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River HillsTravelerVOL. 41, NO. 5 NOVEMBER 1, 2013 ST. CLAIR, MO 63077

Ad Index ................ 18Books ................ 10Calendar .................. 2Classified .......... 21-22Editorial ................... 5Humor ............... 16Hunting 3, 4, 6, 7, 8,9,

15, 16, 17, 18

Indians ................... 18Nature ..11, 12, 13, 14,

23Photography ... 12-13Outdoor news .7, 9, 11Recipes .................. 17SunMoon ............... 16

OUR Annual

DEER HUNT EDITION

By BILL COOPER

Deer hunting is now spec-tacular in most areas of Missouri. Even the soil-poor Ozarks boasts a

healthy deer herd. Despite the fact that deer hunting is great in the Ozarks and everyone hunting has a good chance of taking a deer, there are those individuals who consis-tently harvest respectable deer season after season. They have a perfect deer hunting plan, which has been honed by many years of deer hunting tradition. Dave Pounds, of Flat, an unincorpo-rated community in southern Phelps County, has hunted whitetail deer for over almost a half century. The

60-year-old veteran has harvested well over 100 deer with bow, rifle and muzzleloader! Pounds deer hunts exclusively in Phelps and Pulaski counties. Over the decades he has developed a personal tradition of hunting on U.S. Forest Service lands.There are 90,000-acres of USFS lands in Phelps County alone.

Clearcuts are deer magnets “I spend a lot of time in the woods all year round,” Dave noted as the most important factor contributing to his incredible success. “I hunt all the available deer seasons; I scout well before the first season; I spend time after the season to discover new pat-terns that deer develop either because of a new food source or increased competition in the herd. I also love to look for shed antlers. They often put me on to the presence of a buck I have never seen.” Pounds indicated that clearcut areas provide prime deer habitat.“Clearcuts grow up in very thick vegetation-

Experience, tradition breed hunting success

By HOWARD HELGENBERG

My brother and I pulled into deer camp a little later then we had hoped. It was about 11:30 Fri-

day night and the season would open early the next morning. Everyone else was already in bed but we still had a lot to do.The first thing would be to get the tent set up. It didn’t help that the wind was blowing hard. With no moon, it was very dark. There wasn’t time to get real orga-nized. As soon as we had the tent set up and our sleeping bags spread out we set the alarm and hit the sack. I don’t think I got a minute of sleep that night. My mind was going a hundred miles an hour. I never really warmed up either. The alarm went off all too soon and although I was tired I was ready to get up and get out in the woods. A quick breakfast and a brief

Continued on Page 21

Deer hunters challenged by EHD, CWD

By JIM LOWMDC News Writer

Missouri has an abundance of deer, according to Emily Flinn, a resource scientist with the Missouri Depart-ment of Conservation. She says the key to understanding this year’s deer forecast is regional and even local dif-ferences in deer number. Flinn specializes in managing Mis-souri’s economically valuable white-tailed deer herd. She says the state’s deer harvest has been stable for the past 10 years. However, she expects a below-average harvest this year.She says the past 10 years have seen short-term and long-term changes in deer abundance across the state. For example, changes in hunting regula-tions have achieved the long-term goal of reducing deer numbers in parts of northern, western, and central Missouri. During the same period, less liberal harvest regulations have

Continued on Page 6

MDC: Drought, disease createuneven densities within small areas

Last year’s hunt went quickly for one Helgenbergbrother

BELOW AVERAGE HARVEST EXPECTED — Missouri deer are plentiful but the Mis-souri Department of Conservation expects a below average harvest for firearms season Nov. 16-26, due to a drought-driven lower acorn crop and population losses from epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). Due to the existence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in northern Missouri, hunters also face new regulations on trans-portation and disposal of carcasses. Howard Helgenberg photo.

