Missouri Conservationist September 2020

2020·5.3 MB·English

by  Missouri Department of Conservation

MISSOURI
VOLUME 81, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2020
SERVING NATURE & YOU
CONSERVATIONIST
TTRREEEESS WWOORRKK
for your
health
Feeling tired? Spending Getting away from Taking a nature Exposure to nature
Spending just 20 time in nature, busy schedules walk may increase contributes to
minutes outside conservation allows people to attention spans physical well-
can give your brain areas, woods, connect with and creative being, reducing
an energy boost backyards, and nature and problem-solving blood pressure,
comparable to a urban parks themselves in a skills by as much heart rate, muscle
cup of coffee. may ease way that brings as 50 percent. tension, and the
stress levels. calm and a sense production of
of well-being. stress hormones.
Get healthy in nature this year. Visit mdc.mo.gov/places-go
or download the free MO Outdoors app for ideas on where to go near you.
Download for
Android
MISSOURI
CONSERVATIONIST
Contents
SEPTEMBER 2020
VOLUME 81, ISSUE 9
10
ON THE COVER
Bull elk at Peck Ranch
Conservation Area
: AARON HILDRETH
70–300mm lens, f/4.8
1/160 sec, ISO 320
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
17 Sara Parker Pauley
DEPUTY DIRECTORS
22 Mike Hubbard, Aaron Jeffries,
Jennifer Battson Warren
MAGAZINE STAFF
MAGAZINE MANAGER
FEATURES
Stephanie Thurber
EDITOR
10
Angie Daly Morfeld
What’s Good for ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Larry Archer
the Grouse
STAFF WRITERS
Bonnie Chasteen, Kristie Hilgedick,
Restoration focuses on habitat, Joe Jerek
which benefits several species. ART DIRECTOR
Cliff White
by Larry Archer
DESIGNERS
17 Shawn Carey, Marci Porter
PHOTOGRAPHERS
R3 Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner
CIRCULATION MANAGER
A strategy to recruit, retain, and
Laura Scheuler
reactivate hunters, anglers,
mdc.mo.gov/conmag
and trappers benefits us all.
by Lauren Hildreth and Adam Doerhoff DEPARTMENTS
22 2 Inbox OD.ORG
O
W
HSuicscetossrfuyl rCesatollriantigon leads to 34 UNpat uFrroen Lta Wbith Sara Parker Pauley NIVERSITY; BUG
Missouri’s first regulated elk hunt. U
by Larry Archer 5 In Brief H STATE
28 Get Outside UTA
WEY;
2SSe0PEe2CdI0AlL–i In2NgS0E 2ROT1r d er Form 333230 PWOluailtcdde oGs ouTroi dC Geaolendar OISON IVY: STEVE DE mDipshsoduowcenn. etmloo o oayrdo. tga utobhr vilse/ tm aot con.
Poison ivy P
Download for
Android
Inbox
BEARS AND
BREAKFAST
Letters to the Editor SPICEBUSH SWALLOWTAILS My grandson will
Submissions reflect Missouri is blessed to have so many talented be two in October.
readers’ opinions and writers and photographers contributing to the He gets the kids
may be edited for length Conservationist, but special thanks for From Big- magazine [Xplor],
and clarity. Email
Eyed to Beautiful. Not only was the photography but he loves the Missouri Conservationist issue
[email protected]
by Noppadol Paothong outstanding (as usual), with a picture of a black bear [In Brief, July, Page 5].
or write to us:
the article was one of the most well-written and Rodger Benson via email
MISSOURI
informative on the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar/
CONSERVATIONIST
butterfly that one could hope for. Noppadol is a SALUTE FROM A VETERAN
PO BOX 180
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 special Missouri treasure whose love for his work I am a 91-year-old U.S. Army Korean War veteran.
really shows! I will turn 92 in October of this year. Back in the
Ralph Luebke Overland early 1960s, I got my first Missouri Conservationist
magazine. But, in my mind, I thought a magazine
Kudos to Noppadol Paothong for an excellent like this would never last. I read it from cover to
article on spicebush swallowtail caterpillars and cover. It was outstanding! This magazine has only
butterflies. I always enjoy his beautiful photographs gotten better and better. To this very day, the
and well-written articles. He skillfully weaves his Missouri Conservationist magazine is, by far, one
personal experiences into the scientific facts and of the best out there. I have a feeling that this
data he describes so well. I especially appreciated magazine will last on and on.
