ebook img

Missouri Conservationist May 2017 PDF

2017·7.5 MB·English
Save to my drive
Quick download
Download
Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.

Preview Missouri Conservationist May 2017

Missouri C onservationist VOLUME 78, ISSUE 5, MAY 2017 • SERVING NATURE & YOU NOTE TO OUR READERS My Friend Bennett and the Healing Power of the Outdoors D ays may go by when my calendar reflects only meetings and other responsibilities that keep me indoors, so I relish those days when the job takes me outdoors. Almost immediately, I notice the difference: my mood lifts, my shoulders relax, I breathe more deeply, and I simply feel better. According to a study released last month, I’m not alone in appreciating the outdoors. Nearly 75 percent of adults agree that getting into nature is important for one’s physical health and emotional outlook. Such was the case during this year’s opening day of trout season at Bennett Spring State Park. Being a part of opening day is definitely a perk of the job, but the pinnacle of this day was the release of a rehabilitated immature bald eagle. This gorgeous young eagle, named Bennett by his caretakers at World Bird Sanctuary (WBS), had been hit by a vehicle, but was now ready to return to the wild. WBS staff instructed me on how to hold this majestic raptor so that both of us survived the release uninjured. I held Bennett snuggly against me, my arms cradling his wings, and my hands Above: Joe securing his legs so that he could not use his talons Hoffmann, director against me. My heart was racing, as I’m sure his was of rehabilitation as well. As the crowd counted down, I launched and rescue at WBS, him up and out to freedom. Director Sara Parker Bennett has stayed close to the park, given Pauley, Conservation its steady supply of trout. He’s not alone. The area Commissioner Marilynn is so attractive to birds it is included in the Great Bradford, and WBS Missouri Birding Trail, an online resource that Executive Director identifies the state’s best birding sites (see The Great Brian Bissonnette Missouri Birding Trail Takes Flight, Page 10). take a moment with I recognize we can’t all release an eagle to the Bennett the bald eagle wild, but we can all experience the positive effects of before he’s released time outdoors. Our Missouri outdoors is calling, ready back into the wild and willing to reinvigorate and inspire us. So let’s turn at Bennett Spring off the devices, my friends, and head to healing waters. State Park (right). —Sara Parker Pauley, director CONTENTS May 2017, Volume 78, Issue 5 FEATURES Cover: A male blue grosbeak in spring, photographed by Noppadol Paothong. You can spot 10 The Great Missouri Birding Trail Takes Flight cool birds like this one by checking out the Great by Kristie Hilgedick Missouri Birding Trail. Learn more on Page 10. A new online resource features the state’s best birding spots 600mm lens + 1.4x teleconverter • f/7.1 1/1250 sec • ISO 500 16 Be Bear Aware by Wyatt Layman Learning to coexist with bears is a rewarding challenge DEPARTMENTS 2 Letters 22 Ready, Willing, and Empowered 4 Hunting & Fishing Calendar by Kristie Hilgedick 4 Agent Notes Missourians with disabilities go afield with adaptive 5 Ask MDC gear and a little help from their friends 6 News & Events 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 7. May 2017  Missouri Conservationist 1 LETTERS Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity. Tower Grove Park gone to this park because it is too beautiful As a longtime birder, I’d like to praise Danny I was so happy to see the article on my favorite not to share. This is one of my favorite parks in Brown for his excellent feature and superb park in the city [Tower Grove Park; March; Page St. Louis, even though it’s quite a trip out from photographs of native birds found in Tower 16]. When we lived in the neighborhood, I used Franklin County. But it’s totally worth it. Grove Park. Also regarding the Conservationist to speed walk in the park every morning. There Thank you for the great articles! editorial staff, they deserve praise for adhering was always something new and interesting to Eunice Fields, New Haven to traditionally good English by not capitalizing encounter — a new bird song, a tree I hadn’t common names of the birds mentioned in the noticed before, or an opossum on the walking I enjoyed your story on Tower Grove Park, article. Case in point, the American robin by any path, blindly wandering toward me. especially the pictures of the birds. I wish I lived other name is best known as a robin. Even though we moved out of the close to the park. Please give us more on the James P. Jackson, Washington neighborhood and I can no longer walk well, I birds in Missouri and where they can be found. still go to the park often to visit favorite trees Thanks, Danny Brown. Great job! App-reciation and listen to the birds sing. It’s truly a gem in Jo O’Connell, St. Charles Congrats, MDC, on the app. I enjoy using it, the the city and always in my heart. historical data, and convenience. Works great! Kelli Tovar, via email Thanks for the walk down memory lane with Andrew Hood, Blue Springs Tower Grove Park. As a child I would take the I really enjoyed your story on Tower Grove Park. Bates bus to the end of the line then walk to the It was easy to renew my hunting and fishing I have been there many times and am awed by middle of the park to the wading pool