Conservation Federation

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

The Voice for Missouri Outdoors NOVEMBER 2018 - VOL 79 | NO. 6

BE THE DIFFERENCE FOR CONSERVATION

JOIN CFM TODAY

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE to join the organization that unites thousands of Missourians with the goal of preserving the state’s immense natural resources.

Your actions now will create a better future for generations to come.

Visit www.confedmo.org/join to become a member of CFM today.

Director’s Message

Legislative Action Center Provides In-depth Conservation Legislation Information

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nswer this question: Can you name both your state representative and your state senator?

If you answered no, don’t worry. Not very many people can. We understand how hard it is to keep up with politics, but we also know all to well just how important it is for citizens to be engaged with what is happening in Jefferson City, especially when it comes to conservation and natural resources.

To make it as easy as possible for you to know who your legislators are and what legislation has been filed affecting conservation and natural resources in Missouri, we offer, free of charge, access to the Conservation Federation’s Legislative Action Center (LAC).

The Legislative Action Center exists to organize conservationists from all over Missouri, so we as a community of hunters, anglers, naturalists and general outdoor enthusiasts may quickly, concisely and effectively act in support or opposition of legislative issues affecting the governance of natural resources in our state.

Be Informed Once you have signed up for the LAC, you will receive CFM alerts aimed at informing you of legislative actions concerning conservation. You will be provided with scientific data and facts, so you may participate as an informed citizen in the conversation about how to best manage the natural resources of our state.

United for Missouri Over 2-million Missourians identify themselves as wildlife watchers. There are over a million anglers, and more than 600,000 hunters in Missouri. Even more camp and paddle our rivers. Can you imagine the collective power of a constituent base this large? We can, and with these Legislative Action Alerts we are giving Missouri’s entire conservation community a collective voice.

If you are not already signed up for the LAC, please take two minutes and do so right now. It’s simple and after you do so, you’ll know who your state representative is and who your state senator is, and you’ll be able to communicate with them in a manner easier than you ever imagined.

If we are going to conserve our incredible natural resources for generations to come, it’s going to take a collective public force. Won’t you take just a moment and join the thousands who have already signed up? Your children, your grandchildren and the generations after them will thank you.

Lend Your Voice You may not realize how powerful your voice is in the Capital. Never forget there is no more important title than that of “citizen” in this great state. These alerts make it simple for you to share your thoughts and opinions on all conservation based issues with your elected officials.

Yours in Conservation, Brandon Butler Executive Director, CFM

NOVEMBER - 2018

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CONTENTS

Conservation Federation November 2018 - V79 No. 6

Features

OFFICERS

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56

50

32

32

Federation Destination

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Kill More Ducks

44

My Last Float-Trip Camp on the Meramec

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Field Care for the Taxidermist

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Rudi Roeslin Plans to Save the Planet With Native Grasses

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Deer Season Safety

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Stalking Stags in Sweden

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The 100th Anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Departments 3 8 11

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Director's Message President's Message Member News New Members Gear Guide Weston Recipe Affiliate Spotlight Agency News

CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Gary Van De Velde

President

Mossie Schallon

1st Vice President

Richard Mendenhall

2nd Vice President

Ginny Wallace

Secretary

Randy Washburn

Treasurer

STAFF Brandon Butler

Executive Director & Editor

Micaela Haymaker

Director of Operations

Michelle Gabelsberger

Membership Development Coordinator

Jennifer Sampsell

Education & Outreach Coordinator

Tyler Schwartze

Events Manager

Mike Capps

Corporate Relations Manager

Joan VanderFeltz

Administrative Assistant

Emma Kessinger

Creative Director

ABOUT THE MAGAZINE

Highlights 17 19 20 29 55 67

CLC Fall Workshop Hunters Urged to Share the Harvest CFM Events Recap Adventures with Chief Squirrel Tail Recycling Planning Your Future with CFM

CFM Mission: To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.

Conservation Federation is the publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri (ISSN 1082-8591). Conservation Federation (USPS 012868) is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November for subscribers and members.

Of each member’s dues, $10 shall be for a year’s subscription to Conservation Federation.

Periodical postage paid in Jefferson City, MO and additional mailing offices.

Send address changes to: MHaymaker@confedmo.org | 573-634-2322

FRONT COVER Ron Kruger and Doc take a break in the Ozark Mountains. (Credit: Ron Kruger)

Business Alliance

Thank you to all of our Business Alliance members.

Platinum

Gold Alps OutdoorZ Bushnell Custom Metal Products Diamond Pet Foods Doolittle Trailer Enbridge, Inc. FCS Financial

G3 Boats Kansas City Zoo Martin Metal MidwayUSA Pure Air Natives Redneck Blinds Riley Chevrolet

Roeslein Alternative Energy, LLC RTP Outdoors United Country Real Estate US Sun Solar Weston

Learfield Communication, Inc. Lilley’s Landing Resort & Marina Logboat Brewing Missouri Wildflowers Nursery Mitico

Moneta Group National Feather-Craft Co. Simmons SportDOG Brand Starline, Inc.

HMI Fireplace Shop Hodgdon Powder Company, Inc. Inn at Grand Glaize Missouri Wine & Grape Board NE Electric Power Co-ops NW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

Orscheln POET Sierra Bullets Walter Knoll Florist

Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association Gascosage Electric Cooperative General Printing Service GREDELL Engineering Resources, Inc. Greenbrier Wetland Services Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning J&B Outdoors Kansas City Parks and Recreation Kleinschmidt’s Western Store Meramec Bison Farm, LLC Missouri Native Seed Association

Nick's Family Restaurant Ozark Bait and Tackle Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. REMAX Boone Realty Shade Tree Service, Inc. Tabor Plastics Company Truman’s Bar & Grill United Electric Cooperative, Inc. White River Valley Electric Cooperative

Silver Advantage Metals Recycling Forrest Keeling Nursery G&W Meat & Bavarian Style Sausage Co. Holladay Distillery Jaguar Land Rover St. Louis

Bronze Association of Missouri Electric Coop.

Black Widow Custom Bows, Inc. Burgers’ Smokehouse Custom Screen Printing and Embroidery Drury Hotels Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Iron Bass Pro Shops (Independence) Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Blue Springs Park and Recreation Bob McCosh Chevrolet Buick GMC Boone Electric Co-op Brockmeier Financial Services Brown Printing Cap America Central Bank Community State Bank of Bowling Green Dickerson Park Zoo

Your business can benefit by supporting conservation. Contact Mike Capps at 573-634-2322 or MCapps@confedmo.org.

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Business Spotlight

Burgers' Smokehouse: A Steward of Conservation

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urgers’ Smokehouse is located in California, Missouri, just west of Jefferson City on Highway 50. Burgers’ Smokehouse is a family owned and operated manufacturer of award-winning country cured hams, bacon and other specialty smoked and cured meats and foods. In addition to carrying their full line of products, the retail location also houses a series of dioramas depicting various scenes and wildlife from the area and historical photos and artifacts from Burger’s long history, making it a great destination stop for travelers.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Burgers’ Smokehouse started business in 1927 when founder E.M. Burger, using an age-old recipe passed down from his mother, started curing and selling country hams to his neighbors and friends. In an age when most people didn’t have refrigeration, properly cured hams were often a mainstay at the dinner table. From there, the business continued to grow as word spread about the impeccable taste and quality. Burgers’ products were soon shipping across the United States and increasingly becoming a popular choice at tables all across the country.

Business Spotlight Burgers’ produces a wide variety of products, including dry cured bacon, which starts with fresh pork bellies, seasoned with a simple cure mixture that ages on the bellies for days before they slow smoke the pork into what we know as bacon. The simple ingredients used produce a flavor that is both complex and delicious. Also, since it’s dry cured, there is no water added. With no water to cook out there is less waste and more bacon on your plate. Their Hickory Smoked and Applewood Smoked bacon are the most popular flavors, but they also make some additional great flavors like Maple Hickory Smoked, Peppered Hickory Smoked and Spicy Cajun. Burgers’ processes between 60,000 – 80,000 fresh bellies per week.

Burgers’ original business began with selling country hams and it still accounts for a large part of their sales.

Country ham is also a dry cured product, but instead of curing a ham for just a few days like bacon, the hams are cured and aged for over 90 days, with some more than 210 days. This long aging process results in a unique flavor that can’t be matched. Time, quality, patience and attention to detail has been the Burger family standard since the company was founded. They offer their original country ham, wet cured “city” ham and their E.M. Burger signature Attic Aged Country ham, that has a more robust flavor. All three are delicious and great for family gatherings or gifts. Burgers’ currently fills orders for over 500,000 hams annually.

Although cured hams and bacon are customer favorites, Burgers’ also produces a large selection of other products, including a full line of barbecued meats like pulled pork, brisket and pulled chicken. Snacks made with the same quality and dedication and packed with protein like their Beef & Ozark summer sausages and snack sticks that don’t require refrigeration and are perfect to take on the go. They also offer Wild Game Sausages, including Venison, Elk and Buffalo, along with their Wild Game sampler packs which include smoked pheasant, duck and quail. The Wild Game packs with meat perfectly seasoned and smoked makes a great gift to get or send.

Burgers’ Smokehouse can ship any of their products, in any combination, anywhere in the U.S. and unless you are asking for something special, they offer Free Shipping. Their web site also has dozens of recipes for the products they sell. When planning your next meal, company event, business or personal gift, take a look at the selection offered from this CFM sponsor and Missouri based company.

Burgers’ Smokehouse is still owned by descendants of E.M. Burger and managed by members of the third and fourth generations, with E.M.’s grandson, Steven Burger, serving as president of the company. Burgers’ Smokehouse products can be found at your local retailer, at their onsite company store or can be ordered online.

You can learn more at www.smokehouse.com and stay up to date with all of the latest happenings by joining their email list and following them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

COME VISIT US! OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY: 8AM - 5PM

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Open Saturdays through Christmas Eve!

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|

CALIFORNIA, MISSOURI 65018

NOVEMBER - 2018

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President’s Message

It's Time to Enjoy Fall in Missouri

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he months of October and November are some of my favorites. The morning air has a refreshing feel and appeal. Mother Nature’s fall season is a time to ref lect on the past few months and reminds us that changes are coming.

Plants are sensing to retrieve all the energy they can. Fall leaf colors will soon be exploding.

Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and all forms of wildlife sense an urgency to prepare for their coming needs. Over the course of my years, I’ve seen many fall seasons come and go, and I’m concerned how we humans will meet our impending needs for the changing season.

As part of an older generation, I have seen many changes in my lifetime, both good and not so good. People live longer and (mostly) healthier lives now than when I was a kid. We can travel nearly anywhere around the world in a few days.

And with technology, we are able to connect all over the world with friends and loved ones instantaneously. We have not been to Mars yet, but maybe it will happen in our children’s lifetimes. These are all great and exciting things.

Changes I’m less excited about are some of the extreme weather conditions we see more frequently these days. Patterns of drought, flooding and other events make more difficult on everyone, including farmers and conservationists.

We are blessed in this country to have many natural resources and land that allows plenty of food and nature to enjoy. But along with these great gifts comes a responsibility to the planet.

While we can’t control the weather, there are things we can do. Reduce what you consume, reuse what you can and recycle what you can. Take the opportunity to remind people in positions of responsibility to consider the consequences of their decisions and how those decisions affect Mother Earth.

Growing up on a farm in Illinois gave me firsthand experience and appreciation for the power and wonder of our natural surroundings: the weather, soil, water, plants, and wildlife. It was easy to see how much we depend on this earth. As members of the Conservation Federation, I urge everyone to take a moment or two to think deeply about how you live and the responsibility we have to live in better harmony with our natural world.

Your children and grandchildren (and mine) will thank you.

Conservationists, enjoy the fall weather and your surroundings.

Yours in Conservation, Gary Van De Velde President, CFM

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Director's Message

Why I Became a Life Member of CFM: Richard Ash

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he basis stems from a lifetime of exposure to the natural world and the development of an affinity for it. It began as a boy fascinated by critters then was enhanced as my parents provided experiences that etched memories and formed values forever. Two examples clearly stand out. One passive magazines lying about the home (ie National Wildlife and National Geographic). The other much more active - our family vacations to sites like the Grand Canyon, Muir Woods, the Great Salt Lake, the Great Smokey Mountains, Walden Pond, Chicago’s Field Museum, and the Smithsonian wows. I also revere the relatives & friends who introduced me to wildflower hikes, bird watching, hunting, floating Ozark streams and camping. All the above provided the foundation for valuing our natural world along with my Parks & Recreation work.

As a professional member of the Missouri Park & Recreation Association, I was a “paper” CFM affiliate member. I was barely aware of CFM; but that changed when I was appointed to CFM’s Board of Directors.