his conclusion to this article. He notes that nature Robert Leird Malden
requires lifetime learning, and he explains how we
can all make a difference in the health of our natural BETTER WITH AGE
world by planting a variety of host and nectar plants I want to commend you on your fantastic Missouri
in our gardens for butterflies and other pollinators. Conservationist magazine. I liked the older versions,
BIG-EYED BEAUTIES Ann Simmons Tanner Leawood, Kansas but the magazine has never been better. The stories
Thank you for this are fascinating and the beautifully printed photos
excellent article DAMSELS AND DRAGONFLIES are magnificent. I often used to just look at the
[From Big-Eyed to I enjoyed your story featuring dragonflies and photos, but now it is a must read for me. It is one of
Beautiful, July, Page damselflies in the June issue [Dragons and the great services to Missourians — and it’s free!
10]. Noppadol Damsels, Page 22]. Very interesting coverage of the Thank you for enriching my life with your
Paothong is a morphology, biology, and importance to humans. beautiful magazine. I may be too old now to walk on
great nature I rushed right to Google to check out the federally rough paths, but you bring them to me.
photographer, endangered Hine’s emerald dragonfly. I was raised Paul Kjorlie St. Louis
and now I learn, a in Illinois and live in Oregon, but have received
writer, too. your publication for years. Absolutely stunning CORRECTION
photography and informative articles. I’ve really Stony Point Prairie Conservation Area is not located
Wesley Fordyce
Florissant enjoyed your most current change in format, as well. in Springfield as mentioned in What Is It? [August,
Many thanks for an awesome job done! Page 9]. It’s in Dade County, 9 miles north and
Mike Billman La Grande, Oregon 3 miles west of Lockwood.
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 | September 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
_ I recently sat down to, yet again, watch the 1971 classic
film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It’s a tale of the
search for five golden tickets and the five lucky children who
win a tour of a mysterious chocolate factory. We learn by the
movie’s end that Willy is really in search of someone to replace
him as the factory’s owner and caretaker, but only if he can
find someone with the right heart — someone with a sense of
imagination, yet humble and true. The story is complete when
1 he finds such a heart in a young man named Charlie.
Just as recently, the department held a golden ticket
competition of its own — the lottery draw for five hunters to
2
participate in Missouri’s first elk season in modern history.
1 | Crane fly by Tim
VandenHoek, via Flickr (See article on Page 22). I had the opportunity to correspond
with all five winners, and witnessed their excitement as they
2 | Kayaking on
learned they would participate in this inaugural hunt. Some
Elmwood Lake by
Matthew Wallace, shared they were avid elk hunters but excited to hunt in their
via email own state, others talked of how they would prepare for the
3 | Bullfrog by hunt, still others reflected on the significance of the hunt as
tankersleyphotography, part of Missouri’s road to elk restoration. After hearing each
via Instagram
of their stories, I was assured of this — they understood and
appreciated this magical moment in Missouri conservation
history and that a grand adventure awaits them this fall. Good
3
luck to each of our inaugural elk hunters — we can’t wait to
hear how your stories unfold.
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;
out of country $10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address
(send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage
paid at Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send correspondence
to Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: [phone], ext. 3856 or 3249.
Copyright © 2020 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri.
HY
OTOGRAP Etaigqoeun,a issl e oaxpvuapaiolla robturliene tnitoty aa ttloilo ipnnad, rvitveiictdiepuraaatnles swintia tathunosdu, bto rree ndgeiasfiardtb fitrlooit tmyh. eQpirru oreagscrteaio,m cnoss l ooshfr ,to rhueell diMg biiosens d,o niuraeritc iDotenedpa lat oor trtmihgeein nD, tse oepfx aC,r aotnmncseeensrttv roayf-,
Don Steven Mark Barry NN PH 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 OR LY Washington, D.C. 20240.
TAYL 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.
From left to right, study team members Ellen Pero, Colter Chitwood, Patrick
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Grunwald, and Braiden Quinlan examine a sedated, radio-collared cow elk to
Elk Ecology Study determine her pregnancy status. Shrouding protects the cow’s eyes and helps
keep her calm.
