Missouri Conservationist April 2015
MissouriConservationistVOLUME 76, ISSUE 4, APRIL 2015 SERVING NATURE & YOU
NOTE TO OUR READERSYou Give Us Something To Look Forward ToIof 20 or so turkeys are feeding on grain strewn bythe neighbors under a copse of eastern red trees.The forecast makes it hard to believe thatspring is around the corner, yet trout seasonis now open at Missouri’s four managed parks.This is sure evidence spring will soon be at ourdoorstep! I have been fortunate to attend a fewtrout openers during my career, and they are always an exciting time for young and old alike asthey catch their first fish of the day.The ability to watch wildlife and enjoy theoutdoors in Missouri doesn’t occur by happenstance. A lot of time and effort is invested bymany to ensure healthy and abundant resources.Much of the credit goes to Missouri citizens, especially those private landowners who are stewards of more than 90 percent of the forest, fish,and wildlife resources in our great state.This past week, I had the opportunity to A father passes on the tradition of spring turkey hunting to his daughter.meet with the Agricultural Leaders of Tomor- Missouri has excellent hunting and fishing opportunities, thanks to citizen support.row (ALOT). This group of bright young menand women represent every aspect of the agriDepartment is currently seeking insights and opinions of citiculture industry in Missouri. They included landowners whozens regarding Missouri’s white-tailed deer herd and potentialtill the land to produce corn and soybeans, livestock producfuture management strategies to safeguard this important culers, and participants in important agribusinesses. Others weretural heritage and economic resource.bankers, attorneys, journalists, and public servants from otherAs we together contemplate the state of Missouri’sstate agencies. All have a vital role in Missouri’s agriculturalnatural resources and, in particular, forest, fish, and wildlifelandscape and, in their own way, influence how private land isresources, remember that a part of our generation’s legacymanaged to provide life-sustaining products for humans whilewill be the state of the resources we pass on to the nextmaintaining important habitats for forest, fish, and wildlife.Missourians.These important resources will continue to beWe engaged in lively discussions on a variety of topics includabundant into the future as long as the partnership betweening habitat projects for rare species and river habitats, the valueprivate landowners, sportsmen, and the state remains strong.of Missouri’s citizen-created system of conservation goverA strong partnership must be built upon the foundation ofnance, authority and regulatory responsibility for white-tailedcontinual open and honest dialog about important conservadeer, and the use of genetically altered and insecticide-treatedtion issues facing Missouri and its citizens. Continued citizenseed. As you might expect, these robust discussions includedvigilance will enable Missourians of today and tomorrowmany differing viewpoints.to experience the many exciting spring adventures that weIt is my opinion that these types of interactions bodeeagerly await. Turkey and morel hunting and crappie fishingwell for Missouri and its citizens. In order to ensure that forest,are just around the corner, enjoy your spring.fish, wildlife, soil, and water resources are sustained for futuregenerations of Missourians, it is critically important that indiTom Draper, deputy directorviduals from all walks of life engage in these discussions. TheNOPPADOL PAOTHONGt is late February as I write this, and snowy weather is on the way. Thebird feeders are alive with northern cardinals, tufted titmice, purplefinches, and downy woodpeckers. In the field across the road, a flock
April 2015, Volume 76, Issue 4FEATURES10SpecialInsertYour Ideas Count!by Michele BaumerThe latest Conservation Opinion Survey results help us understandand meet your needs for forest, fish, and wildlife managementServing Nature and YouConservation makes Missouri a great place to live, work, fish, hunt,view wildlife, and be outdoors17Keeping Tabs on Turkey Numbers22Birds Are Awe-someby Joanie Higham Straub, photographs by David StonnerFive-year study is yielding data that will shapeMissouri’s wild turkey managementby Sarah KendrickA beginner’s guide to birdingCover: A great crested flycatcher percheson a box elder twig near Troy, Missouri.Photograph by Noppadol Paothong.For a primer in birding, turn to Page 22. 00mm lens 1.4 teleconverter6f/5.6 1/400 sec ISO 400DEPARTMENTS2 Letters4 Hunting & Fishing Calendar4 Agent Notes5 Ask MDC6 News & Events30 Plants & Animals32 Places to Go33 Discover NatureOur photographers have been busy exploring theintricacies of outdoor Missouri. See if you can guess thismonth’s natural wonder. The answer is revealed on Page 8.NOPPADOL PAOTHONGWhat is it?CONTENTSApril 2015 Missouri Conservationist1
LETTERSSubmissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.Longtime ReaderI have had the pleasure of reading the MissouriConservationist for a long time. I remember seeing it for the first time at my grandparents’ home.Then, just a few years ago, I was at my brother’shome and they had a subscription to Xplor. Inow receive that as well. Both are so wonderful.Pictures are fabulous, information always helpful.Cynthia James, Wright CityDownload Your IssueI like being able to download the Conservationistand was wondering if you were going to offerXplor as a download also.Tom Tobey John, via FacebookConservation Department: You can readboth magazines online or download themas PDFs. Visit the Xplor magazine ar-chive at xplor.mdc.mo.gov/xplor/stories/xplor-magazine. There is a downloadlink for each issue. The current issue ofthe Conservationist is available online atmdc.mo.gov/conmag, and other recentcopies are available under “Archive.”Reciprocal FishingIf I have a Missouri fishing license, can I fish onthe banks of the Mississippi River on the Illinoisside, or do I need an out-of-state Illinois license?Wat Wat, via FacebookConservation Department: TheReciprocal Fishing Privileges (Page 21) ofthe 2015 Summary of Missouri FishingRegulations says that if you are properlylicensed or exempted in Missouri, youmay fish from Illinois banks along theMississippi River. However, you mustabide by the more restrictive of the twostate’s regulations. Visit mdc.mo.gov/node/6108 for complete details.Keeping CurrentI really liked the article about eradicating wildhogs in the February issue. My family and I haveland in Stoddard County and are avid hunters. Weknow that the hogs are close, and we like to knowhow to deal with them once they get to our area.I like it when I open the magazine to seeworkshops that are coming up and the currentthings that are going on, whether they begood or bad. I am 13 years old, and I have beento several workshops, and they have all beenhelpful and fun.I think that your magazine is a great way tolet people know what to look out for, and howto take care of many problems. I also think yourmagazine is very interesting and entertaining.Clayson R. Anderson, SikestonMissouri to MexicoReader PhotoSpring Has SprungShaun Ratcliff of Union, Missouri, captured this image of a downy serviceberry.The small tree is one of the first to bloom in the spring. Serviceberries bloomfor only a few weeks, but as early bloomers, they provide nectar to bees andother insects just emerging from winter hibernation. “On this particular day, Iwas hiking through Long Ridge Conservation Area in hopes of finding a fewearly season morel mushrooms,” said Ratcliff. “As I recall, it was still a bit earlyfor the mushrooms; however, there was plenty to be seen hiking through LongRidge, including this beautiful little tree I ran across on the way back to my car.”2 Missouri ConservationistApril 2015I was in a store parking lot in Rockport, Texas,when I saw a car with Missouri plates. Theowner said he was from southwest Missouri. Itold him that I retired from the ConservationDepartment office in Branson, so I was familiarwith southwest Missouri. He said he gets theMissouri Conservationist, and, after he has read it,he always takes it to a doctor’s office and asks ifhe can leave it in the waiting room for others. Hesaid we have the best conservation departmentin the country because years ago the peopletook it out of politics. Quite a pat on the back.In conclusion, several years ago I went to thedentist in Progresso, Mexico, and when I sat inthe waiting area, the first magazine that I pickedup was the Conservationist. We never know howfar-reaching our efforts may be.Darrel L. Testerman, retired conservation agentCorrectionIn First State Record of Ivory Gull, Page 8 ofthe March issue, we wrote: “The gull flew upand down the Missouri River near Quincy andcrossed over to the Missouri side of the river,resting on the barges tied there.” The river mentioned should have been the Mississippi River.
