Missouri Conservationist July 2019

VOLUME 80, ISSUE 2, FEBRUARY 2019 MISSOURI SERVING NATURE & YOU CONSERVATIONIST NATUREis Healthy

Feeling tired? Spending Getting away from Taking a nature Exposure to nature Spending just 20 time in nature, busy schedules walk may increase contributes to minutes outside conservation allows people to attention spans physical well- can give your brain areas, woods, connect with and creative being, reducing an energy boost backyards, and nature and problem-solving blood pressure, comparable to a urban parks themselves in a skills by as much heart rate, muscle cup of coffee. may ease way that brings as 50 percent. tension, and the stress levels. calm and a sense production of of well-being. stress hormones.

Get healthy in nature this year. Visit mdc.mo.gov/places-go or download the free MO Outdoors app for ideas on where to go near you.

Download for Android MISSOURI CONSERVATIONIST

FEBRUARY 2019 Contents VOLUME 80, ISSUE 2 10 ON THE COVER Gray squirrel :: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG 800mm lens +1.4 teleconverter, f/11, 1/500 sec, ISO 800

GOVERNOR Michael L. Parson

THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION CHAIR Marilynn J. Bradford VICE CHAIR David W. Murphy SECRETARY Nicole E. Wood MEMBER Don C. Bedell

DIRECTOR Sara Parker Pauley DEPUTY DIRECTORS Mike Hubbard, Aaron Jeffries, Jennifer Battson Warren

MAGAZINE STAFF

EDITOR Angie Daly Morfeld ASSOCIATE EDITOR Bonnie Chasteen STAFF WRITERS Larry Archer, Heather Feeler, Kristie Hilgedick, Joe Jerek CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stephanie Thurber ART DIRECTOR Cliff White DESIGNERS Les Fortenberry, Marci Porter FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHERS Noppadol Paothong, David Stonner 10 CIRCULATION MANAGER Schoolcraft: 20 Laura Scheuler A Journey Through mdc.mo.gov/conmag Southern Missouri DEPARTMENTS Retracing the geographer’s historic trek and what it means today. 2 Inbox by Brian Flowers Up Front With Sara Parker Pauley and Francis Skalicky 3 4 Nature Lab 20 5 In Brief Good Medicine From 28 Get Outside the Great Outdoors 30 Places To Go Download this Science shows nature provides issue to your benefits for body and mind. 32 Wild Guide phone or tablet at mdc.mo.gov/mocon. by Bill Graham 33 Outdoor Calendar Download for Spring beauty Android

SWAMP RABBIT: JIM RATHERT; MINGO WETLAND: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG .

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Have a Question for a Commissioner? Send a note using our online contact form at mdc.mo.gov/ commissioners Judy Sepac Ballwin 1-800-392-1111 — . Keep the up good work! George and Rayetta Bates Jasper . We especially. We articles enjoy about 417-895-6880 816-271-3100 417-256-7161 People need are in of food and some can’t afford Thank you for magazine, the your articles, and the editors — PROTECTING WILDLIFE Thank you for efforts your tostop the poaching of Not animals. sure why people choose to but grateful I am illegally, hunt them you make accountable for their theft and harm to hunters that thefollow rules. to buy it. Hunters help those need, in and they realize that you can’t overhunt if you to want animals survive for legal hunting. great but a fan I am photos. of not a hunter, I’m awesomeyour informative magazine. Keep the up work! good If you witness or suspect a wildlife violation, report it to your local conservation agent or call the toll-free Operation Game Thief number My wife and I thoroughly the enjoy Missouri Conservationist the at elk Peck Ranch articles and about the Mingo NationalWildlife Refuge which is staffed 24 hours a day. You may remainwhich may staffed is You hours a day. 24 anonymous, and to be you ask may considered for a reward, For if more you wish. information on Operation Game short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoB Thief, visit Southwest/Springfield: Northwest/St. Joseph: St. Louis: 636-441-4554 Ozark/West Plains: for — via email Webster Groves Missouri 573-290-5730 Steve Israelite Israelite Steve went hand in hand went in hand Geraline Ellerbrake GeraldGeraline Ellerbrake 660-785-2420 ox 180, Jefferson ox180, City, MO 65102-0180 573-815-7900 for only 60 so or years POB

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816-622-0900 to our daughter, Kate. now She lives daughter, to our Leighton (Leigh) McCormick Leighton (Leigh) Conservation HeadquartersConservation 573-751-4115 OfficesRegional Southeast/Cape Girardeau: Central/Columbia: Kansas City:Kansas Northeast/Kirksville: Missouri Conservationist It just is! took the I inherited the enjoyment of reading your Since graduating from the School of Journalism My sincere thanks for what doing you do so well. Love magazine. your Look forward to its arrival and read Accolades it cover to cover. to all. CONSERVATIONIST KUDOS CONSERVATIONIST I have been remiss COOKIE BAKE COOKIE cookie recipeYour for ZimmerschiedBrown (German Cookies)Sugar brought back happy memories Page 85 I am [December, years 8]. old, and that was favoriteour cookie as children. I still them make every Christmas. After the was dough chilled, my I would and cutsiblings chunks off and eat it raw. Thanks for the magazine. After I read it, I give it to the nursing home. not writing you what telling and a great magazine the white-tailed buck the on November issue to me spur and tell youto email howmuch finally yourwe enjoy publication. monthly issues from father, my Leighton (Mac) McCormick, professor of forestry atMizzou and extension forester for the state since the late 1930s. He introduced me to duck the on hunting Missouri and the ConservationistRiver, with me loving and enjoying that activity. I’ve been a regular dedicated and 1969, in subscriber. And, just as for dad my I passed did me, along the enjoyment of reading the Conservationist and works Columbus, talked and in Ohio, me into getting her a subscription, which she reads faithfully. fact,In being art an she creates major, beautiful and colorful renditions of covers. your

February2019

Nature moconservation

@ MDC_online @ /moconservation @Nature_Videos , Page 4] was 4] Page , MissouriConservationist

Cedar Hill John SuttonJohn SWAMP RABBITSSWAMP TheDecember articleswamp on rabbits[ Lab and informative interesting. We themcall to used When muskrats. simmeredin they gravy, brown aredelicious. MISSOURI MISSOURI CONSERVATIONIST PO 180 BOX JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65102 Letters to the Editor reflectSubmissions and opinions readers’ may be edited for length clarity.and Email [email protected] or write tous: Connect WithUs!

2 Inbox Want to see your photos in the Missouri Conservationist? Share your photos on Flickr at Up flickr.com/groups/mdcreaderphotos-2019, email [email protected], or include the hashtag #mdcdiscovernature on your Instagram photos. Front with Sara Parker Pauley

__ I’m a sucker for New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps it’s just my personality, but I love the idea of a do-over — wiping the slate clean and trying to do better this time around. Near the top of my list, which is also on the list of many others, is getting more daily exercise and time outdoors. However, not long after January started, I was beginning my workday particularly early and thought about putting off my walk until later. “No,” said my newly resolution-committed 1 voice. “Just 30 minutes. Go!” That morning, I saw a beautiful pre-dawn sky full of stars and heard deer blowing in the 1 | Red-eared fields nearby. I saw an opossum scurrying across the road and sliders emerging 2 witnessed the day’s first hint of light, reminding me of author from winter by Mike Conley, Eugene Peterson’s definition of sunrise — “when the spontane- via Flickr ous and the certain arrive at the same time.” What is happening between the mind and body connection 2 | Winter lichens and moss that so invigorates us with a walk outdoors? Nature, a science by ten8e, journal, shared research about a zebrafish’s brain and how, via Instagram as soon it begins to swim and become active, its brain lights 3 | Eyed click up, which we know to be true for all species. We need activ- beetle found in ity and when you add the outdoors to the equation, you have firewood by Yens enhanced problem-solving capacity to boot. There are tons of Jacobs, via email other health benefits, both mental and physical, which you can 3 read all about on Page 20. In talking to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams recently, he called his exercise time outdoors his sanctuary. I couldn’t agree more. And the research confirms what we all intuitively know … nature is good medicine.

