Vol69 no3 2008

MISSOURI

Wildlife

MAY 2008 VOL. 69, NO. 3

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NEWS & ISSUES

2008 Fall Conference CFM AWARDS

Conservationists Recognized CFM RESOLUTIONS

Sixteen Issues

GIFTS TO CFM Honorariums & Memorials

Why Do I Belong To CFM? Send a paragraph and a picture of yourself in action to: lcoleman@confedmo.org

VIEW FROM THE STONE HOUSE

MISSOURI

Wildlife

May Flowers he other day I decided it would be a good idea to pull an old cedar post in the middle of our corral. It seems to have been raining a lot since winter.

The ground was wet and if ever there might be a time when one could pull a weathered old post, it might be now.

The post itself was cut, shaped and planted by my Granddad many long years ago. He did a very good job. For at least 60 years, I would guess, the post has stood up to all the bad weather North Missouri winters could conjure up. And all the writhings, kicks, yanks and whole-hearted assaults directed at it by every horse and mule ever tied to it. The post just happened to be right in the middle of where I no longer wanted it to be.

As I hitched the front-end loader of my tractor to the post and began to raise the bucket, the opposite side of the tractor came off the ground. I took a look at the post, it appeared unchanged, and then began to slowly ooze out of the soil with a distinct sucking sound, audible over the engine of the tractor.

Out it came, all four plus feet, formerly buried and tamped. The vacated post hole was completely full of water. It has been a very long while at our farm, since we have had saturated soils.

All my life, I have heard the old saying that “April showers bring May flowers” and have found it to be very true.

Already this year, the harbingers of

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May 2008 Vol. 69, No. 3

spring are showing off their access to abundant moisture and ample sunshine. Beautiful bouquets of showy blossoms and emerald greenery have already graced our table several times.

It promises to be a glorious spring and early summer for grasses in our prairies and pastures as well. Maybe this will be a spring where morels are measured by the basketful. By the time you read this, we will know.

The snow and ice storms of winter along with the heavy rains of spring have set the stage for abundant wildflowers in May. Figuratively speaking, the many challenges faced and problems solved by CFM are bringing us quite a blossom this May. On May 17, in Keystone, Colorado, we will receive the National Conservation Achievement Award! This, the highest honor bestowed by the National Wildlife Federation, will recognize CFM on their grandest stage as Affiliate of the Year.

At long last, the excellence we Missourians have delivered on behalf of natural resource conservation and outdoors folks will be proclaimed before all America as the best there is.

The extraordinary accomplishments of us ordinary folks have not escaped notice. The conservation world will be watching as our President accepts the recognition due every one of us. To each of our members and affiliated organizations: THANK YOU for playing your vital role so well. Without

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OFFICERS Glenn Chambers President Mike Schallon First Vice President Duane Addleman Second Vice President Dan Zerr Secretary Randy Washburn Treasurer STAFF Dave Murphy Executive Director/Editor Lynne Jensen Lampe Design & Production Laurie Coleman Admin. Associate/ Membership and Managing Editor Leigh Love Admin. Associate/ Accounting Amy Buechler Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

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you CFM would be much less.

I am hoping that every one makes time this May to pass along flowers to their Mom. Mother’s Day in May and Father’s Day in June are special times of quiet celebration for each of our families. The deeply engrained, precious outdoor legacy we each carry inside usually has its origin in one or both of our parents. Remember to say thanks to them for those priceless gifts. May the grand generosity of our parents inspire each of us to pass this legacy on to the next generation.

Dave Murphy CFM Executive Director

Reduce • Reuse • Recycle

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Phone • 573-634-2322 Fax • 573-634-8205 Email • dmurphy@confedmo.org Online • http://www.confedmo.org

MISSOURI WILDLIFE (USPS 012868) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November for subscribers and members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559. Of each member’s dues ($20 minimum) $2.00 shall be for a year’s subscription to Missouri Wildlife. Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO. and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MISSOURI WILDLIFE, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559.

COVER: A male Greater prairie-chicken stakes his claim on the booming ground (lek). Photo © Glenn D. Chambers, 2008.

MAILBAG Dear Mr. Murphy: I would like to commend the Conservation Federation of Missouri for its consistent leadership in regards to the stewardship of our state’s natural resources.

The Conservation Federation serves a pivotal role in protecting and promoting Missouri’s abundant and diverse natural landscape.

I appreciate the opportunity to review the resolutions resulting from your annual meeting in February, 2008. I have forwarded your letter to appropriate departmental technical staff and asked them to review the resolutions you have

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728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559

presented. I look forward to initiation of an open dialog concerning these issues and pursuing avenues for our department to support your organization’s efforts.

Again, I thank you and your members for their stewardship efforts and I look forward to continuing a successful partnership between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Sincerely, Department of Natural Resources Doyle Childers, Director

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Follow Your Passion(s) ost of us are passionate about something. As you read this, there are about 158,000 wild turkey hunters in Missouri who are in the midst of pursuing their passion SPRING TURKEY HUNTING. Some of us have a single passion, and some of us have several passions.

Passions drive us to do good things, and in some cases passions drive persons to do bad things.

I can speak personally about passions because I have several: my family, my church, CFM, shooting sports, waterfowl hunting, boy scouts, and wildlife photography, to name a few.

Many of the things that I am passionate about happen at different times of the year. That keeps life interesting.

Couple a passion with an “A type” personality and you have a dangerous combination - a passion-driven project and a personality that will not let one give up until the mission is accomplished.

Case in point: For several years I have wanted to get serious about photographing prairie-chickens AGAIN!!

Back in the 1970’s, when we still had a fair number of prairie-chickens in Missouri, Charles and Elizabeth Schwartz and I spent considerable time each spring photographing these wonderful birds. There is a bit of nostalgia entwined here too. When Charlie and Libby retired and moved to Idaho they gave me the chair that we used to use when we were photographing prairiechickens. Every time that I go to the prairie-chicken blind to photograph I take the very chair that Mr. Prairie-

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chicken (Charlie Schwartz) sat in as he photographed the birds. This chair is a priceless treasure to me. As I recline in that chair in the pre-dawn hours waiting for the birds to arrive, I reminisce about bygone experiences. It is much like Charlie and Libby are right there with me. I am certainly blessed to have known them.

Recently I have re-visited the passion and this year I decided to get serious about photographing prairiechickens again. With few prairie-chickens left in Missouri, I had to broaden my horizons and travel to a location where the birds were more abundant. Fortunately, I have a personal friend who owns a thousand acres of native prairie in the Flint Hills

There are many experienced hunters, boaters and conservationists.

There are many award-winning video and TV producers.

Very few are all of the above.

of Kansas that supports a good population of greater prairie-chickens. A trip to the Flint Hills from Columbia is a 4 hour drive one way. Beginning in mid-March, I have spent the past four weekends in Kansas photographing the birds. This has given me great personal satisfaction and some wonderful pictures of the birds with “brown” backgrounds, because the prairie has not yet started to “green up”. When spring REALLY gets here and the new prairie grass begins to emerge, the whole photography project will start over with “green” backgrounds. This is part of the passion, to capture the complete courtship scenario as the prairie transitions from winter (brown) to spring (green). This is just

one example of one of my passiondriven efforts.

Springtime presents a lot of things to be passionate about. It will soon be time to start looking for those delicious morels to peep through the leaves on the forest floor. Who among us doesn’t enjoy a tasty morel dinner???

The crappie will begin to spawn soon and spring crappie fishing has a large following of passionate participants.

Most folks already have some things that they are passionate about. If you are not one of them, consider finding a friend who is obviously passionate and explore the possibility of joining them for the experience. Passions can be contagious. Properly directed, passions can take you away from the “work-a-day” world for a relaxing experience.

Those of you that are really passionate about something, take a young person along and introduce them to something that you are passionate about. Who knows, it just might rub off on them!!

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. I took the Kansas rancher’s eleven year old grandson to the prairie-chicken booming ground (lek) and he was able to see the courtship display, CLOSE-UP!!

I predict that someday he will own the ranch. And now he knows from his own experience what a booming prairie-chicken looks like and sounds like.

Enjoy your spring activities, safe travels, and be careful and considerate.

Glenn D. Chambers President, CFM

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AGENCY NEWS

Missouri’s Earth Day History Parallels That Of DNR Director s our nation celebrated the first Earth Day 38 years ago on April 22, 1970, I had just returned from working with the Peace Corps in rural Costa Rica, where I had helped to put together the community’s first public water system.

Even at that time, people were growing concerned that the loss of rain forests was affecting soil and water quality, so we were eager to protect a fragile habitat. Nearby Panama was facing similar difficulties; loss of rain forests there had reduced stream flow in some areas.

After returning to the United States, I decided to go back to college at the College of the Ozarks. I found myself in a group of students that included Chuck Kroeger and Dan Leyland, who later worked for the Department of Natural Resources.