with a big licenses on the app. I’m glad it was an option. the most beautiful birds, landscapes, dazzling fountain in the middle. It was so fun. Leland P. Hawk, via Facebook architecture, and ponds. My children have also Dorothy Hittner, St. Louis Editors’ note: The MO Hunting and MO Fishing apps, available for Android and iPhone, allow hunters and anglers to purchase and view permits on their mobile device. For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZwP Wildfire Thank you for the story in the March issue, Answering the Call [Page 24]. I never realized how much training and hard work went into controlling and preventing fires. I lived in the country before moving to town and learned how quickly fires from trash get out of hand. Keep up the good work. Mary Bryan, Franklin City January Issue Reader Photo A Whole New World Well you finally outdid yourselves. I’m referring Erin Volker captured this photo of a fledgling robin in her Springfield to the January 2017 issue. It was informative, backyard, where she sees a lot of birds. “It is always exciting when a new encouraging, and enlightening. Continue to species shows up,” said Volker. “I try to learn new species as much as possible. march on! One thing I would like to see you do I really try to listen even more than looking. I can tell when the cardinals is encourage the Boy and Girl Scouts. In so many are out, even from inside the house, when I hear their ‘peter peters.’” Volker ways, they are your future. Life is not as easy describes herself as a nature lover and says her family loves floating Missouri’s today for the Scouts as it was when I was a Scout Ozark streams. When she isn’t taking pictures, Volker enjoys doing artwork. in the 1930s and 1940s. William F. Lewis, Edina 2 Missouri Conservationist  May 2017 Missouri C onservationist SUBSCRIPTIONS Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249 Address: Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180 Email: [email protected] GOVERNOR Eric R. Greitens Conser vationist online services: Subscribe to the magazine, update your mailing address, or sign THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Don C. Bedell up to receive an email when the latest issue is James T. Blair, IV available online at mdc.mo.gov/conmag Marilynn J. Bradford Cost o f subscriptions: Free to Missouri households David W. Murphy Out of State $7 per year Director Sara Parker Pauley Out of Country $10 per year Deputy Director Thomas A. Draper Please allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Deputy Director Aaron Jeffries ASK MDC Deputy Director Jennifer Battson Warren General Counsel Jennifer Frazier Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 Internal Auditor Lisa Wehmeyer Address: Ask MDC, PO Box 180, DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS Jefferson City 65102-0180 DIVISION CHIEFS Phone: 573-751-4115 Administrative Services Cyndi Voss Email: [email protected] 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 Human Resources Thomas Neubauer Address: Magazine Editor, PO Box 180, Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Outreach & Education Joanie H. Straub Jefferson City 65102-0180 Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Private Land Services Bill White Email: [email protected] Protection Larry D. Yamnitz Kansas City: 816-622-0900 Resource Science Mike Hubbard Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 READER PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Wildlife Jason Sumners Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 Flickr: flickr.com/groups/mdc-readerphotos-2017 Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 Email: [email protected] CONSERVATIONIST STAFF Editor Angie Daly Morfeld St. Louis: 636-441-4554 Address: Missouri Conservationist, Reader Photo, 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 Staff Writer Kristie Hilgedick Staff Writer Joe Jerek MDC Online Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites. Photographer Noppadol Paothong Photographer David Stonner Blog: mdc.mo.gov/blogs Missouri Conservationist: mdc.mo.gov/conmag Designer Les Fortenberry Designer Marci Porter Facebook: facebook.com/moconservation Missouri Department of Conservation: mdc.mo.gov Designer Stephanie Thurber Flickr: flickr.com/photos/mdc_online Nature Shop: mdcnatureshop.com Circulation Laura Scheuler Instagram: instagram.com/moconservation Twitter: twitter.com/MDC_Online and Nature_Videos The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of- YouTube: youtube.com/user/moconservation ficial monthly publication of the Missouri Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year; out of country $10 Kids’ magazine per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address (send mailing label with the subscrib- er number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional Six times a year we’ll bring you eye-popping entry offices. Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circula- art, photos, and stories about Missouri’s tion, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Copyright © 2017 by the coolest critters, niftiest natural places, and Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. liveliest outdoor activities. Come outside Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from with us and XPLOR! programs of the Missouri Department of Conserva- tion is available to all individuals without regard to A Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner their race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Questions should be directed to the Department of Missouri residents: FREE (one subscription per household) Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, Out of state: $5 per year; Out of country: $8 per year 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to A guardian’s name and address is required with the subscription. