Vol69 no4 2008

MISSOURI JULY 2008 VOL. 69, NO. 4

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NEWS & ISSUES

Operation Clean Stream CFM SPORTING CLAY SHOOT

Plan To Participate 2008 FALL CONFERENCE

Register Today!

CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS Make Your Nomination

VIEW FROM THE STONE HOUSE

MISSOURI

Wildlife

Watch Dog Or Rubber Stamp? ne thing about taking a stand front and center on conservation issues: the world is watching! And every one of us independent, capable, focused, caring and passionate individuals has and is entitled to an opinion. I suppose it is the nature of hunters, anglers and trappers especially to be self-reliant, decisive and to be very comfortable living with the decisions we make.

Our organization, CFM, is naturally very much a reflection of our membership. We have a lot of members. We have a bunch of very different organizations affiliated with us. We have always been and, because of the first two qualities listed here, will always be a very diverse group. The large and diverse board of directors of CFM moves like molasses when it comes to discussing most topics of our business or of conservation regulations or of natural resource policy. But we move like lightning when the discussion comes to the agency we Missourians have created and have given by constitutional amendment responsibilities and designated funding for conservation of our forests, fish and wildlife.

A significant part of every day for CFM is invested in keeping up with goings on at MDC. Regulations committee meetings, Commission meetings, workshops, task forces, public meetings to discuss or hear input on a variety of subjects, private meetings with key members of the staff, cooperation on many projects and programs…these are but the

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first few specific points of contact we share with MDC full time which come to mind. Why all the investment from our side? What is our role, if any, in all this?

Think of us as parents. If your child does something you don’t like, causing you either disappointment or even embarrassment, do you make yourself feel better by publicly flogging the kid?

Do you send them to their room? Take away their allowance? It all depends. I would argue that there are as many styles of parenting as there are parents. I would further argue that the action of the parent depends a lot on what the kid does…and it depends on the nature of the kid. Most everyone outside (and inside) Missouri agrees that our kid, MDC, is the best there is. Arguably the best there ever has been.

When something turns out this good, you thank your lucky stars! Because of the wisdom and right actions of our citizen-conservationist ancestors, we have the opportunity to look and reach far beyond the petty grievances of the nitpickers of our day. We have the responsibility to wisely use today’s opportunities and resources not only to meet current demands and desires, but to address and to prepare for the challenges of the future. Our heirs deserve the best we can muster, just as we are the beneficiaries of our ancestors’ best efforts.

For 73 years we have served as guardians and advocates of Missouri’s unique system of conservation governance. Surveys, polls, public meetings,

July 2008 Vol. 69, No. 4

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 Amy Buechler Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator

letters, e mails, phone calls, personal visits, comments at our booth at myriad public events, and even election results clearly demonstrate that the vast majority of Missourians fundamentally agree with us. Forests, fish and wildlife are immensely valuable and important to every one of us. Their stewardship by MDC is working. Our job at CFM is not done, and likely never will be. We must not allow ourselves to become complacent. We must always strive to improve our organization and the agencies serving us. Never a mere rubber stamp of blind approval, never a mere watch dog barking at every passing car or pedestrian…but a wise, resourceful, attentive guard dog…keeping a watchful eye on our favored kid.

Dave Murphy Executive Director, CFM

The Cup ust about the second that I become convinced no one will ever learn anything worthwhile watching television…the Detroit Redwings win the Stanley Cup. As a kid in North Missouri, my friends and I skated on many a frozen farm pond, emulating the likes of Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, and much, much later we celebrated the “Miracle on Ice.” We LOVED hockey, and found its “fight club” qualities ideal for zealous, heavily bundled up, freezing young farm boys. As you should know, the absolute pinnacle of achievement in professional ice hockey, is for your team to win the

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Stanley Cup. As you may not know, this is about the only top prize in professional sports which is one of a kind. It is a traveling trophy, in the most literal sense.

There are many fascinating traditions surrounding The Stanley Cup. The one which is my subject today is that the Captain of the winning team takes it home with him the night of victory.

Each night thereafter, for as long as it takes, players, coaches, support staff…every contributor to this grand team achievement…gets to have The Cup for a day. Copious amounts of

champagne have been quaffed from it.

Breakfast cereal has been eaten from it.

Babies have been christened from it.

Most every holder of The Cup for a day has their picture taken with it. These photographs are always a poignant image of the real personality of a very real person.

So what? Well, we have just won The Stanley Cup of Conservation. The National Conservation Achievement Award is proudly displayed on the front cover of this issue of Missouri Wildlife.

Beginning with our Board of Directors, we intend to allow any of our leaders,

Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.

ISSN 1082-8591

728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 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 ($25 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: The 2007 National Conservation Achievement Award. CFM is best in America, according to National Wildlife Federation. Photo © Glenn D. Chambers, 2008. Special photographic lighting effects provided by Creative Photo.

supporters and contributors who would like to possess the trophy for a week! We will handle the scheduling, transferal, etc. from the CFM office. We hope this will make sharing the recognition fun and personal for each and every one of you who have helped us earn this incredible recognition. We hope lots of photos and really positive memories result for every one who participates.

Thank you for your role in CFM receiving this award and recognition!

Dave Murphy Executive Director, CFM

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

2007 National Wildlife Federation Affiliate Of The Year Conservation Federation of Missouri Garners 2007 National Conservation Achievement Award Affiliate of the Year – National Conservation Achievement Award Recognizing a NWF affiliate organization for outstanding conservation accomplishments and collaborative efforts with NWF and its supporters.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri The Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) has become the state’s leading voice for conservation, its sphere of influence today going far beyond the hunter/angler focus of its origin. Through many innovative programs CFM engages the whole community as it seeks to protect Missouri’s wildlife and wild places.

Its Conservation Leadership Corps encourages high school and university

students to become activists by offering them a unique opportunity to influence conservation policy and actions.

And Share the Harvest, a program that began in 1992 through which hunters donate their harvested deer to the needy, now delivers over 300,000 pounds of venison to food banks across the state.

hank you for this awesome award!!! It is a great honor to have been selected for The Affiliate Of The Year–National Conservation Achievement Award.

I bring you greetings from Missouri, THE SHOW-ME STATE. In the conservation arena we have been showing

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Conservationists For Life ($1,000 Contribution) Charles Abele, Saint Louis Duane and Nancy Addleman, Springfield Richard Ash, Saint Charles Dane Balsman, Perryville Jim Tom Blair, Saint Louis Stephen Bradford, Cape Girardeau Glenn Chambers, Columbia Ron Coleman, Saint Albans Mark Corio, Columbia John Enderle, Kelso Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Fleming, Columbia Howard & Sara Fleming, Moberly Mr. & Mrs. Matt Fleming, Moberly Dave Kolb Grading, Saint Charles Gray Manufacturing Company, Saint Joseph Gery Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Allan Hoover, Pleasant Hill Larry & Joan Hummel, Glencoe Don Johnson, Festus Roger & Debbie Johnson, Humansville Duane & Cosette Kelly, Independence Sara Knight, Charlotte, NC Carl Kurz, Leawood, KS

Gerald Lee, Kansas City Joel LeMaster, Fulton Norman Leppo, Saint Louis Leroy Logan, Arnold Chip McGeehan, Marshfield Cynthia Metcalfe, Saint Louis David Murphy, Columbia Dean Murphy, Jefferson City Abe Phillips, Saint Louis Gerald Ross, Jefferson City Mike Schallon, Ballwin Timothy Schwent, Jackson Charles & Winnie Stribling, Mexico Tim Thompson, Saint Charles Barbara VanBenschoten, Kansas City Lee Vogel, Kansas City Al Vogt, Columbia Randy Washburn, Jefferson City Stephen Wilson, Hartsburg Dick Wood, Saint Louis Howard Wood, Bonne Terre Robert Ziehmer, California

When will you add your name to the list?

