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Missouri C onservationist VOLUME 76, ISSUE 6, JUNE 2015 • SERVING NATURE & YOU NOTE TO OUR READERS Research Enhances Management of Missouri’s Fish, Forest, and Wildlife T o learn and grow in knowledge should be a goal for each of us throughout our lives. Your Department of Conservation is constantly seeking new knowledge in fish, forest, and wildlife management. The Department’s research staff is hellbenders to decline. As a conservation exploring new innovations in technical department, we need to know more about research that will build upon our current bats and better understand monarch but- scientific foundation to manage Missouri’s terflies and specific factors causing their natural resources into the future. decline. Continuing to build scientific Technical research and learning new knowledge on prairie ecosystems, forest scientific information is a cornerstone of ecosystems, paddlefish, and sturgeon are any successful conservation program. Our just a few ongoing research projects. world is changing! Invasive plant and animal Most of Missouri’s streams have been species, changing land-use patterns, and a altered and degraded. Many of our state’s growing population are just a few variables that impact our na- wetlands have been converted to other land uses. How do tive natural resources. When you combine fish, forest, and wild- scientists ensure that Missouri’s wetlands maximize benefits life management; protection; and public input with research, for all wetland species and maintain the correct stream flow you have the highly successful Missouri Model of conservation. to maximize benefits for all stream species? These tough and Current research includes evaluating survival, reproduc- complex research issues represent important projects Depart- tion, habitat use, and movement patterns of whitetail deer and ment scientists are currently working on for a healthier future wild turkey. Biologists are capturing and placing tracking de- for Missouri citizens and the state’s natural resources. vices on deer in northwest Missouri and in the Ozarks. Wild A quality conservation program must have an engaged turkeys are being studied and monitored in northeast Mis- citizenry. Missourians live in an ever-changing society with souri. The research information will build a broader database new and multiple demands on our time. Together we must and enable managers to refine science-based decisions on deer stay engaged, share ideas, and look for opportunities to im- and turkey hunting seasons and harvest limits. prove conservation in Missouri. Last year research scientists A five-year quail research project is underway in south- conducted surveys that reached almost 200,000 citizens ask- west Missouri to test the difference between managing grass- ing them what they thought about a variety of outdoor issues. land landscapes through managed burning and grazing in- Your opinion and thoughts are vitally important to Missouri stead of the more traditional approach of annual food plots in conservation and the Department of Conservation wants to producing quail. Department staff are trapping male and fe- hear from you! male quail on several conservation areas and fitting them with Department research scientists have a long history of radio collars. Quail are then tracked throughout the year and exploring natural resource questions, innovating research and the data gathered will help determine many aspects of quail management solutions, and leading the nation in scientific life history including survival, breeding status, habitat use, and discoveries. The Department’s research staff utilize adaptive distance moved. learning, creative thinking, embrace technology, and are na- The article on collared lizards in this issue is an excellent tional leaders in fish, forest, and wildlife research. Building on example of how a species has benefitted from research and as- this world-class research with field management, protection, sociated management activities. Science builds upon itself — and citizen engagement will improve Missouri’s natural re- the more we learn, the more we want to know! sources, Missouri citizen’s quality of life, and continue to make R Biologists have learned how to raise hellbenders in cap- Missouri a great place to live. NE N O tivity, which will help restoration efforts in our Ozark streams, D ST but we need to better understand the factors that are causing Tim Ripperger, deputy director AVI D CONTENTS June 2015, Volume 76, Issue 6 FEATURES Cover: An eastern collared lizard basks in the sun at Peck Ranch Conservation Area 10 The Rebound of the Eastern Collared Lizard near Winona, Missouri. Photograph by story and photographs by Jeff Briggler Noppadol Paothong. Read more about this Once a declining species in Missouri, the eastern collared lizard is lizard’s comeback starting on Page 10. making