Missouri Conservationist June 2007

2007·5.3 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

Missouri
C
onservationist
Volume 68, Issue 6, June 2007 •Serving nature & You
[ ]
Note to our readers
The Future of Child’s Play
I
’m the director of the department of Conservation because I was a kid
who loved the outdoors. From an early age, life with my brothers and
sister on a small ozarks farm left us free to explore the world.
Each spring, the part of Carter Creek that ran through In his book Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv links the
our property would flash into a river and chew out scour holes absence of nature to disturbing trends among our children—the
that served as summer’s swimming holes. rise in obesity, attention disorders and
I loved to fish and was proud when I depression. Louv advocates becoming
could hunt squirrels and rabbits alone. actively involved in making “nature play”
My brother Steve and I spent memorable an integral part of kids’ lives. “We have
nights with a flashlight hunting frogs on such a brief opportunity to pass on to our
farm ponds, and we spent several others children our love for this Earth, and to tell
with our neighbor, Harold, following his our stories,” writes Louv. “In my children’s
blue tick hounds trying to tree raccoons memories, the adventures we have had
in the dead of winter. While in sixth together in nature will always exist.”
grade, I remember an assignment to make My outdoor memories are price-
a leaf collection. Dad and I searched the less, so I take personal responsibility
entire farm and found enough leaves for for making new ones with my grand-
an “A,” plus some extra credit. That was children. Their backyards are places to
also the year I eagerly read back-to-back John hoskins (left) at age 7 with his brother begin learning about trees, other plants,
the adventures of both Tom Sawyer and steve (right) on the Current River near Van insects and birds, and perhaps to learn
Huckleberry Finn. Buren. his childhood enthusiasm for outdoor archery skills or casting with a rod and
This childhood foundation grew pursuits has been a foundation for his career in reel. My first goal is selfish—some qual-
into adult pursuits of deer, small game conservation. When not working as director, he ity time with the grandkids. The second
and turkey hunting and, my personal enjoys fishing, hunting, biking and hiking with is to instill an appreciation of nature that
favorite today—float stream fishing. My his family and friends. will reward these children for the rest of
youth was also the starting point for an their lives. I don’t yet have a single family
education in natural science and a career memory that began, “One day while we
in conservation. were watching television....”
My experience is common for anyone my age reared on Think about the opportunities to share nature with those
a farm in rural Missouri. However, even farm kids today have in your life. Find some leaves, go to a pond, take a hunter educa-
more competing for their time than I did then. tion class, or pass down your favorite outdoor author. You will
There is real concern that the next generation will not have dramatically increase the number of future adults who value
the outdoor experiences enjoyed by previous generations. The Missouri’s resources and take positive actions to protect them.
impact of this is not clear, but some believe that childhood expe-
riences in nature frame positive social values and consciousness
resulting in a higher quality of life. John Hoskins, director
Our Mission:  To protect and manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state;
to serve the public and facilitate their participation in resource management activities; and
to provide for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about fish, forest and wildlife resources.
[CoNteNts]

June 2007, Volume 68, Issue 6
On the cover: Many anglers find fishing early
or late in the day yields the most success. Read
“Fishing kC,” starting on page 20, to find a great
location near kansas City. Also see “Don’t
Dump That Bait!” starting on page 14, to find
out how to properly dispose of your bait.
NextGeN
This section reports on goals established
in The Next Generation of Conservation.
To read more about this plan, visit
www.missouriconservation.org/12843.