CFM Life Membership Application Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________Email:_____________________________ Payment Method (circle one):

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the way for CONSERVATION since 1935. On September 10 of that year, about 75 visionaries met in Columbia and formed the RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION FEDERATION OF MISSOURI. Their mission was to seek the approval of Missouri voters, through the initiative petition process to pass a constitutional amendment (AMENDMENT No. 4) to take CONSERVATION out of politics and put the management of fish, forests, and wildlife in the hands of professionals.

Citizens circulated petitions, and secured enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot, and it passed by an overwhelming majority. That effort created a Conservation Department that was science-based and free of politics. Today the Missouri Department of Conservation is recognized as one of the finest state conservation agencies in the nation.

Forty years later, in 1976, the Conservation Federation of Missouri led by a group of devoted citizens, decided to secure a strong, stable, financial funding source to expand and fund a new generation of conservation in a movement called “The Design For Conservation”. The Citizens Committee for Conservation enlisted volunteers to circulate petitions and gather signatures in an effort to put a “oneeighth of one percent sales tax initiative” on the ballot. If passed by the voters of Missouri, those tax dollars would be dedicated to the Conservation Department. In the November election of that year, Missouri voters approved the conservation sales tax to support their Department of Conser-

vation. The annual income from this tax generates about $100,000,000 annually.

More recently, the Conservation Federation of Missouri has taken another bold step and created The Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC). We recruit high school and college-age students in an effort to develop youth as private citizen conservation leaders for the future. This effort has been extremely successful, and with well over 100 alums to date, our CLC program is becoming a national role model for other National Wildlife Federation affiliates to follow. We have two of our young ambassadors here with us this evening (I introduced them at this point, Cara Stuckel and Mark Corio).

While at this meeting, these young people have made contacts to travel to at least three states this summer and fall to help set up similar organizations in their respective states.

On behalf of some 80,000 affiliate members and more than 7,500 sustaining members back home in Missouri, who were really the folks responsible for this award, I say a BIG THANK YOU for this prestigious award.”

Receiving that award was a wonderful experience and I wish that every one of you could have been there to share the experience with your colleagues and co-workers.

I personally THANK EACH OF YOU for what you do for CFM and for your support.

M I S S O U R I

Glenn D. Chambers President, CFM W I L D L I F E

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Experience The Journey

High School Wins Third Consecutive Envirothon

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Parkway North Heads To National Competition hey say the third time is a charm, but in Parkway North’s case, it has been charmed from the start. Parkway North High School has won the state Envirothon competition for the third straight year.

The school is part of the Parkway School District in St. Louis County.

The Envirothon consists of students competing at five outdoor testing stations — aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife and the 2008 current conservation issue, recreational impacts on natural resources. Test stations require the five-student teams to answer a variety of both hands-on and written natural resource questions. Each team also gives an oral presentation to a panel of judges.

Winning this competition three times in a row is no easy feat. As team members from Parkway North can attest, it requires a lot of dedication.“We meet every Monday after school, and we attend lectures at Washington University when we can,” said Amal Al Lozi, a member of the winning team.“I also study at home a lot.”

“As a group, we’ll go to parks and identify trees and things,” said team member Kathleen Beilsmith.“Our coach has a lot to do with our success though, too.”

Parkway North coach Russell Barton has sponsored the team for the past five

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years.

The team will go on to compete at the 2008 Canon Envirothon in Flagstaff, Ariz., July 28 to Aug. 3. The Envirothon is North America’s largest high school natural resources competition, with more than 40 states and seven Canadian provinces competing at the national level.

The state event features the top three teams from each of Missouri’s seven regional competitions held throughout the year. Contact your local soil and water conservation district office for regional competition dates.

Sponsors for the Missouri Envirothon include the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local soil and water conservation districts, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Districts Employee Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University of Missouri Extension and the Show-Me Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

For more information, contact the Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Conservation Program at 573751-4932 or the department toll free at 800-361-4827.

OutdooR magazine

Guide

HUNTING

FISHING

CAMPING

BOATING

For a FREE Copy of the Magazine Call 1-800-706-2444 or Visit our Web site at www.outdoorguidemagazine.com 4

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he Meramec River, once rated as one of the most degraded streams in the state of Missouri, has enjoyed an amazing renaissance over the past 40 years as a result of the work of many volunteers, public and private efforts to restore its conservation value, outdoor recreation benefit and natural beauty.

River restoration work began in earnest in 1967 with the first Operation Clean Stream and still continues today.

The Open Space Council produced a new documentary, Meramec River: Miracles and Milestones, to celebrate the renaissance of this great river. Produced with the help of Emmy-winning videographers John Baker and Jim Karpowitz, the film covers such topics as river his-

tory, conservation, outdoor recreation and economic value of the Meramec Basin to the region and State of Missouri. Premiered on May 1st at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Meramec River: Miracles and Milestones is now available to the public.

A new CD inspired by the film is also available for purchase. River Voices and Songs is a compilation of original folk music, old favorites and river stories composed by local talent. Proceeds from the film and CD will go toward conservations efforts of the Open Space Council in the Meramec River Basin.

Order your copy of each today on the Open Space Council website, www.openspacecouncilstl.com or call 636-334-3035 for more information.

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River Hills

Traveler • Examine Traveler in your home.

We’ll send the outdoor magazine of the Ozarks to your home FREE FOR THREE MONTHS. then we’ll send a bill ($18).

If you want to keep getting Traveler, pay the bill. If you don’t, you won’t. It’s that simple.

Go to www.riverhillstraveler.com/traveler-subscription.php.

Click on FREE TRIAL. Or call 1-800-874-8423 and ask for a free sample subscription.

NEWS AND ISSUES A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATE

Outdoor Program For Youth The Land Learning Foundation will host a free outdoor learning event for youngsters at their Dean Lake facility on Saturday, August 23, 2008.

The Youth Game Fair will feature presentations and demonstrations by experts on conservation and agriculture subjects such as trapping, retriever work, duck calling, and food sources, along with hands-on activities such as archery, fishing, knife making, and trap shooting.

There are over 50 displays and activities for youngsters to see and participate in.

Special features of the day-long event include a visit from the State Patrol helicopter at 10:00 a.m. and a chance to meet Bruce Horrell co-host and co-producer of The Wingshooter, Tom Nelson, host and producer of The American Archer, Pro-fishermen, John Sappington and Rick Lisek, Jr., with entertainment by Ralph Duren, master of wildlife calls.