_ How are Missouri’s elk faring almost 10 years rates, which they used to model the population and
since restoration efforts began? MDC, the University help determine harvest quotas. “We learned that elk
Four-year
of Missouri, and the University of Montana started cow and calf survival rates have increased through
study of
work to answer this question in 2016. time, which is great news as the population settles
population
Conducted within Carter, Shannon, and Reynolds into the landscape,” Hildreth said. “We have seen
dynamics,
counties, the study estimated the herd’s survival rates bull survival rates drop,” he added. “This can be
and site fidelity. “High site fidelity is a good indicator habitat explained in part by some older bulls dying and a
of available habitat quality,” said MDC Cervid Biolo- use, and few younger bulls succumbing to parasites.”
gist Aaron Hildreth. movement The study’s results helped MDC determine when
“The elk herd has stayed within the area near the patterns to offer Missouri’s first regulated elk-hunting sea-
release sites,” Hildreth added. He credited the many enables son. “In 2013, we set biological sideboards of 200
governmental and nongovernmental partners, includ- managers elk, 10 percent or greater annual population growth,
ing the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National and a ratio of at least 25 bulls per 100 cows before
to plan for
Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Pioneer For- we would propose a hunting season,” Hildreth said.
restored
est, and a dedicated group of private landowners who By June of this year, Missouri’s elk herd had
herd’s future
helped create quality habitat. grown to an estimated population of 207, not
needs and
Researchers used radio collars to track the elk and including calves born this summer. “Given these
health
collect data. The collars helped them determine habi- numbers, we determined that we could sustain a
tat use, movements, and survival and reproductive very limited hunt this fall,” Hildreth said.
Elk Study Cow and calf survival and
adult reproduction
at a Glance rCaotw eansd c ailnf sucrvriveal aands aedudlt 2011– 2015–
reproduction rates increased
2014 2018
Adult cow survival 0.91 0.96
Methods
Adult bull survival 0.94 0.79
• Radio collaring
• Data modeling Yearling cow survival 0.82 0.90
• Aerial survey
• Pregnancy checking of Yearling bull survival 0.91 0.88
yearling and adult cows RREEYYNNOOLLDDSS
SSHHAANNNNOONN
Calf survival 0.45 0.67
CCAARRTTEERR
Current Population Adult reproduction 0.63 0.82
Statistics
• Herd size: 207
• Annual growth Information Gained
H
• rBautlel: coof w16 r%atio of 39:100 “cThhanisg setus dthyr iosu ag khe tyim peie.”c e— tMhaDt Ch eClpersv iindf oBrimol ooguirs mt Aoadreoln t oH tilrdarcekt phopulation HILDRET
N
O
AAR
4 Missouri Conservationist | September 2020 Learn more at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZYJ
In Brief
News and updates from MDC
CERVID
CARCASS
REGULATION
CHANGES
NEW REGULATIONS
PART OF ONGOING
EFFORTS TO SLOW
THE SPREAD OF
CHRONIC WASTING
DISEASE (CWD)
 MDC reminds hunters,
meat processors,
taxidermists, and others
of new regulations now
in effect regarding
transporting deer, elk, and
other cervid carcasses
into Missouri and within
the state. Meat processors
and taxidermists are
also reminded of new
regulations regarding
cervid carcass disposal.
The new regulations,
printed in the Wildlife
Code of Missouri, affects
deer, elk, and other
members of the deer
family, called cervids.
“Many states with CWD
have implemented similar
restrictions on carcass
movement,” said MDC
Wildlife Health Program
Supervisor Jasmine
Batten. “The detection
CWD is a deadly disease in white-tailed deer 2020 CWD of CWD in several new
and other members of the deer family, called Management areas of the state over
cervids. The disease has no vaccine or cure and Zone
the past few years is very
eventually kills all cervids it infects. The infectious
concerning, and these
prions that cause CWD are most concentrated in
the spines and heads of cervids. Moving potentially regulation changes aim
infected cervid carcasses out of the immediate to further slow its spread.