SUBSCRIPTIONSPhone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249Address: Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180Email: Subscriptions@mdc.mo.govConservationist online services: Subscribe to themagazine, update your mailing address, or signup to receive an email when the latest issue isavailable online at mdc.mo.gov/node/9087Cost of subscriptions: Free to Missouri householdsOut of State 7 per yearOut of Country 10 per yearPlease allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue.ASK MDCDEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERSPhone: 573-751-4115Address: PO Box 180,Jefferson City 65102-0180EDITORIAL COMMENTSPhone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3245Address: Magazine Editor, PO Box 180,Jefferson City 65102-0180Email: Magazine@mdc.mo.govREGIONAL OFFICESSoutheast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730Central/Columbia: 573-815-7900Kansas City: 816-622-0900Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100St. Louis: 636-441-4554Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161MDC OnlinePhone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848Address: Ask MDC, PO Box 180,Jefferson City 65102-0180Email: AskMDC@mdc.mo.govREADER PHOTO SUBMISSIONSFlickr: flickr.com/groups/mdc-readerphotos-2015Email: Readerphoto@mdc.mo.gov issouri Conservationist, Reader Photo,Address: MPO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites.Blog: mdc.mo.gov/node/87Facebook: facebook.com/MDConlineFlickr: flickr.com/photos/mdc onlineKids’ site: XplorMo.orgMissouri Conservationist: mdc.mo.gov/node/83Missouri Department of Conservation: mdc.mo.govNature Shop: mdcnatureshop.comTwitter: twitter.com/MDC Onlinetwitter.com/Nature VideosYouTube: youtube.com/user/moconservationKids’ magazineSix times a year we’ll bring you eye-poppingart, photos, and stories about Missouri’scoolest critters, niftiest natural places, andliveliest outdoor activities. Come outsidewith us and XPLOR!A Parents’ Choice Approved Award WinnerMissouri residents: FREE (one subscription per household)Out of state: 5 per year; Out of country: 8 per yearA guardian’s name and address is required with the subscription.Please allow 6–8 weeks for delivery of your first issue.Sign up Now!MissouriConservationistGOVERNOR Jeremiah W. “Jay” NixonTHE CONSERVATION COMMISSIONDon C. BedellJames T. Blair, IVMarilynn J. BradfordDavid W. MurphyDirector Robert L. ZiehmerDeputy Director Thomas A. DraperDeputy Director Tim D. RippergerGeneral Counsel Jennifer FrazierInternal Auditor Lisa WehmeyerDIVISION CHIEFSAdministrative Services Margie MuellerDesign and Development Jacob CareagaFisheries Brian CanadayForestry Lisa G. AllenHuman Resources Thomas NeubauerOutreach & Education vacantPrivate Land Services Bill WhiteProtection Larry D. YamnitzResource Science Mike HubbardWildlife Jennifer Battson WarrenCONSERVATIONIST STAFFEditor In Chief Nichole LeClair TerrillArt Director Cliff WhiteStaff Writer/Editor Bonnie ChasteenStaff Writer Heather FeelerPhotographer Noppadol PaothongPhotographer David StonnerDesigner Stephanie ThurberCirculation Laura ScheulerThe Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri Department ofConservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, JeffersonCity, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents; outof state 7 per year; out of country 10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and newaddress (send mailing label with the subscriber number onit) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage paidat Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices.Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circulation, PO Box180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 573-522-4115,ext. 3856 or 3249. Copyright 2015 by the ConservationCommission of the State of Missouri.Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit fromprograms of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals without regard totheir race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.Questions should be directed to the Department ofConservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102,573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or tothe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of FederalAssistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP4020, Arlington, VA 22203.Printed with soy inkxplormo.org 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249April 2015 Missouri Conservationist3
