Vol74 no5 2013

September 2013 VOL. 74, NO. 5

Pull For Conservation Weekend Pre-Shoot Dinner & 7th Annual CFM Sporting Clays Classic

For results, sponsors, donors and more photos, see inside.

Inside This Issue:

MISSOURI

Wildlife

Featured articles

September 2013 Vol. 74, No. 5

Internships Available ................................................................................................ 6 The Open Space Council Would Like to Extend a Welcome to 3 New Board Members! ....................................................................... 6 CFM Members Publish Book ..................................................................................... 7 A True Shot — MidwayUSA Foundation is helping to Give Students Big Opportunities . . ....................................................................... 8

Officers President Richard Ash 1st Vice President Al Vogt 2nd Vice President Ron Coleman Mossie Schallon Secretary Randy Washburn Treasurer

Staff

Chris Vitello Appointed as MCHF Executive Director ...................................................... 9

Travis Scott

Conservation Leadership Corps ..................................................................................... 10

Debra Lee

CFM’s 2nd Annual Pull For Conservation Banquet ........................................................ 16 Pull For Conservation Clay Shoot Sets New Record for Participation . . ............................................................................. 18

Director of Development

Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator Micaela Haymaker Office Manager Laurie Coleman Membership Associate/ Managing Editor Joe Pendergrass Design & Production

OWL’s Events . . .......................................................................................................... 30 Mission Statement: Missourians for Conservation of Natural Resources and Protection of Our Outdoor Heritage.

news, updates and columns President’s Message..............................................................................................2 Calendar.................................................................................................................12 Teaming With Wildlife

Congress Zeros Out Conservation Program Funding for Next Fiscal Year..............14

Black-necked Stilts Extend Range Farther North Into Missouri ............................15

Agency News

Missouri Department of Conservation MDC Seeking Public Comments on Protecting Missouri Deer ...........................22

Tell Us How Conservation Areas Are Important To You ...................................23

New Conservation Commissioner is an Outdoorsman .......................................24

Now is the Smart Time for Hunter Education ..................................................25

Department of Natural Resources Fall — A Time of Change ..............................................................................26

Spotlight on Missouri State Parks – Arrow Rock State Historic Site ..................27

Member Information

New Members......................................................................................................4 Business Alliance Members....................................................................................5 Honorariums & Memorials.................................................................................15 Affiliates of the Federation..................................................................................29 Conservationists For Life.....................................................................................32

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 • mhaymaker@confedmo.org Online • http://www.confedmo.org MISSOURI WILDLIFE (USPS 012868) is published bi­ monthly in January, March, May, July, Sept­ ember 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) $10.00 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: “Asian Immigrant” Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) © Glenn D. Chambers 2013. www:glenndchambers.com

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president’s message

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t the time this makes publication we should still be experiencing a day or two of summer heat. You know, temps in the 90s and perhaps a few in the triple digits Fahrenheit – along with Missouri’s famous humidity. And yes, to be sure, this year’s early August rains may have ‘tempered’ the thermometer somewhat; but, the weather combination has kept more than a few of us indoors.

But if I had to bet, like me, many of you are already looking forward to the change of seasons. Yes, I’d wager you’re either planning a few Missouri Outdoor outings to enjoy the opportunities accorded with this transformation of seasons – or at minimum, you’re daydreaming about them.

For myself, while I dearly love spring Turkey Season (my #1 Hunting/Fishing activity), I find myself in the outdoors much more in the Fall. When I was younger, my calendar denoted the Duck, Fall Firearms Turkey and Quail Seasons – but these days my opportunities for such hunts are very limited. Nonetheless, my calendar does annually slate two periods of outdoor activity - a three day jaunt to Missouri’s Bootheel for the Opening of Dove Season and the full Firearms Deer Season. And to be sure, as the days cool down a bit, several days will be “blocked out” as I set aside time to fish ponds, harvest a mess 2

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Summer’s Waning Days! of squirrels or two or three, and spend hours in a tree as I bow-hunt for turkey and deer.

Now speaking of deer hunting, this year’s weather has certainly modified my farm’s habitat versus 2012.

In 2012, a late frost followed by the summer’s drought adversely impacted the flora and fauna on my farm.

Large areas of forest had no mast at all, food plots were severely diminished, and even what fall rains occurred didn’t bring ponds to “normal” levels. And too, another factor that may have impacted the deer on or near the farm would be disease.

In 2012, the Department of Conservation reported that statewide they received in excess of 10,000 confirmed accounts of deer deaths from “blue-tongue” or EHD. Understandably, that translates into much larger numbers because many deaths aren’t found, much less reported.

We didn’t find evidence of disease losses last season on the farm; but, that doesn’t mean some didn’t happen and we just didn’t find the remains. In the big picture folks must remember that EHD is impossible to manage for or prevent. Infectious diseases like CWD slowly spread across the landscape and can have an impact on deer populations.

So far this year, the farm’s precipitation levels are up and we’ve had minimal days with very extreme temperatures. Most mast trees have produced or are producing

2013

good crops as are our food plots; our meadows’ native grasses and forbs are abundant; and, the ponds all have water. Without question, if I wish to harvest some venison this fall, my plans need vary dramatically from last year.

Now, how about some more food for thought per deer and disease? Regretfully, more cases of deer with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) were found within the containment area near Macon. Now this gives me serious pause for thought. It does so because Missouri’s confirmed cases involve a deer breeding and “biggame” hunting operation along with its neighboring wild herd. My farm is

located less than 10 miles from one of Missouri’s approximately 40 high-fence hunting preserves which features captive deer and elk among its ‘trophies.’ Even closer nearby, is one of our State’s 250 white-tail deer breeders. At this time, there haven’t been any confirmed CWD cases in the area or within these captive facilities’ deer herds. However, rumors around town in 2012 say more than 20 deer died at the breeder’s facility.

Locally, it isn’t known yet if these were duly reported then tested for CWD or other disease; so the cause is unknown.

Nonetheless, the fact that these two captive operations

are in relative close proximity has my interest. Not only because of deer deaths in 2012, but because a few years back, four peccaries from the high-fence hunting preserve toured my property.

Perhaps some of the deer from these facilities have visited too; but, since they carry no distinctive markings or “ear-tags”, who really knows?

Indeed without hesitation, in my opinion CWD on Missouri’s landscape is significant and will certainly affect the future of both wild and captive deer herds and the management thereof.

In an article late last year, I indicated that I felt quite comfortable discussing CWD issues with my friends. Well today, as I continue to learn more and more about the disease and the regulatory systems in our State, I’m not so sure.

Did you know that in Missouri, elk raised purely for human consumption are defined as “livestock”; and, that there was an attempt in the legislature by the captive cervid industry to have deer in their facilities likewise classified. Had such been successful, Missouri’s Department of Agriculture (MDA) would seem to have regulatory responsibility for captive deer. Or, when one considers the Conservation Commission’s constitutional authority, might both departments have roles? And, what would they be?

Well as many of you are aware, MDC has been broaching CWD for some time; dating back to the early 2000s with monitoring, herd plans and outreach efforts

to inform citizens. Now too, a Missouri House of Representatives Interim Committee has been formed to delve into CWD and to search for legislative resolve to combat the spread of the disease.

That committee has commenced its work and will have held four hearings, two of which will occur prior to the time this publication reaches you.

The first hearing was held in Jefferson City on July 15th and the hearing room was standing room only. The conservation community was well represented as was the captive industry. Department of Conservation (MDC) representatives spoke first and gave brief testimony on the history and current status of CWD in Missouri along with information about their plans. Such was followed by nearly 50 minutes of questions from committee members. After MDC’s testimony, Sam James, a representative of Missouri’s captive breeding industry, introduced Dr. James Kroll, AKA “Dr. Deer”. For the record, Dr. Kroll stated that he wasn’t receiving any compensation for his time but was being paid mileage for his drive from Texas.

He also emphasized that he was not taking sides on this matter. While he may have said so, one surely must be skeptical about his unbiased dialogue. After all, Dr. Kroll is a licensed deer breeder in Texas, and, in my opinion his 35 minute testimony offered rationale to minimize MDC’s efforts and expertise while diminishing the disease’s potential impacts. Subsequent to the

primary spokespersons, time was short, so testimony thereafter was limited to two minutes for each speaker.

In addition to me giving testimony on behalf of CFM, three members of the CFM’s CWD Ad Hoc Committee provided input – Steve Jones, Mike Schallon and Tom Rizzo. And too, there was testimony from a Mule Deer Foundation representative and various members of the captive industry.

The second hearing was held in the city of Buffalo on August 19th and much of the testimony was in support of the captive industry’s interest. The third will again be held in Jefferson City from 1-3pm at the State Capitol on September 10 this time in Hearing Room 6. And, the fourth is scheduled to be in Popular Bluff on Thursday, October 10th with the time and place yet to be determined.

Without question, the matter is a major issue facing one of Missouri’s wildlife resources. CWD likely will have far reaching detrimental effects for our state’s wild herd. Too, if CWD becomes wide-spread in our wild herd, to think there won’t be significant impacts on the captive industry is naïve.

And yes, the affects go well beyond the state’s $1.1 billion deer hunting industry and its nearly 12,000 jobs.

Consider too just the value of rural recreational property and what happens to the funding for various governmental agencies dependent on property taxes (i.e. schools, etc) if land prices see major declines. Can anyone truly imagine the ripple ef-

fects of any proliferation of this disease? It is imperative that we all work together – there is too much at stake!

Indeed, CFM is still working with MDC’s working group on the issue along with representatives of the Captive Industry. CFM’s CWD Consideration Committee continues to function. Without a doubt, we can be sure more information will be forthcoming in CFM’s Missouri Wildlife and MDC’s Missouri Conservationist. And, MDC has just announced too they will hold several meetings around the state in order to gain more input from the public (see later article herein).

To quote Steve Jones from one of his articles in the August 2013 edition of Outdoor Guide Magazine: “Any one interested in the future of wild deer in Missouri must get educated about CWD.” A good place to do so would be http:// stevejones.cc/cwd/. I concur.

As a member of CFM you owe it to yourself to become knowledgeable on the matter. Then too, I urge you to be proactive – attend one of the legislative hearings and MDC meetings, give testimony, write a letter, ask the tough questions and in any case do let your opinions be known. Speak Up! Experience Missouri’s Outdoors, Share It & Support It!