MORE DEER STORIESINSIDE

Deer outlook by region Albino deer a memorable kill MDC seeks hunters’ help to contain CWD Seasons come and go; how much did we really notice? Hi, ho, Silver, away? Wild horse adds wrinkle to deer hunt Eating venison smacks of elitism

Dave Pounds

quickly after an area has been cut over,” Pounds commented. “Phelps and Pulaski are typical Ozark counties with lots of vast stands of big timber. The openings that clearcuts provide

and the resulting new vegetation become deer magnets.” Pounds quickly pointed out that in spite of the clearcuts being so attrac-tive to deer, that the downside is that the areas are difficult to hunt. The difficulties associated with the dense vegetation removed another deer hunting tradition for Pounds and his hunting buddies. “We sometimes get several guys together to form a deer drive. The cuts are so thick though, that it is real tough to tromp through them. Too, it is impossible to cover all the escape routes deer have coming out of the cuts.” Regardless, Pounds spoke emphati-cally about his results from hunting clearcuts. “Three of my biggest bucks came from clearcut areas,” he said. Pounds developed a personal hunt-ing method by regularly hunting clearcuts then locating trails leading in and out of the heaviest cover in a clearcut. Sign such as rubs, scrapes, droppings and tracks are other indica-

Continued on Page 20

November 2013 RIVER HILLS TRAVELER -- PAGE 2

You asked for it...We’ve got it! New! Revised! Expanded!

A Paddler’s Guide to Missouri

It’s Oz Hawksley’s original book from 1965 plus a whole lot more:

• 9 x 11 inches, gorgeous color phots, lay-flat spiral binding. Put it inside a sealable, clear bag and read while you float with-out flipping pages.

• Maps & details of popular float streams plus lesser-known streams & tributaries.

• Along with updated, easy-to-read maps, descriptions of access points, camping, state parks and conservation areas.

ONLY $895plus tax & shipping

To order send $13.70 to River Hills Traveler, P.O. Box 245, St. Clair, MO 63077 or phone Jo at 800-874-8423, ext. 2 with your credit card in hand.

Exploring Missouri Waters. Nov. 8 Missouri State Museum. Resource Hall, Jefferson City. 6-9 p.m. Three hours of presentations on the natural waters of Missouri. Project Wet and Project Learning Tree Workshop. Nov. 8. Twin Pines CEC. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For educatiors and naturalists. Snacks provided; please bring lunch. If you have questions or need to register, you may contact Erica Cox at 417-836-4337 or EricaCox@MissouriState.edu. Theresa Johnson at TheresaJohnson@MissouriState.edu is also available to answer questions. Traveler Bookstore Open Saturday. Nov. 9. 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Have an outdoor book and CD shopping list for your family and friends? We’re open SATURDAY. Save $$ on shipping, other specials inhouse. 800-874-8423 x 2. Nature Trivia. Nov. 14. Cape Girardeau CNC. 5-8 p.m. Nature trivia for all ages. No registration needed. Do you have what it takes to be a naturalist? Off-Trail Navigation. Nov. 16. Howell Island CA, Chesterfield. 12:30 – 4 p.m. Learn to use a compass, area map, and functions of a GPS, then get turned loose on a flat, vegetated, but mostly featureless island. Bring your own equipment or use ours. For families. Reserve. 636-441-4554 starting Nov. 1. Missouri Firearms Deer Season. Nov. 16-26 statewide. Of Zygodactyl Feet and Retractable Tongues. Woodpeckers at Arrow Rock. Nov. 23. Arrow Rock State Historic Site. 8 -11 a.m. Members of the Missouri River Bird Observatory will tell you everything you ever thought you needed to know about woodpeckers. Nature Journal on a Lunch Bag. Nov. 23. Cape Girardeau CNC. 2-3:30 p.m. Join as MDC naturalists turn lunch bags into nature journals good for an entire year. Reserve at 573-290-5218. Wappapello Lake Festival of Lights. Nov. 29 – December 29. 6-9 p.m.. Redman Creek Recreation Area. Weekends until Dec. 14. Then every night until close. 573-222-8562. Traveler Holiday Open Houae. Dec. 1. 780 N. Commercial, St. Clair. Noon- 4:30 p.m. Stop by our annual holiday party for chat, refreshment to set the stage for Christmas. RSVP to 800-874-8423 x 2 for planning purposes. If you forget to call, come by anyway!

Traveler welcomes brief event submissions for the Calendar. We’re especially interested in outdoors or history-related, low-cost community or charitable events open to all. Info needs to reach us by the 15th of the month before the event. Call Toll-free to 800-874-8423 ext. 2 or email to jschaper@rhtrav.com for consideration. We promise to read them all and to print as space permits or place the most interesting on the blog.

