Vol75 no2 2014

March 2014 VOL. 75, NO. 2

March 2014 VOL. 75, NO. 2

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 1

Inside This Issue:March 2014

Vol. 75, No. 2

Wildlife MISSOURI

Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. ISSN 1082-8591

Mission Statement: Missourians for Conservation of Natural Resources and Protection of Our Outdoor Heritage.

728 W. Main Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559

Phone • 573-634-2322 Fax • 573-634-8205

Email • [email protected] 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 Con ser vation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main, Jef ferson 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

Richard AshAl VogtRon ColemanMossie SchallonRandy Washburn

Dave Murphy

Debra Lee

Micaela Haymaker

Laurie Coleman

Joe Pendergrass

President1st Vice President2nd Vice PresidentSecretaryTreasurer

Interim Executive Director

Teaming With Wildlife Coordinator

Office Manager

Membership Associate/ Managing EditorDesign & Production

Officers

staff

COVER: “Gobbler with a forward look - looking forward to the

next receptive hen”, © Glenn D. Chambers 2014, www.glenndchambers.com

Featured articles2013 Annual Report .................................................................................................. 4

CFM’s 3rd Annual Cabin Fever Clay Shoot Was A Big Success! .................................. 12

Conservation Federation of Missouri 2014 Annual Convention Registration ......... 14

NWTF Nationally Recognizes Missourians ........................................................... 17

Celebrating the Life of Ed Stegner ...................................................................... 17

Dale Hall Named Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year .............. 21

Where Are They Now? Life After CLC ................................................................ 24

Sixth Annual Governors Youth Hunt ..................................................................... 25

Why I Became a Life Member of CFM ................................................................ 29

Ozark National Scenic Riverways General Management Plan - CFM endorses plan “Alternative B” ................................................................. 30

Spring Fling ................................................................................................................ 31

news, updates and columnsPresident’s Message..............................................................................................2

Calendar ................................................................................................................22

Teaming With Wildlife

Victory! The New Farm Bill is a Major Win for Wildlife ...................................16

Agency News

Missouri Department of Conservation - Missouri Deer Harvest Follows Regional Trend ..............................................18

Share the Harvest Provides More Than 227,350 Pounds of Deer Meet This Year to Feed Hungry Missourians .....................................19

Department of Natural Resources - Our Missouri Waters - A Cherished Resource ..................................................26

Spotlight on Missouri State Parks - Grand Gulf State Park .............................28

Member Information

New Members ...................................................................................................13 Honorariums & Memorials ................................................................................20

2 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

Things are looking up. In my last article, I said I’m not good at predicting the future. Yet here I go again. I’m “going out on a limb” per the search for CFM’s Executive Director. When you get this issue of Missouri Wildlife, the Executive Committee will have selected someone to recommend to the Board to fill the vacancy. Bar-ring any unforeseen issues, you should be able to meet our Executive Director at CFM’s Annual Convention.

CFM’s Annual Con-vention is scheduled for March 21-23, 2014. Again, I emphasize, we’d love to have you join us! Bring a friend and introduce them to CFM. This is a great way to expand CFM’s member-ship. If your friend enjoys Missouri’s Outdoors, there is no better way to dis-cern the value of being a CFM member. Celebrating conservation achievement illustrates success, and updates from DNR and MDC inform the interested. But, to me it’s the discourse during the Resource Com-mittee Meetings that allows one to really participate in policy matters affecting Missouri’s Outdoors.

This year we have a special ceremony: A Cel-ebration of the Life of Ed Stegner – truly one of con-servation’s stalwarts of all time. Ed served as CFM’s Executive Director longer than anyone and there is no question “he made a huge

difference” for Missouri’s Outdoors. At a special ceremony on Friday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., we’ll have the chance to pay tribute to Ed. Do consider attending and adding your personal recognition.

Returning to thoughts about CFM’s member-ship - seriously do consider inviting your friends to the Annual Convention. Surely you have a friend or two with outdoor interests. They don’t have to hunt or fish; they can just enjoy our outdoor world. Recently the Outdoor Foundation reported their 2013 survey findings which indicated nearly half of all Ameri-cans participated in some form of outdoor recreation last year. What would you guess were the five most popular by population rate of participation and frequency?

Surprise! Not a single

team sport, like baseball or soccer, made the list. And I was really taken back when neither golf nor swimming were denoted. So what did make the top five?

By Participation Rate: Running/Jogging; Fishing; Biking; Camping; and Hik-ing;

By Frequency: Running/Jogging; Biking; Bird/Wild-life Watching; Fishing; and Hiking.

Consider, if you will, Bill Kirgan’s lead as CFM’s Membership Committee Chair. Review your email contact list. Who on that list isn’t a CFM member but who “ought to be” to your way of thinking? Do they participate in any of the aforementioned out-door activities? If so, or they have other outdoor interests such as forestry or hunting; try applying the same queries to them that I once asked of you. If CFM is THE most respected Conservation Organization within the state:

What about Missouri’s Outdoors would bring them to become a CFM member?

What current CFM work or projects would they strongly support?

What future CFM goals/objectives could they sup-port with enthusiasm? And,

What might it take to get them more involved in CFM’s work?

Afterwards, like Bill did,

put together some reasons why they ought to join CFM and then simply ask them to do so. It would cer-tainly help enhance CFM’s work.

Now all that said, let me seek to tweak your memories somewhat by pondering another ques-tion I asked in one of my early articles. Are you now waking up with a “Spring Smile” because you’ve got some “free” time slated to be in Missouri Outdoors?

Without a doubt, Spring is the time you’ll most often find me in a positive mood. Why? Oh come on – that’s a “no-brainer” for anyone who spends time afield. As Ma Nature stirs with the promise of new and renewed life, she can’t help but give even the gloomiest person reason to enjoy a bit of Spring Fever.

Spring fever isn’t a symp-tom of some illness at all. No, it’s a sense of renewal. There’s the raw beauty of floral display as myriads of wildflowers open with a splash of color to comple-ment the blooms of service berry, redbud, hawthorn, and dogwood trees. Along with scenery, one can’t help but smell the fresh clean air and the aromatic scents of literally thousands of flowers. And, I ask: what goes on in your mind as you hear the wonderful symphony presented by cardinals, tanagers, quail, bluebirds, wrens and oth-ers as they proclaim their

“My, Oh My, What a Wonderful Day!”president’s message


arrival and set up nesting territories? Don’t forget to listen to the chorus of whip-poorwills, barred owls, tree frogs and perhaps coyotes.

Take some time and experience Missouri’s Outdoors somewhere - even just a “drive-thru” the local park on your way to/from the grocery store can help recreate yourself.

Don’t forget about the 2014 Spring Fling on Pom-me de Terre Lake scheduled for April 6th. This will be

the fourth year the Mis-souri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has held this event to benefit CFM. If you love to fish, especially for bass, come on out. Pomme de Terre is a beautiful lake and April is a good time to “get out there amongst them”.

Experience Missouri’s Outdoors, Share It & Sup-port It!

Richard L. Ash, Jr.President, CFM

4 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

cFm 2013 annual report

Convention at Capitol Plaza in Jefferson City well over 500 attendees and a net of over $50,000, both firsts in history for us. Many resolutions crafted and passed to enhance the future of the outdoors and outstanding perfor-mances by citizens and professionals recognized for excel-lence through our Conservation Awards.

2013 A Year of Improvements and Performance

4 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

Celebration of National Wildlife Week more than 175 at-tendees at our first ever celebration of National Wildlife Week. Members of the Missouri Legislative Sportsmens Caucus, leaders of CFM affiliated organizations, business alliance partners, state and federal agencies all came together to share enthusiasm for wildlife conservation. We had dozens of school children and their familes attend the evening event and receive awards for their outstanding works of art to express “what wildlife means to me”…there were over 200 entries to the art competition!




Tee-It-Up For Missouri Outdoors Golf Tournament a gracious gift from Union Pacific Railroad, a lot of hard work by our special committee, beautiful weather together produced an outstanding inaugural event and introduced lots of folks to CFM! Staff and volunteers produced record participation in our second Cabin Fever Shoot in January

(over 120 shooters), in the Spring Fling BASS Tournament, hosted by Missouri BASS Federation Nation and benefiting CFM; and in our August Pull For Conservation Sporting Clays Shoot (over 170 shooters). All yielded important revenue for CFM, new members and lots of FUN!

6 M a R c h 2 0 1 46 M a R c h 2 0 1 4


The Stonehouse received designation as an official Jef-ferson City Historic Landmark this year. This great honor commemorates The Stonehouse as officially among the most historic in the city. The Board Room in The Stone-

house received a dozen matching, very nice chairs as a gen-erous personal gift from President Richard Ash, his fiancé Judy Dixon and Treasurer Randy Washburn.

The Voice For Missouri Outdoors hosted a special task force to bring together our many affiliated orga-nizations concerned with the arrival in Missouri of Chronic Wasting Disease. Members of the task force include representatives of the Quality Deer Manage-ment Association, White-tails Unlimited, Missouri Deer Hunters, Missouri Outdoor Communica-

tors, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, the Wildlife Society, Safari Club Inter-national, and the Conserva-tion Federation of Mis-souri’s Share The Harvest Program. CFM also served on the Department of Natural Resources’ Kitchen Cabinet of trusted advisors; attended and provided sup-port and encouragement to the Missouri Department

of Conservation at many levels; served the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Forest Service and the United States Parks Service as a partner and advocate. CFM Executive Director provided keynote remarks at Missouri’s first ever Missouri Conservation Volunteers Convention and at the first ever Community

Conservation Workshop. CFM participated in discus-sions and submitted written commentary on the first dis-cussions of Ecological Flow in Missouri history. Details of these and countless other actions are available via www.confedmo.org or by calling the office at 800-575-2322.