5 PlaNts & aNImals
6 PlaCes to Go
7 CommuNIty CoNservatIoN
8 outdoor reCreatIoN
10 CleaN Water
11 HealtHy Forests
12 laNdoWNer assIstaNCe
FeaTures
13 CoNservatIoN eduCatIoN
14 Don’t Dump That Bait!
by Brian Canaday, Bob DiStefano and Chris Riggert
Let’s keep invasive species from colonizing new waters. MisCellaNy
2 Letters
20 Fishing KC 4 ombudsman
by Todd Gemeinhardt and Pam Lanigan 4 on the Web
Kansas City anglers have plenty of nearby waters where they can enjoy 4 on the tv
the tug of a fish. 32 Hunting and Fishing Calendar
32 Contributors
26 Missouri’s River Otter Saga 33 Behind the Code
by Dave Hamilton 33 agent notes
We went from too few to too many otters in just 20 years. 33 time Capsule
[letters]
Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.
i know you all will keep up the great work,
Hunting for and i am happy to be among the millions who
Fishy Waters can count ourselves blessedly fortunate to
live in a state of folks with the foresight and
commitment to have voted to have conservation
For great fi shing off the beaten path,
try conservation area ponds. programs that serve the people and the wildlife
BY JOE BONNEAU, PHOTOS BY CLIFF WHITE
and not just the rich and powerful special
interests and politicians.
Thanks for all you have done, are doing, and
will continue to do when i am no longer around
to love you.
Richard G. (Dick) Dawson, Kansas City
Pond-fishing convert
There was an odd sense of irony when i returned
home from fishing in the Rolla area the week-
26 Missouri Conservationist April 2007 PLACES TO GO           27 end of [March] 30th.
After my friends and i had been rained out
from trying to fish some of the local rivers
Peer review
The nextGEn pages are colorful, focus atten- and streams, we set our sights on indian Trail
tion with a few short paragraphs on something Conservation Area for no other reason than it
Congratulations to
interesting and important and informative. was on the road we were driving. After sighting
nappadol Paothong’s article on photographing a pond in the woods, we took off by foot with
ara and all the team at
king rails (a bird that is not on my 1000-species our gear through the brush. Up close, we discov-
life list nor have i even heard one), was really ered that we’d maybe three spots to cast from.
Missouri Conservationist!
riveting. Great photos—and i didn’t have to feed We each took our positions and on the first
myself to hordes of mosquitoes like he did to cast i landed a beauty. We spent the rest of
Usually when i read a lead in a publication enjoy them. Cliff White’s photo of the fishing lake the day driving through the conservation area
telling about all the changes and fantastic reflected in the dark glasses on p. 28 was another looking for every other pond on the map that
improvements they have made, i have to go highlight picture. And, of course, i always enjoy we picked up later, enjoying the sights, sounds
back and try to find what’s different and if it the Chmielniak cartoons, including the depressing and sense of exploration. Consider me a believer
made any real difference. The April issue is a sight of the hulking legs of the first robin of spring. [Hunting for Fishy Waters; April]. keep up the
wonderful exception. excellent work.
i have read the Conservationist since my Bob Parks, Kansas City
high school years in the ‘50s, and through a
teaching career that also ran parallel to being Persimmon pleasures
founding secretary/editor of the Missouri Prairie i was watching Missouri outdoors, sunday, April
Foundation, president of Burroughs Audubon, 8, and would like a copy of your persimmon
a founder of Lakeside nature Center, 18-year cookie recipe. i have several groves of persim-
director of the Camp hope environmental mon and a great bounty come 1st to 2nd frost.
science resident camp, active member of kC Robin Suppenbach, Pleasant Hill
Wildlands, and recipient of the “Plastic Deer
Award” (Conservation Educator of the Year). Editor’s note: KEVIN’S PERSIMMON
i have seen a lot of changes and growth COOKIES: 1 c. persimmon pulp, 2 eggs,
in MDC (including going from advocating 1 1⁄2 c. oil, 4 1⁄2 c. flour, 1 1⁄4 c. sugar, 1⁄2
some wildlife plants to discovering they be- tsp. salt, 1 c. pecans (or other nuts), 1⁄2 c.
came dangerous invaders of natural areas), raisins, 2 Tbsp. vanilla, 1 Tbsp. butter
but this issue is one of the really special flavor, 1⁄2 tsp. cinnamon, allspice or
events (like the opening of the Anita ground cloves. Mix and bake 10–12 min-
Persimmon
Gorman Discovery Center). utes on ungreased cookie sheet at 350F.