SARA PARKER PAULEY, DIRECTOR [email protected]

The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.) SUBSCRIPTIONS: Visit mdc.mo.gov/conmag, or call 573-522- MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSIONERS 4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Free to adult Missouri residents (one per household); out of state $7 per year; out of country $10 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address (send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, Missouri, and at additional entry offices.POSTMASTER : Send correspondence to Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249. Copyright © 2019 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri. Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conserva- tion is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Questions should be directed to the Department of Don Marilynn David Nicole Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice) or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to Chief, Public Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Bedell Bradford Murphy Wood Washington, D.C. 20240.

Printed with soy ink mdc.mo.gov 3 NOPPADOL PAOTHONG; PALLID STURGEON: LANCE MERRY - - - . [email protected] Spawns Spawns broodstock and returns to river years 1–2 Rears fingerlings and fingerlings Tags river in releases _ _ _ Federal HatcheryFederal _ _ _ Email Email In addition to changes in the Missouri River’s MORFS’s effortshelp to restore the pallid stur “We provide information and expertise,” White Whiteman asks anglers whoaccidentally catch cycle,” he said. flows, severalhydroelectric dams Montana from to Nebraska thwart the fish’s life cycle.Simply put,even if the pallid sturgeon reaches breeding age in years, seven to 14 a shortened and dammed river disrupts reproduction and recruitment. geon’s population geon’s is part a larger,of multiagency plan funded by the U.S. Army Corps Engineers. of man said. This includes data from annual sampling efforts as well broodstockas federal for hatcheries. a pallid sturgeon totake quick a the of photo fish and release unharmed it immediately. Email pho tos to [email protected] River pallid federally federally sturgeon sturgeon to restore to thestate’s River Field Field River Sampling volunteers needed! volunteers needed! Sampling endangered theMissouri TheMissouri Stationleads population in in population MDC’s Thomas Huffmon and Carol Lutes check a pallid sturgeon for hatchery marks. MDC’s effortsMDC’s Monitoring/ - - Stocking Cycle Sampling by Bonnie Chasteen

February2019

Sturgeon

Collectsgenetics and fish hatchery broodstock to Sends Records data

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“It’s like“It’s fishing for dinosaurs,” Thomas Huff

Huffmon, an MDC fisheries managementbiologist, “We conduct year-round sampling, springtime but McDaniel agreed. “We depend volunteers on like Kasey Whiteman, MORFS’s supervisor, lists some

MissouriConservationist _ Missouri River Field Station _ _ _

WILDLIFE RESTORATIONWILDLIFE

Pallid a Glance at _ Sampling Pallid Sturgeon Sturgeon Pallid Each month, we highlight research MDC uses to improve fish, forest, wildlife management.and mon said.mon “They’reold!” is talking about helping Missouri River Field Station (MORFS) staff,Wellemeyer Juju and AdamMcDaniel, samplepallid sturgeon. This 70 million-year-old fish can grow 6 feet long and weigh 85 pounds. also It’s federally endangered. broodstock collection is a special part a coordi of nated effort to boost pallid sturgeonnumbers,” said Wellemeyer. Thomashelp to pullus trotlines, check for hatchery ID tags, collect genetic material, and data.” record theof reasons why the pallid sturgeon is endangered. “They’re missing vital habitat and open migration. Theyrequire of lot a river miles to complete their life 4

LAB Nature LARRY ARCHER News and updates LAUNCHES LAUNCHES MO OUTDOORS NEW APPNEW NATURE WITH Nature Center Conservation Conservation Springfield DISCOVER DISCOVER MDC MDC

from MDC from

 the App Store for Apple devices. Apple for Store App the use. offline for maps download also can Users GPS. device’s their using features the to navigate easily to users allows and areas, viewing wildlife and ramps, boat lots, parking as such features displays function map The features. and maps of area boundaries interactive and area closings, images, of operation, hours searches. future during quickly again them find to locations favorite mark also can Users shooting. or hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, bird-watching, including activities, outdoor specified on based state the around centers nature and ranges, shooting activities. on preferred based traveling while even or work, home, to close offerings outdoor MDC find quickly can users Outdoors app. MO free latest MDC’s Outdoors,

Enjoying outdoor activities just got a little easier thanks to MO MO to thanks easier alittle got just activities outdoor Enjoying MO Outdoors is available for download through Google Play for Android devices or or devices Android Play for Google through download for available is Outdoors MO information, season and regulations area to users connects also Outdoors MO trails, hiking accesses, fishing areas, conservation find users help can Outdoors MO In Brief In mdc.mo.gov

5 In Brief

ANNUAL TROUT OPENER MARCH 1 Catch-and-keep trout fishing season opens March 1 at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, Montauk Ask MDC State Park near Licking, Roaring River State Park near Got a Question for Ask MDC? Cassville, and Maramec Spring Park near St. James. Send it to [email protected] The season runs through Oct. 31. or call 573-522-4115, ext. 3848. MDC operates trout hatcheries at all four parks. To help predict angler turnout on opening day, hatchery staff rely on permit records going back more than 80 years. Q. I saw a coyote walking We always recommend that Montauk, Bennett Spring, and Roaring River hatch- across our cul-de-sac people avoid feeding wild ery staff expect crowds of about 2,000 anglers at and down the neighbor’s animals, either on purpose or each location and Maramec Spring staff are planning driveway. I spotted him in inadvertently. It’s best to make for a crowd of about 1,000. Based on these predic- the open at midday. Does sure any pet food or garbage is tions, hatchery staff will stock three rainbow trout per this indicate anything kept out of reach. expected angler on opening day for a total of more about the animal’s health? Historically, these animals than 21,000 fish, averaging a foot in length. The hatch- hh Coyotes are mostly lived in open grasslands eries will also stock a mix of lunkers, ranging from 3 nocturnal, but occasionally and prairies, but they have to 10 pounds. active in the daytime. They flourished in the habitats show a peak of activity at created by humans. In urban Trout anglers will need a daily trout sunset and in the early evening, and suburban areas, many tag to fish in Missouri’s trout parks. with a minor peak at daybreak. people enjoy their encounters Daily trout tags can only be purchased It’s possible the cold weather with coyotes and, by taking a has this animal out in search of few common-sense precautions, at each of the four trout parks. more calories. So, it is possible avoid the negative impacts Missouri residents 16 through 64 and to see healthy coyotes active at coyotes might otherwise cause. nonresidents 16 and older need a fishing midday. For more information about permit in addition to the daily tag. In areas where coyotes are urban coyotes, visit short.mdc. hunted or trapped, they are mo.gov/ZpB. COYOTE: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG; WHIP-POOR-WILL: JIM RATHERT; DIDYMO: NEW ZEALAND FISH AND GAME AND FISH ZEALAND NEW DIDYMO: RATHERT; JIM WHIP-POOR-WILL: PAOTHONG; NOPPADOL COYOTE: Trout hatcheries are just one way that conserva- wary of human beings. In urban tion pays in Missouri. MDC staff stock more than areas, where they are more Q. I have fond memories 800,000 trout annually at the state’s four trout parks likely to associate people with of listening to whip-poor- and approximately 1.5 million trout annually statewide. an easy and dependable source wills in the evening, but Trout anglers spend more than $100 million each year of food, they can become bold. it’s been years since I’ve in the Show-Me State, which generates more than $180 They may frequent backyards, heard their calls. Have million in business activity, supports more than 2,300 porches, or come right up to their numbers decreased? jobs, and creates more than $70 million in wages. the door of a house if food is Is there anything I can About 30 percent of Missouri trout anglers come from regularly present. This behavior do to attract them? other states, so a substantial portion of trout fishing and the lack of fear hh While nationwide breeding expenditures is new money for the state’s economy. of humans is where data are scarce for many For more information on trout fishing in Missouri, most of the conflict nocturnal birds, from what visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Zou. lies when it comes surveys we do have, the eastern to urban coyotes. whip-poor-will is declining over Attention Trout Anglers Waving your arms much of its range. The reasons To prevent the spread of didymo or and making noise are most likely habitat loss, ”rock snot,” an invasive algae, the to scare them is degradation, and widespread use of shoes, boots, or waders an acceptable way land-use change. with porous soles of felt, mat- to ensure they In Missouri, whip-poor- ted, or woven fibrous material is maintain a healthy wills breed in upland, prohibited at all trout parks, trout fear of humans. deciduous forests with little streams, Lake Taneycomo, and buffer areas. For more information, visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Z3K. Coyote