Multiple Actions to Improve the Federa-tion special committees were formed to address long term, important projects to improve and strengthen CFM. A by-laws committee convened to rewrite our opera-tional guidelines to reflect how we operate in clear, concise terms. Inconsistencies from many years of piecemeal refinements were specifically addressed. A Major Gifts

committee was convened to put together a development plan to enhance available funds for all aspects of CFM operations. Strategic Planning committee completed a revision of the CFM Strategic Plan which condensed and simplified the plan. The Outdoor Action Committee (OAKs) worked toward CFM hosting an Outreach Summit in 2014.

Dedicated to improving our Missouri Outdoors

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 7M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 7


A Retirement Party/Roast for Dave Murphy was held in the ballroom of the Tiger Hotel in Columbia in May. Over 150 guests joined in the festivities…

and contributed over $120,000 net to launch the Tenth Legion Endowment Fund to provide resources to support CFM in perpetuity.

“The Nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

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Craig Alderman, BuffaloMike Baker, DeSotoMarvin Behnke, Saint LouisJim Blair, ClaytonJeff Blystone, IndependenceBrian Brookshire, Jefferson CityRobert Brundage, Jefferson CityTim Brunsman, Saint LouisEarl Cannon, Jefferson CityJerry Castillon, EllisvilleGlenn Chambers, Columbia *Charlie Davidson, Jefferson CityKatherine Dockery, Saint LouisKen Drenon, Jefferson CityHoward Fisher, Higginsville *Howard Fleming, Moberly *Elsa Gallagher, ExcelloGene Gardner, Jefferson CityR. Jack Garrett, West Plains *David Graber, ColumbiaDavid Hamilton, Saint LouisHerman Hanley, Grain ValleyLinda Hanley, Oak GroveKeith Hannaman, Blue SpringsDonald Harris, SpringfieldBarry Hart, Jefferson CityMickey Heitmeyer, AdvanceBill Hilgeman, ManchesterKurt Homeyer, Bonne TerreC.W. Hook, Higginsville *Don Johnson, Festus *Duane Kelly, Kansas CityMarty King, University CityBill Kirgan, Saint JamesJudd Kirkham, Climax Springs *Dan Kleinsorge, Jefferson CityJohn Knudsen, HermannDan Kreher, BallwinAnn Kutscher, Jefferson City *

Grace Leinberger, LinnJoel LeMaster, FultonNorman Leppo, Saint LouisIke Lovan, Steelville *C.F. Luebbert, Tipton *Ranney McDonough, Poplar BluffBill McGuire, Jefferson CityRichard Mendenhall, ColumbiaArnold Meysenburg, Lees SummitMisty Mitchell, SpringfieldDave Murphy, ColumbiaJohn Neporadny, Lake OzarkTom Noyes, Lathrop *Dave Pace, SalemRod Pennington, RogersvilleBrian Peterson, CedarcreekAlbert Phillips, Saint Louis *Charley Ponciroli, BrentwoodTom Russell, ColumbiaMike Schallon, Wentzville *George Seek, MeadvilleE. “Sy” Seidler, Saint Louis *Chad Shoemaker, MexicoDennis Stubbs, FestusNorm Stucky, Jefferson CityTim Thompson, Lake Saint LouisGary Van De Velde, Jefferson City *Dan Vogt, CentraliaJerry Wade, ColumbiaWallis Warren, BeaufortJames Washabaugh, Jefferson CityEmily Wilbers, Jefferson CityDick Wood, Saint Louis *Nicole Wood, Bonne TerreJerry Woodson, PerryvilleDan Zerr, O’FallonJim Zieger, Blue SpringsColton Zirkle, Saint Joseph

* CFM Past President

cFm 2013 annual report CFM Officers

Board of Directors

President: Richard Ash, OzarkFirst Vice President: Al Vogt, Columbia

Second Vice President: Ron Coleman, Saint AlbansSecretary: Mossie Schallon, Wentzville

Treasurer: Randy Washburn, Jefferson City

2013 Income

Program $647,310Grants/Scholarship $115,725 Fundraising $287,518 Meetings $89,874 Membership Dues $161,961 Miscellaneous $188,323

$1,490,710

Expenditures

Programs $512,569 Fundraising $58,409 Meetings $43,615 Membership $40,602 Publication $35,786 Miscellaneous $72,549 Capital Improvements $11,820 Operating $35,902 Payroll $258,173

$1,069,425

StaffDave Murphy, Interim Executive Director

Debra Lee, Teaming With Wildlife CoordinatorMicaela Haymaker, Office Manager

Laurie Coleman, Membership Associate/Managing Editor


Platinum:

Associated Missouri Electric Cooperatives

Bass Pro Shops

Drury Hotels

Shelter Insurance Companies

Gold:

MidwayUSA

silver:

Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.

NW Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

Pyramid Home Health Services

Basic:

Bee Rock Outdoor Adventures, LLC

Bob McCosh Chevrolet Buick GMC

Brown Printing

Cap America

Citizens Telephone Company

Columbia Daily Tribune

Consolidated Electric Cooperative

Cooper’s Oak Winery and A & K Cooperage, LLC

Dickerson Park Zoo

Farm Management Service (Dan & Cheri Erdel)

Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Association

Forrest Keeling Nursery

Friends of Ryan McKenna

Full Care Inc.

General Printing Service

Goodwin Brothers Construction Company

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.

Lewis County Rural Electric Cooperative

McRoberts Farm, Inc.

Meramec Bison Farm, LLC

Mid America Mortgage Services, Inc.

Middle River Bluffs

Midwest Mailing Services

Osage Canoes, LLC

Platte-Clay County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Quality Forest Management, LLC

REMAX Boone Realty

R. L.’s Swimming Pools, LLC

Sapaugh Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac

Second Creek Deer Blinds

Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.

Sierra Bullets, LLC

Socket Internet Service, LLC

Sport & Spine Rehabilitation

Tabor Plastics Company

The Bank of Missouri

Thirty 3 Bar & Grill

Thomas Industrial Coatings, Inc.

Trumans Bar & Grill, Inc.

United Electric Cooperative, Inc.

White River Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.


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

Capital City Fly Fishers

Central Missouri Chapter Safari Club International

Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment

Deer Creek Sportsman’s 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

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 Farmers Care

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 Society of American Foresters

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

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

South Side Division Conservation Federation

Southwest Missouri Fly Fishers

St. Louis Audubon Society

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

CFM Affiliates

Business Alliance Members


1 0 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

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

Alan Buchanan, 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

Jason Gibbs, Saint Charles

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. & Deloras 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

Douglas Smentkowski, Jefferson City

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

Lifetime MemberscFm 2013 annual report

1 0 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 1 1


2013 Resolutions1 - Continued Support of NASP

2 - Call Before You Cut

3 - Thousand Cankers Disease - Education and Awareness

4 - Extending Antler Point Restriction Exemption for Youth

5 - Expansion of Bait Dumping Education

6 - Water Quality in Missouri Streams, Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands

7 - Creation of a Pilot Program to Promote Wildlife on MDC Vehicles

8 - Ten Year Non-Native Cool-Season Grass Eradication Plan

9 - NRCS Seed Mix Development Protocol

10 - Terminate the Fertilizer Requirement for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Practice CP2

11 - Have Missouri Farm Service Agency Come Up With a Different Way to Determine CRP Soil Rental Rates

12 - Creation of New EQIP Food Plot Mix That Benefits Quail

13 - Creating a New CFM Grasslands Resource Committee

14 - Reinstatement of MDC Food Plot Program

15 - 2013 Farm Bill Conservation Compliance Priorities

16 - Appropriating Funds for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)

17 - Bird Watching Event for Families

18 - Implementation of Regional Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems Programs

19 - Hooking Schools on Fishing

20 - Habitat for Humanity’s Cans for Habitat Program

21 - E-Cycle Missouri

22 - Statewide Implementation of P2D2 (Safe Disposal of Pharmaceuticals)

23 - Closed Landfill Technical Assistance Project

24 - Lead Legacy in Missouri

25 - Management of Scrap Tires

26 - Missouri House Bill 545

27 - Junior Hunter Education Instructors Program

28 - Small Game Hunting Mentor Program

29 - MO Water Quality Standards

30 - Clean Water Permit Fee Increases

31 - Angler Recruitment and Retention

32 - Combine Heat and Power(CHP) and Distributed Generation

33 - Low-Impact Development Education and Implementation

34 - Designate the Ozark Trail as Missouri’s State Trail

35 - Revaluation of Antlerless Permit Issued

36 - Impose a Moratorium on any New High Fence Hunting/Breeding Facility for Cervids and/or any Other Non Native Species That Could Negatively Impact Missouri’s Native Flora Fauna

37 - Missouri State Park Funding

38 - Service Project Lists

39 - Wildlife Collector’s Permits

40 - Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Full titles and texts of resolutions available at www.confedmo.org

Award Winners

Conservationist of the Year Chris Vitello, Holts Summit (pictured above)

Conservation Communicator Bob Whitehead, Saint Louis

Conservation Educator Regina Knauer, Jefferson City

Conservation Legislator Representative Eric Burlison, Springfield

Conservation Legislator Senator Tom Dempsey, Saint Charles

Conservation Organization Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, Jefferson City

Forest Conservationist John Fleming, Jefferson City

Hunter Education Instructor Allan Hoover, Pleasant Hill

Professional Conservationist Kelly Srigley-Werner, Columbia

Soil Conservationist Richard Fordyce, Bethany

Water Conservationist George Sims, Mansfield

Wildlife Conservationist Vance Vanderwerken, Savannah

Youth Conservationist Dan Fuller, Pineville


1 2 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

Those who believe that late January isn’t the time to plan a sporting

clays tournament forgot to inform 145 folks suffering from cabin fever. January 25th didn’t chill the spirits of those who made the hike to Columbia to participate in CFM’s 3rd Annual Cabin Fever, mid-winter sport-ing clays event. The Prairie Grove Shotgun Sports club house was warm and there was plenty of venison and beef chili, hamburgers and hotdogs available for all of the day’s participants.

