SHOW-ME GOBBLER A Quarterly Publication of the George C. Clark Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation

Volume 26 Number 2 • November 2008

RHINE VALLEY CHAPTER OAK CREEK WHITETAIL RANCH FIRST ANNUAL JAKES DAY

By Lyndon Ruediger

WOW! ...... Totally awesome!!...... These few words most accurately describe the “special” JAKES event the Rhine Valley Chapter recently facilitated. You will notice that I used the word “facilitated” (that was deliberate) as this event was a cooperative effort between the Rhine Valley Chapter (Hermann) and the Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch (Bland, Missouri). A very significant portion of the effort required to achieve this success came from Donald and Angi Hill, owners of Oak Creek Ranch as well as that of their team of guides.

First of all, let me tell you that the Rhine Valley Chapter and the Oak Creek Ranch originally became allies in promoting the JAKES program when, two years ago, Donald and Angi learned of the Rhine Valley Chapter JAKES event and brought Don Viehmann, Rhine Valley Chapter President, helping one of the young shooters at the “shot gun/still target” class. their two sons, Cody and Zack to that event. As a result of the great time they had there with the Rhine Valley folks that day, they have looked for numerous ways in Now, having given you that back ground let me tell you why this event was so which to help the Rhine Valley Chapter JAKES program over the past several “totally awesome.” years. Having this event at Oak Creek Ranch ( a private hunting ranch specializing in, As a result of these positive experiences with the Rhine Valley JAKES program, among other species, “monster “ Canadian whitetail bucks ) creates some unique Donald and Angi decided they wanted to host a JAKES event at their ranch and in opportunities for a JAKES event that any NWTF chapter could normally only order to obtain the very best results for their efforts, who better to turn to then the dream about. For example, the event could be tied in with a “management doe folks at the Rhine Valley Chapter. Well, that’s the background on how the Rhine harvest “ which would enable some very fortunate JAKES participants to have the Valley Chapter and the Oak Creek Ranch became co-conspirators in this very incredible opportunity of hunting the ranch, observing some huge Canadian worthwhile endeavor. Whitetail bucks, observe other species ie: Elk, Fallow Deer, Water Buffalo, Turkey, continued on page 5

Silent Spring??? By John Burks Say WHAT!...Are we really facing a turkey crisis in what was formerly considered the turkey capitol of Missouri if not planet earth?

Not exactly. It certainly is an attention getter though and we definitely have far fewer turkeys in northeast Missouri now than we had five years ago. The perception of the severity of the problem seems to be more pronounced west of Hwy 63 than east. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) had been fielding enough concerned citizen calls to have initiated a Northeast Missouri (NEMO) staff meeting to discuss this issue back in August.

MDC staff are hearing everything from disease to increased bobcat populations as the “boogyman” of choice. It is human nature to want to identify a single foe for your whoas. However, when facing significant decreases OR increases in wildlife populations, there is rarely a single factor but usually the accumulation of many that combine for a “perfect storm” effect. continued on page 2

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Silent Spring continued from page 1 HOW ME OBBLER The bottom line is that high quality habitat icantly) up and down over time based upon S - G makes everything else better while trying to local and regional weather patterns and President Secretary Ben Doerge Roger Wilson treat the individual symptoms (predators, even, yes, fluctuations in predator 21410 Adrain Rd 314 30022 Monroe Rd. 410 disease, weather conditions) rarely does. populations. I have no doubt that distemper Mexico, MO 65265 Paris, MO 65275 Here are some facts to consider. No matter outbreaks that can crater raccoon 573/581-7828 660/327-5344 [email protected] [email protected] how good the habitat is, unfortunately in the populations locally, could conceivably cause case of ground nesting birds, reproductive local increases in turkey and quail numbers. Chairman of the Board Women in the Outdoors success is VERY weather dependent. Bad However, to be effective, predator control Dan Minor Regional Field Supervisor P.O. Box 942 Ellen Benitz production is a reality despite great habitat has to be at a landscape scale and there are Hannibal, MO 63401 9348 Private Drive 3902 when an uncontrollable variable like only 2 things that can accomplish that; 573/822-4779 St. Joseph, MO 64505 weather creates unfavorable conditions. significant increases in the fur market and [email protected] 816/387-6606 [email protected] Why does weather matter so much? It’s God. Regional Director simple…wet hens stink and most significant Tim Besancenez Regional Coordinator nest predators hunt with their noses. Think 2710 Eagles Drive Wheelin' Sportsmen Also, turkeys are animals of thousands of Pacific, MO 63069 Al Smith about it this way. If you take your bird dogs acres and like all species, turkeys function 636/257-7121 203 N. Grant St. Box 188 out, do you pray for hot dry weather or cool in a matrix of food, shelter, water and space. [email protected] Cantril, IA 52542 damp conditions? The main reason you want Office: 319-397-2303 Add to this reality the mobility of turkeys Regional Director Toll-free: 866-397-2303 cool damp conditions isn’t just because you (Transmittered turkeys have gone as far as Larry Neal Cell: 641-777-9484 don’t want to torture your dog but because 70 miles from release sites) and it is no 2780 Hwy. V Fax: 319-397-2292 your dog is going to be able to locate of Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 [email protected] wonder that many folks are getting 573/334-8881 those birds 10 times more effectively. If you concerned about seeing no turkeys. Just a [email protected] State JAKES Coordinator get a lot of rainfall in late April and few short years ago people had gotten used Charlene West throughout May (nesting season) nest Regional Director 19255 State Route EE to seeing turkeys in every nook and cranny Travis W. Scott St. James, MO 65559 predation rates increase proportionally. New NEMO had to offer. In many cases, turkeys 5389 Trikalla Drive 573/699-4667 York actually looked at this “wet hen” had begun occupying very marginal habitats Columbia, MO 65202 theory by correlating May rainfall with fall 573/474-2993 Editor because they had exceeded carrying capacity [email protected] Jay Langston harvest. The relationship was very linear in all of the good spots. What this boils 6013 ridge Farm Place with increases in May rainfall directly down to is that drops in the population from Regional Director Brentwood, TN 37027 corresponding to declining harvest rates. Mike Allen 615/887-1389 poor production have resulted in turkey 20240 State Highway J. [email protected] populations shrinking back into areas that Brashear, MO 63533 Here’s another fact. Turkey and quail they prefer. 573/323-5531 Graphic Designer [email protected] Joe Pendergrass populations have a very high turn-over rate. Crossroads Marketing Quail last about a year and turkeys last So, for you turkey enthusiasts out there who Treasurer Columbia, MO 65201 about three. Therefore, if you have Bernie Grice 573/368-1402 feel compelled to do something other than 1310 Bradshaw Ave. successive bad production years (as has wait and pray. The best advice I can give Columbia, MO 65203 been the case in NEMO…going on five you is invest in habitat (always a good bet). 573/445-6967 [email protected] years now) you are going to see significant Improvements in habitat such as: 1) TSI and drops in the population. Look at harvest prescribed burning to create open woodlands STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Show-Me Gobbler is published quarterly by the rates state-wide. Three years ago we set a and savannas, 2) conversion of fescue to George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and is harvest record at over 60,000 gobblers. This circulated statewide to its membership as well as other interested parties. As the official native warm season grass (NWSG), or 3) publication of the George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey last year it was around 42,000. Population creating agricultural to woodland buffers Federation, the Show-Me Gobbler serves to inform, educate and entertain wild turkey estimates in Missouri are based upon mark enthusiasts throughout Missouri and is committed to supporting conservation through using NWSG strips and dropping a 30-50’ sound wildlife management, and sport hunting through safety and ethics education. recapture data conducted by John Lewis in width of trees adjacent to fields (edge the early stages of Missouri’s turkey feathering) will pay big dividends in the program. John’s analysis indicated that long run. Habitat improvements help take ARTICLE SUBMISSION NOTE: spring harvest accounted for about 10% of some of the sting out of the bad times and The staff of the Show-Me Gobbler thank you for your contribu- the total population. Therefore, you simply make the good times even better. Bottom- tions to the publicaton. Please feel free to submit future articles with photos to the contact information listed on the stick a zero on the end of the harvest total line, if you make your area the best stuff and that is your estimated turkey population back page of this issue. Submission requirements: Digital available, chances are you’ll always have copy submitted in Microsoft Word. (please contact us if you in the county and state. Do the math. In the most turkeys. If you question the can only send hard copy) Digital photographs are preferred three years we dropped from more than benefits of investing in habitat enhancement but will be accepted as snapshots if supplied to the editor. 600,000 to around 420,000. That’s a because of the crapshoot with the weather, When scanning your own photos, please use at least 225 resolution (dpi) but no more than 500 dpi, saved as a .jpeg, reduction of nearly a quarter of a million just be patient; good times will return. animals. Sounds like a lot? It is a lot!.. but .jpg, .tiff or .eps. Photos scanned outside of these guidelines may not be suitable for printing. Please include photo captions it’s normal. Frustrating, but normal. and credits for each photo submitted. Photos will not be Established turkey populations eventually returned. Thanks again for your contributions and we look level off and then bounce (sometimes signif- forward to your participation in the future.

