Missouri Conservationist May 2006

2006·3.9 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

MISSOURI
May
2006
Volume 67
Issue 5
CONSERVATIONIST
Serving Nature & You
Vantage Point
The Interstate Wildlife
Violator Compact
Have you noticed the world seems
to be getting smaller? When I was
a youngster, I lived on a farm in
the southeastern Ozarks of Missouri. My
world was a tight-knit farming and logging
community, and I seldom ventured far from
home. It was a treat to go to the small towns
nearby, and a trip to Poplar Bluff or St. Louis
was unbelievably adventuresome. It was
almost unimaginable to travel to another
state. Most people in the 1950s and '60s did
their business and enjoyed their recreation
close to home. Hunting and fishing were local
activities, mostly with friends and relatives.
e
Poaching was mostly a local problem, hIt
W
too, and everyone knew who was likely to f
f
disregard the wildlife laws. ClI
Things have changed since those days.
People seek hunting and fishing opportunities farther ing or fishing in another member state, we also prohibit
and farther from home, including in other states and them from fishing or hunting in Missouri. After all, we
nations. Unfortunately, poachers are doing the same don’t want habitual poachers from other states to come
thing. This means communication and cooperation to Missouri simply because they can’t hunt in their
between the states and between nations have become home state.
more important. Conservation law enforcement agen- State membership in the Compact also allows
cies routinely exchange intelligence information, and Missourians who receive a wildlife citation in another
wildlife officers connect to each other through such member state, in most instances, to accept the citation
organizations as the North American Wildlife Officers from the officer at the scene of the violation and contin-
Enforcement Association. ue on their way immediately after agreeing to comply
Interstate wildlife violation investigations are with the terms of the citation. Should the person not
becoming more and more commonplace. One such comply, the state where the violation occurred will
investigation was recently completed by Missouri provide information to Missouri to begin suspension
and Iowa to stop cheaters who were claiming resident procedures according to Compact guidelines.
hunting and fishing privileges in both states. It is very Currently 22 states are members of the Compact,
common for conservation agents to uncover illegal with several other states in the process of becoming
hunting and fishing activities by resident poachers that members. Revocation of hunting and fishing privileges
actually occurred in other states or countries. has been shown to be a great deterrent to would-be
One very effective tool used to help stop poaching wildlife law violators, and cooperation among the
is the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which states makes it even more effective.
Missouri joined in 2000. This Compact is similar to With all our modern advancements, interstate travel
the Interstate Drivers License Compact. The Interstate and growing human population, the world does seem
Wildlife Violator Compact allows Missouri to honor to be getting smaller. With the advent of the Interstate
hunting and fishing license revocations from other Wildlife Violator Compact, the poacher’s world has
member states, and vice-versa. When someone’s privi- suddenly become a little smaller, too.
leges are revoked for wildlife violations in Missouri,
those privileges are also revoked in other Compact
member states. When someone is prohibited from hunt- Dennis Steward, Protection Division Chief
Contents
May 2006, Volume 67, Issue 5
12 17 22
4 Off-Road Developers! Mountain biking group creates a trail that DEPARTMENTS
makes everyone happy. by John Vogel Reflections 2
News & Almanac 28
8 Learning From Our Landowners A recent Department survey tells
8 us who you are, what you need, and how we can better serve you. COVER
by brad Mccord Prairie rose and an immature 
grasshopper—by Jim Rathert
12 “I Found This Plant…” Managing invasive species is critical for
maintaining Missouri’s biodiversity. by TiM SMiTh OuTSiDE iN
Tear out this 
17 CPR for Fish! Successful catch-and-release fishing requires special month’s insert  
handling. by KeVin richardS of our children’s 
magazine on 
22 The Grand Garden Experiment today’s Shaw Nature Reserve is the wetlands!
4 exciting result of 80 years of conservation management. by holly berThold
Contact Information
Regional offices centRal office subscRiptions
Southeast/cape girardeau—573/290-5730 Phone: [phone] Phone: [phone] ext. 3856 or 3249
central/columbia—573/884-6861 address:  2901 W. Truman Blvd  address:  Circulation 
Kansas city—816/655-6250 P.O. Box 180  P.O. Box 180 
northeast/Kirksville—660/785-2420 Jefferson City 65102-0180 Jefferson City 65102-0180
Southwest/Springfield—417/895-6880 e-mail subscriptions: 
ombudsman Questions
northwest/St. Joseph—816/271-3100 [email protected]
Phone: [phone] ext. 3848
St. louis—636/441-4554 online subscriptions and address changes: 
address:  Ombudsman 
ozark/West Plains—417/256-7161
mdc.mo.gov/conmag/subscribe
P.O. Box 180 
cost of subscriptions: 
Northeast Jefferson City 65102-0180
Free to Missouri households
Northwest e-mail: [email protected]
Out of State $7 per year
editoRial comments Out of Country $10 per year
Central
Kansas St.
