is where our hunter’s hearts are and where we get our biggest kicks in life, that’s for sure. But there is danger lurking in the outback that we must come to grips with more now than ever. The dreaded Lyme disease is increasing like never before across North America,
Don’t you just love slithering along the ground sneaking up on critters? Does your pure aboriginal instinct keep you grounded? Do you crave all things down to earth? Did you wallow in Mother Nature’s puckerbrush this spring turkey season to much stimulating delight? Are you enjoying shed hunting in the summertime Spirit of the Wild hinterlands? How about those scrump-
and instead of the tens of thousands of cases diagnosed just a few short years ago, the Centers for Disease Control now estimates there are more than three MILLION cases out there each and every year. THE SILENT EPIDEMIC With a history of misdiagnosis and consistent false positives for this deadly disease, Lyme represents a very serious threat for outdoor families everywhere. I could get all technical and
go into the history, science and biology of Lyme, but suffice it to say, the bite of these nasty little ticks can wreak havoc on our outdoor lifestyle and life itself. Know that the various ticks that carry and transmit the disease are at an all-time high, which makes the threat and danger at an all-time high, which of course demands our awareness to be at an all-time high as well. Sadly, Lyme represents a major medical epidemic going on in the US. Most sporters
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Record Hog Sucker .........Page
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Strange Seeds ...............
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Wild Turkey ....................
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Albino Catfish ...............
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age 28 Trail Cameras..................P
Hobo Meal ...............
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North Fork ....................
Scrapes Tales ...............
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Niagara, More than a Honeymoon
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Asian Carp ...............
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Urban Rifle ....................
Missouri
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Illinois
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MISS OUR I
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ILLIN OIS
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AND OTH ER EXCI TING
OUT DOO R
DEST INAT IONS
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Larva
Nymph
Adult Male
have heard of Lyme but don’t know that more than twice as many people are being diagnosed with Lyme annually than women with breast cancer, and nearly three times as many with Lyme than men and women with colon cancer. EVEN SUICIDE Horror of horrors, one out of three adults who get chronic Lyme are committing suicide. With teenagers, it’s closer to 50 percent. And 72 percent of the people are being misdiagnosed. Six different Lyme illnesses can be fatal. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, 79 percent of the deer ticks carry co-infections. Craig Engwall, of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, is a classic example. He has had Lyme three times, but the second time he also got Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis from the same bite, all three which can be fatal for humans and take different treatments. He can never give blood again because Babesiosis never goes away. The biggest problem is that there has not been a place in North America where folks can get comprehensive education about all Lyme illnesses, symptoms, culprits or solutions. That was true until Feb. 1, 2018. With the help of the best tick experts available in North America, our blood brother, legendary sportsman Babe Winkelman put together 10 companies in a consortium and built the Tick-Borne Illness Information Center for North America. THE CLEARINGHOUSE The information is all there from the Number One Doctor, a tick diagnostic center and research labs and others. It’s FREE for everyone so we can educate ourselves and our families and learn how to be tick-free. Education is the only answer, because fire is the only thing that effectively halts tick growth, and America has long since stopped the controlled burning that was keeping them at bay. The tick center lives on Babe’s website, winkelman.com. Keeping yourself tick free is not expensive and is easy to do, once you learn how. Know that the ticks are out there waiting for a blood meal every day, and we have to do
Adult Female
the right things right, EVERY DAY, to keep our families safe. We must be vigilant, and it needs to become a regular daily routine when we go anywhere a tick can be found, which of course is everywhere! Outdoor folks of all types are at the highest risk, but so are the people who live in suburbs, go for a walk in a city park or play a round of golf. Tick numbers are at an all-time high in all 50 states and most of Canada. According to the tick experts, we have trillions and trillions of ticks now. When a female deer tick lays 1,500 to 5,000 eggs and then dies, we only lose one tick. The trillions live on! SUPPORTING CAST Great organizations are stepping up to educate the outdoor world. The National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, the Quality Deer Management Association, LymeDisease. org, the American Lyme Disease Foundation, the Lyme Disease Association, the National Wildlife Federation, the St. Louis Lyme Disease Foundation, Wildlife Forever, Great Days Outdoors, Whitetail Forever, Game Fair and Benelli – and many others – all are helping out all they can, not only with mailings and postings but magazine articles, newsletters and social media. NWTF is doing an episode for its television series. Get Outdoors TV and Wild TV are populating their networks with PSAs and other tools. Shemane and I will dedicate numerous episodes of Ted Nugent Spirit, on Wild TV, to Lyme awareness, prevention and treatment. Quality of life begins and ends with quality health. Spread the word about this dreaded disease, and visit Babe Winkelman’s website, winkelman.com, for details and updates. Our beloved hunting/outdoor lifestyle is a year-round adventure. Be educated, be alert and be aware. Editor’s note: FYI, our young doctor informs us that a tick generally needs 72 hours attached to spread Lyme Disease and that the resulting circle around the bite is about the size of a half-dollar.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 21
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Page 22
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Wildlife Wrangling and Outdoor Ramblings
Summer’s Thrill – Bats & Cotton Candy
Photo and Text By RANDALL P. DAVIS
can eat their weight in insects by the hour. However, when the more Most outdoor enthusiasts adventurous winged mamhave a definite idea about mals wiggle and squiggle mid-summer. It’s hot, sure. through the tiniest cracks There’s good fishing in se- – faster than a mouse chews cluded places, of course. through a feed sack – and drop Carnivals abound; count me in unannounced, within the in on any funnel cake. Flow- higher primate’s living quarers are blooming, easily the ters, my telephone activates Almighty’s own paint palette. … incessantly. But when it comes to bats When this happens, noththat have chosen one’s home ing truly expresses the lazy, in which to cohabitate and hazy days of summer like raise a family, well, they’re ascending wobbly ladders to simply a summer nuisance. eaves, soffits and chimney But recently, I found a way tops, and drinking in the tearto add a little zest into this duct violating vapor of rancid summertime fun. bat guano and solar-warmed It was a beautiful postcard- urine, right before the midlike representation of July day meal. – sweltering sun, humidity Those tiny cracks serve thick as pond scum. Flow- as air jets, venting a billow ers were blooming to their of the purest stink, funk, and fragrantly fullest. And the miasma – not to mention carnival was in town. histoplasmosis – and right Those cuddly creatures into your face. of the night had done well The multitude of tiny, black in the spring, proliferating droppings, – about the size to a populace of prodigious of a grain of rice, and carpetproportions, as they often bombed over the building’s do in peoples’ attics and wall as the bats come and chimneys. go – have dried and are easily dislodged, cascading down ZERO TOLERANCE over my gray, balding head Now most folks have some and slumped shoulders, cretolerance, accepting the fact ating something like a senior these benevolent mammals citizen vanilla cupcake with
Summer bat jobs involve rooftops in open sun at 90 degrees and enough perspiration to soak hat, shirt, jeans and a leather belt. At nearly 62 years old, what am I thinking? Cotton candy, of course!
licorice sprinkles. STENCH REMOVAL But on this particular day, I was winding up the second job. I finally finished the exclusionary task, which is a contraption with a oneway device so bats fly out and cannot re-enter. Such control work is performed in mid-to-late summer, so the young of the year can fly out with the parents. I loaded the tools and then attempted
to rid myself of the stench. The cranial dousing of rubbing alcohol did well to sanitize my hide, but the odor refused to abscond from my nostrils. Applying resourceful measures, I stepped to the homeowner’s nearest flower bed and snatched up a double handful of pleasingly pungent lavender, then proceeded to smear the fragrant flowers over this wrinkled mug. The endeavor was a suc-
cess. The acrid odor was replaced by … well, summertime. INNARDS, OUTARDS By then, the day’s heat had rampe up to typical Missouri levels. My innards needed as much cooling out as my outards, so en route to the next “battery” job, I stopped for a beverage at a convenience store. After filling the vessel and placing it on the counter, I noticed the clerk flicking quick, eyebrow-furrowing stares at me as he retrieved my change. Oblivious, I just stared back and smiled. As he slammed the cash draw shut, he said, “Dude, it looks like you were at the carnival last night and had some of that grape cottoncandy. Didn’t it taste good?” Puzzled, I glanced down, and on top of the cup were small bits of lavender petals. It then dawned on me that my five o’clock shadow had rasped off and held a goodly portion of my herbaceous scent remedy, and I was still proudly sporting a purple mustache. CARNEY POWER From the size of this fellow,
it wasn’t much of a stretch to see he was a tremendous connoisseur of carnival cuisine, so I said, “Oh yeah, it was so good I took a couple bundles home and had one for breakfast. Just fabulous!” He then replies, “Oh dude, I never thought about taking some home. That’s genius. I get paid today, and when I get off work, I’m picking up my girlfriend. We’re gonna stock up.” I’m not sure just how much cotton candy can be acquired with the paycheck of a convenience store clerk, but I’m sure it would be a substantial quantity, and it does give a new meaning to “Carney Power.” I could think of no appropriate reply except, “Good idea, but you need to try the chocolate flavor. Yeah, it is DA BOMB.” Then I left him gap-mouthed and thinking. And later, as I finally shaved off that grape-purple mustache, I wondered just how many of those carnival workers Mr. Convenience Clerk and girlfriend wore slick, trying to convince them they had some chocolate cotton candy hidden out behind the Tilt-A-Whirl. Ahh, the thrills of summer!
5935 S. LINDBERGH BLVD., ST. LOUIS, MO 63123 MUNGENASTMOTORSPORTS.COM | (855) 584-0166
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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
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 23
Chapman’s Tips on Texas Rigs, Soft Plastics By JOHN NEPORADNY JR. Any time a new soft plastic is introduced, it seems as if the lure is accompanied by a new rigging tactic. The latest rigs for finesse soft plastics include the Neko and Ned rigs, which were preceded by the wacky and drop shot rigs. However there is one old-fashioned rig that works for almost all soft plastics on the market today. Year in and year out, the Texas rig continues to be the best match for the gamut of soft plastic baits. “It’s simple and it so resembles ultimately what bass eat day in and day out, year after year,” Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brent Chapman said. “It is such a versatile way to fish as well. You can fish it in 6 feet of water or 60 feet of water.” Chapman also favors the Texas rig because it creates a streamlined bait and makes it weedless. So he can present the lure into any bass hideout, right in front of the fish’s face. In addition to the lure, the Texas rig consists of three basic elements: a bullet-shaped sinker, some sort of pegging device and a hook. Chapman believes the hook is the key component of the rig. “There is such a diversity in hooks now that they make a hook that will fit every type
Pro angler Brent Chapman says the key to Texas rigging is getting the bait to be straight. – Rob Newell, World Fishing Network.
of plastic,” he said. “Then on top of that, the quality of how sharp hooks are and the strength of the hook helps for good hookups and getting fish out of places that we may not have been able to do 20 years ago.” A HEAVIER WEIGHT Chapman matches his hooks on the Texas rig with a Picasso Tru Tungsten Worm Weight and an Eagle Claw Lazer Pro Rigging Stop for pegging his weight. “I always peg everything I flip except a flipping tube,” Chapman said. The Kansas pro discloses he relies on a heavier weight than most anglers do for his Texas-rigged soft plastics. “I like to get a fast fall out of the lures for the most part,”
he said. After slipping the rigging stop and sinker on his line to start his Texas rig, Chapman ties on his hook with a Palomar knot. “If you tie it correctly, it is one of the strongest knots out there,” he said. When attaching the soft plastic lure, insert about ¼-inch of the hook point into the top of the bait. Then turn the hook and exit the lure at the side of the head. Slide the lure up the hook shaft and twist the lure around the shaft so the point of the hook faces the lure. Then insert the hook at a right angle into the lure and drive the hook point all the way through the lure’s body. Complete the rig by pushing up on the lure to slip
the hook point just underneath the plastic surface to make the bait weedless. “The biggest key to Texas rigging is getting the bait to be straight, because a straight bait looks more natural, and if you don’t get it straight, it tends to twist your line,” Chapman said. THREE TOP SOFT PLASTICS Chapman’s top three soft plastics for Texas rigging are the 3-inch Tightlines UV Beaver, Tightlines UV-Enko and a 4-inch flipping tube. The 3-inch Beaver is Chapman’s favorite for most of his Texasrigged tactics. “I like that bait because I can punch it through mats or I can just pitch it around,” he said. “The 3-inch version is a little bit smaller than what most people fish but it is a pretty compact bait and I think it will get strikes when other baits won’t, just because it is small.” The four–time B.A.S.S. winner matches the Beaver with an Eagle Claw Trokar TK130 Flippin’ Hook and a Picasso Tru Tungsten Worm Weight ranging in sizes from 1/8- to 1 1/2 ounces, depending on the situation. When flipping around shallow brush or docks, he relies on the 1/8-ounce weight but switches to the 1 1/2 –ounce
sinker for punching thick grass mats. The UV-Enko is a stickworm that Chapman Texas rigs either weightless or with a sinker sometimes as heavy as 1/2-ounce. “That is just another bait that just catches fish all the time,” he said. The tournament veteran mostly uses a 4/0 Trokar EWG straight shank hook for Texas rigging with the UV-Enko. RIGHT HOOK FOR FLIPPING Missed hookups and lost fish have caused anglers to shy away from the flipping tube. Chapman was one of those anglers until he found the right hook for the job. “I kind of fell in love all over again with a tube when Trokar came out with their tube hook, which has a bait keeper up by the eye of the hook that holds the tube on really well,” he said. “It also has a Kahle-shaped hook that really is perfect for a tube.” Chapman impales the 4-inch flipping tube on a 6/0 Trokar Tube Hook and adds a Picasso Tru Tungsten Worm Weight sinker varying in weight from 1/8 to 3/4 of an ounce. Chapman’s Texas-rigging gear includes a 7 1/2-foot flipping stick and a high-speed (7.1:1 or higher gear ratio) baitcast reel spooled with
either Gamma Fluorocarbon or braid line. When Texas-rigging trick or finesse worms in open water, Chapman uses 12-pound fluorocarbon, but he upgrades to 25-pound fluorocarbon when flipping soft plastics into heavy cover. The Kansas angler relies on 50- or 60-pound braid for punching mats with his Texas-rigged baits.