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Who Will Fill Your Boots? LAND FOR SALE TRUMAN LAKE & By David A. Watson LAKE OF THE AREA. 3) Some heirs may face financial pressures/ BENTON COUNTY, MISSOURI difficulties that make maintaining a woodland HUNTING, INVESTMENT, Long time woodland owners difficult RECREATION. and tree farmers know the importance of planning for 4) Modern lifestyles often do not allow much “free” 1045 ACRES. Approximately 250 acres time to spend working on a piece of rural property open with mostly improved pasture the next generation of trees, along creek bottoms. About 1 mile of or the next rotation of 5) Divorce may cause assets to be split or sold Little Deer Creek runs through property timber. Without adequate providing year round water. Mature Oak planning and attention, 6) Estate taxes and transfer costs may cause property timber. Perimeter fenced. One pond, forests can be damaged by to be sold One well. Hunting lease currently in place with annual renewal. $2,000. an only focusing on the present. For instance, if a tree 7) Prices offered by developers may be very acre. MLS 50428 farmer only cuts the most marketable timber today, tempting to some heirs and does no timber stand improvement in the years 407 ACRES. Located close to Hwy AE. Fenced and cross fenced. Year round after the cut, the forest is likely to grow poor quality The biggest threat to the future of our woodlands water in Indian Creek. 2 small stock trees and undesirable species. On the other hand, a may not be invasive species, global timber markets, ponds and 2 springs. Nice mix of open forest owner who manages all of the age classes of or the details in the next farm bill. It may be the lack ground and timber. 2 old barns are still timber in his stands is laying the groundwork for a of solid succession planning being done by today’s good shape with smaller outbuildings. $1535. an acre. MLS 47698 more productive woodland, over the long term. This owners. In the next two or three decades, the means it will be more productive for the owner, the majority of our forests in this state, will change 120 ACRES. Located on wildlife that depends on it and society in general. hands. That is a frightening thought! Especially if we Benton/Camden County line close to Readers of this magazine understand the benefits of a Hwy DD & FF. Very unique property. do not know who will ultimately control them. Will Mature timber with complete inventory healthy forest. In fact, for many of us, it has become it be a developer who wants to subdivide, or will it and management plan. 1 ? acre pond more than a job or a hobby. It has become a passion, be an owner who can carry on with your vision? with 2 large springs with constant and a lifestyle. Regardless of our initial objectives of overflow to creek. Year round water in creek. Large natural cave that you can owning our woodlands – timber production, outdoor Each of us has a real opportunity to impact what the recreation, hunting, or simply to enjoy the beauty of walk upright into for several hundred future of our precious timberland assets will look feet with large room inside. Deer stands a forest, managing the woodland has become a like in the future. We need to think about and plan and food plots in place. Excellent defining activity for many of us. for the day we will hand over the control of our hunting location for turkey & deer. timberland to someone else, either because we are $1999. an acre. MLS 47097 Unfortunately, there is a gathering cloud on the gone, or because we are unable to do what we are 100 ACRES. Located on Hwy AE south horizon for the future of our woodlands. It involves doing today. This may be a discomforting thought, of Cole Camp. Mostly timber with “succession planning”. The vast majority of the but we all have an incredible opportunity to truly power line cut across back of property. forestland in this state, and in the nation for that Gravel road and parking area create a legacy that will exist much longer than our established into property. Several food matter, is in private ownership. Often, it is family time in the woods. This column will be dedicated to plot locations. $2000. an acre. MLS owned. Some have inherited land passed down from exploring the various tools and techniques of 50846 generation to generation. Others have purchased forestland succession planning, as well as the process 114.5 ACRES. Located on Hwy H parcels with hard-earned money. Either way, these of planning for intra-family transfers. For many southeast of Lincoln with state highway forests have been managed and cared for in a way owners, this may seem overwhelming at first, but it frontage. One nice stocked pond. that is unique among real estate owners. The dream is achievable. Just like the forest manager who Mostly timber. Just a few minutes to of many of these family forest owners is to pass their begins a large timber stand improvement project one Lake of the Ozarks. $1571 an acre. MLS 49578 woodlands on to the next generation of loved ones. tree at a time, this project is very “doable” if we But times are different today. Gone are the days that break it into small steps. The energy invested today 216 ACRES. Old cattle farm located we can assume that land will just remain in the will bear very worthwhile returns in the future. south of Edwards. Property borders family, or be used in the same manner that we used Deer Creek. Nice mix of timber and pasture. Fenced and cross fenced. it. The reality of today’s world is that families face David Watson is a financial advisor specializing in $1758. an acre MLS 50481 multiple pressures and obstacles that can prevent a working with rural landowners, sportsmen and successful transition to the next generation: 249 ACRES. Located south of Cole conservation-minded families. Camp. Mostly pasture with 100 acres of mature timber. Nice creek on property. 1) Children may not share the same passion for the Securities offered through Royal Alliance Associates, $1500. an acre. MLS 47038 Inc., Member FINRA & SIPC. forest property Contact Leland Burnett, Reece & Advisory Services offered through Pines Wealth Nichols Golden Key Realty in Warsaw, 2) Children/ spouses may not all get along with each Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Missouri for plats, aerials or to schedule other. Children may live in different regions of the a showing. Cellular 660 723-0574, country D. A. Watson & Company, 17263 Wild Horse Creek Office 800 760-2255 Rd., Suite 202, Chesterfield, MO 63005,

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New and Improved Perpetual Wildlife Feeders! By John Burks