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Federal Please allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP- 4020, Arlington, VA 22203. Sign up Now! mdc.mo.gov/xplor | 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249 Printed with soy ink May 2017  Missouri Conservationist 3 HUNTING & FISHING CALENDAR FISHING OPEN CLOSE Black Bass Impo unded waters and most streams All year None north of the Missouri River Most streams south of the Missouri River 05/27/17 02/28/18 Bullfrogs and Green Frogs 06/30/17 10/31/17 at sunset Nongame Fish Gigging Imp ounded Waters sunrise to sunset 02/01/17 09/14/17 Stre ams and Impounded Waters sunrise to midnight 09/15/17 01/31/18 Paddlefish Mississippi River 03/15/17 05/15/17 09/15/17 12/15/17 Agent Notes Trout Parks Catch-and-Keep 03/01/17 10/31/17 Sharing the Experience Catch-and-Release 11/10/17 02/12/18 of the Outdoors HUNTING OPEN CLOSE Bullfrogs and Green Frogs 06/30/17 10/31/17 at sunset AT A VERY young age, I was taught Coyote (restrictions apply during April, All year None not only to enjoy, but also respect, the spring turkey season, and firearms outdoors and natural resources we are deer season) so fortunate to have in Missouri. Deer Whether I was on my first Archery 09/15/17 11/10/17 deer hunt with my father, fishing, or just taking in the 11/22/17 01/15/18 view, I enjoyed being outside. As conservationists, it is our Firearms Early Youth Portion 10/28/17 10/29/17 responsibility to share these experiences so others can learn November Portion 11/11/17 11/21/17 about and respect the resources we have. Late Youth Portion 11/24/17 11/26/17 When I make contact with people, I enjoy hearing about Antlerless Portion (open areas only) 12/01/17 12/03/17 outdoor experiences they will never forget. I also look forward Alternative Methods Portion 12/23/17 01/02/18 to sharing many outdoor activities and experiences with my Groundhog (woodchuck) 05/08/17 12/15/17 children, as generations before have done for me. I encourage Pheasant you to take the opportunity to share your outdoor experiences Youth 10/28/17 10/29/17 with others. You may not realize how much of an impact you Regular 11/01/17 01/15/18 Quail have. By sharing outdoor experiences, we all do our part to Youth 10/28/17 10/29/17 protect and manage our fish, forest, and wildlife resources. Regular 11/01/17 01/15/18 Rabbit 10/01/17 02/15/18 Mark McNeely is the conservation agent for DeKalb County. Squirrel 05/27/17 02/15/18 If you would like to contact the agent for your county, phone your Turkey regional conservation office listed on Page 3. Archery 09/15/17 11/10/17 11/22/17 01/15/18 Firearms Spring 04/17/17 05/07/17 Fall 10/01/17 10/31/17 Operation Game Thief Waterfowl see the Waterfowl Hunting Digest or short.mdc.mo.gov/ZZx Help put game thieves out of business. If you see a possible violation in progress, call your county conservation agent For complete information about seasons, limits, methods, and restrictions, consult the Wildlife Code immediately or dial the toll-free number 800-392-1111. of Missouri and the current summaries of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Missouri Fishing Regulations, The Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information, the Fall Deer & Turkey All information is kept in strict confidence. Desirable Hunting Regulations and Information, the Waterfowl Hunting Digest, and the Migratory Bird Hunting information includes names of violators, vehicle description Digest. For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZZf or permit vendors. and license number, as well as the violation location. 4 Missouri Conservationist  May 2017 at all. Florida Key deer produce 1.2 fetuses Ask MDC per mature female, probably due to in- tense competition for limited resources. Mother’s Day through late June is a good time to watch for fawns. Are swarms of honeybees Address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 dangerous? Should I be Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 Email: [email protected] concerned if I see one? Honeybees begin to swarm in early May, and the sight of a cloud of bees certainly can be alarming. But don’t be worried — swarming is just the natural method bees use to create new colonies. The swarming process happens when a colony becomes overpopulated and a portion of the worker bees no longer receive the queen’s pheromone signals. These workers then create a new queen bee. Because there is only space for one queen in any colony, the old queen flies off with a part of the colony to establish a new nest before the new queen emerges. Swarming bees fly in a cluster with the worker bees gathered around the Wood duck ducklings queen. Because queen bees are not strong fliers, the swarm will sometimes When do wood ducks capable of producing three or even four temporarily pause to rest on tree hatch in Missouri? fawns, reproductive potential is closely branches, fence posts, picnic tables, Nesting