Missouri Conservationist October 2020

2020·8 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

MISSOURI
VOLUME 81, ISSUE 10, OCTOBER 2020
SERVING NATURE & YOU
CONSERVATIONIST
RS,
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MANDATORY CWD
DEER
SAMPLING OF
OPENING FIREARMS
WEEKEND IN Bring your deer
30 COUNTIES tsota at isoanm npelainr gy o u.
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Warren, and Washington.
4–15
BER 1
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Any changes to mandatory sampling requirements due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
will be posted by Nov. 1 at MDC.MO.GOV/CWD and be available from MDC regional offices.
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
Contents
OCTOBER 2020
VOLUME 81, ISSUE 10
11
ON THE COVER
A merlin soars as it
hunts for prey.
: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG
100–400mm lens, f/5
1/6400 sec, ISO 1600
GOVERNOR
Michael L. Parson
16 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
EDITOR
Angie Daly Morfeld
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Larry Archer
STAFF WRITERS
FEATURES Bonnie Chasteen, Kristie Hilgedick,
Joe Jerek
11 ART DIRECTOR
Cliff White
Hidden Architects
22 DESIGNERS
Shawn Carey, Marci Porter
Purseweb, trapdoor spiders rely
PHOTOGRAPHERS
on camouflage for survival.
Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner
by Paul Calvert CIRCULATION MANAGER
Laura Scheuler
16
mdc.mo.gov/conmag
Blue Sky Ballet
DEPARTMENTS
At its most basic, falconry is a
partnership between two hunters — 2 Inbox
one human, the other avian.
3 Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley
by Matt Seek
4 Nature Lab
22
5 In Brief
Trapping the Enemy
28 Get Outside
on our Land
30 Places To Go Blue jay Download this
MDC, partners make strides 32 Wild Guide issue to your
in eradicating feral hogs. phone or tablet at
by Francis Skalicky 33 Outdoor Calendar mdc.mo.gov/mocon.
Download for
Android
Inbox
serenade from what seemed to me to be hundreds
of these birds. Their distinctive whip-poor-will call
was a cherished memory of my childhood roaming
Letters to the Editor NIGHTJARS AND SWALLOWTAILS the fields and forests. When I moved to the Ozarks,
Submissions reflect I found an unusual tail feather at Mark Twain Lake I heard very few of them, but they had a different
readers’ opinions and that turned out to belong to a chuck-will’s-widow, a “hillbilly accent,” which I now know is a different
may be edited for length bird I had never heard of previously. Two days after species of these birds. For the past 20 years, I don’t
and clarity. Email
that discovery, the Conservationist arrived with a think I have heard any of them. This is so sad and I
[email protected]
full article about them and their close relatives [The really miss the concerts that these birds provided. I
or write to us:
Silencing of Missouri’s Iconic Nightjars, August, Page hope we can bring them back.
MISSOURI
22]. It is tragic that we are losing these unique birds, G.L. Hoeppner, DVM Salem
CONSERVATIONIST
but I’m happy to say there was at least one of them
PO BOX 180
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 nearby this summer. The whip-poor-will that used to I enjoyed Norman Murray’s article on nightjars in
call every night here on the farm has been unheard the August Conservationist. I am happy to report
now for many years, though. that during my spring turkey adventures I heard
Catching up on my reading, the next incredible significantly more whip-poor-wills calling in numerous
and timely article, in the July issue, was Mr. locations than I had heard for several springs.
Paothong’s very detailed and beautiful piece Dr. Doug Burch Neosho
about the spicebush swallowtail [From Big-Eyed to
Beautiful, Page 10]. The day before, we had visited a KEEP NATURE CLEAN
neighboring CRP prairie and were delighted with the While on a bike ride at Creve Coeur Lake in St. Louis
many dark-colored butterflies in the wildflowers. Now County, I came upon a barred owl entangled in
we know what they were, and their life history as well! fishing line and hanging from a tree. This story
Your magazine is always timely and important in had a happy ending, though. The World Bird
our family’s life. Thank you. Sanctuary sent a bird specialist who rescued the
Sue Allmart Mexico owl and took it back
to be examined and
PERFECT PRAIRIES KNOWING ABOUT NIGHTJARS eventually to be
Prairie Voices, I have received the Missouri Conservationist for years released.