a comeback in the Ozarks due to habitat improvement 500mm lens • f/13 • 1/250 sec • ISO 200 16 Summertime Bow Fishing by Tim Kjellesvik, photographs by David Stonner DEPARTMENTS An exciting blend of hunting and fishing offers hot archery 2 Letters action on the water 4 Hunting & Fishing Calendar 4 Agent Notes 22 Searching for Berry Treasure 5 Ask MDC by Gladys J. Richter 6 News & Events Missouri is ripe with berries during the spring and summer months 30 Plants & Animals 32 Places to Go 33 Discover Nature What is it? Our photographers have been busy exploring the intricacies of outdoor Missouri. See if you can guess this month’s natural wonder. The answer is revealed on Page 8. G N O H OT A OL P D A PP O N June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 1 LETTERS Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity. More Bird’s-Eye Views warm. I don’t believe that dumping of aquarium customed to. To survive cold weather, an Thanks for a wonderful magazine! My husband fish or other pets is ok, but let’s get our facts alligator sometimes excavates a burrow and I love to watch the FalconCam [FalconCam straight and use realistic examples. in which it stays during colder periods. In Gives Bird’s-Eye View of Peregrine Falcon Chicks; Also let’s find a solution to the Asian carp regard to piranhas, studies have shown Page 6, April] each year. We also discovered an problem as it will ruin sport fishing, commercial piranhas can tolerate water temperatures Eagle Cam located at dukefarms.org in New fishing, and boating. Follow Kentucky’s example down to 50 degrees F. If fish find a refu- Jersey where my husband is from. Two baby and try commercial netting of those pests. gia spot (a place where a spring-fed inlet eagles recently hatched. Tell your readers. Gary Meyers, via email keeps temperatures constant), aquarium Donna Jablonski, via email fish might survive. Author’s Note: The prevailing belief that However, even if species do not survive No Dumping aquarium and other warm-water aquatic winter, they can do considerable damage What a disappointment I felt when I read this species can’t survive a Missouri winter to a habitat up until the time of their article [No Dumping, May] by Francis Skalicky. isn’t always true. An American alligator’s demise. Aquarium nonnative species The piranhas and the alligator are tropical chance of surviving a Missouri winter can also introduce diseases and parasites and must have a water temperature above 75 is admittedly lower than in its natural into an ecosystem. The tropical host fish degrees, so they would not survive a Missouri range (the southeastern U.S.), but this and amphibians (frogs, salamanders, winter nor would nearly all aquarium fish, which reptile has been known to survive water etc.) may not survive, but the pathogens are generally tropical in nature and must be kept temperatures much cooler than it’s ac- or parasites could survive to impact Missouri’s native species. In regard to Asian carp, they are a classic example of how much of a problem invasive species can be. The Department promotes the harvest of all Asian carp. There is no closed season or daily size limits. Commercial fishing can be used in an attempt to reduce their number. For more information, visit the Fishing Regulations on our site at mdc. mo.gov/node/3104. —Francis Skalicky BPRUHOVOGKEOH SO TMAREIKMWEAS D IBNE FSOHLAAML UL SOTPWIDE WERAOGSTERI WLI THL Tutffbbaooodlenuur cotd eenotrheghmndmriee wlptieldrh.ta e q iIrbtwnneuoogri uitda c g hgtdkyhah bd laesmyoi imw tuzeeieotn i wi glntagngh,niuvu tlebdyohl fls l eucsvdtdhraeeeie tgffdaweaip e,tlph erluuug’ee.sr snn rCeuwst .huas iEbtllaiirllananyiuirnlg tcnbt g e—hblignstwl e ueo a aosewnrim srgsef mio a,itoul lo alylhsnsi motnw,eod upagco oisrtrltok uyp ihsfipc ,bima kudraatnse neelabtadtrddl sor.el l,d xyb pbgaa pbuuaonneemtgndg rrsuei el maeep o onnfidp efacds eai Mhend nla .wec s ifThhhc srotseooahroneosnmeuityk tn d rs fi oag ioga’rf so elh alr t PHSBOTYBOT ELORCAYGKR RAERATNYPT DRH .S IFeodsatNynoneoeaad rtsElm eh ,sm seoaX ,s nmowbpdPruieaed tttm E eehrcreruiaN.swn tl YtcagaiShor prteuidolIn e si Vc rgnisaem egaEpng. p r bmBg elleAesuee tesien nntpNg t torsid le,flDl ee - baosgmuli snlgtEa., nadMtthhA. e lMueeo f ySrrosoe eiacY ms cmattho np c amT slobtepn p eOyids dlomieiecus srtaaMi sdgtdo eneaefdA sts a ii mdng aKhner oaoeseE soi fdogtek ftnwsa,p sena nos cdpir am jitcuneirpnsc eitlegnae a tco gesslfot ud eefod ffopidseaes s .camt at gi,iv lrsee, a t HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED: Cferwe»»»»»a mtT#GiFLnah1oelg0tugraee emHsfraoioad abolmsok:d s s ipesid ers requires only a Reader Photo Leaving the Nest cccogjsttFwiunhhpolaoweoisteenordatoIFtsnn f mre tlleoy a teueahud diirsb nr renebs er -steywilgeg cohs ndc ocettia edlegg gohffothlbl ilao nl b es c ufl,oocon oe sorinforufnsa gddra dcdat tofeufsa-fh yttraoctm nl .,seee faer nftCco nd