6 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019 AGENT ADVICE from Jeff Scott BOLLINGER COUNTY CONSERVATION AGENT A Light Goose Conservation Order Eastern whip-poor-will goes into effect Feb. 7 through April 30. What or no underbrush, close to open impacts. It’s also possible feral cats areas. They prefer forests and have had an impact on this species’ does this mean for woodlands filled with pines, oaks, nesting success, but more research waterfowl hunters? More and hickories and they seem to is needed. opportunities to harvest avoid large tracts of uninterrupted, Because whip-poor-wills are snow, blue, and Ross’s densely canopied forests. Females insectivores that don’t nest in geese. During this time lay their eggs directly on the leaf cavities, their numbers can’t be litter of the forest floor, typically in improved with feeding stations period, there are no bag the shade of a small shrub. or birdhouses. Scientists are still limits and hunters can Much of the habitat that was working to learn more about why use electronic calls and once favorable for whip-poor-wills the population is declining. You unplugged shotguns. In has either been lost outright or can help efforts to monitor whip- altered by human encroachment. poor-wills and Chuck-will’s-widows addition, a Conservation What good habitat is left is in by participating in the nationwide Order Permit is all that smaller chunks than before, making Nightjar Survey Network. For more is required during this it more vulnerable to human-related information, visit nightjars.org. season. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented the Conservation Order to reduce the numbers of snow, blue, and Ross’s geese due to population increases and the resulting What damage to habitat and nesting ground. IS it? Remember, always get Can you permission guess this when hunting month’s on private natural wonder? property and The answer is on never shoot Page 9. from a road or vehicle.

mdc.mo.gov 7 In Brief

United States Postal Service Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation VENISON QUESADILLAS (PS Form 3526, July 2014) Published Most venison cuts can be prepared like beef. In this recipe, we take your annually in the February edition of this magazine as required by the venison south of the border for a festive twist on traditional quesadillas. United States Postal Service. Serves 4–6 1. Publication Title: Missouri Conservationist; QUESADILLAS: ½ pound grated MIX marinade ingredients and add venison 2. Publication Number: 0026-6515; 3. Filing Date: 9/29/18; 1 pound venison roast cheese (pepper or strips. Let marinate for 30 minutes or 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly; or cutlets, sliced Monterey jack) longer. 5. Number of Issues Published in thin strips Annually: 12; FRESH FRUIT CHIPOTLE: PLACE all chipotle ingredients in food ¼ cup lime juice 6. Annual Subscription Price: 1 medium clove garlic processor and chop. Free In-State; 2 cloves garlic 7. Complete Mailing Address of 2 tablespoons ½ teaspoon cumin SAUTE venison in a small amount of oil until Known Office of Publication: Missouri fresh cilantro Department of Conservation; PO Box salt and pepper nearly done, then add onion and pepper. 2 tablespoons lime juice 180; Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180; 1 tablespoon Cook slightly. Set aside to build quesadillas. Telephone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3831; ¼ teaspoon salt 8. Complete Mailing Address of Worcestershire sauce ¼ teaspoon cumin ADD a small amount of oil to a skillet or Headquarters or General Business Office 1 medium onion, diced 1 teaspoon chipotle griddle and warm. Place cheese on half of Publisher: Missouri Department of 2 tablespoons olive oil Conservation; PO Box 180; Jefferson pepper (or more of tortilla shell and add some of the meat City, MO 65102-0180; 1 sweet pepper, diced to taste) mixture. Top with fresh cilantro and other 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing 4–6 large flour tortillas Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and 1½ cup fresh fruit favorites such as tomato, black beans, and ¼ cup fresh cilantro Managing Editor: Publisher: Missouri (pineapple, apple, corn. Fold over and grill on both sides until Department of Conservation; PO Box 180; 1 can black beans, rinsed strawberry, kiwi, golden and warmed through. Serve with Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180; Editor: 1 tomato, diced Angie Morfeld; PO Box 180; Jefferson or mango) fresh fruit chipotle. City, MO, 65102-0180; 10. Owner: 1 cup corn-on-the-cob Missouri Department of Conservation; (cut off) PO Box 180; Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180; 12. Tax Status: The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months.; 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2018; 15a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 537,189; b. Paid Circulation: (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0; (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0; (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: 0; (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 6,876; c. Total Paid Distribution: 6,876; d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 489,768; (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies Included on PS Form 3541: 0; (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 0; (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 0; e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 489,768; f. Total Distribution: 496,644; g. Copies not Distributed: 1,500; h. Total: 498,144; i. Percent Paid: 1.4%; 16a. Paid Electronic Copies: 0; b. Total Paid Print Copies: 6,876; c. Total Print Distribution: 496,644; d. Percent Paid 1.4%; 18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete: Anthony Samson, Distribution Center Manager, 9/29/18

8 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019 VENISON QUESADILLAS: CLIFF WHITE, OZARK WITCH-HAZEL: JIM RATHERT • • • • • • • • • • 2019–2020 Dates Hunting Deer Firearms 2019–2020 and Turkey Deer Hunting Archery Dates 2019 Spring and Fall Turkey Hunting Dates

Alternative Methods Portion: Dec. 28, 2019–Jan. Dec. 7, Portion: Methods 2020 Alternative 6–8 Dec. Portion: Antlerless 1 Nov. Youth 29–Dec. Portion: Late Nov. 16–26 Portion: November Nov. Youth 2–3 Portion: Early Nov. 27, 2019–Jan. 15, 2020 15 15–Nov. Sept. 1–31 Oct. Season: Fall Firearms 5 15–May April Season: Regular Spring 6–7 April YouthSpring Portion: DEER AND TURKEY HUNTING DATES HUNTING FOR UPCOMING TURKEY AND DEER SEASONS and rabbits enjoyand rabbits the bark. Beaver, squirrels, flowers. grouse eat the seeds and leaves while turkey and and Deer eat the shoots a favorite wildlife. amongst is it addition, prevention. In erosion and landscaping Witch-hazel is used for snowstill on the ground. January, even there if is bloomthat can as early as flowers fragrant with shrub ( Ozark witch-hazel WITCH-HAZEL OZARK WHAT Hamamelis vernalis Hamamelis

IT? ) is a at at fishing. and hunting combination fishing, smalland for game, includingtrout 2018 fishing, February, of permits end the at expire annual that permits and anglers hunters Missouri reminds MDC the related seasons. related the and Information ing Regulations and Information in MDC’s available will be information related and other permits, required methods, allowed limits, harvest on hunting regulations, Details the App Store for Apple devices. Apple for Store App the or devices Android for Play Google through download for available Fishing, MO Renew Annual Hunting and Fishing Permits mdc.mo.gov/buypermits Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits from vendors across the state, online state, the across vendors from permits hunting andfishing Missouri Buy Learn more about deer and turkey hunting in Missouri at at hunting in Missouri andturkey deer about more Learn booklets. Both will be available where permits are sold prior to to prior sold are permits where available will be Both booklets. , or through MDC’s free mobile apps, MO Hunting and and Hunting MO apps, mobile free MDC’s , or through and 2019 and &Turkey Fall Deer Regulations Hunting 2019 Turkey Spring Hunt huntfish.mdc.mo.gov mdc.mo.gov