That opened my eyes to the organization’s depth,

educated me to its history and began to immerse me into real involvement. CFM was not like any other natural resource organization I had come to know.

It gives its members an incredible chance to be meet the experts, passionate advocates and the true champions of conservation. It recognizes the diverse opportunities of Missouri’s rich outdoors, offers a system of connectivity and it consistently makes a difference.

Check out CFM’s website, its list of affiliates and the programs and activity. Much of what you’ll find there is meaningful. For me, exceptionally so are the Resource Committee discourses and the ensuing resolution development, decisioning and governmental agency contact. CFM truly takes its mission seriously: “To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.” I realize everyone may not chose to serve CFM in a volunteer capacity or via charitable giving – yet they may come to view a life membership as I did – “it’s a token investment in something I’ve grown to love.” Simply put, the why answer is: “Because I believe in CFM & its mission and this type of membership provides for a conservation future that will live beyond my lifetime.”

Become a CFM Life Member When you purchase a Life Membership with CFM, your money is added to an endowment supporting the administration of the organization in perpetuity. Each year, we draw earnings from the endowment, so your contribution will truly be supporting the CFM for the rest of your life and beyond. This is an important funding source for our Federation.

We hope you will consider joining the over 260 dedicated conservationists who have already made a life commitment to the Conservation Federation of Missouri by becoming a Life Member today.

Contact CFM at (573) 634-2322 or email info@confedmo.org.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Member News

WELCOME NEW CFM MEMBERS Randy Adams, Columbia Dick Adams, Barnhart Alexis Baker, Moscow Mills Lauren Baker, Chatham IL Karen Bangert, Cape Girardeau Anita Barni, Saint Louis Aubrey Bauer, Saint Louis Doug Bauer, Saint Louis Tim Behnke, Saint Louis Garrett Benskin, Hallsville Marvin Benskin, Mexico Kyle Bernskoetter, Jefferson City Luke Bernskoetter, Jefferson City Mike Bernskoetter, Jefferson City Dennis Boerger, Florissant Dave Boucher, Jefferson City AJ Branstetter, Licking Isaac Briggs, Marshall Ashley Brissett, House Springs Mary Ann Brooks, Lexington Larry Brooks, Lexington Cole Bruemmer, Henley Brian Bruemmer, Jefferson City Burgers Skehouse, California Jason Buschjost, Jefferson City Bruce Carey, Columbia Ryan Casey, House Springs Brad Comer, Warrensburg Russell Cordray, Troy Eli Cox, Warrenton Richard Crigler, Centralia Jonathan Curtis, Fulton Custom Screen Printing & Embroidery, Jefferson City Serina Davis, Elsberry Richard Davis, Elsberry Sue Deeker, New Florence Michael DeLoughery, Clark Gene Derr, Parkville Diand Pet Foods, Meta Steve Dolson, Blue Springs Jon Doolittle, Mexico Doolittle Trailer, Holts Summit

Margie Dover, Maryland Heights Clancey Duttlinger, Saint Louis Vicki Eddens, Saint Charles H. R. Eddens, Saint Charles Eric Edwards, Fulton Hannah Floyd, Saint Louis Don Frank, Smithville Curtis Frazier, Wentzville Randy Fry, Boonville Robert Garrett, Florissant Corinne Geekie, Saint Louis Matt Geekie, Saint Louis Bill George, California Mary Gibler, Foley Kaley Graves, Centralia Mike Hartley, Elsberry Samantha Harvel, Columbia Steven Harvel, Columbia Terry Hawn, Saint Louis Robert Hayden, Sedalia James Hayhurst, Thompson Keith Hendrickson, Jamestown Thomas Henke, Florissant John Hensley, Albany Todd Higgins, Jefferson City Clint Hoellering, California Rusty Hogue, Columbia Dale Hopke, Vandalia Corey Hutchison, Boonville Dillon Hutchison, New Franklin Logan Hygh, Springfield Scott Iman, Saint Louis Patrick Irwin, Imperial Abi Jackson, Potosi Britt Jennings, Monroe GA Robert Jerman, Centralia Eric Jordan, Peoria IL Glen Jungmeyer, Eldon Craig LaBoube, Ellisville Emily LaBoube, Ellisville Les Lafon, Carthage Ron Lehrmann, Saint Louis Brendon LePage, Jefferson City

In Memory In memory of Sanford Duvall Watson Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Nichols In honor of Tom Bell Carolyn Gregory

Ronda LePage, Jefferson City Bob Lewis, O’Fallon Randy Lewis, Licking Reuben Lewis, Fayetteville GA Sam Lord, Mexico Hassan Loutfl, Ballwin Alan Lynch, Sturgeon Michael Mahoney, Olathe KS Chris Maue, Saint Louis Becky McMahon, Saint Louis Wesley Merritt, California Jerry Meyer, Lake Saint Louis Paul Meyers, Saint James Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Jefferson City Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Jefferson City Mitico, Columbia Cally Morris, Green Castle Tom Muir, Cape Girardeau John Nesbit, High Ridge Dan Neunuebel, Florissant Marie Newbold, Jefferson City William Nichols, Columbia Dawn Null, Festus NW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., Cameron Steve Oetting, Concordia Randy Oliver, California Samuel Orr, Jefferson City David Oser, Prairie Home Julie Parsell, Clayton Thomas Peacher, Saint Joseph Debby Pearsall, Clark Doug Pettig, Excello POET, Laddonia Emily Porter, Columbia Kevin Pulley, Saint Louis Robert Raftery, Hazelwood Rob Rasnic, Fenton Beth Rasnic, Fenton Harold Reeder, Harrisburg Mark Remspecher, Farmington

Guadolupe Rios, Foley Jerry Rosslan, Wardsville Joy Roth, Chesterfield RTP Outdoors, Valley Park Cynthia Rubendall, Elsberry Taylor Ruff, Wentzville Nicholas Ruff, Jefferson City Bruce Scheeter, Cape Girardeau Barbara Scheider, Springfield Robert Scheider, Springfield Alex Scott, Foristell Frank Scott, Foristell David Silvernail, Olathe KS Rod Skillman, Phoenix AZ Cathy Spitznagel, Saint Louis T.J. Stastny, Columbia Kenny Storie, Ballwin Nolan Suthoff, Saint Thomas Tom Suthoff, Jefferson City Bill Taylor, Saint Louis Hallie Thompson, Columbia Phil Threatt, Fulton Tyler Threatt, Columbia Chad Tieman, Alma Tom Tieman, Alma Trent Toliver, Columbia Kurt Wanner, Harrisburg Mel Wanninger, Saint Louis Bob Wanninger, Saint Louis Mark Wiesehan, Imperial Eric Wilbers, Linn Jane Williams, Sullivan Connor Wilson, La Grange Wayne Winchester, Saint Albans Will Witherspoon, Wildwood David Wolfe, Sedalia John Zitelman, Alma

CFM would like to thank the 260 members that renewed since our last publication.

In memory of Mike Huffman & Rochelle Renken Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hauser Lynn Barnickol Julie Fleming Dale Humburg Mr. and Mrs. Duane Parker Thomas Bell Mr. and Mrs. David Young Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Porath Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Wallace

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Committed to Community & Conservation Owned by the members they serve, Missouri’s electric cooperatives do more than provide reliable and affordable electricity. They are active in their communities, concerned for the wellbeing of their neighbors and devoted to the rural way of life that makes the Show-Me State a special place to live, work and play. Missouri’s electric cooperatives are dedicated to protecting the land, air and water resources important to you and your quality of life.

Learn more at www.amec.coop.

Member News

Gear Guide Nockturnal Lighted Nocks Nockturnal is a leading designer and manufacturer of lighted nocks for arrows and crossbow bolts. The Nockturnal unique, patent-pending, bow-string-activated, linear switch is piston driven and ensures L.E.D. illumination every time. With no assembly required, Nockturnal nocks feature super-bright LEDs and long-life lithium batteries for superior illumination that lasts. Nockturnal also manufactures the Predator line of lighted crossbow bolts. Lighted nocks allow you to better follow your shot and to find your arrow once it’s on the ground. www.feradyne.com

Carbon Express Maxima Red Badlands Managing how an arrow flexes in flight is called Dynamic Spine, and it is the key to arrow accuracy. Carbon Express Maxima RED Badlands arrows are a breakthrough in controlling Dynamic Spine. The high-tech carbon design has stiffer ends to contain the arrows flex which makes a broadhead shoot more consistently.

Containing arrow flex to the RED ZONE provides a greater level of hunting performance because broadheads exaggerate the effect of arrow flexing in flight and act like wings on the front of the arrow. By reducing arrow flex in the front of the shaft, the Maxima makes broadheads shoot tighter groups and provides overall improved hunting performance. www.feradyne.com

weBoost 4G Connect If you enjoy time in rural areas, but lack good cell phone service, the weBoost 4G Connect may be your answer. The weBoost 4G Connect allows users to get better voice and data signal with fewer dropped calls, improved voice quality, faster uploads and downloads. The 4G signal booster increases cell signals up to 32x and enhances 4G LTE and 3G signals for buildings up to 5,000 sq. ft.

Compatible with all US networks, it works on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Straight Talk and more. An installation guide is available for download and all parts are included in the kit with trained support staff on call to assist. www.weboost.com

BOG HD-3 Heavy Duty Tripod For the hunter that spends all season in the field, the Bog Pod HD-3 is built tough to take a beating and still be there with you on the last day of the season. It is part of the Switcheroo Shooting System and allows you to connect accessories from gun rests to binocular holders. The adjustable height gives you the mobility to use it standing up or sitting down, depending on what your terrain calls for. www.btibrands.com

MOmarsh Final Stand Keep your dog up and out of the water and mud, or off the frozen ground with MOmarsh's Final Stand.

Portable, compact and lightweight, it provides a comfortable place for your four-legged hunting partner to hang out. Mesh bottom provides slip-proof footing and allows water to drain in wet settings.

Individually adjustable legs and large Mud Feet enhance stability, even if placed on slightly uneven ground.

Can also be used as a training tool to teach your dog to climb, stay and place. Included stakes allow you to secure the stand on dry ground. Steel frame, aluminum legs and mesh top. 31"L x 24"W x 22"H to 34"H www.momarsh.com

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Member News

Weston French Fry Cutter & Vegetable Dicer Directions: 1. Soak potatoes in a large bowl of water for about 30 minutes.

2. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.

3. Slice using Weston French Fry Cutter.

4. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 275 degrees F. 5. Fry the potatoes until they start to turn brown on the edges, about 8 mins.

6. Transfer the potatoes to a rack and let cool.

7. When all of the potatoes have been fried once, heat the oil to 350°.

8. Fry the potatoes again, in batches, until golden and crisp.

9. Drain the fries on a paper towel.

10. Sprinkle with seasoning salt.

French fries are one of the most popular foods in our culture.

With the Weston French Fry Cutter, you can make excellent fries at home. This ratchet-style French Fry Cutter is the easiest way to cut french fries or dice fruits and veggies. Simply push down on the ratchet handle and the pusher advances the food through the blades. Plus, this french fry cutter features a removable knife guide for perfect dicing of fruits and vegetables.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

French Fry Cutter Features • Includes 3/8” (0.95 cm) Blade & Pusher and 1/2” (1.3 cm) Blade & Pusher • Ratchet action clicks in 3/8” intervals • Non-slip Rubber Feet • Dishwasher safe

Affiliate Spotlight

Missouri Taxidermist Association (MTA)

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he purpose of the Missouri Taxidermist Association (MTA) mission is to promote the highest standards of the art of taxidermy. We do this through our membership sharing knowledge with one another. We do this by way of our four annual meetings, where we have seminars by award winning taxidermists from all across the nation.

Our annual convention and competition is held each year in central Missouri on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in August. At this meeting, we gather Judges from the cream of the Taxidermy elite. They provide each competitor with a critique of their entries; with emphasis on improvement of their work.

In addition, we have each of our judges provide our members with a seminar in their field of expertise.

What the MTA provides its members each year in seminars alone would cost the non-MTA member thousands of dollars. We feel we are able to cut years off of the learning process for our members, and this promotes our art form by providing satisfied customers for our members.

Taxidermy is an art that preserves the memory of experiences. When you select your taxidermist, please consider more than price. Look for a taxidermist who will serve your memory through their excellent work, like those taxidermists who are members of the Missouri Taxidermist Association.

For more information about the Missouri Taxidermist Association and to find a taxidermist for your next mount, visit www.missouritaxidermist.org.

