Missouri Conservationist November 2020

2020·5.2 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

MISSOURI
VOLUME 81, ISSUE 11, NOVEMBER 2020
SERVING NATURE & YOU
CONSERVATIONIST
Discover
NNAATTUURR EE
2021 Natural
Events Calendar
Keep in touch with the year’s
seasonal changes. Each month offers
a reminder of the state’s natural
treasures, and daily notes keep
you posted on what’s blooming
or nesting. 01-0364 — $9
Available for sale at MDC order yours today at
nature centers and regional mdcnatureshop.com
offices around the state. Due
to COVID-19, some locations
may be temporarily closed,
so please check status or call toll-free 877-521-8632
online at mdc.mo.gov
or call before visiting. Applicable tax, shipping & handling costs will apply
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
Contents
NOVEMBER 2020
VOLUME 81, ISSUE 11
10
ON THE COVER
Fall color in
southeast Missouri
: DAVID STONNER
24mm lens, f/4
1/120 sec, ISO 400
GOVERNOR
Michael L. Parson
THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
CHAIR Don C. Bedell
VICE CHAIR Wm. L. (Barry) Orscheln
SECRETARY Mark L. McHenry
MEMBER Steven D. Harrison
DIRECTOR
Sara Parker Pauley
DEPUTY DIRECTORS
Mike Hubbard, Aaron Jeffries,
Jennifer Battson Warren
MAGAZINE STAFF
MAGAZINE MANAGER
Stephanie Thurber
16
EDITOR
Angie Daly Morfeld
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Larry Archer
STAFF WRITERS
Bonnie Chasteen, Kristie Hilgedick,
FEATURES Joe Jerek
ART DIRECTOR
10 Cliff White
22 DESIGNERS
Healthy Streams, Shawn Carey, Marci Porter
Healthy State PHOTOGRAPHERS
Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner
A partnership between MDC and CIRCULATION MANAGER
the Stream Stewardship Trust Fund Laura Scheuler
protects Missouri’s flowing waters. mdc.mo.gov/conmag
by Bill Graham
DEPARTMENTS
16
2 Inbox
Nature’s Holiday Décor
3 Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley
Bringing the outside in.
4 Nature Lab
by Candice Davis
5 In Brief OM
22 ME.C
28 Get Outside MSTI
oWWbyf o aLergaktrairlniayng snA twr d—cihth enR r—aet uisnretso.teraadt ion 333230 PWOluailtcdde oGs ouTroi dC Geaolendar Pecans PECANS: (C) EALISA | DREA mDipshsoduowcenn. etmloo o oayrdo. tga utobhr vilse/ tm aot con.
Download for
Android
Inbox
me proud of my home state of Missouri and the
Letters to the Editor ELK Missouri Department of Conservation’s efforts to
Submissions reflect The elk hunting story in the September issue was restore the majestic wapiti. What a fantastic sight!
readers’ opinions and very inspiring [History Calling, Page 22]. When I was Makes me a little homesick, too.
may be edited for length little, one of my uncles had a copy of Wild Mammals John Benda Superior, Montana
and clarity. Email
of Missouri. The saddest part of the book for me was
[email protected]
the mammals that were no longer here — bison, SEEDLINGS
or write to us:
mountain lion, elk, and gray wolves. Now, we have I have been reading the Missouri Conservationist
MISSOURI
a scattered population of mountain lion, a semi- since I was a teenager. It was always on our footstool
CONSERVATIONIST
wild population of bison at Prairie State Park, and a in the living room and my father read it cover to
PO BOX 180
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 population of elk that can be hunted. I have hoped cover. He was a big outdoorsman. That was in the
and dreamed of this all my life! 1960s. I have subscribed to this magazine ever
Gale Roberts via email since, and I always enjoy reading it. This edition’s
seedling descriptions were so valuable [September,
After receiving my September issue, I feel Seedling Order Form special insert]. As I was reading
compelled to write for the first time in my 67 years. it, I remember many of the trees featured that my
I must commend and congratulate your staff for the mother planted in our yard. I will keep this magazine
critical and enormously important work you do. Your in my library for identification of trees and shrubs.