Within the last 10 or 20 years the demographics of the been some improvements in arboriculture that have surrounding faster growing species. The resulting American landowner have gradually changed. created “relative” shortcuts. As most are aware, the most attitude was that hardwoods were slow growing and a Landowners have traditionally been a group of hard important fall and winter food for turkeys, deer, poor investment for quick return forestry and wildlife working people who owned and worked their lands with squirrels, and some species of waterfowl are acorns. In yields. the primary objective of maximizing the production of the short term, the availability of acorns can signifi- goods or products demanded by the rest of us while cantly influence the home range and relative density of Care needs to be taken that seedlings are planted such providing the best quality of life possible for their local game populations. In the long term, acorn that the root collar is equal to or slightly higher than the families. Although this type of landowner is still out availability can also influence reproductive success. In surrounding soil and that soil is tamped down firmly there, a growing percentage of landowners buy land with the Ozarks, bad hatches can be counted on following around the roots. Competition should also be managed the primary objective of providing recreational opportu- poor mast years. Therefore, annually reliable sources of for the first couple of years by cutting or spraying as nities for themselves and their families. This changing mast can be important to both the overall health of local often as necessary to keep the seedling in full sun and trend in land ownership does have some negatives game populations as well as your ability to consistently relatively free of competition in the root zone. An associated with it. Large farms or ranches are being locate them. However, in the context of management, additional step recommended in high deer density areas broken into smaller “ranchets” that often results in mention an oak seedling planting project and most is to protect small seedlings with tree shelters. A tree habitat fragmentation. However, there are also some people will immediately associate benefits that will not shelter is beneficial for several reasons. First of all, the positives associated with the trend in land ownership and be realized for another 30-40 years, particularly in the seedlings are protected from browsing and rubbing. the different priorities that these new landowners have. upper-Midwest. This is not a very attractive option to the Rubbing can kill the trees outright and browsing can Recreational landowners do not need to make a living landowner/hunter that is interested in immediate stunt the tree by continually removing the terminal bud. off of their land and as a result tend to be more wildlife improvements. Secondly, these shelters function as miniature friendly with their land management decisions. The greenhouses where soil temperatures at the root collar needs of this new type of landowner combined with the However, the NWTF has gotten involved with the will be higher providing a slightly longer growing increased need of traditional landowners for more “Operation Oak Program.” The Operation Oak Program season as well as increasing soil moisture by conden- efficient ways to run their operations has also expanded is part of a challenge cost share grant administered by sation dripping down the inside of the tube in the and improved existing cost share programs like the Farm NWTF using national projects dollars matched with mornings. These shelters can be ordered through the Bill. As interest in managing land for wildlife expands it NRCS dollars. This program will make available FREE Project HELP program at nwtf.org. All of these steps seems that more and more people are searching for the to Missouri NWTF members 10,000 native oak species will add to the overall cost in time, effort, and money for “magic bean” that will transform their property from including swamp white oak, white oak, and northern red a tree planting project. However, as previously average to a wildlife utopia as cheaply and easily as oak. These seedlings are not “super trees” like specially mentioned, you get what you pay for and a little sweat possible. There are many products on the market and grown high quality seedlings that you can get from equity on the front end will lead to quicker more endless varieties of plant materials available to Forrest Keeling Nursery. However, taking proper care in significant results in the long run. Following all of these landowners to assist in enhancing the overall habitat site preparation, planting, and competition control the steps probably isn’t practical for large tree planting suitability of any property. Many of these products can first three or four years can pay big dividends by getting efforts. However, planting a row or rows of trees be found between the covers of an NWTF Project HELP your seedlings to mast producing age more quickly than adjacent to existing single tree fence lines or in small catalog. Although seed and forage producing trees, they would when these procedures are ignored. groves can provide excellent wildlife attractants over shrubs, or seed blends can and will produce significant Traditional hardwood plantings are similar to time. It also logical to assume that planting a variety of results as part of an overall wildlife management plan commercial pine planting operations where small, bare species that drop acorns at different times throughout the for a property and should be considered, none of them root seedlings, are dibble barred in and left to fend for fall and winter would concentrate mast dependent are “stand alone.” Wildlife management is like anything themselves with often little thought given to site wildlife for longer periods of time. This is why red and else, you get what you pay for and there are no cheap preparation, care in planting, or post planting white oak groups are being provided. and easy shortcuts. management to reduce competition. Under these circum- stances hardwood seedlings have poorer survival and If you are interested in ordering some of these trees, Although there are no overnight shortcuts, there have remain suppressed for years before topping out

How the Midwest Floods Will can have a short-term affect on wild turkey reproduction, but it should be minimal. Kent Adams, NWTF regional biologist for Illinois "The real impact on nesting Affect Wild Turkey Populations has more to do with the weather that brings on the flooding. The cooler, wet weather has more impact than the flooding itself. Cool, wet late spring and early summer affects turkey populations for a single year." The spring rains across the Midwest forced people from their homes and caused billions of dollars in damages by creating the worst flooding in 15 years. Dave Neu, NWTF regional biologist for Wisconsin "They affected local areas as far as nesting goes this year. You might have a year or two where there's less jakes, The water that flowed over the levees closed factories, disrupted but they will rebound. It didn't cover the entire landscape." highway and rail travel, and covered prime crop land in America's Bread Basket region. It also flooded thousands of acres of wildlife habitat causing many to Dave Whittlesey, NWTF regional biologist for Iowa "There's no doubt that some wonder about the flood's impact on wildlife populations. nests were flooded and abandoned by hens. However, we had had pretty good weather after the rains. We didn't have the cold temperatures that we sometimes get The National Wild Turkey Federation recently sat down a few of its regional during the spring. That will help." wildlife biologists to discuss how wild turkeys are affected when Mother Nature opens her skies and lets the water flow. • How will they survive?

• Will the spring floods in the Midwest affect Adams "Flooding, specifically, doesn't have that big of an overall impact other current turkey populations? than some nests getting flooded out at the wrong time. The adult birds that were on the ground weren't affected by it. They could walk or fly and get out of the way of John Burk, NWTF regional biologist for Iowa and Missouri "Direct flooding the floods." does not cause direct mortality in wild turkeys. The rainfall that caused the flooding continued on page 11

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Rhine Valley Chapter continued from page 1 just to name a few. Then, with a little extra luck, even harvest a nice Canadian whitetail doe.

The criteria for being chosen to participate in the management hunts required the participants to submit an essay outlining why they wanted to hunt at Oak Creek Ranch, explain their interest in hunting and to obtain references from school teachers or community leaders that indicated they had, indeed, in some way put forth an “extra” effort to earn the opportunity. Donald and Angi felt that establishing this requirement was important because their objective was to utilize the event as a means to further motivate the youth in the local community.

Of the applicants, 30 were chosen for the hunt. Fifteen were selected to participate on Thursday, December 13th and the remaining fifteen for Friday, December 14th. These were guided hunts and included the youth participant and one parent.

Needless to say, all of the kids selected for the hunt had a great time (in spite of the fact it was rather cold, but that, of course, is part of hunting). All saw lots of game..... much of which they had never seen before and thirteen out of the thirty Rhine Valley / Oak Creek Ranch Jakes Event – Dec. 13-15, 2007. NOTE: Thirteen (13) deer harvested actually bagged a nice doe. All deer shot were retrieved and the kids came away by JAKES participants shown in background of photo. learning lots of good lessons in safety, sportsmanship and ethics. By the way, a number of the doe harvested were taken by kids who had never had the opportunity to harvest a deer before. One nice doe (the second largest taken) was harvested by a young fellow with Down’s Syndrome...... Let me say that you can not imagine how happy that young fellow was or, for that matter, how happy everyone there that day was. It simply does not get any better then that.