Ralph and Mary Ann Gates were terrific hosts as always! After completing the main course, many of the shooters hung around to try their hand at several of the fun games. Shooters lined up to participate in the 2 and 4 man flurry, long shot and the Ritz cracker shoot.

In the main event, top honors went to John Doo-little who won first place in A Class with second and third place finishes going to John Keller and Brian Hopper respectively. B Class finishers from first through third were Kurt Brooke, Cody Githens, and David Herbert. Round-ing out C Division were Chris Davis, Tom Nichols, and Tim Grace in that order.

We are already making plans to ensure that next year’s event will be even larger, with more prizes and shooting games for everyone!

CFM is grateful to the

members and friends who offered donations of items and of their time to ensure our success in this 3rd annual event!

CFM’s 3rd Annual Cabin Fever Clay Shoot Was a Big Success!

CFM’s Cabin Fever Clay Shoot was a big success! Photo credits: Debra Lee


A BIG THANKS TO THIS YEAR’S CABIN FEVER CLAY SHOOT SPONSORS!

Associated Missouri Electric CooperativesBank of MissouriBass Pro ShopsGeorge Clark MO State Chapter NWTFJoe Machen’s DealershipsMidway USAMid-America Mortgage Services, Inc.Missouri Conservation PioneersMossie & Mike SchallonShafer, Kline and Warren Inc.

And to our donors:Bass Pro Shop ColumbiaMarilee Knerr and FamilyMid-America MortgageGeorge Clark MO State Chapter NWTFGlenn ChambersPrairie Grove Shotgun SportsTom RussellWhat-Ya-Say / Cathy ErgovichWinchester

And to our volunteers:Mike BakerNathan BiasGlenn ChambersBrent HasslerGene KellyKira KirkDelbert KnerrJenna KnerrMarilee Knerr

Zachary KnerrBrian RickardTom RussellTravis ScottNorman StuckyGary Van De VeldeBrock WilsonTye Wilson

David Appleton, Fair Grove

Esther Banta, Bridgeton

Eleanor Baxter, Creighton

Betsy Blake, Clark

Thomas Carroll, Kansas City

Karen Cernicek, Maryland Heights

James Civiello, Branson

June Clark, Saint Louis

Robert Clarkson, Kansas City

Merle Coughlin, Fenton

James Daoukas, Saint Louis

Jerry Diederichs, Cedar Hill

Mark Entrup, Springfield

Jeffrey Farris, Saint Charles

Anna Forder, Saint Louis

James & Linda Frisch, Saint Louis

Kenneth Gelhot, Jr., Saint Louis

David Gray, Lees Summit

Sarah Havens, Bourbon

Jeffrey Hill, Camden Point

Robert Kindle, Saint Louis

Kathleen Lastarria, Ballwin

Dennis LeBrun, Saint Louis

Nancy Lingo, Liberty

Larry Martien, Ozark

Robert Morton, Saint Louis

Stephen & Beverly Price,

Jefferson City

Peter Raven, Saint Louis

Frederic Rissover, Saint Louis

Hannah Rogers, Warrensburg

Carolyn Samuels, Maryland Heights

Marvin Schuette, Saint Louis

Warren Solomon, Jefferson City

Aaron Spor, Excelsior Springs

Robert Stanke, Independence

Warren Taylor, Hazelwood

Colleen Teepe, Bismarck

John Wesemann, Poplar Bluff

Philip Willman, Saint Louis

John & Dorothea Wood, Shelbina

WELCOMEC F M N E W M E M b E r S

CFM would like to thank the 323 members that renewed since our last publication.

1 4 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

conservation federation of Missouri2014 annual convention

march 21-23 2014

resource committee meetings

Natural Resource Committee Meetings 11:00 - 12:30

Deer, Wild Turkey & Elk - Chair: Dan Zerr Vice Chair: Dave Pace

Ecology, Environment, Climate Change & Energy - Chair: Wallis Warren Vice Chair: Jerry Castillon

Fisheries & Water Resources - Chair: Norman Leppo Vice Chair: Jim Zieger

Natural History, Parks & Wildlands - Chair: Chad Shoemaker Vice Chair: Deb Schultehenrich

Small Game & Furbearers - Chair: Ken Drenon Vice Chair: Dan McMurtry

Sportsman’s Rights, Firearms & Hunter Safety - Chair: Vice Chair:

Youth Leadership & Conservation Education - Chair: Diana Mulick Vice Chair: Al Vogt

Natural Resource Committee Meetings 9:00 - 10:30

Archery - Chair: Dick Wood Vice Chair: David Smith

Camping, Hiking Trails & Water Sports - Chair: Steve Coates Vice Chair: Charlie Davidson

Forestry - Chair: Ed Keyser Vice Chair: John Fleming

Quail & Quail Habitat - Chair: Tom Lampe Vice Chair: Elsa Gallagher

Rivers & Streams - Chair: Norman Stucky Vice Chair: Holly Neill

Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste & Recycling - Chair: Bob Geller Vice Chair: Alice Geller

Waterfowl & Wetlands - Chair: Mickey Heitmeyer Vice Chair: George Seek

Keynote Session 8:00 - 8:45

1 4 M a R c h 2 0 1 4


1 6 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

teaming with wildliFe

On February 4th, 2014 the Farm Bill passed the Senate by a vote of 68-

32. It was the final major hurdle to becoming law for the next 5 years. President Barack Obama signed the newly enacted Farm Bud-get Bill during his visit to Michigan State University on February 7th, 2014 and discussed the economic impact on Michigan and the nation. After a long, long wait, and lots of hard work, wildlife lovers can celebrate a farm bill that is a major win for conservation. Many great partners in conservation are to thank for this victory. At the helm, the National Wildlife Federation has provided much hard work and a plethora of information to its affiliates and members in the course of this process. It has taken a great deal of compromise between legisla-tors, conservation groups and agriculture groups. Now the farm bill is complete.

So, what does the farm bill have to do with wildlife? Certain wildlife priorities that directly relate to the farm bill were supported by NWF and

without them the farm bill had the potential to be bad for wildlife.

NWF supported these important priorities for the farm bill:

1) Link conservation com-pliance to crop insurance sub-sidies to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not subsidizing the destruction of wetlands and soil,

2) Include a sodsaver provision in the bill to protect native grasslands, and

3) Ensure robust funding for conservation programs that help farmers protect, soil, water, and wildlife.

The new farm bill gives conservation proponents nearly all of the items asked for on the NWF wish list. There are still obstacles to overcome and it isn’t perfect, but the new farm bill is one with enough overall conser-vation funding to ensure that the conservation programs continue.

Conservation programs were provided $57.6 bil-lion over the next 10 years. Furthermore, at least 5% of the Environmental Quality

Incentives Program (EQIP) will fund wildlife practices; this is a big win for wildlife that will ensure that millions of dollars can help farmers create habitat for wildlife on their lands.

Still, there is still a lot of work to be done to protect grasslands and the wildlife that depend on them. The new farm bill provides some protection and decreases incentives to destroy our beautiful native prairies, but we want to make sure that grassland songbirds have a place to build their nests, and

that ducks flying south for the winter have a safe place to land in the future.

Overall, the new farm bill is a great victory! Partners are encouraged to continue working on conservation measures. Thanks to ev-eryone who reached out to their members of Congress to ensure this wildlife victory!

For more information please visit: http://blog.nwf.org/2014/02/victory-the-new-farm-bill-is-a-major-win-for-wildlife/

Victory! The New Farm Bill is a Major Win for Wildlife


NWTF Nationally Recognizes Missourians

Kyle Lairmore - NWTF 2013 Wheelin’ Sportsmen Volunteer of the Year

Jeff berti - NWTF 2013 National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Dan Zerr - Wild Turkey bourbon rare breed Society Award

The Conservation Federation of Missouri will have a special tribute cer-emony in honor of Ed Stegner. Ed served as CFM Executive Director for 40 years (1953-1994). As part of this tribute the Conservation Commission will be inducting Ed into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame.

The Conservation Commission established the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame to honor individuals who, during their lifetimes, made significant contributions to the cause of conservation in Missouri.

Please join the Commission as it inducts:Edwin “Ed” Stegner

into the Missouri Conservation Hall of Fame

Friday, March 21, 20145:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Capitol Plaza Hotel, 415 W. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO

You are cordially invited to attend a social hour hosted by the Conservation Federation of Missouri which begins at 6:30 p.m. and the Annual Conservation Award Ceremony immediately following the social hour.

Celebrating the Life of Ed Stegner

1 8 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

agency news - department oF conservation

Hunters checked 50,507 Deer during Missouri’s archery deer season, bringing the state’s overall

deer harvest to 250,787. That number is down from the 10-year average of 293,056.

The archery deer harvest was the second-largest in Missouri’s his-tory, reflecting the continued growth in popularity of bowhunting. Top archery deer harvest counties were Jefferson, with 1,205 deer checked, St. Louis with 1,130, and Franklin with 1,018.

Resource Scientist Jason Sumners says the overall decrease is in line with deer-harvest figures from other Midwestern states.

“Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota all reported decreases of 7 to 26 percent in their firearms deer harvests,” says Sumners. “The relative importance of the factors responsible for those decreases differs from state to state, but the history behind them is similar.”

The “history” Sumners mentioned relates to the challenges state agencies have faced in managing deer numbers over the past 10 to 20 years. As deer-restoration programs that began in the 1930s and 1940s finally came to full fruition, agencies faced a different challenge – how to balance deer popu-lations that provide excellent hunting without also causing unacceptable levels of human-deer conflict.