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Richard L. Ash, Jr. President, CFM

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WELCOME C F M N E W mem b er s

John Harwell, Imperial

Mark Loyd, Arnold

Bernard Henehan, Clinton

Charline McClellan, Kansas City

Donna Hieronymus, Grain Valley

Ron McCullough, Lebanon

Alan Hillard, Columbia

Richard McDermott, Kansas City

Hilty's Custom Meats, Bowling Green

William McIntyre, Fenton Scott Merrill, Independence

Margo Aldridge, Kansas City

Eric Cunningham, Clark

James Hood, Kansas City

Mark Michniok, Chesterfield

Everett Allday Sr., Saint Joseph

Lou Dames, Bonne Terre

Lesley Horvath, Saint Louis

Jacqueline Middlehamp, Kansas City

Kenneth Andrews, Kansas City

Scott Dell, Saint Louis

Dave Hoskins, Hannibal

Middleton Vet Service, Middletown

Joanna Anesi, Quincy, IL

Joe Demand, Lake Saint Louis

Wilson Hughes, Anchorage, AK

Dorothy Miller, Kirkwood

David Ashby, Atlanta, GA

Don Detjen, Union

Robert & Ruby Huisman, Clinton

Richard Minasian, Saint Peters

O. Aten, Winston

Melanie DiLeo, O'Fallon

Clay Hurst, Jackson

Roger Mitchell, Chesterfield

Paul Bakula, Saint Louis

Steven Donaubauer, Ballwin

Edward Imo, Saint Louis

Kathleen Moore, Kansas City

E. Barnett, Archie

Teresa Donovan, Lees Summit

Mona Jackson, Marshfield

Leslie Morris, Blue Springs

Earl Bates, Saint Charles

Mary Donze, Saint Louis

Leonard Jaeger, Florissant

Marion Morris, Richland

Gary Beach, Kansas City

Curtis Dreyer, Saint Charles

Margaret Johnson, Saint Louis

Travis Morrison, West Plains

John Best, Glencoe

Bernice Eden, Joplin

Mont Johnson, Saint Clair

George Murphy Jr., Bridgeton

Jeff Beumer, Florissant

Raymond Eiler, Fenton

Ken Jones, Columbia

James Murphy, Saint Louis

Elizabeth Biddick, Hazelwood

Douglas Elbert, Leslie

Walter Jones, Lees Summit

James Nelson, Jackson

Charles Blackwell, Columbia

Leland Ellege, Maryland Heights

David Joslyn, Kansas City

Marshia Blair, Orrick

Theresa Enderle, Independence

Jeff Jost, Naperville, IL

Obermoeller Graphic Design, Ballwin

Jim Blythe, Perryville

Glenn Ernst, Republic

Ken & Joan Kammeyer, Lake Ozark

William Ohnesorge, Saint Joseph

Doren Bowen, Independence

Evans Equipment, Concordia

John Kardos, Iowa City, IA

John Orlando, Saint Louis

Dennis Brady, Warrenton

O. Farwell, Plattsburg

Gary Keeling, Strafford

John Painter, Linn

Tim Branson, Eureka

Ted Fellows, Greenwood

Harold Kerns, Savannah

Shelby & Debbie Palmer, Villa Ridge

Dorothy Breiding, Saint Peters

Michael Fleming, Patterson

Bill Brighoff, Chesterfield

Lucinda Kerns, Saint Joseph

Warren French, Saint Louis

Charles Brink Jr., Charleston

Tod Kinerk, Salem

William Friederichs, Independence

Benjamin Brown, Lees Summit

Allon Klingsick, Morrison

Steve Fry, Kansas City

Eva Browning, Warrensburg

Angela Knight, Fredericktown

Shirley Geimer, Arnold

William Buckner, Kansas City

Ruth Koch, Saint Louis

Jules Gerard, Chesterfield

Bruce Burleigh, O'Fallon

Chuck Koenig, Saint Louis

Ed Gillett, Sarcoxie

C & M Realty, Springfield

Laura Kremer, Arnold

Ray Glassey, Sainte Genevieve

Robert Cantwell, Leslie

Ben Powell Jr., Springfield Daniel Patterson, Saint Louis William Pecher, Florissant Richard Phalp, Freeman Danny Pherigo, Saint James Mark Pimentel, Saint Louis Gregory Ploch, Saint Peters Arthur Ploetze, Poplar Bluff

Karen Goellner, Saint Louis

Kuhn Construction Company, Inc., Oakland

Robert Capps, Kansas City

Barbara Gorseline, Kansas City

Alexander LaBrunerie, Columbia

Milton Rafferty, Springfield

Dan & Judy Carey, Saint Louis

Larry Grady, Florissant

Tom Lagermann, Saint Louis

Marc Ramsey, Protem

Jean Carter, O'Fallon

Great Rivers Distributing Company, Pomona

Bob Lavalle, New Madrid

William Richey, Saint Louis

John & Wendy Carter, Rolla

James Lehr, Saint Joseph

Fred Richterkessing, Saint Charles

Richard Cavender, Saint James

John Grice, Raymore

Richard LeSage, Ballwin

Raymond Ritter Jr., Cape Girardeau

Centralia Veterinary Clinic, Centralia

Robert Grimm, Fenton

Otto Lickenbrock, Saint Louis

Teresa Roar, Saint Charles

William Chaney, Kansas City

Gene Grover, Saint James

Arthur Lind, Chesterfield

Colleen Rose, Springfield

Mary Christisen, Saint Louis

Carl Gulotta, Troy

John Lindquist, Ballwin

Richard Rosenthal, Saint Louis

Richard Cohrs, New Palestine, IN

William Gustin, Lone Jack

Stephen Savitske, Lees Summit

Lewis Colegrove, Carl Junction

Harold Hahn, Wentzville

Stan & Judy Linsenbardt, Jefferson City

Paul Corl, Jefferson City

James Ham, Lees Summit

Ed Linton, Independence

Maxine Schillie, Kirksville

Bruce Cornish, Lees Summit

John Harris, Cuba

R. E. Lohmar, Columbia

Bernard Schreck, Osage Beach

Tom Cox, Saint James

Bruce Harshman, Wentzville

Dennis Lorch, Advance

Sue Schuble, Springfield

Ed Proctor Jr., Liberty

Bob Schermer, Ozark

CFM would like to thank the 320 members that renewed since our last publication.

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WELCOME C F M N E W mem b er s — continued —

Donald Thompson Jr., Troy G. B. Thompson, Columbia Jim Thornburg, Columbia

Joseph Schulte, Valley Park

Charles Tolman, Odessa

Larry Scott, Freeman

Selden Trimble, Rolla

Pam Sebastian, Slater

David Tritz, Saint Charles

Donna Setterberg, Hannibal

Pat Turner, Maryville

Mark Shapley, Lees Summit

Paul Uhlmann Jr., Kansas City

Theodore Slinkard, Marble Hill

Rosalie Vanzant, Kansas City

Don Smiley, Theodosia

Voss Farm, Jefferson City

Gerald Smith, Saint Louis

Shirley Waldo, Lonedell

Gregory Smith, Colorado Springs, CO

Edward Ward, Saint Louis

Donald Spindel, Saint Louis

C. Watt, Turners

Paul Steele, Chillicothe

Leonard Weidinger, Vienna

Lloyd Stevens, Kansas City

Merrill Westhoff, Saint Louis

Peter Stevens, Saint Louis

Joan Whelan, Saint Louis

Benjamin Stratton, Saint Louis

Richard Whiting, Chesterfield

Calvin Stuart, Saint Louis

John Whittaker, Grinnell, IA

Max Sweezy, Carthage

Albert Wiley, Farmington

Jim & Linda Switlik, Nevada

Robert Williams Jr., Saint Louis

Andy Tappmeyer, O'Fallon

Stephen Wilson, Springfield

Louis Temm, Cape Girardeau

Doug Winkler, Saint Louis

Ron & Ellen Thoma, Jefferson City

Dan Zanitsch, Florissant

Thank You!

Business Alliance Members Our sincere thanks to all of our Business Alliance members.

Your support of CFM is making a difference for Missouri outdoors!

Platinum Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. Bass Pro Shops Drury Hotels Shelter Insurance Companies

Greenbrier Wetland Services Grundy Electric Cooperative, Inc. Heartland Restoration, Inc. Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning Hunting Works For Missouri Joe Machens Dealerships Land & Water Partners, Inc. Gold Lewis County Rural Electric MidwayUSA Cooperative McRoberts Farm, Inc. Silver Meramec Bison Farm, LLC Association of Missouri Mid America Mortgage Services, Electric Cooperatives Inc. Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc. Middle River Bluffs NW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Midwest Mailing Services Pyramid Home Health Services Osage Canoes, LLC Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. Basic Quality Forest Management, LLC Bee Rock Outdoor Adventures, LLC REMAX Boone Realty Brown Printing R. L.’s Swimming Pools, LLC Cap America Sapaugh Chevrolet Buick GMC Citizens Telephone Company Cadillac Consolidated Electric Cooperative Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc. Cooper’s Oak Winery and A & K Sierra Bullets, LLC Cooperage, LLC Socket Internet Services, LLC Dickerson Park Zoo Sport & Spine Rehabilitation Farm Management Service Tabor Plastics Company (Dan & Cheri Erdel) Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association The Bank of Missouri Thirty 3 Bar & Grill Forrest Keeling Nursery Thomas Industrial Coatings, Inc. Friends of Ryan McKenna Trumans Bar & Grill, Inc. Full Care Inc. United Electric Cooperative, Inc. General Printing Service White River Valley Electric Goodwin Brothers Construction Cooperative, Inc. Company

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Internship Available

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he Open Space Council for the St. Louis region is seeking an intern to assist with land and water conservation events, office tasks, social media, and volunteer coordination. Located at 135 West Monroe in Kirkwood, Missouri, the Open Space Council has internships available from October-December and from January-March. This is a great opportunity to earn credit from your university or to complete your volunteer service hour requirements for school. Please send your resume to info@openspacestl.org or call Kat at (314) 835-9225.

“I’m really glad that I got to do an internship at The Open Space Council. I learned a lot about organizing and promoting events and how to communicate with volunteers. I enjoyed the Operation Wild Land’s events and I really enjoyed helping to plan and execute Operation Clean Stream 2013.” - Kathrin Rioffreyt, German Intern at the Open Space Council, Summer 2013.

The Open Space Council Would Like to Extend a Welcome to 3 New Board Members!

Susan F. (Flicky) Christie is a retired World Language teacher, having taught 23 years in the Rockwood School District at the middle school level. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.A. in French and Spanish. Her husband, Dan, is the owner and President of Metropolitan Forestry Services, Inc., and she has worked in the business off and on for 30 years, triggering a love of trees and flowers. She is an enthusiastic gardener of flowers, vegetables and herbs both at home and at their Lincoln County farm. Cooking and preserving the products from their gardens, raising chickens, antiques and travel keep her busy. She also enjoys geo-caching, horseback riding and knitting.

Michelle Knudsen graduated with a B.S. in Park, Recreation and Tourism Management from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 1987. Michelle worked over 15 years in the municipal park and recreation field where she served in the following capacities: Recreation Supervisor, St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department - Queeny Park; Facility Manager, City of Clayton; Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Shrewsbury; Acting Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Richmond Heights. Michelle has also served as a recreation management/feasibility study coordinator for Leon Younger and Pros, and Sverdrup Corporation. Michelle is an active community volunteer serving as a member of the City of Kirkwood’s Park Board, Library Board, Market Committee, Aquatic Advisory Committee 6

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and Communication Committee. In addition, she has served as a volunteer for the Kirkwood School District and as a mentor and member of Robinson, Nipher and Kirkwood High School PTO Boards. Michelle is married with two children and enjoys gardening, antiquing and hiking.

Natalie J. Ruyle graduated from the University of Illinois University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2010 and is now employed by Lewis, Rice & Fingershin downtown St. Louis.

Prior to attending law school, Ms. Ruyle worked for an engineering consulting firm where she was responsible for planning, design, and construction management of water and wastewater facilities. Clients also regularly sought her counsel on matters relating to funding. Before working as a consultant, Ms. Ruyle worked for a design-build firm where she managed construction of financial facilities, hotels, and health care facilities. Some of her legal and corporate background includes Mandel Legal Aid Clinic Housing Initiative (September 2009-June 2010) and Summer Associate, Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C. (2008, 2009); Project engineer, Heneghan & Associates, P.C. (2003-2007); Project engineer, HBE Corporation (2002-2003).

We welcome these new board members and thank them for their dedicated service to helping us fulfill our mission to conserve and sustain land and water resources throughout the St. Louis region.