2 Missouri Conservationist  June 2007
Missouri
Northeast SuBSCRipTiOnS Conservationist
Northwest Phone: [phone], ext. 3856 or 3249
Address: Circulation, P.o. Box 180,
Governor Matt Blunt
Jefferson City 65102-0180
Kansas Central St. THe ConServATIon CoMMISSIon
E-mail subscriptions: [email protected]
City Louis Stephen C. Bradford
Online subscriptions and address changes:  Chip McGeehan
www.mdc.mo.gov/conmag/subscribe Cynthia Metcalfe
Southwest Southeast Cost of subscriptions: Lowell Mohler
Ozark Free to Missouri households Director John Hoskins
Assistant Director Denise Garnier Brown
out of state $7 per year Assistant Director John W. Smith
out of Country $10 per year Assistant Director Robert Ziehmer
CenTRal OFFiCe Address Changes: Don’t miss an issue due to an Internal Auditor Nancy Dubbert
General Counsel Tracy McGinnis
Phone: [phone] address change. Go online, call, write or e-mail
Address: P.o. Box 180, us to update your information. DIvISIon CHIefS
Administrative Services Carter Campbell
Jefferson City 65102-0180
OMBuDSMan QueSTiOnS Design and Development Bill Lueckenhoff
RegiOnal OFFiCeS Phone: [phone], ext. 3848 Fisheries Steve Eder
Forestry Lisa G. Allen
Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Address: ombudsman, P.o. Box 180, Human Resources Debbie Strobel
Central/Columbia: 573-884-6861 Jefferson City 65102-0180 Outreach & Education Lorna Domke
Kansas City: 816-655-6250 E-mail: [email protected] Private Land Services interim Bill McGuire
Protection Dennis Steward
Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 eDiTORial COMMenTS Resource Science Dale D. Humburg
Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 Phone: [phone], ext. 3245 or 3847 Wildlife Dave Erickson
Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 Address: Magazine Editor, P.o. Box 180, ConServATIonIST STAff
St. Louis: 636-441-4554 Jefferson City 65102-0180 Editor In Chief Ara Clark
Managing Editor Nichole LeClair
Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 E-mail: [email protected] Art Director Cliff White
Writer/Editor Tom Cwynar
Staff Writer Bonnie Chasteen
Staff Writer Jim Low
Staff Writer Arleasha Mays
Photographer Noppadol Paothong
Artist Dave Besenger
Artist Mark Raithel
Circulation Laura Scheuler
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of-
ficial monthly publication of the Missouri Department
of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson
City, MO (Mailing address: P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City,
MO 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents;
out of state $7 per year; out of country $10 per year. Noti-
fication of address change must include both old and new
address (send mailing label with the subscriber number
on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage
paid at Jefferson City, Mo., and at additional entry offices.
Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circulation, P.O. Box
180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: [phone].
Copyright © 2007 by the Conservation Commission of the
State of Missouri.
Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from
programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation
is available to all individuals without regard to their race,
color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Questions
Reader Photo The beauty of bryozoans should be directed to the Department of Conservation, P.O.
Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice)
or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
These harmless, jellylike masses are called bryozoans. The masses may attain
Service Division of Federal Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax
the size of a basketball and contain thousands of tiny filter-feeding animals. Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA 22203.
Considered indicators of good water quality as they cannot survive in polluted
Printed in USA
or muddy water, bryozoans can be found attached to objects in ponds, lakes
and slow streams. This photo was submitted by Brian Dannaldson of Kearney. Printed on recycled paper with soy ink
June 2007 Missouri Conservationist      3
on the Ask the Ombudsman
Web
Q:
This month check out our How far do deer roam in an area?
featured Web pages, or
go online anytime to learn a:The size and shape of a deer’s home range vary
more about conservation at with habitat quality, deer density, sex, time of
www.missouriconservation.org. year and the deer’s age. Deer that live in the best habitats
can satisfy all their daily requirements in a smaller area; deer that live in less
diverse habitats must travel to find suitable food and cover. Most home ranges
tend to be elongated, and researchers theorize that this shape maximizes
available resources. Deer have the smallest home ranges during summer and
the largest during fall. Average annual home range sizes for radio-tagged deer
in Missouri is about a square mile, but in rare cases deer movements of up to
100 miles have been documented.