Phone: [phone] ext. 3245 or 3847 address changes:
City Louis
address:  Magazine Editor  Don’t miss an issue due to an  
Southeast P.O. Box 180  address change. Go online,  
Southwest
Ozark Jefferson City 65102-0180 call, write or e-mail us to  
e-mail: [email protected] update your information.  Serving nature and you
www.MissouriConservation.org  
Reflections
MaRTIn ManIa for years I had two 12-apartment mar- to something on their long migration
Wow! What a beautiful cover picture of tin houses that produced 20 to 22 nests route, such as rainy weather, which is
a purple martin—it’s so natural look- annually. the co-op built an electric the major killer of martins. After 3 to
ing. I can hardly wait for the martins to substation within roughly 300 feet of 4 days of rain and no flying insects to
return; I have successfully had martins the 16-foot houses, and I haven’t seen a eat, there could have been a massive
for a number of years. I have three 12- martin near them since. die-off of martins throughout the rainy
compartment houses. Also, Jim low did an article on my- region. When die-offs happen, the
I tried putting a mirror in the back of self and hummingbirds back in 1995. martin population may take a decade
one of my units to discourage a stub- It mushroomed into a full page in Birds or more to rebound. Then again, your
born starling—sure made him mad. I & Blooms magazine, three hardcover martins may return this year.
use sparrow door trays and also some books and some newspaper articles. I
wire traps, but still spend a lot of time have had letters and visitors from Cape WETLanD InITIaTIvE hITs 50
fighting the starlings and sparrows. Breton Island, Nova Scotia to California; In the March issue, you had an article
Ruby Henderson, Independence even had harry truman’s pharmacist about Missouri’s wetlands, with a photo
down here hunting nests. that was of four men and their birds from 1958.
I really enjoyed your article in the 1995 with three feeders. I’m now up to Can you tell me who those men are?
March issue about purple martins. We eight with 2 gallons of juice per day. I My family is from that area and I’m
live west of lebanon off highway 64 fed 350 pounds of sugar last year. really curious since they were hunters
and had a colony of 193 active pairs John E. Hillman LtCol USAFRet. and trappers.
last year. Also, Robert Moss, of Sleeper, via Internet Cecil Jacobs, Meadville.
had 160 active pairs, while fred and
Rosie Pierce in Rogersville had another Editor’s note: According to wildlife Editor’s note: The photo was taken
colony. We thought you might be ecologist Brad Jacobs, it might be from our print archives. Unfortunately,
interested in knowing about these. impossible to determine why the the date and location were the only
Gene & Imogene Pierce, Lebanon martins left. It could have been related identifying details available. We are
now compiling a digital database of
our photos to guard against such loss
of detail in the future.
I enjoyed reading “Golden Anniversary
Wetland Initiative” in your March issue.
I’ve been coming to Missouri to hunt
Canada geese for over 30 years. I’ve
seen a lot of changes in hunting oppor-
tunity in given areas.
Swan lake National Wildlife Refuge
in the 70s and 80s was as good as it
gets. I’ve also hunted fountain Grove
CA and Duck Creek CA with great luck.
fountain Grove can still be an exciting
place to hunt geese.
I know that MDC isn’t involved with
Swan lake anymore, but as far as goose
FRuiT FighT! hunting goes, both Swan lake and
Joseph Mathews of Chesterfield caught these cedar waxwings competing for Duck Creek are known more for what
fruit in a grove of persimmon trees at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit. they were, than for what they are now.