obrlolhaeoluae dsa esr o-tnmss tet ma oyo opsisrasnnpf ,iifku, e p do g dmpbetw.xr erhl -Tcaiopie aeahrfohrebd e kc-iisuyna mohcifeenheossolhua iseei sosunatn lti wudefhvfo meg w3 trt efe.f/oa8.e io ., a❶ m yt r❷ i ❸aa tnknomomenstcu s dohr s t ❶ ❷ ❸ 16 Missouri Conservationist  May 2015 May 2015  Missouri Conservationist 17 Randall Jackson of St. Joseph, Missouri, took this photo of a bluebird chick Correction leaving the nest for the first time. “For the past seven years, I have built, placed, and monitored about 20 bluebird houses in rural Buchanan County,” In How to Bug a Bluegill [May], we incorrectly said Jackson. “Not long after I set up to shoot some photos near this box, referred to bluegill as a “game fish.” Although the adult female appeared and began chirping incessantly from the gate bluegill are an important sport fish, they are post nearby. Soon, a little head poked out of the hole of the nest box and not defined as a game fish in the Wildlife Code looked around.” Jackson said with the mother’s coaxing, the fledgling finally of Missouri. This is because bluegill and other had enough courage to leave the nest. “The mother bluebird repeated this nongame fish can be used as live bait to catch scenario for each one of her babies,” said Jackson. “The entire exodus took other species. In Missouri, no game fish may be less than five minutes.” used for bait. Check area regulations for daily limits for bluegill and special length limits. 2 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015 Missouri SUBSCRIPTIONS C onservationist Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249 Address: Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180 Email: [email protected] Conser vationist online services: Subscribe to the GOVERNOR Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon magazine, update your mailing address, or sign up to receive an email when the latest issue is THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Don C. Bedell available online at mdc.mo.gov/node/9087 James T. Blair, IV Cost o f subscriptions: Free to Missouri households Marilynn J. Bradford Out of State $7 per year David W. Murphy Out of Country $10 per year Please allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Director Robert L. Ziehmer Deputy Director Thomas A. Draper ASK MDC Deputy Director Tim D. Ripperger Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 General Counsel Jennifer Frazier Internal Auditor Lisa Wehmeyer Address: Ask MDC, PO Box 180, DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS Jefferson City 65102-0180 DIVISION CHIEFS Phone: 573-751-4115 Email: [email protected] Administrative Services Margie Mueller Address: PO Box 180, Design and Development Jacob Careaga Jefferson City 65102-0180 EDITORIAL COMMENTS Fisheries Brian Canaday Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3847 Forestry Lisa G. Allen REGIONAL OFFICES Address: Magazine Editor, PO Box 180, Human Resources Thomas Neubauer Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Outreach & Education vacant Jefferson City 65102-0180 Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Private Land Services Bill White Email: [email protected] Kansas City: 816-622-0900 Protection Larry D. Yamnitz Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 READER PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Resource Science Mike Hubbard Wildlife Jennifer Battson Warren Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 Flickr: flickr.com/groups/mdc-readerphotos-2015 Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 Email: [email protected] CONSERVATIONIST STAFF St. Louis: 636-441-4554 Address: Missouri Conservationist, Reader Photo, Editor Angie Daly Morfeld Art Director Cliff White Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180 Associate Editor Bonnie Chasteen Staff Writer Heather Feeler Photographer Noppadol Paothong MDC Online Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites. Photographer David Stonner Designer Stephanie Thurber Circulation Laura Scheuler Blog: mdc.mo.gov/node/87 Missouri Conservationist: mdc.mo.gov/node/83 The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of- Facebook: facebook.com/MDConline Missouri Department of Conservation: mdc.mo.gov ficial monthly publication of the Missouri Department of Flickr: flickr.com/photos/mdc_online Nature Shop: mdcnatureshop.com Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson Instagram: instagram.com/moconservation Twitter: twitter.com/MDC_Online and Nature_Videos City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO Kids’ site: XplorMo.org YouTube: youtube.com/user/moconservation 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents; out of state $7 per year; out of country $10 per year. Notifi- cation 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, Missouri, and at additional entry offices. Kids’ magazine Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Copyright © 2015 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. Six times a year we’ll bring you eye-popping art, photos, and stories about Missouri’s Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from coolest critters, niftiest natural places, and programs of the Missouri Department of Conserva- tion is available to all individuals without regard to liveliest outdoor activities. Come outside their race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. with us and XPLOR! Questions should be directed to the Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, A Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Federal Missouri residents: FREE (one subscription per household) Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP- 4020, Arlington, VA 22203. Out of state: $5 per year; Out of country: $8 per year A guardian’s name and address is required with the subscription. Printed with soy ink Please allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Sign up Now! xplormo.org | 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249 June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 3 HUNTING & FISHING CALENDAR FISHING OPEN CLOSE Black Bass from Ozark Streams 05/23/15 02/29/16 Bullfrogs and Green Frogs Sunset Midnight 06/30/15 10/31/15 Nongame Fish Gigging Impounded Waters 02/01/15 01/31/16 Streams 09/15/15 01/31/16 Paddlefish on the Mississippi River 09/15/15 12/15/15 Trout Parks Catch-and-Keep 03/01/15 10/31/15 HUNTING OPEN CLOSE Coyote (restrictions apply during April, All year None spring turkey season, and firearms deer season) Deer Agent Notes Archery 09/15/15 11/13/15 11/25/15 01/15/16 Summertime Froggin’ Firearms Urban Zones Portion 10/09/15 10/12/15 Early Youth Portion 10/31/15 11/01/15 DURING FROGGING SEASON, November Portion 11/14/15 11/24/15 which runs from sunset June 30 through Antlerless Portion (open areas only) 11/25/15 12/06/15 Oct. 31, I routinely receive this ques- Alternative Methods Portion 12/19/15 12/29/15 tion: What permit is needed to pursue Late Youth Portion 01/02/16 01/03/16 bullfrogs and green frogs? The answer Groundhog (woodchuck) 05/11/15 12/15/15 depends on the method used to capture Pheasant your prey. Youth 10/24/15 10/25/15 With a fishing permit, frogs may be taken by hand, Regular 11/01/15 01/15/16 hand net, atlatl, gig, bow, trotline, throw line, limbline, bank Quail line, jug line, snagging, snaring, grabbing, or pole and line. Youth 10/24/15 10/25/15 With a small game hunting permit, frogs may be taken by Regular 11/01/15 01/15/16 hand or hand net, with a .22-caliber or smaller rimfire rifle Rabbit 10/01/15 02/15/16 or pistol, pellet gun, bow, crossbow, or atlatl. Any person Squirrel 05/23/15 02/15/16 15 or younger may take frogs without a permit — subject to Turkey hunter education requirements if using hunting methods. Archery 09/15/15 11/13/15 The daily limit for bullfrogs and green frogs is eight, with a 11/25/15 01/15/16 possession limit of 16 total at any one time. An artificial light Firearms may be used. Fall 10/01/15 10/31/15 You can find frogs around ponds, lakes, rivers, and Waterfowl see the Waterfowl Hunting Digest or mdc.mo.gov/node/3830 streams — just listen for the sounds of croaking. Be sure to obtain permission if you will be frogging on private property. For complete information about seasons, limits, methods, and This summer when you are looking for a fun family restrictions, consult the Wildlife Code and the current summaries activity, give frogging a try. It’s a great way to introduce kids of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Missouri Fishing to the outdoors. They will enjoy trying to chase and catch Regulations, The Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, jumping frogs. the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, the Waterfowl Hunting Digest, and the Migratory Bird Hunting Digest. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/130 or permit vendors. Jason Eikermann is the conservation agent for Gasconade County. If you would like to contact the agent for your county, phone your regional conservation office listed on Page 3. 4 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015 Ask MDC Address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Cedar-apple rust Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 Email: [email protected] I found this “thing” on a cedar tree next to my yard. I have never before seen anything like it! What is it and how did it get there? Is it dangerous? Can it or will it transfer to other plants or trees nearby? It is a gall (a swollen growth similar to a wart) of a fungal disease called cedar-ap- ple rust. The fungus is so named because it requires two hosts to complete its life cycle: eastern red cedar trees and apple trees. The fungus overwinters inside the galls on cedar trees, then spring rains cause worm-like tentacles (called telia) to