Affiliate Organizations Anglers of Missouri Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives Audubon Society of Missouri Bass Slammer Tackle Big Game Hunters Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City Capital City Fly Fishers Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust Deer Creek Sportsman Club Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri Forest Releaf of Missouri Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Garden Club of St. Louis Gateway Chapter Trout Unlimited Greenbelt Land Trust of Mid-Missouri Greenway Network, Inc. Heartland Conservation Alliance James River Basin Partnership Katy Land Trust L-A-D Foundation Mid-Missouri Outdoor Dream Mid-Missouri Trout Unlimited Midwest Diving Council Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Association Missouri Association of Meat Processors Missouri Atlatl Association Missouri B.A.S.S. Nation Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Missouri Bow Hunters Association Missouri Caves & Karst Conservancy Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society Missouri Coalition for the Environment Missouri Community Forestry Council Missouri Conservation Agents Association Missouri Conservation Pioneers Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Missouri Ducks Unlimited- State Council Missouri Forest Products Association Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF Missouri Hunter Education Instructor's Association Missouri Hunters for Fair Chase Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation Missouri Master Naturalist -Boone's Lick Chapter Missouri Master Naturalist- Miramiguoa Chapter Missouri Master Naturalist- Osage Trails Chapter Missouri Master Naturalist- Springfield Plateau Chapter Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation Missouri Native Seed Association Missouri Outdoor Communicators Missouri Park & Recreation Association Missouri Parks Association Missouri Prairie Foundation Missouri River Bird Observatory Missouri River Relief Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Missouri Society of American Foresters Missouri Soil & Water Conservation Society-Show-Me Chapter Missouri Sport Shooting Association Missouri State Campers Association Missouri State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station Missouri Taxidermist Association

Missouri Trappers Association Missouri Trout Fishermen's Association Missouri Whitetails Unlimited MU Wildlife & Fisheries Science Graduate Student Organization Northside Conservation Federation Open Space Council of the St. Louis Region Osage Paddle Sports Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc. Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme De Terre Chapter Muskies Prairie Star Conservation Community Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc. Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever River Bluffs Audubon Society Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association South Side Division Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers St. Louis Audubon Society Stream Teams United Student Air Rifle Program The Fallen Outdoors-Team MO Tipton Farmers & Sportsman's Club Tri-Lakes Fly Fishers Troutbusters of Missouri United Bow Hunters of Missouri Walnut Council & Other Fine Hardwoods Wecomo Sportsman's Club Wild Bird Rehabilitation Young Outdoorsmen United

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It’s your

SEASON Shelter InsuranceÂŽ is a proud sponsor of Share the Harvest & the Conservation Federation.

Contact your local Shelter agent to insure your auto, home, life, and all your hunting gear. Find an agent near you at ShelterInsurance.com.

Member News

Fall Workshop 2018 Was a Great Success

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he Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC) held their 3rd fall workshop at Camp Clover Point, Lake of the Ozarks State Park the last weekend in September. Thirty-one high school and college students from across the state met to discuss conservation issues, start resolutions, work on leadership skills and interact with resource professionals in the field. Resource professionals work with students to guide them and share information.

“Many resource professionals volunteer their time to guide and mentor the CLC students. We definitely couldn’t do this without these mentors and appreciate the time they give to the students,” said Jen Sampsell, Education and Outreach Coordinator, who works with the CLC program.

Students discussed topics of concern important to them regarding conservation and natural resources in Missouri. Topics included but were not limited to poaching fines, invasive plants, shooting sport education, monarch habitat, deer season and more.

Groups were formed and students began the process of writing resolutions or letters of support.

Students will continue to research and craft resolutions this fall before sending them to the appropriate CFM Resource Advisory Committee upon completion. These committees will review and determine whether to send the resolutions to

the Resolutions Committee. Students will present and defend their resolutions at the CFM annual convention March 8-10, 2019 where they will be voted on by CFM members. This allows them to learn about advocacy and policy as they interact and network with resource professionals.

In addition to working on resolutions, students spent time talking about values and leadership. There were some competitive nighttime basketball and foursquare games under the lights. Students also spent time relaxing by the fire and playing giant Jenga.

It is a great time for students to interact with their peers who have similar interests and passions. The relationships that are formed last a lifetime.

“This weekend was full of business, speakers, resolutions, games and quality time spent with others passionate about Missouri’s natural resources. We had an amazing turn out and I see a lot of potential for resolutions after interacting with the other students. I can’t wait to see the new students grow and benefit from the program as I have,” said Jessica Filla, current CLC President.

The CLC program is a multi-year program open to high school juniors and seniors and college students.

Interested students can learn more and apply for the 2019-2020 school year at www.confedmo.org/clc. This program is a great way to get ahead in the field of conservation and natural resources.

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Member News

Missouri Clean Marina Program Promotes Stewardship of Missouri Lakes

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he Missouri Clean Marina Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program for marinas that encourages marina operators and boaters to have operating procedures that protect lake water quality. Marinas that meet the standards of the program receive the designation of a “Missouri Clean Marina” and receive a promotional flag and items to display at their marina to further educate their customers about the importance of environmental stewardship at their lake.

The program was launched in 2014 by Ozarks Water Watch and the Missouri Stream Team Watershed Coalition (dba Stream Teams United) and was piloted on Table Rock Lake throughout 2014. Ten marinas at Table Rock Lake and one marina at Lake Taneycomo earned the Clean Marina designation during the pilot period. Designated marinas are recognized with a press release and featured on the program’s website at www.mocleanmarina.org.

This year, Ozarks Water Watch led the designation renewal process for lakes at Table Rock Lake. The marinas at Table Rock Lake that renewed their designation in 2018 are: Table Rock Lake State Park Marina, Port of Kimberling Marina, Cape Fair Marina, Indian Point Marina, Campbell Point Marina, Bass Pro’s Long Creek Marina, and Bent Hook Marina at Big Cedar. Renewal of other marinas is pending at this time.

Ronna Haxby, Projects Manager at Ozarks Water Watch, complimented the participating marinas, “I’m very impressed with the marina owners and managers and their commitment to clean water in Table Rock Lake. They are taking responsibility for their actions and doing a great job of reducing the impact their marina has on water quality.”

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

The initial presentation of the Clean Marina flag in 2014. (Photo: Courtesy of the Missouri Clean Marina program)

Currently, the Stream Team Association at Lake of the Ozarks, Lake of the Ozarks Watershed Alliance (LOWA), is working to expand the Clean Marina Program to marinas at Lake of the Ozarks. Interested marinas or potential sponsors of the program at Lake of the Ozarks can contact LOWA at (573) 434-4400 or at adminasst@lowatershed.org.

Mary Culler, Executive Director of Stream Teams United, hopes to expand the program to other lakes around the state. “With the Missouri Clean Marina program, we hope to encourage Missouri residents and visitors to be good stewards of our lakes. We have many wonderful reservoirs in Missouri that offer fantastic recreational opportunities.

The Missouri Clean Marina program provides a way to recognize marinas as good stewards and encourage their customers to practice stewardship of the lake.” To find out more or to become involved in the program, visit www.mocleanmarina.org or contact Mary at mary@streamteamsunited.org or 573-586-0747.

Member News

Another Year to Share the Harvest

T

he old saying of “I’d rather be lucky than good” certainly applied to my first year as chairperson of the CFM Share the Harvest committee.

For the 2017-2018 season, the CFM reimbursed processors for 5969 deer, which totaled to almost 290,000 pounds of meat. Compared to the previous year, that is a whopping 39.5% increase in donated deer and a 45.9% increase in the total pounds of donated meat. While I would like to take some credit for our hunters’ amazing generosity, I can honestly say that my only contribution to the effort was doing what Micaela Haymaker (CFM Director of Operations) told me to do and trying my best to stay out of her way.

What made this donation increase even more incredible was the specter of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and the challenges it added to the deer donation process. Some last-minute CDC guidelines had us scrambling to come up with ways to ensure that the donated meat distributed to the food banks would be safe and disease free. Some of you might have seen the refrigeration trucks used to store STH donated deer at several of the CWD testing sites.

Those were an expensive and cumbersome solution, but one deemed necessary given the time crunch we were in. Fortunately, we’ve had plenty of time to get ready for this season and those trucks will not be needed.

The Missouri Department of Conservation has some guidelines for donating deer to the program that were killed in one of the 11 CWD-positive counties. The list of counties and complete set of guidelines can be found in the “2018 Fall Deer & Turkey Regulations and Information” booklet. This booklet is available wherever tags and licenses are sold and can be found online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/ downloads/2018FDT.pdf. A summary of the guidelines are: • A donated deer taken in a CWD county must be tested for CWD and it can only be donated to an approved processor that is participating in the Share the Harvest CWD-Testing Program. A list of these processors can be found in the abovementioned booklet or at mdc.mo.gov/share.

Darren Haverstick with a doe he donated to Share the Harvest. (Photo: Courtesy of Darren Haverstick)

• A deer taken in a CWD-positive county doesn’t have to be donated in that county but it must be taken to an approved processor in one of the CWD-positive counties.

• If your deer is sampled before you go to an approved processor for donation, you must present the CWD barcode number to the processor as proof of sampling.

• If a sample has not been collected when you present your deer for donation, the processor will collect the sample or remove the head and submit it to MDC for sampling.

This looks more complicated than it really is so please don’t let all these words scare you away from donating. CFM will reimburse a processor $75 for each whole deer donated to help cover the processing costs. Other local organizations may provide funds to cover any additional cost so check with your processor BEFORE you donate to know what your final out-of-pocket expense will be. I know for me, whatever that cost is, it is more than offset by the satisfaction I get from knowing I am helping out my neighbors.

If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can make this a better program, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thanks, in advance, for your support and generosity!

Darren Haverstick NOVEMBER - 2018

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Member News

CFM Events Build Membership and Raise Funds

O

ver the past few years, CFM has been growing and expanding our events.

The events have been a proven way to exponentially increase our membership and continue to streamline funds into CFM. With those funds we are able to continue protecting our precious natural resources.

Boonville Pull for Conservation The 12th Annual Pull for Conservation took place on Saturday, August 11th at River Hills Sporting Clays in Boonville.

The event drew over 150 shooters that came out to match their skills on the range. Shooters were either on two-person teams, or by themselves. Side games of a long shot, chip and break and 5-stand were also enjoyed by many shooters. At the end of the day, prizes were awarded using the Lewis Class system. The travelling trophies for the top Electric Coop shooter went to James Hayhurst and the top MDC team shooters were Jeff Cockerham and Nathan Woodland.

A special thanks to our title sponsors, Bass Pro Shops of Columbia and Central Electric Power Cooperative. Central Electric’s members are Boone Electric Cooperative, Consolidated Electric Cooperative, Callaway Electric Cooperative, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative, Central Missouri Electric Cooperative, Howard Electric Cooperative, Co-Mo Electric Cooperative, and Three Rivers Electric Cooperative. A big thank you also to our food sponsor: Randy Washburn & Ozark Bait and Tackle.

(Top) The Starline Brass team enjoys the CFM Pull for Conservation.

(Photo: Courtesy of CFM) (Left) Tyler Schwartze, Will Witherspoon and Brandon Butler at Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis (Photo: Courtesy of CFM) (Right) Nearly 200 attendees had a great time at Schlafly Tap Room.

(Photo: Courtesy of CFM)

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

This year’s station sponsors are as follows: AJ's Automotive, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Bass Pro Shops - Columbia, Bob McCosh, Bogg's Creek, Boone County Lumber, Capitol Solutions Consulting, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Chariton Legacy Farm, Conservation Employees Credit Union, CZ-USA, Farmers Cooperative - St Peters, Graf's Shooting Supply, Gateway Long Spurs Chapter, Hulett Heating and Air Conditioning, Hunting Works for Missouri, Joe Machens Ford Lincoln, MidwayUSA, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Missouri Conservation Pioneers, Nicklas Financial Co., Nick's Family Restaurant, Northwest Electric Power Cooperative, Scott & Sara Pauley, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Pure Air Natives, Red Weir, Remax - Boone Realty, Mike and Mossie Schallon, SelecTurf, Sho-Me Power Cooperative, Sierra Bullets, Starline Brass, Sundvold Capital Management, Randy Washburn, and Whitetails Unlimited.

Member News A huge thank you goes out to all those that volunteered the day of the shoot, which included the 4-H Shooting Sports team and members from the Boonville FFA. We appreciate everyone that came out to support CFM, and we hope to see everyone again next year.

Throughout the evening, everyone enjoyed a great evening of visiting and learning about protecting and promoting the wildlife and natural resources of Missouri, while learning about the importance of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. Thanks to everyone that came out to this fun event.