what a beautiful and thought I would let you know how much I enjoy I thought this
gift of the land reading the magazine. It is filled with pictures and story might make for
[August, Page 10]. new information every time. I was so excited to learn a good public service
Thanks for sharing more about the whip-poor-will. I never knew what announcement
the stories of the they looked like because I would always hear them to anglers across
individuals and at night. I could count on them to come out at 9 p.m. Missouri to let them
families working sharp. Such a fun bird. Thank you for your faithfulness know the potential
to preserve this in keeping up with such a great magazine. negative impact of
jleowokeel.d P lhikoeto graphs Mardell Bontranger via email lbeeahviinndg. fishing line M STRUTZ
paradise to me. I was particularly interested in the article on the Tom Strutz WL: TO
AStn. gLoeluai sGambino “nnoirgthhtejaarsste.”r nG rMowisisnogu urip, Ii nfe tllh aes 1le9e5p0 es vienr ryu nraigl ht to the Chesterfield BARRED O
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 | October 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
_ A storm was rolling in. My first indication was an
unexpected rushing tide of cooler wind that made me look
skyward to see what nature was about to unleash. Such a
wind is exhilarating because it reminds me of my humanness
and the power and mystery of nature. A fall morning does
the same — the chill of the air, the changing colors, the V’s
of our winged kin making their way to wintering grounds. It
reminds me that change is coming, despite any protestation to
the contrary. It also reminds me to look up and pay heed to the
1
details that I might otherwise miss.
I witnessed this anew one morning last fall on my daily
2 dog walk. A heavy dew had socked in overnight, and the early
1 | Barred owl
by Cheryl Sloan, morning shafts of light revealed an otherwise unseen world.
via Flickr The day before was a typical walk through the woods. But
2 | Yellow patches that day on the same walk, I saw hundreds of intricate spider
mushroom by webs — everywhere in nearly every tree. How ironic that a veil
Stanley Harlan,
of dew had lifted a veil of another kind, allowing me to see that
via email
which was already there. (See more about spiders as architects
3 | Mink by on Page 11.)
ganderson2385,
Writer Thornton Wilder said, “We can only be said to be
via Instagram
alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our
treasures.” I think that’s what fall does for me. It awakens me
3 even more to the treasures of nature, and makes me come alive
anew — much like a rushing wind before a storm.
SARA PARKER PAULEY, DIRECTOR
[email protected]
The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri
Department 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-
MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS 4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Free to adult Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year;
O out of country $10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address
HOT (send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage
M P paid at Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send correspondence
OF FULL SPECTRU tCEtaoigqoo eCunp,a iy irsslrc e ioaugxpvlhuaaptati oill©ao robnt ur2l,ie ne0P tni2Ototy0 aa B ttlboiolo iyxpnn ta1d,h r8viteve0i ictdC,ie puJoreaaantfnlsesf ee swirrntvsia toaathutnnois oduC, n btoi trreCye n,dog MeimasfiarOmdtb f6itirlosoi5ts tmy1ih.o0 eQnp2i rru-o o0refag1 stcr8theaio0e,m cn. SoPsst l hoaoshoftr e,ton rh ueeoell:f di Mg5M bi7ioise3sns s-d,o5o niu2uraer2ritci i-D.ot4ene1dpa1 l5at oor, tretmihgxeetin. n D3, tse 8oep5fx a6C,r a otonmnrc se3een2srtt4v ro9ayf-.,
Don Steven Mark Barry OTJAN Ctoo Cnhseiervf,a Ptiuobnl,i cP OCi vBiol xR i1g8h0ts, ,J Oeffffiecreso onf CCiitvyi,l MRiOgh 6ts5,1 U0.2S,. 5D7e3p-7ar5t1m-4e1n1t5 o (f vtohiece I)n oter r8io0r0, 1-783459-2 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.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Prescribed Fire
_ “Depending on their objectives, our conserva-
tion area managers often use prescribed fire to
improve habitat, control forest pests, or enrich natu-
MDC staff use drip torches as ignition
ral communities,” said MDC Fire Program Supervisor
devices during prescribed fire operations.