monthly magazine gives us a constant reminder of Thank you for a great and informative publication.
the beauty of all creation, which never changes and Susan L. Robinson Lee’s Summit
helps sustain us during these difficult times. Thank
you for everything you do and please never stop I love your magazine and eagerly look forward to
doing it. getting it every month. I like how you have photos
David Dunavant Chesterfield of beneficial insects. I’ve destroyed some “good
bugs” just because they were so awful looking.
I saw and thought, oh nice elk on the cover of Also thank you for selling seedlings at such
SEPTEMBER ISSUE my Montana Outdoor magazine. Wait a minute — affordable prices. I’ve planted so many, and some
What a great issue that’s the Missouri Conservationist! I have kept a are fair-sized trees now.
this month! I’ve subscription to the Conservationist since I left my Vera Brubacker Latham
subscribed for home state in 1990. As I grew up in Missouri, I
many years, and developed a great passion for hunting deer and LIFETIME INFLUENCER
am always pleased turkey to a degree I decided to move west to The Missouri Conservationist has been such an
with the content. expand my hunting opportunities. Keeping my informative and enjoyable magazine in our home.
This month you subscription to the Conservationist has kept me We celebrated our 68th wedding anniversary this
outdid yourselves. connected to my birth state since I resettled in year, and the Conservationist had an important
Well done and western Montana. I see elk every week in my daily influence on our two sons. They both grew up
thank you. travels, and I hunt them by bow and rifle, seldom fishing and hunting — and one became a Missouri
traveling further than 15 miles from my home. Your Conservation agent! You never know what can play
Chuck Moylan
Lake Lotawana September cover of the young six-point elk proudly an important part in a life.
standing atop a hardwood Missouri Ozark hill made Stan and Judy Burger Carl Junction
Conservation Headquarters Have a
Connect With Us!
573-751-4115 | PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Question for a
Commissioner?
/moconservation Regional Offices
Send a note using
@moconservation Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 our online
Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900 Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 contact form at
@MDC_online Kansas City: 816-622-0900 St. Louis: 636-441-4554 mdc.mo.gov/
Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 commissioners.
2 Missouri Conservationist | November 2020
Up
Want to see your photos
in the Missouri Conservationist? Front
Share your photos on Flickr at
flickr.com/groups/mdcreaderphotos-2020,
email [email protected],
or include the hashtag #mdcdiscovernature
on your Instagram photos.
with Sara Parker Pauley
_ This past month the department held its annual Missouri
Conservation Partners Roundtable, but the first in a virtual
format. We were concerned about the effects of these important
face-to-face conversations with key partners transitioning to
computer screens and imperfect technology, yet were elated when
over 680 partners and organizations registered for the event.
One highlight was our keynote speaker, Simon Roosevelt,
the great, great grandson of President Teddy Roosevelt, and
1 a national conservation leader in his own right. His virtual
presentation was delivered in front of a grand fireplace —
one I could envision Teddy sitting in front of with colleagues
1 | Millstream 2
Gardens discussing the future of conservation in our nation.
Conservation Simon’s words were rich. He noted current challenges are
Area by Diana
many, but what is needed in our deeply divided country is unity
Zelle, via email
of purpose, much like when President Roosevelt brought together
2 | Persimmons divergent leaders to discuss, debate, and design the conservation
by John Foehner,
legacy that survives to this day. He noted Missouri’s own conser-
via Flickr
vation history was founded and funded largely by our diverse citi-
3 | Tank likes
zenry. He believed if unity could happen, it would happen here.
the mallards by
I thought of this as I listened to our virtual roundtable
ozarkhunter,
via Instagram sessions — to rich conversations among our diverse partners,
all considering current challenges and discussing possible paths
forward. I, too, was filled with hope that if unity were possible,
3
it was possible here.