These interests led to a career as a science teacher until I was elected to my first term in the Missouri Legislature. I had the opportunity to serve on the Natural Resources Committee, which was a good orientation for 22 years in the House and Senate.

My experiences with the Peace Corps, as a science teacher, as a farmer and as a businessman gave me a broad appreciation of the environment and serving in the legislature taught me how to communicate effectively. These were some of the factors that brought me to where I am today.

The Department of Natural Resources, at 34 years old, is younger than Earth Day, but our main offices are now in the first platinum award LEED-certified state office building in the country. The use of recycled resources and energy savings in the Lewis and Clark State Office Building will serve as an example for years to come.

Although trying to develop effective procedures for protecting natural resources is often a contentious process, it is important to note that the federal government has delegated to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources limited authority to follow and enforce the federal laws over our environment. Without this authorization, the state would have to fit its environmental protection efforts to one nationwide pattern, rather than one that more closely fits the needs of

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Doyle Childers, director of the Department of Natural Resources, attributes his appreciation for the environment in part to his Peace Corps experiences in Costa Rica (above).

our own citizens, farms and businesses.

Water quality has always been a major issue dominating many environmental discussions. In the decades ahead, depending on rainfall trends, Missouri may face a new challenge: Our focus may grow to include not only water quality, but water quantity as well. This is a growing worldwide concern. Businesses are investing in water resources like they once invested in oil wells. Missouri has traditionally had plentiful water, but we could soon face shortages similar to some of our neighboring states.

Thanks to citizen involvement, after 38 years of Earth Days, we have moved a long way from the conditions that existed then. The air is much cleaner. I recall seeing the fairly new Gateway Arch in St. Louis when only the top

If you've enjoyed reminiscing with me, visit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Earth Day Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/earthday/, where we'll be publishing Earth Day memories from other staff.

stood gleaming in the sun. The bottom was shrouded in a yellowish, tan smog cloud. Since that first Earth Day, in addition to water issues, hazardous waste sites have been cleaned up, nuclear wastes left from the World War II Manhattan Project are being addressed, and lead and coal mine sites are being cleaned up. Likewise, in terms of tons of soil lost to erosion, we

have moved down the list quite a bit from being the second worst in the nation.

During that first Earth Day, my classmates and I promoted cleanup activities on Table Rock Lake and along the White River, as well as participating in campus events. It was the great environmental awakening of its time that strongly influenced our lives.

This spring, I hope you’ll take an opportunity to participate in a community cleanup, visit a state park or even just take a few moments to discuss the celebration with your family.

Help someone else experience the environmental awakening that so many of us shared on the first Earth Day. Doyle Childers Director, DNR

NEWS AND ISSUES A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATE

Race for the Rivers Saint Charles Riverfront August 23-34, 2008 To promote clean water education, restoration, and recreation: Greenway Network, a non-profit citizen’s action group, is hosting two canoe and kayak races on the Missouri River. Race one is a staged-event covering 65 miles of the scenic Missouri River from Washington, Missouri all the way to the Confluence. It is a race for the serious paddler with strong endurance and a desire to compete.

Race two is an Adventure Race from Weldon Spring to Frontier Park in Saint Charles. This race is for the experienced paddler who has a desire to learn more about the Rivers and how to care for them. All tax deductible pledges will go to support Greenway Network’s clean water education, restoration and recreation projects.

Clean water challenge: Experienced canoeists and kayakers will compete for speed and accuracy as they travel 20 scenic miles of the Missouri River from Weldon Spring to Frontier Park. Throughout the journey there will be a number of tasks including assisting in water quality monitoring along the way. Come along, learn, race and support clean water initiatives.

This race will be run with the cooperation of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Race for the Rivers: Serious canoeists and kayakers will be in a stiff competition to complete 65 beautiful miles along the Missouri River. The race starts in Washington, Missouri with a break at the Race for the Rivers Festival in Frontier Park.

The second day will be a sprint to Columbia Bottoms at the Confluence.

Race for the Rivers Festival: Be on hand at Frontier Park when the paddlers arrive Saturday afternoon.

On hand will be adventure and outdoor sports vendors and environmental educational displays and activities.

This is where the Clean Water Challenge racers will report the results of their water quality monitoring and where you can get up to date information from the leader boards. Meet the racers and get an up-close look at what it takes to be a competitive paddler.

Between the live bands, the hands-on art and environmental activities and the educational displays the festival will be a great place to hang out and wait for the racers to cross the flying finish line at the park.

Rescheduled: Missouri Woodland Owners’ Conference Set For June Snow won’t stop us this time! Mother Nature won Round 1, so we’re trying again. Make plans to attend the annual Missouri Woodland Owners’ Conference, June 20-21at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel in Columbia.

On Friday Field Day attendees will learn that even a university can be a victim of an unauthorized timber harvest. You will learn what you can do to prevent this from happening on your property and what can be done to rehabilitate these high-graded forests.

We will also visit the Missouri-Pacific

sawmill in Fayette to learn how walnut, red oak and white oak are processed.

Woodland owners interested in learning about efforts to form a Missouri Woodland Owners’ Association are invited to attend Friday evening’s town hall meeting.

Saturday’s program is simply chuck full of information. During the morning session you will learn about the latest efforts to update the State Forestry Law, as well as other current in-state forestry events; news from the national office of the American Tree Farm System; forestry carbon credits and on the Chicago Climate Exchange; and potential threats on the horizon to the health of Missouri’s woodlands.

At this year’s luncheon we will not only recognize the state’s Outstanding Tree Farmer, but we will begin a new tradition of honoring the state’s Logger of the Year.

The afternoon presentations will feature how various wood products relate back to tree quality on the stump; basic steps on selling your timber; and planning your timber harvest.

For more information contact the Missouri Forest Products Association’s Education Coordinator, Glenda Fry, at 573-634-3252, Glenda@moforest.org or visit the Association’s website at www.moforest.org.

CFM Strategic Planning Committee April 1 Meeting Summary The Strategic Planning Committee of the Federation met at the Federation office on Tuesday, April 1. All members plus CFM Vice President Mike Schallon and Executive Director Dave Murphy were present.

Earl Cannon spoke at some length about the work of the CFM Development Committee. He reported that a summary of that work would soon be ready. He also reported that a joint meeting of the two committees was being arranged for mid June.

Most of the meeting was used to review and document progress on goals already approved by the Board. Strategies and actions supporting the goals along with start dates, completion dates, person or committee responsible for each strategy or action and resources needed were decided at the meeting. There was a lengthy discussion about the possibility for revamping the way some of the CFM Resource Committees report to the membership.

Also discussed was the goal that will hopefully increase the membership’s

relations with their particular state representative and senator. This goal, as it was originally introduced to the committee, simply addressed the general relationship. Members of the committee feel that a one on one relationship between legislator and member would be very beneficial.

During the meeting it was mentioned a new committee is being established to market CFM to businesses and foundations in efforts to get more corporate memberships and donations from businesses and foundations. The committee will be chaired by Steve Bradford. There was discussion about changing the size of Missouri Wildlife magazine to facilitate filing in standard sized files and on bookshelves.

The Strategic Planning Committee will be sending the proposed strategic plan to the CFM Executive Committee and officers for review in the latter part of June so it can be submitted to the CFM Board of Directors for approval at their July board meeting. The Committee will be meeting on October 7 to discuss the CFM Resource Committees.

Strategic Planning Committee members include Howard Fisher and Earl Cannon, co-chairs, Norman Leppo and Gary Van De Velde.

Going The Distance Long Distance Trails, Your Path to Open Space The Open Space Council’s 43rd Annual Meeting Wednesday • May 21, 2008 The Deer Creek Club 9861 Deer Creek Hill Ladue, Missouri 63124 6:30pm to 9:00pm Join us for an evening of conversation and celebration of The Open Space Council’s 43rd year! Our evening’s theme, Going the Distance, will draw attention to the importance of hiking trails as our access to open space. The evening will include a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, a silent auction, and guest speaker David Startzell. We hope to see you there!

2008 Fall Conference The 2008 Conservation Federation of Missouri Fall Conference will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 12, 13 and 14, 2008 at Camp Clover Point, Lake Ozark State Park, Osage Beach, Missouri.

Programs planned are Coleman Repair, Atlatl, Archery, Share the Har-

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NEWS AND ISSUES vest, Sediment Pollution, Taxidermy and crafts for adults and kids.

Entertainment will be games, bingo, square dancing, marshmallow roast, campfire, story telling and guitar playing. Feel free to bring a string instrument or harmonica.

The Happy Hour and White Elephant Sale on Saturday afternoon is always a good time. When you are cleaning out your garages and basements this Spring save some good stuff to donate to the White Elephant Sale.

The sale helps to defray the expenses of the Fall Conference.

The food is always wonderful!

Put September 12, 13, and 14, 2008 on your calendar and plan to attend for this relaxing weekend. See you there!

Meramec River Film Series Once the new Meramec documentary has been premiered, we are taking it on the road! Whether you were able to make it to the premiere or not, consider attending one or more of the Meramec River Film Series events.