Ben Webster. “Private landowners can do this, too.”
In partnership with the Missouri Prescribed Fire
Council (MPFC), Webster teaches the best practices
of planning and conducting a prescribed fire. The for that day. A big part of a successful habitat burn
council comprises private landowners and private is whether the neighbors are comfortable with it,”
contractors as well as several agencies and nonprofits. Field-tested he added.
These include MDC, Missouri Department of Natu- training “A lot of people think all fire is bad,” Webster
ral Resources, the U.S. Forest Service, Quail Forever, helps said. “But if done right, prescribed fire can be one
Pheasants Forever, and the National Wild Turkey of the best tools for improving habitat for wildlife
landowners
Federation. “Our practices are based on years of con- and even for timber management goals.”
safely use
ducting prescribed fires in different conditions and For a schedule of upcoming private landowner
prescribed
for different outcomes,” Webster said. “Our planning burn workshops, contact your local MDC pri-
fire to
tools also include weather forecasts and fire behavior vate land conservationist (see Page 2 for phone
improve
and smoke modeling programs, which can increase a numbers). In addition, there are five burn asso-
wildlife
manager’s confidence in a plan,” Webster said. ciations around the state that may offer poten-
“If you can predict how a fire is likely to behave and habitat tial assistance to interested landowners. To get in
how much heat and smoke it will produce, it can help touch with the burn association nearest you, visit
you decide how to adjust your plan or even cancel it moprescribedfire.org.
Burn Plan Best Practices
at a Glance Green Hills PBA
Mark Twain PBA MDC FILE
•••• KDECsnhetoevaecwbkll o iytspohh uea cr wpo hnleaatabnatiihtnaemtr oebntje licnteivses East Central PBA OST BURN RESULTS:
• Post signs and notify stakeholders Upper Osage PBA ONG; P
H
••• BCMrooienpfd utuhpcet cthreew burn Ozark PBA NOPPADOL PAOT
N:
•• DReevcileawre a tnhde ebvuarnlu caotemplete Post burn results MBuisrnso Ausrsi oPcrieastciorinbsed PRESCRIBED BUR
4 Missouri Conservationist | October 2020
In Brief
News and updates from MDC
CHANGES TO
morning drawings. Procedures for individual conservation areas will be
2020–2021 posted on the MDC website closer to the season.
All reservations, including ADA blinds, will be allocated through the
WATERFOWL weekly in-season reservation draw. The first application period will open
Oct. 20 and results will be announced Oct. 27. The weekly application period
MANAGED
opens every Tuesday at 8 a.m. and closes the following Monday at 3 p.m.
HUNTS Throughout the season, hunters will be asked to follow precautionary
guidelines to assure the safety of everyone at the site during the morning
PROCESS MODIFIED draw. There will be a sliding scale of procedural levels that could range from
TO ASSURE SAFETY OF no staff-hunter contact at all to close to business as usual. At the start of the
HUNTERS, STAFF DURING season, every conservation area will be assigned a certain procedural level
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC based on the status of COVID-19 in the county. The decisions will be made in
consultation with the appropriate county health department. Throughout the
 MDC is committed season, an area could move to a more restrictive procedural level depending
to providing hunting on the county health department or other COVID-19 related factors. Some
opportunities on managed details of the procedural levels are as follows:
waterfowl hunting areas
throughout the waterfowl  Red Level (very high COVID-19 risk)
season. To allow for flexibility • No staff-hunter contact.
during COVID-19, there will • No facility use.
be no pre-season reservations • 100 percent allocation for Missouri residents only through in-season
NNER for the 2020–2021 waterfowl reservation draw.
DAVID STO steeaals soena. sTohne orer yaolsuot hw silel abseo nno •• HNuon pt opoors liitnioen osr w viallc baen cpyr efi-llainssgi.gned. continued on Page 6 »
mdc.mo.gov 5
In Brief
WATERFOWL MANAGED
HUNT CHANGES Ask MDC
(continued from Page 5)
 Orange Level (high COVID-19 risk)
• Limited facility use and social Got a Question for Ask MDC?
distancing employed.