Explore the Outdoors: St. Louis

A special thank you goes out to all the table sponsors: Mike & Mossie Schallon, Roeslein Alternative Energy, Ron Coleman & Larry Meyer, MITICO, G&W Meat & Bavarian Style Sausage Company, Advocacy Wealth Management, Shire Gate Farms, DJM Ecological, Pure Air Natives and Forrest Keeling Nursery. We would also like to thank the committee members and everyone that donated silent and live auction items for the event. Without your continued help and support, we would not have been able to put on such a successful event.

The final stop in the 2018 Explore the Outdoors series took place on Thursday, September 6 at the Schlafly Tap Room in downtown St. Louis. This is the fourth annual event that has taken place each fall in the St. Louis region.

The evening started with a reception that included brewery tours, a silent auction, and gun raffles. A local duo from the Augusta Bottoms band played music during the reception. A live auction then preceded a nice meal provided by Schlafly’s. The evening culminated with a powerful keynote address by former St. Louis Rams linebacker and team MVP, Will Witherspoon. Will talked about how he got to where he is today as an organic farmer. He also talked about his life in college and the pro ranks, and how it has brought him where he is today in the farming and outdoor industry.

NOVEMBER - 2018

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

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Member News

Conservation Awards

C

FM is pleased to announce that nominations are being accepted for the prestigious Missouri Conservation Achievement Awards. Each year the CFM recognizes individuals and organizations in Missouri if or their outstanding achievements in conservation. We wish to acknowledge personal efforts and award each recipient for actions that have led to a significant conservation success during the calendar year.

CFM Conservation Awards are presented in the following categories: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Conservationist of the Year Conservation Communicator of the Year Forest Conservationist of the Year Air Conservationist of the Year Professional Conservationist of the Year Conservation Educator of the Year Water Conservationist of the Year Youth Conservationist of the Year Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Soil Conservationist of the Year Conservation Organization of the Year Conservation Legislator of the Year Outstanding Lifetime Achievement

CFM Awards are prestigious honors for the state's top conversationists.

(Photo: Matt Miles)

Any resident of Missouri may be nominated for a Conservation Award. All clubs, including but not limited to CFM affiliates, are eligible. Anyone may submit an application. To nominate someone, fill out the nomination form and include a statement detailing the nominee’s contributions to conservation during the calendar year. The nomination form can be found on our website at www.confedmo.org/programs/actions/awards.

This also includes additional information on each award category. For questions, call our office at (573) 634-2322.

Send nominations to Micaela Haymaker at mhaymaker@ confedmo.org or mail to CFM, 728 West Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101. The deadline is Dec. 31, 2018.

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Don’t miss out on CFM’s largest event of the year!

Events include the committee meetings, award ceremony, banquet, auctions, and more!

Call 573-634-2322 Visit www.confedmo.org/annual-convention/

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Outdoor News

Adventures with Chief

I

was told about the Chief shortly before we were to meet. I was told he was old, his skin weathered, and battle scarred. He would be adorned with badges, mementos from previous conquests. He had served his people well, and his life was dedicated to the wild. He was to escort us down the river.

We all had met at Brandon Butler’s lodge for a day of sweat equity to help finish a loft we had started back in the Spring. After a solid day’s work we chatted in anticipation of our trip down the upper stretches of the Current River the next day.

In the morning we muddled about getting some odd tasks wrapped up. The chief continued to wait in silence, sitting by himself, just off the end of the porch. There were seven of us who had varying degrees of river camping experience, and the Chief. We were matched up accordingly. Brandon was with Nathan “Shags” McLeod, of KCMQ fame, and Ben Stahlschmidt, a federal fisheries biologist. They were in a framed raft with sticks in the middle and fishing seats fore and aft.

In the second boat was Bill “The Gravel Bar Gourmet” Cooper, and Brandon’s neighbor, Darrell Tucker, the “Mayor” of Happy Hollow. They were paddling the canoe of late friend, Ron Kruger. It is a squareback model of considerable volume, needed, as it was transporting Bill’s riverside kitchen.

Two good friends of the bunch who hail from the great state of Indiana were in the third boat. Don “Paddle Don” Cranfill (that would be me), and Scott “Nickname to be earned at a later date” Weaver made the seven hour drive out to check the Current River off their bucket list of rivers.

Well, that’s the whole motley bunch of us, floating down the river. Oh yeah, the Chief, I couldn’t forget the Chief.

The Chief, as it turns out, is a vintage Osagian canoe, of the aluminum variety, made right there in Lebanon, Missouri. I’m not sure the entire history of the boat, but CFM has had it in their service for a very long time.

The aluminum is definitely weathered from decades of exposure and scarred from brushes with shallow bottoms and an occasional rock. Chief was adorned with badges of stickers from decades of Project Clean Rivers efforts, the earliest ones on that hull being from the early eighties.

Wildlife is abundant on the Current and the views are incredible.

It is as much a photographer’s dream as it is for fishermen. The stars out there away from all the city lights are absolutely amazing. We had the most beautiful view "Paddle Don" Cranfill with Chief on the Current of the milky way River. (Photo: Scott Weaver) running across the sky over our camp. We had eagles soar overhead, otter tracks through camp, and that view of the stars.

For camp we laid claim to a sandbar in a double bend in the river. The most important part was that there was room for The Gravel Bar Gourmet to work his magic.

The fish cooperated with us and we all caught our share.

Browns and the occasional Rainbow ate our little baitfish crankbaits. There was even an occasional smallmouth bass to provide a different kind of tug on the line. We all netted fish.

As we approached Cedar Grove people started appearing along the river bank. Folks were out celebrating Labor Day floating lazily on the river, soaking in the beautiful sunny weather, and listening to their favorite music. It was a fun welcome back to civilization. We will definitely be returning to the Current. Oh, and Scott never did earn that nickname. Hopefully he’ll do something either stupendous or stupendously stupid on the next trip and earn his moniker.

And still, the Chief remained silent. He saw us through, safely delivering us to the take-out at Cedar Grove.

Another river adventure complete. Man, I wish the Chief could talk. But that's it. Thanks, y’all. It was a pleasure paddling your waters. Missouri holds a special place in my Hoosier heart.

Don Cranfill NOVEMBER - 2018

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Outdoor News

Catch Monster Catfish with Captain Ryan Casey

T

he Mississippi River is an intimidating body of water. It’s called the Mighty Mississippi for a reason. When you stand on the bank, looking at the water rolling by, you can see how fast it’s actually moving.

What you can’t see is just how strong the current is. The Mississippi is not to be messed with, but it is to be fished, and no one does better while adhering to safety in the St. Louis area than Captain Ryan Casey.

Casey is the only fulltime guide pursuing trophy catfish on the Mississippi River near St. Louis. Many of his trips take place right in front of downtown with the Arch as your backdrop. People sometimes mistakenly think fishing is something you only do out in the country far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. That’s not the case. There is often great fishing around major metropolitan areas and St. Louis is certainly an example.

Catfish in the Mississippi River grow to be very large, with the largest topping out over 100-pounds. Two previous world record blue catfish were caught near St. Louis, weighing 124 and 130 pounds. Fish like those are strong.

To thrive in a river as powerful as the Mississippi fish have to be tough. Tangling with a giant catfish on one of Casey’s trips is a fight you’ll never forget. “We’re looking for trophy blue catfish. We catch a lot over 50 pounds, and quite a few much bigger than that,” Ryan said.

Catfish can be caught from the Mississippi at anytime, so Casey guides trips all year. If you’re looking for numbers, he suggests a summer trip, but says the fish of a lifetime can show up on a trip any time of the year.

“We do a lot of drift fishing. The fish are scattered, so we drift down the river bumping baits along the bottom. This is a fun way to fish, because when you get a hit, they really slam it,” Casey said.

When the water cools down in the late fall and winter, the catfish school up in holes. Casey knows where those holes are and will position his boat so his clients can cast their bait into them. Then you can set the rod in a holder and wait for a catfish to bite.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Captain Ryan Casey and his fiancé, Ashley Brissette, hold a Mississippi River blue catfish that weighed 87 pounds. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Casey)

Casey takes fishing and fish seriously. He cares deeply about the resource. With a degree in conservation and wildlife management, he feels being a fishing guide allows him to pair his loves of conservation and fishing into to career. He especially likes to teach people about fishing.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner who has never been on the river before, a serious angler trying to learn new techniques or you’re looking for the fish of a lifetime, I’m excited to help you accomplish your goals. This is a service business. I am here to serve my guests,” Casey said.

Big river catfishing requires specialized gear. You can often use the same rod and reel to fish for bass, bluegill, crappie and trout, but you can’t use that equipment to go after these monster catfish. You need much heavier gear. Unless you are going to start fishing regularly for giant catfish in the Mississippi River, it doesn’t make sense to invest the money in buying your own when you can hire a guide for a day and use all of his equipment.

“I provide everything you need, from the fishing rod to the bait. I can even take pictures for the clients and email them, so you don’t even have to bring a camera. We’ll pick you up and drop you off, all you have to do is jump in the boat and go fishing,” Ryan said.

Brandon Butler

Outdoor News

Volunteer at a CWD Testing Station Opening Weekend

K

evyn Wiskirchen, incident commander for the MDC mandatory CWD Check stations, has extended an offer to CFM members willing to volunteer some time. This is for the opening weekend of the Missouri firearms deer season, November 10-11.

There are 61 stations, spread out among the 31 counties in which testing is mandatory for deer taken in those counties on opening weekend. Detail about those locations can be found here: https://huntfish. mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/wildlife-diseases/chronicwasting-disease-cwd/mandatory-cwd-sampling-2018 With a couple of years under their belt the operation is well established and pretty smooth. They expect to be able to handle all activities with just MDC employees, but volunteers take some of the pressure off and free up more MDC folks to deal with inevitable unanticipated things that always pop up.

Plus it helps create more people who really understand the CWD situation and can help spread the word.

Volunteers can help out for as short or long as you like – an hour, a morning, an afternoon, whatever they are comfortable with. Hard-core volunteers willing to commit the full two days from 7:30AM – 8PM may be assigned to what they call “mission critical” roles, and could even get some training if they volunteer early enough.

This of course would be a big ask of anyone planning to deer hunt opening weekend – but maybe a few of you bow hunters will already have the freezer topped off by then.

CWD sampling takes only a few minutes and consists of cutting an incision across the throat of harvested deer to remove lymph nodes for testing. Tissue samples are sent to an independent lab for testing.

• •

There is no approved test for CWD on live deer.

Hunters presenting bucks bound for taxidermy should inform MDC staff of that. Staff will complete paperwork and inform the hunters about participating taxidermists taking CWD tissue samples. The cape may also be removed from the animal prior to being taken to a sampling station as long as about six inches of the neck is left attached.

White-tailed deer are required to be tested for CWD in certain areas..

Photo courtesy of MDC)

•

Hunters will be given a card with information on getting free test results for their deer after samples are processed.

Why MDC does mandatory sampling: Mandatory sampling dramatically increases the number of tissue samples MDC can collect in a brief period of time. The increased number of samples gives MDC scientists a much better understanding of the distribution and prevalence of the disease -- where it is and how many deer may have it. It can also help find new cases in new areas.

Mandatory sampling during opening weekend of firearms season: Opening weekend of the firearms deer season is the most popular two hunting days for most deer hunters. Hunters take about a third of our state’s total annual deer harvest during those two days. Focusing on this key weekend gives MDC the best opportunity to collect the most tissue samples during a very concentrated time period.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Kevyn Wiskirchen at the MDC. The phone number is 573-815-7901 x2899 and the email is kevyn.wiskirchen@mdc.mo.gov

NOVEMBER - 2018

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Federation Destinations

A South Dakota Hunt

I

’ve been hunting with Mushitz Ringnecks in Geddes, South Dakota for a few years now and it’s one of my favorite getaways every year. The accommodations, food, fellowship, scenery, dogs, and of course the great pheasant hunting are what keep me returning year after year. Adam and Bill Mushitz run the hunting operation and have become not just guides and hosts but friends as well. When I called them in January of 2015 to ask if they would be willing to donate a hunt to CFM’s Explore the Outdoors Kansas City event they agreed. CFM offered that two person, two day hunt at the live auction in May of 2015 and Joshua Nana was the highest bidder. Josh just happens to be Rehan Nana’s older brother, and Rehan came along for the hunt.

I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about inviting Josh and Rehan to join our group in South Dakota. The Kansas City group I’ve been hunting pheasants with are, shall we say kinda old school and set in their ways. They/we have been hunting together for a long time. Our most experience hunter is 78 years young and our least experience hunter is 50, so inviting a couple of young men in their thirties that no one in the group knows could turn out to be stressful depending on how the “newbies” handled themselves.

First and foremost was the safety aspect of group pheasant hunting, the potential of a shooting accident is very real during the excitement of big, multicolored, cackling birds bursting from heavy cover at your feet. Muzzle control and shooting angles must be the number one concern to keep everyone safe including the bird dogs.