The last day of the event, Saturday, December 15th was the more typical JAKES Day format, the only hitch being that on Friday evening / Saturday morning we were hit with more then six inches of snow. Well, that did not hurt the turn out nor dampen the enthusiasm. There were a total of sixty seven kids participating in events such as archery, .22 still target, a safety trail, clay birds, shotgun still target and laser shot. Add to that a tour of the game ranch via tractor and wagon, a Missouri Fur Trappers exhibit and a frontiersman’s camp. Well, I think you get the idea...... there were plenty of activities going on to keep every one busy enough to keep them from getting cold.

Now, I said there were 67 kids there and that is pretty awesome. It should also be noted that only three or four of these kids had previously participated in a JAKES event. In addition, however, to that there were about ninety five adults on-hand to Ryan Lewis with a very nice doe. This was Ryan’s first deer and needless to say he was a very happy help with all aspects of the day ranging from class instructors to group leaders, young man. cooks, photographers, registration plus covering anything else that came up. Clearly, the feedback from the adults was extremely positive.

I’m sure you already agree that this was a fantastic event, however,...... yes, there is even more. In addition, there were lots (and I do mean lots) of very nice attendance prizes at the end of the day and I don’t think any of the kids left without at least one (probably more) nice prize.

As I said in the beginning, this was a cooperative effort between the Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch and the Rhine Valley Chapter. I want to say the guys at the Rhine Valley Chapter ( Don Viehmann, President, Gary Scheidegger, Larry Fredrick, Stanley Meyer, Keith Ruediger, Drake Fredrick, Clint Ruediger and Sharon and Ashley Fredrick just to name a few ) really deserve a “ pat on the back “ for all of their effort with, not only this event, but all of their JAKES programs. Their events have won “best in the nation” for the past five years. This past year, their event in Hermann was awesome...... they had 203 participants and a simply outstanding day. This past August, they provided assistance and support to the Four Rivers Chapter for their JAKES day. (By the way, the next Rhine Valley JAKES event will be coming up March 22nd and if any chapter would like to send a representative to see how these guys do it, I am sure they would be happy to have you and might Clint Ruediger and Stanley Meyer helping young marksmen at the .22 still target class. even put you to work).

In addition to all of the efforts of the Oak Creek Ranch team and the NWTF folks, I Again, on behalf of the NWTF and the Rhine Valley Chapter, we really want to think I would really be re-miss if I did not also comment on all of the fantastic say, once again, how much we appreciate the kindness and the efforts of Donald support received from the Missouri Department of Conservation, not only for this and Angi Hill and all of the folks at the Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch for all of the event but for all Rhine Valley events. It truly is a team effort. support they have given the NWTF...... Thank you.