TRAVELER CALENDAR

Traveler gift subscriptions are:1. Long-lasting

2. Appreciated 3. Affordable 4. Easy to order 5. Require no wrapping 6. Never the wrong size

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Send to Traveler, P.O. Box 245, St. Clair, MO 63077River Hills Traveler

Don’t like to fill out forms? Call 800-874-8423, ext 2

Solve thegift puzzleearly this year

Just fill out the form at left and send it to us with your check or credit card information. We’ll email back a Discount Coupon equal to 5% of your total order. You can use the coupon on your own subscription renewal or any book purchase from River Hills Traveler.

We’ll also return a gift card for you to sign and give to your giftee.

For multiple gift subscriptions, send us your giftee information on a separate sheet of paper.

780 N. Commercial• P.O. Box 245 • St. Clair, MO 63077

BONUS: Get a 5% Discount Couponback for every gift subscription you start or renew. Use your coupon on Traveler books or your own subscrip-tion renewal.

Like our River Hills Traveler Facebook page to get headlines and

links to statewide outdoor news

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Enjoy a visit with Traveler Editor & Publisher Emery Styron, Ass’t Editor

Jo Schaper and other Traveler writers, readers and friends

All Traveler writers are invited though we can’t promise who will be here, as they are an independent bunch.

Please stop by for a hot or cold drink and a cookie or two. Let us get to know you better.

November 2013 RIVER HILLS TRAVELER -- PAGE 3

Sunday, Dec. 1 • Noon-5 p.m. •Refreshments•Door Prizes

•Holiday Book Bargains • Subscription Specials

GETTING HERE — We are located on Missouri 47 and Old U.S. 66 in St. Clair, Mo., 36 miles west of the I-44-I-270 interchange in St. Louis. From I-44, take Exit 240. Go south on 47 across overpass to first light. Turn right on 47 (N. Com-mercial) and look for our banner on your left, just past Bulldog Donuts.

You are invited to Traveler’s 4th Annual

Holiday Open House

Our bookshelves are bulging with more titles and bargains than ever. Here’s your chance to stock up for Christmas giving and save on shipping.

You’ll enjoy seeing our authentic Route 66 office building, built of native sandstone and chock full of interesting photos, paintings, rocks and books, CDS and DVDs about our region.

River Hills Traveler780 N. Commercial • St. Clair, MO 63077

Phone 800-874-8423

c Serving the Missouri OutdoorsSince 1973

By GREG “RUDI” RUDROFF

I hunt from the same deer stands on the same farm each deer season. The place looks much the same year after year. The results

mirror each other, too, year after year. A deer or maybe two are taken. Same-old, same-old. Or is it? It’s funny how our minds can become so set on patterns that we fail to see the larger picture. Maybe we do not want to admit that the years are flying by. Maybe the approach of my 50th birthday in a couple of weeks was the stimulus that I needed to take a closer look and see how much things have actually changed. For example, last year my daughter took her first deer in her second season of deer hunting. My son took his third deer last year in four seasons of hunting. How different just these last four seasons have been! I’m now out here hunting with my children! I began deer hunting eight years before either of them was born and now they have taken one or more deer. My deer hunting began with a friend, both of us fresh out of college. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing or proper gear. Neither of us shot a

deer and both of us nearly froze to death. My friend didn’t stay with deer hunting but my dad took his place. He and I did not yet know what we were doing and we both went home empty handed but we began an enduring tradition that first year. By my third season, Dad and I started to know

what we were doing and we started taking home meat. Dad no longer hunts with me. He still goes out for opening weekend but he has turned his stand and his deer rifle over to his grandson. Dad recently turned 80, so he stays in the farmhouse and

ventures out towards the woods once or twice only during the weekend. What a change the recent seasons have thrown my way yet still I did not see it clearly. My uncle still owns the farm we hunt on. Age has caught up with him and in a big way. Sadly, he is no longer the ever-strong and independent farmer. We’ve been together these many years of deer hunting but things have changed. Early on, he hardly spoke a hundred words to me in a week’s

Continued on Page 20

One deer season is just like the last...or is it?