Chapman notes that the Texas rig is simple and resembles what bass eat every day. – BassResource.com photo.
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Jefferson County 3780 Vogel Road Arnold, Missouri 63010 314.962.6363
St. Clair County 4384 North Illinois Street Swansea, Illinois 62226 618.239.6363
Page 24
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Camping Gear & Gadgets Smart Jack Knows How High to Raise the Trailer
Lippert’s Smart Jack, the next-generation power tongue jack, features a hitch-height recognition mode that will store and remember a hitch’s height until a new height is stored in it. Users can simply press the hitch-height button and walk away without having to stand and hold the “extend” button. A manual override is included. Features include a 9” diameter footpad, drop leg with four-position height adjustments, backlit control panel and a battery life indicator. Capacity is 3,500 pounds. Smart Jack, the next generation power tongue jack, is on sale for $289 at 3R RV & Horse Trailer, 7819 Hwy. 47, Union MO, or call (636) 583-2244.
Camp Alert System Can Signal for Help The Brite-Strike Camp Alert Perimeter Security System is a complete emergency system for hunters, campers, hikers and fishermen. As a security system, it will alert you if anyone – or an animal – wanders into your campground. Its separate alarm module can let people know you need help, and its blue LEDs can be a signaling device at night. A red LED flashlight is built in for map reading that will not impede your night vision. Two adhesive light strips are included and can be attached to trees or rocks. The battery allows four modes – fast or slow strobe, steady on, or off. Brite-Strike Camp Alert System is available for $32.51 at zoro.com.
Coleman Mach 3 a High-Quality RV Air Conditioner The Coleman Mach 3 Plus is one of the best RV air conditioning values available. It has a large evaporator and condenser coils with raised lance fins to help dissipate heat, a solid 13,500 nominal BTU cooling capacity, and delivers airflow of 320 cubic feet per minute. An optional heater with 5,600 BTU is available. An accompanying air distribution box provides controls and vents in a ceiling assembly with a filter that’s easy to replace. Mach 3 Plus is $589 and the air distribution box is $75 at Byerly RV Center, 295 E. 5th St., Eureka, or go online to byerlyrv.com.
Add-a-Drawer Adds Storage Space About Anywhere
Fiberglass Flagpole Will Not Conduct Electricity
RV or motor home users who need a little more storage space should consider Add-a-Drawer, a kit by S. Solutions that provides everything needed to add that extra drawer under a table or cupboard. The double rail design accommodates flat or lipped table styles. The sliding channels are selflocking for security. The drawer tray is 8” by 14”, and two inches deep. The Add-a-Drawer Kit is available for $32.99 at Midwest RV Center, 6200 Heimos Industrial Park Drive, St. Louis, MO, or go online to mwrvcenter.com.
You can fly your favorite flag anywhere you park your RV. And unlike aluminum poles, this fiberglass flagpole will not conduct electricity. It extends to 16 feet and collapses to 48” for storage. Included hardware allows users to fly up to two flags at once or fly a flag at half-mast. The kit comes with a 3’ by 5’ flag, a car foot, and a residential mount. The fiberglass flagpole can be purchased for $159 at Byerly RV Center, 295 E. 5th St., Eureka, or go online to byerlyrv.com.
Sunshield RV Vent Cover Increases Efficiency
Wheel Stop Keeps Trailers Where They Belong
Winegard Antenna Can Be Portable Or Mounted
Here’s a neat way to increase your RV’s air conditioning and heating efficiency, the Sunshield RV vent cover. Sunshield’s reflective surfaces block 100 percent of the sun’s damaging rays, helping to keep your RV cooler in summer and warmer in winter. A reflective thermal barrier mounts securely with hook-and-loop strips. Sunshield measures 17.5” by 17.5”. The Sunshield RV vent cover is $9.99 at Byerly RV Center, 295 E. 5th St., Eureka, or go online to byerlyrv.com.
The Camco Wheel Stop keeps your trailer in place. It’s easy to use and easy to store. Just place the Wheel Stop between your tandem tires to prevent both forward and backward movement while parked or rehitching. Wheel Stop installs easily between the tires and stabilizes your trailer with one piece of equipment. An optional lock is available. Camco Wheel Stop is available for $34.49 at Midwest RV Center, 6200 Heimos Industrial Park Drive, St. Louis, MO, or go online to mwrvcenter.com.
Winegard’s Carryout G3 RV antenna offers the ultimate in flexibility. It can be used as a portable or roof-mounted antenna. You can change providers but keep your antenna. You can also use it with the Winegard ConnecT WiFi Extender, which captures any available WiFi signals while providing maximum security and internet speed. Winegard Carrryout antenna is on sale for $699 and its accompanying ConnecT Wifi Extender is $199 at Byerly RV Center, 295 E. 5th St., Eureka, or go online to byerlyrv.com.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 25
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Outdoor Guide
Page 26
July-August 2018
Gravel Bar Gourmet
On the Meramec, Never Better Photo and Text By BILL COOPER
This chunky rainbow trout became the focal point of a sumptuous meal for Bill Cooper on one of his favorite Meramec River gravel bars.
A lot of water has flowed under my canoes and kayaks in 2018. My New Year’s resolution was to float and camp more than in previous years. That was a bold statement for a river rat of near 50 years. Granted, I’ve made numerous trips on the nearby Meramec River. It is only minutes from my home. It is relatively easy to put in at the Highway 8 access between St. James and Steelville. I can put in early and my wife, Dian, can easily pick me up at Scott’s Ford, nine miles downstream after she gets off work. The fact is, the Meramec is holding more trout per mile than any time I can remember since I’ve been fishing it. And that has been almost five decades. I’ve made numerous trips down my beloved river this year. Every trip, I have caught dozens of chunky rainbow and brown trout. Most have been short of the minimum 15-inch mark, but a fair number have been legal to keep. A number of those made the Gravel Bar Gourmet menu. FOUR HOURS, 59 TROUT Most recently, just after the first of March, I floated that familiar stretch, intent on catching a lot of fish and at least one large enough for a shore lunch. I fished a 21/2-inch narrow, gold-colored spoon. Heavy cloud cover loomed over the river, providing perfect fishing for brown trout. Fish after fish clobbered my spoon offering as I jerked and tumbled downstream. Golden flashes glimmered in deeper holes and in the shallow riffles. The browns fed heavy as long as the cloud cover held. When the sun poked through on several occasions, the browns would run and hide under overhead cover to escape the intense light. Each time that happened, I swathed to a hand-tied hair jig consisting either of raccoon hair or hair from the tail of a fox squirrel. I tied all on various colored
1/8-ounce round jig heads. I was pleasantly surprised when a hefty rainbow trout clobbered my jig offering on my first cast. I repeated the process with great success, proudly enjoying my extreme success. The rainbows fed in the bright sunlight as heavily as the browns did with heavy cloud cover. I rigged two rods, with appropriate baits, so that I would remain prepared for either weather condition. My preparation worked like a charm. In four hours, I caught 59 trout and one smallmouth bass. Not a bad morning of fishing. SUMPTUOUS LUNCH I paused on one of my favorite gravel bars to prepare a quick shore lunch. The recent floods left tons of good driftwood along the banks, perfect for camp and cooking fires. I cleaned an 18-inch rainbow and prepared it for cooking as my fire burned down to a hot bed of coals. I placed the trout on a large sheet of aluminum foil and rubbed the fish inside out with butter, salt and pepper. I placed a strip of thick bacon on either side of the cavity and stuffed the middle with tomato wedges and pats of butter. Then I placed a strip of bacon on both under and top sides of the trout and closed the foil. I dug a slight depression in the coals and placed the fish inside and covered it slightly. I prepared a dinner salad with fresh watercress from the river mixed with a bit of lettuce, boiled egg and lemon wedges. I covered the greens with my favorite Italian dressing. THE PERFECT MEAL By the time I finished making the salad, cutting some fresh bread and had opened a cold bottle of iced tea, the fish was done to perfection. I sat in a comfortable camp chair, watched the river flow by and ate my sumptuous Gravel Bar Gourmet meal with pleasant zest.
5935 S. LINDBERGH BLVD., ST. LOUIS, MO 63123 MUNGENASTMOTORSPORTS.COM | (855) 584-0166
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 27
Many Rigs for Catfish By GERALD J. SCOTT
Just as there’s more than one way to skin a cat(fish), there’s more than one way to rig catfishing terminal tackle. For as long as fishermen have been using rods and reels, the most basic catfish rig has consisted of a sliding sinker and a hook with some means of stopping the sinker a predetermined distance above the hook. Prior to the advent of monofilament line, the most common sinker stop was a short piece of wooden matchstick tied into the line with an overhand knot. Nowadays, barrel swivels have replaced matchsticks, but, otherwise, this rigging method has remained impervious to time. That said, there’s plenty of room for refinements to fit either the situation or the angler’s personal preferences. Choosing the distance between the sinker and the hook is a textbook case in point. When faced with moderate to strong current, Doug Stange, “In Fisherman” magazine’s catfish guru, recommends allowing the sinker to slide all the way down to the hook. LEADERS, SINKERS I use an 8- to 10-inch leader any time I’m fishing moving water. My catfishing partner often uses leaders about two
feet long no matter where he’s fishing. Long leaders are great in flat water but defy every principle of keeping bait under control in current. Even so, he catches a lot of river channel cats. Note that whatever length of leader you choose, it should test at least five and preferably 10 pounds less than the main line. Barrel sinkers are very popular with catfishermen, but their shape makes them prone to rolling across the bottom until they find something to snag either themselves or the hook. Flat sliding sinkers do a reasonably good job of solving this problem. In flat water, use the lightest sinker that will carry your bait where you need it to go. In moving water, use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom. THREE-WAY SWIVEL A good basic drift fishing rig begins with a stout threeway swivel. The main line attaches to one eye. A one- to four- ounce weight is affixed to the second eye by means of a foot-long piece of line testing no more than a fourth as much as the main line. Tie about three feet of line testing two-thirds as much as the main line to the third eye. Slide on a small foam float, add a hook appropriate to the
bait you’ll be using and peg the float about a foot above the hook. Drift fishing for catfish can be a deadly technique. It works best when drifting speed is slow enough to allow the sinker to bump along the bottom while the main line remains nearly vertical. Sometimes – especially in water less than 15 feet deep – catfish can be boat-shy. That’s when I switch to a standard bottom fishing rig with a one-ounce sinker. I attach a 2.5-inch red and white plastic bobber about a rod length above the hook and then allow the rig to drop back at least 50 yards behind the boat. THE PERFECT LINE Line is, of course, a crucial part of any cat-fisherman’s terminal tackle. I’ve spent a lifetime looking for the perfect cat-fishing line. I haven’t found it yet, but I think I may be getting close. About 10 years ago, I switched from 30 pound test monofilament to 65-pound test braided line on the baitcasting reels I use for most of my catfishing. The fact that today’s no-stretch braided lines were easier to break, while fishing from a boat, than monofilament when a sinker became hopelessly snagged was my primary motive.