Each film showing is unique and has something new to offer: May 10th - Shaw Nature Reserve, 3:00pm - 7:00pm • Event will feature a hike, a free wine-tasting with Redwood Creek Wines of California, and speaker Don Corrigan, editor of the Webster-Kirk-

wood Times and author of Show Me...Natural Wonders.

May 28th - Schlafly Tap Room, 7:00pm, cost $5.00 • Event will feature free Schlafly beer and snacks and live local music.

June 14th - Powder Valley Nature Center, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm • Two showings of the film with educational programs in between.

Great event for kids!

For more information, call 314-4516090.

Welcome CFM New Members Karen Bataille, Columbia Catherine Beckerle, Saint Louis Barbara Berry, Williamstown Leonard Bilheimer, Saint Louis Edwin Bohl, Hermann Andrea Bonner, Eureka Gary Branum, New Madrid Rhonda Brewer, Ballwin Jeffrey Cantrell, Neosho Robert Cantwell, Leslie Frances Carmack, Kansas City Charline Carter, Princeton W. Carter, Columbia J. L. Caughron, Hale Center Locker, Center Devin Chandler, Auxvasse

Charles Brown Beverage Co., Lebanon Charles Claycomb, Princeton Lois Coffey, Oak Grove Emma Cohrs, Fishers, IN Clint Collier, Jackson John Cothren, Rocky Mount Ione Jane Dillard, Springfield Don’s Auto Body, Saint Charles Norman Duncan, Eldon Mark Ebert, Saint Charles Douglas Elbert, Leslie Eugene Ensign, Cameron Alicia Fults, Fulton Ralph Gabel, Saint Louis Bruce Glastetter, Benton David Gray, Kirksville Danny Grossman, Wilmette, IL Mike Heckman, Freeburg Daniel Hof, Saint Louis Scott Holtmann, Saint Louis Kevin Howard, Elsberry Bob Jung, Saint Louis Matthew Kayson, Columbia Jon Kollias, O’Fallon Richard Kramer, Fenton Joe Krouse, Crocker Stacey Larson, Ballwin Laura Layton, Bloomfield Albert & Deborah Lindquist, Jefferson City Mark Loyd, Saint Louis Bob Lyons, Paris Mark Twain National Forest, Rolla Richard Matthew, Springfield Brad McCord, California Terry McEnaney, Saint Louis Mike Messick, Kansas City James Miller, Jerome Minnick Supply Company, Chillicothe Robert Mooring, Imperial

William Morgan, Columbia Ernest Mosby, Smithville Scott Mueller, Saint Louis Gary Neely, Pittsburg Clyde Noll, Belton Aaron O’Connor, Niangua William Oltman, Hannibal Robert Orth, Punta Gorda, FL Louie Oshsenbein, Joplin Jill Ousley, Belton Pat Payton, Saint Louis Robert Peters, Independence Powell Supply, Malden Frank Powers, Kansas City Danny Pycior, Lees Summit Robert Reimer, Florissant Tom Rizzo, Arnold Ruby Roberts, DeSoto Boyle Rodes, Saint Charles Berkley Roney, Excelsior Springs Mark & Cynthia Russell, Columbia Dewayne Scott, Mountain View Gregorio Sicard, Saint Louis Bill Smith, Saint Louis Gene Smith, Fayette Saint Louis Zoological Park, Saint Louis Hank Stelzer, Columbia Donald Stockton, Marshfield Frank Syracuse, Paola, KS Chris & Liz Vahlkamp, Saint Louis C. Norman Ventucci, Saint Louis Brad Walden, Hannibal Dusty Walter, Columbia Michael Warner, Independence Merle Welshans, Chesterfield Michael Wiley, Park Hills Robert Wilkerson, Saint Louis William Sehnert, Inc., Ballwin

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FOREST FROM THE TREES

Timber Stand Improvement n October 2007, our farm became certified in the Missouri Tree Farm program. This year, in Missouri Wildlife, we will run a series of articles recounting why and how this came about. Others have suggested several times that details of this living history may prove useful to some folks and interesting to many more. This is the third of the expected six articles.

We had settled upon the objective of a productive, healthy and sustainable forest. We had developed and received approval of a detailed management plan for each of the 23 stands in our forest based upon carefully gathered inventory data and the advice of skilled professional foresters. We had secured the boundaries of our forest and excluded cattle. We were ready to bring the plan to life.

Growth of the most desirable trees in all our stands was stifled by overcrowding.

Foresters usually refer to this dilemma as overstocking. Some of our stands were overstocked with so many trees of the same species that growth was stunted, sort of like an underfished pond full of too many sunfish. Other stands had many of the really desirable trees for forest wildlife and timber production either crowded or shaded by invasive trees like Tree of Heaven or invasive plants like Multiflora Rose.

Several of our stands, thanks to a long history of grazing, were overstocked with Honey Locust, Osage Orange, Prickly Ash and other species the cattle would not eat.

Our first action to meet these and other challenges to our productive, healthy and sustainable forest was a blanket program of timber stand improvement (TSI). For us, TSI meant whatever alterations were required to move the composition of the stand toward our objective. The small trees we wanted to eliminate, less than 3–4 inches in diameter, we usually cut down.

The larger trees we wanted eliminated were girdled, by cutting a ring all the way around the trunk that penetrated clear through the bark and about a half inch into the wood. Because this process can be labor intensive and because we wanted to treat each tree targeted for elimination only once, we applied herbicide to each stump and to each girdled tree trunk. If we were so fortunate as to have a tree targeted for elimination that might have marketable value, and there were several such trees, they were marked for sale and left standing for the time being.

For us, there just was not enough time available to accomplish 240 acres of TSI

I The health of America’s private forests depends on you

American Tree Farm System ® promotes the sustainable management of forests through education and outreach to family forest landowners. For information about how you can become a part of the Tree Farm program contact the Missouri State Tree Farm Committee @ 573-634-3252 or visit www.treefarmsystem.org

ourselves. We chose to hire it done by some excellent young foresters willing to operate chainsaws safely and very effectively and capable of instantly and accurately identifying individual tree species.

Our consulting foresters were well schooled in forest management and perfectly capable of making decisions that balanced economic and silvicultural considerations in implementing our plan.

They very rapidly delivered exactly what we had in mind. The results of their services have exceeded our expectations in many, many ways.

From a purely economic perspective, TSI cost an average of $75 per acre for our forest inclusive of all costs for labor and herbicide. Some stands took more time, some took less. Our inventory before TSI suggested that our forest was producing wood at about $40–$50 per acre per year.

The growth rate after TSI to reduce overstocking may be as high as $140 or more per acre per year for some stands. TSI was implemented on our stands with a plan for re-entry every 10 years. So we invested $75 per acre one time and can expect to recover that investment many times over when the stand is harvested.

It is my sincere belief that anyone owning any acreage of timber and desiring it to be a productive, healthy and sustainable forest should immediately apply prescribed timber stand improvement. The good news is this makes good economic sense in the long run. The great news is there are several sources of cost share dollars available to help landowners implement TSI. From a purely economic perspective, then, there was absolutely no reason at all for us to put off doing TSI. We needed it right away. If we could afford it, I believe anyone could.

Immediate benefits of TSI? Sunlight, water and nutrients formerly taken in by the eliminated trees are now freed up for all those we left standing. They are growing rapidly. They are producing more food and cover for wildlife. It seems to me that we have even more deer and wild turkeys than we had before TSI and they all are in excellent condition. The floor of our forest has many new oak seedlings, something we have been short of for a very long time.

Each of our treatments has left the forest more productive and healthier than it was before. Now that is sustainable! Next time, our first timber sale.

Dave Murphy CFM Executive Director

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CONSERVATION AWARDS

Esteemed CFM Conservation Awards Presented Citizen Conservationists Recognized At Annual Convention

Glenn Chambers (left) and John Dwyer.

Outstanding Lifetime Achievement JOHN DWYER

Dr. John Dwyer’s longstanding performance and contributions as an industrial forester, academician and practicing certified, consulting forester characterize one whom has had an outstanding professional career devoted to conservation and sustainability of the forest resource.

After graduating from Purdue University, John began his professional career in southeast Oklahoma with the Weyerhaeuser Company as a Regional Forester responsible for the sustained management of 900,000 acres of timberland. In 1983, he and his family moved to Missouri, where he taught the Forest Resource Management course and initiated a research program in forest management. Since then, he has added courses in Advanced Forest Management, Forest Fire Control and Use, Forest Management Planning and serves as the coordinator for the School of Natur8

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ty publication that she shaped into a mini-type publication, with heavy emphasis on using outdoor columnists and feature writers. She recently introduced a new column, scheduled for release online at Bass Pro Shop’s Web site this year and currently running in the Nation Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) magazine, Women in the Outdoors. Titled “The Gear Gal,” the column highlights how to choose and use outdoor gear.