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Crowleys Ridge Limbhangers Fountain City Strutters Kingdom of Callaway Limbhangers Young's Creek Strutters Ozark Co Hootin and Gobblin Event Date: 01/09/2009 Event Date: 01/30/2009 Event Date: 02/13/2009 Event Date: 02/28/2009 Event Date: 03/13/2009 Location: Dexter Elks, Location: DeSoto ELKS, Location: St. Peter's Catholic Church, Location: Holy Spirit Multi Purpose Location: Vaughts Family Restaurant, Dexter, MO 63841 DeSoto, MO 63020 Fulton, MO 65251 Building, Centralia, MO 65240 Gainsville, MO 65655 Contact: Kyle Ouzts Contact: Brad Queen Contact: John Burk Contact: Bruce Mills Contact: John Phillips Phone: 573 624 5505 Phone: 636/586-5850 Phone: 573 676 5994 Phone: 573/685-2374 Phone: 417/256-9141 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Bayou Strutters Benton County Thunderin' Gobblers Reynolds Co. Struttin Gobblers Event Date: 01/16/2009 Event Date: 01/31/2009 Meramec Valley Strutters Current River Longbeards Event Date: 03/13/2009 Location:Top of the Town Banquet Hall Location: Knights of Columbus, Event Date: 02/13/2009 Event Date: 03/05/2009 Location: Reynolds County, East Prairie, MO 63845 Warsaw, MO 65355 Location: Eagles Hall Location: Van Buren Community Ctr, Fairgrounds, Redford, MO 63665 Contact: Tim Kavan Contact: Josh Young Sullivan, MO 63080 Van Buren, MO 63965 Contact: Gary Black Phone: 573 823 6366 Phone: 660/547-2535 Contact: Melinda Twyman Contact: Dale Kipp Phone: 573 637 9344 Email: [email protected] Phone: 573/468-5010 Phone: 573/945-2472 Email: [email protected] Current River Callers Event Date: 01/17/2009 Chariton River Full Strutters Bootheel Boss Gobblers Lee's Summit Longbeards Rogersville Strutters Location: Winona School, Event Date: 01/31/2009 Event Date: 02/14/2009 Event Date: 03/06/2009 Event Date: 03/13/2009 Winona, MO 65588 Location: Knights of Columbus Hall, Location: Bavarian Hall, Location: Bass Pro Shop, Location: First Baptist Church, Contact: Troy McAfee Salisbury, MO 65281 Jackson, MO 63755 Independence, MO 64055 Rogersville, MO 65742 Phone: 573/325-4930 Contact: George Schupback Contact: Bronson Senn Contact: Mark Graber Contact: Clay Robinson Phone: 660/288-3168 Phone: 573/264 2470 Phone: 816/318-9613 Phone: 417 753 5035 Lincoln Hills Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/17/2009 Truman Lake Chapter Carroll County Longbeards Location: Lincoln Hills Fairgrounds, Delta Bootheel Gobblers Event Date: 02/14/2009 Osage Prairie Thunderin' Toms Event Date: 03/14/2009 Hunting Heritage Banquets Troy, MO 63379 Event Date: 01/31/2009 Location: Benson Convention Center, Event Date: 03/06/2009 Location: Rupe Center, Contact: Bruce Wilcockson Location: Kennett Eagles, Clinton, MO 64735 Location: Eagles Lodge, Carrollton, MO 64633 Phone: 636/462-2095 Kennett, MO 63857 Contact: Brent Billings Nevada, MO 64772 Contact: Joe McCumber Email: [email protected] Contact: Lynn Smith Phone: 417/644-0021 Contact: Bruce Rogers Phone: 660/542-4095 Phone: 573/888/0054 Phone: 417/876-2521 Email: [email protected] Springtown Wattlenecks South Grand River Gobblers Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/17/2009 Honey Creek Strutters Event Date: 02/21/2009 Dent County Thundering Toms Location: American Legion Post Event Date: 01/31/2009 Location: Cass County Elk's Lodge Rocky Top Limbhangers Event Date: 03/14/2009 Smithville, MO 64089 Location: Lake Viking Club House, 2791, Harrisonville, MO 64701 Event Date: 03/06/2009 Location: Indian Trail Archery, Contact: Troy O'Dell Gallatin, MO 64640 Contact: Roger Benson Location: West Plains Armory, Salem, MO 65560 Phone: 816/628-4254 Contact: Clint Vanatta Phone: 816-380-2266 West Plains, MO 65775 Contact: Cheryl Smith Phone: 660 663-2141 Email: [email protected] Contact: Brad McKee Phone: 573-729-7083 Ozark Greenway Thunderin Gobblers Phone: 417/778/6862 Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/23/2009 Ray County Shortspurs Indian Creek Chapter Email: [email protected] Location: Willard Community Building, Event Date: 01/31/2009 Event Date: 02/27/2009 Jacomo Strutters Willard, MO 65781 Location: Ray County Veterans Mem. Location: Lampo Building, Capitol City Strutters Event Date: 03/14/2009 Contact: Jason Bussard Bldg, Richmond, MO 64085 Neosho, MO 64850 Event Date: 03/07/2009 Location: American Legion Hall, Phone: 417 830 1535 Contact: Mark McCorkendale Contact: Chuck & Doris Dalbom Location: Wardsville Lions Club, Blue Springs, MO 64013 Email: [email protected] Phone: 660/398-4785 Phone: 417 628 3253 Wardsville, MO 65101 Contact: Norbert Kurok Email: [email protected] Contact: Lee Wilbers Phone: 816/540-3669 Southern Ozark Longbeards Lost Creek Longbeards Phone: 573/893/7770 Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/23/2009 Event Date: 02/06/2009 Sand Burr Strutters Email: [email protected] Location: Methodist Church, Location: Innsbrook Resort, Event Date: 02/27/2009 Doniphan, MO 63935 Wright City, MO 63390 Location: ELKS Lodge Heartland Gobblers, MO Event Date: 03/14/2009 Contact: Alan Slayton Contact: Gary Janes Sikeston, MO 63801 Event Date: 03/07/2009 Location: American Legion Hall, Phone: 573/857-2119 Phone: 636/290/8310 Contact: Tony Beeson Location: Poplar Bluff Elks, St. Joseph, MO 64506 Email: [email protected] Phone: 573 380 5433 Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 Contact: Rick Dozier Summit Ridge Longbeards Contact: Chuck Stewart Phone: 660*351*3344 Shaky Ground Gobblers Event Date: 02/06/2009 Tabo Creek Thunderin' Toms Phone: 573/222-7182 Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/24/2009 Location: St.Andrews Catholic Church, Event Date: 02/27/2009 Location: Sharps Banquet Hall, Holts Summit, MO 65043 Location: American Legion Post, Hickory County Jakes and Jennies Randolph County Longbeards New Madrid, MO 63869 Contact: Jeff Demand Higginsville, MO 64037 Event Date: 03/07/2009 Event Date: 03/14/2009 Contact: Bud Henry Phone: 573/596-5608 Contact: Mark Lamphier Location: Hickory County Senior Ctr, Location: St. Pius X Gymnasium, Phone: 573 748 0438 Phone: 660/584/6397 Wheatland, MO 65779 Moberly, MO 65270 Clearwater Longbeards Contact: Justin Hunt Contact: Larry Terry Spring River Toms Event Date: 02/07/2009 Black Mountain Longbeards Phone: 417 282 5298 Phone: 635/651-8636 Event Date: 01/24/2009 Location: Trinity Methodist Church, Event Date: 02/28/2009 Email: [email protected] Location: Carthage Memorial Hall, Piedmont, MO 63957 Location: Fredericktown Middle School, Sho-Me Carthage, MO 64836 Contact: Richie Ayers Fredericktown, MO 63645 Kirksville Ridge Runners Event Date: 03/14/2009 Contact: Kevin Dougless Phone: 573/223-2356 Contact: Russ Parker Event Date: 03/07/2009 Location: Bass Pro Shop, Phone: 417 793 1210 Email: [email protected] Phone: 573/783/6876 Location: NEMO Fairgrounds, Springfield, MO 65807 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Kirksville, MO 63501 Contact: Matthew Kramer Cooper County Limbhangers Contact: Martin Burns Phone: 417/887-4455 Tick Ridge Event Date: 02/07/2009 Fabius River Fantails Phone: 660/665-1376 Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/24/2009 Location: Knight's of Columbus Hall, Event Date: 02/28/2009 Email: [email protected] Location: Macon CO Expo Center, Boonville, MO 65233 Location: Knights of Columbus, Locust Creek Longbeards Macon, MO 63552 Contact: Sabe Caton Edina, MO 63537 Parkville Gobblers Event Date: 03/20/2009 Contact: Dan Coons Phone: 573/450 1048 Contact: April Bruegenhemke Event Date: 03/10/2009 Location: Milan Community Center, Phone: 660/699/2442 Email: [email protected] Phone: 660 423 5327 Location: Parkville Athletic Complex, Milan, MO 63556 Email: [email protected] Parkville, MO 64152 Contact: Donald Troester Gateway Long Spurs Little Platte Longbeards Contact: John Shene Phone: 660 265 3350 Union Covered Bridge Gobb Event Date: 02/07/2009 Event Date: 02/28/2009 Phone: 816/365-2853 Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/24/2009 Location: St. Paul Knights of Location: Lathrop Community Center, Email: [email protected] Location: American Legion Hall, Columbus, St. Paul, MO 63366 Lathrop, MO 64465 Muddy Creek Gobblers Paris, MO 65275 Contact: Dan Zerr Contact: Eric Dennis Marais-des Cygnes River Gobblers Event Date: 03/20/2009 Contact: Bruce Mills Phone: 636/625-1608 Phone: 816-539-3558 Event Date: 03/13/2009 Location: Thiebaud Auditorium, Phone: 573/685-2374 Email: [email protected] Email:[email protected] Location: Butler Youth Center, Lamar, MO 64759 Email: [email protected] Butler, MO 64730 Contact: David Darrow Grand River Gobblers Turkey Creek Longbeards Contact: Brandon Plunkett Phone: 417/884-2320 Mid-State Event Date: 02/13/2009 Event Date: 02/28/2009 Phone: 660/424 0891 Email: [email protected] Event Date: 01/29/2009 Location: American Legion Post 216 Location: Shriners Club, Email: [email protected] Location: Columbia Elks Lodge, Bethany, MO 64424 Joplin, MO 64801 Columbia, MO 65202 Contact: Ronnie Graham Contact: Charles Forest Contact: Bernard Grice Phone: 660/425-8126 Phone: 417/781-4720 Phone: 573/445-6967 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Page 7 • Show-Me Gobbler