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Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
The Saint Is Versatile, Well-Equipped Photo and Text By TJ MULLIN
Thanks to a creative disabled veteran, a group of weapons that heretofore was effectively worthless has become very useful. It may be the best thing to come out of the recent U. S. military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. At least something positive resulted. The Saint is a .223 AR15based pistol equipped with an arm brace that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives (BATFE) has ruled can be shouldered if not otherwise modified and still avoid the restrictions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1935. Of course, the NFA is an unconstitutional restriction of our Constitutional rights, but until we get rid of it, this may be the best way to get around this unlawful statute. The typical AR15 shortbarreled weapon has a flash hider on it, but the Saint has a noise diverter, which effectively pushes the blast to the front. At
first, this seems silly, but it really works, reducing the noise to a shooter’s ear and also increasing the blast to anyone down range, hopefully further intimidating any assailants. Standing at 30 feet away and to the side, I found it very distasteful. TESTING TIME Testing it at 50 yards from a rest, using a red dot Trijicon RMR sight, I got three shots into less than three-quarters of an inch and all five into two inches or so. Getting this performance with a normal handgun would
be great. Doing it with the Saint was an easier matter. When testing weapons, I always ask myself “why?” What purpose does this weapon fill that otherwise is not filled by something already existing that is better in some way? To be totally truthful, I am certain most people use such things for the same thing they would if they could buy a shortbarrel rifle without paying the $200 tax, or more critically, waiting nine to twelve months for BATFE to process a piece of paper.
Mullin put five shots within two inches at 50 yards.
There are a few other positive things also, I realize, like being able to take them out of state without permission of BATFE and to permit people to carry such “pistols” on their person or in their vehicle when a rifle would be prohibited. So when do you use a shortbarrel rifle? Mainly I suppose, in confined spaces. There, the convenience offsets the loss of velocity, and hence power, that the short-barreled weapon creates. When used on raids in dwellings and similar things, the shoulder-fired, short-barreled weapon is really handy. These “pistols” with arm braces are unlikely to be used on raids, but home defense is really a raid in reverse. So for the non-sworn elements of the armed society, they can be very handy. Similarly, such weapons inside a vehicle can be quite useful for engaging varmints both four- and two-legged when opportunity or necessity
presents itself. IN THE NICHE The Saint, from Springfield, proved itself to be a handy little weapon and quite suitable for its market niche. The forearm seemed a bit heavy to me and, made out of metal, it would be cold to the touch in winter and likely to get very hot in the summer if left in a vehicle or if a number of quick magazines were fired. I would install a Manta cover on it to avoid that cold/ hot issue. The handguard weight, while unnecessarily heavy, is hardly a major issue given the likely usage of the weapon. So, does the Saint do anything better than other weapons? Maybe not, but it certainly is as good as most similar AR15 barreled “pistols” and is available from a manufacturer that offers a complete package at a very reasonable cost backed by excellent service and known reliability.
Weather Limited Turkey Harvest
Illinois Department of Conservation
during both weekends in much of the state, and winter-like conditions continued into the Hunters in Illinois harvested early season segments in both a preliminary statewide total of the North and South zones,” 13,500 wild turkeys during the Garver added. “It is not often 2018 spring turkey season in- Illinois turkey hunters can say cluding the youth season, down they’ve had the opportunity from the harvest of 15,720 in to experience both snowfall 2017, in part because of late and 90-degree weather in one winter weather. season.” The total includes the Youth Spring turkey hunting was Turkey Season harvest of open in 100 of Illinois’ 102 1,139 birds, compared with the counties. The 2018 season record youth harvest of 1,539 dates were April 9-May 10 in 2017. The statewide record in the South Zone and April total was set in 2006 when 16-May 17 in the North Zone. 16,569 turkeys were harvested. The youth season was March Multiple factors includ- 31-April 1 and April 7-8. ing weather likely con- It was the second year the tributed to the reduction in youth turkey season was open harvest totals this season. for two weekends statewide. “We anticipated some declines Turkey hunters this spring took as a result of the poor production a preliminary total of 5,514 of young turkeys noted during wild turkeys during all season our 2017 Brood Survey last segments in the South Zone, summer,” said Luke Garver, compared with 6,842 last year turkey program manager for in the south. The North Zone the department. preliminary total was 7,986, “Youth season hunters expe- compared with 8,878 in northrienced cold and wet weather ern counties in 2017.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 29
Fishing for Big Cats on the Missouri
Photo and Text By KENNETH L. KIESER
The Missouri River generally runs like molasses in the fall and winter. But heavy rains up north occasionally send enough water to create a full pool for this long stretch by St. Joseph – good news for river navigation and even better for catfishing anglers. Outdoor writers Zach Smith, Brent Frazee and I recently met 23-year-old tournament cat-fisherman Jordan Stoner to fish for big blue catfish on the Missouri. The young guide picked us up in a 16-foot Sea Ark powered by a 300-horsepower Mercury outboard motor. The comfortably wide and stable boat was well rigged with heavy rod holders positioned around the bow and stern plus a state-of-the-art Lowrance graph that featured a 19-inch full color screen. DROP ANCHOR! The boat easily navigated moderate swells while Stoner studied his graph where submerged brush and occasional fish images appear. Suddenly he cut back the motor and requested that someone drop anchor. He had found the exact amount of brush and fish holding against the west bank.
His anchor, fitted with a good-sized chain for more weight and drag, was eventually dropped. Heavy anchors are used to hold boats in the river’s constant current. A foam float was attached to the end of the anchor line in the event of a huge catfish hookup. This allowed a quick release from the anchor and more drag for the fish. “My biggest blue catfish was over 70 pounds,” Stoner said. “That cat dragged the boat a good distance until it finally tired and was netted.” Soon the boat was secured and Stoner cut chunks about the size of a baseball off skipjack shad from Alabama. These crude fish are naturally oily and bloody, a perfect scent attractant for catfish. Skipjack shad are so named because of their habit of jumping out of the water when feeding. Each chunk was secured on six good-sized hooks and cast in a fan pattern from 10-o’clock to two-o’clock. Then the wait started and the breeze suddenly quit. The sun’s rays became exceptionally hot. Cold drinks were passed around the boat. BIG SNAKE Smith noticed a big snake slip into the river not far from our boat. Common water
snake bites are not poisonous, but these reptiles are very aggressive. “One night we were anchored off about dusk when I saw a big snake swimming across the river and straight at us,” Stoner said. “We thought the big snake would pass, but it swam to the motor and slipped up on the boat to stop and look at me. We fired up the boat and the snake was finally gone, to my relief.” We fished several spots for about 45 minutes before setting up at our last spot. I noted an especially bloody skipjack head, and someone said a catfish would almost certainly find it. Stoner cast the head close to where fish showed on his graph and set the rod in its holder. Within five minutes, the rod bent. Smith grabbed the rod and held on, but somehow the big cat released the bait without being hooked. This happened a second time without a hookup. The catfish was less fortunate on its third try at stealing the bait and was soundly hooked. FINALLY HOOKED The cue-stick sized catfish rod was well bent as the fish made several good runs. Stoner immediately freed the anchor line and the boat moved, powered by the catfish
Zach Smith (left) and Jordan Stoner show off their 23-pound blue cat.
and river current. Smith’s reel drag was moderately set so the catfish fought against additional resistance and was soon netted. Stoner weighed the cat on his commercial scale – 23 pounds. “That was a beautiful fish, determined to eat the skipjack head,” he said. “The bite was slow today, but sometimes we get on a good bite, and it’s not unusual to have several hookups at once.”
S m i t h ’s c a t f i s h w a s quickly released after photos and the day ended. The writers would drive back to beautiful St. Joseph, MO, for a good dinner and historic museum tours the following day. “That was only the second catfish I have ever caught,” Smith said on the drive back. “I want to come back and try for an even bigger cat.” This catfishing trip was
@visit_lebanon_mo
Visit www.LebanonMissouri.org
part of the 2017 Missouri Outdoor Communicators meeting in St. Joseph. The group visited several sights and fine restaurants around the old historic town but was thrilled by the history. I highly recommend everyone visit this beautiful place where Jesse James ended and I began. To visit, call the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at (816) 233-6688,
Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
Your Guide to
GREAT GEAR
Kent Cartridge Offers New Loads for Dove Hunters
Kent Cartridge has three new loads designed to help dove hunters fill their limits this fall. Diamond Dove loads feature heavier payloads and higher velocities than standard dove loads, making them better for fast, high-flying birds such as white wing doves or late season birds. The shot is harder than standard lead, offering increased down-range energy. Steel Dove loads are the only one specifically for dove hunters required to use non-toxic shot. Available in both 12 and 20 gauge loads, with velocities up to 1400 fps for high performance, Steel Dove loads use specially blended clean burning powders for reduced recoil. First Dove loads offer value-priced performance in highvolume shooting situations, using clean-burning powders to ensure consistent patterns. The new loads can be seen at kentgamebore.com.
Justin Stampede Boot Comes In Popular Mossy Oaks Pattern
Justin Boots is offering a new boot in Mossy Oaks’ Break-Up Country camo pattern, called America’s most popular pattern. The 17-inch Shrublands Square Toe boot from the Justin Stampede Collection is designed to keep your feet dry and protect in any conditions, is fully waterproof and has Justin’s Snake Guard technology. Inside, the Stampede Orthotic comfort insole delivers all-day comfort, while the Stampede Dual Density Rubber Outsole provides sure-footed traction in wet and muddy conditions. The Shrublands Stampede Snake Boot is available at Cabela’s and at JustinOriginalWorkboots.com, with a list price of $194.95.
Mammoth Coolers Offers New Ranger Series
Mammoth Coolers’ new rotomolded Ranger Cooler Series comes in four sizes, 125, 65, 45 and 25 quart. They are in either white or tan, with more colors coming, and also available in Mossy Oak camouflage. Each Ranger Cooler has a built-in stainless steel hinge, dual locking points, thick rubber lid gasket and, most importantly, a thicker wall insulated with premium insulation. The 125-quart is designed for outdoor activities including saltwater fishing and big game hunting, with professionalgrade ice retention of 8-10 days or more. The 65-quart can handle softball and soccer tournaments or a day at the pool, with ice retention of 7-10 days. The 45-quart is easy to transport, with ice retention of 6-8 days, and the 25-quart is perfect for camping or tailgating. The Ranger series can be seen at mammothcooler.com and leading retailers.
Electronic Muffs Protect Ears, Amplify Natural Sounds
The new eKrest Electronic Muffs from Birchwood Casey provide outstanding hearing protection for shooters while allowing them to hear and even amplify sounds around them. The muffs attenuate all sounds above 85dB and have an ANSI Noise Reduction Rating of 26dB. They come with an on/off switch with volume control for easy sound amplification and have an LED power indicator light. Two omni-directional microphones ensure users hear everything that is going on around them. They have adjustable padded headbands and auxiliary input jacks, use two AAA batteries and come in either carbon fiber and desert tan finishes. The eKrest Electronic Muffs sell for $64.50 at birchwoodcasey.com.
Poptical Sunglasses Pack Small
When storage space in a backpack or tacklebox is hard to come by, ultralight Poptical Pop-Out Sunglasses can save some room. With its internal rail system, the dismountable eyepieces can be nestled together and the temples folded up to make a petite package that fits in a pocket or small compartment. Lenses are made of nylon by Carl Zeiss and are both impactand shatter-resistant, in copper, gray, brown or green tints, mirrored or non-mirrored, polarized or non-polarized. They provide UV400 protection and have hydrophobic, oleophobic Ri-Pel coatings to repel dirt, oil, dust and water. Hardware is either stainless steel or corrosion-resistant, and they are packaged in either hard-shell, leather or neoprene cases. Currently, 19 models, all made in Italy, are available for men or women. Poptical Pop-Out Sunglasses can be seen at popticals.com, tacklewarehouse.com and at tackle shops and sporting good retailers. Prices range from $169 to $239.
Austrian Strasser Rifle Now Offered In America
International Firearm Corp., importer of European firearms, is offering Strasser hunting rifles for the first time this year, notably the RS14 Evolution. Strasser, an Austrian arms maker with a rich history of manufacturing hunting and sporting rifles, has built a reputation on precision, innovation, unsurpassed quality and elegant design. Its revolutionary design and ergonomic operating functions make the RS14 a reliable companion for hunters around the world. It is a straight-pull, bolt action rifle with a removable trigger pack and the ability to easily adjust trigger weight without tools. It has a set-trigger feature that brings the trigger pull down two ounces. The barrel system and quick-change bolt face allow users to quickly and easily switch between mini, standard, and magnum calibers. International Firearm offers a two-year warranty and in-house, custom gunsmithing. For more information, go to internationalfirearmcoporatiohn.com.