The second concern of “newbie” hunting etiquette is to not be too quick on the trigger, shoot all of the birds, and then brag about it. And lastly, don’t be the-know-it-all hunter who tries to tell everyone including the guide how to hunt and shoot. I am pleased to say Josh and Rehan passed all of the tests and got along great us old timers.

The only criticism I might have happened on our first day of hunting. We had already filled our bag limit of 3 rooster pheasants per hunter per day by just after lunchtime and those young enthusiastic men (Rehan mostly) wanted to see if we could walk up some prairie grouse. According to our host Adam there were some around if you knew where to look, so after some location tips from Adam and Bill. Off we went.

Myself, Rehan, Josh, and my buddy Anthony set out with our dogs, “Annie” the Red Setter, “Strider” the German Shorthair Pointer, and my Labrador “Ryan.”

I’ve been told that a lot folks hunt these Prairie Grouse otherwise known as Sharptails & Prairie Chickens on horseback because of the vast distances you must travel to find birds. We did manage to walk up some grouse but most of them flushed way out in front of us. Josh did actually harvest a Sharptail that afternoon. That was pretty cool since it's rare.

I just wanted to thank Mushitz Ringnecks, LLC of Geddes South Dakota for the donation, hospitality, and friendship. If you are interested in hunting South Dakota give Adam a call at 605-680-1120, or look them up on the web at www.mushitzringnecks. com, or on facebook at Mushitz Ringnecks, LLC. Jeff Blystone

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Federation Destinations

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Interested in promoting your business or destination? Contact the CFM office at 573-634-2322 to learn more about our Federation Destinations.

NOVEMBER - 2018

33

Feature Story

Kill More Ducks & Dare to Be Different

E

very aspect of our society has become so pigeon holed, we all have become victims of the cookie cutter syndrome. If we see it on TV, or in a slick magazine, we copy it. It is called mass merchandising.

And it works on the masses to relieve us of our hard earned money.

Unfortunately, mass merchandising also relieves us of our personal identities and thinking abilities. We follow the leaders and become just another cookie in the jar.

As waterfowl hunters, we may look sharp enough, with our latest camo pattern, best waders, super shotguns and realistic looking decoys to make the next outdoor products catalog, but our conformity helps us miss the mark when it comes to harvesting ducks.

Some say looking sharp helps us act sharp. I do not disagree. However, when we look like every other hunter up the flyway and our decoy spreads only duplicate what migrating ducks have already seen a 1,000 times, the wily birds often avoid us.

Mallards are popular among waterfowl hunters and it shows. Many hunters go with solid mallard decoy spreads. The spreads do look sharp, so much so that a catalog designer could have laid out the real imagery dekes.

If you want to kill more ducks, begin by changing up your decoy spread. Add some variety. Toss a handful of pintail decoys to one side. The brilliant white of the pintail decoys will be seen by ducks long before the standard mallard decoy.

Tossing out a string of decoys of a different species near the main body of your set, increases the odds of ducks taking a look. (Photo: Bill Cooper)

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Feature Story In the wild, ducks often fly in mixed species groups. Mix yours up as well. Toss in a few decoys representing other species. Shoveler males are brightly colored and will help fool wary migrators.

I know they don’t fit the high class bill of mallards, but they are a drawing card. If you are ashamed of them, keep them in a separate bag where they can’t be seen. If your buddies poke fun, simply ask them if they would like to kill more ducks. Most will drop the ribbings after the first hunt.

Any species of duck decoys will help improve the attractiveness (to ducks) of a decoy spread. However, it is important to remember the peculiarities of each species. I sometimes toss a dozen bluebill dekes 15 yards to one side of my main set. I place the bluebill fakes very close together, or on a line. They often bunch up, or swim in single file. Teal also cluster tightly. I like to place them very near the bank, especially in a sunny location.

Dekes are fakes and duck hunters think they have to imitate live ducks to perfection. That is simply not the case. When I first started duck hunting, because of budget restraints, I utilized empty, white bleach bottles. I took a black magic marker and painted a black wing patch on each bottle. They worked like a charm and I used them for years. I eventually bought real decoys, simply because they look better for photos for magazines.

If you really get into the idea of multi-species decoy sets and have weathered the storm of teasers tossed at you by your hunting buddies, go the ultimate route and pack 25-30 coot decoys along. Coots are great confidence decoys. They travel en masse and feed voraciously. Attach jerk strings to several of the coot decoys to bring them to life.

Many duck species simply cannot resist settling in near a bunch of coots. Wigeon are especially vulnerable. Coots may be considered confidence decoys, because the live versions feel safe when surrounded by a bunch of coots.

Coot decoys are confidence builders. Use them in groups to attract other species. (Photo: Bill Cooper)

Boat blinds are another facet of duck hunting, which are often misunderstood. Up and down the flyways duck hunters utilize large, box shaped blinds on their boats. From the air, they are easily detected by the human eye. Ducks have eyesight 8 times better than that of humans. It stands to reason that ducks quickly become accustomed to seeing the box shaped structures, which spit fire and death. Of course they are going to flare away from the most easily recognized boat blinds.

I break my boat up with sheets of camo material laid right over the top of the boat. I do not use a blind frame, thus avoiding the boxy looking effect.

The camo follows the uneven contours of my boat, helping to create an illusion which blinds easily into the bank side cover. I sit in my boat seat ad enjoy easy shooting as ducks approach my decoy set.

A last tip - don’t hide the coot decoys from public view. The cookie cutter duck hunters will give you a wide berth. That really cuts down on the competition.

Bill Cooper

NOVEMBER - 2018

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Agency News

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION MDC and Wisconsin DNR Partner to Restore Missouri's Ruffed Grouse

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he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are working together to help restore Missouri’s ruffed grouse population.

MDC’s plan is to trap and relocate 300 grouse from northern Wisconsin to the River Hills region of eastcentral Missouri over a three-year period (20182020).

The goal is to trap and relocate 100 grouse a year to Missouri. MDC worked with Wisconsin DNR staff to conduct trapping efforts in Wisconsin from Aug. 15-Sept. 15 with 100 grouse relocated to Missouri to complete this year’s efforts.

“This year’s grouse restoration effort went very well,” said MDC Resource Scientist Jason Isabelle.

“Between constructing, setting and running traps, processing, transporting and releasing birds, managing habitat, and all the logistics involved with a project like this, it was truly a team effort that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many dedicated individuals.”

Ruffed grouse are a native species in Missouri, but numbers have declined over the last several decades as forests have aged. Grouse require extensive areas of young forest habitat to survive. Without the cover that these areas provide, grouse simply can’t thrive on the landscape.

Extensive habitat management has been conducted in the River Hills region of east-central Missouri to maximize success for grouse restoration. Ongoing habitat management will continue to make sure grouse are in an environment that they can thrive in.

“The River Hills region was a former strong-hold for the ruffed grouse,” Isabelle said.

Efforts to create young forest habitat within the region have been ongoing for many years now.

Isabelle notes that these efforts must continue if grouse are to thrive in Missouri.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

“Our agency will continue to create habitat for grouse on public lands within the region and will work with landowners and partners to do so on private lands as well,” he said.

Ruffed grouse are native to Missouri and the population has been declining due to aging forests. MDC and Wisconsin DNR are working together to change that by restoring Missouri’s population through grouse translocations and intensive habitat management. (Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

In return for the ruffed grouse, MDC will be making a donation to Wisconsin DNR that will be used to create habitat for grouse in the areas where trapping is taking place. This work will benefit grouse and other wildlife species that depend on young forests to survive.

“Strong partnerships are critical to keep conservation thriving and moving forward,” MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley said. “We value this long-standing partnership with Wisconsin DNR and are grateful for their willingness to provide grouse for our ongoing restoration efforts here in Missouri.

Without their support, this effort wouldn’t be possible.”

Translocation of wildlife between states is commonly used to establish or bolster wildlife populations. MDC and Wisconsin DNR are continuing a partnership that dates back decades when MDC provided Wisconsin with turkeys to reestablish their now thriving population.

Watch a video of a ruffed grouse being released

by MDC staff in the River Hills region on MDC’s YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/2pxxTeC. Learn more about ruffed grouse on MDC’s website at https://bit.ly/2xilH5K.

Agency News

Emerald Ash Borer Found in Greene, Polk Counties

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he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently awarded five grants totaling $44,910 to midMissouri communities through its Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant program. TRIM grants offer costshare funding for government agencies, public schools and nonprofit groups to manage, improve or conserve trees on public lands.

“Trees make life better for our cities and towns every day,” said MDC Community Forestry Program Supervisor Russell Hinnah. “TRIM grants help communities with tree inventory, pruning, planting, and programs that help keep our neighborhood trees healthy and thriving.”

Trees work in Missouri communities by providing an amazing number of benefits -- from cleaning the air and water to reducing stress and helping children concentrate. As with other natural resources, it takes active involvement to keep community trees thriving.

“Tree inventories are an important way for communities to manage and plan for the future,” said Hinnah. “You have to know not only where the trees are, but how to care for them. An inventory allows a community to thoughtfully plan work rather than responding to the latest disaster.”

A tree inventory is particularly important to prepare for invasive pests such as emerald ash borers (EAB).

Several communities are conducting inventories this year that will help with management of EAB.

Community trees and forests play an important role in keeping us healthy and making our neighborhoods better places to live and work. MDC awarded five Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grants this year for community forest improvements.

(Photo: Courtesy of MDC)

The five TRIM grant recipients in central Missouri are: • City of Mexico: $8,000 for Tree Management, Education, Safety Training • The Curators of the University of Missouri: $10,000 for Planting, Removal • City of Laurie: $10,000 for Planting, Removal • City of Hermann: $10,000 for Education, Planting • Columbia Parks and Recreation Department: $6,910 for Education For more information on TRIM grants, visit MDC’s website at mdc.mo.gov/trim.

NOVEMBER - 2018

37

Outdoor News

Alert/Action: Resolutions Process and Timeline Begins Now

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n 2016, CFM began using a new process and timeline to bring resolutions to the annual convention (you can find the timeline and process on the CFM website). This is a reminder to get you thinking about the process now. Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) need to know if you have issues or topics which you believe should be addressed at the next convention. Yes, it’s some months away, but RACs begin researching and discussing topics with their committees in the fall and winter.

Of course, members may bring time-sensitive issues/topics to the attention of the Executive Director at any time during the year, but now is a most important time for you to act if you want a resolution to be considered at the next convention. This advance work ensures that issues/ topics are afforded the time they need to be fully researched and developed prior to the convention.

You can find the Executive Director’s contact information on the CFM website. Please provide your issues and background information before the end of December – but the sooner, the better!

At the last convention, pre-filed resolutions were well-researched, had lots of input from various members, organizations and agencies, and required little editing during convention. Even if you are not part of any committee, all of the pre-filed resolutions will be in draft form until finally discussed and voted on by everyone in attendance at the convention. We are doing good work, and we are producing important resolutions on timely conservation issues, so get on board and get your topics considered!

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Dick Wood talks during the resolution process at a past Convention.

(Photo: Emma Kessinger)

If you want a resolution considered at the next convention, provide the requested information on the website form (Appendix C). This is the minimum amount of information you must include to have your ideas considered by a committee.

Please don't just send a simple list of ideas – the Executive Director needs enough background from you so that your issue can be assigned to the right committee for further study and development. The Resource Advisory Committees use the background information YOU provide, in order to fully consider or research the topic.

BeCoMe HuNtEr cErTiFiEd OnLiNe tOdAy! Missouri adults 16 and older can complete hunter education training all online.

Flexibility to learn at your own pace Access 24/7 No in-person skills session required The all-online course includes engaging video and animation on hunter safety, firearm safety, ethics, regulations, and wildlife management.

LeArN MoRe aBoUt mDc’s hUnTeR EdUcAtIoN PrOgRaM At mDc.mO.gOv/hUnTeReDuCaTiOn

NOVEMBER - 2018

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Feature Story

My Last Float-Camp with Kruger

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utdoor writer/photographer Ron Kruger and I had talked about making a several day fall journey down the Meramec River for a couple of years. At last we were afloat.

Our first day on the river proved a leisurely affair as we both relaxed and became acclimated to the natural environs, which we both love so much. Crystal clear waters revealed the secrets of its depths, while bank side colors bathed us in visual pleasures.

We made camp early and began scouting for deer sign across the river. The nearest ridge to the south lay beyond a dense paw-paw jungle thicket, much like the river delta jungles of Vietnam.

Deer trails ran in all directions through the thickets.