C

CFM Members Publish Book

FM members, Debbie Gremmelsbacher, Andrea Godfrey Brown and Lloyd Herring have just published their first book, “Do You Hear Them, Daddy?”

Inspired by an actual event with their grandson, Andrea and Lloyd have crafted a unique story, and Debbie’s drawings bring that story into vibrant focus.

Stalling about bedtime is a phenomenon that all parents have had to deal with. Do You Hear Them, Daddy? published by Rocking Chair Stories, LLC, a Missouri company, is authored by Andrea Godfrey Brown and Lloyd Herring of Japan, Missouri, and illustrated by Debbie Gremmelsbacher of St. Louis.

The story, which is appropriate for children preschool through grade 2, is about Andy, who is out of bed again, complaining that the animal sounds outside his window are keeping him from going to sleep. Is he stalling or can’t he really sleep? Andy uses the traditional words for the sounds he hears, like a frog saying “ribbit,” but his dad asks him to consider other ways of thinking and speaking about what he hears, substituting more realistic representational sounds.

It is the authors’ hope that children will learn to understand and recognize the true sounds that animals make and be able to identify them by their sounds. The authors and illustrator agree that for the future of conservation, it

is imperative that parents and teachers continually connect children to nature.

Andrea, Lloyd, and Debbie met while teaching at a St. Louis suburban public high

school, Andrea and Lloyd in the English Department and Debbie in the Science Department. Years of crossdepartmental professional development bloomed into a friendship, which included Debbie’s husband, Gery.

These bonds grew as they fished, cooked, and laughed together in their retirement.

Andrea Godfrey Brown and Lloyd Herring are married, and live on a farm in rural Missouri, along with four horses and a German shepherd. Both are avid fishermen and like nothing more than “dipping a line” into their lake with their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandsons.

Debbie Gremmelsbacher and husband Gery have been lifetime CFM members for many years. They reside in St. Louis, and also share a farm in northern Missouri with Mike and Mossie Schallon. Their farm is a

haven for white tail deer and quail. Gery, Debbie, Mike and Mossie have worked diligently to restore habitat and provide food plots for the wildlife in this region of Missouri.

Debbie is a National Board Certified Science Teacher

each creature in the story, child-friendly on-line sources, and ideas for relaxation in order to fall asleep.

The book is available in soft cover at the e-Store at CreateSpace.com www. createspace.com/4159318 (an Amazon company);

Andrea Godfrey Brown, Debbie Gremmelsbacher and Lloyd Herring.

and life-long conservationist. Art has been a long-time interest leading to a series of paintings based on the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Illustrating this book about real animal sounds was a true delight for her.

Andrea, Lloyd and Debbie are all retired Missouri Public School teachers and this is their first book. In addition to the story itself, they have included some “extras” for parents and teachers who might want to discuss the story with their children. These extensions include questions, additional information about

from Amazon.com; or directly from Andrea, Lloyd or Debbie at rockingchairsstoriesllc@gmail.com. Please LIKE them on Facebook at Do You Hear Them, Daddy?

The book will also be available at the upcoming CFM annual convention. The new authors and illustrator will be donating 10% of their profits from the sale of the book to CFM’s Conservation Leadership Corps, for those copies sold at the convention.

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A True Shot — MidwayUSA Foundation is helping to Give Students Big Opportunities

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hen the Marshall FFA Trap Shooting team began in 2005, there were six kids on the team. To say team funds were limited would be a huge understatement. “The kids had to come up with their own funding to be in competitions. The school was able to offer some transportation, but that was about it,” explains Randy Plattner, Head Coach of the shooting team. “One or two parents would attend to spectate and help out, but that was all we could attract.”

Now, it is a different story. Plattner coached 18 shooters this past season and is expecting more for the 2013 season. Eighth grade students cannot wait to be a part of the trap team and the excitement is growing. Most of the parents attend competitions and the school is now able to cover much more than just transportation costs.

The big changes stem from creating an endowment account with the MidwayUSA Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Columbia working to support high school, college, university, and club shooting teams. Its founders, Larry and Brenda Potterfield, owners of MidwayUSA, are 8

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active donors committed to helping teams, like the Marshall FFA Trap Team; grow their endowment accounts to have a sustainable source of funding for years to come.

“It’s rare when people see a cause they believe in and really go after it. They’re [Potterfields] helping us out of the goodness of their hearts,” says Plattner about the gifts his team has received through the Foundation. Since opening an account just three years ago, the Marshall FFA Trap team has just over $60,000 in its endowment. “Now we are able to cover entry fees, buy trophies to honor our shooters, even promote the team, and the entire community has taken notice.”

That active community, along with some hard work, has also put money in the Trap team’s account. The Marshall team takes advantage of fundraising promotions offered by the Foundation and Coach Plattner is pleased with what his young shooters and their families do for the team. “I believe students have to have some ownership to get the most value, so they put a lot of time and effort into our raffles and fundraisers.” Participating teams receive items, such as a rifle set, to use for raffles and auctions. A

Chris Vitello Appointed as MCHF Executive Director

A Larry & Brenda Potterfield, Founders, have given millions to the MidwayUSA Foundation to help teams like the Marshall FFA Trap Shooting Team. Photo credit:MidwayUSA Foundation.

Pictured left: Members of the Marshall FFA Trap Shooting Team. Photo credit:MidwayUSA Foundation.

successful fundraiser adds money to a team’s endowment account to build for the future, and also allows them to keep some of the cash to purchase supplies for the current season. “In just two promotions, we’ve added almost $10,000 to our account,” says Plattner.

Once an account with the MidwayUSA Foundation is established, teams are able to apply for a grant once per year to receive five percent of their total endowment account balance. They can then use the money to pay for uniforms, ammunition, targets, competition fees, and other operating expenses. There’s no doubt that the Marshall FFA Trap team is proof that the growth of shooting sports is allowing young shooters to evolve in their sport, giving students the chance to learn something new. It also gives communities more kids to root for.

However, money is not the only benefit. Coach Plattner knows that the financial support of the Foundation is just a piece of what the Foundation and the sport are doing for his kids. “Shooting takes focus, self-control, confidence and discipline, and those are things these kids can use later in life.”

Danielle Farris Marketing Communications Specialist To donate or learn if your community shooting team has an endowment account visit www.midwayusafoundation.org.

t its meeting on August 8, 2013, the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation (MCHF) Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Chris Vitello as the Executive Director for the Foundation.

Mr. Vitello is retiring from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) after 27 years. He worked his way through the ranks of the Department beginning as a Fisheries Management Specialist to Fisheries Management Biologist, Fisheries Regional Supervisor and Fisheries Unit Chief. He has served as the Fisheries Division Chief for the past three plus years before announcing his retirement from MDC. Vitello has worked with MCHF on several projects, including the Stream Stewardship Trust Fund and the recent construction and dedication of a fishing and viewing platform at Bennett Springs State Park.

Mr. Vitello is anxious to lead MCHF into a new era, replacing Rick Thom who served as Executive Director of the Foundation since 2007 before retiring on June 30 of this year.

The Board did not waste any time finding a replacement as there is much work that needs to be done in conservation efforts across Missouri. MCHF was established in 1997, with its main goal to support the Department of Conservation’s mission of managing and protecting Missouri’s fish, forest and wildlife resources. MCHF works with the Conservation Department and its partners to fund projects that address critical conservation and outdoor recreation needs.

He will begin his duties as Executive Director on September 1, 2013.

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The Mission of the Conservation Leadership Corps 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.

Nominate an Outstanding Student

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CLC Seeking to Expand Participation

emember that old Election Day saying “Vote Early and Vote Often”? Well, now you have the opportunity to do just that…legally! The Youth Leadership and Conservation Education Committee of the Conservation Federation of Missouri is seeking nominations of students to the Conservation Leadership Corps (CLC). We are seeking nominations from all CFM members as well as conservation professionals in education and agencies.

“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.”

What is the Conservation Leadership Corps? Federation members who attended any of the past several 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.

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 February of 2013, over 55 students fully participated in the annual Convention.

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 conservation issues. Our aim is to engage students from every part of our great state. We also urge you to nominate students from the diversity of Missouri cultures and backgrounds.

This is your chance to make a contribution bringing future conservation leaders into CFM! WE NEED TO RECEIVE YOUR NOMINATIONS BY OCTOBER 31, 2013.

THANK YOU!!

The program has been enthusiastically received by CLC members and Federation members alike. Following are some comments received from the students: 1 0

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CLC Nomination Form You are invited to nominate a Missouri high school junior through college senior student that has exhibited academic success and achievements in organized conservation projects. You may nominate more than one student.

Student Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ Zip: __________________ Email Address: __________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: (_________) _____________________________ Present School and Class Level: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nominator’s Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CFM Affiliate or Sustaining Member: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________ Zip: __________________ Email Address: __________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: (_________) _____________________________ What qualities has the nominee exhibited that you believe qualifies him/or her for acceptance in the Conservation Leadership Corps?

Please return this form by October 31, 2013 to: Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101

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CALENDAR M I SS O U R I F E S T I V A L S A N D A F F I L I A T E E V E N T S

AFFILIATE EVENTS

OCT 18-20: State Championship, Lake Ozark

GREENWAY NETWORK AUG 31-SEPT 1: Big Muddy Blues Festival, Historic Laclede’s Landing (1:00pm - 11:00pm) SEPT 7: Missouri River Water Trail Association Poker Paddle, Pere Marquette State Park (1:00pm) SEPT 22: Dardenne Creek Monitoring Day (8:30am - 1:00pm) SEPT 28: National Public Lands Day, Brommelsiek State Park, Wentzville (8:30am - 1:00pm) OCT 7: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Peters (7:00pm - 9:00pm) HEAVEN’S ANGLERS SEPT 5: Monthly Meeting, West County Assembly of God Church SEPT 7: Club Tournament, Council Bluffs SEPT 28: Club Classic OCT 3: Monthly Meeting, West County Assembly of God Church MID MISSOURI TROUT UNLIMITED SEPT 3: Regular Chapter Meeting, Jack’s Gourmet Restaurant, Columbia OCT 1: Regular Chapter Meeting, Jack’s Gourmet Restaurant, Columbia MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATION SEPT 23: Monthly Board Meeting, American Legion OCT 28: Monthly Board Meeting, American Legion MISSOURI ASSOCIATION OF MEAT PROCESSORS SEPT 13: Fall Bus Tour (12:30pm) MISSOURI ATLATL ASSOCIATION SEPT 13-14: Annual Cahokia Mounds World Heritage Site Atlatl Competition, Collinsville, IL; Ron Mertz (314) 680-3596 or Jon Wood (573) 881-6622 SEPT 27-29: Atlatl Activities - Bois D’arc Primitive Skills Camp and KnapIn; Ray Madden (417) 781-0962 MISSOURI BASS FEDERATION SEPT 7: Board Meeting, Columbia