Missouri Trails Q:
What’s the minimum weight bow an archer may use for deer, and what’s
www.missouriconservation.org/8801 the minimum size rifle?
Missouri trails provide area access as well as
recreational and educational opportunities. a:Ethical behavior and marksmanship are more important than bow
Visit this page to find information about weight and caliber. There is no bow weight restriction for archers;
designated trails on conservation areas. firearms deer hunters may use any centerfire rifle cartridge with expanding
projectiles. A conscientious hunter who is capable with lighter equipment
will do better than one who’s overpowered and inaccurate. For more
information contact your local MDC office (see page 3 for phone numbers).
Ombudsman Ken Drenon will respond to your questions, suggestions or complaints concerning Department
of Conservation programs. Write him at P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, call him
at 573-522-4115, ext. 3848, or e-mail him at [email protected].
Grow Native!
www.missouriconservation.org/8681
on the
The Grow native! Web site is designed to help For additional show information and video clips,
you learn about Missouri’s extensive array of TV be sure to visit
native plants and how to use them to create www.missouriconservation.org/8726.
beautiful landscapes on your property.
HANNIBAL QUINCY KEOKUK
Sat. 6:00 p.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m.
Sat. 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sat. 4:30 p.m.
Sun. 6:00 p.m.
Free Fishing Days
K
www.missouriconservation.org/4162 television Sat. 5:00 p.m. OZ Sat. 5:00 p.m.
Maybe you’ve never fished before, and the way KO Sat. 2:00 pK.m.
you’re not sure it’s right for you. Wet your nature ZJ Sun. 5:30 p.m.
line in state waters without buying fishing intended! SSuatn.. 2 5::0300 p p..mm.. Sun. 3:00 p.m.
permits or trout tags at most locations.
4 Missouri Conservationist  June 2007
by Jim Low PlaNts & aNImals
N
Species of Concern Hellbender
e
x
Native Plant Field Day t
G
e
Come learn how to use
N
native plants June 21.
T
he MU Bradford Research and Extension
Center will host a native Plant Field Day
from 4 to 8 p.m. June 21. Participants
will learn about native plants for landscaping,
rain gardens, native
plants for wildlife
and agriculture. The
day will include
indoor and outdoor
demonstrations and
tours. The event is
free and open to
all. Directions and
additional informa-
tion are available from Thresa Chism or
Tim Reinbott, 573-884-7945, or nadia
navarrete-Tindall, [email protected], or
at aes.missouri.edu/bradford/bfdir.stm.
June Bruins are Hungry
Keep food, garbage out
of bears’ reach.
I
Common name: Eastern and ozark hellbenders magine you just woke up from a three-
Scientific names: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis and C. a. bishopi month nap. You haven’t had your coffee.
Range: Eastern subspecies: Meramec, Big, Gasconade, Big Piney and niangua rivers, osage You are hungry, and the refrigerator is
Fork of the osage River. ozark subspecies: Current, Jacks Fork, north Fork and Eleven empty. That’s how bears feel in June. They
Point rivers and Bryant Creek. go on the prowl for food, and they aren’t in
Classification: state endangered the mood for nonsense. Bearing this in mind,
To learn more about endangered species: www.missouriconservation.org/8227 wise Missourians—especially in the southern
half of the state—make sure that livestock
feed and garbage are locked up. They keep
AT 1 TO 2 FeeT long, these are among the world’s largest salamanders. pet food indoors, put away bird feeders and
Missouri is the only state inhabited by both subspecies. They were string electric fences around bee hives. Black
thriving here until the 1980s. Since then, Eastern hellbender numbers bears (the only kind
have plummeted 80 percent, and the Ozark subspecies has declined by 70 native to Missouri) are
percent. They need clean, cool water and large flat rocks to hide under. One seldom aggressive.
threat to their survival is stream changes that reduce water quality and cause if you encounter one,
gravel or silt to fill stream beds. Hellbenders also are killed by uninformed don’t make sudden
anglers and giggers, who believe false tales that they are dangerous or that they movements. speak
eat lots of fish. In fact, crayfish make up 90 percent of their diet. If you catch in a calm voice so
one by accident, release it immediately and notify Herpetologist Jeff Briggler, as not to startle
573-751-4115 or e-mail [email protected]. the animal, and
back away until the bear is out of sight.