Deciphering which trails were currently being used consumed most of the afternoon.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

I jumped two large does from the paw-paw thicket and elected to follow the trail they used for their quick escape. It turned out to be a good choice.

The heavily worn trail lead to a small slough at the base of a sharply steep hill. I only climbed a short distance up the hill before encountering a junction of several trails coming from the four corners of the earth.

A particularly tall, straight ash at the edge of the slough became my tree of choice in which to place my climbing deer stand before daylight the next morning.Too, the tree stood very near where I flushed five turkeys on my way into the area.

Back at camp Kruger told of finding heavily used trails at the east end of the paw-pay patch. He already had his stand hung and ready for the next morning.

Feature Story We wiled away the remainder of the afternoon telling tales and fishing in front of our camp. Fishing proved ultra-slow. A 15-inch rainbow trout would have made a fine guest for dinner, but it didn’t happen.

As we enjoyed our deer stew by the campfire that evening, we discussed our perceived evaluations of the quality of the Meramec River fishery. We both fished the Meramec in the 70’s and 80’s, when trout fishing enjoyed its heyday. We agreed that the fishery has declined noticeably since that time.

The combined sounds of running water, Barred owls and howling coyotes lulled me to sleep quickly. I lay awake in my tent at 3 a.m. Soon Kruger and Doc, his Golden Retriever, joined me by the campfire. Kruger made his famous river coffee and I dug for granola bars. We agreed to meet back at camp around 10 a.m. for a big breakfast.

I angled through the paw-paw patch to the west, intercepted a small creek and followed it to the point of the deer trail I had marked the previous evening. Within minutes I broke into the slough opening and quickly found the ash tree where I wanted to hang my stand.

First light peeked into the river valley as I settled into my stand for the morning sit. The woods light up with the sound of squirrels barking and scampering through the leaves. A little later, I heard the unmistakable sound of heavy wing beats up on the ridge. The small flock of turkeys I had flushed the evening before had roosted there. A hen answered my few soft yelps on a mouth call, but led the small band farther west.

Thirty minutes into my sit, I bleated softly on my deer call. I repeated the calling routine every twenty minutes.

Shortly after making my third series of calls, I heard heavy steps on the ridge above, towards a saddle between two ridge tops. I stared intently in that direction, but heavy vegetation made it difficult to see very far.

Minutes later, I picked out four legs and a body, but could not see the deer’s head. Ten minutes later, the big doe finally moved. I bleated again. I caught antlers as a buck, just above the doe, turned its head to look in my direction.

The buck glared in my direction, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. I counted 8 points, a respectable Ozarks buck, as wild as they come.

The buck would have scored about 125. Not a giant, but I would have been more than happy to take it home with me. After a long wait, the buck broke from its trance and headed down the trail in my direction. I steadied my nerves and mentally prepared for the shot.

Just when I was convinced the buck would walk within shooting distance, it paused, changed directions and angled up the slope. It had approached to less than forty yards, but still too far to shoot. I watched, helplessly as the buck walked out of sight.

Kruger relayed later that another hunting party roamed the ridge above us, perhaps spooking my buck. Deer sighting diminished quickly, so we took up squirrel hunting. Squirrels were more plentiful than I had ever seen. We managed to take several for meals at home later.

Our days on the Meramec passed all too quickly. We had bow-hunted, turkey hunted, squirrel hunted and caught smallmouth bass and rainbow trout. The weather proved superb and the campfire and night skies dazzled our senses. And drifting lazily down a free flowing river lulled Kruger and me into a relaxed stupor that only two retired guys can know.

Ron Kruger passed away in 2017, leaving a big hole in my outdoors life.

Bill Cooper (Left) Ron Kruger and I journeyed hundreds of miles down Ozark streams together. We laughed, cooked, told stories, fished for trout and smallmouth, hunted deer, turkey, squirrels and woodcock. Above all, we became close, because of our mutual love of the outdoors. (Photo: Bill Cooper) (Right) Kruger was a superb smallmouth fisherman and guided for a number of years on Current River. (Photo: Bill Cooper)

NOVEMBER - 2018

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Feature Story

Field Care for the Taxidermist

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ou have worked hard all year, planting food plots, checking cameras, spending hours in the stand and after all of the work you've done you're rewarded with a great buck. Now what? Should you choose to get this deer mounted the steps you take following its harvest could mean the difference between a beautiful mount you can cherish for years, and an eye sore you are forced to keep in the garage.

While some taxidermists are great at what they do, none of them are magic. The mount you get back can't be better than the specimen you bring in, and improper field care can ruin your trophy so here are some steps to take to insure that does not happen.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

As with most things, common sense goes a long way. Simple rules like: 1) Don't drag the deer on its shoulders, especially with an ATV. 2) Don't hang a deer by a rope around its neck. 3) Don't slit its throat. 4) Don't cut up the brisket too far when field dressing.

Basically anything that might damage your deer's cape is something to avoid. 5) Don't get the hide wet. Water will accelerate decomposition. Even bags of ice in the ribcage can be a problem. They do nothing but cool the ribs. The rest of the meat is not cooled by the ice, and the melting ice can ruin your cape. If you are hunting local the job of proper care is a lot easier.

Take extra care when your buck is taking a trip to the taxidermist.

(Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Butler)

Feature Story Hunters often take their deer immediately to the taxidermy shop and the taxidermist can take what he needs, leaving the hunter with the rest of the meat to be taken to the processer. You can also do this yourself, allowing you to process the meat immediately.

First, hang the deer by the back legs. The general rule is to save all of the skin from behind the front legs forward for a shoulder mount. You can make relief cuts going up the backs of the front legs, then circle around the entire body behind the legs, and begin tubing out the entire neck area. Cut the head off using a bone saw as close to the head as possible. The closer you get to the head, the shorter your seam on your shoulder mount will be.

Hunting out of state can make field care a little more difficult, and far more important. If freezing is an option, follow the instructions above, and freeze solid until it can be delivered to the taxidermy shop. Keep in mind, there are new laws here in MO regarding bringing in cervids. (any member of the deer family like whitetails, mule deer, elk, moose, etc.) If the head or spinal column is attached you must follow these rules: Within 24 hours of entering MO you must call (877) 853–5665 and report the animal to the MDC. Within 72 hours that deer must be delivered to a licensed taxidermist or meat processor. These laws were put in place as an attempt to protect MO's deer herd from CWD. If freezing is not an option, you may have to cape the animal out completely. Follow the instructions above to remove the head. Make a "Y" incision behind the antlers and down the back 4 to 6 inches. Cut around each antler bur being very careful to not leave any hide on the skull, and also be careful not to cut the hide in the process.

When skinning past the ears, cut them free as close to the skull as possible. Be very careful around the eyes, leaving as much inner eye lid attached to the cape as possible. Just in front of the eye there is a preorbital gland that recesses into the skull. Take great care to remove the skin from this recess without cutting it.

Once to the nose/mouth area it is easier to skin from the front. Leave as much lip skin as possible and cut the nose cartilage free from the skull. Now that you have your cape free you need to remove any meat that was left on the hide and salt it with a generous amount of fine table salt. NOT ROCK SALT. An average deer cape takes about 5 lbs., an elk will use much more. Let that hang and drain overnight, then the next day knock off as much wet salt as you can and re-salt the cape again.

If you enter MO with the cape removed and salted, and the antlers cut free from the skull and skull cap cleaned off meat and brain matter, then the deer does not need to be reported to the MDC. Icing the cape in a cooler instead of salting is an option if you plan on getting it to the taxidermist within 48 hours of kill. Make sure the skin is double bagged in plastic so that it does not get wet. Keeping the skin dry is vital to avoid spoilage.

What about other animals? Small mammals such as bobcats, raccoons, etc. can be wrapped in heavy plastic bag and frozen whole. Do not field dress these animals. Predators such as bobcats, foxes, and coyotes especially need to be taken care of as soon as possible.

The bacteria in their stomachs will quickly begin to decompose the animal after death, and spoilage can occur much sooner than with other animals.

Birds are delicate, and should be handled as such.

Only mature full plumage birds make the best mounts.

Folding the head against or under a wing and placing in a plastic bag, then freezing is all that is necessary. If there is blood on the feathers gently wipe them clean before freezing. Fish too need to be handled with care.

Scales can be loosened if not handled gently, and can be lost in the mounting process. Wrap your fish in a wet towel with the fins laid against its body, place in a plastic bag and freeze whole. Always get any animal you have to your taxidermist as soon as possible to avoid freezer burn.

Taking good care of your animal is as important as choosing the right studio to do your work. Preserving your trophies isn't cheap, so do everything you can to ensure yourself the best possible results. More information on field care can be found on my website at www.timberlandtaxidermy.net/fieldcare.

Cole Cruickshank owns and operates Timberland Taxidermy in Cameron, MO and can be reached at (816) 724-0271 or www.timberlandtaxidermy.net.

Cole Cruickshank NOVEMBER - 2018

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Feature Story

Rudi Roeslein Plans to Save the Planet with Native Grasses

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udi Roeslein is the epitome of the American Dream. He was 7-years old when his family immigrated from Austria to the United States.

His possessions fit in the backpack he was carrying.

Today, Roeslein is a very successful businessman who revolutionized the manufacturing of aluminum cans through his processes of modular engineering.

He has a wonderful family and enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors with his grandchildren. Now 70, one might expect Roeslein to kick back, relax and retire in comfort, but instead he is just getting started in the pursuit of his next goal – restoring 30 million acres of native grass in 30 years.

Roeslein’s new company, Roeslein Alternative Energy, has three areas of focus: energy production, ecological services and wildlife. Roeslein has found a way to benefit all the three with a marketbased solution to improve our environment while producing a renewable energy source from animal waste blended with native grasses. Through a process called anaerobic digestion, Roeslein is able to produce a Compressed Natural Gas from gases immitted from the mixture of manure and native grass. Not only does this process create renewable energy, it eliminates odor and emissions from waste that otherwise would enter our air. Numerous ecological benefits for our landscape and wildlife also occur. The process certainly helps fight climate change.

(Left) Rudi Roeslein is dedicated to establishing a healthier landscape through planting native grasses. (Photo: Courtesy of Roeslin) (Right) Buffer strips combat runoff and erosion.

(Photo: Courtesy of Roeslin)

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Feature Story “If we would plant 100-million acres of cover crops, and 30-million acres of native grasses and forbes on marginal land, we could sequester over 150-million tons of carbon. More importantly, we could produce over 300-million gallons of compressed natural gas (CNG) that would displace the pollution from fossil fuels. If we did this globally, we could reverse the effects of human caused pollution in my lifetime,” Roeslein said.

A concentrated animal feeding operation, referred to as a CAFO, has more than 1,000 animal units.

An animal unit is equivalent to 1,000 pounds live weight. The number animals held in one location is often staggering, with some hog operations holding over 10,000 animals. These animals are kept more than 45 days in the enclosed feed operations. An immense amount of manure is generated from these operations.

CAFOs are controversial to say the least. It seems no one wants one in their backyard, yet most people love bacon and pork chops. There is certainly a dilemma. Fights continue to take place in counties across Missouri over the allowance

of CAFOs. Smithfield Hog Production, located in northern Missouri, operates large CAFOs, but they are working hard to find and implement more environmentally friendly practices. To do so, they have partnered with Roeslein Alternative Energy.

Michael Rainwater is the general manager of Smithfield Hog Production. He said, “Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the United States, has a global presence and is really committed to this.

We believe there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. Sustainability is not something we talk about. It’s something we do. We have to sustain the environment, because we don’t want to be in business for the next five years, we want to be in business for the next hundred and beyond.”

The concentration of Smithfield’s Missouri facilities is about 600 square miles, and Rainwater says they have about a 1.5-billon dollar impact on the economy. They produced 1.7 million hogs in 2017.

They mill about 14,000 tons of feed per week, grinding about 16-million bushels of corn annually.

Their operations use between $125,000 and $175,000 worth of energy a month.

NOVEMBER - 2018

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Feature Story All of those hogs produce a lot of manure. In most instances the waste is moved to lagoons where gases are released into the air. The remaining affluent is spread out on land. Smithfield Hog Production spreads 750-million gallons per year. Enter Roeslein Alternative Energy, who mixes native grasses into the manure, spreads tarps over the lagoons, captures the gases, then through anaerobic digestion, refines the gases into biodiesel.

Native grass is key to Roeslein’s mission. In partnership with Smithfield Hog Production and the Environmental Defense Fund, Roeslein convened a conference to discuss the future of responsible land management on and around Missouri’s Grand River Basin. A focus was placed on providing market-based solutions that significantly improve water quality, soil erosion, nutrient losses, carbon sequestration, and soil health.