9 - . A Journey Through Southern f Missouri t 10 MissouriSchoolcra Conservationist | February 2019 DAVID STONNER 11

mdc.mo.gov

by Brian Flowers and Francis Skalicky RETRACING THE GEOGRAPHER’S HISTORIC TREK AND TREK AND HISTORIC IT MEANS TODAY WHAT

Missouri A Journey

ThroughSouthern Schoolcra Ste. I Camdenton ll St. James Genevieve in Mine á Breton (present Potosi) o Steelville Departed Nov. 6, 1818 and is Rolla Potosi Hermitage Camden Crocker Doolittle M returned Feb. 4, 1819 Bonne er Terre am k 11/6/1818 ec e 2/3/1819 R e Ste Genevieve r Hickory Phelps iv 55 Crawford C Desloge e ¨¦§

r h Leadwood a Washington z Richland Just past Huzzah Creek and Indian z 11/7/1818 At Hale’s on Big River u River Park Waynesville H ig Villages of Delaware and Shawnee B Hills St. Robert 11/8/1818 Farmington Pulaski St Francois 2/2/1819 ¨¦§44 Perryville r e At Cook’s Settlement v Fort A Touri Map of Henry Viburnum R Leonard Iron a 11/9/1818 ¤£67 Niangu Wood Left the Osage Trace Mountain Lake Perry RoweDallas SchoolcraftLebanon and turned South Bualo Salem ¤£63 Laclede r Bolivar P Halfway e Ironton rough St. Michael’s o v i Dent m Through the Interior of R

m At the Meramec River, then Fredericktown (present Fredericktown) e e d B Iron Polk d a i 1/31/1819 e followed the Osage Trace g Twin n T o P e c 2/1/1819 r Missouri and ArkansasBridges s i 11/10/1818 1/30/1819 r n e a e G y R iv Conway R e 65 NOV. 6, 1818—FEB. 4, 1819 i Licking r ¤£ k v Madison or e F r e g a Os 11/12/1818 11/11/1818 11/15/2018 Cu “I begin my tour where Fair rren Got wet crossing Big Piney River t R Grove iv Reynolds (near present Houston) er other travelers have ended Marsh eld Raymondville At Ashley’s Cave 1/29/1819 Marble Houston Hill Texas theirs, on the confines of Willard ¨¦§44 Webster 11/16/1818 Bollinger Straord Wright 11/17/181811/17/181811/17/181811/17/1818 the wilderness.” Greene At the James River with lead ore present Ellington 1/28/1819 r ive Spring eld s R and an extensive tall-grass prairie to the me Ja west with droves of deer, elk, and bu alo Brookline 1/1/1819 Shannon Crossed the St. Francis River at (Kickapoo Prairie or present Springeld) Eminence Piedmont Rogersville Seymour Wayne Dr. Bettis’ Ferry (present Greenville) Mountain Cabool Struck the North Fork White River Republic Battle eld Grove S ¤£60 Mans eld Norwood t. k and followed it to the South F e 11/18/1818 r B a re rk l 67 wo centuries after they C Fo a ¤£ n J s ck c 12/31/1818 y ack i le R s in i p Nixa F ve R am were written, Henry Rowe 12/30/1818 Van r iv w 63 er S ¤£ Winona Buren go Schoolcraft’s words still Mountain Birch in Ozark Willow ¤£60 Tree At Bollinger’s place M 11/19/181811/19/181811/19/181811/19/1818 Springs View T Highlandville beckon outdoor enthusiasts to past the Black River Ava Carter 1/27/1819 Bloom eld r Douglas e Christian iv k southern Missouri. e R 1/5/1819 e B N 60 r ¤£ s 12/29/1818 r 11/20/181811/20/181811/20/181811/20/1818 o e C y r Headed up Swan Creek on a a m n t n Stoddard On Nov. 6, 1818, Schoolcraft, his a t h J a

C F w Trace with Osage hunting camps r o S e ek r k L friend Levi Pettibone, and one pack ¤£160 1/6/1819 k it e t e l £60 r e ¤ Dexter

C C B r u horse left Mine á Breton (present-day ve l ea r a B r c E e k Poplar 11/21/181811/21/181811/21/181811/21/1818 le ve n R Blu Potosi) in the Missouri Territory. n t i 12/28/1818 Howell v P R e 1/26/1819 o i r Branson i v Stone West n e They were on a quest to learn more 11/22/181811/22/181811/22/181811/22/1818 t r Butler West Plains Merriam R i Woods v Bernie about the mining potential of lead e Forsyth Oregon r At the Reeves’ house past Sp rin deposits on the James River in the g ¤£160 Ripley Taney At Beaver Creek Settlement R F the Little Black River Kimberling Indian iv o Branson Ozark e u Doniphan r r City Point 12/12/1818 11/23/1818 ch Malden southwest part of the territory. Starving and lost, abandoned e 1/7/1819 12/11/1818 C re Gainesville e 1/25/1819 Headed down the ¤£160 the horses and gear and searched¤£63 k What followed was a 900-mile, odosia Neelyville White River in a canoe 12/10/1818 12/5/1818 11/24/1818 south for settlers help three-month odyssey into what is 65 ¤£ 1/9/1819 12/1/1818 At a farmer’s house 12/6/1818 Bakers eld ayer Campbell S now southern Missouri and northern 12/8/1818 MISSOURI t (probably the Harris' cabin) .

11/25/1818 Crossed the “Currents” (Current River) 12/9/1818 F r Gideon ARKANSAS a Arkansas. Schoolcraft found lead 1/10/1819 12/7/1818 11/27/181811/27/181811/27/181811/27/1818 at Hick’s Ferry (present Current View) n cis 1/11/1819 Found help at the Wells’ r R 11/30/181811/30/181811/30/181811/30/1818 ve i near present-day Springfield, but a i ve £67 R r ¤ 11/28/181811/28/181811/28/181811/28/1818 homestead on Benners Bayou k At Coker’s Cabin 1/24/1819 c Piggott 62 la more valuable resource he provided 11/29/181811/29/181811/29/181811/29/1818 ¤£ B Clay Bull was the detailed journal he kept Carroll At M’Gary’s Cabin Shoals 1/12/1819 Fulton Mountain Randolph of his travels. Published in 1821 1/13/1819 Home Hardy Cherokee Ozark At “Fourche a omas” Boone At Friend’s Cabin Village Acres under the nondescript title Journal Baxter ¤£63 (Fourche Creek) and a cabin Historical Features Pocahontas Kennett r of a Tour into the Interior of Missouri Harrison Salesville r ve 62 Ash Flat e Ri ¤£ Horseshoe v # Camp Sites 1/23/1819 i 412 er 1/14/1819 Oxford ¤£ le iv Bend R tt At J. Yochem’s Cabin R Li and Arkansas in 1818 and 1819, this ite k h ac Greene Travel Route W Bl was the earliest description of the Senath Marion Sharp 1/22/1819 At Spring River and entertained Literary Sources: er Calico French/Spanish Land Grants Riv River interior Ozarks by a skilled observer. lo At Matney’s Cabin Rock erry “Rude Pursuits and Rugged Peaks.” Raerty, Milton D. a wb by a Major Haynes tra u S “Scenes and Adventures ... .” Henry Rowe Schoolcraft Schoolcraft’s notes on wildlife, B Izard Walnut Streams/Rivers Ridge ¤£412 “Journal of a Tour into the Interior of Missouri and Arkansas.” vegetation, and landforms provide Melbourne Henry Rowe Schoolcraft 65 1/20/1819 Lakes, Ponds, Swamps ¤£ Hoxie baseline knowledge about what this ¤£167 Lawrence Assistance was provided by: Dr. Milton D. Raerty, Missouri State University Forest/Woodland 1/16/18191/16/18191/16/18191/16/1819 Blytheville part of Missouri looked like two Jim Coombs & Emilie Burke, Missouri State University At Je rey’s Cabin Brian Flowers, Missouri Department of Conservation Barrens/Scrub White R 1/19/1819 At a farm house on Strawberry River, centuries ago. Searcy iv er Schoolcraft stays with a twisted ankle Produced at the Geographic Resources Center (GRC), At Widow La erty’s Cabin ¤£63 Today, Schoolcraft’s entries Prairie while Pettibone departs for St. Louis Department of Geography, University of Missouri-Columbia in March 2016 by James D. Harlan. 4 Mountain 1/17/1819 entice hikers, hunters, floaters, and Transverse Mercator Projection Stone View Copyright © e Curators of the University of Missouri anglers who want to envision what Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System At Poke Bayou (present Batesville), Jonesboro North America Datum 1983 Independence then headed north on the Natchitoches the pre-settlement Ozarks were like. Batesville Craighead 0 10 20 40 60 80 Trace or the old Kings Road 1/18/1819 Miles Van Buren 12 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019