June 2007 Missouri Conservationist      5
PlaCes to Go by Jim Low
Fishing Hot Spot
N
e
G The lunkers are back
Wildflowers on Glades
t
x at Lake Taneycomo.
e
N Visit Valley View Glades NA
T
& Victoria Glades CA in June. en years ago, the Department of
Conservation made big changes to
T
hese two Jefferson County gems really fishing rules at Lake Taneycomo. Those
shine in June, when Missouri evening changes are paying dividends in big fish. in
primrose and other dazzling wildflow- a special management area from just below
ers festoon the rocky landscape. Each area has Table Rock Dam to the mouth of Fall Creek,
more than two miles of hiking trails through all rainbow trout between 12 and 20 inches
moderately difficult terrain. Watch for glade must be released immediately. only flies and
wildlife, including scorpions, tarantula spiders artificial lures are legal there. shepherd of the
and copperheads. Don’t lift rocks in search of hills hatchery and the neosho national Fish
these animals, as this destroys their habitat. hatchery stock approximately 700,000 rainbow
Glade management includes removal of cedar trout and 10,000 brown trout measuring 10 to 11
trees and periodic burning to maintain the inches at Lake Taneycomo each year. Eliminat-
rare glade ecosystems. For more information, ing natural bait in the special management
search for these areas in our online atlas at area reduces fish injuries from swallowed hooks, so fish live longer. The new “slot” length limit
www.missouriconservation.org/2930 or allows medium-sized fish to grow, promising a return to the days when big trout drew anglers
call 636-405-0157. to Taneycomo from across the nation. The good old days are still ahead for this famous lake.
Trail Guide Deer Ridge Conservation Area
NO PlAce iN northeastern Missouri
▲
tops Deer Ridge CA north of Lewis-
town for variety of recreational op-
portunities. You can wander its 6,996
acres hunting for everything from
mushrooms to deer, turkey, doves,
quail, squirrels and rabbits. Dozens of fishless ponds attract
migrating waterfowl in the spring and fall. Anglers can
choose between the 48-acre Deer Ridge Community Lake
and the North and Middle Fabius rivers, where bass, crappie,
catfish and sunfish thrive. More than a dozen trail loops and
spurs provide ample access for birders, nature photographers
and folks just looking to stretch their legs. There are desig-
nated camping areas, picnic shelters with electricity and an
unstaffed archery, rifle, pistol and shotgun range. This area
is part of the Department’s Riparian Ecosystem Assessment
and Management Project, a study of how forest-management
practices affect bottomland forest vegetation and wildlife.
Trails: 19 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails
Unique features: A mix of bottomland forest, fields and wetlands
Contact by Phone: [phone]
For more information: www.missouriconservation.org/2930,
and search “Deer Ridge”
6 Missouri Conservationist  June 2007
by Arleasha Mays CommuNIty CoNservatIoN
N
Taking aCTion Greater Prairie-Chicken Recovery e
x
Nominate Now t
G
e
Honor Missouri citizens who
N
contributed to conservation.
T
he Missouri Conservation Commission
would like to recognize citizens who
make outstanding contributions to
conservation. nominations are being sought
for the Master Conservationist Award and
the Missouri Conservation hall of Fame. The
Master Conservationist Award honors living
or deceased citizens while the Missouri
Conservation hall of Fame recognizes deceased
individuals. Those who can be considered for
either honor are:
• C itizens who performed outstanding acts or
whose dedicated service over an extended
time produced major progress in fisheries,
forestry or wildlife conservation in Missouri.
• Employees of conservation-related agencies
who performed outstanding acts or whose
dedicated service over an extended time
produced major progress in fisheries, forestry
or wildlife conservation in Missouri.
