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Cy speaks out... see page 1 June, 1954 7MISSOURI CONSERVATION COMMISSION to speculate on whether it's better to die on a mountain top or to have the end JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI come in bed. Death and the dead are not concerned with this. Tom Chilton came of a family that penetrated the Current river valley * more than a century ago, a family that penetrated and populated. The graves of his ancestors lie up and down that river and all along its banks are people bearing his name. His title in the Conservation Commission files is towerman, EDITORIAL STAFF and he bore it proudly. He was born at Eminence, says his personnel form; DAN SAULTS Editor he joined the Commission in 1941, when he was 32 years old and had three BILL NUNN Associate Editor children. He had done manual labor and part-time farming up to that time. DON WOOLDRIDGE Photographer The file shows that he was six feet, 3V2 inches tall and weighed 175 JUDY JONES Circulation pounds in 1941, which is just the way he looked the last time I saw him, WERNER NAGEL, JIM KEEFE ... Staff Writers about two years ago—tall, lean and drawling. CHAS. SCHWARTZ, JIM KELLER Artists Search your memories, you readers, for Tom Chilton. Did you ever visit the Eminence tower, just off Highway 19? He was there for nearly a decade, Entered as second-class matter October and many tourists stopped at that tall structure for a particularly beautiful 23, 1947, at the post office at Jefferson outlook. Did you ever see the joint Commission-Forest Service film called City, Missouri, under the act of August 24, Twenty-Year Look? The long forester in that motion picture is Tom Chilton, 1912. playing the role that he played in real life. Do you remember him? Can Subscription: In Missouri, free on in­ you call back the fleeting impression of a chance encounter with a man who dividual request; outside Missouri, $1 per served every Missourian by protecting our resources? year. That really isn't important. The point here is that Tom Chilton may have been unhonored but he was never dishonored. He was one of the small group of men in Missouri who work in fish and game and forest, protecting * the public interest and private investment. He was one of the still smaller group of foresters who have been on a constant alert for more than two years COMMISSIONERS as drouth settled across the face of Missouri and left dry forests for the careless smoker, the casual camper and the incendiarist's match. He was one Frank P. Briggs Macon of the few pairs of eyes that watch unceasingly from the tall towers for a R. B. Clark Clayton wisp of smoke against the sky of spring, one of the pairs of hands that wield Dru L. Pippin Waynesville the broom rake before the creeping row of flames, one of the bodies that Joe M. Roberts Gallatin strain and labor up the rocky hillside to head a fire racing up a gully. Tom was just a man doing a job, and doing it well . . . one of the 80 * towermen who are the infantry privates in the stern struggle to protect the timber ... one of the 140 state foresters that fight flames on six million acres of Missouri land. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Of course, he wasn't unknown and unhonored in his home town, he wasn't I. T. Bode Director just a name in a personnel list to the people of Eminence who knew Tom Jay Morrow Ass't Director Chilton as an individual, with all the strengths and weaknesses of a man. M. O. Steen Fish and aGme You others who never knew him, never crossed your far-flung trails with the G. B. Herndon Fisheries little path he wore across his limited native soil, can know him only as a Paul Tulenko Game symbol of the heroic work that has been done by Missouri's forest fire J. Warren Smith Development fighters during the past two years. As such, remember him. Vernon Bennett Field For there are in conservation many such men as Tom Chilton, who do the Kenneth Hicks Field Service James L. Bailey Protection work that must be done. Words set down on a page may or may not inspire the minds of those who read and listen, but nothing is achieved until toil and George 0. White Forestry sweat and time has gone into the battle. William E. Towell Fire Control Milton G. Hoyer Timber Management Tom Chilton, and the men like him who are manning the forest towers today, fought and are fighting on the true ground of battle. Gordon Smith Education-Information Dan Saults Information D.S. F. 0. Capps Education Montie Glover Fiscal COVER Send all communications to Conservation Com­ FISHING AT ROCKY FALLS mission, Jefferson City, Mo. Permission to reprint PICTURE Photographed by Don Wooldridge will be granted provided proper credit is given. Send marked copy. Von Hoffmann Press, Jefferson City, Mo. Cy Littlebee says

"The only time a job looks too big is afore someone tackles it. The minnit that somebody starts doin it, it shrinks down to size. Same in puttin' back cover."

