NOVEMBER 2008VOL. 69, NO. 6

5913Go Green

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NEWS & ISSUES

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

WildlifeMISSOURI

Missouri Endangered Species

Conservation License Plates

One of my favorite outdooractivities this time of year isto sit alone in a tree andwatch whitetail bucks as they

search for does. Anyone who does thisin the right place and at the right timewill certainly come to appreciate that therut is a very big deal for a buck. All thethoughtfully provided mineral supple-ments, green browse, food plots andcarefully managed forest the landownercan provide, the fruits of which havebeen miserly accumulated by every buckin the neighborhood, get spent in a mat-ter of days. They run and they run andthey run. Every square inch of their ter-ritory is patrolled and protected con-stantly and vigorously. The bucks seemto not eat or sleep for days and days. It istheir way.

Spring seems to always catch meunaware. One minute it is winter withbitter cold, dreary landscapes and virtu-ally non-stop darkness. Suddenly, it ispleasant to be outside, colors brighteneverything with early green up andshowy blossoms. Day light comes earlyand stays late. There is an obviouslyfurious tempo to the outdoors. Every-thing happens so fast, it seems impossi-ble to keep up with it all.

This year fall seems exactly that wayto me. So much going on in our worldand at such a feverish pace! Harvest hasalready progressed across much of theMissouri landscape. Baseball is over.Football now has its day. Basketball isalready underway. This being a big elec-tion year, news and advertising arechock full of things for each of us toconsider and try to understand. Even inour magnificent land, with the greatesteconomy in the history of our planet,too many of us face serious financialchallenges. The axiom to “think globallyand act locally” has an ominous ring toit these days.

Yesterday I had the opportunity toshare a couple of hours with our Grand-

niece, a spritely 16 month old. Shebrightened the house with giggles andsprinted from room to room in our oldhouse in the pure delight of new discov-ery. By the way, she blazed along a fewhundred yards of the KATY Trail, aswell. For her as for the buck aforemen-tioned, these are the best of times. Theseare, in fact, the only times they know.One day may our Grandniece fondlyremember fleeting bits of good feelingfrom times she has had with us. I guar-antee you the buck recognizes that rightnow is what counts and his every deci-sion and action may be life or death.

A wise old mentor once taught methat “during the best of times there arefolks going broke and during the worstof times there are folks getting rich.” Hispoint being that our every decision hasimportance. And we must use our witsand abilities to deal with things as theyare. I encourage you to use your bestjudgment in the upcoming elections. Ihave every confidence that the innova-tive, solution oriented approach we out-doors folks employ in our pursuits ofoutdoor passions will steer us right. Beaware that no matter who wins an elec-tion, we will have to find ways to workwith them to secure the future of theoutdoors. The future of forests, fish andwildlife, hunting, fishing, trapping andwildlife watching has always been clearlyin our hands. It always will.

I cannot know what the future holds,exactly, but I take great confidence infacing that future with you! Thanks foryour generosity and support in goodtimes and in challenging ones. Ourworld is a better place and has many,many strengths that did not exist duringthe Great Depression. We now have anabundance of game species in Missouri.Our forests cover more acreage now thatmost anytime in history. Our agricul-ture vastly outperforms the “good olddays.” Infrastructure of roads is welldeveloped and already in place. Com-

pared to the 1930’s we now have cleanerair, cleaner water, and much, much bet-ter soil conservation. There are literallyhundreds of citizen conservation organ-izations in Missouri, which did not existin the 1930’s. Ours is now a land ofplenty with natural resources occurringin high quality and great abundance.The solutions to most of our problemswill have their origins in the land andhow we care for and nurture it. The bestof times are yet to come! Thanks foralways being part of the solution as wehave met many challenges at CFM. Formore than 73 years we have sought andfound those solutions together andbrought them to life. Thanks foralways keeping Missouri outdoors andCFM as priorities for your investmentsof time and money. Missouri is a muchbetter place for your generosity, yourefforts and vigilance. May the holidaysbring joy to you and yours. May 2009bring untold opportunities and goodfortune for each of us and for CFM.Enjoy the rut!

Dave MurphyExecutive Director, CFM

2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

The Rut

VIEW FROM THE STONE HOUSE

WildlifeNovember 2008Vol. 69, No. 6

MISSOURI

Missouri Wildlife is the official publication of theConservation Federation ofMissouri, Affiliate of theNational Wildlife Federation.

ISSN 1082-8591

728 W. MainJefferson City, MO 65101-1559

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

Email • dmurphy@confedmo.orgOnline • http://www.confedmo.org

MISSOURI WILDLIFE (USPS 012868) is pub-lished bimonthly in January, March, May, July,September and November for subscribers andmembers of the Conservation Federation ofMissouri, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO65101-1559. Of each member’s dues ($25minimum) $5.00 shall be for a year’s subscrip-tion to Missouri Wildlife. Periodical postagepaid at Jefferson City, MO. and additionalmailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to MISSOURI WILDLIFE, 728 W. Main, Jefferson City, MO 65101-1559.

Glenn ChambersMike Schallon

Duane AddlemanDan Zerr

Randy Washburn

Dave MurphyLynne Jensen Lampe

Laurie Coleman

Micaela HaymakerAmy Buechler

PresidentFirst Vice PresidentSecond Vice PresidentSecretaryTreasurer

Executive Director/EditorDesign & ProductionMembership Associate/Managing EditorOffice Manager Teaming With WildlifeCoordinator

OFFICERS

STAFF

COVER: Passing on the tradition. Photo ©Glenn D. Chambers, 2008.

4509 Woods RoadRobertsville, MO 63072

e-mail: hmeier@onemain.comVisit our website: www.missouribowhunters.org

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PO Box 133Gray Summit, MO 63039

Go to www.riverhillstraveler.com/traveler-subscription.php.Click on FREE TRIAL. Or call 1-800-874-8423

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Reduce • Reuse • Recycle

According to Webster’s CollegeEdition, New World Dictionaryof the American Language, theword RESOURCE applies to

any thing, person, action, and so on towhich one turns for aid in time of need oremergency.

One need not look very far these daysto see that RESOURCES are extremelyimportant in today’s critical world situa-tion!!! From FINANCIAL RESOURCESto NATURAL RESOURCES to HUMANRESOURCES, we are well aware of theimportance of these RESOURCES to ourvery survival. The most prudent amongus are very concerned about our ownRESOURCES and how best to protectand make the best use of them.

Even the common critters we encount-er every day have concerns about theRESOURCES that are at their disposal andthe importance of those RESOURCES totheir survival.

An Example:It was a cold, gray, windy, winter after-

noon. Darkness was approaching withtemperatures hovering in the lower 20sand a chilling rain that had just changedto pelting sleet. Jeannie and I were sittingat the kitchen table awaiting dinner (dovecasserole) that was simmering in the oven.From the sliding glass door that leads toour deck in the back yard, we watched agray squirrel laboring intensely in an effortto build a nest in a giant hickory tree in

the nearby woods. Nothing was goingright for the squirrel—high wind, dismalatmospheric conditions, slippery treetrunk and wet nesting material.

The squirrel had chosen an opencrotch about 40 feet above ground as alocation for the nest. The bowl where ithad hoped to lodge the nest was about afoot in diameter. The squirrel, throughtrial and error, had figured out that leaveswere not enough to support the futurehome. After several tries with leaves,which instantly blew away, it decided totry using sticks to anchor a platform.Ice-covered branches meshing with ice-covered tree trunk was definitely not thesolution.

We watched as darkness approachedand the squirrel made absolutely noprogress. But the little fellow was incredi-bly tenacious, never giving up. It wouldhaul a limb—that was all that it could pos-sible pack—up to the fork of the trunk,try to situate it in the bowl, and watchhopelessly as it released it and the windimmediately blew it away back to theground. The squirrel would crawl all theway back down to the ground, retrieve thesame branch, crawl all the way back upthe icy trunk to the chosen location, try todeposit the branch in the bowl and thesecond it released the branch—ZOOM,away it went, tumbling back to the forestfloor below!!! This sad scenario contin-ued into the dusk.

As Jeannie and I prepared to enjoy ourdinner, I went to the kitchen sink to washmy hands. From our kitchen window, wehave a view of a squirrel nest box made ofcypress lumber that has hung there in awhite oak tree for years. Through theyears, it has been the nursery for a num-ber of litters of baby squirrels (two litters,spring/fall 2008). It has occupants almostcontinually, both summer and winter.

As I peered through the window intothe gloomy darkness, I could see a graysquirrel situated inside the nest box, look-ing out and protesting. And clinging tothe overhang of the roof of the box Icould see another gray squirrel desperate-ly begging to gain entrance to the warmthinside. I can only assume that it was mylittle friend that had tried desperately tobuild its nest in the fork of the big hickory.I do not know the outcome of the

encounter at the nest box, but knowinggray squirrel behavior, I doubt that the“beggar”was successful in gainingentrance to warmth and safety inside thebox that night.