I’m certain Simon’s great, great grandfather Teddy was
looking down from above, perhaps sitting in front of a grand
fireplace, confident in the possibilities ahead.
SARA PARKER PAULEY, DIRECTOR
[email protected]
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri De-
partment of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box
180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit mdc.mo.gov/conmag, or call 573-522-4115,
MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS ext. 3856 or 3249. Free to adult Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year; out of
O country $10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address (send mailing
HOT label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage paid at Jefferson
M P City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send correspondence to Circulation, PO
OF FULL SPECTRU BbEtaigqoyo eunxt, h a 1islse 8e o aC0xpvuo,ap anJiollesa roefbtfurrelivenera sintttooiyton a atn tolCil o Ciipntnoya,d m,r vitMveimcitdOieipusr a6saatinl5oes 1 nswi0n toai2 tafth- un0tohsd1u,e 8tob 0Srree t.nd agPeitashefiar odtob n ffit reloMio:t myt5ih.s 7 esQpo3irruu- o5rergas2i.crt2aeio-m, 4nc1sos 1 loso5hfr ,,ot ehruexelltd i.Mg 3biio8esns 5d,o 6niur aeroitcr i Dto3ene2dpa4 lta9 oor. t rtmCihgoeeipn nD,yt rs eoiepgfx ahC,r taot m©nnc see2ens0rttv2 roay0f-,
Don Steven Mark Barry OTJAN Ctoo Cnsheiervf,a Ptiuobnl,i cP OCi vBiol xR i1g8h0ts, ,J Oeffffiecreso onf CCiitvyi,l MRiOgh 6ts5,1 U0.2S,. 5D7e3p-7ar5t1m-4e1n1t 5o (f vtohiece I)n oter r8io0r0, -1783459-2 C9 6St6r e(eTTt,Y N), Wor,
Bedell Harrison McHenry Orscheln GR Washington, D.C. 20240.
LLOYD Printed with soy ink
mdc.mo.gov 3
Nature
L A B
by Bonnie
Chasteen
Each month, we highlight research
MDC uses to improve fish, forest,
and wildlife management.
WILDLIFE DISEASE MANAGEMENT
White-Tailed
Deer Study
_ If you hunt deer in Missouri, you know that
chronic wasting disease (CWD) threatens our state’s Former University of Missouri employees Billy Dooling and
wild deer and elk herds. It spreads easily and always Summer Higdon release a radio-collared doe fawn.
kills the deer and elk it infects. CWD was first found
in Missouri’s wild deer herd in 2012. Since then, it
has spread from the north-central part of the state to Over five years, researchers captured male and
many other locations inside Missouri. female deer during late winter and fitted them
“Initially, MDC designated a CWD Management with GPS radio-collars. This allowed researchers
Five-year
Zone that included counties within 25 miles of a to track their movements.
effort led
CWD-positive detection,” said MDC Private Lands An analysis of movement data indicated that
to CWD
Deer Biologist Kevyn Wiskirchen. “This designation over 90 percent of deer in the study dispersed less
was based on data from other Midwestern states that Management than 10 miles. Based on this new information,
indicated white-tailed deer commonly disperse up to Zone changes MDC reconstructed its CWD Management Zone
25 miles.” Wiskirchen added that deer usually dis- and more to include counties within 10 miles of a CWD-
perse in the first 18 months of life, and they can carry efficient disease positive detection, down from 25 miles.
the disease with them if infected. surveillance and “This change has allowed a more targeted
In 2015, MDC and the University of Missouri management approach to CWD surveillance in Missouri,
initiated a white-tailed deer survival, recruitment, enabling MDC staff to more efficiently and effec-
and movement study to determine how far Missouri tively allocate resources in its efforts to ensure the
whitetails disperse. health of Missouri’s deer herd,” Wiskirchen said.