Reversing the decades-long em-phasis on protecting female deer from harvest, biologists increasingly urged hunters to shoot does. This was aimed at shifting the sex ratio of deer herds from doe-heavy to a 50:50 mix of bucks and does. The goal was to reduce deer population growth in some areas, hold deer numbers steady in others and reduce deer numbers in areas that already were significantly

above deer population targets.“Over the course of about 15 years,

we were able to apply the brakes to deer population growth,” says Sum-ners. “Then came a perfect storm of conditions we had no way of antici-pating.”

Those unanticipated conditions were driven by a severe drought that began in 2012 and carried over into 2013. It caused the worst outbreak of hemorrhagic diseases – blue tongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease, collectively referred to as HD – in recorded history. Those losses were deepened when the drought caused the smallest acorn crop since the department started keeping records in 1960. The lack of acorns forced deer to move more during the 2012 deer season, making it easier for hunters to find them and contributing to the second-largest deer harvest in Mis-souri history.

Hunter behavior changes slowly, so they continue to shoot the same num-ber of deer they have in recent years. Consequently, the harvests in the first and second years after a HD die-off remain relatively stable. By the time hunters adjust their harvest behavior, a significant loss has accumulated.

Sumners says the Conservation Department’s Regulations Commit-tee will consider these factors, along with the many comments they have received from hunters, when drafting recommendations to the Conservation Commission regarding 2014-2015 deer-hunting regulations. The Com-mission approved deer season dates for the 2014-2015 season to provide hunters adequate notice, but season regulations may still be adjusted by the Conservation Commission. He says the remedy for the current dip in deer numbers is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

“Missouri’s deer population isn’t evenly spread across the state or a county,” he says. “Blanket, one-size-fits-all answers aren’t necessarily the right solutions. But we want people to know that we are hearing their con-cerns and are committed to identifying ways to find the right balance.”

Sumners says it is important to view the current situation from a broad historical perspective. It took 50 years of cooperation between the Con-servation Department, landowners, and hunters to reach the point where Missouri’s annual deer harvest topped 200,000 in 1995. It took another 10

Missouri Deer Harvest Follows Regional Trend

Two white-tailed deer does stand in icy field. Photo Credit: Noppadol Paothong, MDC


years to achieve the balance of doe and buck harvest needed to stabilize deer numbers in parts of Missouri where deer had grown too numerous. Maintaining that stability in the face of weather extremes, disease out-breaks and annual harvest variations is a balancing act. Sumners also says it is important to keep this years’ harvest in perspective.

“The average deer harvests of ap-proximately 290,000 over the past 10 years have given us a lopsided view of what the annual harvest should be,” he says. “We’ve seen dips and bumps in total harvest before and expect the ebb and flow will continue in the fu-ture. We are committed to continuing

the science-informed management that has enabled successful management of a deer resource that supports 12,000 Missouri jobs and pumps $1 billion into our economy annually.”

The Department evaluates season information each year and last year reduced unlimited antlerless permits in some counties. The management of white-tailed deer has always been both a biologically and socially complex issue, but management today is more challenging due to interrelated factors such as land use, ownership, hunter density, and human population levels. Today’s research efforts allow the agency to forecast population changes and evaluate the impact of various

regulation options on the deer popu-lation. Research, management, and public input will help the Department make more informed management decisions.

The Conservation Department plans to hold public meetings around the state this summer to gather input from hunters, wildlife watchers and oth-ers about the future of deer manage-ment in Missouri. Public input has always been and will continue to be an important part of the future of deer management.

Joe JerekNews Services Coordinator, MDC

agency news - department oF conservation

According to the Missouri Department of Conserva-tion (MDC), 4,487 deer hunters donated 227,358

pounds of venison from the 2013 Mis-souri deer harvest to the state’s Share the Harvest program.

The program is administered by the Conservation Federation of Mis-souri and MDC to help feed hungry Missourians. Share the Harvest orchestrates the efforts of thousands of hunters, numerous local support-ing organizations, and more than 100 participating meat processors to get ground venison to people in need through food banks and food pantries around the state. Hunters donate their extra venison to participating meat processors who then prepare the donated venison by grinding it into one-pound packages that are given to food banks and food pantries for distribution to those in need.

Processing fees are covered entirely or in part by numerous local program sponsors, and statewide sponsors that include the Conservation Department, Shelter Insurance, Bass Pro Shops, the Conservation Federation of Mis-souri, Missouri Chapter Whitetails Unlimited, Missouri Chapter Safari Club International, Missouri Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, Midway USA Inc., Missouri Deer Hunters Association, and the Missouri Food Banks Association.

Since the program started in 1992, Share the Harvest has provided more than 3.1 million pounds of lean, healthy venison to help feed Missouri-ans in need.

For more information on Share the Harvest, visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/2544

Joe JerekNews Services Coordinator, MDC

Share the Harvest Provides More Than 227,350 Pounds of Deer Meat This Year

to Feed Hungry Missourians

Share the Harvest is administered by the Con-servation Federation of Missouri and MDC to help feed hungry Missourians. Share the Harvest orchestrates the efforts of thousands of hunters, numerous local supporting organizations, and more than 100 participating meat processors to get ground venison to people in need through food banks and food pantries around the state. Photo credit: MDC.

2 0 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

&Honorariums

memorials

In honor of Al Vogt

Tara & Annalise Vogt - Decatur, GA


Ducks Unlimited (DU) CEO Dale Hall has been named Bass Pro Shops 2013 Con-servation Partner of the

Year. Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro, recently presented Hall with the prestigious award dur-ing a special ceremony at Bass Pro’s national headquarters in Springfield, MO.

“This is such an honor for me and our entire Ducks Unlimited family to be recognized by an organization we hold in such high regard,” said DU CEO Dale Hall. “Johnny Morris and all the associates at Bass Pro Shops are great partners and contribute so much to conservation each and every day. I am humbled by this wonderful recognition.”

Hall has served as CEO of DU since 2010 and during his tenure the organization has celebrated numerous milestones including DU’s 75th anniversary. The organization has achieved numerous conserva-tion goals under Hall’s leadership, including 13 million acres conserved, making DU one of the world’s larg-est and most effective wetlands and waterfowl conservation organiza-tions.

“All of us at Bass Pro Shops are proud to honor Dale Hall and Ducks Unlimited for everything they have done to conserve habitat,” Morris

said. “DU is one of the foremost conservation organizations, and they continue to deliver on their mission to conserve, restore, and manage wetlands and other impor-tant habitats for North America’s waterfowl.”

Prior to joining DU, Hall was the director of the U.S. Fish and Wild-life Service from 2005 to 2009. Dur-ing his 31-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he served in numerous roles at local, regional and national levels. Before joining the USFWS in 1978, Hall spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, where overseas assignments took him to Italy and the Philippines.

DU and Bass Pro Shops have a rich history of working together on behalf of conservation with the most recent project being the Waterfowl-ing Heritage Center. Bass Pro Shops has given space at their future store in the Memphis Pyramid to create a Waterfowling Heritage Center in cooperation with DU. This museum will serve to inform and enter-tain millions of visitors, including schoolchildren as well as shoppers and tourists, who are interested in wildlife and learning the value of hunting and conservation.

For more information about the Conservation Partner of the Year award, visit www.basspro.com.

Dale Hall named Bass Pro Shops Conservation Partner of the Year

bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris (left) with DU CEO Dale Hall at bass Pro’s national headquarters in Springfield, MO. Morris presented Hall with the 2013 Conservation Partner of the Year award during a special ceremony. Photo credit: bass Pro Shops.

Do You Hear Them, Daddy?, a children’s book about animal sounds, will be presented by authors Andrea Godfrey Brown and Lloyd Herring and illustrator Debbie Gremmelsbacher at the 2014 annual convention.

Ten percent of the profits from convention sales will be donated to CFM.

We hope to see you there and personally inscribe your purchase.

2 2 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

AFFILIATE EVENTS

AUDUBON SOCIETY OF MISSOURIMar 8: Public Field Trip, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Columbia (9:00am); Kevin Wehner (573) 815-0352Mar 22: Public Field Trip, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Columbia (9:30am); Edge Wade (573) 268-3714aPr 5: Public Field Trip, Chert Hollow Farm, Boone County; Eric Reuter (573) 474-0989aPr 12: Public Field Trip, Grindstone Nature Area, Columbia (8:00am); Greg Leonard (573) 823-4759aPr 26: Public Field Trip, Forest Park, Saint Louis; Kevin Wehner (573) 815-0352

GREENWAY NETWORKMar 3: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Peters (7:00pm - 9:00pm)Mar 8: Kiefer Creek Hike, Castle-wood State Park, Ballwin (10:00am - 12:00pm)Mar 12: The People’s Expedition: Love Your Big Muddy, Big A’s Restau-rant, Saint Charles (6:30pm)aPr 7: Monthly Board Meeting, Saint Peters (7:00pm - 9:00pm)aPr 12: Mission: Clean Stream 2014 (8:00am - 1:00pm)aPr 27: Booth at 2014 Saint Louis Earth Day (11:00am - 6:00pm)

MID MISSOURI TROUT UNLIMITEDMar 4: Escapades of Gary Kula, Jack’s Gourmet Restaurant, Columbia (7:00pm)Mar 15: Fly Fishing Film Tours, Rag-tag Cinema, Columbia (12:30pm)

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATIONMar 24: Monthly Board Meeting, American LegionaPr 28: Monthly Board Meeting, American Legion

MISSOURI BASS FEDERATIONaPr 5: Board Meeting & Presidents Rodeo, The HarboraPr 6: Spring Fling, Pomme de Terre Lake

MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITEDMar 1: 13th Annual Christian County Chapter Dinner, Meeting Event Center,