LESSON LEARNED—BOTTOMLINE!!! SHAME ON ME!!!

Under the deck, below the dog kennel,believe it or not, was not ONE but TWOsquirrel nest boxes. I had the RESOURCESto provide winter refuge for that squirrelAND another one. All I had to do was tohave taken the time and have gone to theeffort to have mounted those two boxes inthe backyard trees. And on my fall “TODO”list, you guessed it, HANG TWOSQUIRREL NEST BOXES BEFOREWINTER!!!!

We all have RESOURCES. Some morethan others. But we all need to GUARDOUR RESOURCES carefully—especiallyin times like we are experiencing now.

One of our greatest and most preciousRESOURCES is our YOUTH. Take sometime and invest in our YOUTH. You willbe happier for it and they will benefit.

SO—-make it a point to go outside atthis most beautiful time of the year. Becareful and courteous. Enjoy all the greatopportunities that are available out there,and YES, take a YOUTH hunting or fish-ing, or just go for a hike in the woods.

Glenn D. ChambersPresident, CFM

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Resources Of All Kinds: How Do We Use Them?

The Conservation Federation of Missouri is pleasedto announce that nominations are being acceptedfor the prestigious Missouri ConservationAchievement Awards. Each year the CFM recog-nizes individuals and organizations in Missouri fortheir outstanding achievements in conservation.We wish to acknowledge personal efforts andaward each recipient for actions that have lead to asignificant conservation success during the calendaryear. CFM Conservation Awards are presented inthe following categories:

Conservationist of the YearConservation Communicator of the Year

Forest Conservationist of the YearAir Conservationist of the Year

Professional Conservationist of the YearConservation Educator of the YearWater Conservationist of the Year

Youth Conservationist of the YearHunter Education Instructor of the Year

Wildlife Conservationist of the YearSoil Conservationist of the Year

Conservation Organization of the Year

Any resident of Missouri may be nominated for aConservation Award. All clubs, including but notlimited to CFM affiliates, are eligible for consid-eration. Anyone may submit an application.

To nominate someone for an award simply writetheir name, address and occupation on a nomina-tion form along with your name, address and thespecific category in which you are nominating theindividual or club. You must include a statement,no longer than three pages typewritten, detailingthe nominee’s contributions to conservation dur-ing the calendar year. Send the application to

CFM, 728 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO65101. The deadline is December 31, 2008.

For detailed information on the CFM award cat-egories, check out our website at www.confed-mo.org. Winners will be the special guests of theCFM at the Annual Meeting of Delegates,February 27 at the Lodge of Four Seasons.

Conservation Achievement Awards Deadline Approaches

2007 Conservationistof the Year VincentTravnichekreceiving hisaward from CFM PresidentGlenn Chambers.

Business Conservationist of the YearAffiliate of the Year

4 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

FOREST FROM THE TREES

The health of America’sThe health of America’sThe health of America’sThe health of America’sThe health of America’sprivate forests dependsprivate forests dependsprivate forests dependsprivate forests dependsprivate forests depends

on youon youon youon youon you

American Tree Farm System ® promotesthe sustainable management of foreststhrough education and outreach to familyforest landowners. For information abouthow you can become a part of the Tree Farmprogram contact the Missouri State TreeFarm Committee @ 573-634-3252 or visitwww.treefarmsystem.org

Get Your Property CertifiedIn The Tree Farm Program!

In October, 2007, our farm becamecertified in the Missouri Tree FarmProgram. This year, in MissouriWildlife, we have run a series of

articles recounting why and how thiscame about. This is the sixth and finalinstallment in our story.

We have earlier reported on the manybenefits to our forest, to our residentwildlife and to our family resultingdirectly and indirectly from our activemanagement efforts. We are well on theway to meeting our overall objectivefrom the start, of creating and maintain-ing a productive, healthy and sustainableforest. In fact, our forest continues toimprove in all three of these aspects witheach additional management action weput into practice.

So why is certification in the TreeFarm Program important? Why is itimportant to our family? Why is itimportant to wildlife? Why is it impor-tant to our forest? I hope to wrap up thisdiscussion with compelling arguments,which we consider absolutely irrefutable,for earning Tree Farm certification.

First, what sorts of properties are eli-gible for certification? Your propertymust have at least 10 acres of forest, andno more than 20,000 contiguous acres.You must have a qualified written man-agement plan. Your management prac-tices must comply with federal, state andlocal laws. You must give considerationfor air, water, and soil quality, for conser-vation of fish, wildlife and biodiversity.You must give consideration to visualimpacts of your forestry practices. Youmust recognize historical, biological,archeological, cultural, and geologicalsites. Your timber harvests, forest opera-tions and reforestation efforts must allbe responsible. These all fit OK for us,and I expect, could work for most wellmanaged forest properties. It is amazingto me that fewer than 1,000 forest prop-erties are certified in Missouri.

Second, why is certification impor-tant to our forest? In a nutshell, becausemeeting all the requirements for certifi-cation is the most direct path there is toensuring a productive, healthy and sus-tainable forest! You must have a writtenplan. You must actively and responsiblymanage. Meeting these essential require-ments translates directly into improve-ments in your forest.

Third, why is certification important

to wildlife? Because a forest under man-agement for productivity, health andsustainability will provide more and bet-ter food, cover and water for wildlife.Acorn and fruit production in the standsof timber making up our forest is nowmany, many times what it was before webegan. Overstocking, crowding and sti-fling of growth and productivity of ourbest acorn, nut and fruit producing treeshas been virtually eliminated. Foodabounds. There is much, much morecover for all kinds of wildlife now. Thebiodiversity referred to in the Tree Farmcertification requirements has beenenhanced by our management efforts,not diminished.

Finally, why is certification importantto our family? Certainly it is a point ofpride for us to have achieved this level ofstewardship. We are proud that ourefforts and investments have produced aforest which exceeds the requirementsfor certification. But there are plenty ofdirect benefits of certification, as well.Certification meets international stan-dards of sustainable forest management.Today this means access to markets fortimber, forest products and, perhaps inthe near future, carbon credits. Certifi-cation by the American Tree Farm Sys-tem is now the most universally availableand least expensive way to become eligi-ble for participation in marketing car-bon credits. A really important immedi-ate benefit to us is all the information.Training, technical tools, in some casesforestry equipment and chemicals, pro-fessional advice all may be accessed viacertification. Check out the accompany-ing advertisement! Call them up! Go tothere website! Get moving on this, and Ipromise you one thing…your propertywill be worth more for your efforts.After all, the more you invest in any-thing, the more you can expect to getout.

Dave MurphyExecutive Director, CFM

CFM Notecardsmake a great gift!Order on page 13

New Bald Eagle LicensePlate Available

Missourians have a new way to dis-play their support for conservation: abald eagle conservation license plate,offered by the Missouri ConservationHeritage Foundation.

Missouri wildlife artist Al Agnewdonated the eagle artwork from hispainting “Spirit of Freedom.” The dra-matic image helps demonstrate Mis-souri’s role in national conservationefforts.

“Bringing our national symbol backas a year-round resident to states whereit had disappeared is something Ameri-cans can celebrate,” said FoundationExecutive Director Rick Thom, “Andbald eagle conservation efforts in Mis-souri are a significant part of this suc-cess story.” In 2007, bald eagles wereremoved from the federal endangeredspecies list, with more than 10,000 pairsof the birds nesting in the U.S., andabout 150 nests in Missouri.

Conservation Heritage licenseplates let you become a driving forcefor conservation. Now you can pay forthem at any Missouri state hunting orfishing permit vendor, including Con-servation Nature Centers and mostMissouri Department of Conservationoffices. For a $25 tax-deductibledonation to the Missouri Conserva-tion Heritage Foundation, the vendorwill give you a “Conservation LicensePlate Emblem Use AuthorizationForm.” The form serves as a voucherthat is needed to order an eagle, blue-bird or white-tailed deer conservationspecialty plate from a Department ofMotor Vehicle office. Stock and per-

sonalized plates are available.The Missouri Conservation Heritage

Foundation directs license plate saledonations to conservation effortsstatewide. Conservation License PlateEmblem Use Authorization Forms canalso be ordered online at www.mochf.orgor by calling 1-800-227-1488.

2008 Operation CleanStream Event PartnersOperation Clean Stream extends a

special thanks to its sponsors, donors,and cooperators who provided the fund-ing, resources, and energy necessary tomake the 41st Annual Operation CleanStream in the Meramec River Watersheda success. This partial list excludes anumber of Big River, Bourbeuse River,upper Meramec River, and St. CharlesCounty partners and donors.