HUNTING & FISHINGCALENDARFISHINGBlack Bass from Ozark StreamsNongame Fish SnaggingPaddlefishPaddlefish on the Mississippi RiverTrout ParksCatch-and-KeepMissouri’s two species of meadowlarks look nearlyidentical, but can easily be identified by their calls.Agent NotesTips for Safe Turkey HuntingSPRING TURKEY SEASON is popularwith many hunters. However, vocalgobblers present special challengesto hunters trying to harvest a turkeywhile maintaining a safe and enjoyablehunting experience. Here are a few tips to help keep you safeduring your hunt.Hunt defensively, and always prepare for the unexpected.Avoid other hunters whenever possible, and never assume youare the only hunter out there. If you find a turkey that anotherhunter is already working, back out and try to find anotherbird. Always try to sit with your back against a large treewhere you can see other hunters approaching, and use yourvoice to alert them of your presence. Before pulling the trigger,positively identify your target, which in the spring includesseeing a visible beard. If you choose to wear camouflage, doso in such a way that you are completely concealed. Avoidwearing anything blue, black, red, or white so as not to bemistaken for game by another hunter. The best color to wearwhile moving afield is hunter orange to alert other huntersof your presence. Bring a hunter orange-colored bag to safelytransport the bird out of the woods.Find other tips, as well as information on hunting locations, programs, recipes, and more on our Turkey Huntingpage at mdc.mo.gov/node/72.John Pratt is the conservation agent for Butler County. If youwould like to contact the agent for your county, phone your regionalconservation office listed on Page 3.4 Missouri ConservationistApril 512/15/1503/01/1510/31/15HUNTINGOPENCLOSECoyote (restrictions apply during April,All yearNonespring turkey season, and firearmsdeer FirearmsUrban Zones Portion10/09/1510/12/15Early Youth Portion10/31/1511/01/15November Portion11/14/1511/24/15Antlerless Portion (open areas only) 11/25/1512/06/15Alternative Methods Portion12/19/1512/29/15Late Youth Portion01/02/1601/03/16Groundhog ring04/20/1505/10/15Fall10/01/1510/31/15Waterfowl see the Waterfowl Hunting Digest or mdc.mo.gov/node/3830TRAPPINGBeaver and NutriaOPEN11/15/15CLOSE03/31/16For complete information about seasons, limits, methods, and restrictions,consult the Wildlife Code and the current summaries of Missouri Hunting andTrapping Regulations and Missouri Fishing Regulations, The Spring Turkey HuntingRegulations and Information, the Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations andInformation, the Waterfowl Hunting Digest, and the Migratory Bird HuntingDigest. For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/130 or permit vendors.
Ask MDCAddress: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 Email: AskMDC@mdc.mo.govWhat is eating the bark offof these trees? Whateverit is must climb the treebecause I have seen thedamage anywhere from 3to 20 feet off the ground.Also, there is only a smallamount of bark under thetrees, so it must be eating itand not just tearing it off.It looks like squirrels are to blame.Squirrels strip bark from thin-barkedand smooth-barked trees and use itto line their nests. The bark removalalso exposes the tree’s cambium layer,which holds nutrients and sugars thatprovide vital food for hungry squirrels,especially in winter and early springwhen other food sources are less readilyavailable. Chewing on bark and woodalso keeps squirrels’ ever-growingteeth in good shape. The effect on a treedepends on the extent of the damageand the health of the tree. Learn moreabout dealing with problem squirrels atmdc.mo.gov/node/4659.I want to go morel huntingthis spring. Have any tips?What are the regulations?There are at least three species of ediblemorels in Missouri, and all are hollowstemmed mushrooms that emerge fromthe ground in the spring from earlyMarch through April. They have a honeycombed cap and can be found in a varietyof habitats, including moist woodlandsand river bottoms. They are often associated with ash trees, dying elms, and appletrees, although they are found elsewhereas well, under both hardwoods andconifers. Don’t confuse true morels withfalse morels, which are poisonous andhave caused deaths. Don’t eat any wildmushroom unless you’ve identified it as asafe edible and have cooked it thoroughly.The experts at the Missouri