Nixa (5:30pm - 9:00pm); Kenny Dugger (417) 724-8173Mar 8: Saline County Dinner, Saline County Fairgrounds, Marshall (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Jeff Knott (660) 202-3422Mar 8: Callaway County Dinner, Saint Peters Catholic Church, Fulton (5:30pm - 10:00pm); Tim Johnson (573) 676-3191 or Matt Kuhl (573) 220-1648Mar 8: Mid-East Missouri Annual Sportsman’s Dinner, Best Western, Festus (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Matt Morgan (636) 288-6710, Jamie Morgan (314) 223-9427 or Justin Raith (573) 783-9784Mar 8: Dexter Greenheads Spring Sponsor Banquet, Hidden Trails Coun-try Club, Dexter (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Darren Burnett (573) 421-2607Mar 8: Independence Membership Dinner, FOP Lodge 1, Independence (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Bob Cole (913) 927-0757Mar 11: Moniteau County Sponsor Event, Madison’s Cafe, Jefferson City (6:00pm - 10:00pm); John Overbey (573) 796-4711 or Phil Schroeder (573) 584-8008Mar 15: Platte City Dinner, Platte County Fairgrounds, Tracy (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Harry Lett (816) 719-4523Mar 15: River Bend Annual Sports-man’s Dinner, Eagles Lodge, New Madrid (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Jonathan Riggs (573) 748-0890Mar 29: Perryville Annual Sports-man’s Dinner, American Legion Hall, Perryville (6:00pm - 9:00pm); David Leadbetter (573) 352-0746Mar 29: Troy Dinner, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, Troy (5:30pm - 10:00pm); Shane Creasy (636) 322-9747Mar 29: Bluff City Mallards Annual Sportsman’s Dinner, Black River Coli-seum, Poplar Bluff (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Grant Collins (573) 718-9737 or Eric Blaich (573) 776-4313Mar 29: Branson Tri-Lakes County Dinner, Big Cedar Lodge - Grandview Conference Center, Ridgedale (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Ryan Zeller (417) 335-4835 or Matt Hogensen (417) 538-2736Mar 29: Lake Stockton Dinner, Zum-walt Expo Center, Stockton (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Jan Grady (417) 809-8423 or Mike Grady (785) 691-8491aPr 4: Grand River Sponsor Event, Knight of Columbus Hall, Chillicothe

(5:30pm - 9:00pm); David Hamilton (660) 247-0825 or Alan Jeffries (660) 247-0705aPr 5: Lees Summit - Glenn Chambers Dinner, Sportsman’s Club, Lake Lotawana (5:00pm - 9:30pm); Tony Berter (816) 763-8289aPr 5: Saint Joseph Dinner Presented By Commerce Bank, Moila Shriners Country Club, Saint Joseph (5:30pm - 9:30pm); Chris Thompson (816) 383-2410, Josh Garner (816) 261-5465 or Casey Schultz (816) 390-6196aPr 12: Rolla South Central Chapter Dinner, Meadow Oak Country Club, Rolla (6:00pm - 9:30pm); Steve Baker (636) 667-4441, Rich Perkins (314) 330-0456 or Jim Maddox (573) 364-4358aPr 12: Neosho Membership Dinner, Neosho (6:00pm - 10:00pm); Mike or Patty Krueger (417) 451-3427aPr 26: Puxico Pintails Sportsman’s Dinner, Auction House, Puxico (6:00pm - 11:30pm); Wesley Hood (573) 625-0413

MISSOURI HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR’S ASSOCIATIONMar 7-9: Annual Conference, Country Club Hotel and Spa, Lake OzarkaPr 6: Regular Meeting, Bass Pro Shops, Columbia (10:30am)

MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

FUNDRAISING BANQUETSMar 1: Mark Twain Forest Longspurs, Lions Club, Potosi; Tony Hollinsworth (573) 438-2219Mar 1: Sho-Me, Shrine Mosque Banquet Room, Springfield; Matthew Kramer (417) 887-4455Mar 1: Young’s Creek Strutters, Holy Spirit Multi Purpose Building, Centralia; Eddie Schultz (573) 682-1900Mar 1: Platte Purchase, Moila Shriners Country Club, Saint Joseph; Edward Heisel (816) 253-9583Mar 6: Current River Longbeards, Baptist Assembly, Van Buren; Delbert Dewolf (573) 660-1114Mar 7: Stealth Gobblers, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Warrensburg; David McCannon (660) 747-8260Mar 7: Lake of the Ozarks Chapter, Tri County Convention Center, Ver-sailles; Kurt Heisler (573) 569-0550Mar 7: Carman Springs Longbeards, Elementary Cafeteria, Willow Springs; Terry Newton (417) 469-2881Mar 7: Parkville Gobblers, Athletic Complex, Parkville; John Shene (816) 365-2853

Mar 7: Osage Prairie Thunderin Toms, Eagles Lodge, Nevada; Bruce Rogers (417) 876-2521Mar 8: Heartland Gobblers, American Legion Hall, Poplar Bluff; Chuck Stew-art (573) 222-7182Mar 8: Moniteau Monarchs, Knights of Columbus Hall, Tipton; Brian Hill (573) 796-3885Mar 8: Saint Louis Longbeards, Gen-esis Banquet Center, Saint Louis; Russ Ode (314) 644-4228Mar 8: Yellow Creek Gobblers, Wals-worth Community Building, Marceline; Dennis Paalhar (660) 258-3851Mar 14: Rocky Top Limbhangers, Armory, West Plains; Larry Lindeman (417) 256-0980Mar 14: Lake Show-Me Longbeards, VFW Post 4958, Memphis; Chris Com-stock (660) 216-0634Mar 14: Spring River Toms, Memorial Hall, Carthage; Jerry Hartman (417) 793-0310Mar 15: South Grand River Gobblers, Cass County Elks Lodge, Harrisonville; Rodger Benson (816) 679-3119Mar 15: River Hills Thunderin Longbeards, Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomsdale; Butch Stephens (573) 543-2165Mar 15: Osage Gobblers, Knights of Columbus Hall, Westphalia; Steve Brune (573) 897-2211Mar 15: Kirksville Ridge Runners, NEMO Fairgrounds, Kirksville; Josh Meyer (660) 665-4300Mar 21: Hickory County Jakes and Jennies, Hickory County Senior Center, Wheatland; David Wright (417) 722-4488Mar 21: Putnam County Chapter, Putnam County High School Commons, Unionville; Joe Ream (660) 341-0895Mar 22: Big River Gobblers, Knights of Columbus Hall, House Springs; Rich Christopher (636) 274-2574Mar 22: Truman Lake Chapter, Benson Convention Center, Clinton; Thomas Paul (660) 351-0788Mar 22: Lead Belt Longbeards, Knights of Columbus Hall, Bonne Terre; Donald Sparks (573) 760-3770Mar 22: Cooper County Limbhangers, Knights of Columbus Hall, Boonville; Mark Moyer (660) 882-3959Mar 28: Muddy Creek Gobblers, Thiebaud Auditorium, Lamar; Jared Chestnut (417) 682-3767Mar 28: Marshfield Full Strutters, Marshfield Buildings, Marshfield; Kenny Jones (417) 689-2104Mar 28: Pike County Twin River, Elks Lodge, Louisiana; Tim Brooks (573) 754-6692

CALENDARM I S S 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


Mar 29: Meramec Valley Strutters, Knights of Columbus Hall, Sullivan; Dennis Twyman (573) 468-5010Mar 29: Saline County Strutters, Saline County Fairgrounds, Marshall; Joe Pycke (660) 631-3407Mar 29: North Central Local, Elks Lodge, Chillicothe; Nick Norman (660) 247-5445aPr 4: Lewis County Strutters, Queen of Peace Parish, Ewing; Ron Richardson (660) 462-3640aPr 4: Lost Creek Longbeards, VFW Post, Warrenton; Gary Janes (636) 456-1161aPr 5: Platte City Longspurs, Platte County Fairgrounds, Tracy; Paul Lowry (816) 506-7048aPr 5: Mid-State, Stoney Creek Inn, Columbia; Jody Martin (573) 999-9024aPr 5: Nemo, American Legion Hall, Hannibal; Travis Moore (573) 231-2859aPr 5: Triple B Chapter - Buffalo Big Birds, Double Diamond Banquet Building, Buffalo; Travis Pierce (417) 840-8761aPr 11: Jefferson City Strutters, Lions Club, Wardsville; John Slicker (573) 680-5903aPr 12: State Fair Strutters, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia; Charles Mattingly (660) 827-0758aPr 18: Green Hills, National Guard Armory, Trenton; Robin Chambers (660) 654-1192aPr 19: Gentry County Gobblers, Community Center, Stanberry; Tim Runde (660) 937-2580aPr 26: Hocomo Big Beards, Knight of Columbus Hall, Glascow; Gene Smith (660) 537-4667

CALLING CONTESTSMar 1: 2014 Mid America Open, The Edwards Jones Dome - Rooms 150 & 151, Saint Louis; Norb Geniec (314) 842-3370

WOMAN IN THE OUTDOORSMar 28-29: Platte Purchase, Camp Gieger, Saint Joseph; Melissa Elam (816) 294-1811aPr 11: Squaw Creek National WR Ladies Day, Forrest City; Lori Stickler (660) 254-4287

MISSOURI PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONMar 19-20: Aquatic Facility Operator Course, Community Center, NixaMar 25-27: Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course, Memorial Hall, Saint Charles

MISSOURI PRAIRIE FOUNDATIONMar 21-22: Partners for Native Land-

scaping: A Workshop for Homeowners, Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint LouisMar 22: Grow Native! Plant Sale, Runge Conservation Nature Center, Jef-ferson City (10:00am - 2:00pm)aPr 12: Board of Directors Meeting, Burns & McDonnell Headquarters, Kansas City (10:00am)aPr 19: Annual Native Plant Sales, City Market, Kansas CityaPr 26: Annual Native Plant Sales, City Market, Kansas City