Mrs. Baird is also an officer and sponsor member of her local NWTF Chapter, The Dry Fork Strutters, and former editor of the Show Me Gobbler, the state newsletter for NWTF. She serves as a mentor to the Boys and Girls Town Missouri “Changing Prisms” program.

Glenn Chambers (left) and Barbara Baird.

Conservation Communicator of the Year BARBARA BAIRD

Mrs. Baird is a work in progress.

“Work” is the operative word. She spent two decades traveling the world with her husband, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Baird. After Lt. Col. Baird’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force, the Baird’s moved to Rolla, Missouri. In 1998, Barbara graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Missouri-Rolla with a degree in English and a minor in writing. Mrs. Baird began writing by editing cookbooks and writing for nonprofit newsletters.

Mrs. Baird possessed the foresight to couple her writing skills with the outdoors. When she first hit the outdoor writing scene she was working in the trenches of a local weekly newspaper.

Her prose matched that of the most skilled writers. However, many of the seasoned writers in the state poked fun at the new gal’s obvious lack of outdoor experience. Barbara took ribbing and criticism in stride and worked harder to create a niche for herself in an industry primarily dominated by men.

When an editor called and asked her to go fish gigging on the Osage in the dead of winter, she showed up. When it came time to follow a trapper from pond to pond on a frozen day, she stood beside him and helped him with the tasks at hand. When an editor wanted a story about feral hog hunting, she traipsed over hills and into hollers, following a pack of Catahoula hounds and the wily guide who did not know the word quit. Through personal experiences, Mrs. Baird learned about being outdoors in Missouri.

Currently, Barbara is the managing editor of The Kaleidoscope, a four-coun-

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al Resources senior capstone course, Natural Resource Practicum. He has won several awards in recognition of his teaching excellence, and was in the first group of College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources faculty to be recognized as a Teaching Scholar.

John’s teaching and research programs have strong components of conservation and ethical treatment of our natural resources – their sustainable use.

Two of his courses – Forest Resource Management and Natural Resource Practicum – involve significant planning exercises. In both courses, John has interjected a note of realism, involving work on a different private landholding each semester in Forest Resource Management, and on different compartments in the University-owned Baskett Wildlife Area, in Natural Resource Practicum. In these courses, through a multidisciplinary approach, he demonstrates the importance of taking into consideration in the planning process all aspects of the resource – soils, wildlife, esthetics, etc. In all of the courses he teaches, his primary emphasis is on long-term conservation and sustainability of the resource. In John’s dissertation research project which dealt with management of black and scarlet oak stands, he showed how it was economically profitable to manage these stands for the long-term.

As a practicing, certified, professional forestry consultant, John has the reputation for maintaining the highest standards as he crafts his recommendations for his clients. In all that he does, his first and foremost goal is conservation of the forest resource, which encompasses all other associated resources. John is extremely effective in this respect because of his understanding and appreciation for the comprehensive nature and interconnectedness of our resources.

John is the consummate resource professional. He represents the complete forester, who has served to conserve our valuable natural resources through numerous contributions in industry, academia and in the nonindustrial private sector. He is recognized throughout the profession by his willingness to serve on numerous committees where his technical expertise is needed. John upholds the highest standards and is an outstanding example of a role model for his chosen profession.

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group of Missouri citizen conservationists were awarded prestigious Conservation Federation of Missouri statuettes for their volunteer and professional efforts to improve and protect our natural resources at the Annual Convention of the Conservation Federation of Missouri on February 22, 2008 at the Lodge of Four Seasons. Chosen from a select group of nominees, the 2007 award winners represent the best of the best. A large crowd of CFM members and awardees family members and friends celebrated the elite group’s accomplishments at a reception sponsored by Bass Pro Shops. Presenting the 2007 awards was CFM President Glenn Chambers.

Glenn Chambers (left) and Jeff Cantrell.

Conservation Educator of the Year JEFF CANTRELL

Jeff is the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Education Consultant from Neosho, Missouri. He is a true professional and a passionate and dedicated educator. Jeff has a passion for the outdoors and for inspiring others to make a difference in the environment.

For Jeff Cantrell, reaching diverse audiences is a way of life. Stationed in the extreme southwest corner of the state for more than ten years now, Jeff has been on the front lines reaching out to diverse audiences, especially Latino’s.

As the Hispanic population mushroomed over the past decade, Jeff has been there building relationships, earning trust and educating the public about fish, forest and wildlife resources of Missouri.

For many years Jeff has provided conservation information and materials for a Latino radio program and collaborated

Conservation Organization of the Year TABLE ROCK LAKE WATER QUALITY, INC.

Table Rock Lake Water Quality, Inc. (TRLWQ) is dedicated to maintain and improve the quality of ground and surface waters of Table Rock Lake watershed.

The Board of Trustee of Table Rock

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with Joyce Haynes to create an education page in the McDonald County Press and El Tiempo to provide conservation education for the extensive Latino population in McDonald County. This education page has received national awards for the Newspapers in Education as well as from the Missouri Press Association.

Today, it still continues to encourage the Latino papers to cover topics such as Grow Native, the Great Backyard Bird Count, Project Feederwatch, and hunter education to name a very few.

Jeff has worked with ESL teachers and their Latino students in Monett, Neosho, and Carthage to discover ways to translate conservation concepts into language everyone can understand. He has worked with Even Start and Head Start programs in Noel to provide conservation materials for their Latino early childhood and grade school students.

Jeff ’s involvement and efforts with the Elk River Watershed Improvement Association includes encouraging the local Latino community to become actively involved with and committed to maintaining quality water resources in the area. He has also established a Stream Team with Latino’s in the southwest area.

Jeff also goes above and beyond his anything but normal work week with MDC in his creation of eight Nature Smart Clubs. These clubs reach diverse classes of children (urban, rural, social, economically and culturally). Jeff realizes these are the future faces of conservation, our future leaders, landowners and ultimately our conservation stewards. His clubs focus on getting the students involved with hands on, engaging, nature activities that enable them to learn and discover how their everyday attitudes, behavior, and actions towards the natural world affect their own health and well-being as well as their families, their community, and the world beyond.

Jeff tirelessly offers materials and instructions to all teachers and students and has even motivated student’s parents to recycle and attend public conservation programs. He promotes wise use and protection of our resources and the environment. Jeff continues to sacrifice and donate long hours of his own personal time to improve our world and he educates others to protect and preserve our precious plant and its inhabitants.

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CONSERVATION AWARDS

Glenn Chambers (left) and Gopala Borchelt/TRLWQ

Glenn Chambers (left) and Mark Nussbaum.

Glenn Chambers (left) and Rob Pulliam.

Lake Water Quality, Inc. concentrated heavily on the over whelming task of self-education, knowing full well it is a continuing long-term process. Their focus continues to be various water quality issues; causes of the problem; origination of the source; cooperation with other water quality organizations; education of the public on water issues; and how Table Rock Lake Water Quality, Inc. can make a difference. Table Rock Lake Water Quality, Inc. is an action group, with projects that actually stop water pollution sources and accomplish these projects in a determined, positive, helpful and organized manner.

In 2002, TRLWQ was awarded a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a $2 million demonstration project to compare various methods of managing decentralized waste water treatment systems, such as septic systems, in the region. Through this project TRLWQ was able to: • Demonstrate advanced waste water treatment for the Table Rock region through installation of advanced treatment systems.

• Demonstrate management solutions and upgrades for advanced systems including drip irrigation and recirculating sand filters.

• Generate data to help guide future selection of treatment technologies and management practices.

• Address past concerns about advanced systems and change the acceptance of the alternative waster water treatment systems.

hay, beef cattle and timber. Mark’s family always worked to manage the timber on the property as well as the other assets it held. Mark started using control burns to rid the areas of unwanted trees and encourage the growth of new oak trees.

Mark has worked hand-in-hand with the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Private Land Managers, NRCS staff and others to improve the quality of timber and habitat on their property.

Mark has hosted tours and classes demonstrating the different stages of his management plan for several groups.

His family has been involved with 4H for many years and they still use the farm for classes and field trips.

Mark is an Agricultural Engineer on the NRCS Area Staff in Jackson, Missouri. Through his own experience with acorn planting, seedling planting, and herbicides for tree plantations he has become a source of technical expertise on these methods for all of Southeast Missouri. There are currently several new acorn plantings planned on farms in the region that are a direct result of his experience.

Rob is committed to improving the aquatic communities in streams, including aquatic species of concern. He is the state’s recovery team leader for the Scaleshell and Spectaclecase Mussels and a Niangua Darter recovery team leader.

He has contributed to the development of state recovery plans for these species and is continually working on the implementation of strategies to improve the status of these and associated species.

Rob’s assigned area is blessed with a diversity of stream resources. These numerous streams vary greatly in size and each of their watersheds is unique.

Rob frequently works on stream-related projects in the watersheds of Tavern Creek and Maries, Bourbeuse and Gasconade rivers. With these unique resources also come unique problems.