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MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITED SEPT 7: Hunting and Fishing Night at the “K”, Royals Stadium, Kansas City (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Grant Finney (816) 504-4390 or Bill Cox (816) 524-0987 SEPT 14: Membership Dinner, Memorial Hall, Carthage (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Jason Hill (417) 850-5111 or Wayne Wilson (417) 359-4093 SEPT 21: Saline County Gun Bash, Marshall (5:30pm - 8:30pm); Jeff Knott (660) 202-3422 SEPT 21: Mineral Area Dinner, Centene Center, Farmington (5:30pm 9:00pm); Justin Raith (573) 783-9784, Mike Walker (573) 330-8347 or Lucas Raith (573) 846-6230 SEPT 21: Gateway Greenheads Dinner, Greek Orthodox Church, Town & Country (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Ryan Farrar (314) 225-4523 SEPT 21: Grand River Dinner, Elks Lodge, Chillicothe (5:30pm - 10:00pm); Eric Reeter (660) 646-8145, David Hamilton (660) 247-0825 or Tim Reger (660) 247-5596 SEPT 21: Swamp East Annual Sportsman’s Dinner, Saint Francis Xavier Parrish Center, Sikeston (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Andy Piepenbrok (573) 380-4580 or Nathan Lorenz (573) 475-0800 SEPT 26: Lake of the Ozarks Membership Dinner, Elks Lodge, Osage Beach (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Jodi Moulder (573) 216-1195 or Angie Schuster (573) 216-2397 SEPT 27: Greater Kansas City Golf Tournament, Heartland Golf Club, Kansas City (12:00pm - 5:00pm); John Dillow (816) 591-0457 or Richard Woody (913) 905-2150 SEPT 28: Warsaw/Benton County Membership Dinner, Knights of Columbus Hall, Warsaw (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Rick Limback (660) 438-2588, Larry Bybee (660) 438-7714 or LeRoy Whitaker (660) 438-6042 SEPT 28: Family Outdoors Day for Youth (Greenwings), James A. Reed Conservation Area, Lees Summit (10:00am - 3:00pm); Bill Cox (816)

2013

524-0987 OCT 5: Membership Dinner, American Legion Hall, Higginsville (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Scott Anderson (660) 229-0695 or Brian Vogelsmeier (660) 641-4939 OCT 5: Cass County - Bricker Family Tribute Dinner, Elks Lodge, Harrisonville (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Phil Needham (816) 899-2185 OCT 5: Boonslick Dinner, Knights of Columbus Hall, Boonville (5:30pm - 10:00pm); Musial Wolfe (660) 8826387 or David Wax (660) 882-0058 OCT 12: Sponsor Dinner, Neosho (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Mike & Patty Krueger (417) 451-3427 OCT 12: Dexter Greenheads Annual Sportsman’s Dinner & Auction, Elks Lodge, Dexter (5:30pm - 10:00pm); Brian Jones (573) 421-1771, Darren Burnett (573) 421-2607 or Mike Wilburn (573) 421-3713 OCT 19: Cape Girardeau County Annual Dinner & Auction, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Cape Girardeau (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Kandra Baker (573) 579-6940 or Scott Loomis (573) 579-7058 OCT 19: Saint Louis Blackduck Gun & Purse Bash, Elks Lodge, Saint Louis (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Caroline Whiting (314) 583-3749 or Eddie Whiting (314) 450-6420 OCT 19: Yellow Creek Dinner, Elks Lodge, Brookfield (6:00pm - 11:30pm); Jeff Hill (660) 258-2391 OCT 26: 3rd Annual Bootheel Sportsman’s Dinner & Auction, Kennett (5:30pm - 9:00pm); Jeff Anglin (573) 300-5623 OCT 26: Big Piney Sponsor Dinner, Saint Robert (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Mike Mette (573) 759-7685 MISSOURI HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR’S ASSOCIATION OCT 20: Board Meeting, Bass Pro Shops, Columbia (10:30am) MISSOURI HUNTING HERITAGE FEDERATION SEPT 29: 3rd Annual Sporting Clays Fun Shoot, Powder Creek Shooting Park, Lenexa, KS

MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION FUNDRAISING BANQUETS (NWTF) SEPT 9: Cedar County Upland Chapter, Orleans Trail Resort, Stockton; Micky Morrison (417) 282-6671 SEPT 13: Little Dixie Longbeards, Audrain Fairgrounds 4-H Building, Mexico; Ben Doerge (573) 473-7009 SEPT 21: Southern Warren County Strutters, Saint Ignatius Parrish Center, Marthasville; Amy Mergelmeyer (636) 221-1538 SEPT 28: Clay Howlett Memorial, Pulaski County Shrine Club, Waynesville; Clinton Jarrett (573) 855-1442 OCT 4: Gasconade River Gobblers, Belle/Bland Community Building, Belle; Kyle Lairmore (573) 437-8899 SEPT 5: Bunt Cumbea Laclede County Chapter, Cowan Civic Center, Lebanon; Karen Ray (417) 588-1643 OCT 5: Polk County Hillbilly Longbeards, Smith’s Restaurant, Bolivar; Todd Grant (417) 376-2647 OCT 24: Sho-Me Gun Bash, Pythian Castle, Springfield; Kevin Hess (417) 736-9585 NWTF JAKES FIELD DAYS SEPT 1: Bootheel Boss Gobblers, Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area, East Prairie; Larry Neal (573) 334-9109 SEPT 4: Crowley’s Ridge Limbhangers, Army Corps of Engineers, Wappapello SEPT 7: Nolan R. Hutchison Memorial, Big Piney Sportsman’s Shooting Range, Houston; Kurt Homeyer (417) 260-7997 SEPT 14: Heartland Gobblers, Army Corps of Engineers, Wappapello SEPT 21: Dry Fork Strutters, Lions Club Park, Rolla; Joe Malters (573) 364-1550 SEPT 21: Saint Louis Sponsor Event, City Park, Arnold; Randy Hargis (636) 262-0815 SEPT 21: Saint Louis Longbeards, City Park, Arnold; Bob Urbanek (314) 638-8197 SEPT 28: Great Rivers Longbeards, Boeing Facility, Saint Louis; Brian Duckett (314) 574-9213 OCT 12: River Hills Thunderin’ Longbeards, Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area, Bloomsdale; Rob Sulkowski (573) 576-5775 OCT 19: Gasconade River Gobblers, Prairie Star Restoration Farm, Bland; Kyle Lairmore (573) 437-8999 NWTF SHOOTING EVENTS

CALENDAR

MISSOURI SMALLMOUTH ALLIANCE SEPT 7: Spotted Bass Roundup – Fall Classic; Bob Green (636) 485-9797

SEPT 6-8: The Turkey Shoot Presents: The NWTF - Bass Pro Shops Great Midwestern, Ozark Shooters Sports Complex, Walnut Shade; Rhett Simmons (803) 637-7411

MISSOURI TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION (MTA) SEPT 20-22: Fall Rendezvous, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Montgomery City

NWTF WHEELIN SPORTSMAN EVENTS OCT 10: Bootheel Boss Gobblers Gun Blast, Knights of Columbus Hall, Jackson; Timothy Schwent (573) 225-3740 OCT 17: River Hills Thunderin’ Gun Bash, Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomsdale; Rob Sulkowski (573) 883-9982

MTA DISTRICT 3 OCT 19-20: Beginners Trapping Clinic, Prairie Star Restoration Farm, Bland; Clay McDaniel (573) 368-7564

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NWTF WOMAN IN THE OUTDOORS EVENTS SEPT 20: NEMO Outdoor Skills, Mark Twain State Park, Stoutsville; Judy Martin (573) 769-4189 MISSOURI PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION SEPT 25-26: Executive Forum, North Kansas City SEPT 29-30: Student Workshop, Lake Ozark OCT 14-15: Missouri Trail Summit, Columbia MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATION SEPT 7: Dinner with Guest Speaker Dr. Chip Taylor (Founder of Monarch Watch), Saint Louis SEPT 14: Loess Hill Prairie Trip OCT 12: Annual Member Meeting & Evening on the Prairie MISSOURI RIVER BIRD OBSERVATORY SEPT 7: Bird Banding Demonstrations, Arrow Rock State Historic Site (8:00am – 11:00am) SEPT 10: Gardening and Recycling Materials, Trails Regional Library, Warrensburg (2:00pm) SEPT 14: Wonders of Hummingbirds, Arrow Rock State Historic Site Visitors Center (10:00am) OCT 5: Bird Banding Demonstrations, Arrow Rock State Historic Site (8:00am – 11:00am) MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF OCT 5: Kansas City Missouri River Clean-up, La Benite Park, Sugar Creek OCT 19: Hartsburg Missouri River Clean-up, MDC Public Boat Access, Hartsburg

MTA DISTRICT 6 SEPT 6-8: Trapper’s Weekend, Little Niagua Campground, Lake Ozark; (855) 646-2267 SEPT 14: Excelsior (Versailles) - Demo SEPT 28: Orscheln Farm & Home – Demo, Camdenton OCT 5: Orscheln Farm & Home – Demo, California OCT 19: Warsaw Events - TBA OCT 26: Orscheln Farm & Home – Demo, Eldon For more information on these events contact – Dale Verts (573) 789-5690 MTA DISTRICT 7 OCT 12-13: Trapping Clinic, Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (9:00am); (660) 856-3323 MTA DISTRICT 8 OCT 5: Customer Appreciation Day – Trapping Demonstrations, Ropp’s Fur Buying, Jamesport (9:00am – 4:00pm) MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION (MTFA) KANSAS CITY EVENTS SEPT 9: Start of Fly Tying/Rod Building Classes SEPT 28-29: Fall Derby, Roaring River OCT 3-5: FFF Southern Council Conclave OCT 11-13: Norfork Trip – Club Outing OCT 22: Club Meeting – Chili Dinner & Raffle, Fleming Hall (6:30pm) MTFA SAINT LOUIS EVENTS SEPT 14-15: Fall Derby & Raffle – Montauk MTFA SPRINGFIELD EVENTS SEPT 5: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm – 9:50pm) SEPT 12: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm – 9:50pm) SEPT 19: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm – 9:50pm) SEPT 21: Fishing Trip – Roaring River

State Park (9:00am – 4:00pm) SEPT 21: Great Outdoor Day – Bois D’arc Conservation Area (9:00am – 3:00pm) OCT 3: Monthly Meeting (6:00pm – 9:00pm) OCT 3-5: Southern Council Fly Fishing Fair OCT 26: Chili Feed MISSOURI WHITETAILS UNLIMITED SEPT 14: Kingdom of Callaway Chapter Banquet, Saint Peters Hall, Fulton SEPT 21: Anchor City Chapter Banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall, Centralia SEPT 28: Southern Boone Chapter Banquet, Optimist Club, Ashland OCT 5: Northern Missouri Whitetails Chapter Banquet, Rupe Center – Carroll County Fire Department, Carrollton OCT 5: Mississippi Valley Chapter Banquet, American Legion Post 55, Hannibal OCT 19: Show Me Chapter Banquet, Caldwell Building, Canton OCT 28: Davis Creek Chapter Banquet, Community Center, Higginsville OZARK FLY FISHERS SEPT 7: Water Quality Monitoring, Blue Springs SEPT 9: Board Meeting SEPT 12-15: Taneycomo SEPT 21-25: Salmon Trip – Michigan Pere Marquete River SEPT 21: Water Quality Monitoring, Current River; Scott Darrough (314) 560-1335 SEPT 26: General Membership Meeting, Greensfelder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:00pm) SEPT 28: Water Quality Monitoring, Mill Creek OCT 3-5: FFF Southern Council Fly Fishing Fair, Mountain Home, AR OCT 7: Board Meeting OCT 19: Chili Tie-In, Marlan Graham’s Clubhouse OCT 24: General Membership Meeting, Greensfelder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:00pm) OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUB AUG 31-SEPT 2: Clean Up Trip, Black River SEPT 6-7: Missouri River – Overnight, Brownville SEPT 14: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm – 7:30pm) AUG 10: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm – 9:00pm) SEPT 16: Missouri River – Franklin