MISSOURI RIVER BIRD OBSERVATORYMar 1: Bird-Banding Demonstration, Conservation Nature Center, Spring-field (1:30pm - 4:30pm)Mar 4: “Get to Know Missouri’s Winter Birds”, Area Career Center, Carrollton (6:00pm - 8:00pm)Mar 7-8: Flying WILD Certification Workshop & Teacher Training, Prairie Fork Conservation AreaMar 14: Banding in the Bird Garden, Birds-I-View Store, Jefferson City (2:00pm - 4:30pm)

MISSOURI TRAPPERS ASSOCIATIONMar 15: Board Meeting, American Legion Hall, Salem (9:00am)Mar 15: General Meeting, American Legion Hall, Salem (1:00pm)Mar 29: First Statewide Banquet & Fundraiser, Montgomery County Fair-grounds, Montgomery City (5:00pm)

MO TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOC.SPRINGFIELD EVENTSMar 1: Opening Day for Trout Season at Missouri State ParksMar 6: Monthly Meeting, Conserva-tion Nature Center, Springfield (6:00pm - 9:00pm)Mar 8: Pre-Derby Meeting, Bennett Springs (12:00pm)Mar 20: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)Mar 27: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)aPr 3: Monthly Meeting, Conserva-tion Nature Center, Springfield (6:00pm - 9:00pm)aPr 10: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)aPr 12: Tri-Lakes Expo, Brighton (9:00am - 4:00pm)aPr 24: Fly Fishing Class (6:00pm - 9:50pm)

KANSAS CITY EVENTSMar 1: Bass Pro Extravaganza, IndependenceMar 25: Monthly Meeting (7:00pm)aPr 22: Monthly Meeting (7:00pm)

MISSOURI WHITETAILS UNLIMITEDMar 1: Muddy Water Whitetails Banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall, Old MonroeMar 1: Tall Tines Chapter Banquet, Nemo Fairgrounds, KirksvilleMar 8: Monroe City Area Chapter Banquet, Knights of Columbus Hall, Monroe CityMar 15: Southwest Missouri Chapter Banquet, Saint Mary’s Activity Center, Pierce CityMar 22: Miller County Whitetails Chapter Banquet, Mary’s Home School Gym, EugeneMar 22: Long Branch Chapter Banquet, Macon County Expo Center, MaconaPr 12: Audrain County Chapter Banquet, Audrain County 4H Building, Mexico

MULE DEER FOUNDATIONaPr 12: Ha Ha Tonka Chapter Fundraising Banquet, Truman Hotel, Jefferson City (5:30pm - 10:00pm); Matt Bentz (573) 286-7938

OPEN SPACE COUNCILMar 29: Invasive Bush Honey-suckle Removal, Bluebird Park, Ellisville (9:00am - 12:00pm)aPr 26: Trail Building, Rock Hollow Trail, Glencoe (9:00am - 1:00pm)

OZARK FLY FISHERSMar 4: Intro to Fly Tying, Greens-felder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:30pm - 9:30pm)Mar 6: Fly Fishing Techniques (7:30pm - 9:30pm)Mar 8: All Day MeetingMar 10: Special Tying Class - Hopper PatternsMar 12: Membership Tying Class - Ant and BeetlesMar 13: Reading the Water, Greens-felder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:30pm - 9:30pm)Mar 25: Intro to Fly Fishing, Greens-felder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:30pm - 9:30pm)Mar 29: Chili Tie In - Marlins Club-house (9:00am - 3:00pm)aPr 1: Intro to Fly Fishing, Greens-felder Recreation Complex, Queeny Park (7:30pm - 9:30pm)aPr 8: Beginning Fly Casting, Tilles Park (7:00pm - 8:00pm)aPr 15: Beginning Fly Casting, Tilles Park (7:00pm - 8:00pm)aPr 24: General Membership Meet-ing,

OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUB

Mar 8: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm - 7:30pm)Mar 8: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm - 9:00pm)aPr 12: Potluck Dinner, Swope Park, Kansas City (6:30pm - 7:30pm)aPr 12: Business Meeting, Swope Park, Kansas City (7:30pm - 9:00pm)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATIONMar 1: Missouri Ridge Big Game Banquet, Troy; Chris Kaimann (314) 808-3763Mar 8: Mid Missouri Big Game Banquet, Columbia; Adam Augustine (585) 748-1207Mar 15: Ozark Big Game Banquet, Springfield; Janet Long (417) 380-2344Mar 22: Pony Express Big Game Ban-quet, Saint Joseph; Michael Mooney (816) 232-9553Mar 29: Southwest Missouri Big Game Banquet, Joplin; Rocky Swearin-gen (417) 438-4928aPr 19: Thousand Hills Big Game Banquet, Kirksville; Ron Smith (660) 626-7794

SAINT LOUIS AUDUBON SOCIETYMar 1: Beginner Bird Walk - Forest Park, Saint Louis (8:15am - 10:30am)Mar 4: Pathways Through Nature, A Lifetime Journey Speaker Series, The Green Center, University City (6:00pm - 8:00pm)Mar 8: Woodcock/Owl Prowl, Busch Memorial Conservation Area (5:00pm - 8:00pm)Mar 11: Board Meeting, Sunset Hills Community Center (7:00am - 8:00am)Mar 15: Confluence Trash Bash (9:00am - 1:00pm)Mar 21: Partners for Native Land-scaping, Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis (5:30pm - 9:00pm)Mar 22: Partners for Native Land-scaping, Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis (9:00am - 5:00pm)Mar 22: Birding Field Trip, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, Columbia (9:30am - 5:00pm)Mar 27-28: Naturescaping: Land-scaping for Life, Saint Louis County Library Headquarters

UNITED BOWHUNTERS OF MISSOURIMar 15-16: Kid’s Bow Give-away Booth - Missouri Deer Classic, Columbia

CFM EVENTSMar 21-23: CFM Annual Convention, Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City

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Marissa Jo Daniel

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and a Bachelor of Science in Fish and Wildlife Biology in 2009, I began working on the Gila National Forest for the Gila Hotshots in New Mexico. In the fall of 2009 I began working for Dr. Francisco Aguilar as a research assistant at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I researched the potential social avail-ability of woody biomass in Missouri from a non industrial private landown-ers viewpoint while studying under his guidance. I continued to work as both a hotshot and graduate student until I graduated with my Master’s of Science in Forest Economics and Policy in 2012 from which I chose to work one last season as a Gila hotshot. Current-ly, I’m working on the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri as a for-estry technician for the Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District.

Katherine “Kat” Dockery

I am the Executive Director of the Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region. I spend each day working to conserve and enhance the region’s land and water resources. Serving as an ac-tive board member for the Conserva-tion Federation of Missouri, I actively volunteer at CFM’s annual convention and serve on CFM’s award committee. I have represented CFM’s constituents on several trips to Jefferson City and Washington D.C. and continue to share my passion for conservation and the great outdoors with policymakers. I plan to continue my work defend-ing and protecting our state’s natural resources so the next generation of Missourians may enjoy quality fish, forestry, and wildlife that me and my family have enjoyed so much.

Zach Knerr

Shortly after completing the Conser-vation Leadership Corps (CLC) pro-gram I graduated from College of the Ozarks. From there Bass Pro Shops in Columbia hired me on as a lead associ-ate. Little did I know that retail could have such an impact for conservation. As a lead in the fishing department, I am able to give advice on techniques, tackle and tricks for pursuing game fish. Along with programs and semi-nars geared toward these tips, I also volunteer with the Missouri Depart-ment of Conservation’s Protection Di-vision, Hunter Education Program and DNR’s Missouri State Parks. Recently, I started a local Quail Forever chapter in Columbia that works towards habi-tat restoration and getting youth out-doors. All this to say, my involvement with the Conservation Federation of Missouri has and will not end with the CLC program. It has engrained a sense of commitment to conservation, show-ing me how I can make a difference. I am excited about the opportunity of serving on various committees, board of directors and beyond.

Where Are They Now?Life After the Conservation Leadership Corps

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Sixth Annual Governors Youth Hunt

The Governors Youth Turkey Hunt has been a very successful

event over the last 5 years and serves both as a celebra-tion of Missouri’s leading role in providing outdoor recreational opportunity as well as recruiting and retaining additional outdoor enthusiasts. This hunt is a cooperative effort between Governor Jay Nixon, the Conservation Federation of Missouri, National Wild Turkey Federation, the Missouri Department of Conservation, elected of-ficials from the Capitol, and a host of private landowners and other volunteers.

In the spirit of what the

Governors Youth Hunt rep-resents, qualified applicants should be youths ages 11 to 15 that, ideally, are inter-ested in giving hunting a try but have not yet had the opportunity.

The format for the 2014 hunt will be the same as in the previous 2 years. Suc-cessful applicants will be invited to attend an orienta-tion Friday afternoon that will include hunter safety, regulations, and a chance to shoot their shotguns. Friday night, the hunters and their chaperones will then attend a fancy spread at the man-sion hosted by the Governor and First Lady. After the meal and a few words from the Governor, the hunters

will depart for their hunting destinations consisting of several high quality proper-ties offered for the event by gracious landowners close to the Capitol. The youth hunters will then be guided

on a turkey hunt Saturday and Sunday if need be.

If you think that you may know of a youth that may enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity, fill out the ap-plication below.

Missouri Governors Youth Hunt Registration FormDate of Event: April 11-13, 2014

Name of Student ___________________________________________________________ Date of Birth _______________________ Age __________

E-mail address _______________________________________________ Phone Number ____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________________________________ State ______________________________ Zip ________________________

Students must be 11-15 years of age to participate.