SCHOOLCRAFT: THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI, PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION (016510A)

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a J # Polk Polk Willard City Bolivar Historical Features Brookline Carroll Carroll White River in a canoe 00 Kimberling Stone Stone Republic Potosi to the Huzzah Your journey, just like Schoolcraft’s, Schoolcraft started his journey on Nov. 6, 1818, in begins in Washington County at Potosi, an area known for its Potosi — although you’ll likely travel lead production and as the by motorized vehicle instead of by foot mines of Missouri. with a packhorse in tow. Head west on Missouri Highway 8, cross Courtois and Huzzah creeks. One of Schoolcraft’s early campsites (Nov. 8, 1818) was near MDC’s Huzzah Conservation Area in Crawford County. This 6,225-acre area is known for floating, fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities, both on MDC-managed trails and on a stretch of the Ozark Trail, managed by the Ozark Trail Association, that crosses the site. Schoolcraft’s general route goes through Steelville, south on Missouri Highway 19 into Dent County and near a unique natural feature — glades. Glades are hot, dry openings within woodlands that are noted for shallow and/ or poor soils and exposed bedrock. “Glades are beautiful communities that support a diversity of sun-loving plants and animals,” said John George, MDC’s wildlife supervisor for the central region. “Despite their beauty they can be best described as hard rocky deserts to those who were working to carve out a living in the Ozarks.” Big Glade Natural Area, which lies within MDC’s 13,310-acre Indian Trail Conservation Area in Dent County, is one place to visit these unique habitats. Visitors in summer may see colorful wildflowers such as white and purple prairie clover and pale purple coneflower.

Missouri glades are a diverse ecosystem of plants, insects, reptiles, and wildlife.

Fame flower on chert glade

14 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019 15

mdc.mo.gov Paddling sports sports Paddling have gained in popularity in recent years and stillyears remain one ofremain the best ways to

experience nature. experience Elk Schoolcraft left the Salem Plateau’s

prairies woodlands open and entered and the Current River valley, noting“the waters this of stream are very clear and pure,and ducks are commonupon The it. wild turkey and squirrel are also seen on canits banks.” People 11, 1818) still (Nov. find manyoutdoor activities Currentin River country. Hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking are popular. Seeing the river from a canoe kayak or is preferred by many. Several agencies manage parts this of areapublic for recreation. The National Park Service manages the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which covers 134 miles the of Current and Jacks rivers. Fork The Missouri Departmentof Natural Resources manages Montauk State Park the at headwaters the of Current River and near where Schoolcraft crossed the Current. Current River Current Meramec the to Current Schoolcraft’sheads route south Highway on and 19 across the Meramec River. made He frequent mentions elk of between the Meramecand Current elk Rivers. are Today, found in the MDC Elk Restoration Zone in Shannon,Reynolds, and Carter counties. Goodplaces to see elk arethe 23,049-acre Peck Ranch Conservation Area and the 29,331-acre Current River Conservation Area. Both MDC areas are near Ellington and stretch into Shannon, Reynolds, and Carter counties. the Take self-guided elk driving tour Peck at Ranch hike or the Ozark Trail near Peck Ranch’s headquarters in early October and listen a bull for elk’s bugling. In winter, elk look for feeding in food plots along Peck Ranch’s main valley road.

A VIEW OF THE LEAD MINES OF MISSOURI BY HENRY ROWE SCHOOLCRAFT, 1819, FRONTISPIECE. SHS REF F541 SCH65V IN CASE, THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI, PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION; ELK: AARON HILDRETH; WILDCAT GLADE NA: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG; OTHERS: DAVID STONNER From Current River to the North Fork of the White Schoolcraft’s general route continues south from Salem on Missouri Highway 32 toward Licking, then south on Missouri Highway 137. At Raymondville, turn west on Texas County Highway B toward Houston. West of U.S. Highway 63, this route passes by a gem of Missouri’s natural area system — the Piney River Narrows Natural Area in Texas County. This 50-acre area is highlighted by large dolomite outcroppings. Schoolcraft saw black bears several times on his journey. By the end of the century, bears were almost extirpated from the state. Fast forward to 2018 and Missouri’s black bear population is recovering. MDC biologists attribute this increase primarily to a resurgence of large forested habitats in the Missouri Ozarks. On Nov. 17, 1818, a few miles north of present-day Cabool, Schoolcraft and Petti- bone had a memorable bear encounter.

“We had not travelled far when we discovered, in a ravine below, four bears upon trees. We have not heretofore sought to go out of our way for the purpose of hunting, but this was directly in our course, and too fine an opportunity to exercise our skill in hunter sport to be neglected. We determined to give them battle.” (Schoolcraft, Nov. 17, 1818)

Schoolcraft and Pettibone approached cautiously, but the bears saw them and began to descend the trees and flee. Schoolcraft fired his gun when the last bear reached the ground, but this had no effect on the animal, which scampered away. The lost opportunity of much-needed meat was compounded by a badly sprained ankle that Pettibone suffered. However, the two traveled 18 miles the next day, with Pettibone riding atop the packhorse and supplies.

Piney River Narrows Natural Area

Schoolcraft and Pettibone had several encounters with black bears along Little Piney Creek in Texas County, Black near present day Houston. bear 17

mdc.mo.gov

North Fork of the White River White ofthe Fork North Brown trout Anglers will find some of best trout the in the coldStates fishing in the United River. of water Fork clear the North . . Schoolcraft’s narrowly route missed spot a popular with hikers today’s and The NorthThe Fork flows through ofsome the most scenicand ruggedcountry in campers — the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness Area.U.S. This Forest 6,687-acre Service area in Ozark County is named a long narrow for ridge bordering the North RiverFork and contains 13 miles moderate of hiking trails. Learn about this more area fs.fed.us at Down theDown North of Fork the White Schoolcraft and Pettibone spent 13 days winding down the North the of Fork White. While visiting the of one river’s many springs, Schoolcraft wrote, “the waters possessing the purity crystal. of I set gun my against a tree, and unbuckled belt, my preparatory to a drink, and in taking a few steps toward the brink the of spring, discovered an elk’s horn most of astonishing size, which I afterwards hung upon a limb a contiguousof oak, to advertise the future (to) traveler that had he been preceded by human footsteps in his visit to the Elkhorn 1818) 20, spring.” (Nov. Missouri, as wellas 22,000 acres Norfork of Lake known its walleyefor and bass fishing. Cold, clear spring water that emerges along the courseriver’s makes North the premier the of one troutFork Schoolcraft nation’s streams. Today, would want to pack fishinggear to at use MDC’s designated Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon trout fishing zones the of river. The Blue Ribbon Zone beginsat upperthe outlet of Rainbow Springs and extends downstream miles 8.6 to Patrick Bridge. fishing For regulations, visit huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing

BLACK BEAR: NOPPADOL PAOTHONG; OTHERS: DAVID STONNER Finding Lead, Heading Home Southern Missouri wasn’t totally devoid of white settlement, a fact evidenced by Schoolcraft and Pettibone. Local settlers William Holt and James Fisher guided them on the western part of their journey to what today is the commercially oper- ated Smallin Civil War Cave in Christian County near Ozark. It’s easy to see Schoolcraft’s mouth agape as he tried to describe the cave’s 55-foot tall, 100-foot wide entrance.