areas where they were harvested and improperly The vast majority of deer
disposing of them can spread the disease. MDC has
NG in Missouri are CWD-free
HO established a CWD Management Zone consisting of
NOPPADOL PAOT cmoournet iiensfo inrm oar tnioena ro wn hCeWreD C, WvisDit hmasd bc.emeno .foguonvd/c. Fwodr . tkoedeapy i,t a tnhcdaot nw wtiena uwye!da” notn tPoa ge 6 »
mdc.mo.gov 5
In Brief
CERVID CARCASS REGULATION CHANGES (continued)
Ask
Regulation changes for hunters who The following carcass parts may
harvest deer in Missouri from a CWD be moved outside of the county
Management Zone county are: of harvest without restriction: MDC
• Deer harvested in CWD Management • Meat that is cut and wrapped or
Zone counties must be Telechecked that has been boned out.
before any parts of the carcass may be • Quarters or other portions of meat with no
Got a Question for Ask MDC?
transported out of the county of harvest. part of the spinal column or head attached.
Send it to [email protected]
• Whole carcasses and heads of deer • Hides from which all excess
or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848.
harvested in CWD Management Zone tissue has been removed.
counties may only be transported out • Antlers or antlers attached to
of the county of harvest if the carcass is skull plates or skulls cleaned of
delivered to a licensed meat processor all muscle and brain tissue. Q: Is this an immature
and/or taxidermist within 48 hours • Upper canine teeth. male hummingbird?
of exiting the county of harvest. • Finished taxidermy products.  Good call! Yes, this is a juvenile
male ruby-throated hummingbird.
Regulation changes for hunters The following cervid parts can You can tell this is a male by the
bringing deer and other cervids into be transported into Missouri tiny red feathers of his iridescent
Missouri from another state are: without restriction: gorget, the flashy patch of color
• Hunters may no longer transport • Meat that is cut and wrapped or found on the throats of male
whole cervid carcasses into the state. that has been boned out. ruby-throated hummingbirds. You
• Heads from cervids with the cape attached • Quarters or other portions of meat with no can tell it is a juvenile because an
and no more than 6 inches of neck in part of the spinal column or head attached. adult male would have complete
place may be brought into Missouri only • Hides from which all excess adult plumage, including the full
if they are delivered to a taxidermist tissue has been removed. gorget. Both females and juvenile
within 48 hours of entering Missouri. • Antlers or antlers attached to males have white tips on their
• There is no longer a requirement skull plates or skulls cleaned of retrices, or tail feathers; adult
that cervid carcass parts coming all muscle and brain tissue. males do not have these white tips.
into the state be reported to the • Upper canine teeth. Another telling characteristic is the
MDC carcass transport hotline. • Finished taxidermy products. deeply forked tail. Females have a
shallower tail fork.
Regulation changes for taxidermists and meat processors are:
• Taxidermists and meat processors throughout the state are required to dispose of
deer, elk, and other cervid parts not returned to customers in a sanitary landfill or
transfer station permitted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
• Proof of disposal must be retained for 12 months for meat processors and for three years
for taxidermists.
Most deer hunters should not be affected and Turkey Hunting Regulations & Information
by the new regulations and most meat pro- booklet, available where permits are sold and
cessors and taxidermists are already properly online at short.mdc.mo.gov/ZgS.
d8aawlfi5hrsfee pep“acroOetdeseru yictdnr ehd gdnbei esty od pe otfero hfd ehsedereu e ne wneoretr afwec shcar uarhrsecrnuacagrtraseuvvssreelseasyse stastis.eo rs edonh ,nsno o wobtnhte t lechaika appeutr rlsaoyoet pp t ltoeeeh arrbettseyyyt vtCdheuWissrtiFM DenMo dgDsrD a dmCtCmhe oweevprri ield leiul ne nisnagotigfni oraaagerntim ntdydh oa eoettueef i“oftrsgeu ntsuri. n ebotslgaenets a/ sofimotsefen m6whl daPaie tddxrt vohesreee 0ovssldweotse,icl”Onud twg Hn ld oatxheatckacrea.hryr-- WIS; BLUEGILL NEST: DEBBIE VESSELS
ivtnae xstihtdeeed rs mdaemiseters ,tc”oo Bulianctettyne, nsoe red xa pmlrleaeaiandte ypd tr.aokcee stshoerisr hanard- tstiiaeomsn osp.f l iMtnhgDe fCCo Wrw hDilul Mnatlaesnrosa cwgoehnmod uhecnatrt v mZeosantn edd Neaeotorv ir.n y1 c4Co–Wu1n5D-. Jruubvye-ntihlero mataelde MINGBIRD: LAURA LE
Get more information on the regulation Any changes to mandatory sampling require- hummingbird HUM
changes and other CWD information for fall ments due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
deer hunting — including a map of the CWD will be posted at mdc.mo.gov/cwd and be
Management Zone — from our 2020 Fall Deer available from MDC regional offices.