Send completed application to: John Burk7152 Tomahawk LaneSteedman, MO 65077

Those interested are encouraged to submit applications for the 2014 Governors youth turkey hunt that will be held April 11-13, 2014

All information is due by March 14, 2014.

In addition to filling out the information above please enclose a letter describing why you wish to participate in the hunt and whether or not you have ever hunted previously.

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Our Missouri Waters – A Cherished Resource

These words spoken by Theodore Roosevelt resonate deeply with me as I

reflect not only on my child-hood and adult life spent in the outdoors, but also time that I spend as I reflect on my time with the Missouri Department of Natural Re-sources. As you know, this year marks the department’s 40th anniversary of taking care of Missouri’s natural resources. I am honored to work alongside my DNR colleagues and our many external partners, like the CFM members, as we safe-guard these rich resources together.

One of our most vital and necessary resources in Missouri is our waterways. Our Missouri waters are not only essential for our health and quality of life; they also play a critical role in the state’s overall economic well-being. Our lakes, riv-ers and streams provide us with quality drinking water, abundant fish stocks, irriga-tion, recreation and other vital services.

In late 2011, the depart-ment launched its Our Missouri Waters efforts to look at watershed manage-ment in a new way, view-ing our water supply and water quality together. Our efforts created a coordinated approach to better protect

water resources and pre-serve our Missouri waters. Historically, the depart-ment has directed its efforts toward implementation of the federal Clean Water Act. In doing so, we focused on point-source discharges or discharges from a pipe. By addressing these types of dis-charges, we have made great strides in reducing pollution. However, pollutants remain and finding their source has become more challeng-ing. Today, we need more collaborative approaches to further identify the source of pollution.

Our state waters and watersheds have a story to tell, and we’re listen-ing. The Department of Natural Resources has been working through the pilot phase of the Our Missouri Waters effort. We have joined with many of you, as our partners, as we began or continue conversations within the local communities of the Spring, Lower Grand and Big rivers. With your help, we have made great strides in bringing into focus the shared vision for water resources within these water-sheds.

We’ve learned about the great activities already being championed within these pi-lot watersheds. And, we’ve learned valuable lessons that will help us as we continue

to implement the depart-ment’s Our Missouri Waters effort.

The department posted several resources of informa-tion on its website following the three watershed sum-mits held earlier in 2013, including videos of the summit proceedings, photos, informational packets and final reports for the sum-mits. If you were unable to attend one of the three pilot

summits, the additional re-sources are available at dnr.mo.gov/omwi.htm. A full report of the goals, activities and lessons learned from the pilot phase is also available on the main Our Missouri Waters website.

The three pilot watersheds (shown in green/aqua on the Our Missouri Waters map) Big, Lower Grand and Spring – will remain in focus during 2014. In addition, the department will include

agency news - department oF natural resources

“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cher-ish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

View of the Mississippi river from Trail of Tears State Park. The Upper Mis-sissippi – Cape Girardeau watersheds are included in the next phase of the Department of Natural resources’ Our Missouri Waters effort. Photo credit: Scott Myers, DNr


the Salt River Basin, Meramec Basin and the Missouri River corridor, as well as the Sac, Niangua and Upper Mississippi – Cape Girardeau watersheds. See the Our Missouri Waters map.

The following is a full listing of each watershed with its HUC-8 identifying number:

Missouri River Corridor watershedsIndependence – Sugar; 10240011Lower Missouri; 10300200Lower Missouri – Crooked; 10300101Lower Missouri – Moreau; 10300102

Salt BasinNorth Fork Salt; 07110005Salt; 07110007South Fork Salt; 07110006

Meramec BasinBig; 07140104Meramec; 07140102

Other WatershedsLower Grand; 10280103Niangua; 10290110Sac; 10290106Spring; 11070207Upper Mississippi – Cape Girardeau; 07140105

We are excited to begin the next phase of the Our Mis-souri Waters effort. As we bring several more watersheds into focus each year, the department’s overall goal will be to work through all of the 66 (HUC-8) watersheds over the next five years.

Continued public participation and building strong partnerships will be the key to our success. We can’t do this alone. We all need to understand and protect our waters to ensure a positive future, and the department needs the help of citizens, landowners, communities, industries and local leaders for this effort to be successful. We hope to empower and support the local community as they help create a plan for ensuring clean and abundant water for generations to come. The department will help focus additional resources to increase the success of local plans and maintain a support-ive role. To learn more about Our Missouri Waters, visit the department’s website at dnr.mo.gov/omwi.htm.

Together, we can ensure Missouri continues to “cher-ish the natural resources” as Theodore Roosevelt said, and provide a valuable quality of life “for your children and your children’s children.”

Sara Parker PauleyDirector, DNR


Our Missouri Waters provide us with quality drinking water, abundant fish stocks, vital services and recreation. This kayaker is enjoying spending some of his time outdoors recreating in Mark Twain State Park and paddling in Mark Twain Lake. Photo credit: Scott Myers, DNr

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Spotlight on Missouri State Parks – Grand Gulf State Park

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, Grand Gulf State Park is often

referred to as Missouri’s “Little Grand Canyon.” The park has a long history as a geologic curiosity. It is a spectacular sight and is a true chasm, deeper than it is wide.

To understand its origin, oTo understand its origin, one must understand the geology of the area. The lime-stone and dolomite bedrock are very soluble in the mildly acidic groundwater that per-colates down from the sur-face. The water seeps into the fissures and fractures in the bedrock, eventually enlarging the cracks into caves.

Grand Gulf’s cave system has a roof that collapsed an estimated 10,000 years ago. The result is a vertical-walled canyon about three-quarters of a mile long. Bussell Branch, a surface creek that drains about 28 square miles, empties into the chasm through a process called stream piracy. All of this water passes down the length of the chasm, under a 250-foot natural bridge (an uncollapsed remnant of the original cave) and back into the open canyon. Finally, at the lower end of the chasm, it enters the mouth of the remaining underground cave system. It travels nine miles underground, and re-emerges at Mammoth Spring in Arkansas. Mammoth Spring flows as much as nine million

gallons of water per hour, part of it from the Grand Gulf.

The steep walls of the chasm are covered with her-baceous greenery, and from the upstream end down, the canyon gets rapidly deeper. The natural bridge, which spans the canyon at about its midpoint, is some 75 feet high at the upstream end, but the ceiling drops to about 10 feet high on the downstream side. The floor of the chasm is strewn with tumbled do-lomite blocks that were once part of the cave roof, now collapsed.

The mouth of the portion of the cave that has not col-lapsed (at the downstream end of the chasm) is blocked only a short distance inside by mud and debris that al-lows the water from Bussell Branch to percolate through, but bars human access. In the early 1990s, a robot vehicle, equipped with a digging tool and remote camera, pen-etrated a significant distance into the cave. As a result of this reconnaissance, it was determined there is no fea-sible way through the massive blockage to gain access to the rest of the cave.

Early explorers were able to enter the cave. Luella Ag-nes Owen, in her book Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills (1898), recounted her explorations in the Grand Gulf. After entering the cave at the downstream end of the chasm, “The ceiling dipped

so we were not able to stand straight, and the guide said he had never gone farther; but to his surprise here was a light boat which I am ready to admit he displayed no eagerness to appropriate to his own use, and swimming about it, close to shore, were numerous, small, eyeless fish, pure white and perfectly fearless; the first I have ever seen, and little beauties,” she wrote. Owen used the boat to explore the underground system for a considerable distance.

Access to the deeper por-tions of the cave remained possible until the 1920s when a severe storm washed many downed trees and other debris into the gulf, filling the cave. Today, heavy rains fill the gulf to depths exceeding 100 feet, and the water drains

out slowly over a period of several weeks.

In 1971, Grand Gulf was designated a National Natural Landmark, and in 1984, the property became a Missouri state park through a lease agreement between the L-A-D Foundation and the Department of Natural Re-sources. The department has laid out trails and installed boardwalks at this day-use park, and there are many picnic sites scattered on the tree-shaded rim of the chasm. To learn more about Grand Gulf State Park, visit mostate-parks.com

Sara Parker PauleyDirector, DNR

Some people call Grand Gulf State Park, located in Thayer, the “Little Grand Canyon.” Some just call it “breathtaking.” The park is one of the natural wonders of the Ozarks, presenting the most spectacular collapsed cave system in the Ozarks. Photo credit: Scott Myers, DNr



Jeff Blystone

I have enjoyed Missouri’s natural outdoors my whole lifetime so for me it is a perfect fit to be a CFM life member. The Conserva-tion Federation of Missouri is the best way I know to have a voice in the manag-ing of our states game, fish, & fauna...such as endors-ing and participating in urban archery hunting. By becoming a lifetime mem-ber I am joining thousands of Missourians in support-ing Missouri’s #1 citizen’s conservation organization! Whether you’re a bird-watcher, hiker, fisherman, hunter, or outdoor photog-rapher your voice is needed to help keep the Missouri Outdoors wild and won-derful!

Norman Leppo

I became a Life Member of the Conservation Fed-eration of Missouri (CFM) because I strongly believe in the principles of and objectives of CFM. Expe-rience has shown that far too much of the public is unaware of what it takes to maintain at a high quality level Missouri’s multiple and wonderful natural resources or of the essential role the Conservation Fed-eration of Missouri plays in helping that to happen.

John Moore

As a youngster I grew up in the Ozarks fishing and hunting with my grandfa-ther. Through these early experiences I came to love the outdoors and in retire-ment today enjoy living on

a farm on the lower James River south of Springfield. Our outdoor resources, the fish and game, fields and forests, have been handed down to us, but perhaps even more importantly today they are things we are borrowing from our own grandkids. I became a life member of CFM as one small way I can be sure this debt is paid in full.