Springfield Handguns Get Trijicon Sighting Systems
Springfield Armory’s TRP 10mm – a handgun with great stopping power – is now available with the Trijicon Ruggedized Miniature Reflex (RMR) sight. Springfield chose Trijicon, the leader in rugged red-dot optics, for its ability to stand up to the power of its 10mm round. The sight is crafted from 7075-T6 aluminum and has a patented shape that absorbs impacts and diverts stresses away from the lens, increasing durability. The TRP 10mm RMR is available with either a 5” or 6” barrel, with forged National Match frames and slides, precision-fit to the stainless steel, fully supported barrels. Frames and slides are Black-T finished to withstand heavy use and harsh environments. The SA Magwell/Grip System allows for rapid mag changes under stress without adding bulk to the contour of the gun. Once the ambidextrous safety lever is flipped, the Gen 2 Speed Trigger, calibrated to a crisp 4.5- to 5-pound pull, provides an amazingly clean break.
Fillet Knives Set Comes with Case and Sharpener
Whether you’re filleting a big pike or a bull bream, Outdoor Edge has the perfect blades for the job, and its ReelFlex line of fillet knives, introduced in 2017, is now available in a hard-sided carry case that also contains a blade sharpener. The ReelFlex Pak of 6-inch, 7½-inch and 9½-inch knives feature German 4116 stainless steel blades and ergonomically designed and rubberized handles that won’t get slippery from water and fish slime. When the knives need resharpening, touch them up with the Edge-X sharpener, which has a carbide-imbedded sharpening surface on one side and a ceramic edge polisher on the other. The hard-sided carrying case has a ruler embossed on the lid so you don’t have to wonder if a fish passed the minimum size requirement. ReelFlex Pak is now available at outdooredge.com and from retailers for about $65.
T-Rex Tape Is Three Layers Strong
Stuff breaks, tears, leaks, wears out and otherwise falls apart at the worst possible time – usually on a camping trip or when you’re far from the closest place to get anything repaired. That’s why it’s always a good idea to bring along a roll of T-Rex tape, the “duct tape on steroids.” T-Rex has three – a thick polyethylene skin that repels moisture, a high-tensile interwoven fabric scrim that is tough but allows users to tear the tape by hand, and a layer of double-thick adhesive to make T-Rex stick tight to whatever it’s bonded to, no matter how rough and dirty the surface. Sizes and colors include the standard 1.88” wide roll in lengths of 10, 12, 30 and 35 yards, or at 2.83” lengths or 2.83” wide in a 30-yard roll. Colors are black, white and gray. T-Rex tape is available direct from trextape.com or at most major hardware and outdoor stores. Prices run from $5 to $15 a roll.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
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Fly-In Fishing Was Incredible
A Dream Trip to Wild Ontario
Photo and Text By BRANDON BUTLER
Seven days in a wilderness paradise – catching more fish than most would believe possible and surrounded by scenery to which no photographer could do justice – can leave one longing for some extended simplicity. Back in the world, surrounded once again by constant distraction, I’ll draw often upon the week in which the biggest decisions were bacon or sausage for breakfast and whether to fish first for walleye or northern pike. My dad, myself and six other men took float planes into Opasquia Provincial Park in extreme northern Ontario, booking with Big Hook Wilderness Camps. It was the best fishing, and in the most pristine setting, I’ve ever experienced. A dream trip – one I hope to make again. Getting to our lake was no easy task. We drove to Red Lake, Ontario, about five hours north of International Falls, MN, where we crossed the border. You need a passport to enter Canada these days, but our crossings were simple. We experienced friendly border guards coming and going with
no searches of our vehicles. As we headed north in Canada, we passed a checkpoint where vehicles were stopped and searched heading back south. Break no rules and you’ll have no problems. After staying the night in Red Lake, we took a small plane that carried all eight of us to Sandy Lake First Nation, an Oji-Cree Reservation. From there, we divided into three float planes to get to camp. WILDERNESS LAKE The lake was gorgeous. Engulfed in a pine and birch wilderness, we had thousands of acres of pristine water with rocky points, narrows, reefs, deep coves, massive weed beds, rapids and waterfalls to ourselves. Fishing options were endless. Wildlife was abundant. Bald eagles, both mature and juvenile, were constantly in view. We watched from close range as a moose calf rode on its mother’s back as she swam across a cove. Our abode was little more than a shack – a wilderness cabin constructed with bare minimums. A 1x4 ridge board was installed where at minimum, a 2x6 should have been. Yet, the cabin has stood for more than 30 years, and it held up during a storm I feared would rip off the roof. We had solar power backed
Brandon and Bill Butler show a stringer of walleye headed for a lakeside fish fry.
up by a generator, a shower with hot water, and all the necessary cooking appliances. The outhouse served its purpose, but no one lingered to read a magazine. Camp included three 14foot Lund v-bottoms boats outfitted with 15-horsepower 4-stroke Yamahas and one 20-footer with a 20-horse. My dad and I were given the larger boat because of his lack of fishing experience. These basic crafts served us well, proving once again that one does not need to invest tens of thousands of dollars in a fancy boat to catch fish. BEST TACKLE My tackle box was mostly a waste of space. When I return,
I’ll take only the essentials, including ¼-ounce jig heads in chartreuse and hot pink, and a number of large bucktails, spoons and swimbaits. Nightcrawlers are all we used to tip the jigs. You can’t bring dirt into Canada, so nightcrawlers must be packed in something else. We used shredded, moist newsprint. Line should be stout for northern. I fished 20-pound braid with a steel leader. For walleye, lighter monofilament is fine. Bring at least two rods more than you think you’ll need. Keep two rigged for walleye and two rigged for northern. Accidents happen. On this trip, I reared back to chuck a bucktail, and its
giant treble hook snagged my favorite walleye rod. Before I realized what was happening, I had heaved it high overhead into the water with no hope of retrieval. Then, while trying to unstick a jig head in shallow water hung between two rocks, I snapped the tip off my remaining walleye rod. I finished the trip with six inches trimmed from the top. GOOD EATING We ate like kings. One of the guys on this adventure was making his 25th or so trip. He knew what to bring. When we weren’t eating only fish, we had oven-roasted prime rib, New York strips, giant burgers, pork chops and fixings. Each dinner included a healthy portion of fresh, fried walleye. Every morning, a big breakfast was made and devoured before anyone went fishing. There was no need to go out too early. No rush. We drank coffee and took it easy. When you have thousands of acres of water to yourself, you don’t have to worry about someone setting up in your spot. And the fish bite all day long. Bring good food. It enhances the pleasure of the trip. GRANDPA’S OBSESSION Many summers, I ventured north to Wisconsin and Min-
nesota with my grandfather. He was obsessed with walleye fishing. He devoured magazine articles and books on the species. He watched, recorded and re-watched television shows offering tips and tactics on how to catch more walleye. There’s no telling how much time and money he spent pursuing the species. But in just 30 minutes on the first day of this trip, my dad and I put together a stringer of fish so far superior to anything Grandpa ever caught, I could not help but feel remorseful that the old man never had the opportunity to take a trip like the one we were on. I honestly don’t know if there is a water in the lower 48 states that can produce the quantity and quality of fish that a remote, unpressured, perfect-habitat lake can, like those you find when you’re flown in. If you’re a serious fisherman or if you have a serious fisherman in your life, and you have the means to make a trip like this happen, you should do it. This trip ranks right up there with the greatest I have ever been on, and I’m not just talking about the fact that I was fortunate enough to spend time with my father and our friends. I’m talking about the fishing. I’ve never experienced fishing like this. It was beyond my imagination.
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July-August 2018
Grouse Restocking Set for August
A multi-year restocking of the wild ruffed grouse in Missouri will begin in August, to be launched by the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), based in Buffalo MO. The federation has raised more than $1 million, which is being matched by the Missouri Department of Conservation, said Craig Alderman, founder and manager of the QUWF. Alderman said it took, “more than a decade of hard work, constant fundraising, untold meetings and historical partnerships with sponsors,
landowners and the Department of Conservation” to make the restocking possible. Money raised by the QUWF has been invested in intense timber stand improvement in 100,000 acres of the River Hills area near Hermann, Alderman said. More than 100 landowners helped by forming the QUWF Grouse Co-op to coordinate their efforts. AS GOOD AS IT GETS The first grouse are expected to be released on the prepared habitat sites in mid-August. Teams of volunteers are being
formed for the trapping and release process. “For a conservation organization, this is as good as it gets,”Alderman said. “You can talk conservation, have large offices, big conferences, take in huge sums of money and nothing changes over decades. In fact, wildlife populations decline. “Done right, at the local level, with local dollars and sweat equity, this habitat has a 25-year sustainability now for all upland species, with many more out years being accomplished by the landowners.
QUWF chapters and members are insured to do the work, they make it happen and we are proud this is happening in Missouri first.” The ruffed grouse, a majestic native of Missouri, was nearly extiinct in the state, and the hunting season for it was closed many years ago. Alderman thanked MDC Director Sara Pauley; Bill White, chief of private land services; Assistant Director Mike Hubbard; Jason Isabelle, an MDC research scientist; Nick Prough, chief biologist for QUWF; and Tom Westoff, head of the
Grouse Chapter and Co-op. SPONSORS Corporate sponsors include Bass Pro Shops-Johnny Morris, Ruger Firearms, Tri-Star Firearms, Benelli Firearms, Truax Seed Drills, ATLAS Shooting Traps, Doolittle Trailers,ALPS Outdoors, Cuddeback Game Cameras, Premier Manufacturing, Plano, Toby Keith’s Country Bar and Grill, Harrah’s Las Vegas and Cordova Coolers. To join or to get involved, go online to quwf.net.
The ruffed grouse was nearly extinct in Missouri.
Video and Book Reviews — By BILL SEIBEL
Title: THE OZARK TRAIL – Images of Missouri’s Longest Hiking Trail
Author and photographer: Don Massey Publisher: Blue Springs Press (self published), 9620 Greenview Dr., St. Louis, MO 63136 Soft cover, $19.95; 127 pages with color photographs and maps. ISBN: #978-0-692-95135-4
If you like to hike, to bike (especially on a mountain bike) or if you simply enjoy pretty pictures and the beauty of the Ozarks, a copy of this coffee-table sized book about Missouri’s longest hiking trail is well worth the investment of $20. Photographer/author Don Massey outlines his efforts in his introduction: “I wrote this book to accomplish a mission of four parts: • To show the natural beauty of the Missouri Ozarks. • To let the reader see what a treasure the Ozark Trail has become through all the hard work by legions of volunteers. • To show what the sections that are proposed and under construction will offer hikers in the future. • To show that nature’s beauty is found not only in the great vistas and spectacular features, but also in all the small parts and patterns nature has created.” Massey points out that planning for the Ozark Trail started back in 1976 and resulted in the formation of the Ozark Trail Association and a trail that is currently 350 miles long. Completion will have a trail of nearly 500 miles, reaching from southern St. Louis County to Arkansas, where it will tie into that state’s Ozark Highland Trail. The book gives an overview and then divides into 13 trail sections, both proposed and completed. The charts accompanying each section makes this book more than simply a collection of pretty photographs. The book becomes a great reference to all who would like to experience all or parts of the Ozark Trail. Massey does an excellent job, both with words and especially photos, of capturing the character as well as the beauty of this spectacular journey through Missouri’s share of the Ozarks.
Title: ONE SEASON (A Novel)
Author: Alan White Publisher: Longbeard, LLC (self published), P. O. Box 396, Stapleton, AL 36578, www.oneseasonbook.com Soft cover, $14.95, 214 pages. ISBN: 978-1-945190-16-2
An experienced outdoor writer and founder and editorin-chief of Great Days Outdoors Magazine, published since early 1997, Alan White has now written his first novel. In it, he captures the deep feelings of being young, of being old, of being both the mentor and the one mentored, using the style and easily-read prose of someone who has been there. In addition, he brings into the mix that very special heartbeat of a true hunter of what many consider the greatest of all North American game – the wild turkey. White’s hero is a father and grandfather as well as a neighbor who has a myriad of human concerns for family – a daughter and troubled grandson – and for his community and the ethics of his beloved sport of turkey hunting. Without getting into the details, which would temper the appreciation of White’s story, his effort conjures up both the frustrations and pleasant memories of living a life that is involved with family, other folks and the out-of-doors. It is, in my opinion, a worthwhile book to read.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 33
River’s Packed. What Do You Do?