“The first appearance of this stupendous cavern struck us with astonishment, succeeded by curiosity to explore its hidden recesses … the number and variety of curious and interesting objects it presents is well worth a day’s attention. To explore it, a boat would be necessary … ” (Jan. 1, 1819)

Two centuries have not changed the awe Smallin Cave creates amongst its visitors. “It is truly an amazing sight,” said Jackie Hawks, one of Smallin Cave’s guides. “When I take visitors to the cave, several of Schoolcraft’s quotes come to mind. People today are just as amazed as Schoolcraft was 200 years ago.” Smallin owners Kevin and Wanetta Bright have embraced the site’s connection to Schoolcraft through signage and inter- pretive tours given at the cave. Special events are planned throughout the site in 2018–2019 to commemorate the bicen- tennial of Schoolcraft’s visit. “Schoolcraft’s journey through the Ozarks is important for several reasons,” said Kevin Bright. “He walked on this property, through this valley, and into this cave. Schoolcraft shared the beauty of the Ozarks, the geology, the geography and the people — including the Osage — with the rest of the United States. With Schoolcraft’s account, when our guests and school groups visit the site, we can describe and interpret the land as he saw it and compare it to what is here today.”

A must-read for those interested in retracing Schoolcraft’s trek is Rude Pursuits and Rugged Peaks: Schoolcraft’s Ozark Journal 1818-1819 (University of Arkansas Press, 1996) by deceased Missouri State University history professor Milton D. Rafferty. This book matches 19th century journal entries with 21st century locations and creates a route that beckons the outdoor adventurer. To explore an interactive map of Schoolcraft’s route, visit https://gis.bransonmo.gov/ schoolcraft_3 prepared by Curtis Copeland, Geographic Information Systems Coordinator for the City of Branson, Missouri.

18 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019 - - 19

mdc.mo.gov ▲ Francis Skalicky has been the media specialist for specialist media the been has Skalicky Francis Today, this landscapeToday, is filled withbusinesses, schools, and “Habitat management requires some type baseline of With and guidance, Holt Fisher’s Schoolcraft reached his thisFrom point, Schoolcraft returned along an easterly Thepublication of his journal two years later ledfederal to “Schoolcraft’s journal is a marker in time, milepost a in not

Brian Flowers is a regional supervisor. He loves history and teaching conservation through historic and primitive skills. He and his wife, JoAnne, can often be found exploring Missouri’s outdoor places. MDC’s He lives in Southwest 1996. Regionsince Jan. 1, Springfield and tries to enjoy the outdoors withhis family as often as possible. urban residences. Therein lies the valueof Schoolcraft’s journal. management,”said Rudy Martinez, Springfield Conservation Nature Center manager. “Having historic records the of native habitat that includes descriptions plant of and wildlife diver objectiveJan. when the 2–4, party 1819, foundlead at ore the juncture Pearson of Creek and the James River, just a site outside modernof Springfield’s eastern city limits in Greene County. The valueof his journal is again driven home in his description the of area that is today south Springfield. “The prairies, which commence at the distance sity helps land managers identify the historic range natural of viability.Information from Schoolcraft’s journal was and— stillis used— toidentify the historic range natural of commu nities found in the Ozarks.” thatroute took him through northern Arkansas, back into up southeast Missouri and eventually to Mine home in á Breton eastern Missouri. government Schoolcraft, for work in but historical hindsight, the true publication’s worthis benefitedit how the subject, thenot author. only historical our state’s journey, in but the historical timeline theof Kevin United States,” Bright said. “When the Louisiana Purchase was added in the 1803, Ozarks was unexplored and unknown. Schoolcraft’s journal began the story this for part Missouri.”of of a mile west of this river, are the most extensive, rich and beautiful of any which I have ever seen west of the Mississippi River. They are covered by a coarse wild grass which attains so great a height that it completely hides a man on horseback in riding through it. The deer and elk abound in this quarter and the buffalo is occasionally seen in droves upon the prairie …” (Jan. 4, 1819) Smallin Cave Smallin DAVID STONNER Smallmouth bass fishing on the Gasconade River

PHOTOGRAPH BY NOPPADOL PAOTHONG

20 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019 good medicine from the

GreatSCIENCE SHOWS NATURE Outdoors PROVIDES BENEFITS FOR BODY AND MIND

by Bill Graham

mdc.mo.gov 21 NOPPADOL PAOTHONG , - - The Yosemite The Northern cardinals “Everybody needs beauty as well doubtfulIt’s a Missouri turkey hunter Modern science, though, is beginning as bread, places to play inand pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike,” conservation giant John Muir wrote in published in 1912. whohas experienced the pulse-quick ening, surround-sound chirps, clucks, clucks, chirps, surround-sound ening, and gobbles birds of bringing late-April woods to life first at light would disagree. Missourians have long appreciated their rivers, lakes, fields, forests. and to measure precisely more beneficialrela tionships between people and nature. - , published in 1854. “To the“To sick, the doctors wisely Cardiologist Anand Cardiologist enjoysChockalingam hiking outdoors to benefit mind and body, and he finds similar contact with nature benefits his patients. What’s Old is Again New Old What’s Saying nature is the good for body and soul is new. not recommend a change air of and scenery,” nature essayist Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden Thenhe made the point that experi encing nature close is to home as viable as traveling the globe. helps also,But the body. “you feel more alive, confident. more Physically, we may be exhausted, mentally but we feel more rejuvenated, more alive.” - - - - February2019

oing fun outdoors for is reason enough to enjoy nature. Just ask an angler landing a big bass a hiker or smitten by a crimson-feath “Nature is for MissouriConservationist human beings like The heartThe doctor enjoys hiking in “We need to relaxand refresh the Even a light dose nature of helps, says water is for plants,”

Chockalingam says.

Missouri’s parks and forests. recog He nizes the restive feeling well-being of that settles in his mind as walks he among the sights, sounds, and smells also nature.of he’s But seen positive health results when his patients recov ering from heart disease surgery or head outdoors. Mind and body are inter twined, and nature and the outdoors can both. nurture mind,” Chockalingam said. Having fun outdoors provides physical exercise that G ered cardinal perched green a on pine tree bough. Science, is however, adding big reason more one contact for with nature better — health. Anand Chockalingam, a cardiologist at University Missouri of Health Care in Columbia. 22 DAVID STONNER systems. nervous and muscular, hormonal, body’s complex human the with acts inter which mind, the influences senses functions. important other and rate, heart pressure, blood memory, healthier for implications has That nature. to exposed people in glands, adrenal by hormone stress secreted with associated a cortisol, of salivary levels lower Research Environmental in published study the of said the authors benefits,” health significant and diverse with associated is spaces green to, natural close living healthier. are nature with more contact with people that concluded and 20 countries from people million 290 involving studies 140 reviewed They boost. a health provides really nature if know to wanted researchers The England. in Anglia of East University at the researchers by 2018 in published toa study according pressure,” blood high and stress, birth, preterm death, premature disease, cardiovascular diabetes, II of type risk “reduces the greenspace to Exposure UpScience Catching is years living closely How natural settings affect the affect settings How natural noted studies the one example, In or in, time spending that found “We with trees, plants, trees, plants, with relatively recently with nature.with Only soil, animals, and and animals, soil, themselves from from themselves spent millions of of millions spent steady contact contact steady Human beings beings Human so thoroughly thoroughly so have people , a science journal. , ascience separated separated open sky. open - imaginations and sense of wonder.imaginations andsenseof the outdoors, nature nurtures their When weconnectchildren with mdc.mo.gov

