Missouri Conservationist September 2015
MissouriConservationistVOLUME 76, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2015 SERVING NATURE & YOU
NOTE TO OUR READERSMissouri MajestySchange happening in the background. Missouri is transitioning from a landscape of green toa vibrant autumn hue. For a statewith abundant trees and forests,when the fall colors peak, it is amajestic sight to behold.A must-see annual fall eventis the Department’s Poosey Conservation Area driving tour nearChillicothe in northwest Missouri. Thousands of people journey to the area in October for ascenic tour of the 5,900-acre area.There are key stops along the way,highlighting how conservationpractices on the area benefit wildlife, forestry, and native plants.The gentle air and bright hues of autumn create the perfect backdrop for outdoor pursuits.Down south in the Ozarks, wealso have another great scenicdriving tour at Peck Ranch Conacres of public land available for all to enjoy.servation Area, but among the fall colors, you also get to seeEven with Missouri’s diverse urban and rural populaand hear the distinctive bugling of elk in October. Perhaps ations, most Missourians live within 30 miles or less of a conlittle subtler, but still just as spectacular, are the colors of nativeservation area. You may be familiar with conservation areasgrasslands in the prairies around our state. All of these oppornearby,but there are still more conservation areas around thetunities provide a chance to see Missouri conservation at itsstate to be discovered. The Department has a convenient Confinest — abundant, thriving, and up close.servation Area Atlas online (mdc.mo.gov/atlas) where youAlthough more than 90 percent of Missouri’s land is prican search conservation areas by county or region, as well asvately owned, part of the Department’s mission is to providebrowse recreational opportunities available and driving direcoutdoor opportunities on public lands for citizens to enjoytions for each of those conservation areas.year-round. The Department holds 800,000 acres in publicWhether you like to hike a trail, watch birds, take photos,trust for conservation and public use across the state, whichfish, hunt with family, learn new outdoor skills, or enjoy themay seem like a large number, but only represents less thansunset from a scenic bluff, the Missouri outdoors is the placetwo percent of Missouri’s total state acreage. These areas profor you. There is no better or more beautiful season than rightvide recreational opportunities for fishing, hiking, hunting,now to discover nature. We have nearly 1 million acres waitingwildlife watching, camping, boating, shooting, and conservafor you. Get exploring!tion education for all ages. Conservation areas also provide aunique opportunity to conserve natural diversity and, at thesame time, provide conservation-related recreation and education opportunities. Surveys continue to show strong citizenRobert L. Ziehmer, directorsupport for maintaining, and even expanding, the number ofDAVID STONNERomething wonderful happens in Missouri each fall. Septemberbegins with a flurry of fall activities — a new school year, footballseason, family barbecues — but there is a subtle, yet significant,
September 2015, Volume 76, Issue 9FEATURES10Cover: Opening day of teal hunting provessuccessful. Photograph by David Stonner. Forthe basics of waterfowl hunting, read WaterfowlHunting: Getting Started beginning on Page 10.Waterfowl Hunting: Getting Startedby Mark GoodwinOnce you try it, you may find waterfowling eclipses allother hunting experiences18Nuts About Native Edibles24Winning With Whitetails 70–200mm lens f/4.01/640 sec ISO 320by Gladys J. RichterFrom walnuts and hickories to hazelnuts and pecans, Missouri forestsharbor many delicious, protein-rich foodsby Erin Shank and Joe DeBold, photographs by Noppadol PaothongManaging deer in urban and suburban areas promotes safety and makesbetter use of the resourceDEPARTMENTS2 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 7.CHRIS LUKHAUPWhat is it?CONTENTSSeptember 2015 Missouri Conservationist1
LETTERSSubmissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.Helpful Snake InfoI love your magazine. Over the years, I have enjoyed many articles/pictures. Many, many yearsago, you printed an insert, Snakes of Missouri[April, 1980]. I kept it since we lived in a woodedarea and had small children. Little did I know itwould come in handy recently. My husband wasgrilling and stepped outside by a copperhead;it bit him on the heel. Thanks to your magazine(with pictures), I was able to determine the kindof snake for the poison hotline. My husband,turns out, had a dry bite, and is fine. Thank youfor your great magazine.Kimberly Saucier, via emailCampfire CookingEnjoyed your article on campfire cooking[Campfire Cooks of MDC; July], but you left outone of the easiest and tastiest campfire recipes.My father taught us to cook potatoes in the fire.When your fire is good and hot with plenty ofcoals, you just throw baking potatoes right inwithout foil. Turn once or twice and after 30 to45 minutes you end up with what looks like charcoal. When you take them out, cut them in halfand put butter, salt, and pepper on them. Theyare wonderfully smoky. Best baked potatoesever (don’t eat the skin).Michael Fink, via emailPortrait of a LizardI was so delighted to see one of my favoriteMissouri creatures make the cover of the Juneissue, highlighting The Rebound of the EasternCollared Lizard. I wanted to let you know thatone of our Missouri “mountain boomers” is aninternational ambassador for conservation!My oil portrait of a little fellow my family andI discovered on a hike at Taum Sauk Mountaintraveled to Vancouver in August to start a yearlong tour promoting conservation as part ofthe Artists for Conservation 2015 InternationalJuried Exhibit of Nature in Art. A portion of theproceeds from the sale of this work will go tosupport the work of the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Glad the beautiful ”boomer” is finallygetting his due! Information on the 2015 exhibit can be found at artistsforconservation.org.Keep up the good work!Rob Dreyer, via email2 Missouri ConservationistSeptember 2015Longtime Readeralong forest edges in the northern two-thirdsWhen I was in the fourth grade in 1955, one ofof the state.” The sentence should have read,our homework assignments was to subscribe to ”Osage copperheads live on rocky hillsides andthe Missouri Conservationist magazine. When Ialong forest edges in the northern two-thirds ofgot married, I changed my name and the maga- the state. The southern copperhead subspecieszine kept coming as it did through several moves. Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix is found in theI have read the publication cover to cover for 60remaining third of the state.”years now and have always enjoyed the letters,photos, and articles. I just wanted you to knowThe Ask MDC section [Page 5] of the Augusthow much I’ve enjoyed it through all these years. issue stated, ”Northern goshawks tend toPatricia Antle, Exeter maintain between one to eight nests withinan area. While they may use the same nestCorrectionmore than once, they typically alternateOn Page 30 of the August 2015 issue, webetween more than two nests. Scientistsmisidentified the flower featured in Plants &speculate it might be a way to avoid diseaseAnimals. The photo shows the stiff sunflowerand parasites.” That information is correct;(Helianthus pauciflorus), not the bristly sunflower however, Northern goshawks do not nest in(Helianthus hirsutus). We regret the error.Missouri. They are rarely seen in Missouri, butventure here in winter when hare populationsClarificationsare scarce in their typical habitats — theThe answer to August’s What Is It? [Page 8]extreme northern United States, Canada, andstated, ”Copperheads live on rocky hillsides andwestern states.Reader PhotoAn Unusual PlantDebbi McCaul photographed this Indian pipeplant on her farm in northwest Phelps County. Indianpipe is unusual because itlacks chlorophyll, makingit white instead of greenlike other plants. The plantcannot make its own food,so it takes nourishmentindirectly from tree roots,which are joined to theplant’s roots undergroundby fungi. McCaul said sheloves nature photographyand will go along on herhusband’s hunting tripsto take photos. They enjoywalking on their propertywhere they raise cattle andare trying to restore a smallglade to create quail habitat.
SUBSCRIPTIONSPhone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249Address: Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180Email: Subscriptions@mdc.mo.govConser vationist online services: Subscribe to themagazine, update your mailing address, or signup to receive an email when the latest issueis available online at on.mo.gov/1E6osBACost o f 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. 3847Address: 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.govAddress: Missouri Conservationist, Reader Photo,PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites.Blog: mdc.mo.gov/blogsFacebook: facebook.com/MDConlineFlickr: flickr.com/photos/mdc onlineInstagram: instagram.com/moconservationKids’ site: XplorMo.orgMissouri Conservationist: mdc.mo.gov/conmagMissouri Department of Conservation: mdc.mo.govNature Shop: mdcnatureshop.comTwitter: twitter.com/MDC Online and 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 Joanie H. StraubPrivate Land Services Bill WhiteProtection Larry D. YamnitzResource Science Mike HubbardWildlife Jennifer Battson WarrenCONSERVATIONIST STAFFEditor Angie Daly MorfeldArt Director Cliff WhiteAssociate Editor Bonnie ChasteenStaff Writer Heather FeelerStaff Writer Kristie HilgedickPhotographer 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 3249September 2015 Missouri Conservationist3
HUNTING & FISHINGCALENDARFISHINGBlack Bass from Ozark StreamsBullfrogs and Green FrogsNongame Fish GiggingImpounded WatersStreamsPaddlefish on the Mississippi RiverTrout Parks (Catch-and-Keep)“Looks like Archie has croaked literally and figuratively.”Agent NotesFrom Gig to Fryer,Missouri StyleMANY SPORTSMEN AND womenin Missouri wait for the month ofSeptember with great anticipation.Most of them will have Sept. 15 circledon their calendars. For anglers, itsignifies the opening day of gigging season for nongame fishon Missouri’s rivers and streams.For gigging enthusiasts, ample opportunities abound forsuccessful outings. We are fortunate to live in a state whereideal stream conditions often prove to be suitable for an exciting and memorable gigging experience.However, Missouri waters should be respected, andnot taken lightly. I cannot stress enough the importance ofmaking safety your number one priority throughout yourgigging activity, from planning your trip to returning homesafely afterward.Unfortunately, some years we experience accidentsassociated with gigging. Sadly, most of these incidents areboating accidents that can be avoided by simply checking andupdating your equipment, wearing life jackets, and putting aseasoned boat driver in charge.For more information on gigging seasons and limits, visiton.mo.gov/1MpTZqg. Life is precious, so wear a life jacket. Itcould just save your life. Good luck and see you out there!Patrice Reese is the conservation agent for Crawford County. If youwould like to contact the agent for your county, phone your regionalconservation office listed on Page 3.4 Missouri ConservationistSeptember 1/31/1612/15/1510/31/15HUNTINGOPENCLOSECoyote (restrictions apply during April,All yearNonespring turkey season, and firearmsdeer 3/1511/25/1501/15/16FirearmsUrban 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 hog Sora and Virginia 1501/15/16Firearms10/01/1510/31/15Waterfowlsee the Waterfowl Hunting Digest or on.mo.gov/1DChcmiWilson’s (common) snipe09/01/1512/16/15Woodcock10/15/1511/28/15For 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 on.mo.gov/1Ulcnlw or permit vendors.