A free lunch will be provided, so please register. Activities are from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The Land Learning Foundation facility is located four miles west of Triplett, MO, on Highway Z. To register for this free outdoor learning experience, call Marsha Leimkuehler at the Land Learning Foundation at 660634-2240 or you may register on-line at www.youthgamefair.com. Parents and accompanying mentors are welcome.

Entertainment will be games, bingo, square dancing, marshmallow roast, campfire, story telling and guitar playing.

Feel free to bring a stringed 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 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!

A registration form is included in this issue of the magazine.

If you wish to bring a camping vehicle or tent, instead of staying at the camp, tent and camping vehicle reservations can be made at Lake Ozark State Park through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for a small fee. You can contact them toll free at 1-877-422-6766.

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

Walnut Native Stand Management and Profit July 26 (8:00-8:30 Registration) – Please come for a 3-hour tour of native stands of valuable walnut growing along the Batchelor Creek and a tributary. If you have some wooded creek bottom on your farm, you likely have some walnut.

Tour stops will explain why these soils are typically so well suited for walnut, steps to take in choosing which trees to keep, procedures for timber stand improvement, assessment value of some standing walnut, and how to manage a timber sale.

Come to the Kent and Lori farm place located on the gravel road due west of Shamrock, MO, on Hwy B between Auxvasse and Montgomery City.

August 3-6 – The National Walnut Council Tours and Meeting will be in Columbia with field tours in Callaway County on Aug 4 and tours in Howard County on Aug 5. Tours will consist of managed walnut plantations, managed native stands of walnut, MO Pacific Walnut Mill at New Franklin, and a managed white oak mixed hardwood forest.

Pre-register by July 1 online at www.walnutcouncil.org (click on Annual Meeting) or you can call (573) 8820898 for more details.

Operation Clean Stream 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, MO. Programs planned are Coleman Repair, ATLATL (spear throwing), Archery, Share the Harvest, Sediment Pollution, Taxidermy and crafts for adults and kids.

The 41st Annual Operation Clean Stream will be held August 23, 2008, beginning at 8:00 am. Volunteers of all ages are invited to participate in a largescale cleanup of the Meramec, Big, Bourbeuse, Courtois and Huzzah Rivers.

Operation Clean Stream is Missouri Stream Team #5. This event is sponsored

by The Open Space Council. For more information visit www.openspacecouncilstl.org or call 314-334-3035.

Welcome CFM New Members Earl Barge, Chesterfield Tom Baron, Midlothian, VA Dick Bienvenu, Wentzville Robert Blocker, Saint Louis Stephen Boschert, Glencoe James Bowers, Kansas City Duane Brandsgaard, Lees Summit Jeffrey Brock, Saint Joseph

Richard Buckman, Kansas City Sandra Carroll-Berger, Gladstone Jim Casper, Jonesburg Tom Coats, Mountain Grove Faith Cregger, Saint Louis Christopher Crowley, Ballwin Lou Dames, Bonne Terre Shellie Dattler, Saint Louis Brian Dean, Saint Louis Don Diesel, Bloomsdale Steven Donaubauer, Ballwin Vivian Engleman, Chillicothe Daniel Evans, O’Fallon Karri Feeney, Memphis Ilene Fleshman, Lebanon Greg Greer, Saint Louis James Helvey, Saint Clair Robin Higley, Rolla Nick & Mary Rose Hilkemeyer, Freeburg Reggie Householder, Auxvasse Darwin Jones, Bethel Stanley Kelleigh, Kansas City John Key, Saint Louis Ronald Klatt, Russellville John Kolb, Jefferson City Kathleen Logan Smith, Saint Louis Magee’s Trading Center, Eolia Barbara Martin-Frohoff, Shawnee Mission, KS Tom McFetridge, Saint Charles John McGowan, Columbia Angie McMichael, Holts Summit Joseph Miller, Saint Louis Bryon Minor, Columbia James Montgomery, Brookfield George Murphy, Saint Louis Brett Nelson, Sikeston Jake Nickelson, Fulton Doug Novinger, Columbia Ellis Owens, Clinton Harlan Palm, Columbia Crystal Parson, Pleasant Hill Ryan Peck, Sedalia Rodney Pennington, Rogersville Dave Polley, Ridgeway Shannon Price, Dawn John Purcell, Saint Louis Dannie Rhoads, Kirksville Christina Ritter, Arnold Clint Ruediger, Saint Peters Travis Scott, Columbia James Simon, Macon Susan Smydra, Glencoe Robert Sparks, Kirksville Barry Sprinkle, Liberty Roger Theroux, Kansas City Thomas Ulm, Kansas City David Vernon, Columbia Richard Wadlow, Park Hills Laura Lee Westhues, Lees Summit Charles Wiles, Cape Girardeau Daniel Williams, Saint Charles Scott Wilper, Wellington Linda Wilson, Breckenridge Ed & Susan Wrasmann, Rolla James Young, O’Fallon, IL Randy & Barbara Zelch, Rosebud Charles Zimmerman, Joplin

M I S S O U R I

W I L D L I F E

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FOREST FROM THE TREES

Trees For Sale! 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 fourth of the expected six articles.

Having completed timber stand improvement treatments on all our stands, we were ready for the final step in this first round of major actions. Time for our first timber sale. You may recall from our last article that we left all the marketable trees, marked for removal, in each stand. To meet our goal of reducing overstocking to ensure both overall forest health and good growth rates for individual trees we wanted to keep, we still had a bunch of trees to remove from throughout the forest. The good news was that these future logs were, thanks to all our efforts of improving access to various parts of the farm, relatively accessible for harvest. The great news was that there were folks very interested in buying them!

The same private consulting foresters who prescribed our timber stand improvement treatments marked trees for sale as they took inventory. We wanted to keep our very best trees as seed stock, to produce even better quality timber in the future and to optimize benefits for wildlife. So either by sale or TSI, we selectively removed trees unlikely to enhance either future timber or wildlife habitat values. It amazed me that 1,689 trees of 23 species were marketable, among those to be removed. This may sound like a lot of trees to some folks, but consider that 240 acres of timber at maturity with normal stocking would support maybe 35 trees per acre, or 8,400 total. One should note that few of our stands were at maturity.

And all stands were heavily overstocked.

We likely had more than 20,000 trees before TSI and before the sale. It became very clear to me that this heavy overstocking was stifling growth, health and vigor of individual trees. Overstocking was also curbing acorn, nut and fruit production and thereby diminishing the wildlife carrying capacity of our forest.

Our foresters estimated a conservative financial value for each log. The summation of all species and logs gave us a pretty good idea of what a fair price for our whole timber sale might be. We then sent the inventory list, without estimates of

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value, to all nearby or even remote logging firms that we thought might be interested in bidding on our logs. We set up a day for them to come and visit our woods and to ask us questions. At the time I remember feeling like a kid with my first lemonade stand with a sign “Trees For Sale!” in the front yard. All the loggers were great folks, conscientious about our property, wanting to be able to fully evaluate what our logs might be worth to them, and wanting to fully understand our expectations. All in all a very positive experience for us and, I trust, for the loggers and for our foresters as well.