Island Access SEPT 25-26: State Park Tour – Roaring River State Park OCT 5-6: Missouri River – Overnight, Riverfront Park, Kansas City OCT 12: Water Quality Testing – Blue River, Minor Park North Entrance, Kansas City OCT 12: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm – 7:30pm) OCT 12: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm – 9:00pm) OCT 14-20: Fall Canoefest – Current & Jacks Fork Rivers, Jadwin Campground, Salem OCT 21-22: Peck Ranch Hike – Peck Ranch Campground POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIES, INC. SEPT 21: Guide for a Day; Steve Worstell (816) 520-2371 SEPT 18-20: Gil Hamm Chapter Challenge – Lake Vermillion; Fred Wehrli (785) 584-6393 OCT 4: Friday Fall Muskie Tournament; George Donner or Scott Schlick (816) 678-1623 OCT 5-6: Saturday/Sunday Fall Muskie Tournament; George Donner or Scott Schlick (816) 678-1624 OCT 11-19: Lac Seul Trip; Doug Hutchinson (314) 949-0854 OCT 26-27: CPR Mail-In Tournament; Wayne Humphrey (314) 440-2173 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION OCT 5: Missouri Elk Capital Big Game Banquet, Eminence; Jim Anderson (573) 226-3893 AUG 10: Capaha Big Game Banquet, Cape Girardeau; Dawn Myers (573) 335-8789 UNITED BOWHUNTERS OF MISSOURI SEPT 8: Three Trails 3D Shoot (8:00am); Rick Marlow (816) 6652672 or Tom Merker (816) 682-4293 AUG 9-11: 2013 Deaf Camp; Dennis Voss (636) 359-2506 or Darren Haverstick (417) 693-5304 CFM EVENTS SEPT 21: Board Meeting, Saint James DEC 14: Board Meeting, Runge Nature Center, Jefferson City

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Congress Zeros Out Conservation Program Funding for Next Fiscal Year

n July the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee eliminated funding for the following popular and highly successful grant programs for next fiscal year: • State & Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (SWG)

than 6,300 organizations nationally and 310 in Missouri, received an email asking them to have their organization take action by signing on to a letter to Congress regarding 2013 grant programs.

The letter is one step in an advocacy process to help

begin on October 1st. If your organization is a member of Teaming, please contact your congressional representatives and ask that the funding for conservation programs remain a priority. Together we can demonstrate that these programs have broad sup-

to preserve grant funding that helps habitat, natural communities and wildlife prosper so it is here for future generations.

Zeroing out these programs would have serious consequences for fish and wildlife conservation. Help

convince appropriators in the US House and US Senate how important these programs are to fish and wildlife. Conservation Federation of Missouri signed on immediately following the action alert from Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The request was that funding be restored for the next fiscal year which is set to

port amongst birders, hikers, hunters, anglers, paddlers, conservation educators and others who use and enjoy the outdoors.

If your organization is not a member of Teaming With Wildlife, please go to www. teaming.com to become a member. It is free. It is a voice in Congress. It is a national coalition working

be a voice for fish and wildlife and the natural areas that they need to exist.

To find your Congressional leaders visit the following websites.

US Senate: www.senate. gov/states/MO/intro.htm US House of Representatives: www.house.gov/representatives/

• North American Wetland Conservation Fund (NAWCA Fund) • Neotropical Migratory Bird Fund (NNMBCA Fund) • Forest Legacy Program (FLP) • Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) These programs have conserved some of our nation’s rarest and most cherished fish and wildlife, restored vital wetlands and protected priority forests, grasslands, coasts and other important habitats. Complete elimination of funding for these popular programs is unprecedented!

The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition, comprised of more

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Black-necked Stilts Extend Range Farther North Into Missouri

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ince the 1980s, nesting pairs of Black-necked Stilts in North America have continually advanced their breeding range northward each year. The first three nests recorded in Missouri were located as a result of surveys conducted for the Breeding Bird Atlas Project in Stoddard County on June 28, 1990. The nests and eggs were on the inner levees of rice fields. By 2013 Black-necked Stilts have been reported by Missouri birders in the Conservation Area Checklist database (CACHE) from 21 MDC conservation area wetlands. There are currently 3,636 records for Black-necked Stilts in the CACHE database.

This species has occurred in Missouri from March to October, and in winters migrates to extreme south United States, through Mexico, the Caribbean and over much of South America. It is a truly long-distant migrant species.

Black-necked Stilts nest in fresh, brackish and saltwater wetlands. Missouri’s wetlands likely will attract this species more with time.

Flooding will always be an issue for nest failure of wetland birds, including Blacknecked Stilts. The placement of slightly-vegetated internal levees or low islands throughout constructed wetlands should be beneficial to their nesting success.

The well-defined black above and white below

Photo credit: MDC.

pattern of this shorebird is accentuated by its very long, graceful legs that are a coral red or bubble-gum red in color. Stilts wade through shallow wetlands and flooded fields sweeping for insects with their long straight bills, picking insects off the water surface, consuming flying insects from the air, or plunging their head into the water for aquatic insects. When disturbed, stilts will fly in circles around the intruder, screaming loudly and incessantly. This often means a young bird is on the ground nearby.

This species and many other bird species were negatively affected by market hunting in the early 1800s, when large numbers were

killed and sold for food. By 1840 none were known to nest north of Georgia. The recent expansion northward along the Mississippi River from Louisiana to Tennessee and southern Missouri has now jumped north in the state with a nesting pair reported in 2012 by Gary Calvert at B. K. Leach Conserva-

tion Area. In 2013 two birds were reported at Ted Shanks Conservation Area but were subject to extensive flooding with no nesting reported by Mike Flaspohler.

&

Authors: Gary Calvert Mike Flaspohler Brad Jacobs

Honorariums Memorials In Memory of Rose Swadley Evelyn Schallon & Mary Krelo MIS S OURI

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CFM’s 2nd Annual Pull For Conservation Banquet

he second annual Pull For Conservation pre-shoot banquet was a rockin’ good time as this year’s attendees were entertained by our friends from the terrific band Keota. Bass Pro’s Fall Hunting Classic was in full swing, but David Smith and his world class staff at Bass Pro Shops Sportsmen’s Center in Columbia, MO were excellent hosts again this year. Over 100 guests gathered to enjoy the music, fun and fellowship and to support the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Many attendees picked up some terrific live and silent auction items and supported CFM through various raffles throughout the evening. Matthew Bax won our 2014 Fall Rifle or Archery Mule Deer or Whitetail hunt with Trophies Plus Outfitters in Alzada, MT. We at CFM would like to thank our event sponsors, our attendees and Bass Pro Shops and Mid MO Recycling for helping to make our 2nd annual banquet a huge success! We hope you will join in the fun next year!

Photo credits: Debra Lee. Top Right: Brent Bayer, Gunilla and Dave Murphy.

Right: Wonderful entertainment by Keota.

Bottom: What a crowd!

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Jenna Anthony Nathan Bias Glenn Chambers Jeannie Chambers Jim Choate

Gene Gardner Bill Hilgeman Coby Keyes Jerry Kemple Caleb Knerr

Thanks to volunteers Delbert Knerr Jenna Knerr Zachary Knerr Zach Morris Dave Murphy

Claudia Murray Charley Ponciroli Pat Ponciroli Tom Russell Mike Schallon

Mossie Schallon Garrett Strodtman Grayson Strodtman Beth Stucky Norman Stucky

Dan Thornton Jerry Thornton David Urich

Special Thanks to our major contributors for this year’s Pull For Conservation Weekend Bass Pro Shop Sportsman’s Center – Columbia

Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives

Mid MO Recycling & Midwest Mailing

Randy Washburn

Missouri Conservation Pioneers

Truman’s Bar & Grill

And thanks to our food and beverage donors

Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters, Bill Hilgeman, Randy Washburn, Truman’s Bar & Grill and N.H. Scheppers Distributing.

A BIG THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Abe & Jan Phillips

Grundy Electric Coop., Inc.

NH Scheppers Distributing

SelecTurf, Inc.

AGRI Services of Brunswick

Hazelwood Auto Body, Inc.

Nick’s Family Restaurant

Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.

AJ’s Automotive

Henderson Implement

Northwest Electric Power Coop., Inc.

Sierra Bullets

Association of Missouri Electric Coop.

Hulett Heating & Air Conditioning

Smarr Garage Door

Associated Electric Coop.

Hunting Works for Missouri

Open Space Council/Operation Clean Stream

Bass Pro Shops

Jim & Anna Blair

Bob McCosh Chevrolet-Buick-GMC Bobcat of St. Louis

Joe Machens Ford-Lincoln Lewis County Rural Electric Coop., Inc. Mid-Mo Recycling

Boggs Creek Sporting Goods

Mid-State Chapter NWTF

Boone County Lumber Company

MidwayUSA

Chariton Legacy Farm

Mike & Mossie Schallon

Clean Uniforms

Outdoor Guide Magazine

Snow Creek Apparel St. Louis Longbeards Chapter NWTF

Paddlefoot Productions Platte-Clay Electric Coop., Inc. Powder Horn Guns & Archery Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation Quail Forever

Sundvold Financial Target Masters Timberlake Engineering Truman’s Bar & Grill United Electric Power Coop., Inc.

Randy Washburn

Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters

Red Weir Athletic Supplies

UPS Store-Columbia

Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation

Richard Ash, Jr. & Judy Dixon

What-Ya-Say

Family Pawn - Paris Road

Riley Chevrolet – Buick-GMC-Cadillac

Whitetails Unlimited

Farmers Co-op Elevator - St. Peters

Missouri Conservation Pioneers

River Hills Sporting Clays

White River Valley Electric Coop., Inc.

Gateway Long Spurs Chapter NWTF

Missouri Wine & Grape Board

Ron Moser Construction

Wilson’s Total Fitness

George Clark MO State Chapter NWTF

National Wildlife Federation

Scott & Sara Pauley

ZK Guns

Consolidated Electric Coop., Inc.

— And Thanks To Our Donors — Bass Pro Shops

Family Pawn - Paris Road

HyVee

NWTF Mid-State Chapter

Target Masters

Bobcat of St. Louis

Farm Power Lawn & Leisure

John Neporadny

Orschelns Farm & Home

Walts Bike Shop

Carbon X Rods

Furniture Factory Outlet

Midwest Mailing Services

R.L. Bennett

Westlakes on Bus. Loop 70 E

Carrie’s Hallmark

Glenn Chambers

Missouri Wine & Grape Board

Redneck Blinds

Westlakes on W. Worley

Clean Uniforms

Henderson Implement

NH Scheppers Distributing

Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.

What-Ya-Say

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Pull For Conservation Clay Shoot Sets New Record for Participation

nseasonably mild August weather helped set the stage for another record breaking turnout at CFM’s 7th Annual “Pull …for Conservation” on Saturday, August 10. Kevin and Barbara Pickett had the River Hills Sporting Clays course looking incredible, Bass Pro Shops again generously supplied the prizes, and with a helping hand from several Conservation Leadership Corps, Conservation Pioneer scorer/ trappers and a few others the event ran smoothly.