Land use changes and stream alterations have changed the hydrology of many streams. As a result, many in-stream problems are occurring. These problems threaten both aquatic resources and valuable property adjacent to these streams.

Rob’s approach to stream conservation is all-inclusive. He seeks the participation and counsel of landowners and other stakeholders in the watershed. He is an active member of watershed committees for the Upper Maries River, Lower Maries River, Little Maries River, Little Maries Creek, and Tavern Creek Agricultural Nonpoint Source Special Area Land Treatment (AgNPS SALT) projects and the Little Bourbeuse River/Brush Creek/Lick Creek Watershed Project. He helps landowners with installation of best management practices in streams, stream corridors, and watersheds.

Rob specializes in finding solutions to these problems. Streambank erosion is one of the biggest issues that property owners face with regard to their property adjacent to streams. Solutions to streambank issues can be very complex

Forest Conservationist of the Year MARK NUSSBAUM

Mark co-owns and manages property in Cape Girardeau County and currently lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with his family. He was raised on the family farm and after completing his studies for his degree he returned to the Cape Girardeau area to help his parents with the farm while working a full time job.

The operation has produced row crops,

Professional Conservationist of the Year ROB PULLIAM

Rob Pulliam is a Fisheries Management Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

He works within MDC’s Central Region and serves Gasconade, Osage and Maries Counties. Rob’s job duties include monitoring and managing fisheries resources on both public and private properties in the three county areas. He samples and gives recommendations for management of fish populations and aquatic habitat in ponds, lakes and streams using a watershed approach. He also works on the recovery of several endangered species. Rob has the ability to see the big picture of the landscape and how things in the watershed affect aquatic life in streams and impoundments.

See next page for more award winners

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CONSERVATION AWARDS

Glenn Chambers (left) and Jeff Cantrell/ERWIA.

Glenn Chambers (left) and Andrew Carmack.

Missouri Department of Conservation.

Landowners are treated to a delicious dinner while educators inform them about the importance of caring for our river’s riparian corridors. ERWIA also organizes many Stream Team clean-ups in McDonald County, as well as producing a quarterly newsletter called WaterWise, which is distributed throughout the region.

One of ERWIA’s most enjoyable projects is presenting a two day watershed festival to all of the 5th graders in McDonald County. Several members of ERWIA’s educational committee have visited over 300 students, discussing watershed awareness and presenting a film called “After the Storm.”

Future plans for this active group are; receiving grand funding and to greatly expand the number of citizens and community leaders who make it part of their normal day-to-day activities to help improve and protect the streams in the Elk River Watershed. The grant projects will demonstrate best management practices in urban, rural and urbanizing areas within the watershed.

ERWIA also plans to recognize citizens and organizations for their commitment to water conservation by presenting them awards and useful gifts.

ERWIA members are an exceptional group of people who love the natural resources of McDonald County. They work hard to preserve it through education, example and assistance.

the CRP Program Coordinator. His job was to promote, plan, and implement state and federal conservation programs such as EQIP, CCRP, and MOCREP to improve wildlife habitat in Cass and surrounding counties. Working closely with the local Cass County landowners, Andrew has been able to contract over 2,000 acres into Missouri Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. This is over 20% of Missouri’s total allotted acres for this program. All of these acres have been or will be planted to quailfriendly warm season grasses and forbs, and will be actively managed for quail during the life of the contract (fifteen years).

In addition to his work with MDC and Quail Unlimited, he has been involved in: • Research involving Chronic Wasting Disease • Deer check stations • Annual Antler Days • Spotlight survey for deer population management • Worked with Elementary Annual Science Discovery Days on insects • Taught advanced classes about insects, microscopes and proper scientific method Andrew is never to busy to assist and will offer advice and on the job assistance without hesitation. He is always cooperative and is of tremendous assistance to the landowner. His work has truly changed the wildlife landscape for our country. Andrew Carmack has been a tireless worker for wildlife conservation working closely with private landowners, businesses, school groups, civic clubs, and other conservation organizations to improve wildlife habitat. His results and outstanding achievements speak for themselves.

Wildlife Conservationist of the Year ANDREW CARMACK

Water Conservationist of the Year ELK RIVER WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Elk River Watershed Improvement Association (ERWIA) volunteers work on a wide range of projects from working with towns on “Street-to-Streams”, to helping Crowder College on an advanced onsite sewage system training and demonstration center. This group also presents “Stream Dynamics for Landowners,” in cooperation with the 1 0

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and expensive. Rob works with landowners to identify and define problems and find solutions. He helps them by working with other divisions within MDC to design and implement solutions for these problem sites. He also coordinates the acquisition of required permits, which can be confusing and time consuming. This includes working with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Another big hurdle is finding funding to assist property owners in implementing practices. Rob has become an expert at finding funds. Funding sources that Rob has utilized for projects include but are not limited to the Stream Stewardship Trust Fund, United States Department of Agriculture, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Parks and Soils Sales Tax funds and MDC Landowner Assistance Program. Rob tries to get numerous sources of funding to address projects in a given watershed. He represents MDC as a partner for many watershed based projects that focus on many issues in a given watershed. One of the major efforts in watershed-based improvements is the AgNPS SALT projects that are sponsored and managed by soil and water conservation districts. These projects focus on watersheds and work with landowners to install management practices that benefit both land and water resources.

Most of Rob’s efforts actually benefit agricultural production for the landowner while protecting and enhancing stream resources. These are win-win projects and are great examples of how conservation and agriculture can compliment each other. Rob’s efforts pertaining to stream resources are longterm and each new project in a given watershed builds on the previous ones.

Over the years, Rob’s efforts have had dramatic impacts on many streams. In 2007, these positive impacts reached a new level and this progress is sure to continue into the future.

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Continued from previous page

Andrew Carmack works for the Missouri Department of Conservation in Private Land Conservation. He is absolutely outstanding in his attitude and assisting with private land wildlife initiatives. He is extremely knowledgeable in private land conservation and in developing and presenting burn plans and workshops.

During the past year, Andrew has worked for the Cass County Soil and Water District and Quail Unlimited as

Youth Conservationist of the Year MARK CORIO

Mark’s hometown is Dittmer, Missouri where he graduated from Grandview High School in Hillsboro. He is

Glenn Chambers (left) and Mark Corio.

currently a student at the University of Missouri majoring in Natural Resource Recreation Management. He works as a student assistant in the Undergraduate Affairs Office and works part-time at the Bass Pro Shop in Columbia.

Mark Corio has been an active member with the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) since 2004.

Within the same year he began working with the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC). He quickly began combining his love for helping with a strong passion for conservation. He was a forerunner for a group that wrote a resolution supporting the renewal of the Missouri Parks and Soils Sales Tax. The following year he continued his dedication to the CLC by working on a resolution designed to instill conservation as a general education subject for students and teachers.

This resolution would help everyone gain a better understanding of how conserving our environment is necessary so that future generations could enjoy Mother Nature as we have. Mark took it upon himself to bring this resolution to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Although contact with DESE has been lost, Mark still works feverishly to ensure that our children are given a chance to enjoy the great outdoors as we have.

In 2006, the United States Government attempted to sell 28,000 acres of what we know to be Mark Twain National Forest. Knowing full well the importance of this property to Missouri’s conservation, Mark helped write a successful resolution giving CFM the power to discourage the sale. With the help of a congressman from MidMissouri, the entire sale of national forests was halted. It is these efforts that have gained Mark notary titles in both CFM and CLC. For the past two years Mark has consistently attended and represented the

CLC at the meetings of the Education Committee, providing input and serving to communicate with the CLC members during the year. His performance on that committee has been key to continuing successful development of the CLC program. He has been a catalyst for engaging other students and assisting with selecting students for leadership responsibilities in CLC. He has a fertile mind, a pleasing personality and a tremendous personal commitment to conservation issues. He is always willing to take responsibility on a

project and is able to draw others participation without ever appearing to be in charge.

Mark’s latest project involves the approval of creating a program specifically designed to involve the youth of America to participate in conservation practices. He has met with representatives of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and traveled to Washington, D.C. with other members of CLC to speak personally to the NWF about the CLC and their plans. A national youth program is now in the making,

2008 North American

Fur Takers

Rendezvous Columbia Missouri

June 19-21

Midway Expo Center Trapping and Calling Educational

Demonstrations: (Preliminary listing)

•Bill Applegate--Mountain Lion •Rosa Cunningham--Cage Trapping •Mike Moreford/Robert Waddell--Coyote •Gary Jepson •Kyle Kaatz •Rally Hess •Tom Olson •Tim Julien •Bob Jameson •Jim Love •Tad Brown •Mark June •Red O’Hearn •Steve Gappa --And More!

Get tips and instruction from the best in the business!

Area Tours:

Historic Rocheport, antiques, wineries, Winston Churchill Memorial, a Memorial for the Berlin Wall, Jefferson Farms and Gardens, and lots of additional touring and shopping opportunities!