We set a deadline for receiving bids.

One or two loggers chose to deliver their bids personally and await the opening of all bids. We made this into a public event, serving coffee and cookies. MAN, O MAN was I ever disappointed when none of the bids were even close to the value we were expecting! During the time we were doing TSI, timber prices (sometimes very volatile) took a dive. At this moment is when private consulting foresters, in my opinion, proved most valuable. They advised us not to accept any of the bids! I immediately thought,“How are we ever going to demonstrate that good forestry practice pays?” “Will anyone ever again take seriously my zealous advocacy for TSI?” “How will I explain to my wife that all the money we have invested, all the hard work, and all the tough decisions we struggled through were really worthwhile when no one wants to pay us what we think the logs are worth?” It was a very tough moment.

Once upon a time, very early in the entire process, our foresters had promised us that the difference in revenues we would receive in future sales would more than pay us back for what we invested in their services. This proved to be absolutely true.

The foresters maintained contact with the firms that bid on our logs. They showed the loggers what they were certain our timber was worth and encouraged them to find a way to pay full price. The solution came in the form of compromise. Isn’t this a familiar concept to us Missourians? With prices being low, all loggers were stretched pretty thin for financial resources, with all available funds wisely invested in standing timber.

Also most logging yards were full of readSee TREES, page 12

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

AGENCY NEWS

Conservation Department Promotes Three To Top Spots he Missouri Department of Conservation has announced replacements for three upperlevel administrators who have retired in recent months. All three come from within the agency’s ranks.

Conservation Department Director John Hoskins announced the promotions at the April meeting of the Missouri Conservation Commission, the four-person, bipartisan body appointed by the governor to set agency policy. Appointed were: Assistant Director Tim Ripperger, who previously served as Protection Division field chief; Fisheries Division Chief Bill Turner, formerly Fisheries Programs Coordinator; and Protection Division Chief Larry Yamnitz, who had been serving as Protection Division field chief.

“The Conservation Department is fortunate to have a pool of talented, seasoned professionals from which to fill its top positions,” said Hoskins.“One advantage of having one of the nation’s top conservation agencies is being able to attract and keep the best and brightest people in various disciplines. Our people are, without a doubt, our biggest asset in delivering the services that Missouri citizens expect.”

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TIM RIPPERGER Ripperger, 52, grew up in Cooper County. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in fish and wildlife management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is currently completing a masters degree in public administration at MU. His duties will include supervising the Outreach and Education Division, Policy Coordination Unit and federal aid programs.

Ripperger’s first job with the Conservation Department was as a conservation agent headquartered in Mound City in 1977. He held other field positions before being promoted to northwest regional protection supervisor in 1985. In 2005 he moved to Conservation Department Headquarters in Jefferson City to take the job of protection field chief. His prior work included strategic planning and working with print and broadcast media.

He is an ardent outdoorsman, who has hunted and fished from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico and backpacked extensively in the Rocky Mountains. He has traveled in all 50 states.

“Working for the Conservation Department is a lifelong dream that I am fortunate enough to live every day,” said

Assistant Director Tim Ripperger

Protection Division Chief Larry Yamnitz

Fisheries Division Chief Bill Turner

the new assistant director.

Hoskins said growing up with rural roots and being part of a farming family gave Ripperger insight and knowledge about Missouri landowners that he could not have gotten any other way.

“Working in two major urban centers has broadened his understanding of the needs of a diverse constituency,” said Hoskins.“This geographical balance will be important as a member of the Conservation Department’s administrative team.”

grew out of time spent on his family’s farm in Perry County and was reinforced by his involvement in Boy Scouts.

“I love to float fish Ozark streams,” said Yamnitz,“and I started hunting for squirrels as a kid with my dad alongside. I use a recurve bow for deer and have been known to chase a few turkeys and ducks, as well as muzzleloader hunt for deer.”

Hoskins said,“Larry’s ability to think strategically, deal effectively with difficult and complex issues, and value the importance of teamwork and cooperation have earned him trust and respect throughout the Department. These attributes, along with his personal work ethic and moral code, will prepare him to successfully lead the Protection Division and be a key player in the future of the department.”

Dam and helping develop guidelines for hydroelectric generation there for the next 40 years. Requirements that Turner helped write into Ameren-UE’s operating license will help prevent fish kills and reduce detrimental effects of rapid changes in river flow below the dam and keep the level of Lake of the Ozarks more stable, creating better spawning conditions for fish.

Turner is an active member of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), cofounding and chairing the North Central Division’s Rivers and Streams Technical Committee. He has served as president of the AFS Missouri Chapter and is a member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the American Water Resources Association.

Turner’s honors include the Missouri AFS John L. Funk Award of Excellence, the AFS North Central Division Meritorious Service Award, the Fisheries Division Employee of the Year and the Missouri State Employee of the Month awards.

“Through his extensive background, Bill has honed the characteristics necessary to lead a vital division,” said Hoskins.

“His proven technical expertise, ability to address multiple, shifting demands and negotiate positive outcomes will be invaluable as he undertakes Fisheries Division Chief responsibilities. These talents, along with his personal commitment to excellence and integrity will make him a vital member of the department’s leadership team.”

Ripperger, Turner and Yamnitz assumed their new duties May 1.

LARRY YAMNITZ Yamnitz, 52, is a native of Perryville who spent his formative years in the St. Louis area. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife conservation and management from Southwest Missouri State University. He went to work for the Conservation Department as a conservation agent in Texas County in 1980. He later moved to Conservation Department Headquarters to serve as protection training supervisor, and he was promoted to protection programs supervisor in 1993 and to protection field chief in 2004.

His natural rapport with hunters and anglers, coupled with a talent for communicating with the public about resource management issues, twice earned Yamnitz the Outstanding Officer of the Year Award in the Ozark Region.

He has served as president, secretary and treasurer of the International Association of Natural Resources Enforcement Trainers and held the same offices in the Missouri Association of Certified Law Enforcement Training Directors.

Yamnitz said his love for the outdoors

BILL TURNER Turner, 57, is a native of Medford, Minn. His interest in conservation dates back to middle school, when he wrote a paper about becoming a forester.

“Somehow I gravitated to fisheries instead,” he said.“Fishing has always been a favorite pastime. My granddad and I spent many summer days panfishing on lakes and river fishing. It has always provided our family with great times.”

Turner earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a master’s degree in aquatic ecology from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minn. He joined the Conservation Department in 1977 as a fisheries biologist and received promotions to fisheries management biologist, and fisheries programs coordinator.

His most recent work included negotiating a settlement with Ameren-UE for damage to fisheries resources at Bagnell

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Jim Low News Services Coordinator W I L D L I F E

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Get More Bang For Your Buck!