Another terrific lunch was prepared by Charley Ponciroli and topped off by Bill Hilgeman’s famous zucchini bread. Pat Ponciroli, Jeannie Chambers, Claudia Murray, Mossie Schallon and Beth Stucky worked alongside Charley and Bill to feed the record crowd of more than 160 shooters. Enjoying the beautiful weather, 71 individual

shooters and 79 scramble teams had a blast while supporting CFM. In the Individual competition and for the third year in a row, James Hayhurst kept all challengers at bay and took top honors with a score of 49 out of 50 possible targets. Dale Hopke and Garrett Benskin finished in second and third place respectively with scores of 46 and 45 to round out the top of class A. In the second Lewis Class a three-way tie score of 35 was settled by “longest run” to determine the winners. MDC’s Jeff Cockerham took first, Mark Rowden finished second and Dale Ruether took third. In our final round of the individual competition, another three –way tie had to be settled to determine the prize winners. All three shooters ended the day with a score of 29 broken clays.

However, Dave Hamilton finished first edging out Clifford Holmes and Fred

Shooters on the individual course. Photo credit: Debra Lee. 1 8

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Robinson respectively in the tie breaker.

The competition was tough as always on the Scramble course with two of CFM’s perennial Scramble course participants Eddie Mongler and Dale Hopke taking home top honors and breaking all of the 75 clays thrown for them. Ryan Blair and Aaron Madrid dropped only one target between them to finish in second place. In third place overall with a team score of 73 were Brian Hopper and Mark Gamel. Finishing first in B Class and coming out on the winning

end of a three-way tie with a score of 66 broken clays was Randy Adams and Jim Cook. They edged out Lee Meyers and Mike Schmitz in second and the third place team of Lonnie Smith and Roy Smith. Rounding out the scramble winners with first, second and third place tie scores of 57 were AMEC Shooters Mike Torres and Rob Land, Truman’s Bar & Grill Shooters Kenny Hood and Karl Burkett and shooters Charles Campbell and Fred Robinson of team JC Sportsmen.

Special thanks are again in order to our 2013 shoot committee consisting of Glenn Chambers, Dave Murphy, Matt Gaunt, Norman Stucky and our chairman Tom Russell who kept the team on track.

C-Class Individual Winner, Dave Hamilton and Shoot Committee Chair, Tom Russell. Photo credit: Debra Lee.

Photo credits: Debra Lee. Top: Scott & Sara Pauley having fun on the course.

Right: Trapping volunteers pictured from left to right: Norman Stucky, Tom Russell, Gene Gardner, Jim Choate, David Urich and Glenn Chambers.

Bottom right: Shooters on the scramble course.

Bottom left: A beautiful day at River Hills Sporting Clays.

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Join the CFM Business Alliance today!

Check the annual member category you prefer: q $250—Basic q $1,000—Silver q $5,000—Gold q $10,000—Platinum CFM Business Alliance members will receive a one-year subscription to Missouri Wildlife, recognition in each issue of Missouri Wildlife and a CFM Business Alliance sticker.

Please mail this form with your gift supporting CFM to:

Conservation Federation of Missouri 728 West Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559 The Conservation Federation of Missouri is a 501(c)(3) organization. If you have questions, call us at 1-800-575-2322 or visit us at www. confedmo.org to sign up online

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Business Name:_______________________________________________ Contact 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. We also accept MasterCard, Visa, or Discover below or online at www.confedmo.org Credit card number:___________________________________________ Expiration date:______________________________________________ Signature of cardholder:_______________________________________

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agency news - department of conservation

MDC Seeking Public Comments on Protecting Missouri Deer

Public meetings on deer diseases to include improving fencing, testing at captive-cervid facilities.

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s Missouri hunters, landowners, and other conservationists know, the Show-Me State offers some of the best deer hunting in the country. Deer hunting is an important part of many Missourians’ lives and family traditions, including almost 520,000 deer hunters and almost two million wildlife watchers.

Deer hunting is also an important economic driver in Missouri. Deer hunting supports 12,000 Missouri jobs and gives a $1 billion annual boost to state and local economies. Many businesses around the state rely on deer hunting as a significant source of their annual revenue, such as meat processors, taxidermists, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, sporting goods stores, and others. Thousands of private landowners also manage their land for deer and rely on good deer hunting to maintain property values.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and current research, infectious diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) could hurt all of this.

“CWD has been found in captive deer and free-ranging deer in north-central Missouri,” explained MDC 2 2

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State Veterinarian Kelly Straka. “This neurological disease is currently limited to deer and other members of the deer family, called cervids. It has no vaccine or cure and is 100-percent fatal. Once it is well established in an area, CWD is impossible to eradicate.

If left unchecked, it could significantly reduce deer numbers over time.”

Dr. Straka added that states with CWD must focus on limiting the spread of the disease and preventing its introduction to new areas, and that is exactly what MDC is doing.

Both free-ranging and captive white-tailed deer in Missouri are wildlife.

The Department of Conservation has been working with hunters, landowners, conservation partners, and businesses to detect cases of this infectious disease and limit its spread in freeranging deer. MDC has also made regulation changes affecting free-ranging deer in the area where CWD has been found.

MDC is also working with the captive cervid industry, landowners, hunters, and others to address areas of concern related to captive deer and other captive cervids. There are 47 big-game hunting preserves and 253

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wildlife breeders in the state that have captive deer and other captive cervids.

Missouri’s first cases of CWD were detected in 2010 and 2011 in captive deer

A 10-point white-tailed deer buck stands in a field. Photo credit: Noppadol Paothong, MDC

at private big-game hunting preserves in Linn and Macon counties. A total of 11 cases of CWD have been confirmed in captive deer at the facilities. CWD has since been found in 10 free-ranging deer within two miles of the captive facility in Macon County.

Based on current scientific research, and Conservation Department management priorities, MDC has identified several areas of concern related to disease transmission and captive cervids.

Those items include the separation of captive and free-ranging wildlife populations, movement of captive wildlife, disease testing, and herd certification.

“CWD is spread both directly from deer to deer and indirectly to deer from infected soil and other surfaces,” said Dr. Straka.

“Current fencing standards for captive-cervid facilities do not prevent direct contact between captive and free-ranging deer.”

Current requirements for holding captive cervids at animal-auction facilities and exhibitions also do not prevent direct or indirect contact among different groups of captive deer.

According to MDC, importing captive deer into Missouri is currently allowed and can bring CWD and other diseases into the state. Of the 37 states that have captive-deer breeding and big-game hunting preserves, many have closed their borders to the importation of live deer.

The Department added that some captive-cervid facilities in Missouri test all their deer that die for CWD, but not all are required to.

Over the next few months, MDC will go to Missouri deer hunters and other stakeholders with a goal of maintaining healthy wildlife populations across the state. As a result of information received, Wildlife Code changes may be suggested to the Conservation

agency news - department of conservation

Commission for review.

MDC will host the following public meetings around the state to provide information on Missouri deer and CWD and to get comments about limiting the spread of the disease among captive and free-ranging deer. People can also post comments online at mdc.mo.gov/ deerhealth.

For more information, go online to mdc. mo.gov and search Chronic Wasting Disease.

Joe Jerek, News Services Coordinator, MDC

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• Sept. 3, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Macon County Expo Center, HWY 63 • Sept. 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., MDC Powder Valley Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold Road, Kirkwood • Sept. 16, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., West Plains • Sept. 18, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., MDC Cape Girardeau Nature Center, 2289 County Park Drive • Sept. 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., MDC Runge Nature Center, HWY 179, Jefferson City • Sept. 30, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Missouri Western University Kemper Recital Hall in Leah Spratt Hall, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph • Oct. 1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., MDC Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 NW Park Road, Blue Springs • Oct. 9, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., MDC Springfield Nature Center, 4601 S Nature Center Way

Tell Us How Conservation Areas Are Important To You

he Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) wants to know what Missourians think about its nearly 1,000 conservation areas around the state. MDC is in the multi-year process of updating management plans for conservation areas and invites public comments.

Draft management plans for various conservation areas will begin to be available for public comment in August 2013. To preview draft management plans and share comments online, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/ areaplans.

MDC conservation areas cover almost one million public acres for the purpose of restoring and conserving forest, fish and wildlife resources, and for providing opportunities for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn

about these resources. Most Missourians are within a 30-minute drive of an MDC conservation area.

Missourians care about conservation and use conservation areas for many different reasons. These areas help people discover nature through various activities, and help make Missouri a great place to hunt, fish, and enjoy other outdoor activities. We want to know how conservation areas are important to Missourians.

Encouraging public comments on Conservation Area Management Plans is part of MDC’s ongoing efforts of working for and with Missourians to sustain healthy forests, fish and wildlife.

Conservation Area Management Plans focus on natural resource management and public use on conservation areas. The plans do not address regula-

tions on hunting, fishing and other area uses, which are set by the Conservation Commission and enforced under the Wildlife Code of Missouri. MDC will consider all ideas received and will work to balance the issues and interests identified with the responsibility of managing areas for the present and future benefits to forest, fish, wildlife, and people.

Decisions on which ideas to incorporate into area plans

and on how to best incorporate them will be based on the property’s purpose, its physical and biological conditions and capabilities, the best roles of the property in its local, regional and state-wide context, and on the professional expertise of MDC staff.

Questions? Please contact MDC Public Involvement Coordinator Amy Buechler at 573-522-4115 x3252, or amy.buechler@mdc.mo.gov.

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agency news - department of conservation

New Conservation Commissioner is an Outdoorsman

The love of nature kindled by his grandfather still burns bright

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issouri’s newest conservation commissioner traces his outdoor roots to hunting small game as a boy. That passion for nature now finds expression in hands-on wildlife management.

Gov. Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon appointed Tim Dollar, Blue Springs, to a sixyear term on the Missouri Conservation Commission.

Dollar, 53, grew up in the Kansas City area. He traces his interest in conservation to time spent outdoors with his maternal grandfather, Alden Jaynes.

“He took me squirrel and rabbit and quail hunting, and I fell in love with it immediately,” says Dollar. “I didn’t have too many opportunities to explore that during my childhood, but even then I knew the passion I had for it.”

Dollar recalls that his outdoor career got a jump-start when he met his soon-to-be father-inlaw, Robert Hammond.

“He introduced me to deer hunting in his home area of St. Clair County,” says Dollar. “That was a lifechanging experience. I was absolutely hooked.”

Dollar pursued his passion for hunting for two decades, until a friend, West Plains attorney Lynn 2 4

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Henry, showed the future conservation commissioner what he was doing to improve some hunting land he owns.

“I became obsessed with acquiring my own land and managing it for deer, turkey, and quail and other wildlife,” says Dollar.

“Seeing what he was doing on his property in the Ozarks was an eye-opener.

After that, managing land for wildlife became a consuming passion and hobby.”

Dollar focused his newfound passion for wildlife management on his wife’s family farm in St. Clair County, a place he refers to as “sacred ground.” He worked closely with St. Clair Conservation Agent Joanna Bledsoe to tailor management techniques to the farm’s special needs.

Now, through arrangements with neighboring landowners, he manages nearly 900 acres for deer, turkey, quail and other wildlife. He built a hunting lodge a mile or so from the old home place, where his father-in-law was born.

Dollar eagerly discusses ongoing efforts to improve wildlife habitat on the farm. This includes restoring hedgerows and creating thickets as escape cover for quail and other groundnesting wildlife. Planting

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corn, soybeans, and winter wheat ensures ample food for wildlife.

“For the first time that I can remember down here, we are having some success,” he says. “Last week, driving through the milo and millet, we several times came across a ton of quail.

We haven’t seen that in a very long time.”

An avid bowhunter, Dol-

lar says Sept. 15 will find him sitting in a tree stand looking for white-tailed deer.