SPONSORS

The Open Space CouncilThe Monsanto FundGreat Rivers Greenway District

PARTNERS

Anheuser-Busch CompaniesThe Home DepotOzark OutdoorsMissouri American WaterBoeing Employee Community FundVeolia Environmental Services

ANNUAL COOPERATORS & DONORS

Alpine ShopAmeren U.E.Beaufort Lions ClubBig River Clean Stream MembersBoeing Employee Community FundBourbeuse River Clean Stream MembersBoy Scouts of America

City of ArnoldCity of BourbonCity of BrynesmillCity of FentonCity of KirkwoodCity of PacificCity of UnionCity of Valley ParkCity of WildwoodColeman ChiropracticColeman GroupDoerr FamilyEarth’s ClassroomFire Districts of:Eureka, Metro-West, PacificSpringdale, St. Clair & Valley ParkGateway Long SpursGrey Eagle Distributing Co.High Ridge Rotary ClubHome DepotHouse Springs Lions ClubJefferson County GovernmentJoe Brinkman & FriendsKrispy KremeLambert Field Rod & Gun ClubLarry Cain, Twin Rivers Stream TeamLarry McDaniels & FriendsLions District 26-A1Med-Tech Group Inc.Marvin Behnke & FriendsMcDonalds StoresMeramec River Recreation AssociationMetropolitan St. Louis Sewer DistrictMid Missouri Canoe AssociationMissouri American Water CompanyMissouri Department of ConservationMissouri Department of Natural ResourcesMissouri Division of State ParksMissouri National Guard 220th –

Engineer Battalion (Festus)Missouri Sportsmen for A Clean OutdoorsMissouri River ReliefMissouri Stream Teams

Missouri Whitewater AssociationNan Corcoran & FriendsNorthern Ozark River Partnership (NORP)Ozark Area Council American

Youth HostelsOzark Chapter Sierra ClubPepsi Cola CompanyPonceroli CuisinePurcell Tire Company

Radeackar’s MarketRoger Taylor & FriendsSam’s ClubSchnucksShaw Nature Reserve

St. Clair Chamber CommerceSt. Louis Audubon SocietySt. Louis County Canoe ClubSt. Louis Co. Parks & Recreation Dept.St. Charles Co. Greenway Network

St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Mgt. Dist.StarbucksUpper Meramec Clean Stream Members

Huzzah & CourtoisValley Park Lions ClubWal-Mart

WGNSSWyman CenterGE EmployeesMany Other Unlisted Cooperators

Welcome CFM New Members

Butch Anderson, HannibalBarbara Baird, RollaRick & Suzanne Baker, Saint LouisDavid Bolinger, WarsawCharles Bracken, WentzvilleDonald Bray, SpringfieldTimothy Brooks, LouisianaKevin Buerge, Garden CityKyle Christensen, High RidgeScott Darrough, HillsboroMike & Linda DeChristina, DittmerQuinten Denney, ParkvilleChris Ebeling, WyacondaJames Elliott, ColumbiaScott English, Saint CharlesMatthew Enk, Saint LouisScott Faiman, ColumbiaJohn Ferguson, AuxvasseDavid Fisher, Shawnee Mission, KSLloyd Ford, De SotoEddie & Rita Glatzel, Saint ClairBob Haltenhof, BallwinRada Hardin, Sierra Vista, AZJoe Hardy, FayetteFlossie Harles, Saint LouisCharles H’Doubler, SpringfieldC. Stephen Heying, AshlandChuck Hillemann, Bonne TerreDolores Houska, PacificPatrick Irwin, BallwinMichael Jablonowski, Villa RidgeJC Car Care Inc., Saint CharlesBruce Kelly, Saint AnnJoel Klonowski, WarrensburgMary Knickmeyer, Saint LouisGreg Landrum, Saint LouisC. Clark Leonard, SalemBill Lovelace, Saint LouisDaniel May, Saint LouisJeffrey Maynard, SpringfieldVincent Mazzola, ArnoldEdith Murray, ColumbiaJohn Napoli, Villa RidgeRoger Obrecht, Wright CityMark Phillips, Saint LouisWilliam Piper, Saint LouisJim Platner, AndersonScott Plegge, Maryland HeightsJerome Richards, AuroraRob Ryba, O’FallonFern Schwede, Saint CharlesRyan Spence, Saint LouisHarold Stinson, EurekaSteven Tillman, Kansas CityLee Usina, Bonne TerreKelly Werner, SturgeonPaul White, RollaBrent Wood, JoplinKeven Wormington, Saint CharlesDan Zerr, APO, AE

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 5

NEWSA COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND THE STATEAND ISSUES

6 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

Conservation Opportunity Areas A Good Place To StartGet Involved With A Team Near You!

TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE

Opportunity knocks! As part ofMissouri’s ComprehensiveWildlife Strategy, Conserva-tion Opportunity Areas

(COAs) designate some of the best placesin the state to conserve all wildlife. COAsinclude places you are familiar with (theCurrent and Eleven Point Rivers, PrairieState Park, Mingo National WildlifeRefuge) and also places that are just asimportant to wildlife, but less familiarstatewide (LaBarque Creek Watershed,Mystic Plains, Missouri River Hills).

A broad partnership of conservationorganizations and agencies used scientificdata to select these COAs. Now, locally ledpartnerships are driving activities in manyCOAs across the state. I recently had theopportunity to spend an afternoon withthe Niangua Basin COA team in Lebanon.The Niangua Basin COA includes landssurrounding the Niangua and Little Nian-gua Rivers, including Bennett SpringsState Park, Ha Ha Tonka State Park andLead Mine Conservation Area. The area isknown for its spring-fed streams andpotential for healthy, open woodlands.The COA team is currently made up ofrepresentatives from the Missouri Depart-ment of Conservation (MDC), MissouriDepartment of Natural Resources, TheNature Conservancy, Audubon Missouri,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, CountySWCD/NRCS, Ozark Regional Land Trustand the American Bird Conservancy.

Recent work in the Niangua BasinCOA includes the replacement of threelow water stream crossings with clear spanbridges. This project was made possiblewith a variety of funding partners, includ-ing USFWS, Missouri Conservation Her-

itage Foundation, FEMA, County Com-missions and MDC. The replacement ofthese three bridges means that 30 miles ofadditional stream habitat are now avail-able for fish like the federally threatenedNiangua Darter.

The Niangua Basin COA team is cur-rently working to increase woodlandmanagement within the COA to benefitwoodland wildlife including Ozark Swal-lowtail butterflies, Whip-poor-wills, Sum-mer Tanagers, Orchard Orioles, WildTurkey and Plains Spotted Skunk.

If you live near the Niangua BasinCOA, one of the best ways to get involvedis to join the new Master Naturalist Chap-ter that will be starting in Camdenton inSpring 2009. This program is an adultcommunity-based natural resource edu-cation and volunteer service programsponsored jointly by the Missouri Depart-ment of Conservation and the Universityof Missouri Extension. For more informa-tion on the Master Naturalist program,contact Syd Hime, Missouri Departmentof Conservation (573-751-4115) or visitwww.monaturalist.org.

Conservation of Missouri’s natural

resources is too big a job for any oneagency or organization. Businesses,organizations, hunters, anglers, bird-watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts all havea role to play. Watch future issues of Mis-souri Wildlife for more opportunities to

get involved in a COA near you!For more information on Missouri’s

Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy (includ-ing COAs), visit: www.wildlifeaction-plans.org/missouri.html.

Teaming With Wildlife is a nationalcoalition of organizations and businessesin support of additional dedicated fund-ing for fish, forest and wildlife conserva-tion and related education and recreation.Teaming With Wildlife supports imple-mentation of Missouri’s ComprehensiveWildlife Strategy. To add your organiza-tion or business to the Teaming WithWildlife Coalition, please visit www.team-ing.com/action.

Amy BuechlerTeaming With Wildlife Coordinator, CFM

Niangua stream crossing after the bridge.

MD

C

Niangua stream crossing before the bridge.

MD

C

U.S.A.

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

Staff Has Visited More Than 6,000 CommunitiesDNR Ombudsman Program Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

AGENCY NEWS

The Missouri Department ofNatural Resources establishedthe Ombudsman Program inAugust 2005 to help strength-

en the department’s relationships withMissouri’s communities, businessesand individuals; to facilitate communi-cation between staff and Missourians;and to make technical and financialassistance readily available to those whoneed it. Through the program, anombudsman is located at each of thedepartment’s five regional offices andthe department’s Division of Geologyand Land Survey Office in Rolla andoperates independently from these

offices and the department’s other divi-sions.

In the three years since inception ofthe Missouri Department of NaturalResources’ Ombudsman Program, thedepartment’s ombudsmen have com-pleted more than 6,000 site visits. Manyof these visits have focused on assistingcommunities. Kansas City RegionalOmbudsman Judy Bowman is workingwith Missouri City in Clay County, for

example, to identify ways the depart-ment can assist the city with efforts topreserve its historic main street and tosecure low-interest loans that wouldenable the school to make energy- andcost-saving upgrades. Northeast Region-al Ombudsman Don Summers recentlyprovided information to Otterville cityofficials regarding training and technicalassistance for the city’s new drinkingwater system operator.