Participate in our Second CFM Sporting Clays Shoot at River Hills he second annual sporting clays shoot will be held at River Hills Sporting Clays near Boonville on August 16. This is a fun event so plan to attend and help us raise money for a worthy cause—our natural heritage. Our great friends and supporters at Bass Pro Shops are again major sponsors and we are indebted to them for all their help. I urge you to continue to patronize Bass Pro Shops as a way of thanking them for all they do for CFM. Shooting clay targets is a good way to improve your shotgun skills and interact with friends and other CFM members that will be in attendance. It doesn’t take long to shoot a round and then you can head back to the spacious club house, relax, have lunch and peruse numerous silent auction items that you surely can’t do without. After you cool down, you might want to reshoot the course or participate in some of the other shooting games for fun. There will be opportunities to challenge other groups for bragging rights so bring plenty of shells.

River Hills is a first class facility and the owners, Ken and Barbara Pickett, who are CFM members, do an excellent job providing sporting targets and an atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the day. You don’t have to be a serious shooter to enjoy this event. In fact the course will be set for hunters, casual shooters and non-competition shooters. The event will consist of a 2-man scramble and an individual shoot. In the 2-man scramble,

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Come have a blast at the second annual CFM sporting clays shoot at River Hills.

each team shoots a total of 100 targets from 14 stations. At each station, 3 targets will be thrown and the team will have 4 shots between them to break the 3 targets.

Nine or 12 targets will be thrown at each station. In the individual event there will be 7 stations and each person will shoot 50 targets. It’s fun; I guarantee you will enjoy it and you have an excellent chance of winning money.

Entry fee is $100 for a 2-man team and $50 for an individual. For every 12 teams and 12 individual shooters we will pay for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Lewis Class rules will be used and there will be

lots of chances to win. The 2-man teams will get $300 for 1st, $200 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd places and the individual shooter winners will get $150 for 1st, $100 for 2nd and $50 for 3rd places. The more teams and shooters we have the more money we will give away. With Lewis Class rules you are not competing against anyone. All scores will be listed, from highest to lowest, and then classes will be established for each 12 teams and 12 individual shooters. Where else can you go and have a 1 in 4 chance of winning money?

I invite you to dig out that shotgun you

put away after the spring turkey season and come out and sharpen your eye for the upcoming dove season and the other fall hunting seasons that will quickly follow. Bring your family, a friend, or better yet several friends for a fun filled day of shooting and camaraderie.

If shooting is not your game you can still be involved. We can use volunteers to help advertise the shoot, round up shooting teams and assist us during the day of the event. If you can help or want more information about helping, contact Tom Russell at (573) 657-2581, Glenn Chambers at (573) 445-9773 or Dave Murphy at (800) 575-2322. Our goal for this event is to raise $10,000-$12,000. To do this we need at least 100 teams and 60 individual shooters. I know many of you have numerous contacts that would enjoy helping CFM with this event. We need 20 committee members from throughout the state to help round up shooting teams.

If each person gets at least 5 teams we will be sure to reach or surpass our goals.

Many of you know people who shoot shotguns and I hope you will invite them to come sharpen their eye, display their shooting skills and have a great time. You might also mention they have a 1 in 4 chance of winning money.

With your support and help we can make this a really special event and one that people will look forward to participating in next year. I appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from you and seeing you August 16.

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation Leader Wins Award he executive director of the new Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation received the Executive Director’s Award from the International Hunter Education Association (http://www.ihea.com).

Allan Hoover (Pleasant Hill ) has served on the IHEA international board of directors for the last three years. The award is presented for extraordinary service to the executive director of IHEA. The outgoing executive director is Gary Berlin. He had this to say about Allan at the annual

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conference in Fairview Heights, IL: “The first person I would like to recognize is Allan Hoover. Allan is the outgoing instructor representative from Zone 3.

Contrary to what Allan continues to tell me, he isn’t just a ‘simple truck driver.’

Allan’s wisdom and willingness to address unpopular issues is very much appreciated. He is extraordinarily bright and articulate and is the ultimate gentleman.

Allan doesn’t say much, but when he does, it would behoove you to pay attention. It is my opinion that for an Executive Board

to operate effectively, they need board members who are not always comfortable with the status quo. An effective Board needs a person like Allan to question and challenge the way in which an organization operates. Allan certainly marches to a different drummer and is willing to think outside of the box. Because of his ability to tactfully challenge the status quo, the IHEA is a better organization.

Allan, I thank you for your contributions to the IHEA and for the wisdom and guidance that you shared with me.”

2008 Annual Fall Conference Conservation Federation of Missouri September 12-14, 2008 Advance Registration Form Return completed form to CFM by September 5, 2008 Name of Each Participant

Complete Mailing Address

Total Enclosed

Phone No.

Cost *

$

Please list the names and ages of all children ages 4–12 (cost is only $50 for those ages 4–12): NOTE: Camp facilities are not set up for children under the age of 4.

1. ___________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________

If you plan to stay at a location OTHER than the barracks at Camp Clover Point, please circle one of the following: 1. A state campground

2. Local motel

3. Home

4. Other _____________________________________________

* Total advance registration is $75 per person or $145 per couple. (Children ages 4–12 pay $50 for the weekend.) The day rate is $10 per day and $10 per meal. If you do not plan to stay for the duration of the conference, please indicate the day(s) and meal(s) at which you will be present.

Registrations received after September 5 will be $85 per person or $160 per couple .

Please make your check payable to CFM and mail it to 728 West Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

You may also pay by credit card. Credit Card # _______________________________ Exp. Date _________ Signature of cardholder_____________________________________________

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SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES

An Update From The Director’s Office y favorite time of the day is what biologists call the “crepuscular” period (poets call “the gloaming”; and artists refer to as the “blue hour”) – that period when it is neither night nor day; before sunrise or after sunset when light softens, distances become illdefined, and…wildlife is very active!

Years ago I learned the joy, the anticipation, the aesthetic reward of twilight and nature. I’ve been privileged to enjoy “game drives” at dusk in Africa; the seemingly everlasting twilight of late summer in the arctic; sunset walks on beaches; and pre-dawn runs in my neighborhood. My heart rate always ticks up a notch with the anticipation of what I might see…whether giraffes, short-eared owls, or ‘possums, …or just the wind in the trees. There is always an unexpected pleasure to be enjoyed during an early morning or late evening excursion.

A short while ago I was in Tucson, Arizona – a surprisingly large city (with a metro area over 900,000!), but one blessed with national park units on either side of it, national forest surrounding it, and some of the most beautiful sunsets in North America. So, one evening I set out on my own version of the “game drive.” My quarry? Had to be something unique to the southwest; something a bit exotic… Javelinas(!!), the native wild pigs (also known as collared peccaries) of the southwest. The name javelina derives from the Spanish for spear (or javelin). Javelinas are about two feet tall at the shoulder, weigh about 50 pounds, and are approximately five feet from snout to tail. They are social animals, commonly seen in bands of 8-10 animals – perfect prey for my crepuscular sojourn.

I drove to the west unit of Saguaro National Park, and found a dirt road (rental car companies hate me!) that held, to my eye, great potential for javelina viewing. I drove slowly, stopping often – especially near drainages (arroyos!) to listen for any intriguing desert sounds. In the first 30 minutes I managed to spot…a rabbit. Hey, at

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least it was a desert cottontail! By then my “blue hour” was rapidly turning black. I drove until well into true night, but never got a glimpse of the javelinas, nor frankly much else (no desert quail, no rattlesnakes,…in Spanish: nada!).