(Each day tour has a small fee)

Also demos on wildcrafting, roots and herbs, trap setting contests, and FTA favorites: the Ladies Skillet Toss and the Bare Foot Bear Trap Setting Contest, complete with Calcutta Auctions!

with many state representatives of the NWF wanting to model their own programs after Missouri’s. Mark soon after received a presidential appointment to the CFM Board of Directors, where he currently sits as the youngest active Board member. He will have achieved a status of being a four year veteran of the CLC and is one of the youngest life members…all before the age of 21.

Mark Corio is a role model for youth who participate in CLC and will continue to become a role model for the entire

Dealers, contact: Brian & Rosa Cunningham 5924 Hwy 79 Louisiana MO 63353, 573-754-5962.

Very limited booth spaces remain in the dealer building, first-come, firstserved. After this it will be tailgate spots only. Tailgate areas are pavilion style roofed areas if desired.

The Host Motel is Days Inn, 1900 I-70

Drive SW, Columbia Mo. 65203 573-445-8511 $79.99 flat rate per night. YOU MUST MENTION THAT YOU ARE WITH THE FTA AND MUST BOOK 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT TO GET THIS DISCOUNTED RATE. Full Hot Breakfast included with rate.

Located 3 miles from Midway Expo Center.

Dealer Motel Midway Budget Inn,

6401 W. HWY.40, Columbia, MO. 65202 (573) 445-9565 Rates with tax--Double Beds $54.83, King Size Bed $47.44 Outdoor Pool.

Located less than 1/4 mile from the Dealer Building.

Quality Inn 1612 N. Providence Road, Columbia, MO 65202 Barb Henry 573-449-2491 $60-$80 Room Rate per night plus tax. Indoor Pool Full Hot Breakfast included (5 Miles) Holiday Inn Executive Center 2200 I-70 Dr SW, Columbia, MO 65203 Heather Wright 573-445-8531 $80-$100 Room Rate /night + tax. Indoor & Outdoor Pools (3 Miles) Baymont Inn and Suites 2500 I-70 Drive SW. Columbia, MO 65203 573-445-1899 $60-80 Room Rate/night+ taxes (3 Miles) Continental Breakfast included Drury Inn 1000 Knipp Street, Columbia, MO 65203 573-445-1800 $80-$100 Room Rate/night + taxes.

Full Hot Breakfast included. Indoor Pool (3 Miles) Motel 6 West 1800 I-70 Dr SW. Columbia, MO 65203 573-446-1839 $50-$70 Room Rate /night + tax (3 Miles) Econo Lodge 900 I-70 Dr SW, Columbia, MO 65203 573-442-1191 $60-$80 Room Rate per night plus tax. Continental Breakfast included. Outdoor Pool (4 Miles)

Tremendous array of kids games!

Bring Family and Friends, and have some Fun!

All manner and sort of trapping, calling hunting and outdoor supplies. Major dealers, and lots of tailgaters as well. See what is hot in the trapping and calling world, and get your supplies with no shipping charges!

CREDIT

CONSERVATION AWARDS

Glenn Chambers (left) and Vincent Travnichek.

CFM membership as he enters the field.

He is in CFM to stay since he is a life member.

Conservationist of the Year VINCENT TRAVNICHEK

Vince Travnichek is a Resource Science Field Station Supervisor with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). He is stationed at Saint Joseph and he oversees activities related to monitoring fish populations on the Missouri River. Vince earned a B.S. in Biology from Emproia State University in 1987 and a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University in 1990 and a Ph.D. in Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures from Auburn University in 1996.

Vince began working for MDC as a Fisheries Management Biologist in September 1996 in Northwest Missouri. In June 2000, he became a Fisheries Research Biologist, working out of Columbia on catfish, sturgeon, commercial fishing, and issues related to Missouri River management. With MDC’s reorganization he became a Resource Scientist and transferred back to Saint Joseph where he still works on many of the same issues that he did while in Columbia.

Vince has served on several technical committees with MDC including: Missouri River Natural Resources Committee, and Fish Technical Committee; MICRA Paddlefish and Sturgeon Subcommittee; Lower Missouri River Pallid Sturgeon Working Group; MDC Master Angler and State Record Fish Committee; and MDC Catfish Management Committee.

Dr. Travnichek is widely published and respected in dozens of professional journals, technical reports and professional meetings during his career. He has exemplified what it means to be a Fisheries Professional. Vince willingly takes on difficult tasks and shows true leadership and professionalism. Excellence in fisheries best describes Vince’s passion and abilities.

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CFM CONVENTION

Conservation Federation Of Missouri Debates Issues Annual Convention Produces Conservation Resolutions he delegates of this year’s Conservation Federation of Missouri Annual Convention have voted to adopt sixteen resolutions on current conservation issues.

The convention challenged over two hundred Federation members, meeting in natural resource committee sessions, to debate current conservation issues and develop position statements, when appropriate.

Action letters have been sent to agency heads, legislative leaders (state and national), non-profit directors, and others requesting their response.

T

#1: Dave Ostlund Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, hereby recognize David Ostlund for his years of service to the parks and recreation profession and to the citizens of Missouri. #2: No Child Left Inside Act Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, convey its support to the sponsors of the No Child Left Inside Act, an Amendment to the No Child Left Behind Act, when it comes to a floor vote and if passed the Missouri natural resource and education agencies be involved in the implementation. #3: CRP Contract Preservation Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, call upon the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to stiffen the penalty to 25% of the rental rate each year over the remaining years of the CRP contract. #4: Quail License Plate Program Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, request the MCHF issue a license plate with a bobwhite quail image with the proceeds being earmarked for quail and early successional 1 2

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habitat projects submitted to the MCHF.

#5: MDC Quail Research and Coordination Staff Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, strongly suggest MDC devote two full time staff members with sole responsibility for quail research and coordination.

#6: Missouri Source and Origin Native Plant/Seed Materials Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, actively supports and requests the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to adopt, as a minimum Standard, the specifications in USDA’s Restoration of Rare and Declining Habitat Standard Number 643. The resulting action would ensure that only plant materials specifically adapted to Missouri climates and wildlife habitat needs would be recommended to landowners, and by agencies, for use through state and federal mitigation, conservation assistance, roadside development and construction, and landowner habitat programs when the goal is to restore a diverse native grassland community except in cases where supplies of source identified seed and plant materials are exhausted or not available.

#7: Extend Turkey Season to Promote Student Involvement Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, will support the extension of the Missouri Spring Turkey Season hours until the end of shooting light in order to promote student participation.

#8: Share the Harvest Endowment Fund Now, therefore, be it resolved that

the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, requests that the Missouri Department of Conservation conducts a poll of random sample of the state’s deer hunters to determine their favorability of a 10-year fee increase of $1.00 per deer permit to fund a “Share the Harvest Endowment Fund” to be administered by the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Be it further resolved, if a simple majority of the sampled group is in favor of said increase, the Conservation Federation of Missouri strongly urges the Missouri Department of Conservation Commission to approve said increase beginning in 2008, for a term of ten (10) years, to create the “Share the Harvest Endowment Fund”.

Be it further resolved, if the Missouri Department of Conservation Commission approves the “Share the Harvest Endowment Fund,” the Conservation Federation of Missouri Board of Directors, Executive Committee, shall create a seven (7) member “Share the Harvest Endowment Committee” as part of its board of directors to manage and oversee said fund. One (1) such member of said committee shall be a member of the Missouri Department of Conservation Commission, or a member of the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation board of directors.

#9: Surface Mining and Gravel Excavation Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, strongly opposes passage of House Bill 1389 – Surface Mining and Gravel Excavation, because it removes a large segment of gravel mining opera-

tions from regulation by allowing mining operations to operate under a weak regulatory process with virtually no enforcement of MDNR rules. HB 1389 elevates the undefined practice “managing of seasonal gravel accretion,” to a priority which justifies and allows relieving a large number of operators from the permitting process. This is a declaration that all gravel bars are bad and the government should encourage widespread removal, which is an unwarranted over reaction to the need for gravel management in some Missouri streams. HB 1389 sets minimum mining tonnage limits for a permit requirement and accountability at an excessive 5,000 tons, which is about 500 truckloads. This would allow and encourage commercial operations to operate outside the rules and permitting system.

#10: Guide to Salt Storage Requirements Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, requests the Missouri Department of Natural Resources produce a guide to salt storage requirements for small commercial snow removal services similar to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

#11: Renewable Fuel Source Biomass and CRP Land Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, calls upon the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement changes on the current CRP regulations that would allow contract holders the flexibility to harvest biomass with minimally invasive practices that would not be detrimental to the ecosystem. Under this resolution, let it be understood that 1/3 of the land can be used annually for commercial harvesting of a biomass product to meet the growing demand of the Renewable Fuels Standard.

#12: Habitat Fragmentation in Missouri Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons,

CFM CONVENTION

Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, recommends that the Missouri Department of Conservation focus efforts to reduce habitat fragmentation across the state.