MycologicalSociety can help with mushroom identification at momyco.org. The Departmentalso has guidance on safe mushroomhunting at mdc.mo.gov/node/3397.Mushroom hunting for personal consumption is allowed on most conservation areas without a permit. Check arearegulations. For more information onmorels, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/991.Check regulations for other publicproperty before collecting morels and getpermission from private landowners.What are these things? Ifound them in a seed dishI leave out for birds. Thedish also contains blackoil sunflower seeds, whichprovide scale for the size ofthe mystery items. The ballsare very light in weight, andmy guess is that they aresome kind of owl pellets.According to our wildlife ecologist, themystery items are not owl pellets —they’re opossum pellets. An opossummunched the sunflower seeds until thenutmeats were consumed and only thehulls remained in a well-formed mass,which it then spit out. The balls doresemble owl pellets in shape, but owlpellets have a shiny coating from beingswallowed and coughed up and wouldcontain parts of the skeleton from theprey the owl ate, such as a mouse. Owlpellets are made when the raptors coughup indigestible parts of prey animalssuch as bones, fur, and feathers. Theycan often be found under the bird’sfavorite perch or its nest.April 2015 Missouri Conservationist5
NEWS & EVENTSby Heather FeelerFalconCam GivesBird’s-Eye View ofPeregrine Falcon ChicksOne official sign of spring is the return of theperegrine falcons to their nesting box at AmerenMissouri’s Sioux Energy Center in St. Louis. For thefourth year, the public has online access to theFalconCam, a bird’s-eye view of the peregrine falcons raising their chicks. The FalconCam is madepossible through a cooperative effort a
Missouri Conservationist April 2015. LETTERS. Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity. Longtime Reader. I have had the pleasure of reading the . Missouri . Conservationist. for a long time. I remember see-ing it for the first time at my grandparents’ home. Then, just a few years ago, I was at my .
Conservationist magazine each year, plus Conservationist for Kids in the October, February and April issues. Call 1-800-678-6399 for information about how to subscribe or go to our website www.dec.ny.gov. Want to receive Conservationist for Kids at home? Subscribe to magazine! Conservationist IN ThIS ISSuE, we will learn all about
Conservationist magazine each year, plus Conservationist for Kids in the October, February and April issues. Call 1-800-678-6399 for information about how to subscribe or go to our website www.dec.ny.gov. Contact us at: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Conservationist for Kids, 625 Broadway, 4th Floor Albany, NY 12233-4502
Conservationist for Kids 625 Broadway, 2nd Floor Albany, NY 12233-4500 or e-mail us at cforkids@gw.dec.state.ny.us Subscribe to Conservationist magazine! You’ll get six issues of the award-winning Conservationist magazine each year, plus Conservationist for Kids in the October, February
April 2015 – June 2015 . Missouri to host 2015 National Envirothon Competition . Conservationist position. McClure is a native of Harrison County and has worked in several different counties throughout north Missouri. Most recently, McClure was the District Conservationist for
Missouri Conservationist June 2015. LETTERS. Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity. More Bird’s-Eye Views. Thanks for a wonderful magazine! My husband and I love to watch the FalconCam [FalconCam Gives Bird’s-Eye View of Peregrine Falcon Chicks; Page 6, April] each year. We also discovered an
opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about fish, forest and wildlife resources. . Missouri’s kids, both urban and ru-ral, a way to enhance their well being . March 2010 Missouri Conservationist 1 March 2010, Volume 71, Issue 3 [CoNteNts] Features 7 Hatchery Centennial
Conservationist online services: Subscribe to the magazine, update your mailing address, or sign up to receive an e-mail when the latest issue is available online at Donmdc.mo.gov/node/9087 Cost of subscriptions: Free to Missouri households Out of State 7 per year Out of Country 10 per year Please allow 6—8 weeks for delivery of your first .
Etika, Ligji dhe Performanca në Administratën tonë Publike E. Saliaga 5 “Statusi i Nënpunësit Civil”, Ligj Nr. 8549, datë 11.11.1999, Republika e Shqipërisë.