By ED MASHBURN
My sons and I were looking forward to a late spring float trip on one of the fine smallmouth bass streams that feed into the Meramec River west of St. Louis. We had hoped to spend some quality time on a clear creek and catch some hard-fighting smallmouth bass. It soon became apparent that we would be sharing the stream. As we loaded our gear into the canoes, we knew the fishing was going to be tough. However, by going about things a little differently, we did manage to catch some decent fish, and other anglers fishing these high-traffic streams can do the same. FISH LOW & SLOW Even though the small stream carried many tubes, rafts, kayaks and other non-fishing craft, we soon discovered that the resident fish would still bite – just not when the floaters were bubbling up the water. That’s an important point for anglers to keep in mind. The fish are still there in the creek, and they won’t be going anywhere. We just have to figure out some way to get a bait before the fish in a way that creates a need in the fish to bite. In times of heavy recreational traffic, anglers need to fish deeper water and fish on the bottom. Smallmouth are not nearly as disturbed by traffic when they’re in six feet of water as they are in two feet. The best fish we caught came in quiet backwaters with deep structure where we could allow our soft plastic worms and tube baits to sink to the bottom. We
caught a few smallmouth on small, deep-running crankbaits, but by far, the best bet on hightraffic days on small streams is a jig and soft plastic body bumped slowly across the bottom. We lost a few lures on snags, but we got good bites, and we caught some nice fish. Of course, shade is crucial in small creek fishing, and when we were able to pitch our jigs up into protected banks, which had rocks and blow-down logs with good, deep full shade, we often got strong bites. The creek smallmouth just could not resist four-inch plastic worms in crawfish colors, which we allowed to sink into the dark, cool pockets. SKIP BUSY TIMES It’s a rule that has been proven time and time again – fishing early and fishing late is the best idea. This is even more crucial on heavily trafficked Ozarks streams. Even the best angler in the world is not going to have much success on a small stream in the middle of the day with a solid stream of noisy, disruptive tubers floating through. However, very early in the morning or just before dark, waters that seemed totally barren of fish during the bright light/ loud noise hours of mid-day can produce some fine fish. If the angler has a choice, a cloudy Wednesday will have fewer floaters than a bright, sunny Saturday. Fishing Ozarks creeks on drizzly and rainy days can be the very best times for peak tourist-season fishing. The weather that makes tubing less attractive is the weather that makes fishing much more attractive.
Deer Feeding Ban in Seven More Counties
Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri has expanded restrictions on feeding deer and placing minerals for deer to seven new counties in response to finding cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in or near them. The seven new counties are Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Grundy, Madison, McDonald, Mercer and Perry. The feeding ban for these seven new counties becomes effective July 1. The seven join 41 counties in the Department of Conservation’s CWD Management Zone, where feeding deer and placing minerals for deer is restricted. The zone consists of counties in or near where cases of the disease have been found. The 48 counties are: Adair, Barry, Benton, Bollinger, Boone, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Cedar, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Franklin, Gasconade, Grundy, Hickory, Jefferson, Knox, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Madison, McDonald, Mercer, Miller,
Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Ozark, Perry, Polk, Putnam, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Stone, Sullivan, Taney, Warren, and Washington. According to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, the placement of grain, salt products, minerals and other consumable natural and manufactured products used to attract deer is prohibited year-round within CWD Management Zone counties. Exceptions are feed placed within 100 feet of any residence or occupied building, feeding that excludes access by deer, and feed and minerals present in normal agricultural or forest management, or in crop and wildlife food production practices. MORE PERMITS For the seven new counties, MDC has increased the availability of antlerless permits and expanded the firearms antlerless portion to help harvest more deer and limit the spread of the disease.
OUT OF THE BOAT A productive technique we used was to abandon the canoes from time to time. We pulled the boats up on the rocky banks and took to the water and became waders. We caught our best smallmouth of the trip while we waded and fished backwaters and deeper banks. By wading, we were able to slow down our presentations and give the fish much more opportunity to see and react to our soft plastics. Wading allows anglers to see and read the bottom struc-
ture better, also. When floating, the boat comes up on good structure and is usually past the structure before much can be done with it. While actively floating, anglers just don’t have much fishing opportunity at any particular spot. Wading requires anglers to fish slower and better. Also, it’s almost always a pleasant feeling to have the cool, clean Ozarks stream waters flow past the legs of an angler. It’s the best way in the world to cool off on a warm spring or summer day.
A summer day on the Guadalupe River in Texas. Care to cast? – Texas Tubing.com photo
Outdoor Guide
Page 34
July-August 2018
Snorkeling Gives a Unique View
By BARBARA PERRY LAWTON
snorkeling with paddling and getting new insights into the underwater worlds of their favorite streams. Although streams may become murky and turbulent after storms, it usually doesn’t take them long to return to marvelous clarity. LEARN IN A POOL If you don’t already know the art of snorkeling, it is wise to learn those skills in a local pool before applying them to the clear streams and lakes of our region. Snorkeling in streams with mild, steady currents is
The cool, spring-fed streams of the Ozarks, the Buffalo River in Arkansas and other great streams of our heartland are among our greatest blessings. They are beautiful destinations for hikers at any time of year. They are special destinations during the warm seasons as they offer both exercise and cool relief from the often intolerable heat. Increasingly, canoers and kayakers alike are combining
the easiest, most comfortable way to see underwater wildlife and plants. Swim fins are marvelous in calm waters. Beware, though, when snorkeling, which can be dangerous in rapids and swift water. Beware of rapids that are too swift for comfort. Fortunately, in between riffles and rapids, there are slower, wider, deeper pools that invite exploration. Floatation jackets required by the Coast Guard for boating are ideal if you just want to float along. They are a necessity for
small children and anyone who is not a strong swimmer. An inner tube can be a valuable adjunct to stream snorkeling, handy because it’s visible to others and also because it’s easy to float along with one hand on the tube. If you’re planning to go any distance, a canoe, kayak or small boat will hold extra gear, clothing, food and drink. IT LOOKS BIGGER The natural observation you get with stream or lake snorkeling will lead to those
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tall tales usually reserved for fishermen. The water acts as a magnifying glass, making everything you see look about 20 percent larger than it really is. A big bass gaping at you from under a bank will appear big enough to be frightening. Look for crayfish on the bottom, especially in rocky area where they can easily hide. Watch for the strange-looking larvae of mayflies, caddis flies and other insects where they cling to plants and stones. Caddis fly larvae may look like underwater bagworms because they gather small bits of plants and pebbles to make protective, movable overcoats. You are likely to see schools of small, minnow-like fish. With luck, you’ll see the one
called the bleeding shiner because of the bright red patches on its gills, fins and tail. SEEING SUNFISH Sunfish species are easy to recognize because of their deep bodies that are very slim from side to side, their prominent gill covers – often brightly colored – and their double dorsal fins with the front half spiked and the back half smooth. You’ll soon discover that your mask and snorkel provide rare views of the underwater worlds of our streams and lakes. You can learn a lot about the aquatic life of animals and plants that you can see by exploring the fresh water world with this technique.
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Perch can be seen in the clear waters of Cossatot River State Park in Arkansas. – Arkansas State Parks photo.
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When Living Is Easy By RUSSELL HIVELY
Summer is a special time of the year. Fishermen claim summer is when the catfish and bullheads bite best. It is a time when watermelons become ripe and are ready for cooling in an ice-cold spring. Summer is the time of grape picking and ice cream socials. *** There was a time when every boy, man, and many girls carried a jackknife. Knives are still popular, and the Buck Knife Company of Idaho recently made its one and a half millionth knife. Fittingly, it was the popular Model 119 hunting knife, which Buck has made for 75 years. *** Did you realize July’s full moon is called the Buck Moon? It was named by native Americans because it appears at the time when buck deer begin growing their antlers for the year. *** Deer can live up to 15 years in the wild. Not many do and that’s why it’s hard to get a really big buck. *** Many hunters like to hone their skills by hunting squirrels. Usually the season starts in late spring and runs into the
next year. Did you realize the life expectancy of a squirrel is nine years, and that a squirrel is supposed to run faster in a tree than he can on the ground? *** A rare two-headed rat snake was found near Hurley, MO, last fall. It is now living at the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery near Branson. It was reported that “both heads are eating.” *** The elk recently reintroduced in Missouri are doing well, with 50 young born last year. Many creeks and rivers have “elk” in their names, testimony to their presence long ago. *** There have been attempts to use air rifles for hunting for hundreds of years. The Australian army used air rifles against Napoleon.American explorers Lewis and Clark carried an air rifle on their three-year expedition. Today, .35 and .45 caliber air rifles are available that are powerful enough to kill a deer. *** Summertime is the time when life is supposed to be easy. It is easier if you relax on the porch or go wading, swimming, or fishing in a cool stream. Anyway, that is what Rural Ramblings thinks.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 35
Hydration Defeats Heat Stress
By PURINA PROPLAN
Training and conditioning during the summer don’t have to be unbearable. Practicing healthy hydration, as well as understanding the signs of heat stress and how to deal with it, can help reduce the dangers of overheating in a sporting dog. Keep in mind that dehydration can occur rapidly. Dogs that exercise 30 to 60 minutes at 70 to 80 degrees can experience mild to moderate dehydration, depending on the activity and the intensity. Among the effects of dehydration is an impaired ability to maintain a normal body temperature. The most common risk to a sporting dog is an excessive increase in body temperature, causing heat stress. The level of crisis ranges from simply making a dog uncomfortable to a life-threatening situation. Most dogs are very good at controlling their body temperature – until their temperatures go past critical levels. When this happens, even after a dog’s temperature is lowered back into the safe range, the dog may experience permanent inability to regulate body temperature before overheating. These tips will help take the heat out of your summer training and conditioning program and make your dog more comfortable. STAYING HYDRATED • Always keep an eye on the dog, and monitor for signs of heat stress and dehydration. • Give the dog small amounts of water every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise, especially during bouts lasting more than an hour, to help slow dehydration. • Cool the dog down by squirting with a spray bottle or mister every so often; the wetness on the dog’s coat will have a cooling effect as
it evaporates. • Always give an overheated dog cool water rather than ice water, which could cause the dog to cool down too quickly; ice water can cause blood vessels to constrict, which slows blood flow to the brain. • Bait the dog’s water with low-sodium chicken broth or mix a few food kibbles with water and add low-sodium chicken broth to encourage water consumption. • Use running water from a faucet or hose to wet down a dog’s body; avoid submerging the dog in water, as warm water can impede the cooling process and cold water can cause a dog to cool too quickly and can lead to other problems. • Be sure the dog has access to water after exercise, but wait until panting slows down before allowing the dog to drink a large volume of water HEATSTROKE If you suspect your dog has overheated, time is of the essence. At the first signs, especially those of heatstroke, stop all physical activity and contact your veterinarian while taking action to enhance the cooling process. Give your dog some water and rub cool water on his or her abdomen. A dog with advanced heatstroke may have seizures or slip into a coma. While transporting your dog to the veterinary clinic, position him or her in front of an air vent and allow cool air to move around his or her body. It’s important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible, because the longer a dog is exposed to high temperatures, the more damage can occur. The effects of heatstroke can continue for 48 to 72 hours even if the dog appears to have returned to normal, so it is important to evaluate a dog for damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as any other health problems.
Give an overheated dog cool water, not ice water. – Purina photo.