23 DAVID STONNER natural resource resource natural “I prefer to call it Mike Beezhold, a forest said therapy,” world predominate.world about work, family, the or surroundingswhere worries or a changeor pace of from the normal Mixing the bathing word with is forest fewer negative stress hormones, hormones, stress negative fewer improved and pressure, blood decreased systems. immune misleading. Any cleansing has todo with reducing stress and worry. Practitioners are unmindful not challenges forest of such as ticks and chiggers. they But are mindful what of is beautiful, interesting, Greer Spring near the Eleven Point River Morel mushroom hunters Research has found health benefits from bathing, forest called shinrin- yoku in Japan, where the practice was opens person a Essentially, developed. all senses, including touch, smell, sight, sound, and hearing, to the forest around them. Researchers say the resulting relaxed physiological relaxation can induce results such as healthier pulse, - - February2019

MissouriConservationist Prehistoric humans sought food Morel mushroom hunters tramping in

Returning to our Roots our to Returning A return to nature is a return to essen tial that forces shaped our species. Even the chemicals encountered in nature may be health a boost. Research in Japansuggests that organic compounds released by trees into the air, called phyt antibacterial have oncides, properties that are health boosting. and shelter outdoors with their senses alert. Their digital-age descendants find comfort in natural places that offer deeper dimensions than electronic devices. the woods may decide to rest by sitting a fallenon The log. pause gives them time waxyto note mayapple leaves, shaggy bark a hickory on tree, bluish lichens covering stones, emerald-toned moss on a log, the or earthy smell unseen of fungi andbacteria turning last fallen year’s leavesinto soil nutrients. mushroom The hunters may realize not they it, but are also participating in a growing health pursuit bathing. — forest 24 NOPPADOL PAOTHONG calm emotions, Louv asserts. Louv emotions, calm and confidence, boost creativity, child’s a stimulate can Nature outdoors. found influences gentle and rhythms from bodies and brains children’s separated have television and computer games, phones, cell a world where in a nerve Nature-DeficitDisorder from Children Our in Woods: the Saving book, 2005 best-selling his with health benefits nature of how field the in atrail blazed boyhood, his in rian Louv, aMissou Richard author Noted Child Last said. pace,” Beezhold at asnail’s almost go and down slow simply and go outside age. technology afast-moving in aretonic pursuits Such hand. in coffee of acup with steps porch back from made observations or morning bench, on apark apause woods, the in walk simple a can so benefits. Yet, same the offer can andbirding hunting, fishing, said. Beezhold nature,” of apart youas and nature, on in going what’s senses, five of your aware fully be and nature, in present be to nature, in area. City Kansas the in afield or groups viduals indi He takes Programs. and Guides Forest Therapy and of Nature ciation Asso the by guide as a certified become to training completed recently Beezhold professional. management water and adults and families tap a growing body body agrowing tap families and adults books about nature’s benefits health for myexcited senses.” yet me,and me, focused calmed Nature Ritalin. my were woods “The area: City Kansas the in youth as a fields grown over exploring and trees climbing about In In to people many for hard “It’s definitely as such outdoor pursuits Traditional immersed fully being about all is “It Last Child Last Last Child’s Last and Louv’s follow-up Louv’s follow-up and early chapters, he wrote he wrote chapters, early . The book touched touched book . The Flowering Flowering Last Child Child Last dogwood - - - - change of pace. change of nature’s beauty and nature relaxation from feel incontactwith hear, touch, smell, and the body’s sensessee, what mindfulness of Forest bathing isabout mdc.mo.gov

25 DAVID STONNER “It’s hard to truly Getting children in out nature also person,” Louv said. value nature unless you learn to love it in love to learn you helps grow conservation values, and now for the future. MDC provides grants and expertise to help and expertise grants MDC provides outdoor classrooms Missouri schools establish nature. connect students with that help them focus,” Louv said. “Schools with natural play spaces and nature learning areas appear to help children do better academically. There are some indications that natural play spaces can reduce bullying. Nature experience can also be a buffer to child obesity. Time spent in nature is obviously a not cure-all, can it but be an enormous help, especiallykids for andadults who are stressed by circumstances beyond their control.” - February2019

Last Child the in , I cited about 60 studies,” Louv MissouriConservationist “When wrote I Scientists studying health benefits “The studies strongly suggest that

of science-basedof studies that link the outdoors to good health. His nonprofit foundation compiles links to scientific papers thefor public to review. Woods said. the Children “Today, & Nature Network website has compiled a large body studies, of reports, and publica tionsthat are available viewing for or downloading — over them, of 700 with about a month 20 coming into us from around the world.” from nature have measured the human brain, body, and behaviors. They’ve found nature boosts the ability children of and adults to learn. time in nature can help many children learn to build confidence in themselves, reduce the symptoms attention of deficit hyperactivity disorder, calm them, and 26 TIGER SWALLOWTAIL: DONNA BRUNET; GIRL: DAVID STONNER found that gall bladder surgery patients patients surgery bladder gall that found 1984 in published Astudy spirits. boost too. boulders, and logs atop the walking playfully parents see to common quite it is for children, designed Though wildflowers. and shrubs, native trees, shady among nestled are areas play The on-site. left limbs tree or small sticks with hideaways building by creativity their andtest explore They on boulders. or designs in stacked on logs climb can Children centers. at nature some dren Even a mere glimpse of nature can can of nature glimpse amere Even chil for areas play natural offers MDC - of ourselves.” care of taking way intelligent avery “is remedy. or —preventative medicine useful as benefit.own their for fishes who or minister doctor the is common But quite morning.” the in me call and trout four “catch to patient experience. spiritual even emotional, adeeply pursuits such find also anglers Many meal. a healthy becomes that afish lands angler too, the Perhaps, healthy. is that exercise physical gets trout a rainbow lure to line and rod fly a whipping arms stream, fast-flowing mind. human for the abrightener is a room in plant agreen Even view. a natural without those than complications fewer with and faster recovered of greenery aview with room ahospital in placed Going outdoors, Chockalingam says, says, Chockalingam outdoors, Going proven now scientifically is Nature a advises who doctor the is Rare acold-water, in wading angler An ▲ Tiger swallowtail swallowtail Tiger perches on glade on perches coneflower best wild places. wild best in Missouri’s photography and hiking enjoys who camper and hunter,He’s alifelong angler, specialist. media Region City Kansas MDC’s is Graham Bill mdc.mo.gov

27 N O R T H E R N C A R D I N Get A L

Outsidein Ways to connect FEBRUARY with nature Sounds of Spring Nature is starting to awaken from its winter slumber. Take a walk and listen for the sounds around you. Northern cardinals sing on sunny days. Chorus frogs are also calling. Their calls sound like a thumbnail scratched along a comb. What sounds do you hear? Catch a Rainbow It’s never too cold to go fishing in the Show-Me State! MDC annually stocks rainbow trout in lakes across the state. Grab your pole and catch a rainbow. Illinois For more information, visit chorus frog short.mdc.mo.gov/Zps. Western chorus frog

SOUTHWEST REGION Firearms Basic Care and Cleaning Don’t Get Burned Saturday, Feb. 16 • 8:30–11:30 a.m. Fire season begins and Andy Dalton Shooting Range, 4897 N. Farm Road 61, Ash Grove, MO 65604 Registration required by Feb. 16. Call 888-283-0364 or visit short.mdc.mo.gov/Zp8. continues through the All ages greening of spring. Join us to learn the basics of caring for and cleaning your firearms. This Beware — if there is program will include tips and techniques for all aspects of maintaining your no snow on the ground, firearms. You may bring your own unloaded firearm to class or use ours. burning is not advised.

Coyotes Natural Events are Geese Boxelder to See This Month breeding migrate bugs Here’s what’s going on — listen through emerge on in the natural world. for their Missouri warm days howl

28 Missouri Conservationist | February 2019

and

mdc.mo.gov , or

Annual permits expire at the end of February. Buy Missouri hunting and fishing permits vendors from at state, the online around mdc.mo.gov/buypermits through MDC’s freethrough MDC’s mobile and MO Hunting apps, MO Fishing.