Ask MDCAddress: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 Email: AskMDC@mdc.mo.govSome researchers think they jump torid parasites from their bodies. Othersbelieve that paddlefish appear to jumpout of the water when they rise to feedon zooplankton, which school nearthe water’s surface. Yet another theoryis that weak electrical impulses fromboats can disorient the fish, causingthem to jump.Is this snake eatinganother snake?SNAKES: MARK BRAUNINGER; CANDY-STRIPED LEAFHOPPER: MIKE PERRYCandy-striped leafhopperWhat is this insect?It’s a candy-striped leafhopper(Graphocephala sp.). These insects sporta bold color palette infrequently seenin nature. They are members of theorder Hemiptera, a group that includesthousands of species of cicadas, aphids,planthoppers, leafhoppers, shield bugs,and others. Leafhoppers feed on thefoliage of many kinds of plants by piercing the plants’ cells and sucking out thecontents. These agile insects can moveforward, backward, and sideways, likea crab. When threatened, leafhopperscock their legs and leap — sometimes 40times their body length — so viewingthem can be challenging.Yes. In this photo, a young speckledkingsnake is eating an adult midlandbrownsnake. Speckled kingsnakes— which kill their prey by constricting it — dine on rodents, bird eggs,small birds, lizards, and other snakes,including venomous ones. They areimmune to the venom of Missouri’s pitvipers. Generally speaking, a snake’slower jaws are loosely joined to theskull and its upper jaws are movable.A snake usually grasps its prey by thehead and engulfs it by advancing firstone side of the jaw and then the other.Their teeth — sharp and curved towardthe rear of the mouth — help themhold their victims firmly, preventingescape. In this photograph, the speckled king snake will use its own spine,ribs, and muscles to force its prey’sspine and body to bend into waves andcompress like an accordion so it can beswallowed. It will then go off to a hiding place to digest its dinner away frompredators and other threats.While fishing the lowerparts of Truman Lakeduring the summer, I oftensee large paddlefish jumpcompletely out of thewater. Why do they do this?According to Fisheries ProgramSpecialist Andrew Branson, scientistshave offered several theories to explainwhy paddlefish jump from the water.September 2015 Missouri Conservationist5
by Kristie HilgedickRuffed grouseGrouse Habitat Starts With Forest ManagementTo some listeners, a drumming ruffed grousesounds like a distant locomotive picking upsteam, then speeding out of control.Although not terribly loud, the sound of agrouse’s drumming can travel on a clear day nearly a quarter-mile through the forest understory.The sound is rare in Missouri today. Historically, ruffed grouse were found throughoutmuch of Missouri. But due to habitat loss, theirnumbers dwindled.But grouse supporters — including the Missouri Department of Conservation, the MissouriGrouse Chapter of the Quail and Upland WildlifeFederation (QUWF), and private landowners —6 Missouri ConservationistSeptember 2015way to create habitat for many native Missourispecies, including grouse.“When we’re harvesting timber, we’re replicating natural disturbances like wildfires that werehistorically responsible for creating areas of forest regeneration,” Isabelle added. “If done properly, it’s a great way to regenerate oak-hickoryforests in Missouri, and it’s one of the best waysto create grouse habitat.”Since 1959, more than 5,000 grouse have beenreleased in Missouri. Although many releasesseemed successful initially, most populationshave not shown the ability to persist, Isabellesaid, and grouse are once again in decline.Research conducted in 2011 by the Department and the U.S. Forest Servic
Missouri Majesty. S. omething wonderful happens in Missouri each fall. September . begins with a flurry of fall activities — a new school year, football season, family barbecues — but there is a subtle, yet significant, change happening in the back-ground. Missouri is transition-
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 .
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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
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
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 .
SARA.PAULEY@MDC.MO.GOV. The . Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri . Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit mdc.mo.gov