The Difference Between Heat Stress and Heatstroke Heat Stress Heatstroke
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• Gums and tongue may turn dark pink or bright red • Collapse and/or seizures
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Outdoor Guide
Page 36
July-August 2018
A Fool-Proof Tactic for Cornfields
Photo and Text By RON BICE
If the plan worked, it was going to be like taking candy from a baby. Over several summer scouting trips, I’d located a bachelor group of whitetail bucks feeding on a lush hayfield that was planted right up to the edge of a 20-acre cornfield. Behind that was a forest of hardwoods the group called home during the summer months. One was an impressive 170” monarch, and he became my new target. I developed a plan. I was going to create a corridor in the cornfield that I could use to hunt the hayfield undetected. I put the plan in motion the first week of August, and after securing permission, I headed to the cornfield. SECRET PASSAGEWAY I started from where the corn met the hay, went 20 rows deep into the cornfield and trimmed every corn leaf that hung into that cornrow for 220 yards, the length of the hayfield. I raked away the fallen leaves so nothing would be on the ground that might alert deer to my movement as they fed up to the corn from the hay. A 220-yard secret corridor had
been fashioned. Next, I created five access lanes from my corridor to the hayfield. Starting 40 yards into the corridor, I removed one stalk in each of the 20 rows leading back to the hayfield. I left the last stalk that met the field for cover and continued to repeat the process every 40 yards down the corridor until I reached the end. This would give me silent access up to the field edge from my trimmed corridor. It would also give me a 20yard shot to the left or right once I got up to the last row paralleling the hay. No matter where the deer came out of the woods entering the hayfield, even 200 yards away, I would be able to quickly relocate from my vantage point to an access row that would put me right in front of where the deer would be working their way up to the corn. 20 YARDS AWAY With no sound whatsoever, and 20 rows of corn to screen my movement while relocating to the final ambush point, I could literally hunt the entire hayfield and end up within 20 yards of any deer heading to the corn. The trap had been set. I couldn’t wait for opening day! It was two weeks into the
FISHING
The buck that author Ron Bice took using his cornfield tactic.
season before I had the right wind to hunt my setup. As hunting goes, not a buck was sighted in the field. I was get-
ting concerned as I realized that once the velvet sheds, things change, and they had. The bachelor groups begin to
disband and head back to their own core areas. I hunted hard throughout the season and had several opportunities, just not with a buck that tempted me. I knew time was running out. The corn was drying and getting close to harvest. My advantage would be gone soon. I’d watched does in the hay on a regular basis. With the rut ramping up, I held out hope that the bucks wouldn’t be far behind. I slipped back in on Nov. 3. It was a good decision. THE BUCK RETURNS Two hours into the hunt, I saw two does with fawns enter the hay. They were slowly working their way to the tasty corn. As I watched – like a ghost from the past, out of the woods – came my buck. I hadn’t laid eyes on him since early September. He was majestic. He was sheepdogging the does, running from one to another and stopping to check the status of each. He was in full rut. I was on the move. A dry cornfield is next-toimpossible to sneak through undetected. Deer are constantly alerted to approaching danger from the noise created when we brush against the dried cornstalks. However, if you take the time to implement the system I’ve de-
scribed, there is no sound, early season or late season; the sound factor has been eliminated. The odds have been put in your favor, and it’s a big favor. Into my corridor and at a slow trot, I relocated 180 yards. I slipped through my chosen access lane to the field edge. It was working like a charm. Nothing had a clue what was about to happen other than me. The buck was at 18 yards just off to my right. The wind was in my face, my heart was racing. He stood broadside looking back at one of the does. The bow was at full draw and the arrow was ready for launch. TO PERFECTION With an unconscious release, both lungs were taken out. I watched the buck at 80 yards, just inside the tree line. The plan had worked to perfection. If you have a scenario in which a cornfield parallels a short-crop field that deer are feeding on, you can use this system with great success. As the deer enter your setup, you can hunt the entire field. Let that buck walk right into your lap. And when it happens, as it did for me, you will be one extremely satisfied hunter!
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 37
Thoughts, Questions on Buying RVs
By THAYNE SMITH
Hundreds of thoughts and a thousand questions generally race through the minds of RV buyers. That’s good, and the way it should be. Purchasing an RV, like buying a new car, pickup or truck, is a big decision and represents a major investment. It should be made wisely. It behooves you to be discriminating and give thought to the following steps before making a final choice: • STUDY – Study all the brochures and material offered on the units you are considering, whether new or old. • VISUALIZE – Visualize your family using various vehicles on the road and in parks, hunting, fishing, camping and associated activities, as you examine them. • ASK – Ask any questions
of dealers that come to mind. None are trivial. • GO – Go to “new buyer” or “potential buyer” seminars. They will better prepare you for future decisions. • DECIDE – Decide on the basics that you need. List them in the overall cost. SOME QUESTIONS Ask yourself: • What floor plan fits our needs, desires and budget? • Are sleeping facilities and planned uses of the unit adequate for the entire family? • How much storage space is needed for items required for winter trips, and for the long and short hauls of mild weather? • Do we need a unit with only a shower? Or a tub? Or a combination? • How about an oven or microwave, or will a cook stove suffice?
The fold-down trailer, often called America’s most versatile camper, has been a popular unit for first-time buyers for more than 50 years. – Jayco photo.
• If you’re going north in winter (or live there), is the insulation adequate? • Ask to see cutouts of the construction materials used in the floors, sides and ceilings of the units you’re considering. • Pose questions on warranties on the unit and all appliances. • Is the unit large enough? Usually, first purchases are small. It’s documented, however, that a high percentage of first-time buyers soon trade-up to larger models. TOW VEHICLES If you’re leaning toward a trailer, consider the size of your tow vehicle. Will it be adequate? Consult with the dealer. They talk of “GVWR” (gross vehicle weight rating). Be sure that the unit of interest and equipment you intend to carry does not exceed the weight that your vehicle is capable of towing safely. When a particular model appeals to you, go over it thoroughly. Are the appliances (stove, refrigerator, air conditioner, furnace and beds) as large as you want? If it has cooking, sleeping and bathroom facilities, federal tax laws consider it a second home and allow loan interest deductions. Ask, too, for a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of customers who have purchased similar units in
recent times, and if you can take a “test drive.” When you make the final decision, be convinced that it’s among the safest and finest in quality. Also, make sure the unit carries the RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association) seal. The RVIA is a national trade association representing leading manufacturers. Its seal certifies the unit is built to safety and construction standards required by the American National Standards Institute, covering more than 500 electrical, heating, plumbing, fire and life safety features. FINANCING Once you’ve made a selection, it’s time to think of financing and paying for the new unit. Nearly half of all buyers finance through monthly payments tailored to fit planned budgets. Industry officials advise that you pay as much in cash as you can afford. For the rest, seek a good interest rate through your dealer, banker or other reputable lending institution. Most dealers offer interest rates that are in line with today’s costs. Savings and loan institutions and credit unions are also good sources. They know that RV buyers are generally good credit risks. Conventional secured loans can usually be negotiated on RVs for seven to 12 years or
The most popular self-propelled camping unit in history, the slide-in pickup camper, appeals especially to hunting and fishing enthusiasts. – Lance photo.
more. Most lenders require a 20 to 25 percent down payment. Keep in mind that RVs hold their value well over the years. Trade-in allowances are high for units that are wellmaintained. INSURANCE When considering purchase and maintenance costs, you should also be thinking about insurance. All have specific needs. Check on costs and availability before plans are finalized. A motor home or truck camper policy should include liability, collision and comprehensive coverage,
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Outdoor Guide
Page 38
July-August 2018
Bream, the Perfect Teaching Tool
Photos and Text By JOHN L. SLOAN Southern Editor at Large In summer, for sure, two things happen. Kids are out of school and the bream are biting. Bluegill, or bream as we call them in the South, are designed for hooking youngsters on fishing. Depending on the size of the young angler, the size of the fish may not be important. To start with, they are plentiful. They are easy to catch, designed for a young angler.
And, they pull like a freight train on a downhill drag. They are also superb table fare. They may be my second favorite fish to catch, right behind smallmouth. Might just be my fave on the table, too. I eat a lot of fish, and bream fillets are the staple of my fish supply. I try to put at least 40 vacuum bags of fillets in the freezer each year. A meal for me is eight fillets. That is usually three or four big bream. Sometimes, that is a job that requires a lot of fishing. Oh
well, somebody has to do it. CATCH THEM ANYTIME Starting usually in May and continuing for three or four months, bream bed, to a greater or lesser degree, on or about the full moon. That is when they are the easiest to catch. However, they can be caught in numbers any time. I have caught them in 9 inches of water and in 35 feet. Both were a lot of fun. They are perfect for a cricket or meal worm on a hook with a light splitshot and bobber; easy for a kid to handle. I prefer to use artificial lures, and my regular fishing
You May Know Them as Bluegill
partner uses a flyrod. I use either a jig and plastic tail, usually 1/16-ounce, or a light, in-line spinner called, simply, a Flash. Both work quite well. Two jigs tied under a cork can also result in frequent double catches. Best of all, you don’t have to get up early. Bream start feeding when the sun begins to hit the water and will bite to some degree all day. Bluegill/bream can be caught equally well from the bank or a boat. A cane pole is a perfect bream rod, but on an ultra-light with four-pound test line, you could be in for a struggle. If you can handle
a fly rod well, that may be your choice. Anything hand-size or larger is a candidate for filleting, but one cleaned, scaled and pan fried in cornmeal is enough to make you leave home. I fillet most of mine and seldom keep one smaller than my hand. THE RECIPE My recipe is simple. I combine buttermilk and two eggs for my wash. I use 2/3 part cornmeal and 1/3 part corn flour, and season it with a little garlic powder and a bunch of Tony Chachere Cajun Seasoning. Soak or dip fillets in the
wash, remove and shake in flour and drop into cooking oil, heated to 370 degrees. As soon as they are golden, remove and drain, usually in no more than two or three minutes. Do not overcook. You might want to have some seafood dipping sauce handy, too. But the main thing is, take a kid fishing. Look for bream in shallow water, often less than a foot deep in shady areas and around cover. In late May, a fishing partner and I put 37 vacuum bags of fillets in the freezer in two days. Try it this summer and bring along a kid. Bream is the perfect teaching tool.
This is an average sized bream for our neck of the woods – about three quarters of a pound.
These eight bluegill/bream, properly filleted, will feed three people. The eight weigh just under seven pounds.
During a light summer shower, my fishing partner was catching doubles, using two 1/8-ounce jigs.
This ‘Bull bream’ wanted a pink grub on a 1/16-ounce spinner.
On an ultra-light rig with four-pound test line, they can give you a struggle.
They are never too young to get hooked on fishing.
These three bream will more than Just as the sun hits the water is plenty early to start make a meal of fillets for this teen. fishing for bream.
One hour’s catch – 28 bream – ready for the fillet knife.
At just about a pound, this bream wanted a These ladies had a good morn1/16-ounce jig so bad, ing using crickets and cane she ate the pink tail. poles.
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 39
Gunsmith Tech Talk
Where Do Those Colors Come From? By JED NADLER Master Gunsmith
Life is full of confusion. I was confused. OK, I still am, but don’t tell. Hot blue, cold blue, parkerizing, nickel plating, Cerakote, Tenifer, Ionbonding, Melonite, PVD, NP3, 123 … how many ways are there to confuse a gun buyer? Some of these I’ve known and studied. Some I haven’t. I have had to do research to satisfy my own curiosity and to know anything worth babbling about on this topic, and to share it with you. Guns can have no finish at all – sometimes called steel “in the white.” If steel is oiled, rust can be held at bay. Many old guns, which were once blued and are now worn, are “white.” They look old, and often that’s just how you’d want an old gun to look. Let’s look at some of their other popular finishes: • BLUING – Gun “bluing” is the deep, blue/black finish that has been the standard on firearms for centuries. It’s black iron oxide and is a close cousin to red iron oxide, the dreaded rust. All of the bluing processes result in partial protection against corrosion
Gun Metal Finishes Tell Their Own Stories
(i.e. red rust) and need oil for full protection. • HOT BLUE – It’s created by a process called by names such as “hot dip salt/caustic/alkali bluing.” Parts are immersed in caustic (alkaline, the opposite of acidic) solutions boiling at 275-300F. This is the process (or a similar electrical one) that is used on most factory firearms. • RUST BLUE – This is an older process that still has advantages. It is more corrosion-resistant than hot blue. It involves boiling water so soldered parts like double-barrel shotguns don’t come apart like they would in hot bluing. Acid is wiped on until the metal rusts. Then boiling water turns the red to black oxide. Then it’s brushed with a soft wire brush in a process called “carding.” Then the whole process is repeated, often 8-12 times. • FUME BLUE – Similar to rust bluing, the parts are sealed in a humid cabinet with acid fumes rusting away at them, then boiled in distilled water, then carded, then repeated. Like rust bluing, through sheer repetition, everything that will rust has been blackened, so there is good corrosion protection. • PLUM BROWN – This is another process, also very labor-
in water, a hardened layer of steel around the outside, called a “case,” results. You get a pretty, antique looking, irregular pattern of blues, purples and blacks. • PARKERIZING – Parkerizing is a phosphate coating that makes a flat, black or charcoal gray finish that holds oil well and is very corrosion resistant. It is the finish the military has adopted for a long time. You find nearly all early GI 1911’s parkerized. My research says that the green color seen occasionally comes from cosmoline over the parkerization. The process involves immersion in 190F phosphoric acid. • NICKEL & CHROME PLATING – Nearly every shiny,
intensive, which produces the deep rust brown finish typical of many old muzzle-loader barrels. The barrel is heated with a torch to 275F, then the chemical is wiped on. When cool, it’s rinsed and carded. And then … repeated as usual. • COLD BLUE – Right out of the bottle, it can be wiped on, rubbed in for a minute, rinsed and repeated, all at room temperature. There are a dozen of these formulas available. It’s difficult to get a consistent,
overall appearance, but it is a good, inexpensive alternative, especially for touch-ups. • COLOR CASE HARDENING
– This process was developed mostly to harden older, poorer, softer steels that don’t have enough carbon content. The parts are packed in a source of carbon, historically mixes of powdered charcoal, bone, hoof or horn. The container is heated to 1200-1500F for hours, infusing carbon into the surface. When quenched
polished “chromed” looking revolver you’ve ever seen is really polished nickel plating. Chrome is used to plate bores and other surfaces exposed to high temperature and corrosive environments, but it’s nickel that is the pretty stuff. • POLISHED OR BRUSHED STAINLESS – Today, the
polished mirror finish that looks like chrome is most likely polished stainless steel. Either nickel or stainless can have brushed or sand-blasted matte finishes as well.