Anyone can submit a nomination, which
should include a statement describing the
nominee’s accomplishments and a brief
biography. Please submit nominations by July
13 to Janet Bartok, Missouri Department of
Group featured: Cole Camp Grassland Conservation Partnership Conservation, P.o. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo
Group mission: Restore grassland habitat and educate the public about prairie-chicken 65102 or e-mail [email protected].
recovery efforts and grassland management. A screening committee appointed by the
Group location: Cole Camp; hi Lonesome and other local prairies. Department’s director meets semi-annually
to consider nominees, with the Conservation
Commission conveying final approval.
HeAriNG THe bOOM of prairie-chickens fade to a mur-
mur has served as an alarm for Cole Camp residents to take
▲
action to improve local grasslands. Local citizens answered
the call to action by teaming up with the Missouri Depart-
ment of Conservation and Audubon Missouri to create a
unique approach to improving the health and abundance of
public and privately owned grasslands. Audubon Missouri will hire a full-time
staff person to educate the public about grassland issues, assist landowners
to establish, improve and manage private grasslands and implement locally
driven ideas that allow businesses and rural residents to tap into sustainable
economic opportunities created by a growing eco-tourism industry. Expected
benefits include increases in the number and diversity of grassland-dependant
wildlife and nature viewing opportunities.
June 2007 Missouri Conservationist      7
outdoor reCreatIoN by Arleasha Mays
N Black Bass Fishing Scout it Out
e
G
Regulation Update
t
x
e
N Catfish handfishing season
has been cancelled.
A
nglers who pursue catfish should
view the Department of Conserva-
tion Web site www.missouri
conservation.org and search “catfishing.”
The site provides details on the cancellation
of the handfishing season, following research
indicating that nests left unprotected by
adult catfish
produced no young
and that high angler
harvest of catfish
is impacting the
number of larger
fish. Besides ending
the handfishing season, the Department is
considering other harvest restrictions for
catfish. several public meetings will be held
to discuss options for harvest regulations and
anglers’ desires to catch larger, trophy-size
flathead and blue catfish.
Name: Big River
Location: The Big River is located in east-central Missouri and originates in northern iron County.
Squirrel Season
it flows 138 miles northward to its confluence with the Meramec River near Eureka.
The ’06 acorn crop promises Conservation lands: hughes Mountain nA, Young and Pea Ridge conservation areas
good hunting for ’07. For more info: www.missouriconservation.org/2930 and search “hughes” or “Young”
or “Pea”
C
onditions are favorable for a good
squirrel hunting season. The best
way to predict squirrel hunting lOOkiNG TO reel in trophy-sized black bass? Follow
opportunities is to look at the size of the acorn the lead of Missouri’s Master Anglers and wet your line in
crop the previous fall. The 2006 bumper crop ▲ the Big River. The Master Angler Program recognizes anglers
of acorns provided plenty of food to enable who catch lunkers that don’t quite measure up to state records.
squirrels to survive the winter and reproduce. Since 1999, anglers have caught 24 smallmouth bass from the
squirrel hunting season kicked off May 26 Big River that qualify for the Master Angler Program.
and continues through February 15, 2008. The With a lazy gradient of about 2 feet per mile, Big River is attractive to float
daily limit for squirrel is six, and the posses- fishers. Smallmouth bass, catfish and goggle-eye are high on the list of favorite
sion limit is 12. Both fish. In the Big River mainstream and its tributaries the daily and possession
rifles and shotguns limit is 12 black bass, which may include no more than six largemouth bass
are legal methods and smallmouth bass in the aggregate. There is no minimum length limit on
for pursuing squir- spotted bass.
rels. shotguns may Big River provides more than stream recreation. Conservation lands
be more effective along the Big River include Hughes Mountain Natural Area, and Young and
when trees are fully Pea Ridge conservation areas. The areas offer hunting, nature study, wildlife
leafed and squirrels are only glimpsed briefly photography and many other outdoor recreational opportunities.
as they move around in the treetops.
8 Missouri Conservationist  June 2007