A wasted trip? No, not in the least.

Although my goal (yes, as my family will attest - I am a bit over goal-oriented!) was javelinas, the gloaming was hardly disappointing. My reward that night? Well, the tangy, spring desert air tasted very different than the late winter, oak forest air at home. But, most memorable was the huge, red sun that as it set put the park’s forest of saguaro cacti in spectacular silhouette. These tree-sized cactus plants, each individual with its unique number, size, and especially shape of “arms” looked like an alien army marching across the desert floor. Honestly, I was so captivated by the saguaros that I could have easily missed a javelin or two. The

image of the saguaro, black against the red sky of the desert, with mountains and mesas backlit in the distance will stay with me forever.

And, that’s the beauty of nature at twilight…it’s always a great show – whether in the desert, on the African plains, or along a Missouri stream. I hope you can find time (remember, the gloaming comes to you twice a day, free of charge, right out your backdoor) to take an evening “game drive” or sunrise walk this summer.

Oh, and I’m kind of set on finding a (live!) armadillo this summer on evening stroll, so…if you happen to see one on your own crepuscular jaunt, drop me a note about the route, please.

You can reach me at RyanMR@missouri.edu. Happy roaming in the gloaming!

Why I Belong To CFM hen I was born in 1941 the CFM had already been working 6 years to ensure I would grow up in a state with quality outdoor opportunities.

I have enjoyed great times in the outdoors, as have my children and now my grandchildren. I can rest assured that the CFM will protect Missouri treasures from any selfish group or individual. CFM members are made of the right stuff!

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Mark R. Ryan Director, The School of Natural Resources

Robert O. Werges Arnold, MO

Will you join today to help us conserve our natural resources for tomorrow?

Check the member category you prefer: ❑ $25–Individual

❑ $15–Student

❑ $30–Family

❑ $100–Corporate

❑ $1000–Lifetime

Your membership dues include a one-year subscription to Missouri Wildlife, logo sticker, and membership card.

Please mail this application with your membership dues to: Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 If you have any questions, call us at 1-800-575-2322 or visit us at www.confedmo.com.

Name __________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________State ____________Zip code __________ Work phone: ____________________________Home phone: ______________________ Fax number: ____________________________E-mail address: ____________________ Please make checks payable to the Conservation Federation of Missouri.* Or you may charge your membership dues to your MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.

Credit card number ________________________________Expiration date __________ Signature of cardholder ____________________________________________________

CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS

Nominate An Outstanding Student CLC Seeks to Expand Participation

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ary of 2008, approximately 50 students participated in the annual Convention.

The program has been enthusiastically received by CLC members and Federation members alike. Following are some comments received from the students: “Great meeting and talking with people as well as seeing how the resolution process works.”

“The issues discussed were pertinent and important to all our members.”

“A great way to meet people and gain knowledge of conservation.”

“Thank you for allowing me this great chance.”

Please take a few minutes to nominate that special student! Provide an opportunity for a young man or woman to see how CFM works. Let a budding conservationist meet and network with others on important issues.

Our aim is to have students from every part of our great state. We also urge you to nominate students from all cultures and backgrounds. This is your chance to make a contribution to the future of CFM! We need to receive your nominations by October 3, 2008. Thank you.

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emember that old Election Day saying “Vote Early and Vote Often”? Well, now you have the opportunity to do just that…legally! The Education Committee of the Conservation Federation of Missouri is seeking nominations of students to the Conservation Leadership Corps. We need your help!

From anglers and archers, from coon hunters and canoeists, from fishermen and falconers, from affiliates and sustaining members, we want your input.

What is the Conservation Leadership Corps? Those Federation members who attended any of the last six Conventions are well aware of this vibrant group of young men and women that want to make an impact on conservation issues now and in the future.

For those unfamiliar with the CLC here is a brief summary of the program. The CLC consists of a group of highly recommended students, ranging from juniors in high school through seniors in college. These students have already achieved academic success and have been involved in conservation projects and issues. The Corps began in 2002 with a small group of students. Each year the membership has expanded. In Febru-

Conservation Leadership Corps attendees problem solve at the 2008 Annual Convention.

Mission Statement: Engaging youth in sustaining the conservation of our natural resources.

Purpose: Sustain conservation leadership in Missouri and the Conservation Federation of Missouri through involvement, education and training of future leaders by providing selected high school and college students with networking skills, conservation education opportunities and full participation in policy making and the legislative process.

Vision 1: Young members of the Conservation Federation of Missouri who are dedicated to its cause and are being educated and trained to assume future leadership roles within the organization.

Vision 2: A cadre of involved, educated and trained young individuals committed to the conservation of Missouri’s abundant natural resources.

Vision 3: A group of well-educated and trained professionals who are committed to working in the field of natural resources management in Missouri.

Please nominate a Missouri high school junior through college senior student who has exhibited excellent academic achievement, conservation honors, and conservation leadership.

City: ______________________________

Student Name: ______________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _________________________________________________

Street or PO Box: ___________________________________________________

What qualities does the nominee exhibit to make him/her an excellent candidate for Conservation Leadership Corps?

City: ______________________________

ZIP Code: ___________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________

ZIP Code: ___________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Email Address: _____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Present School: _____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Return this form by October 3, 2008, to: Nominator: ________________________________________________________ Affiliate or Sustaining Member: ________________________________________ Street or PO Box: ___________________________________________________

David Murphy, Executive Director Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101-1534

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AGENCY NEWS

Missouri State Parks—Great Getaway With $4 Gasoline he great thing about Missouri’s state parks and historic sites is that there’s always plenty of fun to be had, regardless of the season, but these destinations are most popular during Missouri’s summer months.

With gas prices on the rise, many Missourians are looking for an inexpensive getaway close to home. Whether you’re looking for a day on a warm sandy beach or a cultural experience in a quaint French village, you’ll find it in Missouri’s state parks and historic sites.

For detailed information on these sites, visit mostateparks.com, which includes a locator map, directions to each site, a list of the services available, camping information, upcoming activities and other details to help ensure your trip’s a success.

This summer, visitors to Missouri’s state parks and historic sites will also have a unique opportunity to document their adventures through the 2008 Passport Photo Contest. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, this new program runs through December. Each month, Missouri state parks will supply a theme, and visitors are encouraged to submit photos from their travels that depict that theme.

Photos will be judged based on interpretation of the theme, originality, creativity, use of the state park or state historic site, storytelling and quality of the photograph. One monthly winner and four honorable mentions will be

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TREES, continued from page 6 ily available, decent quality, inexpensively priced logs. The solution? In our case, because the logger was close by and readily accessible we were able to work out a schedule of payments instead of the usual “down payment up front and balance when we begin logging.” With delays of weather it wound up taking considerably more than the 4 months the logger estimated to conduct his harvest anyway. We got paid full price for our logs. For us, private consulting foresters were key, but the Missouri Department of Conserva1 2

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Whether you’re looking for a day on a warm sandy beach or a cultural experience in a quaint French village, you’ll find it in Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. chosen and displayed on the photo contest Web page. Each photographer can submit up to two photos each month. Digital photographs are preferred; however, print photographs will be accepted. Those submitting five or more entries overall will receive a Missouri state parks keepsake photo album.