Asked if he has any special interests or programs he wants to advance during his term on the Conservation Commission, Dollar said “No, I’m really interested in it all, and I’m eager to learn. The Missouri Conservation Department

agency news - department of conservation is one of the finest, bestrun organizations of its kind in the country. When I travel to other states and am asked about Missouri, I start by talking about the Conservation Department, because it is respected around the country. So I’m eager to learn and support this great tradition we have.”

“Commissioner Dollar’s interest and knowledge of fish and wildlife combined with his business experience make him a solid ad-

dition to the Conservation Commission,” said Conservation Department Director Robert L. Ziehmer.

“His energy and enthusiasm to enhance forest, fish, and wildlife resources will prove beneficial for citizens and the outdoor resources of Missouri. I look forward to working with Commissioner Dollar.”

Dollar will serve through June 30, 2019.

The Conservation Commission consists of four members appointed by the

governor and confirmed by the Missouri Senate. To ensure non-partisan oversight of the Conservation Department, no more than two members may be from the same political party.

Dollar replaces Becky Plattner, whose term expired this year. The other commissioners are Chairman Don C. Bedell, R-Sikeston, Vice Chair James T. Blair, IV, R-St. Louis, and Don R. Johnson, Festus.

The Conservation Com-

mission controls, manages, restores, conserves and regulates the bird, fish, game, forestry and all wildlife resources of the state, including hatcheries, sanctuaries, refuges, reservations and all other property owned, acquired or used for such purposes, as well as the acquisition and establishment of those properties.

Jim Low News Services Coordinator, MDC

Now is the Smart Time for Hunter Education

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Complete your training before the rush

here are two ways of doing most things – the hard way and the smart way. Completing hunter education early is definitely the smart way, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Hunter Education Program Coordinator Tony Legg says he sees lots of people doing hunter education the hard way.

“A surprising number wait until October to try to sign up for hunter education,” says Legg. “By that time, some hunting seasons have already started, and it gets harder and harder to work one more thing into your schedule.”

Even worse, says Legg, hunter education classes close to home can fill up,

forcing latecomers to travel long distances or take classes at inconvenient times. It is much smarter to take a hunter education class in early fall, when life’s pace is slower and there is no rush.

Hunters who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, and are 16 or older must successfully complete an approved hunter education course to qualify to buy firearms hunting permits.

Some hunters who otherwise would not need hunter education must be certified if they want to mentor novice hunters. Details are listed on page 2 of the 2013 Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations, available from permit vendors or at mdc.mo.gov/node/11416.

The hunter education

course consists of two parts. The first is acquiring the necessary knowledge about hunting equipment, safety, and ethics. This can be done one of three ways: Completing a convenient online course that provides information in written form augmented with illustrations, graphs, audio, videos, and interactive animation, or Obtaining a student manual online at mdc. mo.gov/node/23045 or by calling or visiting one of the Conservation Department regional offices listed on page 33 of the hunting and trapping regulation guide, and complete the course at your own pace, or Registering for and attending a four-hour instructor-led classroom

session.

After completing Step 1, hunters can obtain their certification by attending a four-hour skills session that fits their schedule. These sessions consist of instructor-led, hands-on exercises designed to help students put their knowledge into practice. After the session, students take a 35-question multiple-choice exam.

Legg urges hunters to put hunter education at the top of their pre-season to-do lists.

“Meeting the hunter education requirement doesn’t have to be a hassle,” he says. “The current course structure offers more flexibility and more fun than ever before. There is no reason to put it off.”

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department of natural resources

Fall — A Time of Change

Enjoying Missouri’s great outdoors during the fall or any season is possible through partnerships and opportunities to protect our air, land and water for a healthy and vital Missouri.

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ike many of you, I recently attended my high school reunion and was delighted to see so many classmates return for the weekend festivities. From all directions of the country they returned to reflect, reminisce, and regale tales of our youth. Some classmates I had known since before we began attending primary school, and though in my eyes we all look like we did so many years ago, reality suggests we have all gone through significant change!

I’m reminded of that same reality – that change is a core element of life – each fall as the stunning palette of colors reveal themselves on Missouri’s

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hillsides. We all enjoy the brilliant yellow and bold red leaves displayed by the maple and oak trees.

However, I also appreciate the deep gray and muted burnt sienna that frames the hillside and tree line far in the distance. It takes those deeper shades working in harmony to create the middle tint of autumn’s scenery—allowing the brilliant colors to shine even brighter.

And so, with the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources just months away, it’s also a good time to reflect on what environmental change we’ve seen in the last four decades. Indeed, we have experienced many new

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challenges, transformations, and opportunities since the agency was first created in 1974.

Our water bodies were once regarded as an appropriate dumping area for wastes. We could see the visual impacts of water pollution that compromised the ability of our streams and lakes to provide us with quality drinking water, abundant fish stocks, irrigation, recreation, and other vital services. Over the last several decades, the Clean Water Act served as the foundation necessary to address public concerns for controlling water pollution and set the expectation that our waters be fishable and swimmable.

Our air quality at times

was so compromised that people were urged to stay home because the air was unhealthy to breathe. The Clean Air Act and changing regulations helped reduce air pollution in order to protect public health and the environment, allowing us to take a deep breath while enjoying the outdoors.

We can see the real difference environmental regulations have made during the years and know that real improvements have been accomplished. Still there is much work to do and future environmental challenges that await us.

And the solution, in part, in identifying and solving these future challenges is the inevitable advance-

agency news - department of natural resources ments that will come in the world of science and technology.

Water quality standards are becoming stricter. We now measure pollutants in parts per billion when our lab equipment once measured in parts per thousand. Air monitoring was once collected by staff onsite who then drove the

filters back to the lab for analysis. Today, almost all air monitoring instruments are continuous and highly computerized and air data are posted on the Web for public viewing.

Missourians value clean air, water, soils and a healthy outdoors in which to recreate. The Department of Natural Resources

will continue to work with and for you to ensure clean air, water and land for you and future generations to enjoy. Yes, we will continue to face challenges and transformations, and we recognize that change in environmental regulations is difficult and can be costly. But we know that such change is neces-

sary for us to maintain the quality of life that we’ve all come to expect. Together, we can help make Missouri an even better place to live, work and enjoy the outdoors.

Sara Parker Pauley Director, DNR

Spotlight on Missouri State Parks – Arrow Rock State Historic Site

J. Huston Tavern at Arrow Rock State Historic Site provides a period setting dining experience serving meals to travelers along the Sante Fe Trail since 1834.

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rom the earliest days, the Arrow Rock bluffs were a well-known landmark on the Missouri River. Visible for many miles, they first appeared on a French map in 1732, noted as “pierre á fleche” — the “rock of arrows.”

Today, visitors may stroll through the history of a once-bustling river town that’s now the serene village of Arrow Rock.

The entire town of Arrow Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. A portion of the town is also preserved as

Arrow Rock State Historic Site. The creation of the state historic site resulted from the National Old Trails Road Association’s, and later, the Daughters of the American Revolution’s efforts to preserve the Old Tavern. In it, in 1912, a room was set aside

for exhibits “as a means of teaching Missouri history to the passerby.”

This year, Arrow Rock State Historic Site celebrates its 90th anniversary since the site was purchased in 1923. Arrow Rock was the first historic site acquired as part of the Missouri State Parks system.

Now, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources operates the historic site, which features several historic buildings and a modern visitor center. The visitor center contains artifacts and exhibits that portray the history of the town and the Boone’s Lick Country.

Next door, a replicated Huston Store in the 1840 addition to the Old Tavern, displays the wares available in a general store of the last century. Other buildings operated by the historic site include the old courthouse, the town doctor’s home and a stone jail. continued on next page

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The Friends of Arrow Rock, founded in 1959, own a number of historic structures in town and cooperate with the Department of Natural Resources to present walking tours of the village. Several special events held throughout the year showcase the history of the town.

The town also offers many antique shops, bed and breakfasts and the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater, which presents repertory productions in the summer and fall. The historic site features a modern campground for a good night’s sleep after a day of touring the historic site and town.

Visitors today can enjoy a drink in the mercantile store, otherwise known as the Tap Room and dine in one of three dining rooms: The Sappington Parlor, the Huston Room and the Bingham Room. By the way – the tavern was voted the “Best Fried Chicken in the State” by Rural Missouri readers in 2011. The tavern is available to host meetings, rehearsal dinners or any other special events.

Contact the staff at the Arrow Rock State Historic Site for more details at 660837-3200 or email jhustontavern@dnr.mo.gov.

Upcoming Events

J. Huston Tavern – Serving meals to travelers along the Sante Fe Trail since 1834.

The J. Huston Tavern at Arrow Rock State Historic Site was built in 1834 by Joseph Huston, Sr., an early Arrow Rock settler and civic leader from Virginia.

Built as a four-room, twostory brick structure with a summer kitchen, it was originally the Huston family home. By the mid-19th century, a mercantile store and ballroom had been added, followed by a large dining room and modern kitchen in 1955.

The tavern is the oldest continuously serving restaurant west of the Mississippi River having marked almost 180 years of continuous service to the public. It is the centerpiece of Arrow Rock State Historic Site and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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Hummingbird Banding Hummingbirds are some of the most amazing and charismatic of our native birds. Here in Missouri, there is the ruby-throated hummingbird, a species that makes an amazing migratory journey each year to return to the flowers of the north. Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory and Missouri’s only hummingbird bander, Lanny Chambers, for a presentation on hummingbird ecology and diversity.

The talk will be followed by a hummingbird banding demonstration at the feeders just outside the visitor centers. If you are unable to attend the event at Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Chambers will also provide a banding demonstration and educational event at Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg.

2013

Hummingbird Banding Events Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Hwy. H, Leasburg.

Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. – Arrow Rock State Historic Site, 39521 Visitor Center Drive, Arrow Rock.

Bird Banding Join the Missouri River Bird Observatory for a fun, informative morning of bird-banding! The observatory staff will be capturing and banding migrant songbirds at the historic site’s visitor center. Birds are captured in light nets, measured and released to begin winging their way south

for the winter. Come learn more about Missouri birds and the methods scientists use to study them.

Bird Banding Events Sept. 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. – Arrow Rock State Historic Site, 39521 Visitor Center Drive, Arrow Rock.

Oct. 5 from 8 to 11 a.m. - Arrow Rock State Historic Site, 39521 Visitor Center Drive, Arrow Rock.

For more information about the site or the bird banding events, contact the site at 660-837-3330.