White-Tailed Deer Study CWD Management Zone Changes
Study helped MDC reduce size of CWD Management
at a Glance
Zone size to improve disease surveillance efficiency.
Methods Preliminary Results
• White-tailed • More than 93% of collared deer
deer capture dispersed less than 10 miles
• Radio collaring • Average female dispersal
and monitoring was 3.6 miles
• Data collection • Average male dispersal
and mapping was 4.9 miles
NG
O
H
RUensiveearrsciht yP oarf tMneornst:a Unnai,v Merissistoyu orfi Mlanisdsoowurni,e rs 2018 counties 2019 counties OPPADOL PAOT
N
4 Missouri Conservationist | November 2020 Learn more at mdc.mo.gov/cwd
In Brief
News and updates from MDC
Atchison Nodaway Worth HarrisonMercer SullivanPutnamSchuylerScotland Clark
MCFDSCWIAHERDDMEA ESCRANAP M ASRGLPNLEIMEINNANSGSGS OVT OOOULNU NN TCAREYS OSSTli7tnoha1tt nze.rnt oaCChW.ge ruGeeWhykhg ,rae,m i DhWrlPrneleaoe ee asqnuCrsvarrau,tirWm ye geSit,rvh ntpeeDPe.e, mdlo C ,i as nz lSeolaknogatnm,pdoni rPste ne, pWt uzSna elowtitit,annn .niiS osalgFgelhun mr ,r iilw asesnlM,i n m vgelnocDaetoacoonkC iain,nes ’ts. ,ne dd HoltBuAcnhPdalarnetatweMncDCNJDGVBJCCaBeleaoeeaicnlKawasnarnrktnsttpaayottoseorsoellnoynsbdnnrnCDaaRLlvCdaJaLDiwwoeeyaSBHahsdefrtaadeesna.ll ryennsrCrercyoylGteanteCirrnotsgniviLuaSnrPtGdrooHoBynrllePleiekceSenkCnttaotoehilrsinrnyTiDseaCtLaniWaMhilenlnaaCeoynCsrbroiagtHsoomaAtnpoenLddewraMaeracDMinarolrenoWdcitdueoMaOregnBuiRandolphgilzloalhCeaosPtrronkulKeelSanMshokeoxCilTnMbaeHryAaolOxloaureaPsiLwwdeshaersMeaegawlyleliapnisrRsioedanocsaOGaDnlyremogtrnoMelSsenhgtaoCrnnaWnwfPaoorirnkdreLeFRinrnaCecnynoatgniohsaWRInkSt.CharlesrlrntlooiiepnlndrlesySJetff.St. Francois eWLrsoaoMuBnyiansudetlSiSetse. tro.Ge nCnevieLveiotSregnilloByuPtioesd rrdyaGMrNdiaCreadawrrSpdi deec oatut ippississiM
DUE TO COVID-19 ohapveen t. hWeeir edneceor usraamgpel ehdun foterr Cs tWo D  Sampling station location nilknuD tocsimeP
 CWD Management Zone
 MDC has changed mandatory on the day of harvest.
sampling requirements for ”CWD represents a great threat
chronic wasting disease (CWD) to the health of Missouri’s deer and elk herds and to our hunting culture,”
to voluntary sampling in 30 said Kevyn Wiskirchen, private lands deer biologist and CWD mandatory
counties during the opening sampling coordinator. ”Sampling deer for CWD allows early detection
weekend of this year’s November of the disease and allows for rapid management intervention to slow
firearms portion of deer season. its spread. Hunters play a critical role in helping MDC find and manage
The change was prompted by CWD by having their deer sampled.
ongoing cases and public health ”Although sampling is voluntary this year, to help us detect CWD
concerns in Missouri regarding as early as possible and protect the state’s deer herd, we strongly
the COVID-19 pandemic. encourage hunters in CWD Management Zone counties to have their
The change will impact deer sampled at one of our stations on opening weekend, or at other
hunters who harvest deer locations throughout the duration of deer season.”