Generation 3, Selected Models

Expires 12-21-13 Expires 12-21-13

CONSTANT CHANGE — Rudi Rudroff began hunting eight years before his son and daughter Sarah, above, were born. Now he hunts with them. During that time, his dad and uncle have aged out of hunting. Rudi Rudroff photo.

It’s funny how our minds can become so set on patterns that we fail to see the larger picture. Maybe we do not want to admit that the years are flying by.

November 2013 RIVER HILLS TRAVELER -- PAGE 4

Trav’s Specially Selected

BOOKS & DVDS FOR HUNTERS

Meacham’s cast of recurring small-town characters resides in or around mythical Kickapoo County. Meet Ferguson “Two-By” Foreman and To-bias Oarknott of the Reddy-Oarknott Funeral Home and many others. The

Red Green Show doesn't have a thing on Meacham's brand of outdoors humor. 192 pages, paperback. $10

Basic guide covers turkey life cycle and habits, hunting calls, gear, scouting, outsmarting this wily bird and the differences in spring and fall hunting plus tales of the turkey woods. Over 50 photos. Softcover, 258 pgs. $24.95.

Ray Eye’s PracticalTurkey Hunting Strategies

"Honey, He ShrunkMy Head!"by John Meacham

For fishing, Missouri history and Ozarks

culture titles,shop online at

riverhillstraveler.com/ travelerbooks.php

SAVE ON SHIPPING!SHOP IN PERSON

AT OUR OFFICE

Open 10-5 Thursdays & FridaysOther times by chance

or appointment. Call 800-874-8423, ext. 2

We're at 780 N. Commercial(Hwy. 47) in St. Clair, MO

Take I-44 west 36 miles from I-270 & I-44. Take exit 240, turn

left on MO 47, then right on Commercial.

Get all of Ray’s Turkey DVDs • Boys of Autumn: How to call and kill Fall Turkeys • Eye on the Wild Turkey, • Volume III: the Final Chapter • Chasing Spring, Volume 1 • Chasing Spring, Volume 2

$19.99 ea. Get all 5

for only $95

Ray Eye’sTurkey Hunter’s BibleEverything you need to know to bring down the wily birds, spring or fall. Scouting turkey, the best calls, hunt-ing techniques honed to the season and sex of the bird. Includes infor-mation on habitat, habits, times of

the day, hunting positions, and how to outwit turkeys. Illustrated w/ 200 color photo-graphs,. 224 pages, softcover. $24.95.

Helgenberg thinks about deer hunting all the time - while fishing, while teaching his girls to build a fire - all the time. The total experi-ence is part of the hunt, especial-ly the camping, the friendships, coping with weather conditions. This broad outlook on deer hunt-ing is why Howard found space in the magazine I edited." - Bob Todd, former owner/ editor, River Hills Traveler. 140 pgs. Softcover.$20.95

Deer Hunting in the Missouri Ozarksby Howard Helgenberg

SHIPPING, HANDLING & SALES TAX

Please add thse charges for shipping and handling: $4 for 1 book plus $1.25 each per additional book or DVD. For DVDs only, $2 for 1 DVD plus $1.25 per add’l DVD. Missouri residents, include 8.975% sales tax and ship-ping charges with your payment. If you have questions figuring these amounts, please call Jo Schaper at 800-874-8423, ext. 2

To order, send list of items and payment to River Hills Traveler, P.O. Box 245, St. Clair, MO 63077 or phone Jo Schaper, 800-874-8423, ext. 2 with your credit card in hand

ONLY$10

Open 7 Days a Week

222 Pine St.Arcadia, Mo. 63621

1900 Guns in Stock

AmmunitionIn

Stock

Archery

Pro Shop

Mouth Calls

Blinds

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Box Calls

Shells Scents

Arrows

Strings

Broadheads

1-573-546-7616ALBINO BUCK — Steve Parsons, Marble Hill, shared this photo of an albino buck his brother, Louis, killed in November 1995. At that time, their parents rented a farm in the Horseshoe Bend area of Osage County. Louis shot the buck where a corn field merged into a woodlot adjoining the Gasconade River.

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