You’ve got to... Find ‘em First by Jay Langston One of the biggest hurdles The public land around the Corps lake teams with but the rest of the flock stayed quiet. We eventually to overcome in fall turkey game, and Brown has perfected a surefire way to get pulled out and continued our search. hunting is locating on birds when the season opened in October each wandering flocks. Here’s a year. He trolls the lake banks with a boat searching for About noon, we found another flock of 14 jakes, this method that works like a a flock of birds loafing in the sun or feeding on the time they were immature birds hatched five months charm. lake bank. Trading shoe leather for a few gallons of before. We circled the point they were feeding along gasoline puts a new twist when most of the time and landed about 100 yards behind the birds. Tad and Depending on the area, hunting is invested in just finding birds to get close I crept over the narrow ridge. When I got to where I bagging a Thanksgiving enough to bust up and call back. Or, as is the case could see from the top of the ridge to the water I turkey can take on many with many fall turkeys that are killed, they are stalked pulled out my Ziess monocular and scanned the bank. forms. Out West, as often as not, a turkey hunter is as and a bird taken on the bust. Or, in our case, finding I caught movement up further as the birds fed away likely to take a flat shooting scoped rifle afield as a where the birds want to go and get there before them. from us. We retreated and motored back around the scattergun to bag a bird. Back East, grizzled hunters point and landed 300 yards ahead of the flock and depend on their canine hunting partners to flush wild On opening morning, we took a leisurely pace and hurried into position. I whispered to Tad that it would turkeys from hardwood ridges, then take cover and didn’t arrive at the Long Shoal Marina on the Grand be great if we could both fill our tags. call lonely birds eager to flock up with their feathered Arm of Truman Lake until 8:30. Tad said that fall kin. Still others depend on wearing out some boot flocks typically stay higher on the ridges until later in I found a tree to set up against that had another close leather searching for feeding flocks to scatter and call the morning when they gravitate to the water’s edge to by for Tad to take a seat. We were settled in seconds back. Some just sit in their favorite turkey woods feed. and Tad whispered, “Can you see anything?” Two waiting to yelp up a traveling turkey. seconds after he asked the question, I saw the first After cruising in and out of countless coves, bird clear the brush about 70 yards away. I’ll never Ten years ago, I got a chance to try a tactic that binoculars pressed to tired eyes, we spied a bachelor forget the sight of 14 gobblers hopping over drift consistently puts birds in the bag. This tactic was flock of almost mature gobblers loafing on a rock wood and scratching their way toward us. They were perfected by seasoned woodsman who is flexible slide just above the high water mark. We continued on on us in less than a minute. I let a couple of birds pass enough to adapt traditional hunting strategies to a way down the broad cove and rounded the next bend about me so Tad would have a clear shot, too. I singled out a that will produce when the hunting gets tough. 200 yards from the flock. We closed the gap quickly bird and waited for him to clear the others to keep until we got close. The last few yards I went ahead from bagging more than was legal. The bird kept Try an amphibious assault alone, looking for the flock. As I eased forward, I getting closer by the moment, and when it moved off recognized a large cedar tree the birds were near. Step to the right at 11 yards I took him cleanly. I by step, I eased along searching for a tom. Suddenly, I immediately rolled to my left to give Tad a clear shot. When I thought I had been privy to all the effective spied a red head peering over a rock at me. The bird He picked out a bird at 30 yards and filled his tag. means of locating birds in the fall, I met up with ducked and another stepped into its place for a look. I M.A.D. Call’s Tad Brown. Growing up near Warsaw, stepped into the clearing and sent a round into the air. Mo., Brown watched the Corps of Engineers dam up No matter which method you employ this fall, make At the shot the woods erupted with flying gobblers. sure to keep safety first. Always identify your target the Grand and Osage rivers near his parent’s home on Nine in all took wing and flew in several directions. Devil’s Backbone Ridge. As the years passed, Brown and know the effective range of your turkey gun for a Some crossed the lake and glided onto the far bank, safe, ethical season. spent countless hours searching the shores of Truman while the rest rose straight up and over onto the ridge Lake. He trapped a large number of furbearers during above. I set up and waited for 15 minutes before the winter, and hunted wild turkeys during the spring calling. The birds on the far side of the lake walked up and fall. and down the bank and yelped back for 30 minutes, Heritage Banquets Continued

Nolan R. Hutcheson Memorial Nemo Cedar Creek Gobblers Big River Gobblers Moniteau Monarchs Event Date: 03/20/2009 Event Date: 03/21/2009 Event Date: 03/27/2009 Event Date: 03/28/2009 Event Date: 03/28/2009 Location: Location: Golden Hills Trail Rides, Location: American Legion Building, Location: First Southern Baptist Location: KC Hall at House Springs, Jamestown Community Building, Raymondville, MO 65555 Palmyra, MO 63461 Church Gym, House Springs, MO 63051 Jamestown, MO 65046 Contact: Bud Bryant Contact: Dan Minor Stockton, MO 65785 Contact: Richard Christopher Contact: Brian Hill Phone: 417 457 9944 Phone: 573/221-1559 Contact: Walter Meeker Phone: 636 861 5418 Phone: 573/796-3885 Email: [email protected] Phone: 417 276 3241 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Trail Gobblers Event Date: 03/21/2009 River Hills Thunderin' Longbeards Lafayette County Longbeards Hocomo Big Beards North Central MO Local Location: Jonesburg Community Event Date: 03/21/2009 Event Date: 03/27/2009 Event Date: 03/28/2009 Event Date: 03/28/2009 Building, Location: Bloomsdale Knights of Location: Odessa Community Center, Location: St. Josephs Hall, Location: Chillicothe Elks Lodge, Jonesburg, MO 63351 Columbus Hall, Odessa, MO 64076 Fayette, MO 65248 Chillicothe, MO 64601 Contact: Dan Robb Bloomsdale, MO 63627 Contact: Bruce Kirk Contact: Gene Smith Contact: Matt Holder Phone: 800 811 0991 Contact: Jake Palmer Phone: 816/716-9332 Phone: 660/248-5191 Phone: 660/707/1828 Email: Phone: 573/883-2315 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] [email protected] Yellow Creek Gobblers Pike Co Twin River Lead Belt Longbeards Mark Twain Forest Longspurs Event Date: 03/21/2009 Event Date: 03/27/2009 Event Date: 03/28/2009 Event Date: 03/21/2009 Location: Walsworth Community Bildg, Location: Elk's Lodge, Location: St. Paul Lutheran, Location: Potisi Lions Club, Marceline, MO 64658 Louisiana, MO 63353 Farmington, MO 63640 Potosi, MO 63664 Contact: Ken Polley Contact: Timothy Brooks Contact: John Spurgin Contact: Johnny LaGrand Phone: 660/258-5340 Phone: 573/754-6692 Phone: 573 431 5865 Phone: 573/438/6880 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Page 8 • Show-Me Gobbler

33rd annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show! Gaylord Opryland Hotel * Nashville, Tennessee Feb. 19-22, 2009

• Shop for the latest hunting gear at over 545 booths, • Country music entertainment & patriotic speakers, • Wild turkey calling and owl hooting championships, • Activities for kids, • Live and silent auctions featuring awesome hunting and fishing trips, • A special ceremony recognizing our veterans trucks, boats, furs, NWTF exclusive guns, knives, art and much more, • Presentation of NWTF chapter awards, • Hunting seminars by experts you see on TV, • Bass Pro Shops King of Bucks Collection, • White-tailed deer and wild turkey taxidermy displays, • Celebrity Autograph signing sessions! • Custom call making competitions, Check out www.nwtf.org/special_events/convention for more information.

2008 Missouri Association of Career 2008 Missouri Association of Career and Technical Education Conference, and Technical Education Conference, Springfield, MO July 21-25 Springfield, MO July 21-25

National Association of Agricultural Educators National Association of Agricultural Educators Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Awards Banquet Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Awards Banquet High school vocational ag instructors Lyle Whitaker and Jay Shepherd were recently honored for creating the 2008 Missouri Outstanding Agricultural Education Program, by Ms. Colleen Griswold instructor, Tuscumbia High School, the George Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The Tuscumbia, MO was recently honored by the George Clark Missouri Miller High School program, in Miller, Mo., was selected by the Missouri Vocational State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation as the Agricultural Teachers Association awards committee. They also received a check to fund Missouri 2008 Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher. Ms. the program for $1,000 from the George Clark Missouri State Chapter of the NWTF for Griswold was selected by the Missouri Vocational Agricultural their outstanding achievement. Teachers Association awards committee. She also received a check for $1,000 from the George Clark Missouri State Chapter of the Roger E. Wilson (right) is pictured presenting the award to Jay Shepherd and Lyle NWTF for her outstanding achievement. Whitaker (far left). Roger E. Wilson presenting.