Nov. 14 and 15 in any of the MDC staff will take precautions to ensure the health of both staff and
30 CWD Management Zone the public during CWD sampling. Social distancing will be practiced at all
counties: Adair, Barry, Cedar, stations. MDC staff will wear gloves and face masks at all times. Hunters
NG Chariton, Christian, Clark, and those with them will be asked to remain in their vehicles while their
O
H
OT Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, deer is being sampled. Hunters will only be asked to provide county of
OL PA Hickory, Howell, Jefferson, Knox, harvest and will not be asked to identify harvest location on a map.
NOPPAD Linn, Macon, Mercer, Oregon, continued on Page 6 »
mdc.mo.gov 5
In Brief
CWD SAMPLING VOLUNTARY
Ask MDC
(continued from Page 5)
We ask hunters and others who are exhibit-
ing symptoms of COVID-19, have recently tested Got a Question for Ask MDC?
positive for COVID-19, or have a known COVID-19
Send it to [email protected]
exposure to refrain from visiting CWD sampling or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848.
stations.
MDC will continue to offer statewide volun-
tary CWD sampling and testing of harvested
deer during the entire deer season at select loca- Q: I went bow hunting last
tions throughout the state, including participat- week and came across this oak
ing MDC offices, cooperating taxidermists, and tree. How did this happen?
new freezer head-drop locations. Sampling and  Inosculation is a natural
test results are free. Find locations and more phenomenon in which trunks,
information online at mdc.mo.gov/cwd or by branches, or roots of two trees grow
contacting an MDC regional office. together. It is biologically like grafting,
We remind deer hunters to follow carcass and such trees are referred to in
movement restrictions when traveling to a sam- forestry terms as gemels from the
pling station. Learn more at short.mdc.mo.gov/ Latin word meaning “pairs” or “twins.”
ZuQ. It is most common for branches of
Before arriving at a sampling station: two trees of the same species to
• Field dress and Telecheck deer. grow together, though inosculation
• Bring the carcass or just the head. may be noted across related species.
• Position deer in vehicles with heads and The branches first grow separately in
necks easily accessible. proximity to each other until they
• Capes may be removed in preparation touch. At this point, the bark on the
for taxidermy before going to a sampling touching surfaces gradually wear
station. away as the trees move in the wind.
• Make sure the person who harvested the They sometimes self-graft and grow
deer is present. together as they expand in diameter. Inosculation
• Have the hunter’s conservation number, Inosculation customarily results when
along with county of harvest, available. tree limbs are braided or pleached, a M
O
• If using a paper permit, detach it from technique that involves the circulatory systems. They may ME.C
the deer for easy access. interweaving of living and dead be either solid or fluid-filled MSTI
• If using the MO Hunting app, have branches. and embedded within the fatty DREA
permit and Telecheck information tissues of the body. DUGUID |
CWaDva iisla ab ldee.adly disease in white-tailed deer Qfo:u In kdil tlehde sae d ino eth teh ins eyceka.r D aon dyo u rumTihneayn’trse, nsuucmhe aros udse ienr and © AUDREY
avindds .o Tthhee rd miseeamseb ehrass o nf oth vea cdceineer foarm cuilrye, caanldle edv ceenr-- ha vKen oawnyn iads e“ah ewmhaal tn othdeeys, ”a rthee?se emlka,m amnda lcs aann db eb siredesn. Tinh eoyt her ORCUPINE:
tually kills all cervids it infects. There have been normal anatomical structures pose resemble a small clot and are DAVIS; P
no reported cases of CWD infecting people, but no risk to animals or to humans. But often misinterpreted as tumors OM
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention they do occasionally worry hunters, or bird shot. ON: T
(CDC) strongly recommends having deer tested who may not recognize them. Hemal nodes may look OSCULATI
ftinohgre CmdWieseaDat sfirfe oh.m aThr avene iCsmtDeaCdls ai tnlhs oaat n rt eeacsrote mpa omksnietoinvwdens f ontroo C th WeaavDte-. suiszueHadel lsymp bahlle ancroikcd aoel rss t—ru cpteuare-s, unaardpeips neeoattisz eiinn. dgTih,c beayuti tva etrhe oe fy MY CARTER; IN
regGuelat tmioonrse oinnfloirnme aatito mn donc. CmWoD.g oanvd/c rwedla,t eodr immaproorotna nint ficlotelorirn —g are toyupti cwailtlhy etrximcemsse fda t NODES: JERE
from our 2020 Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting organs for animals’ during processing. HEMAL
Regulations & Information booklet, avail-
able where permits are sold and online at
Hemal nodes
short.mdc.mo.gov/ZuA.