Be it further resolved, that the Missouri Department of Conservation be encouraged to work with United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to bring landowners together to form contiguous tracts of land with management plans that will contribute to creating continuous habitat that will provide wildlife with adequate cover and food resources to survive at a rate of greater than their predation.

future, taken from public land and to use said royalties to fund repairs on former mining areas; end mining’s priority status for public land; ensure that resource professionals have full discretion in the planning and permitting processes to protect public lands where high fish, water, and wildlife values exist; allow “good Samaritans” reclamation and common sense liability relief; prohibit patenting or sale of public lands under this law, keeping the public’s land in the public’s hands; provide for harmonious integration of state and federal wildlife habitat and population objectives in permit operating plans.

Be it further resolved, that Missouri, as a leading conservation state in the nation, intensify the research of the effects of Atrazine on human supplies of drinking water.

Be it further resolved, that Missouri continue research into the effects of Atrazine on Missouri species and ecosystems, including the bioaccumulation of Atrazine through the food chain.

Be it further resolved, that the population of Missouri, particularly agriculturalists be further educated regarding the harmful effects of Atrazine, especially the negative impacts on human health.

#13: General Mining Law of 1872 Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, support the reformation of the General Mining Law of 1872.

Be it further resolved, that the reformation of the General Mining Law of 1872 should support recovering a fair royalty from all minerals, present and

#14: Effect of Atrazine on Water Quality Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, calls upon the United States Congress, the White House, the Missouri State government, and the Missouri Clean Water Commission to take immediate attention to the effects of Atrazine on the environment and public health.

#15: Climate Change Leadership

by University of Missouri Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, calls upon state higher education and K-12 institutions to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions at least 2% per year and 30% by 2020.

Be it further resolved, we call upon the University of Missouri to lead other

universities and K-12 institutions in the state of Missouri, by establishing a climate task force comprised of students, staff and faculty members who are charged with planning and implementing cost-effective strategies to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions.

Be it further resolved, that we encourage the University of Missouri partner with the National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology program, which can provide support, resources, funding and recognition for Missouri’s leadership in tackling climate change.

#16: Aquatic Cave Species Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Conservation Federation of Missouri assembled at the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, MO, this 24th day of February, 2008, urges The Cave Research Foundation, Missouri Speleological Survey, Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources to explore the prospect of a collective effort in implementing the proposed cave program modeled after the Missouri Stream Team.

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Honorariums and memorials are donations made to the Conservation Federation of Missouri to mark special occasions or show tribute to someone you care about. They are a thoughtful way to mark an occasion or to show respect to friends and loved ones who have passed away. Beginning with this issue of Missouri Wildlife, we will list honorariums and memorials in this area.

To make such a gift, please fill out this form and mail it to CFM. We gladly accept cash, check or credit card.

A Gift To CFM Your gift to the Conservation Federation of Missouri could help in so many ways. You could benefit our Share the Harvest Program, the Conservation Leadership Corps, our publications or website, our building fund or help fund our day-to-day operations. You could also honor loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries or other special events.

$25

$50

$100

$250

$500

Other ________

In memory of ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ In honor of

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please notify (name, street, city, state, and zip) ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I would like more information about including the Conservation Federation of Missouri in my will or trust.

DONOR INFO: Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street

City

State

ZIP

Phone ____________________________________________Email __________________________________________________________

Credit card number

____________________________________________________Expiration date ______________________________

Mail this form and payment to:

Conservation Federation of Missouri • 728 West Main Street • Jefferson City, MO 65101

Memorials In memory of Daniel “Booney” Plegge

by Morley Plegge, Rolla, MO

In memory of Jim Crews

by Mike and Mossie Schallon, Wentzville, MO

In memory of Jim Crews

by Dr. and Mrs. Duane Addleman, Springfield, MO 1 4

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CALENDAR MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS

AFFILIATE EVENTS CAPITAL CITY FLY FISHERS MAY 1: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) MAY 13: Club Meeting, Jaycee Cole County Fairgrounds, Jefferson City (6:00pm – 9:00pm) MAY 15: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) JUNE 5: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) JUNE 7: Free Fishing Day in Missouri, Binder Lake, Jefferson City JUNE 10: Club Meeting (6:00pm – 9:00pm) JUNE 19: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) GREENWAY NETWORK MAY 4: Rohan Woods Stream Team Honeysuckle Removal (9:00am – 1:00pm); Jennifer Freund (314) 821-6270 MAY 5: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Charles Community College – Suite 202, Saint Charles (7:00pm – 9:00pm) MAY 7: Peruque Creek Restoration (8:00am – 11:30am); Larry Ruff (636) 498-0772 MAY 7: Earth Day’s Annual Water Symposium, University of Missouri – JC Penney Conference Center, Saint Louis (9:00am – 4:00pm) MAY 10: Kayak Swarm (8:00am – 5:00pm) MAY 10: Maline Creek Monitoring, Forest Wood Park, Ferguson (8:30am – 12:00pm); Mark K. (314) 388-1423 MAY 13: Presentation to Master Naturalists, Busch Wildlife Center, Saint Louis (7:00pm – 9:00pm) MAY 14: Peruque Creek Restoration (8:00am – 11:30am); Larry Ruff (636) 498-0772 MAY 23-24: Meachum Anniversary Celebration MAY 24: Kayak Swarm (8:00am – 5:00pm) MAY 28: Peruque Creek Restoration (8:00am – 11:30am); Larry Ruff (636)

498-0772 JUNE 2: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Charles Community College – Suite 202, Saint Charles (7:00pm – 9:00pm) JUNE 7: Missouri Teaming with Wildlife Rally, University of Missouri – Life Sciences Center, Columbia (10:00am – 3:00pm); Amy Buechler (573) 634-2322 JUNE 7: Kayak Swarm (8:00am – 5:00pm) JUNE 7: Jacks Fork River Rats Float & Clean Up, Eminence (9:00am – 4:00pm) JUNE 14: Washington Missouri River Clean Up & Festival, Washington (12:00pm – 4:00pm) JUNE 9-14: Current River Pick Up & Kayak Give-away; Jack or Mary Fickers (573) 7297065 JUNE 14: Grand Glaize Watershed Wide Summer Monitoring Event (8:00am – 2:30pm); Darlene Haun (636) 225-3946 or Bob Jung (636) 349-4434 JUNE 21: Kayak Swarm (8:00am – 4:00pm) JUNE 21: Clean Up Mississippi River, Saint Louis (9:00am – 3:00pm); Missouri River Relief (573) 443-0292 JUNE 28: Sierra Club Demonstrates Water Quality Monitoring, Fox Creek (9:00am – 12:30pm) KANSAS CITY SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL MAY 5: Board Meeting, Bass Pro Shops, Olathe, Kansas MAY 14: Monthly Meeting, Stroud’s Restaurant, Kansas City MID MISSOURI TROUT UNLIMITED MAY 6: Fly Fishing Presentation, Chili JUNE 3: Annual Hot Dog Burn & Bluegill Fishing, Cosmo-Bethel Park, Columbia MISSOURI BASS FEDERATION JUNE 7: Directors Meeting, Warsaw (9:00am) JUNE 8: Summer Sizzler, Truman Lake – Long Shoal Marina MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED MAY 3: Ladies Even, Blue Hills Country Club, Kansas City (2:00pm – 6:00pm); Jacquie Spihlmann (913) 940-8559 MAY 10: Sporting Clay Shoot, Blackhawk

Valley Hunt Club, Old Monroe (9:00am); Nancy Hamilton (314) 575-8588 MAY 10: Mid-County Dinner, American Legion Post, Shrewsbury; John Weddle (314) 302-2188 MAY 10: Swamp East Greenwing Event, Sikeston; Larry Eby (573) 380-6418 JUNE 25: District Meeting, Heroes, Warrensburg (5:30pm); Brian Vogelsmeier (660) 335-6939 JUNE 26: Waterfowl Hunters Party, Orlando Gardens, Maryland Heights (7:00pm); Don Molitor (314) 420-9132 MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION FUNDRAISER BANQUETS MAY 8: Upper Meramec Longspurs, Recklein Auditorium, Cuba; Judy Bell (573) 743-6200 MAY 10: Lake County Longbeards, Knights of Columbus Hall, Monroe City; Bob Kendrick (573) 735-2607 MAY 16: Ozark County Hootin & Gobblin, Vaughts Family Restaurant, Gainsville; John Phillips (417) 256-9141 MAY 31: Braymer Longbeards, Braymer C-4 Gymnasium, Braymer; Travis Moore (573) 769-2859 JUNE 7: Brickyard Hill Drummers, Atchison County Memorial Building, Rock Port; Charles Bolin (660) 736-4789 JUNE 7: Summit Ridge Longbeards, Saint Andrews Catholic Church, Holts Summit; Jeff Demand (573) 596-5608 JUNE 13: Putnam County Chapter, Putnam County Middle School Commons, Unionville; Ed Anders (417) 343-5853 JUNE 14: Branson Tri-Lakes, Windmill Inn & Convention Center, Branson; Charles Livingston (417) 699-3481 JUNE 21: North West Struttin’ Toms, American Legion Hall, Maryville; Stuart Carmichael (660) 927-3638 JUNE 21: Twain’s Roaring Gobblers, Roaring River State Lodge, Cassville; Don Bailey (417) 835-3304 JUNE 28: Bollinger County Double Beards, First Baptist Church, Marble Hill; Randy Pogue (573) 238-3234 WHEELIN SPORTSMENS EVENTS MAY 3: Woods Program Fishing Event, Redmond Creek Recreation Center, Wappapello; Tonya Bean (573) 686-2333 x:227 MAY 9: Grindstone Gobblers Fishing Event, Hartell Conservation Area, Plattsburg; John Hahn (816) 724-1521