TURKEY
DEER
PAINTS These come in many varieties/brands and fit into three categories to my way of thinking: • Single component, air cured – Your everyday spray-
on paint, optimized and specialized for firearms.
• Dual component, air cured
– Think epoxy, employing a resin and a hardener. Generally tougher than the above versions. • Dual component, oven cured – Toughest of the cat-
egory. The most well-known of these is Cerakote which also includes a ceramic component for hardness and wear. • ANODIZING – This is a process for aluminum, which is a pretty soft metal. Anodizing subjects the part to an immersion in acid with an electrical current passing though. It creates a harder, thicker, more wear-resistant aluminum oxide surface, which can be colored. • TENIFER/MELONITE – Both of these popular treatments are a form of Ferritic Nitrocarburizing (We’re into the new, high-tech stuff now, folks). It diffuses nitrogen and carbon into the surface of the steel to make it tougher and more corrosion resistant. It is a salt bath See TECH TALK page 40
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July-August 2018
Kayaking
Rudder Helps You Stay on Course
Graphic and Text By TOM WATSON
To say that a rudder is used for “steering” is a bit misleading. You control the boat’s direction primarily through paddle strokes in the water. You operate the rudder to help make that maneuvering easier. So while paddles are your primary direction setters, the rudder does technically assist you as a steering aid. Sometimes, external forces will push against your boat, causing it to veer off course. Strong currents can either push you away or pull you off your desired route. A common crosswind effect
• Tech Talk
immersion using alkali cyanate at about 1000F. Glock began with a Tenifer coating alone and reportedly now uses a parkerized finish over Tenifer. A hard, hard finish. (Trust me, we’ve ruined cutting tools trying to get through it.) • NICKEL BORON – Frankly, folks, I’m not understanding the chemical explanations offered up to cover this process. “Autocatalytic, reducing
on boats is weathercocking, in which the boat responds like a weather vane and tends to turn into the wind. If it’s coming at you from your left, your boat will be drawn to turn left. Dropping your rudder, you can counter that left weathercocking by setting your rudder angle so it causes the boat to turn right. Through adjusting the angle of the rudder – and attentive paddling – you can maintain a controlled, directional course. INTO THE WIND Another tactic that works even when you don’t have a rudder to assist you in controlling your boat is to lean your boat into the wind. You need to shift your body
from page 39 reaction” is not a thing I want to chase down. I have learned that it results in a surface which reduces friction and dissipates heat better. There is a brand called NP3 that includes Teflon in the coating as well. • PVD – OK, now we’re into the “space age” category. Physical Vapor Deposition is the name given to a group of processes used to coat parts. “Ionbonding” is both a trade name and a
generic for this type of coating. First, you put the part you want coated, and some of the material you want to coat it with, into a vacuum. Then you vaporize the coating material so that it floats over and covers the part. How do you vaporize the coating material you ask? Why, you blast it with a laser, of course. Right? Or you can use a lower tech, high-powered electric arc. Or, and why not, a good old electron beam? The parts can be colored, but most importantly, they are made harder, slipperier
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and more corrosion resistant. Coating materials often include titanium (Ti) and titanium nitride (TiN). Other combinations include aluminum and chromium, so that the resultant abbreviations look like the proverbial alphabet soup (TiCN, CrN, AlTiCrN). Seriously. SUMMARY Ultimately, one would wish to know what is best. Alas, you can’t tell directly. There are so many variants of the newer processes that there
so your windward hull pushes deeper into the water, tilting you into the wind and raising the downwind/right side of your boat. In decked kayaks, you can use your downwind knee to push up against the deck to help force the windward side lower. To maintain balance, you must alter your position by arching your torso to align yourself to a new center of gravity. By leaning your hull into the wind, you change the shape of the surface area of the hull at waterline and below. Those dynamics cause the boat to carve a curved path through the water – lean to the left, the boat goes right, and vice-versa. Leaning in the direction of
the left-pulling weathercocking results in the boat wanting to go to the right due to the “change” in the hull surface. Those two actions cancel each other out, resulting in a straighter course. BALANCING ACT You must constantly be in control of your paddle and your rudder, as this is a more precarious balancing act than leisurely gliding forward on calm water. Any time you must adjust your paddling due to factors that affect your preferred course, consider using the boat’s rudder. It’s not there to steer for you, merely to make the steering you do that much easier.
is no good comparison data. Of the older bluing methods, each has its place depending on cost and appearance preferences. Polished stainless has generally won out over nickel. Parkerizing still has its place. In the paint category, Cerakote has taken the lead both as a factory color finish and as a gunsmith-applied coating. Anodizing remains the best that is commonly done for aluminum. I hope I’ve put a little comprehension into the confusion. Happy trails till we meet
again. Credit where credit is due: most of what I didn’t know I learned from Wikipedia, Brownells, Ionbond and Cerakote. DISCLAIMER – Do not make changes to a firearm for which you are not qualified. Dangerous conditions can result. Take the gun to a qualified gunsmith. Jed Nadler can be reached at FIRST Gunsmithing in Valley Park, at (636) 826-6606 or online at info@FIRSTGunsmithing.com
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 41
Split Tail Stik-O Joins Angler, 11, Lands Record River Redhorse List of Bass Worms Photo and Text By BILL SEIBEL
Sometimes new wrinkles on somewhat new techniques pay big dividends, and Bass Pro Shops came up with a dandy this spring for bass fishermen called a “Split Tail Stik-O.” Most everyone who chases the three subspecies of black bass has heard of Gary Yamamoto’s Senko, a stick-like straight plastic worm that casts like a hard bait, sinks slowly with a shimmy that makes club dancers envious, and bass bite them when nothing else seems to work. Nowadays, there are a number of similar worms on the market, including Bass Pro’s Stick-O, available in sizes from three to more than seven inches long. Equally, every bass angler who fishes soft plastic lures has heard of – and probably has several packs of – Zoom’s Flukes, minnow-shaped plastics with a forked tail. These bass-catching goodies have been around for years and have been fished in many ways. Then Zoom added that famous forked tail to its straight worm, calling it the Fluke Stick, in five- and six-inch models. Add to this mix the finesse Ned’s Rig, popularized by out-
door writer Ned Kehde a few years ago. The rig uses 1/8thounce down to 1/20th-ounce mushroom-headed jigs dressed with half a four- or five-inch Senko-type work. The Ned’s Rig is fished on light spinning outfits, usually on six-pound-test fluorocarbon line and it produces plenty of action. NOW THE SPLIT TAIL Now along comes Bass Pro with its Split Tail Stik-O. As the BPS catalog states: “Slap this 3-1/2 inch straight-bait onto a mushroom head or Ned-style setup, and magic happens! All the subtle action of our original Stik-Os – and then some.” The catalog doesn’t lie. On a 1/16th-ounce mushroomheaded jig in the clear waters of Stockton Lake, this little bait has produced well on largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, on white bass and even on an occasional walleye. Ask my wife, Gail. She stomped my 15-inch and 16inch smallies with a 19-inch largemouth (about five pounds) and a 19-inch walleye a few days ago. SUPER GLUE TIP One tip: as you thread the little worm onto your hook, put a single drop of Super Glue on
Gail Seibel shows her 19” Stockton Lake largemouth.
the back of the jig head to hold it in place. We’ve only fished two colors so far – baitfish (smoke back, white belly and multi-colored fleck) when the sun is shining and the General (green pumpkin with green fleck) in low light situations. But we plan to experiment with other colors soon. Cast the little lure out, let it sink and slowly, steadily reel it back. Sometimes you hang up. Sometimes you think you’ve hung up, but then it moves. And that is when the fun begins.
Maverick Yoakum, 11, of Dixon, Mo., caught a 10-pound, 3-ounce river redhorse on Tavern Creek near St. Elizabeth, in Miller County south of Jefferson City, on March 4 using a rod and reel, setting a new state record and possibly a new world’s record. The previous state record and world record, poleand-line river redhorse was 9 pounds, 13 ounces, also caught in Tavern Creek, in 2016. Yoakum was using worms when he caught the new record fish. The Missouri Department of Conservation staff verified the record at the certified scale in Brinktown. “I fought the fish for about two to three minutes before I got it to the bank,” Yoakum said. “I thought I caught a pretty big fish, but I didn’t know it was a state record until my dad told me to look it up online. I want to thank my dad (Bennett Yoakum) for always taking me fishing, because if it wasn’t for him taking me fishing, I wouldn’t have caught a fish like I did.” River redhorse fish are part of the sucker family. They are a moderately chubby, coarse-scaled fish with a dorsal fin containing 12 or
MaverickYoakum and his dad Bennett show the new record river redhorse.
13 rays. These fish can be found mostly throughout the Ozarks. The world record was pending verification by the International Game Fish Association (IFGA). While the river redhorse can get much larger, IFGA only recognizes fish taken by pole and line. “Larger river redhorses are usually taken by gigging and do not qualify for the IGFA world record,” MDC Fisheries Programs Specialist Andrew Branson said. “Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish
and this new unique record clearly shows why. This fish could possibly be the largest river redhorse ever taken with a pole and line.” Missouri state-record fish are recognized in two categories: pole-and-line and alternative methods. Alternative methods include throwlines, trotlines, limb lines, bank lines, jug lines, spearfishing, snagging, snaring, gigging, grabbing, archery and atlatl. For more information, go to the Department of Conservation website at huntfish.mdc. mo.gov/fishing.
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Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Outdoor Gallery Winner for July/August edition is Scott Branson. Congratulations from OGM and Strike King!
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and enter to win a $100 prize package from Strike King Lure Company KENTUCKY LAKE PRIZE – Jonny Meyer, of IBEW Local 1, caught this 7.4-pound largemouth bass at Kentucky Lake on April 28 using a spinnerbait.
TABLE TO TABLE – Rich Dobson of Reeds Spring, MO, landed this largemouth bass on Table Rock Lake this past spring. “Kentucky bass are great table fare,” he said.
BEST BEARDS – Jeff Benson, of IBEW Local 1439, got this 22-pound turkey with 1.25-inch spurs and an 11-inch beard in Potosi.
CRAPPIE CATCH –Scott Branson, of Sheetmetal Workers Local 36, took this 19-inch crappie.
July-August 2018
Outdoor Guide
Page 43
BEAR DOWN – Paul Hollis, executive vice president of RTP Outdoors, St. Louis, caught up with this 6-foot black bear in northern Manitoba. TROUT WEST – The Duft boys found some trout in Lake Tahoe, Calif. Pictured from right to left are Steve Duft, assistant business manager of IBEW Local 309, and sons Dylan and Aiden. ANTONIA TROPHY – Jeremy Greil of Carpenters Local 2214 took this 25-pound turkey with 1.25-inch spurs and a 10 3/8-inch beard in Antonia.
OPENING DAY – The Miller cousins, Neil, at left, from House Springs, and Clay, from Morse Mill, took these turkeys on opening day along the Big Piney. Neil’s was 25.2 pounds with 10.5-inch beard and 1.5-inch spurs. Clay’s was 24 pounds with 10.5 and 8.5 double beards and 1.25 spurs.
BUCK STOPS HERE – Sean Slayden, the son of Areland Slayden, who is a retired member of IAM 777, took this 8-pt. buck that weighed 200 pounds field-dressed.
YOUTH SEASON – Will Kaempfe, 14, son of Bill Kaempfe of Operating Engineers Local 513, took this trophy on April 8 during youth turkey season. The bird had a 9-inch beard and 1 1/8 spurs.