Ginny Wallace

In a recent conversation, my Dad and I reminisced about the many outdoor experiences we had when I was growing up - from close-to home outings to the Morton Arboretum and every property in the Du-Page County forest preserve system, to farther flung adventures such as fishing in clear, Minnesota lakes, hiking and camping in just about every National Park west of the Mississippi, and rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The point is, as a child growing up near Chicago, I was taught from an early age to enjoy and value the outdoors. Now, as an adult working in the

field of natural resources conservation for 30+ years, I want to make sure that Missouri’s resources will always be here for future generations of Missourians to enjoy. That is why I am a life member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

Jim Zieger

I am a life member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri because I believe that without this organiza-tion we would not have the great resources to the outdoors in Missouri like we do. The future is always being threatened by outside interests and having the CFM lobbying for the citi-zens in Missouri is some-thing that has to be done and supported financially as well as personally. I am proud to be a life member of this organization and encourage everyone to give their support in one of the many options that are available.

Why I Became a Life Member of CFM


3 0 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

Ozark National Scenic Riverways General Management PlanCFM endorses plan “Alternative B”

Over its 78- year history the Con-servation Federa-tion of Missouri

(CFM) has been a consistent voice for conservation, preservation and outdoor recreation in Missouri. Twenty-five years ago CFM was one of the three part-ners along with the Missouri Department of Conservation and Department of Natural Resources in establishing the Missouri Stream Team Program to help restore and protect Missouri Rivers and Streams. We understand the value of these great water re-sources and what they mean to the people of Missouri and to the economy, health and quality of life for our state.

The Current River and its tributary the Jacks Fork (which make up 134 miles of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways) are a threatened national treasure which deserves our highest level of support as a unit of our National Parks System.

CFM clearly understands the need to plan for the fu-ture protection of the ONSR fish, forest, wildlife and unique cultural and natural resources in a manner that insures long term sustain-ability of the park. Such planning that can hopefully result in best management practices for the resource, a safe and rewarding visitor experience and sensitivity to legitimate local, regional,

statewide and national inter-est.

The National Park Service (NPS) over the past year has been seeking public comment on preliminary alternatives for a new general manage-ment plan and wilderness designation for 3,430 acres in the park. This designation represents approximately 4% of the entire acreage of the park land which is already in the hands of the park service.

The three plan alternatives proposed by the NPS ranged from a more restrictive “Plan A” to “Do Nothing Plan C”. The comment period for the public ended on Friday, February 7th.

CFM by past resolutions

adopted by its board of directors has long supported good planning for the ONSR and has encouraged the NPS to implement a new plan to help ensure quality park management services in the future.

The following comment letter was submitted by CFM president, Richard Ash to Ozarks National Scenic Riverways Superintendent William N. Black prior to the comment deadline.

Photo credits: ron Coleman.


This letter is to advise you that The Conservation Fed-eration of Missouri is in sup-port of “NPS Alternative B”, a balanced plan that would address many of the lingering abuses and issues associated with the degradation of the park resources and a dimin-ished visitor experience. We also support the need for ad-equate staffing, the enforce-ment of necessary park rules/regulations and the monitor-ing of existing conservation easements. In addition, CFM favors the designation of a 3,430 acre tract near Big Spring as wilderness.

CFM feels that “Plan B” offers both balance and flex-ibility for enhancing and pro-tecting the park. If properly designed and implemented this new plan will hopefully be a start towards reversing nearly two decades of benign

neglect in the ONSR that has lead to less than a positive visitor experience and nega-tive impacts on the park and river.

We encourage your sup-port for helping to produce a plan that will bring resolution to the numerous perils faced by the park and allow NPS to

capitalize on future opportu-nities for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Ron ColemanCFM 2nd Vice President

The Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation will be holding their 25th Annual

“Spring Fling” Open Buddy Bass Tournament on Sunday, April 6, 2014. The tourna-ment will be held again on Pomme de Terre Lake.

Last year the tournament as well as the prior two years was made a benefit tourna-ment and proceeds were donated to the Conserva-tion Federation of Missouri. There were 65 boats that participated and a total of $2,340 was raised for the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM). The win-

ners of last year’s event were Steve Olive and Brad Dickey. First Place heavy boat weight paid $1,230, Second Place $600, Third Place $490, Fourth Place $420, Fifth Place $350, Sixth Place $280 and Seventh Place $140. The overall Big Bass won $650 and was caught by Greg Becker.

Several members of MO-BASS and Affiliate Members of CFM fished the tourna-ment.

Thanks to donations from both Bass Pro Shops 10 boats received Bass Pro Shops gift certificates of $100 each. Bass Pro Shops donated

$1,000 to the event. This al-lowed 10 of the boats entered to receive their $100 entry fee back in a Bass Pro Shops gift certificate. Along with a 60% payback to the field this tournament is one of the best values for a tournament fisherman as well as benefit-ting a great organization.

I am happy to announce that Bass Pro Shops has agreed to do the same for 2014 and the Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation continues to make this tour-nament an annual benefit tournament for the CFM.

An entry form is available and will be mailed to all

participants from 2013. They will also be available on the following websites www.mo-bass.com, www.confedmo.org, and www.conservation-cafe.com.

I hope to see everyone back from last year and would like to see a lot of new entries this coming April. The more entries will allow for better paybacks as well as raise additional money for the Conservation Federation of Missouri.

B.A.S.S. WishesJim Zieger-President

Spring Fling 2014

3 2 M a R c h 2 0 1 4

1. RULES: The following rules for the tournament will be used. These rules will be interpreted solely by the Tournament Officials, and all decisions will be final. 2. ELIGIBILITY: All individuals, 18 years of age or older, who paid entry fee. Individuals under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Need not be a member of B.A.S.S. or Mo. B.A.S.S. Federation. 3. ENTRY FEE: $100 per boat, which includes $10 into Big Bass Pool. Entries will be accepted at Harbor Marina, Pomme de Terre Lake, between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., April 6, 2014. 4. HEADQUARTERS & TIMES: Harbor Marina. Fishing times are 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Daylight Savings Time, Sunday, April 6, 2014. 5. LIVE-WELL CHECK: ALL entries must participate in live-well checks. 6. DEPARTURE: Will be in sequence in which entry fees are received. 7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: Only artificial baits or lures may be used. Pork style baits are allowed. No trolling. All bass must be caught on rod and reel during tournament hours. 8. BOATS AND EQUIPMENT: Any boat 14 feet or longer will be accepted if powered by an engine of 10 horsepower or more. Boats must be equipped with functional, aerated live-well. Boats may not be trailered during tournament hours. Boats may not have motors which exceed the horsepower rating or BIA rating plate on boat. All Missouri Water Patrol laws and regulations apply. 9. SAFETY AND SPORTSMANSHIP: Safe boating and fishing practices must be observed. Life jackets MUST be worn during departure. Ignition “kill” switches are required. All Missouri Department of Conservation laws and regulations shall apply. 10. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Anywhere on the tournament lake, except within fifty (50) yards of a public dock that dispenses boat gas, another contestant’s boat at anchor, or the take-off cove. 11. SCORING: Largemouth Bass, Kentucky Bass and Smallmouth Bass will be counted. Total stringer weight will determine place. Any bass under thirteen (13) inches presented for weigh-in will cause two pounds to be subtracted from total stringer weight for that day, plus the loss of the short fish. Any bass dead when presented for weigh-in (as determined by Tournament Officials) will cause a 0.25 lb. to be subtracted from total stringer weight for that day. Five (5) fish per boat may be weighed in. Any frozen, iced or mangled fish presented for weigh-in shall result in immediate disqualification. THE GATOR GRIP tournament ruler shall be the official measuring device. 12. TRUTH VERIFICATION: Each contestant shall be subject to a truth verification test. Anyone failing to pass test will be disqualified. Anyone refusing to such test shall be disqualified. Anyone that has refused to take or failed a truth verification test will not be allowed to participate. 13. TIES: Ties will be broken by earliest starting position. 14. CHECK-IN LATE PENALTY: One (1) pound per minute, up to ten (10) minutes, then disqualification. NO EXCUSES. All participants must check in at official timer at end of courtesy dock of ramp. 15. TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION: If the tournament is cancelled due to reasons of safety on Sunday, April 6, 2014, the entry fees will be refunded. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE FOR ANY OTHER REASON. 16. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to not allow entry for any reason.

Conservation Federation of MissouriThe Voice For Missouri Outdoors

Convention Gun Raffle

RAFFLE RULES:* Tickets: 1 - $10.00, 3 - $20.00 or 10 - $50.00* Winner will be drawn at the CFM Annual Convention on Saturday, March 22

(Winner need not be present to win)* To purchase tickets contact Laurie at the CFM office (573) 634-2322 or email

[email protected]

The CZ 912 is built with a high gloss finish and sleek look with attractive linesboth on the alloy receiver and on the walnut stock. The modern-style recoil padprovides for not only a significant reduction in perceived recoil, but is snag-free aswell. A long recoil spring is located in the butt of the stock, simplifying assemblyand allowing it to cycle a wide variety of loads across the power spectrum in both2 ¾” and 3”.

In addition, the rearward spring design makes required cleanings less frequentand easier when they are needed. Removal of the installed magazine plug is sim-ple, requiring only the magazine cap to be unscrewed. Without the plug it givesthe upland hunter a 4+1 capacity. With superb balance and an average weight of7.4 lbs, the 912 is well-suited to the pursuit of both birds and clays.

Gun Raffle_Layout 1 2/6/2014 2:00 PM Page 1

RAFFLE RULES:* Tickets: 1 - $10.00, 3 - $20.00 or 10 - $50.00

* Winner will be drawn at the CFM Annual Convention on Saturday, March 22 (Winner need not be present to win)

* To purchase tickets contact Laurie at the CFM office (573) 634-2322, email [email protected] or visit the CFM website at www.confedmo.org

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

Documents

Vol75 no2 2014