Birds that eat fruit (seeds, nuts or berries) are known as “frugivores.” Including David Deike, Wellsburg, IA
native fruit-bearing trees, shrubs and vines in backyard landscaping will attract
birds such as waxwings, grosbreaks, cardinals, thrashers, orioles, woodpeckers, Editor’s Note: Swan Lake National
jays, chickadees and others. Visit www.GrowNative.org for more information. Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. For more
  Missouri Conservationist May 2006
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
information, check out their Web site at Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65102-
www.fws.gov/midwest/SwanLake/, 0387. Phone: [phone] or toll GOvERnOR Matt Blunt
contact John Guthrie, refuge manager, free: 800/392-2614. fax: [phone]. ThE COnsERvaTIOn COMMIssIOn
Stephen C. Bradford
at [email protected], or write to: e-mail: [email protected]. Web site:
Chip McGeehan
16194 Swan Lake Ave., Sumner, MO www.sos.mo.gov/wolfner. Cynthia Metcalfe
64681. Phone: [phone]. Fax: Assistance is also available through Lowell Mohler
660/856-3687. TTY: 800/877-8339. Social Services’ Rehabilitation Services DiRECTOR John Hoskins
ASSiSTANT DiRECTOR Denise Garnier
for the Blind, via the Center for Braille &
ASSiSTANT DiRECTOR John W. Smith
REsOuRCEs FOR REaDERs Narration. for more information, contact: ASSiSTANT DiRECTOR Stephen J. Wilson
WITh vIsuaL IMPaIRMEnT Center for Braille & Narration ASSiSTANT DiRECTOR Robert Ziehmer
iNTERNAL AuDiTOR Nancy Dubbert
the Wolfner library for the Blind and Production, Attn: Maureen Stocksick, gENERAL COuNSEL vacant
Physically handicapped is a free library Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the
DIvIsIOns
service for Missouri residents who are Blind, 615 howerton Ct., P.O. Box 2320, ADMiNiSTRATiVE SERViCES Carter Campbell
FiShERiES Steve Eder
unable to use standard print materials Jefferson City, MO 65102-2320. Phone:
FORESTRY Lisa G. Allen
due to visual or physical disabilities. for 573/526-0611 or call toll free: 800/592- huMAN RESOuRCES Debbie Strobel
OuTREACh & EDuCATiON Lorna Domke
more information, contact: 6004. fax: [phone]. e-mail:
PRiVATE LAND SERViCES vacant
Wolfner library, P.O. Box 387, 600 W. [email protected]. PROTECTiON Dennis Steward
RESOuRCE SCiENCE Dale D. Humburg
WiLDLiFE Dave Erickson
The letters printed here reflect readers’ opinions about the Conservationist and its
COnsERvaTIOnIsT sTaFF
contents. Space limitations prevent us from printing all letters, but we welcome signed
EDiTOR iN ChiEF Ara Clark
comments from our readers. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. MANAgiNg EDiTOR Nichole LeClair
ART DiRECTOR Cliff White
WRiTER/EDiTOR Tom Cwynar
Ask the Ombudsman OuTSiDE iN EDiTOR Joan McKee
ARTiST Dave Besenger
ARTiST Mark Raithel
PhOTOgRAPhER Jim Rathert
Q:i have some bird questions. What can i do about PhOTOgRAPhER Noppadol Paothong
STAFF WRiTER Jim Low
the crazy cardinal flying against my window?
DESigNER Susan Fine
also, what can we do about sparrows taking over our DESigNER Les Fortenberry
DESigNER Marci Porter
bluebird boxes?
CiRCuLATiON Laura Scheuler
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of-
a:territorial disputes are a regular issue with many birds
ficial monthly publication of the Missouri Department
and it appears your cardinal is having issues with its of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson
City, MO (Mailing address: P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City,
reflection. Whatever you can do to lessen or eliminate the re-
MO 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents;
flection will be helpful. Some remedies are a little unsightly, out of state $7 per year; out of country $10 per year.
Notification of address change must include both old
like mylar streamers hung in front of the window. Soaping the window is another
and new address (send mailing label with the subscriber
method which can discourage this sort of activity. for more information, see these number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical
two Web sites: www.missouriconservation.org/nathis/birds/emobirds/question.htm postage paid at Jefferson City, Mo., and at additional en-
try offices. Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circula-
and www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/AttractingBirds/Challenges/ tion, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone:
WindowCollisions.html. 573/751-4115. Copyright © 2006 by the Conservation
Commission of the State of Missouri.
house sparrows and european starlings are non-native species which have no
closed season according to Chapter 7 of the Missouri Wildlife Code. folks with nest Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from
boxes are often frustrated by the aggressive behavior of these two birds. As with programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation
is available to all individuals without regard to their race,
most problem animal issues, persistence is the key. Removing the nest is a first color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Questions
step, but eliminating the bird is the surest remedy. there are several strategies should be directed to the Department of Conservation,
P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, [phone]
which can be effective in discouraging unwanted nesters. here’s a Web site which
(voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to the U.S. Fish and
may be helpful: www.birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/resources/non_native. Wildlife Service Division of Federal Assistance, 4401
N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA
22203.
Ombudsman Ken Drenon will respond to your questions, suggestions or complaints
concerning Conservation Department programs. Write him at P.O. Box 180, Jefferson Printed in USA
City, MO 65102-0180, call him at 573/522-4115, ext. 3848, or e-mail him at
[email protected].   Printed on recycled paper with soy ink
www.MissouriConservation.org  
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  Missouri Conservationist May 2006
Off-ROad
developers!