Page 44
Outdoor Guide
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July-August 2018
Deer’s Preferred Foods Show the Way Photo and Text By JOHN SLOAN
I sit there with my salt shaker and knife. Drool gathers in the corner of my mouth. I scan the vegetable counters at the grocery. Any day. Any day. We all have preferred food sources, those foods we can’t get all year, the ones that have seasons. For me, the two main ones are home-grown tomatoes and Vidalia onions. I await the first offering each year as I used to anticipate the first bucking horse of a new rodeo season. I would dream about
it for a week. What do whitetail deer anticipate? What is their preferred food source? Why do they suddenly abandon a food plot or even a feeder? Before I answer that, I must explain what a preferred food source, is. A preferred food is just what it sounds like – a food that a deer prefers over all others. It is a food source that is not available all year, but a seasonal one they crave. Here is one example: The deer have been feeding in a carefully cultivated food plot all summer. Suddenly, a
fruit ripens in the woodlands. Maybe it is a paw-paw, a crab apple, perhaps an early persimmon or a berry of some sort. As it is with humans, they crave some variety in their diet. It may or may not be extremely nutritious. Maybe it just tastes good. These preferred food sources ripen in stages. Unfortunately many ripen and are gone before we can hunt. But before we can even consider hunting one, we have to be able to recognize them. We have to understand a little something about agronomy, know what
Paw-paws are usually gone before our season opens, but deer love them.
ripens first and what ripens during the time period we can hunt.
PAW-PAWS That factor is going to vary considerably, depending on where you hunt. For example, consider this. Usually, where I live, in middle Tennessee, the paw-paws ripen and are gone before we can hunt. Same is true with crab apple. Both are preferred food sources. PERSIMMONS But the early persimmons are just ripening and dropping about the time our bow season opens. You did know there were two types of persimmons, didn’t you? Some ripen and fall about the middle to end of September. The others drop in November or even December. And here’s a monkey wrench. Deer don’t eat all of them. They pick specific trees, and those trees may vary from year to year.
This is an acorn that deer will crunch like popcorn.
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NUTS Now, let’s talk nuts. One of the first oak trees to drop mast, is the Sawtooth oak. Deer love them. Almost always, they are gone by the time our season opens. There are only two types of oak trees – white oak and red oak. All oaks are one or the other. Red oaks usually drop before the white oaks. But the deer prefer white oak acorns. However, when every white oak in the area is raining acorns, the deer may well congregate at a magnet, red oak, tree. What is a magnet tree? That is one that for some reason has sweeter mast and less tannic acid. Look for these trees in or on the edge of a clearing or field. Why? They get more rain, sun and are often fertilized by leaching. The edges of old logging roads are ideal spots to find a magnet tree. A quick tale by way of example: Until it was sold and became a subdivision, I hunted a farm with just such a magnet tree. An old railroad bed ran through the middle of the 42acre mixed hardwoods/cedar thicket. I had a ladder stand 22
yards from just such a white oak. In 12 years, with a bow, I killed 32 deer from that stand. When that tree was dropping, and it didn’t do so every year, I could kill as many as five deer in two weeks from that stand. On a nearby Wildlife Management Area, I had two such trees. Over a 15-year period, my hunting partners, clients I guided and I myself killed 54 deer from the two stands. A LOST ART In this day of food plots, supplemental feeding and trail cameras, finding, understanding and hunting preferred food sources is becoming somewhat of a lost art. Hunters, perhaps, don’t understand that a deer will leave any agricultural or supplemental food when certain preferred foods become available and white oak acorns are number one on the list. So use technology if you need to. Get on your computer, get pictures and descriptions of the potential preferred food sources in your area. Learn to recognize and differentiate between red and white oak and learn the wild fruit trees and their “drop dates.” Then, hit the woods with binoculars. Scan tree tops and limbs. Find the potential preferred source and get a stand site before the deer even know they are going to be there. Look for acorns on the oaks and persimmons on those trees before they start to drop. And always remember that preferred food sources ripen and become magnets all through the season. It is not a one-shot-and-done deal. Late in the year, look for honey locust that are dropping bean pods. They are fantastic deer magnets. As I await a vine ripening, home-grown tomato or that first Vidalia onion, deer are drooling over something, too. Be there when it happens, and good luck.
Red oaks usually drop their mast before the white oaks.
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When the preferred food comes in, so do the deer.
Outdoor Guide
July-August 2018
Page 47
A River Makes Phones Disappear
Photos and Text By BRANDON BUTLER
For five days over the Fourth of July last year, nine kids, all 12 and under, floated rivers, swam in creeks, caught crawfish and minnows, jumped off bluffs, listened to the midnight call of whippoorwills, snorkeled, went fishing, explored, made s’mores and never touched an electronic device once. The adults were drawn back to a simpler time. We had a campfire every night, cooked hot dogs and hamburgers over charcoal, drank beer, played music, shot fireworks and told stories. It was beautiful. My whole adult life, I’ve dreamed of owning and developing a property where my family and friends would
gather. I’ve always kept the classic line from the movie Field of Dreams in mind – “If you build it, they will come.” Driftwood Acres has proven the prophecy true. I really hope a tradition has been born. My family began rolling into the Ozarks from Indiana and Iowa late Friday night. By Saturday evening, 20 of us were spread out across my property. The first night’s campfire raged well into Sunday morning, as stories of past excursions and hopes for this one were shared. ON THE CURRENT On Sunday, we launched our first float trip of the week at Pulltite on the Current River. For seven of the kids and almost as many adults, this was their first-ever float. The weather and scenery couldn’t
An Ozarks river can quickly break a kid’s addiction to electronic devices.
Photos and Text By LARRY DABLEMONT It gets harder, as I think more about things, to shoot something just because I disagree with its lifestyle. It was not so hard to shoot a big blacksnake last summer that was crawling up an oak tree to eat the little bluebirds in a bluebird box I had attached to it. He made me realize that I need to take that box off a tree and put it on a steel post, then keep the post greased so his descendants can’t climb it. It is easy to shoot the occasional copperhead that ventures too close to my home here on this wilderness hilltop we call Lightnin’ Ridge. As I get older, instead of heading for the lake or river early in the morning, I make a cup of coffee and sit out on my screened porch, looking
Headed for the nest … this blacksnake has a wicked look in his eye!
have been any more beautiful. It’s hard to put the Current River into words, especially when you are explaining it to folks who live in farm country. Where my guests came from, rivers run slow and muddy, carrying sediment from the flat fields of the agricultural heartland. To try and put the clarity of the Current’s water into words is sure to leave people skeptical until they see it for themselves. With the kids repeatedly swimming through a strong riffle, the adults lounged on a gravel bar and attacked the sandwiches, chips and other snacks we had packed for the trip. I could actually see the river changing the people around me. No one was checking the phone. No one was worried about what time it was. No one was concerned about what was taking place tomorrow. The river had captured them and washed away the stress of everyday life. What was happening in that moment, on that gravel bar and in the water, was all that mattered. If only more days in our are too-often hectic lives could be river days. SEEING ECHO BLUFF On Monday, we just hung out in the holler, swam in the creek and made a quick trip to Echo Bluff State Park. As a Missourian, I have a strong sense of pride in our state parks. We have one of the
These kids spent five full days on the Current River and the Jacks Fork.
best systems in the country, no question about it. And now Echo Bluff is an absolutely incredible addition to our parks. I was especially proud to show my parents the park because when I was a kid, we spent a lot of time vacationing in the state parks of Indiana. They were incredibly impressed, as is just about everyone I’ve ever met who has visited the park. JACKS FORK FLOAT On the 4th, we floated the Jacks Fork from Alley Spring to Eminence. The Jacks Fork, to me, is one of the best rivers for smallmouth fishing in the state, and my Uncle
Tom worked on proving me right. He boated a number of football-sized fish from his kayak. The kids and others caught a few, too. The Jacks Fork is such a gorgeous river, and this float was one we took our time with to swim and snorkel in the deeper holes. After a long day on the water, the kids talked us into a trip to the Dairy Shack in Eminence. Everyone loved the quaint little downtown that was proudly decorated with hundreds of American flags. I was so proud to introduce my family and friends to so much of the magic of the Ozarks. Float trips and forest excursions aren’t the norm for
Why Did God Make Cowbirds?
at the patch of grass and plant life we jokingly refer to as a “yard” or “lawn.” It is a place for occasional wildflowers and mushrooms, rabbits and all kinds of birds. Some snakes, like the hognose or garter snake or blue racer, may cross it safely, as do terrapins or a variety of lizards. The lizards occasionally fall prey to the yellow-billed cuckoos, which us Ozark country folks call “rain-crows.” Normally, I would never shoot a bird in my back yard, but there is one I ought to pick off with my .22 rifle every time I see one – the brown-headed cowbird. LAZY OR BIRDBRAINED Yesterday, there they were, hopping around in my backyard, beneath the big oaks, a male and a female cowbird of the brown-headed variety. Though only the male is brownheaded, I think both of them are black-hearted, because they are like so many of us in the Ozarks – they are too lazy to work to provide for their offspring. That does not include me. I worked hard to make a good life for my offspring without causing difficulty for my neighbors. When my daughters left the nest, they left a nest I had built myself. This cannot be said
The male, brown-headed cowbird has some funny notions. – National Audubon Society photo
of the brown-headed, blackhearted cowbird. They build no nest; they find one made by a cardinal, blue jay or mockingbird and kick that birds’ eggs out, laying their own in the nest so the returning birds, of some other species, will hatch and raise their young for them. You would think that any bird would be wise to this, but they aren’t, displaying the traits for which we refer to really dumb folks normally found in suburbs of big cities, as “birdbrains.” COURTING HUNCHBACK At any rate, now that I have made many city people mad at me, let me tell you why I let those brown-headed birds venture off on their own to do what
they do without being shot. The male, all black except for his brown head, was following that smaller gray hen around, standing straight and high, then huffing up his feathers to make him look taller and wider than he really is, and then throwing his brown head forward, making him look hunchbacked and disheveled. That quite often makes the female receptive to mating with him. Who knows why that would be. He looks awful doing that. It didn’t work that day. She was apparently quite hungry and seemed to be trying to get away from him. He really looked stupid, running around on the grass and leaf litter, right below my place on the screened porch, huffing up and hunching over. It reminded me that I had often done something similar as a youth, trying to show off my muscles and get some girl to notice me. It never seemed to work for me any better than it did for him. Eventually they both flew up on a white-oak branch only a few feet from where I sat drinking my coffee while I listened to an old gobbler sounding off down the ridge from my nest … er, I mean “house.” I could have plugged the two cowbirds with my .22 rifle, but it would mean making a pair
of holes in the screen of about 1/5 of an inch, big enough to let in a fly or mosquito later in the summer. So I left it to the Great Creator to deal them justice for their evil ways. But really, it seems as if He has been overlooking a great deal of evil everywhere lately. HAND OF GOD OR MAN? You wonder why God created things like brown-headed cowbirds, or copperheads, or cockleburs. I guess he had his reasons, and as I see the perfection of his hand in the woods and streams not yet ruined by the hand of man, I feel a lot better than I do sitting on the porch watching some devilish blacksnake trying to eat my baby bluebirds. Then I begin to think that the blacksnake and I aren’t so much different. I wouldn’t eat a baby rabbit or squirrel for anything, but I would sure eat either one this winter when they are grown up. If the blacksnake waited until everything grew up, he would starve to death. It likely is best for me not to get into such deep thinking as I sit on the porch and drink coffee. I am fairly sure God didn’t create me for any deep thinking! It is best to get up early and head for the river and try
the kids or adults who visited. These youngsters have a story to tell, and each of them has expressed to me how much they loved the experience and how they hope to return. FOUR DAYS, NO SHIRT One boy had a goal to see how many days he could go without wearing a shirt. He made it four days before we went to a restaurant that required him to break the streak. My hope is that all these kids come to know Driftwood Acres, and that it will be a place that connects them to wilderness and wildness, something they’ll never find on their phones.
to catch some 5-pound, evilminded largemouth, which might eat a baby wood duck or a whole household of young crawdads in his self-indulgent whims. I think that is perhaps what God put me on earth for … to stand up for the weak and defenseless, catching evil bass and evil catfish and evil walleye. PURPOSE IN LIFE But the cowbird episode shows me I am getting too old for such purposes, growing too kind-hearted to do what should be done. However, through this column I might encourage others to keep a shotgun handy and shoot every cowbird and copperhead they see. In such a manner, I continue to be of some value, straightening out Mother Nature in her misguided ways.
This blue racer isn’t evil … maybe. Never seen one eat a baby bird!
Outdoor Guide
Page 48
July-August 2018
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