Page 9 • Show-Me Gobbler FREE SEEDLING REQUEST FORM 2008-09

State: ______County/Parish: ______

Landowner Name: ______

Landowner Address: ______

Phone: Work ______Home ______Cell ______e-mail ______

Did you participate in the Operation Oak private landowner program last spring? Yes ______No ______

NWTF Membership Status Yes ______No ______If No, please submit membership application

Description of Planting Site: (example – site is currently improved pasture with several food plots. Grass will be sprayed with Round-up before seedling planting. Seedlings will be planted in small groves adjacent to existing food plots)

______

______

______

Total acreage of property: ______Acreage of site to be planted: ______(100 seedlings/acre recommended) Property Location: Please attach a county map or topo map that indicates the location of the property where the trees will be planted (free maps can be obtained @ www.topozone.com. If GPS locations are available please provide these also. ______Lat ______Lon ______UTM ______UTM

Site Preparation and Planting Method: (example – site will be treated with Round-up herbicide in the fall. Site will be disked prior to seedling planting. Seedlings will be planted using a tractor-mounted auger.)

______

______

______

Number of seedling bundles requested (Seedling bundles include 100 seedlings of an even mix of swamp white oak, white oak, and northern red oak):

These seedlings come from the Iowa State Nursery.

I ______, agree to pick up my seedlings from a centralized location in Missouri. signature

Page 10 • Show-Me Gobbler Board of Directors Biographys

DAN ZERR possible by the hard work of our volunteers. work faithfully for the conservation of the I would be honored to serve an additional wild turkey and the preservation of our I am married to Vickie, who has been a term as a member of the Board. hunting heritage. Hunters are truly the hunting widow for 32 years. We have four greatest conservationists and the NWTF is grown children and one grandchild. I have I have been a member of the NWTF since the greatest conservation organization. been employed at the Farmers’ Co- 1996 when I attended my first banquet in operative Elevator since 1973. While there I Ironton, Mo. I assisted in founding the I am honored to be a volunteer for the enjoy helping other landowner/hunters with “Lead Belt Long Beards” chapter in NWTF. ideas on what and when they should be Farmington, Mo., in 2002 and have served planting for wildlife food plots. as chapter president, banquet chairman, and JAKES chairman since that time. I am a founding member of the Gateway R.L. Bennett Long Spurs chapter in the St. Louis area I have attended the past nine NWTF National Conventions and have served as R.L. Bennett of Nixa, Mo., is seeking re- since 1983. Through my involvement with election to the State Board for his second the local chapter, I have served as secretary, judge for the Grand National Hunting Turkey Call Competition since 2002. I also term. R.L. has been a NWTF member for vice-president, president, and as a director, many years. He is currently Vice President attended the NWTF Leadership Workshop as well as a Hunter Education Instructor for the Sho-Me Chapter of Springfield, Mo., in Edgefield, SC in 2004. since 1986. In 1987, while serving as local which he has served as a committee chapter president, I served on the state In addition to the NWTF, I am also a member and sponsor for fourteen years. He board, which was the custom at that time. member of the National Rifle Association. is also a sponsor member of the Clay In 1989, the state bylaws were changed to Howlett Memorial Chapter of Waynesville, allow state-wide voting by the general I grew up on a farm in rural Shannon Mo., and has been for many years. membership for the state board, and I have County near Eminence, Mo., and graduated been proud to serve the membership as from Eminence High School in 1976. I R.L. is proud of the work he has done for Secretary, President, Chairman of the witnessed first-hand the results of the the NWTF for the past 18 years. As an Board, and Director, since that time. Conservation movement in the Ozarks. auctioneer he has done auctions all over the state of Missouri for the NWTF and has Since my time on the Board the state In 1979 I graduated from Mineral Area helped raise more than $1,000,000 for the chapter has experienced tremendous College in Park Hills, Mo., as a Registered wild turkey. growth. From a struggling small state Nurse and completed my Bachelors degree chapter, to one that has grown to be No. 2 in 1993. I have been employed at Mineral R.L. has served as a judge for the NWTF rated state chapter in the over-10,000- Area regional Medical Center in National Calling Contest and pre-lims over member category in the country. Our State Farmington, Mo., for the past 31 years and the past several years. Super Fund has grown from a $30,000 have been the Director of Surgical Services R. L. loves the outdoors. He is a certified annual budget to one approaching a quarter since 1988. Shooting Instructor by the National of a million dollars. I have been privileged In 1995 I started collecting turkey calls and Sporting Clays Association. He is a bow to have been a part of this growth. I stand in custom box calls. I was featured in Earl hunter and avid turkey hunter with two awe of the hard work of our NWTF staff Mickel’s book Turkey call Makers Past and World Slams to his credit. If re-elected, he and the countless hardworking volunteers Present-The Rest of the Best published in will spend extra time trying to increase the who make it all possible. A position on the 1999. I am very proud to carry on the hunting opportunities for our disabled State Board is not a position I take lightly. tradition of handcrafting the Eminence hunters. He will also try to create growth If re-elected I will continue to work to Fence Post Box Caller. and strength to our youth organization make sure the local chapters have a voice at (JAKES) because they are not only the the state level, and will represent them in a I have been married to my wife Rebecca for future of our organization, but the future of responsible manner. 29 years and we have three grown children. hunting for generations to come. My favorite hunting memories was being Thank you for your support. present when my son harvested his first deer and turkey in the Missouri youth seasons. Sherry Hill John Spurgin As hunters we must give back to our sport I have been an outdoor enthusiast since It has been a pleasure to serve on the and grow our sport if it is to survive. We childhood. As a resident of Missouri for the Missouri State Chapter Board of Directors must continue to reach out to all groups, past 23 years, I have enjoyed hunting, for the past three years. I am proud of the especially the family and including the fishing and horseback riding on a frequent accomplishments of the NWTF and the children and women. basis. work done here in Missouri. This is only If re-elected to the Board I will continue to I have been involved with the NWTF for

Page 11 • Show-Me Gobbler the past six years through the Women in the I currently own and operate Lone Wolf cattle Outdoors program. As an event coordinator ranch near Lynchburg, Mo. My greatest OFFICIAL BALLOT of the largest women’s event for the past honor is serving as Deacon at second Baptist four years, I have contributed to the mission church in Lebanon, Mo. I have loved the George Clark Missouri State of the NWTF at every opportunity. great outdoors since first being able to hunt Board of Directors and fish and now have become a certified As a board member, I plan to take an active Hunters Education Safety Instructor. I have role in planning for the continued success of This is the only ballot that can be used for become certified in the Archery in the this election—NO PHOTO COPIES. our program. Schools program to teach archery and have You must vote for five (5) people. secured an NWTF Super Fund grant to provide much needed archery equipment for Any ballot with more or less than six votes Stan O’Daniel the Plato, Mo., school. I have served as will NOT be counted. president for the Bunt Cumbea Laclede All Ballots must be sent in a postmarked by Bron May 2, 1942, in Memphis, Tenn., and County Chapter for the past three years and 31-Jan-08 graduated from Central High in Memphis in promoted JAKES youth events and Women 1960. I completed two years at the in the Outdoors events in our area. I have Send your ballot to: University of Tennessee majoring in worked with conservation projects available Ben Doerge-Election industrial management. I married Carolyn in my area to increase turkey habitat on my Utley in 1964 and she presented us with 21273 Audrain Road 306 farm in Laclede and Wright counties. I hope Mexico, MO 65265 identical twin sons in 1967. We moved to some of the skills that I have developed will Branson, Mo., in December 1983 where we help the wild turkey in the future and look owned and operated a motel and forward to serving you on the State Board. J Dan Zerr J Sherry Hill convenience store and owned and leased out Your vote would be most greatly the restaurant next to the motel. I now have appreciated. Call me anytime if your want to three grandsons in Branson and one talk turkey; (417) 453-6701. J John Spurgin J Stan o’Daniel grandson and one granddaughter in the Bootheel of Missouri.