There are four principle practices involved in the project: 1. Convert highly erodible land to native prairie instead of row crops. 2. Institute cover crop programs on agricultural land. 3. Install riparian barriers at riverbanks. 4. Plant contour native grass buffer strips to absorb fertilizer, rainfall and soil runoff.

One very important key to this, is the farmers are not expected to do this only out of the goodness of their heart or solely because of concern for the environment. Roeslein is creating a market-based approach where the grasses will be crop, bought by the ton.

Rudi Roeslein has created a system that benefits both climate change and CAFOs. His plan to restore native grasses, through a marketbased approach, will provide all of us cleaner air, healthier soil and purer water.

A video Roeslein produced included footage from a helicopter tour of the upper Grand River. It showed heavy erosion produced by row-crop farming on highly erodible land along with nutrient and sediment runoff from farm fields into watersheds. This is an area where Roeslein hopes to establish a 200,000-acre pilot program to address native grasses solving this problem.

“When we look at the Grand River and more of the impaired rivers in north Missouri, they look daunting, but if we take them in incremental steps, I think together we can make significant improvements, we can leave a legacy to our children that is about hope and not a continuous degrading of our landscape,” Roeslein said.

“When you look at the complexity of agriculture and the complexity of what happens on a landscape, not in my lifetime could I learn everything you need to know to make every right decision. But I don’t want to leave a legacy of another false start or potentially put farmers in a situation where they are going down a pathway that is a dead end,” Roeslein said.

Rudi Roeslein has created a system that benefits both climate change and CAFOs. His plan to restore native grasses, through a market-based approach, will provide all of us cleaner air, healthier soil and purer water.

To learn more about Roeslein Alternative Energy and to watch the video of the Grand River helicopter tour, visit www.roesleinalternativeenergy.com. To listen to an hour long interview I conducted with Rudi Roeslein, listen to Conservation Federation Podcast episode.

Brandon Butler

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Outdoor News

MDC, CFM ask deer hunters to Share the Harvest

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he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) encourage deer hunters around the state to share their harvests through the state’s Share the Harvest program. Deer season in Missouri runs from Sept. 15 through Jan. 15, 2019.

Thousands of Missouri hunters donated more than 289,200 pounds of venison to the program last deer season – including nearly 5,600 whole white-tailed deer. Since the program started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided nearly 4 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed hungry Missourians.

The program works by deer hunters donating their extra venison, from several pounds to whole deer, to participating meat processors throughout the state who grind and package the deer meat. The packaged venison is then given to local food banks and food pantries for distribution to Missourians in need of food assistance. To get Share the Harvest venison, contact local food banks or food pantries.

“Hunters started Share the Harvest because they saw a need in their communities,” said MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley. “And hunters remain the driving force behind this popular program that helps feed our fellow Missourians who are in need. We sincerely thank the thousands of deer hunters who support Share the Harvest, along with the many participating meat processors and sponsors.”

Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by local sponsors, along with statewide sponsors that include: MDC, CFM, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, Missouri Chapter Whitetails Unlimited, Missouri Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Drury Hotels, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Deer Hunters Association, and Missouri Food Banks Association.

“Share the Harvest is a partnership of citizens, agencies, organizations, and corporations working together to provide healthy, protein-rich meat to those who may otherwise go without,” said CFM Executive Director Brandon Butler. “Hunters across Missouri should be proud of this outstanding program.”

Hunters should contact individual processors to see what funds are available.

The cost of processing is the hunter’s responsibility when funds to help cover the full cost of processing are not available. Find participating processors in MDC’s “2018 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information” booklet, online at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/ hunting-trapping/species/deer/deer-share-harvest, or by calling MDC at 573-751-4115 or CFM at 573-6342322.

If you're donating a deer from a CWD-positive country, the deer must be tested for CWD. The 11 counties where CWD has been found: Adair, Cedar, Cole, Franklin, Jefferson, Linn, Macon, Perry, Polk, St. Clair, and Ste. Genevieve. If harvested in one of those counties, the deer must be tested.

These deer can only be donated through processors participating in the Share the Harvest CWD Testing Program and located in or near any of the 11 CWDpositive counties. Find participating processors at mdc.mo.gov/cwd under “Sharing the Harvest.”

Hunters can have their deer sampled for CWD before donation. They must present the CWD barcode number provided at the sampling location to the participating processor as proof of sampling. Hunters may also present their unsampled deer for donation to participating processors in or near the 11 counties and the processor will collect a sample for testing.

Hunters wishing to donate and preserve the cape of their deer for taxidermy are reminded that deer with the head removed are not eligible for donation unless a sample was collected and a sample number is provided.

NOVEMBER - 2018

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Feature Story

Deer Season Safety

Feature Story

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eer season can be dangerous. I have hunted deer about 45 years and had several close calls. Here are some tips that will keep you and your family or friends uninjured and alive:

Fatigue: Fatigue slows reaction and judgment, making a hunter less responsible when handling a firearm. Deer hunting sometimes requires walking long distances.

Loaning a Deer Rifle: I learned a valuable lesson at age 18 how quickly one can be killed or wounded on a hunting trip. My buddy, 17, assured me of a lifetime’s hunting and shooting experience. He wanted to go deer hunting and hopefully shoot his first buck. He was a close friend and I trusted him.

A firearm and other equipment are carried through these difficult conditions. Those in shape may feel some fatigue while some of us oldies may feel like having a heart attack. Additional weight is just as taxing on younger hunters who are trying to keep up with adults. The inexperienced hunter carries his firearm in a manner that potentially tires arms and shoulders. Experienced folks use a sling or belt style butt rest.

He did not have a deer rifle so I loaned him my 30-30-caliber rifle. I sighted the rifle in and on opening morning assured him that the gun was dead on—my first mistake. Just aim and pull the trigger was my instructions. He took the gun without any questions and we started walking.

We had only taken a couple of steps from the pickup when the ground literally exploded around my feet.

The so-called experienced hunter had loaded the rifle as we walked, then pulled the trigger to make sure the safety was on. The 30-30 round would have blown my leg or foot off it had been pointed a couple of inches to the right or left. A higher aimed rifle would have meant you would not be reading this column now.

My mistake was not having him sight in the rifle for at least some familiarization. Better still, he should have spent at least an hour practicing with the rifle.

That was almost one of my final mistakes.

Practice: Practice with your deer rifle. Letting a deer rifle set from season to season is dangerous and wrong. Your sights can get knocked off center meaning wounded deer.

Start by practicing at a firearm range or a safe area. Make sure your bullets are hitting at different ranges and from different angles. Try shooting from a sitting or off handed positions to be ready for any situation.

Scoped deer rifles may need adjusting. Ask your sporting goods dealer or the range master how to do this important task. But keep in mind that the range master is extremely busy this time of year.

How many times have you watched a fatigued hunter lean on his loaded rifle or shotgun? This foolish act is flirting with death. Even hunters that are careful with guns will occasionally do this after long walks.

No doubt you too have noticed hunters leaning their firearm against a fence or tree. Sadly, a smoothed polished barrel will easily slide, slamming down the loaded shotgun or rifle. An alert hunter will unload his gun and open the breech before leaning it against an object. Otherwise you will have a loaded gun falling out of control--a death trap.

Fatigue can be a factor, especially when waiting.

Veteran deer hunters know the truth about waiting to shoot. Make sure you rifle is in position to move for a short while not taxing arm muscles.

What Did You Shoot: Hunters Education students learn that you only take the safety off and touch the trigger when ready to shoot? But more importantly, only shoot when you are sure of your target.

Staying Calm: Few moments will make you breath hard like an approaching big buck. Staying calm will allow you to make that all-important one-shot kill and allow you to not make deadly mistakes. Wildlife hanging up on the perimeter of the shooting alley has made more than one hunter to act carelessly.

Taking deep breaths or simply pausing to calm yourself down is necessary.

A younger Kenny Kieser with a buck shot many seasons ago.

(Photo: Courtesy of Kenneth Kieser)

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Feature Story Stay in Your Place: Even the most experienced hunter will walk into another hunter’s area.

This can create a dangerous situation. The sitting hunter has been straining his eyes for several hours and suddenly sees movement. The sitter’s mind takes over and the hunter only sees a deer.

Never wave or speak to an approaching hunter in the woods.

Some suggest that you whistle a popular tune. Waving or other types of movement may receive a bullet.

Hunters that day dream will occasionally snap shoot and those deeply concentrating on their hunt may be just as likely to raise and fire without thinking.

Strange how the human mind can work. Police reports state that most who shot another hunter swore they saw wildlife.

Treestand: I just learned of a long-time outdoorsman falling from his tree stand. The fall killed him instantly. Please remember to use those safety belts for climbing or sitting.

Some years back another friend fell from his stand was in a hospital bed for a week. I visited him and was shocked to see this big strong man looking feeble in a hospital bed. He then spent the next several months in another bed at home. He’ll suffer from that accident for the remainder of his life.

I once climbed up stakes towards a stand about 30 feet high—I was a much younger man then. I neared the top when mud on my boots slipped off the steel pegs and I was hanging by my hands on two higher pegs that I managed to grab before falling. Lower pegs ripped my pants open and deeply cut my leg that was bleeding freely. That was the day I learned to use a harness when climbing.

Does hunter's orange work? How quickly did it take you to pick out this hunter from the surrounding scrub? (Photo: Kenneth Kieser)

There are many other ways to be seriously injured on a deer hunt. Here are a few suggestions from MDC to prevent this: •

• • • •

•

• • •

Practice with your stand at ground level, gradually going higher. Several Department shooting ranges and outdoor education centers have practice poles for free public use.

Know the proper technique for securing the stand to a tree.

Know how to use the stand properly.

Read the manufacturer's warnings and instructions before each season.

Use stands that meet standards of the Treestand Manufacturer's Association (TMA) rated for your weight and all gear or equipment you wear or have with you on the stand.

Always use a fall arrest system that meets TMA standards, including a full-body harness rated for your weight and any gear attached to yourself.

Have the fall arrest system attached to the tree the entire time your feet are off the ground.

Always position yourself so that you step down onto your tree stand to test its stability.

Always use a haul line to raise and lower your gear, including unloaded firearms, bows, and arrows.

Deer season can be dangerous so be prepared and stay safe.

Kenneth Kieser

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Outdoor News

Mepps Squirrel Tail Recycling Program

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epps® continues to ask hunters to save their squirrel tails. The tails are used for their hand-tied, dressed hooks of their worldfamous, fish-catching lures. They've been recycling squirrel tails for over half-a-century.

“Squirrels are good eating and we can reuse their tails for making the world's #1 lure,” explains Mepps® Communications Director, Josh Schwartz. “Consider harvesting squirrels for the 2018 hunting season.”

Mepps buys fox, black, grey and red squirrel tails and will pay up to 26 cents each for tails, depending on quality and quantity. Plus, the cash value is doubled if the tails are traded for Mepps lures.

Schwartz reminds everyone, "We do not advocate harvesting of squirrels solely for their tails."

For details on the Squirrel Tail Program, either visit our web site www.mepps.com/squirrels or call 800713-3474.

CFM Conservation Federation Podcast Listen to CFM’s Podcast Did you know CFM has a podcast? In each episode, host Brandon Butler discusses conservation issues with special guests. Past episodes include interviews with Governor Jay Nixon, MDC Director Sara Parker Pauley, Glenn Chambers, Steven Rinella and many other passionate conservationists.

Have you heard our lastest episodes?

Episode 20: Share the Harvest 2018 Episode 19: Bradley Schad and Steve Murphy: Corn Power Episode 18: Dr. Grant Woods: Growing Deer

Find the Conservation Federation podcast on the CFM website and on iTunes.

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Feature Story

Stalking Stags in Sweden

H

unting and fishing in Scotland and the United Kingdom (UK) is alive and well and not surprisingly, facing many of the same issues we face here at home. My recent trip to Scotland for a genuine old school red stag “stalk� in the Highlands allowed me to meet some awesome people and learn about current conservation issues in their beautiful country.

Hunting in the UK is divided into two categories, hunting and shooting. Hunting is the pursuit of deer, called stalking, and hunting foxes for varmint control. Hunting foxes with hounds became illegal in 2002. Shooting is the pursuit and shooting of game birds, mostly pheasant and partridge on the large estates. Fishing in Scotland and the UK is controlled by a patchwork of regulations which includes laws governing types of equipment, bait, types of waterways, and seasons. I saw fly fishermen everywhere I went.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

There are five species of deer in the UK, with red deer and roe deer being native, and sika, muntjac, and Chinese water deer having been introduced and expanding rapidly. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) estimate over a million people take part in shooting sports yearly in the UK. The red deer population in particular is higher now than it has been in the past 1000 years.