The Passport Photo Contest is part of the department’s “Get Out and Play” initiative, which is a promotion encouraging kids to spend more time outside and connect with nature. Photographs can be taken at any of Missouri’s 84 state parks or historic sites. For a complete list of rules, the monthly themes and entry forms, visit www.mostateparks.com/ getoutandplay/passportphoto.htm.

Plans will also begin to take shape this summer for Missouri’s newest state park, Current River State Park, which is located off Highway 19 north of Eminence in Shannon County along the Current River. An informational display will be placed at the entrance road explaining the significance of the park.

The Department of Natural Resources also hopes to have an open house sometime this summer so citizens can visit the site and see the progress being made.

Current River State Park was made possible by a partnership developed by the governor’s office, the Department

tion has excellent foresters in the field, as well. Perhaps my narrative has helped you appreciate why, in our case, we needed the immediately available services of a private firm. And their negotiations on our behalf, no doubt, went well beyond what any agency professional could be expected to provide.

Next time I’ll report on tax implications, further steps in management and results so far. The final segment of this report will really encourage participation in the Missouri Tree Farm Program.

Dave Murphy CFM Executive Director

of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Department of Conservation transferred the land to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2007 for operation as a state park. The land is the site of the historic former Alton Club/Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center. Missouri has not had a state park along the Current River since 1968 when Big Spring, Round Spring and Alley Spring state parks were transferred to the National Park Service to serve as the cornerstone

of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Whatever adventures your family may be looking for this summer, you can find it in a nearby state park or historic site! For tips and more information on saving money on gasoline, visit the department’s Energy Center online at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/savinggreen.htm.

Doyle Childers Director, DNR

Remember family, friends, or colleagues with a donation to CFM. See page 14.

AGENCY NEWS

Online Hunter Education Technology Meets Tradition n Online Hunter Education training option began July 1 for Missourians. This new opportunity complements a long tradition and legacy of quality Hunter Education training in Missouri.

Hunter Education Volunteers, Conservation Agents, Outdoor Skills Specialists and other Department Staff have conducted the award-winning effort and, more importantly, had a huge impact on safe hunting practices statewide. The Conservation Department’s same outstanding Hunter Education Volunteer cadre and Department employees will be conducting this new hunter education training option. The ten hour standard classroom Hunter Education Course will also continue to be taught throughout the state.

The Online Hunter Education option allows a person to study the course on a computer and then take an online Field Day Qualifier test. If the person passes the test they are then qualified to attend a Hunter Education field day that includes a written test and multiple hands-on performance tests. The online, written and handson performance tests are designed to ensure the student has a working knowledge of firearms and hunting safety.

This new online option has been piloted, field tested and was popular with both students and instructors during the pilot stage of the process.

Check systems have been incorporated into the program to ensure student knowledge and to maintain the high quality learning. “Hands-on” instruction and performance tests will help

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A Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor teaches students hands on instruction on one method of how to safely carry a firearm.

“Technology offers new...instruction possibilities, but we remain committed to providing the same outstanding, high quality Hunter Education program...”

— Lorna Domke, Outreach and Education Division Chief students learn practical knowledge and make the leap from the written page to actual safety practices.

The online option allows for individual and family convenience, flexibility and is American Disabilities Act compatible. With today’s hectic schedules and high gas prices, it offers a more economical method to take Hunter Education. Instead of possibly

Bison Meat America’s Original Red Meat Low in fat, cholesterol and calories.

Steaks, roast, burger. State Inspected.

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having to drive a long distance to a ten hour course over several evenings, a participant can now just drive once to the field testing location.

Anyone eleven years or older may take the new Online Hunter Education course. The online portion of the course may be taken anytime at your convenience. A student may study, review and take pre-tests for free an unlimited amount of time. The study guides, reviews and pre-tests are also excellent study materials if you wish to take the standard in-class ten hour course or just refresh your knowledge before you head to the field. Online students must take and pass the online exam with a score of eighty percent or better. A payment of $15 is required to receive your online test results and Field Day Qualifier Certificate which covers the web-based administration of the program. This $15 pays the company maintaining the web site and no monies come to the Department of Conservation. The standard ten hour course will remain free of charge.

Once a student passes they must print off their online certificate and

take it to a field day. Take note, just passing the online test does not make you Hunter Education certified.

Online students must attend a final field day and pass field testing to complete their training and receive their Hunter Education Certification. Students must pass both a written and demonstration test with eighty percent success on the field day. Field Days will be offered in all eight Department of Conservation Regions. Field testing locations can be identified through the Department’s web site or by calling a Regional Office.

Outreach and Education Division Chief Lorna Domke comments, “Technology offers new and added instruction possibilities, but we remain committed to providing the same outstanding, high quality Hunter Education program in Missouri and building on the positive safety legacy. Dedicated Volunteers Instructors will continue to be an integral and essential part of our Hunter Education effort statewide. The combination of our Hunter Education Program, Shooting Ranges and our Department’s commitment to shooting sports will help carry on Missouri’s great tradition and heritage of outdoor recreation. The Department’s hunter education goals remain the same. We’ll provide a basic foundation in hunting safety and ethics that allows a person to build upon their outdoor knowledge and to make safety a priority for every Missouri hunter.”

Many great people have helped build Missouri’s Hunter Education tradition and legacy. We remain dedicated to preserving that legacy and building upon the success that Department employees, Hunter Education Volunteers and Missouri citizens have worked to create and establish. This combination of employees, volunteers and citizens have helped reduce Missouri’s hunting accident rate by seventy percent since Hunter Education classes began in 1957. Nothing is more important than assuring that hunters return home safely from their hunting trips and achieving that goal is one of the Department of Conservation’s top priorities.

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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. In 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 Ray Hillmann

by Diane Betteridge, St. Peters, MO

In memory of Jim Crews

by Keith Turlington, St. Louis, MO

In memory of Jim Stuerke

by Nadine Stuerke, Higginsville, MO 1 4

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REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

Summer Provides Opportunity To Remember Three R’s ummer is here, and that means backyard barbecues, parties and eventually back to school shopping. Summer is also a great time of year to remember to reduce, reuse and recycle.

When setting the table for a barbecue or party, purchase reusable products such as flatware, silverware and cloth napkins. For a unique look use bandanas for napkins and old quilts for tablecloths. If this isn’t possible, use paper plates and napkins with recycled content and plastic cups that are biodegradable and can be composted. For the kid’s table, a Frisbee covered in wax paper makes a great plate, which can be turned over and used for fun after the meal is finished.

Remember to provide containers for aluminum cans and glass bottles so they can be recycled.