Southeast Regional OmbudsmanJackson Bostic worked closely with staffin our agency and the Missouri Depart-ment of Economic Development tosecure financial assistance that enabled acommunity to repair failing sewerequipment. Mike Alesandrini, St. Louisregional ombudsman, was contacted bya small community that needed toupgrade its wastewater treatment plantto continue to meet the demands of itsgrowing population in a way that wouldprotect local water quality. Because theproject required working with differentparts of the department, city officialsfound the process confusing. Alesandri-ni worked with the city and other staff inthe department to get the project backon track.

Speaking with businesses about envi-ronmental programs is another impor-tant function of the ombudsmen.Southwest Regional Ombudsman Car-rie Smith met with staff at Harry Coop-er Supply about a cooperative that’sdesigned to recycle wall-mounted mer-cury thermostats. As a result of themeeting, Harry Cooper Supply employ-ees established collection bins andprinted and distributed flyers to pro-mote availability of the program. In all,the ombudsmen have met with 102heating, ventilating and air condition-ing contractors and wholesalers toencourage participation in the coopera-tive.

Through personal visits, ombudsmen

have helped promote the department’sTire Dump Roundup Program, whichallows private property owners to self-report tire dumps on their propertiesand have them cleaned up for free.Ombudsmen also visited 177 salvageoperations to encourage participation inthe End of Life Vehicle Solution Pro-gram, or ELVS, a program designed tohelp salvage yards remove mercuryswitches from scrap vehicles before recy-cling them.

The ombudsmen facilitate dialoguesbetween the department and private cit-izens as well. The ombudsmen and Ihave held 108 town hall meetings withmore than 1,670 Missourians across thestate. Southwest Regional OmbudsmanDave Woolery worked with otherdepartment staff to help disseminateinformation to the local media aboutthe potential impact of a regulatorychange on a local creek and to organizea town hall meeting to discuss the issue.Central Missouri Ombudsman JimFroelker has attended several electriccooperative annual meetings to distrib-ute information about reducing homeheating and cooling bills and gasolinecosts to the cooperatives’ customers.Across Missouri, ombudsmen have metwith more than 30 co-ops to discussenergy issues.

The department’s Ombudsman Pro-gram is part of a broader departmentalinitiative to promote compliance assis-tance, which is aimed at helping Missouri’sbusinesses, communities and private citi-zens to prevent environmental mistakes.Other components of this effort includeEnvironmental Assistance Visits andimprovements to the department’s Website. The department recently added aCommunity Assistance Portal atwww.dnr.mo.gov/assistance/ and anonline Environmental Concern Form,www.dnr.mo.gov/concern.htm. I’m proudto report that these efforts have been suc-cessful. The ombudsmen have heard morethan 1,000 positive comments about thedepartment and its staff during the courseof their work, which I believe is evidencethat Missourians feel comfortableapproaching our department for assis-tance with environmental issues. For moreinformation, visit the department’s Website at www.dnr.mo.gov/ombudsman.htm.

Doyle ChildersDirector, Department of Natural Resources

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Payment Method (circle one): Cash Check

Credit Card _______________________________ Exp. Date:__________

Charles Abele, Saint LouisR. Philip Acuff, Saint JosephDuane and Nancy Addleman, SpringfieldRichard Ash, Saint CharlesCarolyn Auckley, Jefferson CityDane Balsman, PerryvilleJim Tom Blair, Saint LouisStephen Bradford, Cape GirardeauGlenn Chambers, ColumbiaRon Coleman, Saint AlbansMark Corio, ColumbiaJohn Enderle, KelsoMr. & Mrs. Andrew Fleming, ColumbiaHoward & Sara Fleming, MoberlyMr. & Mrs. Matt Fleming, MoberlyDave Kolb Grading, Saint CharlesGray Manufacturing Company, Saint JosephGery Gremmelsbacher, Saint LouisHerman Hanley, Grain ValleyAllan Hoover, Pleasant HillLarry & Joan Hummel, GlencoeDon Johnson, FestusRoger & Debbie Johnson, HumansvilleDuane & Cosette Kelly, IndependenceSara Knight, Charlotte, NCCarl Kurz, Leawood, KS

Jay Law, Saint JamesGerald Lee, Kansas CityJoel LeMaster, FultonNorman Leppo, Saint LouisJohn Lewis, ColumbiaLeroy Logan, ArnoldChip McGeehan, MarshfieldCynthia Metcalfe, Saint LouisDavid Murphy, ColumbiaDean Murphy, Jefferson CityAbe Phillips, Saint LouisGerald Ross, Jefferson CityMike Schallon, BallwinTimothy Schwent, JacksonM.W. Sorenson, ColumbiaCharles & Winnie Stribling, MexicoMary Stuppy, JoplinMark Sullivan, Jefferson CityTim Thompson, Saint CharlesBarbara VanBenschoten, Kansas CityLee Vogel, Kansas CityAl Vogt, ColumbiaRandy Washburn, Jefferson CityStephen Wilson, HartsburgDick Wood, Saint LouisHoward Wood, Bonne TerreRobert Ziehmer, California

Conservationists For Life($1,000 Contribution)

Ann Kutscher, Jefferson City

8 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

Forest Management Using The Missouri Mule

SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES

At the recent 2008 Wurdack FarmField Day, the words “Gee”and“Haw”could be heard amongthe sounds of excited high

school students from around the state whohad fun watching a logging demonstrationusing mules. Mr. Todd Martin, with Mar-tin Logging & Sawmill out of Steelville puthis two big mules Kit and Kate throughtheir paces as they showed over 450 stu-dents how they move logs from the woodsto a decking area. Mr. Martin is using hismules to help researchers at MU’s Depart-ment of Forestry clear a site for therestoration of shortleaf pine and the eval-uation of genetic families produced fromseed collected 25 years ago as part of Mis-souri’s Tree Improvement Program. Heexplained that mules and other animalshave been used since the late 1880’s tomove timber from the woods to thesawmill.

Mules can be very cost effective intoday’s economic times. Each of Todd’smules weighs about 1,600 pounds, yetconsumes only about 10 pounds of acorn/oats mix each day. And, they don’tburn diesel, need hydraulic fluid checked,or require lubrication and other dailymaintenance that conventional rubber-tired skidders need. The mules leave alight touch on the land in terms of mini-mizing the area impacted by skid trailsthat would otherwise be present duringconventional rubber-tired skidding oper-ations. Mules can be steered closely to thelog and have the unique ability to go-

around trees that are to be left thus mini-mizing damage to the future forest. Withthe advent of the log carriage, the butt endof a log can now be lifted off of theground using a small electric winchreducing the plow effect caused by skid-ding on the ground. Mules are very intel-ligent animals and can be taught to drive acarriage in about 2 to 3 months. However,mules to be sent to the woods have con-siderable more training because of theinnate dangers associated with logging.According to Todd,“a good pair can sellfor $2,500 to $15,000”. In most cases agood pair of mules can pull out about3,000 to 5,000 board feet per day depend-ing upon the size and density of the tim-ber. On average logging jobs Todd indi-

cated that two pair of mules will be used,and that they anticipate loading two tan-dem truck loads of wood a day. However,a great deal of the efficiency of mule log-ging depends on the terrain and the dis-tance to the log deck.

In spite of the fact that conventionalskidders are faster, Todd keeps about 10pair of mules, and additional draft horses,on hand to meet the desires of landownerson specific logging jobs and for use duringinclement weather. Todd likes the mulesduring the winter months when wet, icyweather would normally side-line a con-ventional wheeled skidder. The mule cannegotiate these difficult environmentalconditions while minimizing damage tothe site. Todd’s mules were chosen because

they reflect the character of the famous“Missouri Mule”. These mules are hardyand also withstand working in Missouriheat better than draft horses. They bothwere bred from a Mammoth Jack Muleand a Percheron mare. Kit and Katestand 16.3 hands high, but in the mindsand hearts of the students who watchedthem perform they stood much taller.

John DwyerUniversity of Missouri

School of Natural Resources,Forestry Department

Dusty WalterUniversity of Missouri

Center for Agroforestry

Missouri mules Kit and Kate welcome the adulation of interested Vo-Ag students at the recent MU Wurdack Farm Field Day.

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All these great firearms, made available by our partners at Bass Pro Shops, will beon site for your inspection at our January board meeting in Branson and at our Annual

Convention at the Lodge of Four Seasons.You may also buy tickets from CFM board membersor from the CFM office in Jefferson City while they last. Drawing to be held Saturday night,

February 28, 2009, at CFM Banquet. Need not be present to win.

TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE BIG CFM GUN DRAWING!

• Benelli Super Black Eagle II, Camo 12gasemi-auto

• Ruger Hawkeye, 7mm cal Mag bolt-actionw/Nikon 3-9x40 scope

• Savage 12 FV, .223 cal bolt-action, bull bar-relw/ Bushnell Banner 6-18X50 scope

• TriStar Field, 12ga over-under, 28” barrels• Thompson Center Encore, .25-06 single shot

rifle

• Beretta 390, 12ga semi-auto, 28” barrel• FNP 40 Stainless, .40 cal semi-auto handgun• Benelli Nova, Camo 12ga pump-action• Henry Golden Boy, .22 cal lever-action• Savage 17HMR, .17 cal, thumbhole stock

bolt-action• Ruger Single Six, .22 cal, single-action

revolver• Ruger 10/22, .22 cal, digital Camo, semi-auto

$20 each • 3 for $50 • 7 for $100 • Only 1,500 tickets will be soldTickets and money due at CFM on or before February 15, 2009

Drawing to be held at CFM Annual Convention on February 28, 2009Each winning ticket will be re-entered. One ticket could win all 12 guns!

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 9

Missourians have an impres-sive record of leading theway in keeping wildlifehealthy. The latest example

is the removal of three species (bald eagle,barn owl and fox snake) from the MissouriEndangered Species List. This isn’t a vaguereference to some esoteric enterprise. It’sbased on hard-won successes in keepingMissouri a state rich in life of all kinds.

In September, the Missouri Conserva-tion Commission voted to declassify thebald eagle, the barn owl and the westernfox snake from the state’s EndangeredSpecies List. Including that reduction, thenew total of state-listed species is 53 ani-mals and 10 plants.

“So what?”some people might wonder.The truth is that keeping our outdoorshealthy is a hard won effort done in acre-by-acre increments to help species byspecies. In some cases, it includes nationalefforts that pay off locally.

The latest delistings reflect a mix of rea-sons. Conservation Department Endan-gered Species Coordinator Peggy Hornersaid the bald eagle’s declassification comeson the heels of a change in the bird’snational status. The bald eagle’s decline inMissouri had several causes. The primaryproblem was habitat loss due to clearing offorests. Unregulated shooting and poison-ing by the insecticide DDT played roles,too. From 1962 through 1981, the Show-Me State did not have a single known suc-cessful bald eagle nest.

The U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency banned DDT in 1972, and aggres-sive enforcement of laws protecting baldeagles enabled restoration efforts to suc-ceed. Between 1981 and 1991, the Conser-vation Department worked with the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service and Dickerson

Park Zoo of Springfield to bring 74 wild-hatched eaglets from states with thrivingpopulations. These birds were placed inartificial nests, called hack boxes, wherethey matured and took their first flights.The goal was to establish a foundation ofeagles with strong ties to their fledgingsites.

The strategy worked so well that Mis-souri now has more than 150 active baldeagle nests, and that number is doublingevery five years or so. The ConservationDepartment keeps records of all knownnests, but with the rapid increase in nestlocations, it relies largely on citizenreports to catalog them all.

“The bald eagle definitely meets therequirements for delisting,”said Horner.“We need to know that a listed species isnot likely to become extirpated and thatthe population is stable or increasing,with limited threats. That is true of thebald eagle in Missouri. We intend to keepa close eye on our eagles and ensure thatthey continue to thrive.”

The barn owl also meets these require-ments, but its story is slightly different.These unusual birds inhabit open grass-lands prairies, marshes and agriculturalareas. From 1986 to 1992 the Conserva-tion Department had been able to gatheronly 11 reports of barn owl nests. By thisyear, 90 nests had been identified.

“Barn owls probably always have beenrare as permanent residents here,” saidHorner. “We have been finding a surpris-ing number in the Mississippi Lowlands,where clearing of dense forests for agricul-ture actually has created new habitat forthem. They don’t do well in dense forests.Their populations fluctuate widely, but theonly part of the state where you almostnever find them is the Ozarks.”

In addition to finding more barn owlnest sites, Horner said the ConservationDepartment is seeing more nest sites innew areas and large broods.

The barn owl is still protected underthe federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Thebald eagle’s protection continues underthe federal Bald and Golden Eagle Act.

The first two species are removed fromthe Missouri Endangered Species List arebirds. The third is a snake. The westernfox snake was proposed for listing as a stateendangered species in 1990 and listed in1999. This species inhabits wet prairiesand marshes, and originally was knownonly from a handful of sites in extremenorthwestern and northeastern Missouri.

Threats initially identified included habitatloss and illegal collecting. Horner said thelisting was a precautionary measure toensure the fox snake was not lost beforeMissouri could develop a recovery plan.

“Subsequent surveys revealed popula-tions on public and private land in 10 Mis-souri counties,” she said. “Several of thosewere previously unknown populations.Missouri is at the southwestern edge of thefox snake’s North American Range, and wehave concluded that the species probablynever was common here.”

The Conservation Department decidedto delist the fox snake because populationsin Missouri seem stable and secure. It isfound in eight other states and is locallyabundant around the Great Lakes.

To prevent collection of fox snakes aspets, the Conservation Commission addedthem to the list of species whose taking isprohibited. The Commission also addedthe dusty hog-nosed snake and the Kirt-land’s snake to the list.

Keeping Missouri wildlife healthy isn’ta static effort. What’s doing well todaymay be in trouble tomorrow. The chal-lenge for those with a will to conserve is tokeep an eye on healthy habitats—on mak-ing sure we have suitable places for a mixof wildlife to live.

The movie Field of Dreams revolvedaround the idea that “if you build it theywill come.” That’s not so far off from thereality of keeping nature healthy in ourstate. Restore a prairie? Create places forprairie chickens and Henslow’s sparrows.Keep a wetland growing? Make way forking rails and bald eagles. Conserve landsaround a cave? Keep undergroundstreams clean enough to sustain Ozarkcavefish.

Wildlife conservation isn’t just an idea.It’s an action that Missourians choose tomake happen every day.

Jim LowNews Services Coordinator, MDC

Back From The BrinkKeeping Missouri’s Wildlife Healthy

AGENCY NEWS

Bald eagle.

Top photo: Barn owl. Bottom photo: Western fox snake.

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1 0 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

Following a transition period to anew leadership structure, theMissouriShow-Me

Big Bucks Club(MSMBBC) is backin business. A back-log of nearly threeyears of recordentries has beenprocessed, and the club is now acceptingnew entries. MSMBBC has established aregional coordinator program to assistthe public with record entries and locat-

ing measurers. Please contact theregional coordinator in your area forclub details. Inquiries regarding past orpending entries may be directed to Mr.Larry Lueckenhoff, Central RegionCoordinator, or Mr. Bradley Harriman,Kansas City Region Coordinator.

MSMBBC recognizes trophy white-tailed deer harvested or found in Mis-souri, in both the typical and non-typi-cal categories. In addition, the clubrecognizes shed antlers in both cate-gories. Minimum entry scores for tro-phy records are 140 inches for typical

entries, 155 inches for non-typicalentries, 60 inches for typical shedentries, and 70 inches for non-typicalshed entries. Entry fees are $20 for tro-phy entries, and $15 for shed antlers, andinclude a certificate and entry packet aswell as lifetime entry of the trophy in theclub records.

As the club is still undergoing transi-tion activities, the Missouri Show-MeBig Bucks Club website is still underconstruction, and currently not avail-able to the public. Plans include both apublic site and a private site for mem-

bers and measurers. The website willprovide information relative to measur-ing events, measurer location, clubrecords, photos, and more. MSMBBCmerchandise will also be available forpurchase when the public site becomesactive.

We thank you for your patience dur-ing this transition period to the newMissouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club.Good Hunting!

Larry LueckenhoffMissouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club

Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club Accepting Entries

Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club Regional Coordinators

Northwest Region CoordinatorMartin Marks24751 Hwy P

Bigelow, MO 64437(660) 442-5332

martin.marks@mdc.mo.gov

Kansas City Region CoordinatorBradley R. Harriman

715 S Colby AveMarshall, MO 65340

(660) 886 6654bharriman@yahoo.com

Central Region Coordinator Larry G. Lueckenhoff

13110 Route BSt. Thomas, MO 65076-2137

(573) 477-3552lueckenhoff@embarqmail.com

St. Louis Region Coordinator John Detjen Jr.