occurs between April and the linked to body condition, which is linked etc. Meanwhile, scout bees — the most end of June, making early May a good to available nutrition.” experienced foragers — search for time to watch for ducklings. Currently in Missouri, deer suitable nesting sites. Wood ducks build their nests in trees populations are generally at or slightly Honeybees are usually not aggressive near water. New ducklings need a lot of below the land’s biological carrying while swarming. Why? Without a brood protein to grow and develop feathers, capacity, a phrase that describes when or food stores to defend, the swarm’s so they can be found gathering insects deer numbers are in balance with greater focus is finding a new nesting site around moist soil or shallow water with available habitat and animals are in for their queen. sparse vegetation. good condition. Caution is still in order — swarming The wood duck is the only North In areas where forage is extremely bees may be less likely to sting, but they American duck that commonly nutritious and plentiful, the likelihood will still defend themselves if they feel produces two broods in one breeding of triplets (and the very rare occurrence threatened. season. For more information, visit of quadruplets) increases. In one Although honeybees are not native allaboutbirds.org. Michigan deer herd fed supplemental to North America, this species is known rations, 14 percent of the mature does as the Missouri state insect. Colonists How often do you see had triplets at least once in a several- introduced the bees from Germany, and a doe with triplets? year period, a rate higher than most today wild populations occur throughout G N O “Triplets are not common in most free-ranging populations. the state. Honeybees are the major H OT A Missouri counties today,” said Kevyn Conversely, in areas where nutrition pollinator of many field crops and almost OL P D Wiskirchen, MDC resource scientist. is limited, single offspring are more com- all tree fruits, making it the world’s most A PP O “Although mature female deer are mon, and some does may not enter estrus beneficial insect. N May 2017  Missouri Conservationist 5 NEWS & EVENTS by Joe Jerek Squirrel, Black Bass Seasons Open Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day weekend is significant for squir- rel hunters and black bass anglers in Missouri. The Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 27, marks the opening of both squirrel season state- wide and catch-and-keep bass season in most streams south of the Missouri River. SQUIRRELS Hunters can pursue fox and gray squirrels from May 27 through Feb. 15, 2018, with rifles, shot- guns, and other legal firearms methods, along with archery equipment, slingshots, or atlatls. The daily limit for hunting and trapping is 10, with a possession limit of 20. Valid permits for squir- rel hunting include archery hunting, daily small game, small game hunting and fishing, and small game hunting. Hunters with valid permits can also take squir- rels with cage-type traps. Traps must be plainly labeled on a durable material with the user’s full name and address or conservation number. Squirrel traps must have openings measuring 144 square inches or less, for instance, 12 inches by 12 inches. Hunters must tend to their traps daily. The same regulations apply to rabbits and groundhogs during their respective seasons. For more information on squirrel hunting, check out the 2017 Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations, available where permits are sold or online at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zwa. BLACK BASS The black bass catch-and-keep season applies to most streams south of the Missouri River for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted or Kentucky bass and runs from May 27 to Feb. 28, 2018. Anglers may catch these species legally all year, anywhere in the state. They may keep legal-sized bass caught from impoundments all year long, statewide. In most of the state’s waters, the daily limit on black bass is six. Black bass taken from streams must be at least 12 N Squirrel hunting season irnecghuelas tiloonnsg mina ym aopspt lya rteoa ss.p eAcdifidcit iwonaatel rssp oerc iafirc- OPPADO begins May 27 and runs eas. Anglers must have a valid fishing permit or L PAO through Feb. 15, 2018. TH be exempt. ON G 6 Missouri Conservationist  May 2017 Find Places to Discover Nature For more information on bass fishing, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZwR or check out the 2017 Does spring fever have you itching to Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations, avail- get outside? Do you enjoy hiking, biking, able where permits are sold. hunting, fishing, photography, shooting sports, wildlife watching, or other out- Get Hooked on Fishing door activities? Let the MDC website help Get hooked on fishing with Free Fishing Days June you find Places to Go to discover nature on 10 and 11. During this event, anyone can fish in the our more than 1,000 conservation areas, Show-Me State without purchasing a fishing per- accesses, shooting ranges, nature centers, mit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Normal and more all around the Show-Me State. regulations remain in effect, such as limits on size Visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Z4V and search and number of fish an angler can keep. Special by