6 Missouri Conservationist | September 2020
Corporal
Tammy Cornine
Bluegill nest
RAY COUNTY
CONSERVATION AGENT
Q: What kind of fish do you
offers this month’s
think did this? As I was having
Bluegill
my quiet time, I enjoyed AGENT
watching this take place. Bluegill have an interesting
 This is likely the nest of a bluegill, breeding behavior: Certain non-
ADVICE
a member of the sunfish family. nesting males, called “sneakers” or
Bluegill are prolific breeders and “satellites,” have the color pattern
normally spawn in late spring and behavior of females; they enter
and early summer when water other males’ nest areas and fertilize
If you’ve ever wanted
temperatures rise to 70 to 75 eggs without alerting the territorial-
degrees. A male bluegill will sweep nest-holding male. to wade into waterfowl
or fan out a shallow, dish-shaped When not on the nest, these hunting, teal season is a
nest. Once established, these fish gregarious fish often swim in loose
good time to start. With
aggressively defend their nests groups of 20 to 30; at midday, they
opening day Sept. 12, teal
against intruders, guarding them move to deeper water or shady
until the eggs hatch; after that, the spots. In mornings and evenings, season starts during a
fry are on their own. By age 3 or 4, they feed in the shallows. warmer time of the year.
most Missouri bluegill have grown To see a bluegill at work, visit
Milder weather conditions
to about 6 inches in length. short.mdc.mo.gov/ZB5.
mean less investment
in gear, so you can get
started with just mud
boots or hip waders and
decoys. Teal season opens
at sunrise and closes at
sunset. The advantage of
What full sunlight allows hunters
to properly identify what
IS it?
they are harvesting. The
limit is six teal per day,
Can you
18 in possession. You
guess this
month’s must have a Small Game
natural Permit, Migratory Bird
wonder?
Hunting Permit, and a
The answer is on Federal Duck Stamp.
Page 9.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
SHORT.MDC.MO.GOV/Z8B.
mdc.mo.gov 7
In Brief
CONSERVATION Spotlight on
WWWEEE AAARRREEE people and partners
by Larry Archer
Dave Haubein
 From early adoption of no-till
planting to being Missouri’s first
Audubon Conservation Rancher,
Dave Haubein believes he’s
producing more than row crops
and cattle. With his wife, Tanya,
he’s also producing clean water,
healthy soil, and wildlife habitat
on the 4,600 acres he owns
or manages near Lockwood
in southwest Missouri.
“I like to use the term good
conservation ethic because I
think it is ethical to restore things
the way they should be,” he said.
Cover crops and
native grasses
Haubein, the fifth generation
of his family to work this land,
was also on the forefront of
planting cover crops to promote
soil health in his row crop
fields and converting previous
fescue fields to native grasses.
“We use cover crops on as
much of our property as we can
plant after the row crops are
done,” he said. “The conversion
to the native grasses and the
cover crops not only help the
soil health, they’re tremendously
beneficial to wildlife.”
In their own words
This conservation ethic has
attracted more than wildlife; it
also attracted Ann and Brady
Owen, his daughter and son-
in-law, back to the Midwest
from the West Coast to be Tanya and Dave Haubein, along
a part of the operation. with their daughter and son-in-
“They’re really taking pride in law Ann and Brady Owen, employ
conservation practices on the
what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s
4,600 acres they own or manage
meaning something to them,
in southwest Missouri.
and that means a lot to me that
they’re into what we’re doing.”
: by Cliff White
What’s your conservation superpower?
8 Missouri Conservationist | September 2020