JUNE 21: 5th Annual Day at the Range & Outdoor Adventure, Bois D’Arc WHEELIN SPORTSMENS BENEFITS JUNE 7: Bootheel Boss Gobblers, Jackson; Paul Strickland (573) 332-1989 JUNE 7: Bootheel Boss Gobblers Clay Shoot, Marble Hill; Paul Strickland (573) 332-1989 WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS MAY 9: Ladies Turkey Hunt, North West Missouri Outfitters, Albany; Ellen Benitz (816) 387-6606 MAY 17: Benton County Boss Hens, American Legion Hall, Warsaw; Jeanette Limback (660) 438-2588 MAY 17: Branson Tri-Lakes, RecPlex, Branson; Catherine McGregor (417) 336-3022 MAY 30-JUNE 1: Missouri State, Heartland Presbyterian Center, Parkville; Alexis Bechtold (888) 422-6752 JUNE 7: Clark County Longbeards, Stutz’s Farm, Kahoka; Betty Stutz (660) 866-2590 JUNE 14: Cowboy Action Shooting Workshop, Lafayette Gun Club, Higginsville; Tricia Grasher (816) 625-0385 JUNE 28: 4-B’s Hunting Resort, Stark City; Kathi Stipp (417) 652-7538 MISSOURI PARKS ASSOCIATION JUNE 6-8: Discover Nature Women Workshop, Windermere Conference Center, Roach; Tracy Tomson (573) 522-4115 x:3808 MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATION MAY 23-26: Board Meeting & Prairie Days, Schwartz Prairie, Saint Charles County; Carol Davit (573) 893-5446 OZARK FLY FISHERS MAY 18: Women’s Outing MAY 22: Monthly Meeting POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIES MAY 3: Muskie Mayhem Dinner & Meeting MAY 17: Trolling Party JUNE 7: Prime Time Outing SOUTHWEST MISSOURI FLY FISHERS MAY 8: Monthly Meeting, Springfield Nature Center, Springfield (6:00pm9:00pm) JUNE 12: Monthly Meeting, Springfield Nature Center, Springfield (6:00pm – 9:00pm) JUNE 21-22: James River Float

CFM EVENTS SEP 12-14: CFM Fall Conference, Camp Clover Point, Lake Ozark

CONSERVATION FEDERATION OF MISSOURI AFFILIATES Anglers of Missouri Big Game Hunters Bridlespur Hunt Club Capital City Fly Fishers Central Missouri Chapter Safari Club Coldwater Outing & Game Preserve Eastern MO Chapter Pheasants Forever Festus/Crystal City Conservation Club Forest Releaf of Missouri Franklin County Wildlife Club Friends of Rockbridge Memorial State Park Greenway Network Heaven’s Anglers Jefferson County Coonhunters Kansas City Chapter Safari Club Kansas City Woodcarvers Lambert Field Rod & Gun Club Mark Twain Area Quail Unlimited Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited

Midwest Diving Council Mississippi County Conservation Society Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Mississippi Valley Gun Club Missouri Association of Meat Processors Missouri Bass Federation Missouri Bow Hunters Missouri Conservation Agents Association Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Missouri Department of Agriculture Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council Missouri Forest Products Association Missouri Native Seed Association Missouri Parks & Recreation Association Missouri Parks Association Missouri Prairie Foundation Missouri Ruffed Grouse Society Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Missouri Sport Shooting Association

Missouri State Campers Association Missouri State Council Quail Unlimited Missouri Taxidermist Association Missouri Trappers Association Missouri Trout Fisherman’s Association Missouri Waterfowl Association Missouri Whitetails Unlimited Missouri Wild Turkey Federation Missourians Outdoors MO Chapter American Fisheries Society MO Chapter of the Wildlife Society MO Chapter Soil & Water Conservation MO Hunter Education Instructor’s Association MO State University Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society Monett Sportsman League Northeast Missouri Coonhunters Northside Conservation Federation Open Space Council

Owensville HS Hunting & Fishing Club Ozark Fly Fishers Ozark Mountain Paddlers Ozark Wilderness Waterways Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme De Terre Chapter Muskies River Relief, Inc. Saint James Civic Club Show-Me Clean Streams Show-Me Missouri Back Country Horsemen South Side Division Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers Tipton Farmers & Sportsman Club United Bow Hunters of Missouri Wecomo Sportsman Club Wild Elk Institute of Missouri Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club

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CALENDAR Look on page 15 for event listings.

AGENCY NEWS

Permit Exemptions Honor Missourians’ Service, Needs MDC Recognizes Those That Have Given To Their State And The Nation recent decision by the Conservation Commission extended permit exemptions to all qualifying disabled veterans and former prisoners of war, regardless of where they live. The change builds on measures already in place that take into account the sacrifices some have made for their country and the needs of others.

The Commission made the change at its March meeting. Previously, only Missouri residents who were honorably discharged military veterans with servicerelated disabilities of 60 percent or more and Missourians who were prisoners of war during military service did not have to purchase resident small-game hunting or fishing permits. Now the exemption applies to any veteran who meets the same standards, regardless of where they live.

The Commission also changed rules to allow qualifying nonresident veterans to purchase resident deer and turkey hunting permits. This represents a substantial savings to nonresident veterans.

The action came following a presentation from William White and the Board of Directors of Camp Hope in Farmington.

Camp Hope’s mission is to allow disabled American veterans, regardless of state of origin, to enjoy the outdoors by participating in outdoor activities.

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If there are any errors in your name and address, if you’ve moved from this address, or if you plan to move, please notify us at Missouri Wildlife, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call (800) 575-2322.

“It is an expression of our gratitude to disabled veterans and former POWs,” said Commission Chairman William F.“Chip” McGeehan.“We think it is an important gesture to let veterans know how deeply grateful we are for their service and sacrifice.

“My father, Lt. Col. William F. McGeehan, was shot down over Hamburg Germany, July 25, 1943 while on a bombing run. He was liberated from a prison camp in April 1945. This action by the Conservation Commission is very close to my heart, as I know what my father went through in the hands of his captors.”

The Commission previously granted military personnel from other states the privilege of buying resident hunting and fishing permits if they are stationed and live in Missouri.

While the changes approved in March put resident and nonresident disabled veterans and former POWs on an equal footing, the change is not an exemption from all permit requirements. Like residents, nonresidents still must purchase Missouri deer and turkey hunting, migratory bird hunting and trapping permits if they want to engage in those activities.

Also, exempt veterans born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, still must have successfully completed an approved hunter education

class before buying hunting permits. Likewise, they still need daily tags to fish in trout parks and must have a trout permit to keep trout caught in trout-management areas.

Exempt veterans must carry a certified statement of eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs when purchasing permits or exercising permit privileges. For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 651020180.

The Conservation Commission also extends hunting, trapping and fishing privileges of military personnel who buy permits but are unable to fully exercise those privileges due to mobilization and deployment outside Missouri. The policy covers regular, Reserve and National Guard personnel posted outside the state on or after Jan. 1, 2002.

“Our Commissioners felt strongly that the state’s military personnel were sacrificing enough without losing hunting, fishing or trapping privileges they paid for because the had to leave home,” said Conservation Department Director John Hoskins.“They made sure military personnel get their fair share of Missouri’s outdoors when they return home.”

Military personnel are not the only

people who get a break on hunting and fishing permit costs. Missouri residents with cerebral palsy or developmental disabilities that prevent them from fishing alone may fish without permits if they are accompanied by an adult angler with a valid fishing permit or an exemption.

Missouri residents 15 and younger or 65 and older also may hunt wildlife without a permit, but they must carry proof of age and residency. Those hunting on the youth exemption must either be accompanied by a licensed hunter or have a valid hunter education certification card with them.

If you like the idea of never having to buy a hunting or fishing permit again, you might consider making a one-time purchase of a Resident Lifetime Conservation Partner Permit. The Lifetime Permit also makes a great gift for that young hunter or fisher. Buy one of these permits, and you will never have to buy a resident fishing or small-game hunting permit again. To download a lifetime permit order form, write to Lifetime Permits, Mo. Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, call 573/522-4115, ext.

3574, or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/8849.

Jim Low News Services Coordinator