extrude from the galls. As the telia absorb moisture, they become jelly-like Greater bee fly and swollen and eventually produce spores that are discharged into the I came across this bug and mountain lion and was air. The spores that land on apple trees took this picture while taken near Ava, Missouri. or crab apple trees grow to produce an hiking at Castor River This is a hoax. This photo has been mak- orange blemish or “rust” on apple leaves Conservation Area. What is ing the rounds on the Internet for some and fruit. PH it? A bee? A moth? A fly? time, and various people claimed to The life cycle continues one or two OL D N It’s a type of fly called a greater bee have taken it in their state. It is a photo months later when the rust produces A NIKI R fly. It’s named this because it mimics a of a black leopard and was probably another fungal structure (called aecia) D BY bumblebee with its yellowish and brown taken in Africa or Asia, where leopards on the underside of the leaf or on the DE VI furry body and buzzing sound it makes are found. The black color is called fruit. Different spores are produced and O R UST P when flying. Bee flies have only two melanism and is caused by a recessive released into the air in late summer. The R R wings instead of four (like bees), large gene that affects pigment. While this spores that land on young leaves of ce- A D APPLE CE aeynetes,n snkaien.n Thy leoyn agr lee gfass, ta anndd v sekryil lsfhuol rt cnool oreractoirodne do cecvuidrse ninc ele oofp aa rbdlasc, kth ceorue gisa r dgaalrl st.r eThese t ghaelnls g geernmeirnaalltye taankde ftowrom y meaorrse R; ME fliers and use their long, stiff tongues or mountain lion in North America. to mature. U H A SC (proboscis) to probe into flowers for Missouri does have confirmed cases of The disease does not generally kill R D nectar. They aid pollination because mountain lions, red cedar trees, but can significantly N A D BY S pollen sticks to their furry coats, and but no evidence blemish apple leaves and fruit, eventually DE they transport it to other flowers. of a breeding weakening highly susceptible trees. You VI O ATER BEE FLY PR FI saacweb tohoisk p, thhoet op eorns on mmpodoprcue.m liantoif.oogn,o v.v Fi/soitr citniab ntleh m ea pasppnrlaeign tegr ec oeersd babryy- apapplappnlleyti irnnuggs rtf euosnnisg tsiaucnsidtc eesp - RE claims it is a black node/3505. varieties of apple trees. G June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 5 NEWS & EVENTS by Heather Feeler Decades ago, Department Fisheries biologists took action to prevent lake sturgeon from disap- pearing in Missouri rivers. In 1974, the Department listed the species as a state endangered fish and banned their harvest. In 1984, staff began to raise them in Department hatcheries and release finger- lings into Missouri rivers. For more than three decades, Fisheries staff have looked for signs that the fish were on their way back through natural breeding in these riv- ers. They got a sign in mid-April in the form of a video shot by Sam Hardy of St. Peters. While snagging for paddlefish near West Alton on the Mississippi River, Hardy saw what he thought were lake sturgeon spawning. He and Kristin Biagioli, also of St. Peters, captured smartphone video of the behavior. “I was excited because I’m an avid angler and outdoorsman and just to see something like that,” recalled Hardy, who had never seen a lake sturgeon in the wild. “I was just like a little kid. It blew my mind.” Fisheries staff confirmed from the video that the fish were lake sturgeon and the behavior was consistent with spawning activity. They also examined the site where Hardy shot his video and discovered fertilized eggs. Fisheries staff collected 200 eggs to hatch in a lab and confirmed the species as lake sturgeon. They then returned to the site near West Alton and observed recently hatched sturgeon in the river. This final piece of evidence confirmed lake stur- geon were once again reproducing naturally in the Mississippi River. Lake sturgeon “Lake sturgeon typically spawn from April to May,” explained Fisheries Management Biologist Travis Moore, who leads the Department’s Lake Department Confirms Lake Sturgeon Sturgeon Recovery Team. “As spawning begins, Now Reproducing in Mississippi River several males join a single female near a rocky shoreline and begin thrashing in the water. This activity mixes the eggs from the female and milt Three decades of lake sturgeon restoration ef- within the past 50 years. They were once common from the males, and the fertilized eggs then stick forts by the Missouri Department of Conserva- in our big rivers, but overharvest and river habitat to rocks until they hatch within about a week.” tion came to fruition recently when Department degradation caused their decline by the 1970s. Fisheries biologists began noticing other Fisheries staff confirmed that the nearly extinct These river