Mountain biking group
creates a trail that makes
everyone happy.
by John Vogel
S
t. Charles County, which borders St.
Louis, has one of the fastest growing
populations in the state. Ask anyone
who grew up in the county and they
will tell you that its once “country-like” atmo-
sphere has become more “city-like.”
More people bring more demand for addi-
tional outdoor recreation opportunities. The
8,106-acre Weldon Spring Conservation Area
in St. Charles County has served as a popular
destination for hikers, hunters and birdwatch-
ers since it was purchased in 1978. Thanks to
the population boom, the area is now attract-
ing more non-traditional users.
For example, the local mountain biking
community has taken a liking to the Lost
Valley Trail on Weldon Springs. The trail has
always been open to bicycles, but in the past
only a small group of local mountain bikers
rode on it.
www.MissouriConservation.org  
The trail was an 8-mile loop that mainly followed support to help improve the Lost Valley Trail. The group
gravel service roads and old logging roads, many of proposed building some new sections of trail around
which were built in the early 1900s. Over time, several the more heavily eroded sections.
sections of the trail had become heavily eroded, which Initially, area managers had some concern about
made them difficult to hike, much less ride a bike on. allowing a volunteer group of off-road cyclists to build
In 2003, a local mountain biking organization called new trails that would be used by the public both for
the Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (GORC) contacted the hiking and biking. Would the trails be suitable for all
Missouri Department of Conservation and volunteered types of area users? Could they build new trails through
the area’s rough terrain that would stand up to heavy
Adopt a Trail use? Could they enlist enough volunteers willing to put
in the time to build new trails?
Help manage your favorite trail on one of Missouri’s conservation areas  
After inspecting some of the group’s prior projects
by participating in the Conservation Department’s Adopt-A-Trail program. 
and learning more about the trail-building expertise its
This volunteer program provides opportunities for hikers, bicyclists and 
members could offer, the Department decided GORC
equestrians to assist Conservation Area staff by monitoring, maintaining 
could be a valuable asset for the Lost Valley Trail. The
and enhancing trails and trailhead facilities. For more information about 
group even adopted the Lost Valley Trail though the
trails on conservation areas and the Adopt-A-Trail program, visit  
Department’s Adopt-A-Trail Program.
www.missouriconservation.org/trails.
About GoRC
GORC was founded in 1997 by John Donjoian, a local
engineer and an avid mountain biker. GORC started as
a small, grass-roots group of friends hoping to improve
some of their favorite biking trails. In the last few years,
GORC has expanded into a well-respected group of trail
designers and builders.
The club’s 200 members have donated more than
10,000 hours of volunteer labor to design and build
more than 20 miles of new trails and maintain and
improve more than 50 miles of existing trails for
federal, state, local and private agencies. Their work has
helped to expand mountain biking opportunities in the
greater St. Louis area.
GORC is affiliated with the International Mountain
Bicycling Association (IMBA), a nonprofit educational
association whose mission is to create, enhance and
preserve trail opportunities for mountain bikers world-
wide. IMBA encourages low-impact riding, volunteer
trail-work participation, cooperation among different
trail user groups, grass-roots advocacy, and innovative
trail management solutions.
Several of the GORC members have attended profes-
sional training programs taught by IMBA to learn more
about multi-use trail design and building techniques.
GORC members also offer a one-day trail-building class
to teach land managers new trail-building techniques.
e
t
hI
W buildinG A new tRAil
f
f
ClI Repairs on the Lost Valley Trail involved routing three
gORC volunteers used hand tools to cut erosion-resistent new trails around heavily damaged sections. The new
trail sections into the slopes at Weldon Spring. They toiled trails had to be designed to dry out quickly so muddy
more than 1,000 hours to improve the Lost Valley Trail. spots would not develop from the heavy amount of
  Missouri Conservationist May 2006
foot traffic and bike use. One of the new trails even
involved building a small footbridge to cross a wet-
weather drainage.
The project took place in two phases. The first phase
was a section of trail just over a mile long that was
built in early 2004. The second phase consisted of two
new trails totaling almost a mile in length that were
finished in Spring 2005.
Designing and building the new trails started with
survey work to determine the best routes. The routes h
C
needed to be scenic, yet require minimum future UzI
R
y
maintenance. M
e
R
Most of the trail building took place during eight Je
workdays. An average of 25 volunteers showed up The improved Lost Valley Trail opens up the Weldon
each of those days to work on the trail. By the time the Spring Conservation Area to more recreational use.
project was completed, the volunteers had worked more
the Results
than 1,000 hours.