Worry Isn't Workin

By W. O. Nagel

Along about June every year, a startling change takes earth stopped vibrating to the tread of the wild herds and place in the office. The room shrinks and takes on a dingy deer pricked their ears at the gobble of the last wild turkey. look. The chair suddenly houses a colony of active ants. "Why," I said, "even the bears haven't been gone long. People's voices get loud and the warm breeze coming in the My own grandfather claimed he killed the last bear north of window whispers of a shady bank along a stream where lusty the Missouri, only about 60 years ago." fish chase minnows in the shallows and among the root-wads. Cy's eyes were fixed on the campfire in a faraway gaze. When the phone rings, I grab like I was catching grass­ "I'd hate to think," he said finally, "that about 60 from hoppers: Who knows? It might be . . . and, last Friday, now my gran'son'd be tellin about killin the last rabbit in this it was. county." "Al jest called and said they had a gully-washin rain, up That abrupt leap from two generations in the past to two Kirksville way last night," Cy Littlebee's voice drawled in my in the future was a jolt. Cy also had me a little uncomfortable ear. about that last-bear killing. So I decided to resurrect grand­ That's up on the headwaters of the Salt. A good rain up father again, to see what Cy was driving at. there should give us a rise in the stretch down below the forks "I guess you figure he shouldn't have killed that bear," I sometime this evening. said, "it being the last one in the county." "Got plenty of worms?" I asked instantly. Cy's eyes began to twinkle. "No, but I got a spade all shined up for you, down back "Now, don't git your dander up," he reproved. "It ain't of the barn," Cy told me. "Figgered if you got out here in that pertikler bear I was thinkin about, nor who killed him. time to do some diggin before supper, you could mebbe eat Look:" he squared around, pulled out pipe and pouch. "Your two slices of ham stead of your reg'lar one." gran'dad killed the last bear. My own dad claimed to have "I'll buy that," I assured him. "And I'll be out about killed the last turkey hereabouts. Somebody now livin had a 5:30." grandad that killed the last antelope, or mebbe even the last buffalo. Don't that mebbe bring somethin to your mind?" As I hung up, the world seemed like a pretty nice place. Everybody along the Salt knows that a rise brings the channel I reached out a hand to my rod, lying beside me, to see cats out of hiding in drifts, holes or root-wads to start feeding. if something might be monkeying with the bait. Not a quiver, If you can hit the start of the rise with some good live bait, or so I leaned back against the log again. some rich-smelling mixtures, you're likely to do all right. "Well," I said, "I guess you're telling me we're a young We hit the river about sundown and by what Cy calls country yet. That it really hasn't been long since the buffaloes "good dark", our stringers were getting comfortably heavy. and bears and antelope roamed the fields and woods where Sandwiches, coffee and success put me in a talkative mood. we're now killing rabbits and squirrels and quail." Around Cy, that can be risky. "That's part of it," Cy agreed, tamping rough-cut into his I was talking about the big game that once roamed Mis­ old brier with a lean, calloused finger. "But that ain't all: I souri broadlands—that it was really just yesterday that the (Continued on following page) Page 1 "They's no law sayin a man can't clean up his farm in ways that'll wipe out whole coveys of quail."