323 Oakwood Dr.Troy, MO 63379(636) 338-4114

jdetjen@centrytel.netSouthwest Region Coordinator

Kevin AsburyRt 4, Box 4150

Cassville, MO 65625(417) 847-2210

fishunt@earthlnik.net

Ozark Region CoordinatorDavid NancePO Box 200

Grandin, MO 63943(573) 714-4011

bowbender@semo.net

Northeast Region CoordinatorBradley Ream

11764 State Hwy 5Unionville, MO 63565

(660) 933-4700reamx5@nemr.net

Hunters and Measurers: Please contact the Coordinator in your area regarding trophy entries into the Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club.Club Minimum Entry Scores: Typical—140 inches • Non-Typical—155 inches • Typical Shed—60 inches • Non-Typical Shed—70 inches

Southeast Region CoordinatorRonnie Gadberry228 Mohawk Ln.

Perryville, MO 63775(573) 547-2301

rgadberry@stoneresourcesconsulting.com

August 16 was a blast, literally.A good crowd showed up ona gorgeous summer day andhad a great time shooting tar-

gets to help raise money for CFM. Lastyear it rained and only a few die-hardsshowed up to shoot. This year the skywas baby blue and the temperatureswere in the low 80’s; very unusual formid-August in Missouri. We hosted 62shooters and raised about $5000. Wehad hoped to raise more money butthis was a big improvement over lastyear. Bass Pro Shops was again a majorsponsor and we are indebted to them

for their partnership with this andother CFM events. Many CFM boardmembers donated money for prizeswhich helped attract more shootersthis year and we sincerely appreciatethose of you who contributed. Thankyou very much for your continued sup-port.

Kevin and Barb Pickett, the ownersof River Hills Sporting Clays where weheld the event, did another wonderfuljob hosting us. The club house is spa-cious and the river hills provide a scenicbackdrop for outdoor events. Kevin setchallenging but fun targets and Barb

handled registration and the myriadjobs associated with a successful event.We thank them for all they did and con-tinue to do for CFM.

It takes a lot of people to run anevent and our membership rose to thechallenge. The office staff handled reg-istration and helped get shooters out onthe course in a timely manner. Mem-bers from as far away as St. Louisshowed up to help with important tasksof preparing lunch for hungry shooters,manning the silent auction, selling gunraffle tickets and throwing targets andscoring for the shooters. We couldn’t

have done it without them and we sin-cerely appreciate their help. This wastruly a team effort and we thank every-one who helped and contributed in var-ious ways. We look forward to nextyear and hope everyone who helpedthis year will help next year and recruitothers to participate. I’m confidentthat with continued membership sup-port and participation we can grow andmake this a major fund raiser for CFM.

2nd Annual Sporting Clays Event a Success

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

2009 MDC Natural EventsCalendar

Chock-full of dazzling photographs, fascinating natural his-tory details and native-plant gardening reminders, theConservation Department’s Natural Events Calendar sells outfast every year. The 2009 edition features MDC staff and vol-unteer photos of Missouri plants, animals and landscapes inevery season. Home gardeners will appreciate native-plantgardening tips following the monthly pages. Order for thatnature lover on your Christmas shopping list.

10 X 14$10.00 (includes shipping)

2009 Missouri’s OutdoorHeritage Calendar

This new calendar celebrates Missouri’s rich outdoor her-itage. With images and gear from years past mixed withmodern photographs of hunting, fishing and trapping, itcalls out for the current generation to continue buildingMissouri's outdoor legacy one generation at a time. You’llalso find monthly reminders of current game seasonsalong with tips to increase your success in the field.Available late October.

10 x 14 inches$10.00 (includes shipping)

Tom RussellPull for Conservation

CFM Benefit Sporting Clay Shoot Chair

Imagine a corner of the world sospecial to you, that it occupies aplace in your heart typicallyreserved for your most prized pos-

sessions. When you are at this place, itsoothes your worries, it relaxes you, andit provides comfort that is hard toexplain to others. When you are notthere, it consumes many of your idlethoughts. It is a place whose physicaltreasures fascinate you. It holds manymemories. You have witnessed eventsand experienced moments that youwant to share with the important peo-ple in your life. You can’t wait to gothere again… Many CFM membersalready have such a place – it is one ofthe many family farms, family wood-lands, wetlands, or riverine propertiesthat are owned by Missouri’s citizens.CFM members understand the specialbond that is created with such specialplaces.

For those of us who are fortunate tobe able to own such a slice of Missouri’snatural resources, it often becomes anintegral part of our lifestyle. Steward-ship of these wild places becomes partof who we are, and how we see theworld. These lands become part of thefabric of our family life. It is for thoseindividuals and families that we will bewriting a special series of articles in thecoming issues of Missouri Wildlife. Wewill be discussing the essential (butoften complicated) issue of “successionplanning” for those family wildlands.We are addressing this topic becausethere is a gathering cloud on the hori-zon for the future of the naturalresources that are so important to eachof us. It involves planning for the long-term stewardship of these privately-held properties.

As we all know, the majority of Mis-souri’s wild places are in private owner-ship (over 90%). Often these lands arefamily-owned. Some families haveinherited land passed down from gen-eration to generation. Others have pur-chased the parcels with hard-earnedmoney, saved over many years. Eitherway, these fields and forests have beenmanaged and cared for in a way that isunique among all real estate owners.For the most part, these are not ownerswho plan to “flip” the property for aneconomic profit. The dream of many ofthese family wildland owners is to passtheir family properties on to the nextgeneration of loved ones. But times are

different today. Gone are the days thatthe family can assume that it can simplytransfer the title to the heirs, and thatthe land will remain in the family, or beused in the same manner that it hasbeen used in the past. The reality oftoday’s world is that families face amultitude of pressures and obstaclesthat can prevent a successful transitionof the property to the next generation:• Children may not share the same passion for the wildland property

• Children/ spouses may not all getalong with each other

• Children may live in different regionsof the country

• Some heirs may face financial pres-sures/challenges that make maintain-ing a farm, woodland, or wetland difficult

• Modern lifestyles often do not allowmuch “free” time to spend workingon a piece of rural property

• Divorce may cause assets to be splitor sold

• Estate taxes and transfer costs maycause property to be sold

• Prices offered by developers may bevery tempting to some heirs who seethis property as just another financialasset to be liquidated The biggest threat to the future of

our wildlands may not be invasivespecies, growing deer populations, pol-lution, or even global warming. It maybe the lack of solid succession planningbeing done around kitchen tables or infamily rooms. This lack of planningmakes these special places vulnerable todevelopment and misuse. In the nexttwo or three decades, the majority ofour forests in this state, will changehands. That is a frightening thought!Especially if we do not know whosehands will ultimately control them, andwhat the future owner’s motivationswill be... Will it be a developer whowants to subdivide the property? Orwill it be an owner who appreciates thenatural resource and can carry on withyour vision? Will the habitat bedegraded? Will the timber standimprovement work be continued? Willyou be able to create and pass the “lega-

cy” that many current owners envisionfor their heirs?

Each of us has a real opportunity toimpact the future of our precious natu-ral assets. We need to think about, andplan for the day that we will hand overthe control of our farms, timberland, orwetland to someone else, either becausewe have passed away, or because we arephysically unable to do what we aredoing today. This may be a discomfort-ing thought, but we all have an incredi-ble opportunity to truly create a legacythat will exist much longer than ourtime in the world. This is about trans-ferring your passion and your dreams.

This column will be dedicated toexploring the various tools and tech-niques of “conservation-land” succes-sion planning, as well as the process ofplanning for intra-family transfers. Formany owners, this may seem boring,tedious, and even overwhelming at first,but it is achievable. Just like the landowner who begins a quail habitatimprovement project one fencerow at atime, this project is very “doable” if webreak it into small steps. And like thequail habitat project, the time and ener-gy invested today, will bear very worth-while returns, in the future – not onlyfor the wildlife, but for our heirs, aswell.

David A. Watson, CLU, ChFC, RHU,REBC

Financial Advisor and President ofD.A. Watson & Company

www.dawatsonco.com

1 2 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8

Creating Legacies

The Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust andthe Conservation Federation of Missouri are pleased toannounce that applications are now being accepted for the2009 Charles Bell Conservation Scholarships.

In the 2009 Bell Scholarship Program, eight scholarships willbe awarded: one graduate ($600), one undergraduate ($500)and six for elementary, high school or youth groups ($250each). In this later category, CFM members who work with BoyScouts, 4-H, environmental clubs or youth chapters of theiraffiliate are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Graduate applicants must be enrolled in a field of studyrelated to conservation, natural science or earth resources atan accredited college or university. Undergraduate applicantsmust have 60 credit hours or more and should be enrolled inan area related to conservation. Preference in all cases will begiven to applicants enrolled in Missouri schools. The deadlinefor applications is January 15, 2009.

These scholarships are named in memory of CFM past presi-dent Charles P. Bell, whose family provided major funding forthis program. For an application form write to ConservationFederation of Missouri, Bell Scholarships, 728 West Main Street,Jefferson City, MO 65101 or call (800) 575-2322.

Applications Now Being Accepted for the Charles P. Bell Conservation

Scholarship

Stewardship of these wild places becomes part of who weare, and how we see the world. These lands become part ofthe fabric of our family life.