Send it to [email protected]
• 100 percent allocation for Missouri residents or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848.
only through in-season reservation draw.
• Hunt parties will be able to select hunt location.
• No poor line or vacancy filling.
Q: What is this fungus near
 Yellow Level (moderate COVID-19 risk) my ash tree? The outside is
• Limited facility use and social like a polished leather boot;
distancing employed. the underside is bright yellow
• 100 percent allocation for Missouri residents with a pin-hole texture. Some
only through in-season reservation draw. are over 5 inches in diameter.
• Hunt parties will be able to select hunt location. The stems are short, woody,
• Poor line only for reservation no-shows. and hard to pull. No rotten
wood lies beneath them, only
 Green Level (low COVID-19 risk) grass roots and dirt. Does this Ash tree bolete mushroom
• Facility use as guidance allows and mean my tree is dying and do
social distancing employed. I need to have it removed? Q: Why do I keep seeing
• 50 percent allocation through  Based on the description and box turtles soaking in
in-season reservation draw. location of these mushrooms, my pond? I have noticed
• Hunt parties will be able to select hunt location. they are likely the ash tree bolete this since late August.
• Poor line for no-shows and mushroom. This native fungus  Box turtles are terrestrial, but
50 percent of hunt positions. has a fascinating symbiotic it is quite common for them to
relationship with the leafcurl ash seek out water during the hottest
Throughout the season, procedures could change aphid. In addition to feeding on months of the year. Typically, they
with limited time to notify hunters. To receive updates ash leaves, these aphids also will bury themselves in the shallow
as quickly as possible, subscribe to the Waterfowl can suck sap from the roots water’s muddy soil or loiter near
email update list at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoP. Inter- of ash trees. The mycelium, or the water’s edge. This helps them
ested hunters also can refer to the MDC website as rootlike structure, of the ash keep hydrated until cooler autumn
information is available at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZXx. bolete fungus forms a protective temperatures occur.
MDC has designated staff to help answer any knot around the aphids feeding
questions hunters may have about the changes to on tree roots. As aphids feed Q: I planted moon flowers
this year’s waterfowl season. Please contact the fol- on tree sap, they produce a and on the very first bloom
lSotwaitnegw stiadffe members at the numbers below: sksuynmgoawbrin-or itacisch hrleioqlnauetiidyo dneesxhwcir.pe I,mn t hetheni tsf ungus tyho iusT hmtiesol alt pmhp eae rawrrishv teaodt bi.t eC i saa? nC arolina H: DENNIS PERRY
Î Lauren Hildreth 573-522-4115, ext. 3259 gains nutrients from the aphid sphinx moth (Manduca sexta). MOT
Î Joel Porath 573-522-4115, ext. 3188 hporonteeycdtieown aton dth ien atuprhni dpsr oinvsiiddees Tsihxi-ss pmootttehd, aslpsoh icnaxl lmedo tthh ed ue OLINA SPHINX
NÎÎ oCCrrhtahriigs Z FCorreniseelmera 6n6 606-404-664-363-671122 tkhneoA wflutnhn ogaubaglo khun tt ohthtesirs.e r eisl asttiioll nlisthtliep , tyisoe altl hobewr e sseipxd opintasgi ro srne o stfih doeer naatnb gfdoiosumhn-de n, MARY COOK; CAR
Î Mike Flaspohler 573-248-2530 neither the presence of ash throughout Missouri. Adult OOM:
HR
tree bolete mushrooms nor the Carolina sphinx moths take MUS
Middle Zone aphids are causes for concern, nectar from deep-throated OLETE
ÎÎ LGuakrey CWaelvhemrth 6o3ff6 5-47341-6-42545-548, 2e1x,t .e 4x1t.8 40662 annedce tsrseaartym oern pt risa cntoicta cl.onsidered flCoawroelirns as uspchh iansx tmhios tmh olaornvafleo wer. ASH TREE B
South Zone
Î Lauren Hildreth 573-522-4115, ext. 3259
6 Missouri Conservationist | October 2020
Michael Collins
STODDARD COUNTY
CONSERVATION AGENT
offers this month’s
AGENT
ADVICE
Carolina sphinx moth
Youth firearms deer season
are found on host plants in the into fall. Although moonflowers is Oct. 31–Nov. 1. It’s a
nightshade family — such as tomato, may be beautiful, sphinx moths also
great time to pass on the
potato, tobacco, and pepper — and visit many native plants, including
tradition of hunting to
many gardeners are familiar with trumpet creeper and phlox.