was wonderin how many generations they was without some forget the limits. If people don't worry about the future—" folks as could remember the last of some kind of game?" here I began to rub it in—"you'd think they'd whoop with joy "Offhand," I said, "I'd say there's probably never been a every time a limit was taken off. But it wasn't that way: a genera lion without someone that could say that he, his dad, lot of em whooped objections to taking the limit off! Seems or Ills granddad remembered when the last of some kind of like," I added pointedly, "they were worried about somebody wildlife was killed. But most of those lost species, if not all, maybe catching the last crappie, someday." would be gone even if they'd never been hunted. You mentioned Cy just grinned, and came right back at me. buffaloes and antelope: they couldn't have lived through the "Did I say sportsmen wasn't worry in about the future of changes we've made in food and cover, any more than small- fish an game?" he asked mildly. "I thought I said the people mouth bass could live through the changes we've made in some takin fish an game now don't know them critters has to go, to of the streams." make room for more crops and more cattle." "I ain't disagreein with that," Cy nodded. "An more: I reckon the country couldn't put up with some of them critters "I don't know it either!" I said promptly, "And neither now. Buffaloes an panthers out there . . ." he waved to the do you. They definitely do NOT have to go: there's room for fields and woods lying placid under the rising moon—"might wildlife, and crops and cattle, too. All we have to do is use raise considerable confusion. I reckon a hunter used to killin the land the way it ought to be used, to have plenty of both." riothin bigger'n rabbits would sure take the short way home, "Not knowin a thing because you don't think about it is if lie happened to run up against a catamount in that brush. one thing," Cy was thoroughly aroused now. "But knowin "No: some of the old-time game couldn't live here now, that a thing is NOT so, because you have figgered it out, is an­ and we couldn't live with em. We know that, you and me. But other. Look—" he squared around, forehead wrinkled as he did them old time hunters know it? Did they know, when they sought and pinned down his thoughts. "You know, well's me, was killin the last of the buffalo, that the country'd soon be that the way sportsmen look at what's happenin to wildlife is unfit lor buffalo anyway? Or didn't they care if they was gonna have a lot to do about whether or not them happenin's is the last-—an killed em anyway?" stopped in time to save wildlife." He reached a long arm for "I'd say they killed buffalo because they wanted to kill the thermos, took a swallow of coffee, and went on. buffalo," I was still wondering where this was heading. "A lot of fellers," he said, "seem to worry a lot about game "Exactly!" Cy sighted down his finger like he was about laws. Fact is, if they is anythin they don't have to worry about, to make a point. "We can look back, now, and say the buffalo it's fish and game regulations—in Missouri, that is. All they an sech had to go. But," he emphasized with slow jabs, "the got to remember," he shook his fiinger at me, "is that our hunters didn't know that, then, and the hunters an fishermen regulations is made by people as knows more about wildlife, today don't know it about any game or fish they're takin now!" and is more concerned about it, than anybody else is: that whatever the regulations are, they're gonna be the best as can lie leaned back with the air of a man who has said the be made for people an wildlife alike." final word. But if the idea was that sportsmen's only in­ terest in wildlife was in harvesting it, without regard to the "Thanks, Cy!" I was warmly appreciative. "Neverthe­ fulure, I didn't agree. less," I added, "people wouldn't criticise laws if they weren't worried about wildlife, and we appreciate their concern." "Funny thing happened this winter," I said casually, as though changing the subject. "Remember the Commission took "Oh, it's natcherel to pick on laws," Cy agreed. "A lot the limit off crappie in the lakes? The idea was that there of folks seems to think any problem can be settled by jest were a lot more crappie swimming around, available for making the right law about it—if everybody could jest agree harvest, than were being caught. The whole catch was run­ on what IS the right law. That ain't jest sportsmen, it works ning only from 3 to 14 percent of what could have been taken in most everythin. A course, it don't work that way; laws without hurting the stock a bit." I stopped with the air of never will be more'n a part answer. They ain't no game, law," having made MY point. he emphasized, "as can put back an keep the food an cover game needs. They ain't no farmer, as I knows of, who looks "Nothin funny about that," Cy said, warily. "If the fish up the game laws before he goes to bulldozin out a hedge fence was there to be took, and wasn't bein took under the old limit, or plowin up a brushy corner. They ain't no law as says cattle they was a lot of fish goin to waste. Crappie don't live long: has to be kept outen the brier patches an woods, an they's you can't stockpile em like the government does them crop nothin as says a hay-crop can't be mowed while quail is nestin. surpluses. So it's jest sense to use what's there as long as it They's^ laws sayin nobody can shoot quail outa season," he don't keep the crappie from raisin a good crop, ever year." said, "but they's none saying a man can't clean up his farm "That's what the Commission thought," I agreed. "And in ways that'll wipe out whole coveys of quail." He looked at it seemed like the fishermen would have been very happy to me questioningly.