giants can reach lengths of 8 signs in mid-April suggestive of spring spawning. fish are once again naturally reproducing in the feet, weigh as much as 300 pounds, and live for A small number of fish previously implanted with G Mississippi River near St. Louis. more than 100 years. The fish reach reproductive ultrasonic transmitters were tracked moving to ON H This ancient species, which has been around maturity in 25–30 years, but have a slow rate of locations favorable for spawning. One lake stur- AOT for more than 150 million years and has outlived reproduction, making them even more vulner- geon was also captured on video in Dardenne DOL P A the dinosaurs, was nearly brought to extinction able to population declines. Creek, a tributary to the Mississippi River in OPP N 6 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015 Milkweed for Monarchs: St. Charles County. Biologists interpreted this Its predators include hawks, raccoons, foxes, and Get Planting! movement as a search for spawning opportunity. coyotes. A healthy bobwhite population in an Another angler-submitted video during this time area is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. The distinctive orange and black wings of the also showed lake sturgeon spawning. The field day will include four tours of field op- monarch butterfly have been a summer staple “We’ve been stocking lake sturgeon for 30 erations reflecting best management techniques. in Missouri for many generations. The annual years, and our highest priority was to establish Tours will include information on prescribed migration of North America’s monarch butterfly a self-sustaining population,” said Department burning, managing field edges for wildlife, crop is an amazing journey across the United States, River Systems Ecologist Quinton Phelps. “This field management for pollinators and wildlife, including Missouri, and then down south to confirmation is at least the beginning of a self- and conservation habitat management tech- overwinter in Mexico. In fact, some monarchs fly sustaining population.” niques. A classroom session on Quail 101 will in- as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home, Phelps added that he and other Fisheries ex- clude experts discussing basic habitat to promote with thousands clustering together to stay warm perts view sturgeon reproduction in the wild as a quail, followed by a question-and-answer period along the way. landmark event, likening it to the historic success for participants. If it’s been awhile since you’ve spotted a mon- of bringing back deer and turkey to Missouri. “In The event will be followed by a demonstration arch in large groups or just one, there is a good the fish world, this is big, big news,” he said. on how to prepare Asian carp, an invasive fish spe- reason. The migratory population of the mon- To learn more about lake sturgeon, go online cies that is displacing native fish in the Mississippi arch butterfly has recently declined to danger- to mdc.mo.gov/node/1003 or youtube.com/ and Missouri river basins. Lunch will be available at ously low levels. Since the monarch travels long watch?v=mDAQ2mQ467s. no cost for those who complete a program evalua- distances, several factors are contributing to the tion. The event is free and requires no registration. decline. These include habitat loss in their over- Field Day Focuses on Enhancing For more information on bobwhite quail manage- wintering territory in Mexico, as well as the rise Habitats for Bobwhite Quail ment, go online to mdc.mo.gov/node/3678. of herbicide-resistant crops in the Midwest that Bobwhite quail numbers are declining in the Midwest, but landowners can play a critical part in improving habitat to help increase popula- CONSERVATION tions. The Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, COMMISSION ACTIONS Food and Natural Resources, MU Extension, Mis- souri Soybean Association, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service are sponsoring a The April Commission meeting featured presentations and discussions regarding FY16 free field day event on June 27 from 8 a.m.–noon expenditure plan proposals, wetland planning initiative, waterfowl regulations schedule at the Bradford Research Center, east of Colum- update, grazing for conservation, activities associated with chronic wasting disease efforts, re- bia. The event will showcase best management cent deer open house meetings, deer management, and connecting urban residents to forest, practices and techniques that landowners and fish, and wildlife resources. A summary of actions taken during the April 15–17 meeting for the farmers can use to improve quail habitat and benefit and protection of forests, fish, and wildlife, and the citizens who enjoy them includes: increase populations on their property. » Approved amendments to the Wildlife Code of Missouri that clarify special restrictions for “The goal