It is estimated over 400,000 red deer and 300,000 roe deer populate Scotland which has an area less than half the size of Missouri. These population increases have caused controversy.

My wife, Elizabeth, and I were three hours north of Edinburgh and stayed in the lovely village of Lairg on Loch Shin. I hunted another half-hour north on the Dalnessie Estate. The estate game keeper was Andrew who had run the estate for the past 19 years.

After going over rules and protocols, we headed out on the Argo.

Feature Story Four miles into the estate we ran into large herds of hundreds of hinds with stags in tow as the roar was beginning. We finally found a bachelor group of 15 stags, 800 yards away and planned our stalk. Well…. three stalks and eight hours later in the pouring rain after hiking and crawling through stream beds, heather, and piles of sheep and deer scat, with lungs on fire and legs cramping, we finally met up with the stags at 200 yards. I connected with a very nice, old 10-point stag. He was chosen for his age and his antlers had lost the cup at their tips and were now long and dangerous points which could damage the prime stags in the upcoming roar. But I was lucky. We met a group of four Swedes who were on their fourth day fighting the winds and weather conditions with no stags to show.

At 10 points, and 100 kg gralloched (field dressed), he was a very nice stag. On the way back to the game house, while Andrew took care of my stag, we had a chance to talk about the future of deer and hunting in Scotland. The Deer Act of 1991 set the current seasons and general rules for hunting deer in the UK. However, these rules vary according to what is a national fragmentation of the UK into England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Seasons, caliber restrictions, and protocols can be different in these locations.

Licenses are not required to hunt as the land is all private and estates govern their own herds, for the most part. Scotland has its own set of rules. But government intrusions and anti-hunting pressure is constant. The expanding deer populations have conservation organizations clamoring for higher harvest numbers to protect the remaining forest areas and vegetation. Anti-hunters want sport hunting outlawed as inhumane. Estate owners want government to have a hands-off policy and trust their game keepers and wildlife managers to take a scientific approach and govern their own land.

Government wildlife officials request yearly population estimates and verify these frequently. Cull quotas are set for each estate. Fines are assessed for every animal short of the quota. Dalnessie’s quota is 30 stags and 60 hinds this year. Stag quotas are usually met by stalking fees of $400-$600 per stag but hinds are a different matter. Hind season begins October 20 just as the horrible winter sets in with brutal cold and driving wind and snow. It is a real

chore to meet the hind quota and cheaper stalks are offered to bachelor parties and people wishing to explore extreme sporting.

In the end, the resident game keeper may end up spending days in the nastiest of weather to meet the estate’s quotas. One has to realize, owning a 20,000acre estate is not a cheap endeavor, and sheep wool and meat may not pay all the bills. Offering hunting and shooting, fishing and outdoor experiences helps pay the bills and keep these beautiful places open. It is estimated 1.6 billion British pounds are spent annually in the UK on shooting sports and this generates over 70,000 full time jobs. The income generated for small villages, like Lairg, with stalking, wing shooting, fishing, and tourism in the area is crucial for the locals.

Finally, efforts to placate those with hunting concerns have resulted in the mandatory use of “moderators” on rifles, the outlawing of all archery hunting in the UK and most of Europe and Scandinavia, quotas on game, and something positive called Deer Stalking Certificates. Deer Stalking Certificates, Level I and II are meant for the sportsman wanting to expand their understanding of deer stalking techniques and deer management.

Once completed and passing the test, one is awarded Deer Management Qualifications DSC I and Large Game qualifications of Wild Game Meat Hygiene regulations which allows one to sell meat to a game dealer. You are considered a qualified expert on deer and deer stalking. Level II is a greater challenge, but most game keepers meet Level II as a kind of professional continuing education requirement.

Heading to Scotland for a traditional stalk was incredible and half the price of an American elk hunt.

A chance to visit castles, museums, and distilleries for that amazing Scottish whiskey while seeing some of the most breath taking scenery on Earth, did have its rewards, and my wife enjoyed this hunting trip with no complaints.

Keith Hannaman

(Left) The landscape of Scotland. (Photo: Keith Hannaman) (Right) Elizabeth Hannaman soaks in the beauty of a foreign land.

(Photo: Keith Hannaman)

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Feature Story

Missouri and the 100th Anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

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t 1:00 p.m. on September 1, 1914, Martha, a passenger pigeon, was found dead on the floor of her cage at the Cincinnati Zoo. She was the last of a species that could eclipse the sun for hours as flocks of millions flew overhead. Martha’s passing marked the extinction of the passenger pigeon, but the phenomenon of what was once estimated to be six billion birds, that would nest in colonies reported to cover more than 850 square miles, had vanished years before.

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CONSERVATION FEDERATION

Sold for around 50 cents a dozen, passenger pigeons became sought after by market hunters in the 1800s.

Because they nested in large numbers they were easy targets to be shot, netted, stunned, and collected. In Petoskey, MI, in 1878, one of the last large nesting colonies was reported. Soon market hunters arrived and began claiming as many as 50,000 birds a day. This continued for weeks with some reports of up to five months.

Feature Story By the 1890s sightings became increasingly scarce. In 1902, Otto Widmann reported that Dr. Eimbeck saw an unnamed number of pigeons at New Haven in Franklin County, MO on September 26. This was the last recorded observation of passenger pigeons in the state.

Early laws proposed to protect the birds were not successful. The first law proposed in Ohio in 1857 was met with ridicule by the State Senate Committee saying, “The passenger pigeon needs no protection.

Wonderfully prolific, having the vast forests of the North as its breeding grounds, traveling hundreds of miles in search of food, it is here today and elsewhere tomorrow, and no ordinary destruction can lessen them, or be missed from the myriads that are yearly produced.”

Michigan followed by passing a bill that made it illegal to net pigeons within two miles of the nesting area, but the law was seldom enforced. Recognizing the decline, in 1897 the Michigan legislature passed a bill calling for a 10-year moratorium on hunting passenger pigeons. It was too late. Other states also tried to pass bills, but they either failed, were not enforced, or came to late to help save the species.

Martha’s passing relegated another species solely to history and the specimen drawers. The great auk and Carolina parakeet were also gone. Fashion trends of feathers in ladies hats were driving more birds to the brink and there became great concern over the need to regulate hunting.

Calls from conservationists for action grew, and the first national law to protect wildlife was introduced by a Congressman from Iowa and now bears his name.

The Lacey Act passed in 1900 granted federal authority and aid to the reintroduction of game and other wild birds, fines for interstate commerce of birds and other animals, and prohibited the introduction of foreign birds and animals in areas they were not previously.

Ultimately the profits of the trade were far greater than ability to enforce the bill. Snowy egrets and Eskimo curlews were decimated along with other wading birds and shorebirds. To address the ineffectiveness of the Lacey Act, the Weeks-McLean act was passed March 4, 1913. This bill was revolutionary in declaring migratory birds did not belong to any one state and hunting seasons would be determined at a national level.

None of this was popular in Missouri. Senator James A Reed stated from the floor of the Senate in 1913, “I really honestly want to know why there should be any sympathy or sentiment for a long-legged, long-necked bird that lives in swamps and eats frog and things of that kind. If the young starve to death, let our kindhearted friends establish orphan asylums for them, but still let the herons be killed and put to the only use for which the Lord ever intended them, namely, to decorate the bonnets of our beautiful ladies.”

The bill was soon challenged, and, recognizing the law was in trouble, one of its sponsors, McLean, quickly acted to proposed a bill authorizing the President to negotiate bird treaties.

Opposition in Missouri quickly organized and on February 2, 1914 the first meeting of the Interstate Sportsmen’s Protective Association met at Arter’s Hall in Kansas City. Their declared purpose was either to gain an exemption from the law allowing them to continue to shoot waterfowl until May 1 or “killing both the federal migratory bird law, and the proposed international treaty!” The Missouri Senators and Representatives “were asked to vote against the treaty with Great Britain, which if passed will make it impossible for the states to declare the Weeks-McLean law unconstitutional.”

Mr. Eugene Howe, editor of the Atchison Globe, testified in support of the limits in June 1916, stating, “Wild ducks are sold openly in the Kansas City and St. Joe hotels. Young ducks and old ducks are slaughtered all summer long on the Missouri lakes, and if there ever was a joke, it is the system of game protection as practiced from Kansas City to St. Joe in the lakes along the river bottom.”

In August 1916, President Woodrow Wilson and King George V, acting on behalf of the British colony Canada, agreed to limit open season on migratory game birds to no more than three and a half months from September 1 to March 10. Legislation was needed to make the agreement law, and the focus of the U.S. had shifted as it entered World War I. Soon the Association of Game and Fish Commissioners started pushing for passage of the bill, stating protection of insectivore birds were an important war measure for the preservation of food products. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) was signed into law by President Wilson in 1918.

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Feature Story The MBTA gave all authority over migratory birds to the federal government. It protected threatened species, banned market hunting and shotguns over 10-guage. It was now illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, or sell any bird or part of a bird, its nest or eggs. Spring duck hunting was now federally banned, and Missouri’s open season would run from September 16 to December 31 with a 15-duck bag limit.

Missouri continued its ire toward the bill, and the Kansas City Times, on February 8, 1919, reported, “The first member of the Association arrested for shooting ducks in the spring will be backed to the limit by the organization. We want a test case in order to take our fight to the Supreme Court. And we are confident the duck hunters of our Association will win their rights for a new season.”

After the MBTA passed, Missouri Attorney General Frank McAllister saw this as infringement of state’s rights, and on March 6, 1919, Federal Game Warden Ray Holland arrested McAllister and four prominent friends at Stultz Lake in Vernon County, MO for hunting out of season. The report listed he was in possession of 41 pintails, 23 mallards, three greenwing teal and one blue goose. McAllister was arraigned in Clinton, MO. After the hearing, the Attorney General had the local sheriff arrest Game Warden Holland on possession of the ducks he had seized without a Missouri hunting license. Those charges were subsequently dropped, but McAllister was not done.

The State of Missouri sued Holland in district court in Kansas City for unconstitutionally enforcing the MBTA, seeking a restraining order preventing its enforcement in Missouri. In June 1919 the court ruled in favor of the MBTA. The decision was appealed and went to the Supreme Court where the MBTA was once again upheld. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stated, “Wild birds are not in the possession of anyone; and possession is the beginning of ownership. The whole foundation of the state’s rights is the presence within their jurisdiction of birds that yesterday had not arrived, tomorrow may be in another state and in a week a thousand miles away.”

Holland went on to serve as editor of Field and Stream magazine and was instrumental in the creation of the Federal Duck Stamp. All five men eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and paid their fines. Seventeen years after passing the MBTA, the first meeting of the Conservation Commission took place at the Tiger

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hotel in Columbia, MO, setting in motion what would become the world-class model of fish and game agencies: the Missouri Department of Conservation.

One hundred years later, nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and sportsmen celebrate the centennial anniversary of the MBTA, and all it has inspired and protected. But the battle over the MBTA is still not over. Just before Christmas 2017 the Department of the Interior issued an opinion on the MBTA reversing the previous precedent of incidental take violated the MBTA. The opinion concluded the MBTA does not prohibit incidental take of migratory birds or their nests or eggs. In May 2018, the National Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy, and other conservation NGOs filed suit against the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the attorney who authored the opinion challenging the memorandum and the process under which it was announced, including failing to offer a public comment period.

Aside from the legal wrangling surrounding the MBTA, protecting North American birds and their habitat is a daily endeavor. The Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and other landowners steward and protect critical habitat for imperiled bird species, including grassland-nesting birds such as the bobolink and Henslow’s sparrow. These species have experienced declines of up to 80% since the 1970s.

There are many success stories, however, in which Missouri has played a crucial role such as the comeback of the bald eagle and the trumpeter swan.

Missouri can play a key role in the future of declining species including the cerulean warbler, Bachman's sparrow, least tern, peregrine falcon, northern harrier and the iconic greater prairie-chicken, working daily to make sure they do not follow Martha into extinction.

Continuing the success of the 100-yearold MBTA will be key to the challenge before us.

Mary Nemececk Conservation Chair of Burroughs Audubon Published in the Permanent Wildlife Protection Fund, Bulletin No. 1-4, December 10, 1915 by William T. Hornaday. Used to argue against Missouri’s demands of spring duck hunting, Mr. Hornaday writes, “We willingly grant that Missouri malcontents do not kill during the fall shooting season all the ducks and geese they want. The guns of these gentlemen are hard to satisfy.” (Photo courtesy of Grow Native)

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Planning Your Future?

Include the Conservation Federation of Missouri in your estate plans.

Leave a legacy for the natural resources and traditions you have valued throughout your life.

Make CFM a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance policy or retirement plan. Any amount helps preserve Missouri’s resources and natural history for generations to come.

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