Summer is perfect for growing produce and visiting the local farmer’s market. Try to grow as much produce as you can and visit the local markets

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Use old quilts and bandanas for the picnic table, rather than paper products that you’ll throw away.

to reduce energy consumption and to support local growers. The produce is fresher and tastes better when it hasn’t

had to travel a long way to get to your dinner table.

To add some decoration to tables,

take some clean steel or tin cans such as vegetable cans or tuna cans and cover them with old road maps or wrapping paper. These can be used as a vase for flowers or as candleholders on your table.

Also, remember to reduce your energy consumption during the summer. Carpool with friends, use mass transit, or walk and bike with friends to get where you need to go. While running the air conditioning, set the thermostat a bit higher and use fans to cool down homes and businesses.

As summer winds down and school starts up again, remember to purchase school supplies made of recycled content and to visit a local thrift shop or second hand store. Not only are second hand clothes usually in great shape and staying out of a landfill, they usually are a fraction of the cost of new clothing!

Have a great summer and remember the three R’s; reduce, reuse and recycle.

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 Bird Conservation Initiative 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

POWoods Box 133 4509 Road Gray Summit, MO 63072 63039 Robertsville, e-mail: hmeier@onemain.com Visit our website: www.missouribowhunters.org SOUTH COUNTY ARCHERS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT CFM & MBH

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 MISSOURI FESTIVALS AND AFFILIATE EVENTS

AFFILIATE EVENTS CAPITAL CITY FLY FISHERS JULY 3: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) JULY 8: Club Meeting, Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City (6:00pm – 9:00pm) JULY 12: Stream Team 760 Outing, Saline Valley Wildlife Area, Assembly of God on Route CC (5:30pm) JULY 17: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) AUG 7: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) AUG 12: Club Meeting, Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City (6:00pm – 9:00pm) AUG 21: Teach a Vet to Tie, Veterans Hospital – Conference Room C201, Columbia (3:00pm) GREENWAY NETWORK JULY 5: Kayak Swarm, Sand Ford to Red Horse Access (8:00am – 5:00pm) JULY 7: Regular Monthly Meeting, Saint Charles Community Center – College Center Building Suite 202, Saint Charles (7:00pm – 9:00pm) JULY 19: Kayak Swarm, Red Horse to River Round Access (8:00am – 5:00pm) JULY 26: Northern Ozark River Partner Stream Teams Annual Picnic, Meramec Springs State Park (9:00am – 5:00pm) JULY 27: Missouri Stream Team Watershed

Coalition Meeting, Sullivan (9:00am – 12:00pm); Larry Cain (314) 638-9646 AUG 2: Kayak Swarm, River Round to Pacific Palisades Access (8:00am – 5:00pm) AUG 4: Regular Monthly Meeting, Saint Charles Community Center – College Center Building Suite 202, Saint Charles (7:00pm – 9:00pm) AUG 9: Maline Creek Monitoring, Forestwood Park, Ferguson (8:30am – 12:30pm); Mark K. (314) 388-1423 AUG 16: Kayak Swarm, Pacific Palisades to Route 66 State Park (8:00am – 5:00pm) AUG 23-24: Race for the Rivers (9:00am – 3:00pm) AUG 23-24: Operation Clean Stream 41st Annual Large-scale Little Pickup (8:00am – 3:00pm); Ron Coleman (636) 334-3035 AUG 30: Kayak Swarm, Route 66 to Green Tree Access (8:00am – 5:00pm) MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED JULY 26: Grand Giveaway, Elks Lodge, Columbia; Scott Anderson (660) 2290695 AUG 22: Blackwater Sponsor Event, Warrensburg; Kevin Raynes (660) 429-6959 MISSOURI FOREST PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION JULY 25: Membership Committee Meeting, Country Club Hotel, Lake Ozark (12:30pm – 2:30pm) JULY 25: Board of Director Meeting, Country Club Hotel, Lake Ozark (3:00pm – 6:00pm) AUG 6: Timber Purchasers Group Meeting,

Salem (1:00pm – 3:00pm)

4649

MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

WHEELIN SPORTSMENS BENEFITS JULY 26: Young’s Creek Strutters; Travis Scott (573) 474-2993

FUNDRAISER BANQUETS JULY 11: Shoal Creek Chapter, Monett Park & Casino Building, Monett; Bill House (417) 442-3719 JULY 12: Finley River Chapter, Riverside Inn, Ozark; Rick Pickren (417) 294-0624 JULY 19: All Womens Event, Mount Valley Winery, Augusta; Eldo Meyer (573) 4843102 AUG 1: Summit City Longbeards, Robinson Middle School, Aurora; Ritchie Meredit (417) 678-1731 AUG 2: David Blanton Memorial, YMCA, Mount Grove; Tom Jennings (417) 6685986 AUG 2: Saint Louis Longbeards, Oakville Elks Lodge, Saint Louis; Norb Genie (314) 842-3370 AUG 9: Grindstone Gobblers, Cameron Community Center, Cameron; John Hahn (816) 449-5613 AUG 9: River Bottoms Gobblers, University of Missouri, Portageville; Trey Rone (573) 379-9609 AUG 16: Springtown Wattlenecks, American Legion Hall, Smithville; Troy O’Dell (816) 628-4254 AUG 16: Perry County Beards & Spurs, Elks Lodge, Perryville; Dominic Blythe (573) 547-9209 AUG 23: Dry Fork Strutters, Oak Meadow Country Club, Rolla; Barbara Baird (573) 364-6320 AUG 23: Ozark Mountain Gobblers, Arcadia Valley Elks Lodge, Pilot Knob; Kenneth Sherrill (573) 546-3392 AUG 23: Saint Louis Sponsor Event, Anheuser Busch Mansion – Grants Farm, Saint Louis; John Frerichs (314) 822-

WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS JULY 26: Four Rivers Outdoor Skills Workshop, Saint Joseph Church of Neier, Union; Charlene Eckstein (573) 484-3077 AUG 2: Sho-Me Chapter, Andy Dalton Shooting Range, Ashgrove; Julie Garner (417) 833-2358 AUG 2: Saint Louis Skeet & Trap Club Ladies Day, Saint Louis Skeet & Trap Club, Pacific; Ellen Benitz (816) 387-6606 AUG 22: Bass Pro’s Ladies Day Out, Bass Pro’s Outdoor World, Independence; Amy Acock (816) 785-4300 MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION JULY 19: Family Fun Day, Fleming Hall (10:00am – 4:00pm) OZARK FLY FISHERS JULY 24: Monthly Meeting, Smith Outfitters AUG 22-24: Summer Outing, Montauk State Park OZARK MOUNTAIN PADDLERS JULY 10: Quarterly Business Meeting POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIES JULY 12: Lindley Arm, State Park Marina (8:00am) JULY 19: Kids Day, State Park Marina AUG 9: Pomme Arm, State Park Marina (8:00am) AUG 23: Hatchery Tour

CFM EVENTS JULY 18-20: Board of Directors Meeting, Sedalia SEP 12-14: CFM Fall Conference, Camp Clover Point, Lake Ozark

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1,100 people die on Missouri highways each year. Don’t become a statistic.

Conserve life by slowing down and by always making sure your seatbelt is buckled.

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.

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