J R.L. Bennett J Brian Kunkel

Mid-West Floods continued from page 4 02/23/2008 • Will they renest? Adams "Turkeys do have the capability of renesting if their first attempt Future Artists Begin Legacy is ruined. Generally, it is a reduced clutch size and obviously those poults get a later start this summer. Renesting does occur, and it is just another way that nature has built in to guard against these sorts of natural at NWTF Convention disasters."

Neu "Turkeys will renest once the ground dries out, or they will head to ATLANTA — Terrance Stahlman, 11, of St. Clair, Mo., finished in first place in the 9- to higher ground where it's dry with nesting cover. Evidence shows they 11-year-old group of the National Wild Turkey Federation's Youth Art Contest, black-and- will renest two or three times if conditions are favorable." white division. The work of young artists from across the country was judged at the NWTF's annual Convention and Sport Show in Atlanta, Feb. 21 to Feb. 24. • How will the potential agriculture crop losses hurt future wild turkey populations? The contest offered chances at $100, a free one-year JAKES/Xtreme JAKES membership and a JAKES/Xtreme JAKES T-shirt to artists ages 6 to 17. Four age groups were judged; 6 Burk "Turkeys typically do not rely on agriculture crops, though to 8; 9 to 11; 12 to 14 and15 to 17. Wild turkeys and turkey hunting served as inspiration obviously they will benefit from waste grain when it's available. Turkeys for the artists. The NWTF began accepting submissions in March 2007. eat such a wide variety of food that there are plenty of other options out there if the grain is not there. Turkey have enormous home ranges, and they're going to find where the food is most available." The Youth Art Contest is another way the JAKES program urges youth to become involved in wildlife conservation. JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Neu "There are areas that were not flooded that are going to contain is the NWTF's program for youth ages 12 and under. Xtreme JAKES is the NWTF's latest agriculture crops. It depends what comes back up in those fields when outreach program geared toward teens 13 to 17 years old. the water goes down. If the farmers plant some type of grain, such as wheat, there is still going to be some waste grain for food. If they leave The NWTF recognizes all participants in the art contest, and would like to thank all who them fallow, weeds and the associated insects can also be really a good submitted an entry. The contest was sponsored by T.I. Industries, frame moulding manufac- source of food for turkeys." turers based in North Carolina. Whittlesey "Waste grain is a component of winter survival for wild turkeys. However, there is so much land in crop production in the state The Federation has spent 35 years shaping a legacy of wild turkey conservation and preser- of Iowa that crop losses shouldn't have a real impact on turkeys. Wild vation of the hunting tradition. Since 1973, the Federation's ranks have grown to more than turkeys are very adaptive and they will find a way to survive." 550,000 members across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The National Wild Turkey Federation Non-Profit Show-Me Gobbler U.S. Postage ADVERTISING IN THE c/o Bernie Grice PAID 1310 Bradshaw Ave. Permit No. 353 SHOW-ME GOBBLER Columbia, MO 65203 Columbia, MO Ben Doerge, MO State Board, George Clark Chapter, NWTF/WITO, Sho-Me Chapter [email protected] 573/581-7828

Business Card Size (3.5” x 2”): $30/quarter or $100 - if year paid in advance Quarter-Page Size (5” x 6.5”): $75/quarter or $240 - if year paid in advance Half-Page Size (10.25” x 6.25”): $125/quarter or $400 - if year paid in advance Full-Page Size (10.25” x 13”): $225/quarter or $720 - if year paid in advance (Note: Show-me Gobbler ads are all B/W)

THE NEXT DEADLINE FOR THE SHOW-ME-GOBBLER IS FEBRUARY 15, 2009. SEND NEWS AND PHOTOS TO JAY LANGSTON, 6013 RIDGE FARM PLACE,

BRENTWOOD, TN 37027. EMAIL: [email protected] (SEND ELECTRONIC PHOTOS AT 225 DPI OR GREATER RESOLUTION.)

If you are receiving a duplicate copy of the Gobbler, or if you do not want to receive this newsletter, contact Ben Doerge, [email protected]. You may consider dropping off your extra copy at the doctor's, dentist's, or local mechanic's waiting rooms! Help spread the word. Check the new WEB-site for information concerning your local chapter: www.monwtf.org.

Wheelin' Sportsmen Benefits Women In The Outdoors

WS Show Me Awards Ladies Doe Hunt Muddy Creek Gobblers Boss Hens WITO Missouri State & Heartland Center, WITO Event Date: 01/10/2009 Event Date: Dec 12, 2008 thru Dec 14, 2008 Event Date: Apr 18, 2009 Event Date: Jun 5, 2009 thru Jun 7, 2009 Location: Osage Beach Location: North West Missouri Location: Lamar Enterprises, Location: Heartland Presbyterian Center, Contact: Mr Bernard R. Grice, Jr Outfittters, Denver, MO Lamar, MO Parkville, MO Phone: 573/445-6967 Contact: Dave Frampton Contact: Nancy Frieden Contact: Patty Sharringer Email: [email protected] Phone: 816-390-2147 Phone: 417/214-4082 Phone: 913 651 0271 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] WS Kirksville Ridge Runners Event Date: 05/31/2009 WITO Doe Hunt Ladies Turkey Hunt, WITO Bass Pro's Ladies Day Out Location: Kirksville Event Date: Dec 12, 2008 thru Dec 14, 2008 Event Date: Apr 24, 2009 thru Apr 26, 2009 Event Date: Aug 21, 2009 thru Aug 22, 2009 Contact: Mike G. Allen Location: Back 40 Outfitters, Location: North West Missouri Outfitters, Location: Bass Pro's Outdoor World, Phone: 660 323 5531 Memphis, MO Denver, MO Independence, MO Email: [email protected] Contact: Diann Savage Contact: Dave Frampton Contact: Amy Acock Phone: 816 524 1881 Phone: 816-390-2147 Phone: 816 785 4300 WS Bootheel BossGobblers Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Clay Bird Shoot Event Date: 06/06/2009 Platte Purchase, Camp Gieger, WITO Benton County Boss Hens Location: Marble Hill Event Date: Mar 27, 2009 thru Mar 28, 2009 Event Date: May 16, 2009 Contact: Paul Strickland Location: Camp Gieger Location: American Legion Hall, Phone: 573 332 1989 St. Joseph, MO Warsaw, MO Contact: Sherry Hill Contact: Jeanette Limback WS Bootheel Boss Gobblers Phone: 816-992-3650 Phone: 660/438-2588 Event Date: 06/06/2009 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Location: Jackson Contact: Paul Strickland Squaw Creek National WR Ladies Day Lake Area Lady Gobblers Phone: 573 332 1989 Event Date: Apr 17, 2009 thru Apr 18, 2009 Event Date: May 30, 2009 Location: Squaw Creek National WWildlife Refuge Location: Missouri Trap Shooters Assn.Gun Club, WS Young's Creek Strutters Forrest City, MO Linn Creek, MO Event Date: 07/25/2009 Contact: Lori Stickler Contact: Cindy Sherrell Location: Boonville Phone: 660-446-2336 Phone: 573.346.6133 Contact: Travis Scott Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: 573/474-2993 Email: [email protected]