Page 2 "Didn't you write onct," he demanded, "something about we've felt the only plants that had a chance to stay put were the how a game law can fine a man for ketchin one too many bass, kind the farmer felt was too valuable to the farm to destroy? but can't do nothin about land use as wipes out all the fish in "That's why youall picked multiflora rose for farm fencin, a whole stream?" an sericea lespedeza for controllin erosion," Cy nodded. "An "Could be," I admitted. "There are many examples of that made sense; them things is real helpful to a farmer. How what game laws can and can't do. You have to remember, Cy, much rose been put out, since you started?" that wildlife doesn't stack up very high against the economic "About 4,000 miles of it, Cy. And you're right; most of it interests that determine how land and water shall be used. was put out because farmers wanted it for a fence—not mainly Wildlife people have to work with the leavings of land and because they wanted it for wildlife. But here's the other part water use." of it: we've also been raising plants whose main value is for wildlife food and cover. Shrub lespedezas; pokeberry roots, "An them leavins is less and less," Cy pointed out. "Which food and cover bundles. Nobody would plant these for any­ brings me to the point: folks worryin about our game laws is thing but wildlife." worryin about the wrong thing; the big worry is the things as "An I'll bet they been going out kind of slow," Cy in­ is makin it impossible for wildlife to be produced, on more terjected. an more land." He smoked meditatively awhile, and I waited for him to go on. "Till lately, yes," I said. "But not this year! This year, Cy, we sold completely out of every main kind of plant we "Another big trouble," he said, "is what folks seem to raise strictly for wildlife food and cover. And we could have think 'conservation' means. They seem to think it jest means sold more, if we'd had it. People were actually spending money savin what's there—that all you got to do to have plenty of to buy those plants, Cy, and finding land to plant them on and fish an game is to harvest less and less of it. That idee is then getting them planted—just for wildlife! Tell me that some mebbe back of this worryin about regulations." people aren't beginning to stop just worrying, and going to "Didn't Uncle Ott have a word for that kind of thinking?" work on the problem!" I asked. "That's the most encouragin sign yet," Cy agreed. "Come "Seems he did. Uncle Ott knowed a man who figgered to think of it," he glared at me accusingly, "you ain't been so that the way to have everthin was to save everthin. This man down-in-the-mouth lately. Come the time people are plantin go so busy savin stuff, he never had time to farm right; he them shrub lespedezas an wildlife bundles on ever 40 in the never put nothin into his land, always figgerin to take stuff state, an you'll be pretty nigh fit to live with!" out. He finally got so savin, Uncle Ott said, he starved to "I don't expect that'll happen by next year, Cy," I grinned death. 'A man can be so savin,' Ott put it, 'in order to have at him. "And, before you get TOO optimistic yourself, I'll everthin, that he plumb fergits to produce somethin, an ends up remind you that this is quite a big state. Remember that 4,000 havin nothin.' " miles of rose? Well, I drove across Missouri, south to north, "That fits all right," I nodded. "If we try to have a lot just last week, and—how many rose fences did I see? Just one! of wildlife by just not using it, we'll end up with nothing. Con­ You have to have a lot more thousand miles of cover, before it servation really means to PRODUCE—produce as abundantly begins to make a show in the many hundreds of thousands acres as possible, and then use the production fully and wisely." of empty space. That give you an idea of the job still to be I took my turn at the thermos bottle, then went back a done?" few thoughts. "But Cy, let's go back to the people who worried "The only time a job looks too big is afore somebody about us taking the limits off crappie—and off coon, and about tackles it!" Cy retorted. "The minnit somebody starts doin making does and fawns, as well as bucks, legal game in some it, it shrinks down to size. This job of puttin back cover has counties. It seems to me the fact that they did worry is a looked too big, for too long, because—" he had to rub it in— sign of real concern about the future of wildlife. I think it "people was worryin about it stead of workin at it. Now she's is a very hopeful sign." started, she ought to get goin." "Uncle Ott used to say that worry was a sign that some­ He pulled in his line, gazed at the baitless hook. body was startin to think," Cy said drily, "but wasn't quite ready to go to work. My point was, worry'd be a sight more "Fish bite best," he said, "when folks is too busy to helpful if it was put on the real problem—how to produce notice." more, and led to workin at producin more." "Did Uncle Ott have a word for that, too?" I asked, as we went up the bank. "And some people are beginning to do just that," I was "Nope," he said briefly. glad to tell him. "Let me tell you something I just found out today: you know that getting food and cover back is the only "How come?" I was surprised. way to get more wildlife produced? You know, too, that "Didn't fish," Cy said drily, as we headed for the car.

"Worry'd be a sight more helpful if it was put on the real problem—how to produce more wildlife."

Page 3 Four Hundred

Smallmouth bass study turns up some surprising facts on fishing about the Big Piney and Niangua