Because the terrain at Weldon Spring CA is often too The trail improvements have made the Lost Valley
steep and rocky for motorized equipment, the volunteers Trail a popular destination for both mountain bikers
built the new trails entirely with hand tools. First, they and hikers. The trail now offers a 9-mile loop through
cut the trail corridors, using handsaws and loppers to the hilly, oak/hickory forest of the Weldon Spring CA.
remove small saplings and tree branches. Next, they Sections of the trail still use existing service roads on
“grubbed” out the new trail, bench-cutting it into the the area, but the new sections wind through mature
hillsides, using Pulaskis, McLeods, and pick-axes to forests on semi-technical, single-track trails. You can
move dirt. Their goal was to create a trail surface, or ride or hike past a small waterfall along a creek or near
“tread,” with enough slope to let water drain off while a turn-of-the-century homestead and cemetery. Special
still providing a stable walking and riding surface. After features built into the new trail, like the stonework on
they smoothed its surface, the trail was ready for use. both sides of one of the creek crossings, help to protect
the trail from erosion and keep sediment from entering
the creek.
Riding on Conservation Areas
Because Weldon Spring Conservation Area is open
 Mountain bikers share trails and conservation areas with other people 
until 10 p.m., the Lost Valley Trail offers the unique
enjoying the outdoors. Riders will minimize conflicts with other users by 
challenge of night riding to experienced bikers. The
adhering to the following rules and guidelines:
late hours also allow a hiking or biking opportunity to
1. Ride only on open, designated trails. 
those whose workdays end at sunset.
2.  Groups of more than 10 riders have to obtain a special-use 
The trail also provides hunters, birdwatchers and a
permit from the area manager (see page 1 for regional office 
variety of other area users easier access to the Weldon
phone numbers). 
Spring CA.
3. Be polite and ready to yield the right of way. 
If you plan to visit the Weldon Spring CA to enjoy
4. Always alert others to your presence.  the Lost Valley Trail, remember that the area is open
5. Never scare or chase wildlife. during most hunting seasons. You can check at the
6. Guard against erosion by not riding when the trail is muddy.  Department’s St. Louis Regional Office for more details
7. Equip your bike and yourself with safety equipment.  on current hunting seasons.
8. Carry a cell phone and tell others where you will be riding. For more information about trail riding at Weldon
9.  Where bicycling is allowed during hunting season, avoid riding  Spring Conservation Area, call 636/441-4554, or go
during the prime hunting periods of early morning and late  to www.missouriconservation.org and type the area’s
afternoon. When on the trail during hunting season, wear  name into the search field. For information about the
bright colors, preferably hunter orange, for maximum visibility. Gateway Off-Road Cyclists go to www.gorctrails.com.
Their Web site has information about club meetings
10. Leave no litter.
and activities, and it provides numerous links to other
biking sites. s
www.MissouriConservation.org  
Learning
from our
Landowners
A recent Department survey tells us who you are, 
what you need, and how we can better serve you.
by brad mccord, photos by cliff White
Like many Midwestern states, Missouri has seen a shift in land own-
ership in recent years. Landowners are giving more consideration to
devoting land to recreational uses such as hunting, fishing and the
overall enjoyment of natural communities. They are also beginning
to manage their land with these objectives in mind. However, agriculture
and the production of food and fiber remain priorities for most landown-
ers. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture by the United States
Department of Agriculture, 43 percent of the land in Missouri is considered
cropland, with another 11 percent each devoted to both pasture and woods.
Landowners contact the Department of Conservation daily to inquire
about technical or financial assistance, equipment availability, or to stay in
touch with their local conservation agents. Providing beneficial steward-
ship advice to these individuals engaged in improving and managing fish,
forest, and wildlife resources in the state has been a Department priority
for years. To that end, the Department’s Private Land Services Division
developed a survey to gain a better understanding of our performance
when working with landowners.
In addition to assessing landowner satisfaction with our services, the
survey sought to learn more about the needs of landowners contacting us for
assistance. How much land do they own? What types of assistance are they
interested in receiving? What management practices are important to them?
Private landowners who contacted the Department for assistance from
the years 2000 through 2004 were selected to receive the survey, which was
based on previous on-site visits, the development of management plans for
fish, forest, or wildlife resources, and experiences with financial assistance.
In April 2005, a Landowner Assistance Program Survey asking 18
questions was mailed to 6,563 Missourians. Fortunately for many spe-
cies of wildlife, Missouri landowners have a long-held tradition of being
Ninety-five percent of the respondents said the management practices
recommended by the Department either “helped very much” or “somewhat.”
  Missouri Conservationist May 2006