them as large, green caterpillars, Although Missouri’s insects can use the next generation, and
called tobacco hornworms. nonnative flora, conservationists are to instill proper safety
Moonflowers are native to proponents of using native plants
measures. Always wear
tropical America, but can be grown because they provide the largest
hunter orange afield.
in Missouri as warm-weather bulk of nourishment Missouri’s
annuals. Gardeners enjoy their wildlife needs to survive. For more Identify your target and
fragrant, white flowers, which information about how to include what’s beyond it. When
attract night-flying insects and natives in your garden landscape,
using a tree stand, use a
bloom at dusk from mid-summer visit short.mdc.mo.gov/ZBX.
harness. Make sure you
are comfortable holding,
aiming, and shooting
your firearm. Remember,
during this weekend, youth
hunters age six through 15
can purchase resident or
What nonresident deer hunting
permits at a reduced
IS it?
price. If a youth has not
received hunter education
Can you
certification, he or she must
guess this
month’s be accompanied by an adult
natural who has a valid hunter
wonder?
certification or who was
The answer is on born before Jan. 1, 1967.
Page 8.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
SHORT.MDC.MO.GOV/ZXV.
mdc.mo.gov 7
In Brief
VENISON KEBABS
’Tis the season. Deer season in Missouri is upon us,
and freezers will soon be stocked with venison. Before
you use it all in traditional ways — chili, jerky, and
sausage — give this recipe a try. Not only is it quick
and easy, but it can easily be adjusted to suit any taste.
These miniature meatloaves on a stick are versatile
enough to be served with your favorite sides, too.
Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound ground venison 1 teaspoon salt
½ cup onion, finely chopped ¾ teaspoon black pepper,
¼ cup fresh parsley, coarsely ground
finely chopped ½ teaspoon paprika (or smoked
¼ cup fresh cilantro, Spanish paprika)
finely chopped ¾ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: oiled baking sheet, 6 bamboo skewers
(10 or 12 inches long)*
MIX all ingredients together and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Remove skewers from water and shake off excess. Firmly pack meat
mixture around the skewers in 3-inch-long, 1-inch-thick links — two to
a skewer.
PLACE skewers on the oiled baking sheet and carefully turn them to
lightly coat the meat with oil. Remove skewers from the sheet carefully
and place them on a grill heated to medium. Cook 10 to 15 minutes —
carefully and gently turning them halfway through. A metal spatula
gently pushed under the kebabs helps to turn them.
This recipe is from Cooking *SOAK YOUR SKEWERS: Be sure to soak bamboo skewers in water for
Wild in Missouri by Bernadette
at least 30 minutes (or more) to keep them from igniting on the grill.
Dryden, available for $16 at
Metal skewers don’t need to be soaked, but they are often bigger and
mdcnatureshop.com.
tear the meat when threading in a way the smaller bamboo ones don’t.
WHAT IS IT?
EASTERN MOLE
The chipmunk-sized eastern mole lives in a series
of tunnels underground, using its palmlike, short
front feet to move through the soil. Although its
esOeyfnetesse nas rd eoe foe hnmelyea rdgin oago n,d ut ofisouarc nhtec, elali,nn mgdo lsilmgehse’t l clf oraonrmes ta adcnautr tke,. its MOLE: JIM RATHERT
dahiairgl fag tnihndeg ir raa binnodwd atyut enwrn eteiogli nhpgte dnaaeeitrlryaa,t tehesa drtvheeees pstioenrigl., T pdheeersymt reuitacttitn ivge NADETTE DRYDEN;
insects like cutworms and Japanese beetle larvae. N KEBABS: BER
O
VENIS
8 Missouri Conservationist | October 2020