Like to talk about floating and bass fishing? You're right —who doesn't? Then let's do a little armchair fishing on two Ozark streams. We've been taking a creel census on the Big Piney and Niangua rivers. And as a part of a smallmouth bass study, it is giving us a yearly picture of the catch. In time, it will tell us if regular stocking improves smallmouth bass fishing in such Ozark streams. But before we wade into deeper water, let's meet some fellows who float for a living. First, meet "Fearless" Harry Brown. On November 23, 1953, "Fearless" completed 100 floats on the Big Piney. This was a part of his work as a creel census clerk. He checked anglers a total of 201 days, beginning March 15 and ending his work when the weather turned the river over to wintry cold. "Fearless" (he got the name because he likes to hot-rod a canoe over the riffles) has been riding the river as a census clerk since the smallmouth bass study started back in 1951. He can almost keep the boat balanced by shifting his chaw of BIGPINEYI^IVE^ Union Standard. Fearless floats every other day. When it's his time to check access points, Elmer Slaughter rides the water. Elmer, one of the last of the tie rafters, can tell many a story of the old Piney "way back when". Every bend of the river, every crook and cranny is usually good for at least one of his yarns. Even an old sunken log or a dark spot where a big rock lies Creel census clerks float-check the Big Piney and keep records of fish and fishermen. Their findings are shown on the table buried takes on storied fame when you float with Elmer. below. Elmer fished quite a bit last summer and his own catch con­ firms what the creel census is showing—that fishing success for smallmouths was high in 1953. Elmer says it was the best he has seen in recent years. Big Piney Over on the Niangua, the same kind of creel census is 1951 1952 1953 being done by Ralph Strickland and Clifton Claspill of Buffalo. Both Ralph and Clif grew up just a whoop and a holler from Estimated anglers per mile 269 311 432 the Niangua river. Their knowledge of past conditions on Fish per man 2 2 2.9 2.8 this stream is not only interesting but valuable. Fish per hour 0.469 0.566 0.654 Smallmouth bass per man 0.29 0.55 0.70 As these men float and check access points, they keep rec­ Smallmouth bass per hour 0.062 0.108 0.162 ords of the fishermen they contact. If the fisherman is not Smallmouth bass per mile 82 170 302 Percentage of smallmouth in catch 13.2 19.1 24 8 through fishing when they check his creel, he is urged to take a postal card to fill out and mail to us later. The number Page 4 EDITH • Floats a Year

By George G. Fleener Fishery Biologist

of returned cards has increased each year since 1951. This shows Missouri anglers are interested in the stocking study. We need this information, and if you happen to be given a card by a creel census clerk, please fill it out and stick it in the nearest mail box when you finish fishing. Because of its brawling fame, the smallmouth bass has come in for more than its share of fishing. In 1953 for ex­ ample, smallmouth bass made up about 18 percent of all fish taken from the Niangua. There are 10 or 12 other important fishes in this stream. That means that nearly one fifth of the fish taken were smallmouth. So you can see the fighter's high on the popularity poll in the Ozark streams. This angling for smallmouth also may throw some light on early attempts to provide more of them for our fathers and SP6.GR0VE • grandfathers. The feeling then was—"our streams are being fished to death; let's do something about it." That "something" was a hatchery program and for many years smallmouth bass CHAWTY • have been stocked in Ozark waters. NIANGUA I^IVE^ In those days no one seriously tried to find out facts about smallmouths in nature, or if stocking was of value. But it MILES takes money to put smallmouths in the stream. Conservation problems aren't solved with opinions, so the Conservation Com­ mission set up a study to find the answers to the big questions: "Does stocking of smallmouth fingerlings increase fishing suc­ cess? Does it put more fish in the creel? Will the fish be Big smallmouth hatches, such as in 1951, are providing more— bigger?" and so on. but smaller—fish in the Niangua creel in spite of mounting pres­ sure. The Big Piney and the Niangua were selected because they were much alike. Both rise in the Ozark plateau and flow northerly into the Missouri river drainage. Their length is nearly the same—both are floatable about 80 miles. And we found a more striking likeness in the fish—their number and kinds—as a result of the creel census.

You recall the Big Piney was stocked, the Niangua was Estimated anglers per mile 273 not. In 1951 about 77,000 smallmouth fingerlings ranging Fish per man 1.9 Fish per hour 0.424 from 2 to 6 inches were stocked at 11 different places on the Smallmouth bass per man 0.57 Big Piney. In 1952 and 1953 approximately 23,500 were Smallmouth bass per hour 0.125 Smallmouth bass per mile 156 stocked each year. During 1952 about one fifth of the stocked Percentage of smallmouth in catch 29.4 smallmouths were marked with an electrical device which