TODAY

Renew your Renew HUNTING FISHING PERMITS PERMITS mdc.mo.gov/events Cure that cabin fever by joining us on a late winter at hike Rockwoods Reservation. We’ll thehike 3.2-mile Lime Kiln Loop for unique winter views into the continually changing forest and to catch glimpses of winter wildlife and early signs of spring. Effort strenuous. moderate to = Natural surface hiking with a couple of short, steep hills. Saturday,Feb. 23 p.m. 1–3:30 • Reservation Rockwoods Road Glencoe 2751 Wildwood,MO 63038 Registrationrequired by Feb. 23. Call888-283-0364 Allages

Find moreevents in yourarea at

ST. LOUIS REGION flock to cedarflockto to trees berries. on feast prefer They any fruiting flowering or for shrub, look or so tree them in backyards, parks, other or areas. wooded Cedar waxwings

Birds of a Feather Winter Hike in the Woods the in Hike Winter

L INA RD A C N R HE RT O N Places to Go 30 _ Archer Larry by hillsLoess river valley offer views Area Conservation Riverbreaks of everything,” Messbarger said. Messbarger of everything,” view getagood they and land, the of steepness of the mon because migrants. winter for looking for birders abound venture. longer, outdoor a to addition it agreat makes also Refuge Wildlife National Bluffs Loess to proximity its while tion, destina trip it aday make ponds fishing stocked several and bicyclists), and equestrians both (open to trails multi-use range, shooting Its prairie. remnant and fields, crop grasslands, including areas, open and forests hardwood hickory and oak parts equal roughly offers area 2,307-acre day.” right the on Nebraska and Kansas into see can you because floodplain, River Missouri the out goto look over or just for hunting, access easy have can folks so trails, as act that roads service trails, several “We’ve got manager. CA erbreaks Riv and forester resource barger, Mess Lonnie off,” are said leaves the when wintertime the in cially Missouri. northwest in (CA) Area Conservation Riverbreaks of bluffs the from impressive pretty something see —to year another for —at least chance one last have visitors arrives, foliage panying NORTHWEST REGION NORTHWEST

_ “Bald eagles are pretty com pretty are eagles “Bald opportunities February, In Holt the County, in Located espe views, “It’s got great Before spring and its accom its and spring Before Missouri Conservationist Missouri

February 2019February

------up into the loess hills.” loess the into up straight jumps just it and flat, really is which plain, flood River Missouri the from change abrupt pretty a are hills loess “All those — Riverbreaks Manager CA Lonnie Messbarger

DAVID STONNER RIVERBREAKS CONSERVATION AREA consists of two tracts totaling 2,306 acres in Holt County. To the east tract, take Highway 59 east from Oregon, then take Route O south 3.25 miles to the highway sign. To the west tract, take the same route as above, but continue south on Route O, and then take Route T 1.5 miles to the area.

N39° 56’ 22.56” | W95° 07’ 29.28” short.mdc.mo.gov/ZcF 816-271-3100

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU VISIT

Bird-Watching The eBird list of birds recorded at Riverbreaks CA is available at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zpe.

Camping Primitive camping (no facilities provided) is allowed adjacent to designated parking lots.

Fishing Black bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish

Hunting Deer and turkey Deer and turkey regulations are subject to annual changes. Please refer to the Spring Turkey or Fall Deer and Turkey booklets for current regulations. Also quail, rabbit, and squirrel

Shooting Range Firearms range with 25-, 50-, and 100-yard targets.

Trails More than 13 miles of hiking trails, as well as nearly 4 miles of multi-use (biking, equestrian, and hiking) trails.

Trapping Special-use permit required.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU VISIT Red-bellied Groundhog Bald eagle Bobcat woodpecker

mdc.mo.gov 31 JIM RATHERT Did You Know?Did You This is the only species salamander blind in of Missouri. Adults are true troglobites, they meaning live in total darkness and require caves with a spring streamor for survival. ECOSYSTEM CONNECTIONS FOODS  Grotto salamanders considered are predators to insects and other small prey in the cave ecosystem. However, they and their larvae serve as prey to larger creatures, such as mammals venturing into caverns. afterEven grotto they die, salamanders serve as nutrients for future cave life. Adults eat small insects that feed on bat guano, so you’re likely to find grotto salamanders in caves with high bat populations. Larvae eat tiny freshwater crustaceans aquatic other and invertebrates. small Discover more nature at mdc.mo.gov/field-guide LIFE CYCLE LIFE  Grotto salamanders thebreed during earlywinter and spring. Fertilization occurs and internally, the eggs are attached to stones in or near water in caves. The larvae aquatic are and cave streams,inhabit springs, streams or that flow out of caves or grottoes. Larvae may take 2–3 years to transform into adults.

Distribution Wet caves of Missouri’s Ozark Plateau

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Size 3–4¾ inches d

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disturbance by humans. It is of the grotto salamander requires of lack and groundwater clean healthy caves, which requires requires which caves, healthy

important respect to their caves, inhabitants,and the archaeological

GrottoSalamander Eurycea spelaea their cave ecosystem. The survival cave their artifacts softly “Walk contain. they trace.” no leave and

Status Species of Conservation Concern

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32 T ILLUSTRATION: MARK RAITHEL

for more information. more for . April 15–May 2019 5, Oct. 2019 1–31, Waterfowl Hunting Digestor visit April 6–7, 2019 April Youth6–7, (ages 6–15): Spring: Fall: Î Î Î Î Î Î Squirrel May2018–Feb. 2019 26, 15, Turkey Archery: Sept.2019 15–Nov. 15, 2020 2019–Jan.15, 27, Nov. Firearms: Waterfowl Seethe Rabbit Oct.2018–Feb. 2019 1, 15, short.mdc.mo.gov/ZZx

HUNTING

Nov. 16–26, 2019 16–26, Nov. Nov. 2–3, 2019 Nov. 29–Dec. Nov. 2019 1, Dec.6–8, 2019 2020 Dec.28, 2019–Jan.7, Early Youth Portion (ages 6–15): November Portion: Late Youth Portion (ages 6–15): Antlerless Portion areas (open only): Alternative Methods Portion: Î Î Î Î Î Î Î Î Î Î Coyote Restrictionsapply during April, spring turkey season. deer firearms and season, Openall year Crow 2018–March 1, Nov. 3, 2019 Deer Archery: Sept.2019 15–Nov. 15, 2020 15, 2019–Jan 27, Nov. Firearms: Free MO Hunting and MO Fishing Apps MO Hunting and MO Fishing Free MO Hunting makes it easy to buy permits, electronically notch them, and Telecheck your harvest. MO Fishing lets you buy permits, find great places to fish, and ID your catch. Get both in Android or iPhone platforms at short.mdc.mo.gov/Zi2

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION OF DEPARTMENT MISSOURI . Wildlife . Ozark streams: -

short.mdc.mo.gov/Zib FISHING at at TRAPPING

short.mdc.mo.gov/ZZf Outdoor Calendar Nov. 15, 2018–March 2019 15, Nov. 31, Otters, Muskrats 2018–Feb. 15, 2019 Nov. 20, Beaver, Nutria Beaver, Trout Parks Trout Catch-and-Release: Nov. 9, 2018–Feb. 11, 2019 2018–Feb. 9, 11, Nov. Paddlefish Statewide: March15–April 30, 2019 On the Mississippi River: March2019 15–May 15, Sept.15–Dec. 2019 15, Impounded waters and non Black Bass Black Openall year Most streams south of the Missouri River: May2018–Feb. 26, 28, 2019 Code ofCode Missouri For complete information about seasons, limits, seasons, about information complete For the consult restrictions, and methods, Current hunting, trapping, and fishing regulation fishing and trapping, hunting, Current vendors permit local from available are booklets at online or Follow us on Instagram @moconservation

Don’t let the frigid temperatures keep you from enjoying nature. This young bull elk got his herd moving at Peck Ranch Conservation Area, despite sub-zero temperatures. Gather your herd and head out. Who knows what you’ll discover?

by David Stonner

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