Sara Parker Pauley Director, DNR

C o n s e r v a t i o n F e d e r a t i o n o f M i s s o u r i A F F I L IATES Anglers of Missouri, Inc. Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives Audubon Society of Missouri Bass-Hole Bassmasters of Missouri, Inc. Big Game Hunters, Inc. Bobwhite Quail Restoration Association Bridlespur Hunt Club Capital City Fly Fishers Central Missouri Chapter Safari Club International Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment Deer Creek Sportsman Club, Inc. Festus-Crystal City Conservation Club Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri Friends of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Greenway Network, Inc. Heaven’s Anglers Howardville Community Betterment Jefferson County Coon Hunters, Inc. Meramec Area Sportsman Association Mid Missouri Outdoor Dream Mid Missouri Trout Unlimited Midwest Diving Council Mississippi Valley Duck Hunters Association Missouri Association of Meat Processors Missouri Atlatl Association

Missouri BASS Federation Nation Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative Missouri Bow Hunters Association Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Missouri Chapter of the Wildlife Society Missouri Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society Missouri Conservation Agents Association Missouri Conservation Pioneers Missouri Consulting Foresters Association Missouri Ducks Unlimited State Council Missouri Forest Products Association Missouri Grouse Chapter of QUWF Missouri Hunter Education Instructors Association Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation Missouri Native Seed Association Missouri Parks & Recreation Association Missouri Parks Association Missouri Prairie Foundation Missouri River Bird Observatory Missouri Smallmouth Alliance Missouri Sport Shooting Association Missouri State Campers Association Missouri State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association Missouri State University Bull Shoals Field Station

Missouri Taxidermist Association Missouri Trappers Association Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association Missouri Whitetails Unlimited Mule Deer Foundation North Side Division Conservation Federation Open Space Council of the Saint Louis Region Ozark Fly Fishers, Inc. Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club Perry County Sportsman Club Pomme de Terre Chapter Muskies, Inc. Quail & Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc. Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever River Bluffs Audubon Society River Relief, Inc. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation South Side Division Conservation Federation Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers Tipton Farmers & Sportsman’s Club United Bow Hunters of Missouri Walnut Council & Other Fine Hardwoods Wecomo Sportsman’s Club Wild Elk Institute of Missouri Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club

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OWL’s Events

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peration Wild Lands (OWLS), a project of the Open Space Council (OSC), is a community-based partnership who seeks to prepare youth to maintain public lands throughout the St. Louis area, as well as improve wildlife habitat and encourage nature-related outdoor recreation.

During winter and spring of this year Operation Wild Lands has partnered with different groups and 6 events had already gathered around 250 volunteers in different conservation areas across St. Louis.

Seeding at Beckemeier Conservation Area On a brisk, winter morning, 14 volunteers from Principia High School gathered at Beckemeier Conservation Area on February 1, to assist in an OWLs event that focused on seeding a section of the area with native plant species. The Missouri Department of Conservation has placed focus on removing Invasive Bush Honeysuckle. Now that a good deal of the plant had been removed, an area was chosen to seed with native plant species to hopefully diversify the area.

A special thanks to Erin Shank and Dick Turner of MDC for joining us on this informative day of seeding, as well as a guided tour of the property. Despite the sub-freezing temperatures, all had an enjoyable time.

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St. Louis City students participate in a litter pickup with Operation Wilds Lands.

spring will wield several new, native plant species for all of the areas visitors to enjoy. The combination of removing Bush Honeysuckle and replacing it with a healthier combination of diverse, native species will continue to be a focus of the Operation Wild Lands program throughout 2013!

Trailbuilding at Greensfelder Park 77 volunteers met at Greensfelder Park, a St. Louis County Park located half an hour West of St. Louis, on March 16th, to build a new section of trails. Together, volunteers worked through cold weather conditions to complete an entire day’s work

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which has resulted in a new pathway for future visitors to enjoy. Volunteers were treated to lunch, compliments of Greensfelder Park, and all enjoyed a fun-filled day of hard work and stewardship.

Tree Planting with Friends of LaBarque Creek You may not be able to tell yet, but a piece of property just South of Eureka, Missouri has a much brighter future in store. Over the course of two events that took place on March 21 and March 23, volunteers from the Open Space Council and the Friends of LaBarque Creek gathered to plant trees on land owned

by Washington University.

Over the course of the two events, 22 volunteers assisted in planting nearly 1,800 trees on the property. There was a growing concern that a lack in vegetation in the soil made the banks of a creek that runs through the property vulnerable to soil erosion. The property now has 1,800 new residents that, with any luck, will continue to grow and stabilize the area well into the future. Tree planting, along with other service projects, continues to be a large focus of the Open Space Council’s efforts in the LaBarque Creek watershed through our Operation Wild Lands program.

Operation Wild Lands (OWLS) head to O’Fallon Park On Friday, June 28th, the OSC partnered with the St. Louis Torchbearers 2, Computer Village, and the Lewis Place Historic Preservation to work with approximately 100 children, ages 5-12 on a litter clean up event in North St. Louis city.

Our incredible volunteers did a great job at O’Fallon Park, beating the heat and rallying together for a wonderful event. They also took part in a recycling demonstration, by Open Space Council staff, where they learned about the different materials that can be recycled, how to properly dispose of our trash, as well as ways of reducing waste and reusing items. The smaller children participated in various activities and games to make the day both fun and educational!

Operation Wild Lands (OWLS) in Forest Park 30 students arrived to Forest Park on Friday, July 12th for a brief educational component about the Nature Reserve and Waterway System and importance for wildlife, and later on they gathered for a trash clean up around Jefferson Lake.

Again the St. Louis Torchbearers 2, Computer Village, and the Lewis Place Historic Preservation volunteers did an amazing job!

As the season slowly, but surely, comes full circle, we encourage you to find some time in your busy schedules to check out our OWLs events page to see if a volunteer opportunity might exist

Volunteers work hard to build new trails at Greensfelder Park.

Young volunteer holds her first crawdad and learns about water quality at recent OWLs event.

for you! Perhaps you can be a crucial part of improving open spaces throughout the St. Louis Region!

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CFM Conservationists For Life ($1,000 Contribution)

Charles Abele, Saint Louis R. Philip Acuff, Saint Joseph Duane Addleman, Springfield Michael Duane Addleman † Nancy Addleman † Nancy Carol Addleman, Springfield Tom Addleman, Harrisonville James Agnew, Arnold Craig Alderman, Buffalo Allen Appell, Calhoun Richard Ash, Ozark Carolyn Auckley, Ballwin J. Douglas Audiffred, Ballwin Michael Baker, DeSoto Dane Balsman, Frankfort, KY Don Bedell, Sikeston Jim Tom Blair, Saint Louis Jeff Blystone, Independence Glenn Boettcher, Owensville Dale & Linda Bourg, Ozark Marilynn Bradford, Cape Girardeau Stephen Bradford, Cape Girardeau Mark Brandly, New Baden, IL Scott Brundage, Columbia Glenn Chambers, Columbia Bryan Chilcutt, Columbia Ed Clausen, Jefferson City Edward Clayton, Clayton Ron Coleman, Saint Albans Mark Corio, Arnold Bill Crawford, Columbia Andy Dalton, Springfield Ryan Diener, Marthasville Joe G. Dillard, Columbia Ron Douglas, Springfield Charlie Drury, Saint Louis Chuck Drury, Saint Louis Tom Drury, Saint Louis John Enderle, Kelso

Joe Engeln, Columbia Howard Fisher, Higginsville Mary Louise Fisher, Higginsville Andrew Fleming, Columbia Howard Fleming, Moberly Lori Fleming, Columbia Matt Fleming, Moberly Paula Fleming, Moberly Sara Fleming, Moberly Manley Fuller, Tallahassee, FL Matt Gaunt, Columbia Timothy Gordon, Belgrade Blake Gornick, Kirkwood Richard & Sally Graham, Hartsburg Joseph Gray, Saint Joseph Debbie Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Gery Gremmelsbacher, Saint Louis Mark & Kathy Haas, Jackson Tom & Margaret Hall, Arrow Rock Christopher Hamon, Kirbyville Deanna Hamon, Kirbyville Herman Hanley, Grain Valley Keith Hannaman, Blue Springs Milt & Deanna Harper, Columbia Jack & Pat Harris, Saint Louis Mickey Heitmeyer, Advance Loring Helfrich, Sikeston Randy Herzog, Saint Joseph Bill Hilgeman, Manchester James Hill, Mexico C.W. & Delores Hook, Higginsville Allan Hoover † John Hoskins, Fremont Larry & Joan Hummel, Glencoe Patricia Hurster, Saint Louis Jim Jacobi, Saint Charles Aaron Jeffries, Jefferson City Don Johnson, Festus Malcolm “Mac” Johnson, Hartsburg

Roger Johnson, Humansville Pat Jones, Williamsburg Tom Karl, Farmington Cosette Kelly, Kansas City Duane Kelly, Kansas City Marty King, University City Judd Kirkham, Climax Springs Elizabeth Knight, Charlotte, NC Jeff Kolb, Weldon Spring Chris Koster, Jefferson City Carl Kurz, Leawood, KS Ann Kutscher, Jefferson City Larry Lackamp, Bates City Kyle Lairmore, Owensville Jay Law † Gerald Lee, Kansas City Joel LeMaster, Fulton Norman Leppo, Saint Louis John Lewis, Columbia Leroy Logan, Arnold Christine Logan-Hollis, Blackwell Bob Lorance, Stover Ike Lovan, Steelville Wayne Lovelace, Elsberry Chip McGeehan, Marshfield Teresa McGeehan, Marshfield Richard Mendenhall, Columbia Tom Mendenhall, Columbia Cynthia Metcalfe, Clayton Walter Metcalfe, Clayton Davis Minton, Dexter Lowell Mohler, Jefferson City John Moore, Jr., Gelena Johnny Morris, Springfield John & Patricia Mort, Smithville David Murphy, Columbia Dean Murphy, Jefferson City First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon, Jefferson City Governor Jay Nixon, Jefferson City

Frank & Judy Oberle, Novinger Charlie & Mary Beth O’Reilly, Nixa Larry & Nancy O’Reilly, Springfield Austin Owens, Lebanon Jeff Owens, Marshfield Sara Pauley, Hartsburg Scott Pauley, Hartsburg Randy Persons, Poplar Bluff Abe Phillips, Saint Louis Jan Phillips, Saint Louis Glenn & Ilayana Pickett, Columbia Jessica Plaggenberg, Florissant Becky Plattner, Grand Pass Jerry Presley, Centertown Albert Price, Columbia Nick Prough, Blue Springs Kirk Rahm, Warrensburg Kurtis Reeg, Saint Louis David & Janice Reynolds, Springfield Gerald Ross, Jefferson City Tyler Ruoff, Savannah Bruce & Jan Sassmann, Bland Fred Saylor, Independence Evelyn Schallon, Ballwin Mike Schallon, Wentzville Mossie Schallon, Wentzville Pamela Schnebelen, LaBarque Creek Ronald Schwartzmeyer, Arnold Timothy Schwent, Jackson Travis Scott, Columbia George Seek, Meadville E. “Sy” Seidler, Saint Louis Sara Seidler, Saint Louis Anita Siegmund, Saint Louis Gary & Susanna Smith, Neosho M. W. Sorenson, Columbia Ed Stegner, Pilot Grove Charles & Winnie Stribling, Mexico Mary Stuppy, Joplin

Mark Sullivan † Jacob Swafford, Portales, NM Jim Talbert, Jefferson City Norman Tanner, Cape Girardeau Travis Taylor, Lawson Tim Thompson, Lake Saint Louis Jeff “J. T.” Tillman † Robert Tompson, Moberly Alex Uskokovich, Glendale Gary Van De Velde, Jefferson City Barbara vanBenschoten, Kansas City Lee Vogel, Kansas City Al Vogt, Columbia Julius Wall, Clinton Ginny Wallace, Jefferson City Randy Washburn, Versailles Henry J. Waters, III, Columbia Mary Waters, Columbia Robert O. Werges, Arnold Mark Williams, Lawson Michael Wilson, Saint Louis Stephen Wilson, Hartsburg Addie Witter, Annville, PA Brenda Witter, Holts Summit Daniel Witter, Holts Summit Owen Witter, Columbia Dick Wood, Saint Louis Howard Wood, Bonne Terre Joyce Wood, Bonne Terre Nicole Wood, Bonne Terre David Young, Windsor Dan Zerr, O’Fallon Jim Zieger, Blue Springs Emily Ziehmer, California Lauren Ziehmer, California Robert Ziehmer, California Ethan Zuck, Strafford Guy Zuck, Strafford † Deceased

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2013

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