Page 5 sears off a fin. In 1953 all the stocked fish were marked. enough, last year smallmouths less than 10 inches long made Now we can identify these stocked fish when they are creeled up 24 percent of all Niangua smallmouths caught. About becaused seared fins do not grow back. We must check closely 3 percent of the smallmouths creeled in '52 measured less than the number of stocked fish caught to see how they contribute 10 inches long and these were probably smallmouths hatched to the total catch. That's why Fearless and the other clerks in 1950. High water that year cut down the hatch. each floated 100 days last season, checking anglers on the test We've seen we can expect to catch smallmouths as fast streams. now as in 1951. Actually, the catch rate for this game fish How can we get a picture of the total catch from the creel has kept out in front of yearly increases in anglers. There will census? Actually, each of these streams is divided into three undoubtedly be good smallmouth fishing ahead as the 1952 and parts, and in each of these areas a selected distance is sampled 1953 hatches enter the catch. And good hatches in future every three days by the clerks. Their information from a par­ years will work the same as the 1951 hatch did on the 1953 ticular checking or "float" station is applied to that particular season. These big "classes", such as the 1951 hatch, actually part of the river. Then the catches from the three areas are take care of more and more anglers who flock to the river. combined to give a more accurate picture of the total catch They provide more—but smaller—fish in the creel. for the entire river for that season. Now let's swing over to the Big Piney. During 1953, it The amount of fishing on these streams is surprising—to had about 432 anglers per mile. Fishing was good and they put it mildly. In 1951, nearly 14,000 anglers fished the took about one fish every one and a half hours. The number Niangua. The number increased to about 31,000 anglers in of anglers—and their catch rate—increased during these three 1952, and to about 33,500 in 1953. Put it another way: in years. Smallmouth "take rate" has increased every year since 1953 there were about 412 anglers per mile on the Niangua '51. during the fishing season. During 1953, these estimated 33,500 The number of smallmouths caught per mile will give you anglers pulled in about 72,000 fish at the rate of roughly one some idea of how many fish may be removed during a sea­ fish every two hours. Fishing success in 1953 for all species son under ideal conditions. In 1951, about 82 were caught fell between the success of 1951 and 1952. per mile. This jumped to about 170 per mile in '52. And in Over on the Big Piney, the number of anglers also has in­ 1953, 302 smallmouths were caught per mile! Think of it— creased but not so fast as during the first two years on the on the average, one smallmouth bass was taken every 17 feet Niangua. The Piney had more fishermen to begin with; in over the 82 floatable miles of the Piney in 1953. 1951, some 25,000 anglers fished the Big Piney. In 1952 this In an earlier article, I mentioned that, on the average, number increased to about 41,000, and last season 56,500 one smallmouth bass was taken every 65 feet from the Big anglers plied the Big Piney with plugs, flies, minnows and Piney in 1951. One day last summer a friendly fisherman came what-have-you. This makes about 688 anglers per mile for up and asked how much fishing I had to do to catch one every 1953. The Big Piney fishermen in 1953 netted roughly 171,000 65 feet. He was curious to know how I measured the 65-foot fish—one fish every one and one-third hours. The Big Piney intervals. But he was pleased to learn that this was an catch rate of all species increased during the first three years average figure from everyone's fishing for 1951 and that his of the creel census. fishing ability was not so bad after all. But let's look a little closer at the smallmouth bass. Has But, just as in the Niangua, the average length of small­ smallmouth bass fishing been affected by the increasing thou­ mouths taken during '53 dropped. In 1951, Piney river small­ sands of anglers? Can we expect to catch smallmouths as mouths averaged 11.1 inches. In 1952 they went up to 11.8 rapidly now as in 1951? What about the large hatches of inches. During 1953 they dropped to 10.3 inches. About 2 smallmouths? out of 10 Piney smallmouths taken in 1952 were less than 10 The table shows that on the unstocked Niangua the num­ inches long. By 1953 this figure had increased to 4 out of ber of anglers has climbed from 149 per mile in 1951 to 273 10. Here again, this drop in average length may have come in 1953. It took a little longer to catch a fish in '53 than it from the abundant 1951 hatch. If that's true, you can see did in 1951 or 1952 but the smallmouth bass catch rose each what stocking would do in streams with good natural repro­ year. duction. It would tighten the fight for what food there was. How many smallmouths were taken in a year? We show The percentage of smallmouths in the Big Piney catch also this as the number per mile. In 1951, on the Niangua about 58 increased from 13.2 percent in 1951, to 19.1 percent in 1952, were taken per mile. This went up to around 91 in 1952 and and to 24.8 percent in 1953. So, about 1 out of every 4 fish to about 156 in 1953. creeled in 1953 was a smallmouth. This increase in the catch goes along with the decrease in size. Both the Big Piney and The percentage of smallmouths in the total catch kept the Niangua shifted to more but smaller fish. pace. In three years it jumped from 14 percent in 1951 to a record 29.4 percent in 1953. This means that three out of The Big Piney was stocked and the numbers of small­ every 10 fish strung in 1953 were smallmouths. During this mouths taken there were greater but the fish were quite a lot period the size of the smallmouths see-sawed—from 11.8 inches smaller. So far, the difference is inconclusive, because we in 1951 to 12.7 in 1952, and 11.1 in 1953. don't know whether the slightly greater catch in the Big Piney Mother Nature responded generously to good spawning is due to stocking or not. conditions in 1951, 1952 and 1953. Fish populations in Ozark The recovery of marked planted fish will tell the story, streams don't appear to be in much danger. The abundant however, and the results from the first three years of study will hatch from 1951 first put fish in the creel in 1953. And it's be used to measure the effect of the first planting of marked just as well to thin them out to cut down competition for food. fish, which should appear in the 1954 catch. We'll report on How does a single year hatch effect the catch? Look at this about the same time next year. the 1951 hatch for a moment. Fish spawned in 1951 would So keep an open date and we'll do some more of this arm­ be about 7 to 9 inches long by the 1953 summer. And sure chair fishing.