of the field day is to demonstrate the use of single projectile firearms on Lake Girardeau Conservation Area (CA). practices that integrate wildlife diversity on a » Approved the sale of 1,146,073 board feet of timber located on 393 acres of Compartment 1 property,” said Department Private Land Ser- of Indian Trail CA in Dent County. vices Division Chief Bill White. “Quail habitat can » Approved the purchase of approximately 89 acres in Howell County as an addition to easily be integrated with ongoing agricultural or White Ranch CA. forestry objectives whether it’s a crop or livestock » Approved the conveyance of 0.88 acre of Fiddlers Ford Access in Dade County to Dade producer, forest land, or property used for recre- County for a bridge replacement project and to grant Dade County a temporary construc- ation activities. Some of the best experts in quail tion easement on an additional 0.6 acre until the project is complete. and quail habitat will be there to present.” » Approved the conveyance of 1.77 acres of Platte Falls CA in Platte County to the Platte Bobwhite quail are small game birds weigh- City Special Road District for improvements to Interurban Road and to grant the Platte ing only 5 to 6 ounces that can fly short distances. City Special Road District a drainage easement and temporary construction easement on Bobwhite populations have suffered since the an additional 0.49 acre and 0.4 acre, respectively, of Platte Falls CA. 1950s from extreme weather events and habitat loss. Bobwhites are an important part of the The next Conservation Commission meeting is July 9 and 10. For more information, visit food chain, eating insects harmful to agriculture. mdc.mo.gov/node/3430 or call your regional Conservation office (phone numbers on Page 3). June 2015  Missouri Conservationist 7 [ ] NEWS & EVENTS (continued from Page 7) has improved the ability of farmers to eradicate weeds, including milkweeds that are a critical food source for monarchs. Monarch larvae feed on a variety of milk- weeds, which contain cardiac glycosides. These chemicals are stored in the monarch’s body and render it unpalatable and toxic to many preda- tors. The bright color patterns of both larvae and adults cleverly advertise their toxicity to would- be predators. To conserve the monarch, we must allow milkweeds to grow. The Department actively manages approxi- mately 28,000 acres of grassland and 21,000 acres of glade, savanna, and woodland natural com- munities with a rich diversity of native plants, including milkweeds and nectar plants, such as New England aster, that are important to monarchs. While every acre helps, there are mil- lions of acres of Missouri land where milkweed planting could have a big impact on the monarch population. Even relatively small milkweed plantings, such as in gardens or landscapes, can provide sufficient habitat for monarch caterpil- lars. In 2014, the Department partnered with the Missouri Prairie Foundation to distribute more than 4,000 milkweed and other nectar plants free of charge to citizens across the state. The response was overwhelming, and the program will be repeated again in late summer. You can help the monarchs by planting more milkweed and other nectar plants in your outdoor space, whether big or small. Go to GrowNative! at grownative.org to learn more about milkweed varieties, including butterfly milkweed, common milkweed, marsh/swamp milkweed, and other native plants. For more on WHAT IS IT? the monarch butterfly, visit our field guide at mdc.mo.gov/node/3419. Giant Ichnuemon | Megarhyssa atrata Stay in Touch With Conservation The giant ichneumon (ick-NEW-mon) is a rare find in Missouri. Including its long, thin “tail,” the ichneumon is more than 6 inches long. Although it looks dangerous, the ichneumon is harmful Learn more about a variety of conservation only to the larvae of other wasps, which ichneumon larvae eat. The giant ichneumon can be topics through our email news or texts de- found in large tracts of old, deciduous forests throughout the eastern United States. Missouri, livered right to your inbox or phone. You can with few old forests, is at the western limit of its range. Ichneumon larvae feed upon larvae of tailor the deliveries to receive only the topics the pigeon horntail, another kind of wasp that lays its eggs in dead wood. Giant ichneumons that interest you, from regional news in your appear May through July. The female locates pigeon horntail larvae in dead wood, then weaves own backyard, statewide news, weekly fishing her long egg tube into the nest, depositing an egg. When the egg hatches, the larva feeds on reports, nature center newsletters, and more. the pigeon horntail larvae. —photograph by Noppadol Paothong Subscribe at tinyurl.com/pp6w48a. You can also keep up with conservation through social 8 Missouri Conservationist  June 2015

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