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 1 3

A unique partnership between CFM and Jim Rathert has begun. You can buy fantastic images ofMissouri wildlife, caught in the act of living, by renowned photographer Jim Rathert.

Best of all, each of these vivid slices of Missouri wildlife will greatly benefit CFM. The cards are soldonly in high-quality sets of 12. There are 3 copies of each of the 4 images in every set (whitetail buck,greater prairie chicken, belted kingfisher, eastern bluebird). Each card is 5 x 7 with a full color photoon the front, a nature note by Jim with our CFM logo, mission statement and contact information onthe back and plenty of space for your message on the inside. High quality, matched envelopes accom-pany each card.

Please order your cards today! We are certain you will enjoy sending them as much as your friendswill enjoy receiving them. A dozen cards are yours for only $19. If you order 3 or more sets, you payonly $16 per set. Prices include shipping and handling. To buy cards, use the form below, call (800) 575-2322 or go to www.confedmo.org. Mail your payment to 728 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Name:_________________________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________ State: ______________ Zipcode:_____________

Quantity (# of sets): _________ Total Price: ________________ ❑ Check ❑ Cash

❑ Credit Card ~ Card #: ________________________________________ Exp. Date: ______________

Beautiful CFM Notecards For Sale!

It’s getting colder outside, and theholidays are right around the cor-ner. The period between Thanks-giving and New Year’s Day, pro-

duces more trash than any other time ofthe year. The Department of Natural

Resources offers a few green tips for theholiday season to assist you in reducingyour environmental impact.

Holidays are a wonderful time tospend with family and friends over agreat meal. To reduce waste at holiday

gatherings, remember the three R’s:Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

By reducing the amount of packagingand purchases made for the holiday,there will be less trash going to the land-fill. Purchasing items in bulk, ratherthan individual serving sizes will reducethe amount of packaging waste. If pres-ents need wrapping, consider papermade of recycled content or use colorfulnewspaper. To be a bit greener, wrapgifts inside of gifts, such as a canvasshopping bag or a handmade quilt.

Even if the roasting pan is only usedonce or twice a year, it makes sense toinvest in a sturdy, reusable roasting panfor turkeys and hams rather than using adisposable aluminum pan. Also,remember to serve those holiday mealson reusable plates rather than paper orplastic. If you have a large gathering orare afraid of accidents from breakingchina, consider purchasing disposable

tableware made of recycled or com-postable material. For decorating, pur-chase reusable décor that can be broughtout each year to carry fond memories ofholidays past into the future.

Find out what materials are acceptedlocally for recycling and have bins inconvenient locations at holiday gather-ings. Lots of wrapping paper getsthrown away every holiday season,remember paper is very easy to recycle.When shopping for gifts, be sure to visitthe local thrift store for hidden treasures,and check the recycled content of prod-ucts on store shelves. Living gifts such asplants or bulbs that can be planted in thespring make a wonderful present. A giftcard or gift certificate to the recipients’favorite store or restaurant, or tickets toa sporting event or concert can alsomake a great green gift.

Best wishes for a “Greener” holidayseason.

DNR Offers Ways To “Go Green” For The Holidays

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

HUNTING FISHING CAMPING BOATING

For a FREE Copy of the MagazineCall 1-800-706-2444

orVisit our Web site at

www.outdoorguidemagazine.com

OutdooR Guidemagazine

1 4 N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 8 M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 1 4

Honorariums and memorials are donations made to the Conservation Federation of Missouri to mark special occasions or show tribute to someone you care about. They are a thoughtful way to mark an occasion or to show respect to friends and loved

ones who have passed away. Beginning with this issue of Missouri Wildlife, we will list honorariums and memorials in this area.To make such a gift, please fill out this form and mail it to CFM. We gladly accept cash, check or credit card.

A Gift To CFMYour gift to the Conservation Federation of Missouri could help in so many ways. You could benefit our Share the Harvest Program, the Conservation Leadership Corps, our publications or website, our building fund or help fund our day-to-day operations. You could also honor loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries or other special events.

❑ $25 ❑ $50 ❑ $100 ❑ $250 ❑ $500 ❑ Other ________

In memory of ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

In honor of ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please notify (name, street, city, state, and zip) ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DONOR INFO: ❑ I would like more information about including the Conservation Federation of Missouri in my will or trust.

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________Street City State ZIP

Phone____________________________________________Email __________________________________________________________

Credit card number ____________________________________________________Expiration date ______________________________

Mail this form and payment to: Conservation Federation of Missouri • 728 West Main Street • Jefferson City, MO 65101

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

Anglers of MissouriBig Game HuntersBridlespur Hunt ClubCapital City Fly FishersCentral Missouri Chapter Safari ClubColdwater Outing & Game PreserveFestus/Crystal City Conservation ClubGreenway NetworkHeaven’s AnglersJefferson County CoonhuntersKansas City WoodcarversLambert Field Rod & Gun ClubMark Twain Area Quail UnlimitedMid Missouri Trout UnlimitedMidwest Diving CouncilMississippi Valley Duck Hunters

Mississippi Valley Gun ClubMissouri Association of Meat ProcessorsMissouri Bass FederationMissouri Bird Conservation InitiativeMissouri Bow HuntersMissouri Conservation Agents AssociationMissouri Consulting Foresters AssociationMissouri Department of AgricultureMissouri Ducks Unlimited State CouncilMissouri Forest Products AssociationMissouri Hunting Heritage FederationMissouri Native Seed AssociationMissouri Parks & Recreation AssociationMissouri Parks AssociationMissouri River ReliefMissouri Ruffed Grouse Society

Missouri Smallmouth AllianceMissouri Sport Shooting AssociationMissouri State Campers AssociationMissouri State Council Quail UnlimitedMissouri Taxidermist AssociationMissouri Trappers AssociationMissouri Trout Fisherman’s AssociationMissouri Waterfowl AssociationMissouri Whitetails UnlimitedMissouri Wild Turkey FederationMissourians OutdoorsMO Chapter of the Wildlife SocietyMO Chapter Soil & Water ConservationMO Hunter Education Instructor’s AssociationMonett Sportsman LeagueNortheast Missouri Coonhunters

Northside Conservation FederationOpen Space CouncilOwensville HS Hunting & Fishing ClubOzark Fly FishersOzark Wilderness Waterways ClubPerry County Sportsman ClubPomme De Terre Chapter MuskiesSaint James Civic ClubSouth Side DivisionSouthwest Missouri Fly FishersTipton Farmers & Sportsman ClubUnited Bow Hunters of MissouriWecomo Sportsman ClubWild Elk Institute of MissouriWildlife Society of Missouri State University-Windsor Lake Rod & Gun Club

M I S S O U R I W I L D L I F E 1 5

The Conservation Federation of Missouri Holiday Wreath

Dear Friend:

Celebrate the beauty of nature this Holiday Season and help CFMcontinue its conservation programs by ordering our 2008 Holidaywreaths for your family and friends.

Each wreath is handmade by CFM members and features absolutelyfresh and fragrant boughs of evergreens grown here in the Midwest.Our wreaths will do great displayed either in your home or outdoors forall to see. Each wreath is carefully prepared and treated to ensure fresh-ness and vivid colors. Each of our wreaths is packaged and shipped toarrive in great shape, on time, fragrant and beautiful. We include infor-mation about CFM with every wreath.

We offer two distinct wreath styles this year. The basic wreath isdecorated with red berries and pine cones for a simple, elegant look.You may choose either a plaid or traditional red velvet bow for yourwreath. Best of all, the basic wreath is yours to keep or give as a gift foronly $24.95 plus shipping and handling.

Perhaps you are looking for a very special gift? Or maybe a morefestive, decorative wreath might be more to your liking? Our deluxewreath may be just what you are looking for! For only $10 dollarsmore ($34.95 plus shipping and handling) you get our very best. This year our deluxe wreath is adorned with a pair of cardinals to brighten

the holidays.

Please place your order today, so we may best deliver to your sched-ule. Because all our wreaths are made fresh by hand and shippedpromptly directly from the tree farm, we must adhere to the schedule onthe order form. We thank you for your support and wish you and yoursthe most joyous of holiday seasons! Thanks ever so much for choosingto support CFM and our programs!

Basic Wreath ~ $24.95 Deluxe Wreath ~ $34.95

ORDERED BY:Name

Street/RFD (no PO boxes)

City State Zip

Phone No.

Number of wreaths to this address

GIFT WREATHS TO: Name

Street/RFD (no PO boxes)

City State Zip

Phone No.

Gift Message (example: “Happy Holidays”—limited to 35 characters)

Name

Street/RFD (no PO boxes)

City State Zip

Phone No.