Page 6 Call Out the

JLiv^\-><

Laclede county farmers know where to call now when forest fires pop out

Bv Bill Nunn

A CAP plane directs fire fighters of Laclede County Conservation Club.

March 12 dawned bright and sunny over most of Missouri The volunteer fire fighters, facing overwhelming odds, resorted where two years of drouth had dehydrated forests and fields. to backfiring to save farm buildings and livestock in the path By noon a high wind kicked up the fire danger rating to 100- of the flames. plus. The whole state was sitting on a powder keg of forest Through the night the crews, now swelled to about 100 fires. men, fought on. Early in the night the blue-frocked women of Down in Lebanon, in Laclede county, the telephone jangled the Laclede County Red Cross chapter brought sandwiches and in Joe Vale's sporting goods store along busy Highway 66. coffee to the exhausted fighters. At 2 a.m. Mrs. H. L. Fair- "Joe, fire's loose on my place," a farmer's voice came over child, wife of the Episcopal minister, brought out more hot the phone. "Can you bring the boys out—right away?" coffee. Seconds later another phone rang in Jim Mills' radio shop. By early Saturday the fires had been whipped. But more "Jim—Joe. Fire out on Ellis Thompson's place. I'll get than 2,500 acres of timber were in ruins in the Dove-Sleeper the rest of the boys." area. Other areas were hard hit, too. Over the state an esti­ For the next half hour customers at the sporting goods mated 40,000 acres went up in smoke. store had to help themselves as Joe dialed the phone over and Back in Laclede county,, sleepless fire fighters reported over, repeating the same message each time, "Fire at Ellis back to their work—back to their desks, counters and cars Thompson's place." Then with about a dozen volunteer fire which they had left to fight the outbreak of fires. Vale, LCCC fighters headed for the blaze, Vale notified radio station KLWT. president, called Doyle Hilton, conservation-minded editor of On the next station break, Delmar Hilton, radio newsman, the Lebanon Daily Record, with a rundown on the fire dam­ spread the word and urged more volunteers to report to the age and the related news for the Saturday afternoon edition. fire scene. Then he settled back, mulling over the night's events until It was 4 p.m. now and the wind was picking up speed. A they ran together in a whirl of black night, splashed with few minutes later another fire was reported about a mile south roaring fire and billowing smoke. of Dove. Soon the whole area popped out in a rash of fires. This fire fighting business was getting to be second nature By Friday night fires were raging in the Merchant school dis­ with members of the LCCC—Laclede County Conservation trict and on the George Bethurem and Ralph Norman farms. Club. Four years ago the club, after much discussion on how