6 Missouri Conservationist | November 2020
Q: Are porcupines ever
seen in Missouri?
 Porcupines (Erethizon
dorsatum) are rodents best known
for their coats of sharp quills,
which they use defensively to
ward off predators. Captain
This species’ range includes
Joni Bledsoe
northern Mexico, the western
United States, Canada, and KANSAS CITY REGION
Alaska. Missouri isn’t currently
offers this month’s
considered a part of their native
AGENT
range; however, archeological
records show they did occur here
prehistorically.
ADVICE
Over the decades, they have
been seen only sporadically in Porcupine
the Show-Me State. Credible
observations mostly consist of exotic, since no confirmation
With deer season upon us,
deceased porcupines found on photo was taken. A road-killed
hunters should be aware of new
roadways. In 2006, a porcupine porcupine also was discovered
was treed by a dog near Lone in Pettis County in 2019. carcass movement restrictions.
Jack, and a year later, quills were The number of sightings has Whole carcasses, heads, and
removed from two dogs near increased over the last 10 years.
certain parts of deer harvested
Oregon, Missouri. “Whether this is due to more
in the Chronic Wasting
More recently, a live porcupine moving into Missouri from Kansas,
was reported crossing a road or if it is just easier for people to Disease (CWD) Management
in Taney County in 2017, report what they see, we do not Zone can be removed from
although it is hard to say if know,” said Janet Sternburg, MDC
the county of harvest only
the specimen was native or resource science supervisor.
if they are delivered to a
licensed meat processor or
taxidermist within 48 hours.
Deer harvested within the
zone must be reported through
the Telecheck system before
leaving the county. These
What regulations are designed to
slow the spread of CWD. For
IS it?
more information, refer to the
2020 Fall Deer and Turkey
Can you
Hunting Regulations and
guess this
month’s Information booklet, available
natural where permits are sold, at MDC
wonder?
regional offices, and online at
The answer is on short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXv.
Page 9.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
CWD, VISIT MDC.MO.GOV/CWD.
mdc.mo.gov 7
In Brief
CONSERVATION Spotlight on
WWWEEE AAARRREEE people and partners
by Larry Archer
Mike Kromrey
 As a child growing up in the Ozarks, Mike Kromrey spent much of
his time “playing in the creek and running around out in the fields.”
So, it makes sense that Kromrey, now 40, still spends his days focused
on creeks and fields. As executive director of the Watershed Committee
of the Ozarks (WCO) since 2012, he heads an organization dedicated to
improving water quality in the Springfield and Greene County area.
Expanding WCO’s reach
In addition to strengthening existing partnerships, Kromrey has worked
with WCO staff to expand its role in the community with new offerings like
the Watershed Conservation Corps, a program for students interested in
environmental careers, and Watershed Natives, a retail outlet for native
plants. Both programs are designed to be self-supporting, he said.
In his own words
“Focusing on the mission is at the heart of it, but finding new
ways to pursue our mission has been something that I try
really hard to do, and one of the exciting ways we’re furthering
our mission is by starting programs which achieve our goals,
but are supported by the revenue that they generate.”
: by Cliff White
What’s your conservation superpower?
8 Missouri Conservationist | November 2020