Gift Message (example: “Happy Holidays”—limited to 35 characters)

X For delivery the week of: Your order must be received by:

Nov. 17, 2008 Nov. 12, 2008

Nov. 24, 2008 Nov. 19, 2008

Dec. 1, 2008 Nov. 26, 2008

Dec. 8, 2008 Dec. 3, 2008

Dec. 15, 2008 Dec. 10, 2008

Please X when you would like your wreath(s) delivered.

ORDER FORM

Total No. of Wreaths Price Each Total Price

Basic $ 24.95*Deluxe $ 34.95*

*Shipping cost within Missouri S/H

is $6.70 per wreath and outside TotalMissouri is $11.50 per wreath.

Please indicate Basic Wreath Bow Preference ~

Plaid Red Velvet

Circle Payment Method:

Check Visa MasterCard Discover

Card No.____________________________________________________________

Exp. Date __________________________________________________________

Mail to: Conservation Federation of Missouri728 West Main StreetJefferson City, MO 65101-1559

Fax to: 573-634-8205

AFFILIATE EVENTSCAPITAL CITY FLY FISHERSNOV 1: Welcome Home Celebration, TrumanVeteran Administration Hospital (3:00pm –6:00pm)NOV 6: Teach a Vet to Tie Flies, VeteransHospital – Conference Room C201, Colum-bia (3:00pm)NOV 8-10: Club Outing, Location TBDNOV 11: Club Meeting, Runge Nature Cen-ter, Jefferson City (6:00pm – 9:00pm)NOV 20: Teach a Vet to Tie Flies, VeteransHospital – Conference Room C201, Colum-bia (3:00pm)NOV 24: Hooked on Fly Fishing Not Drugs,South Callaway R-II Middle School,Mokane (3:00pm)DEC 4: Teach a Vet to Tie Flies, VeteransHospital – Conference Room C201, Colum-bia (3:00pm)DEC 9: Club Meeting, Runge Nature Center,Jefferson City (6:00pm – 9:00pm)DEC 18: Teach a Vet to Tie Flies, VeteransHospital – Conference Room C201, Colum-bia (3:00pm)

GREENWAY NETWORKNOV 1: Brush Creek Litter Pickup, PacificCity Park, Pacific (9:00am – 12:30pm);Nancy Pfeiffer or Jen Jones (636) 271-1414NOV 3: Monthly Board Meeting, SaintCharles Community College – College Cen-ter Building Suite 202, Saint Charles(7:00pm – 9:00pm)NOV 8: Maline Creek Monitoring, Forest-wood Park, Ferguson (9:00am – 12:00pm);Mark K. (314) 388-1423NOV 8: River Des Peres Annual Fall Clean-up; Danielle Haake (314) 941-0489NOV 8: Gateway Cooperative Weed Manage-ment Association’s “Bush Honeysuckle”Work Day, Riverfront Trail (8:30am –3:00pm)

NOV 11: Scientific Meeting – Finding theBalance Between Floods, Flood Protection,and River Navigation, Anheuser BuschCenter Conference Room – Saint LouisUniversity, Saint Louis (8:00am – 4:00pm)NOV 11: Flood Forum – Why the RiversKeep Rising and What we Should do Aboutit?, Marvin and Harlene Wool Ballroom –Busch Student Center, Saint Louis(7:00pm); Jean Jackson (314) 977-2205or Barb Valentine (314) 977-2207NOV 15: Tree Planting at Peruque Creek(8:00am – 5:00pm)NOV 19: River Des Peres Planning Commit-tee Meeting, Green Center – Blackberry,University City (6:30pm – 8:30pm);Danielle Haake (314) 941-0489DEC 1: Monthly Board Meeting, SaintCharles Community College – College Cen-ter Building Suite 202, Saint Charles(7:00pm – 9:00pm)DEC 6: Grand Glaize Watershed Wide WinterMonitoring Event (8:30am – 12:00pm)DEC 13: Sierra Club Demonstrates WaterQuality Monitoring at Fox Creek (8:30am –12:00pm)

MID MISSOURI TROUT UNLIMITEDNOV 4: Chapter Meeting, D. Rowe’s, Colum-bia (7:00pm)NOV 25: Board of Directors Meeting, D.Rowe’s, Columbia (6:30pm)DEC 2: Christmas Party, Location TBDDEC 2: Chapter Meeting, D. Rowe’s, Colum-bia (7:00pm)DEC 30: Board of Directors Meeting, D.Rowe’s, Columbia (6:30pm)

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY DUCK HUNTERS ASSOCIATIONNOV 12: General MeetingDEC 10: Christmas Party

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY GUN CLUBNOV 2: Muzzle Loader Shoot, Schenk’s

Market, Evansville, IL (12:00pm)NOV 5: Trap Practice (7:00pm)NOV 16: .22 Silhouette Shoot (12:00pm)NOV 19: Trap Shoot, Schenk’s Market,Evansville, IL (4:00pm)NOV 19: Club Meeting (7:30pm)DEC 3: Trap Practice (7:00pm)DEC 14: Muzzle Loader Shoot, Schenk’sMarket, Evansville, IL (12:00pm)DEC 17: Trap Shoot, Schenk’s Market,Evansville, IL (4:00pm)DEC 17: Club Meeting (7:30pm)

MISSOURI BASS FEDERATIONNOV 3-8: Federation Nation Championship

MISSOURI DUCKS UNLIMITEDNOV 1: Golden Valley Membership Dinner,Elks Lodge, Clinton (5:30pm); MitchellMills (660) 885-3368NOV 1: Texas Hold’em Tournament, CopperKettle Restaurant, Ashland (9:30am);Cindy Downing (573) 657-2722NOV 1: Annual Banquet, Sacred HeartChurch Hall, Elsberry (6:00pm); Paul Ear-ley (573) 242-3643NOV 6: Grand Prairie Membership Dinner,Elks Lodge, Blue Springs (6:00pm); GeneCole (816) 797-9905NOV 6: Sweet Springs Dinner, AmericanLegion Hall (6:00pm); Tonya Winfrey (660)335-4170NOV 7: Bates County Membership Dinner,Bates County Fairgrounds, Butler(6:00pm); Kevin Piepmeier (660) 476-2508NOV 8: 33rd Annual Banquet, Rupe Center,Carrollton (5:30pm); Tina Brooke or LonaBurk (660) 542-3420NOV 15: Two Rivers Suzies Holiday Extrava-ganza; Beth Thomas (314) 280-1027NOV 29: Annual Banquet, Louisiana(5:30pm); Rick Henry (573) 754-5055NOV 29: Annual Banquet, Knights ofColumbus Hall, Salisbury (5:30pm); Wes-ley Morrison (660) 777-3405DEC 27: South Dunklin County Annual Ban-quet, Little River Sportsman Club,Hornersville (6:00pm); Mark Moore (573)444-8448

MISSOURI NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

WHEELIN SPORTSMENS EVENTSNOV 8: Deer Hunt at Mark Twain Lake, Indi-an Creek Access Area, Monroe City; ShellyHowald (573) 735-4097

WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS EVENTSDEC 12-14: Doe Hunt, Northwest MissouriOutfitters, Denver; Dave Frampton (816)390-2147DEC 12-14: Doe Hunt, Back 40 Outfitters,Memphis; Diane Savage (816) 524-1881

MISSOURI PARKS ASSOCIATIONNOV 7-9: 26th Annual Meeting, MontaukState Park, Salem; Eleanor Hoefle (314)869-6534

MISSOURI TROUT FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATIONNOV 6: Regular Meeting, Nature Center,Springfield (6:00pm)DEC 4: Regular Meeting, Nature Center,Springfield (6:00pm)

OZARK WILDERNESS WATERWAYS CLUBNOV 1-2: Missouri River Trip; John Starke(816) 923-8971NOV 8: Monthly Meeting, Swope ParkCamp, Lake of the Woods Dining Hall,Potluck Dinner (6:30 pm), Meeting (7:30pm); George (816) 861-7737DEC 13: Decorate the Dining Hall andPotluck Breakfast; Judy (816) 363-0925 DEC 13: Monthly Meeting, Swope ParkCamp, Lake of the Woods Dining Hall,Potluck Dinner (6:30 pm), Meeting (7:30pm); George (816) 861-7737

POMME DE TERRE CHAPTER MUSKIESNOV 8: White Bass OutingDEC 6: Planning Meeting

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI FLY FISHERSNOV 13: Business Meeting (7:00pm)DEC 7: Roaring River OutingDEC 11: Business Meeting (7:00pm)

CFM EVENTSJAN 9-11, 2009: Board Meeting, KeeterCenter – College of the Ozarks, BransonFEB 27-MAR 1, 2009: Annual Meeting,Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake OzarkSEPT 18-20, 2009: CFM Fall Conference,Camp Clover Point, Lake Ozark

If there are any errors in your name andaddress, 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

M 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 SCALENDAR

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