activity, facility, natural feature, city, permits can still be required at some county, city, county, zip code, or specific area. See our or private fishing areas. Trespass laws remain in featured Places to Go — Wah’Kon-Tah Wah’Kon-Tah Prairie effect on private property. Prairie — in this issue on Page 32. Conservation makes Missouri a great place to fish, and Free Fishing Days encourages people to sample the state’s abundant fishing opportuni- ties. Missouri has more than a million acres of sur- face water, and most of it provides great fishing. More than 200 different fish species are found in Missouri, with more than 20 of them being game fish for the state’s more than 1.1 million anglers. For information on Missouri fishing regula- tions, permit requirements, fish identification, and more, get a copy of 2017 Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations where permits are sold or online at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zw9. Auction in Salem We will hold our next semi-annual public auction of used MDC vehicles and equipment June 10 at 10 a.m. at the Salem Maintenance Center, located at the junction of Highway 72 and Highway 32. The auction will include boats, outboard motors, tractors, dozers, farm equip- ment, vehicles, and more. Cash, check, and credit/debit cards will be ac- WHAT IS IT? cepted. As required by state statute, MDC must charge a convenience fee to all customers who pay by credit or debit card. Checkered Madtom | Notorus flavater Those interested can view auction items The checkered madtom is a moderately small catfish with a yellowish back and four June 9 at the Salem Maintenance Center from prominent black crossbars down the length of its body. Its upper jaw protrudes beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with preregistration starting at its lower jaw, revealing saw-like teeth. The checkered madtom can reach 6.7 inches in 9 a.m. Registration the day of the sale begins length, and is found in the southern Ozarks from the upper White River east to the Current at 7:30 a.m. A complete lot listing and terms of River. It is less abundant than other madtoms and seems to be declining in the White River sales will be available at the registration desk system. Little is known about the habits and life history of this fish. Like other madtoms, it NER the day of the auction. A list of auction items is secretive and nocturnal, remaining under cover in the daytime and actively searching the N D STO will be available online the week before the bottoms for food at night. —photograph by Jim Rathert AVI auction at mdc.mo.gov/auction. D May 2017  Missouri Conservationist 7 [ ] NEWS & EVENTS Plant for Pollinators May brings to mind Mother’s Day for many, and flowers are a popular gift. Give the gift of native flowers this May by planting native flowering plants. Whether you have a small urban lot or balcony, a suburban yard or rural acreage, you can include native plants in your landscape. Various types thrive in sun, shade, wet, or dry conditions. Missouri’s wide variety of native plants creates beauty and interest with their foliage, flowers, and fruits. They also furnish food and cover for important pollinators, such as butterflies, bees, birds, and other wildlife. Native plants make gardening easier because they are adapted to our climate and soils, require little or no extra water- ing, and seldom require fertilizer or pesticides. Get tips, types, infor- mation, and instructions from the free MDC pub- lication Native Plants for Your Landscape available online at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoZ, by emailing a request to [email protected], or by calling 573-751-4115, ext. 3630. Wildlife Management for Missouri Landowners This free booklet provides new and updated information on wildlife habitat needs and improved habitat management techniques for grasslands, native prairies, wetlands, uplands, forests, woodlands, and savannas. Blue-winged warbler Private landowners in Missouri are responsible for the care and management of over 90 percent Wild Webcast: Missouri Birds and Birding of land in the state. The continued survival of Join our Wild Webcast: Missouri Birds and Birding May 10 from 1–2 p.m. to learn about: Missouri’s fish, forests, and wildlife — and their » Common birds found in Missouri habitats — depend on conservation steward- » Building bird habitat in backyards and on big acreage ship by private landowners. This publication is a » Birding for beginners landowner’s and land manager’s guide to imple- » The Great Missouri Birding Trail, and more menting quality land MDC staff with personal and professional expertise with birds and birding will provide management practices a brief presentation and then answer questions from webcast participants. Register at that will protect and short.mdc.mo.gov/Zwy. conserve these valu- Watch previous MDC Wild Webcasts on Talking Hogs, The Buzz About Pollinators, Be able resources. Request N Bear Aware, The Fight Against Chronic Wasting Disease, and Discover Nature — Fishing at a copy by emailing pub- OPPA short.mdc.mo.gov/ZwE. MDC will also offer Wild Webcasts on mountain lions in Septem- [email protected] or DO ber and invasive species in November. by calling 573-751-4115, L PAO TH ext. 3630. ON G 8 Missouri Conservationist  May 2017

See more

The list of books you might like

Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.