Page 7 '•'««.» • Club "hangout" is Vale's store. A bull session includes, left to On the scene of the fire, members of the LCCC grab broom rakes, right, Henry Coleman, Joe Vale, Slim Cummings, Jim Mills and back pack pumps and the walkie-talkie from the rear of the ex- Mike Gierke. GI truck. to do its part in the fire problem, settled on turning the club From all walks of life they fall out to fight fires—the into a rural volunteer fire department. Manpower was plenti­ Episcopalian minister leaves his study, the highway patrolman ful (last year the club had 550 members on the rolls) but equip­ cuts into his time off, the mechanic crawls from under the car ment, and money to buy it, was scarce. But they believed he's working on, the insurance salesman crosses off that pros­ where there's a will, there's a way. pect for today. And there was. They located a "demilitarized" GI carry­ Usually the call for help comes to Joe Vale or Jim Mills. all—rough and tough, ideal for beating the back country in Either immediately notifies the other. Jim heads out right Laclede county. With the help of club funds and contributions, away in the truck and the others get there on their own. it was bought for $350. Little by little, equipment was added. Farmers in the neighborhood of the fire, alerted by the radio Jim Mills, secretary of the club and a local radio repairman, station, also pitch in and help. installed a radio in the truck and the local CAP donated an The truck carries the club's equipment and farmers some­ army "walkie-talkie" radio to give two-way contact between times donate some of their own. Stashed in the rear of the the truck and fighters in the field. truck is a 400-gallon water tank along with 50 feet of high The CAP pitched in to the hilt, putting up a plane for pressure hose for refilling the tank near the fire area, eight spotting any time the club needed it. Employers of club mem­ back pack pumps and 24 broom rakes. bers willingly granted time off if at all possible for fire fighting. The club's only income for buying and maintaining this

Delmar Hilton, newscaster for radio station KLWT, handles the Mills wheels the truck through brush, smoke to reach the action. walkie-talkie. The station aids the club in spreading news of The old army vehicle was made to order for this rough 'n tough all fires. work. Page 8 Mills gets on the truck radio for an on-the-spot report from the Manning pumps along the fire line are (left) the Rev. How­ fire via the walkie-talkie and relays directions from the plane ard Fairchild, Episcopal minister, and (right) Conservation Agent spotter. Art Pugh. equipment is from membership dues and donations. Dues are tion district and lack of funds prevents pulling it into the dis­ a dollar a year, which amounts to about $550 yearly. And trict. So the Conservation Club fire fighters are on their own. it costs about $300 each year for operation and maintenance of And a good job they do. And their value in actual fire fighting the truck. That leaves only $250 for the club's many other is multiplied many times in awakening the county residents to activities. So heavy donations obviously come in from people the destructiveness of fires. who believe in the program. Why do the members do it? Why put out all the work on One of the best things about the entire program is that the someone else's land with no benefit to themselves? farmers believe in it, too. In fact, about 50 per cent of the "Well, this is the way we look at it," drawled Mills. "You club's members are farmers. That should pretty well take see, we spend quite a lot of money and time helping farmers care of the old bugaboo, the farmer-sportsman relation. Many reseed and replant to get wildlife food and cover back on the farmers, too, if they don't join, send five-and-ten-dollar dona­ land. And a runaway fire can wipe out in 10 minutes what tions "with many thanks". The club's fame as a fire fighting took years to develop. It ruins our streams and land and unit is spreading, too. Requests have been coming in from ad­ there's nothing left to feed and shelter wildlife." joining counties but the club has been forced to refuse them "Yes," Joe Vale put on the clincher, "and it gets down since it has its hands full with Laclede county. eventually to feeding humans if it goes on unchecked. So, you Laclede is out of the Lake of the Ozarks state fire protec­ see, it's something we all have a stake in."

County Red Cross ladies are on the job with sandwiches, coffee. After the fire, Farm Forester Gerry Heinemann, Vale and Agent And after long hours on the fire line, the men welcome such a Pugh meet with Doyle Hilton (right) Lebanon Daily Record pause. editor. Page 9 •:"'.::'

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Weedy fence rows make good food and cover for wildlife—with no cost or effort on our part. Weeds are Nature's fast crop. No matter how poor the soil, there are wild plants for every situation. Some of them even warn us by their presence of just how badlv the land's fertility has been drained. They rebuild fertility with an annual blanket of organic matter.

What Good Are Weeds?

They're never completely licked; not even a drouth subdues them— *j, - • ,*«^9«Bi**& ftr. so they must have some purpose Most farmers and gardeners wage a constant war against weeds. But this uncut patch looked good to quail looking for a place to nest. Page 10 By Jim Jackson

Educational Advisor, East Central District

Some folks fight weeds like fury on crop land and tolerate Died-in-the-wool weedhaters complain that the plants har­ the rest like yearly visits from unwanted relatives. Others want bor crop-destroying insects. They also feed—as well as shel­ their domain to have that clean-cut look; they attack any wild ter—many birds. A little tolerance might be due when we con­ growth with a vengeance. The diehard weedhater may even sider that insects form the major diet of summer songbirds try the easiest way he knows—burning in spring and fall. His and are also relished by quail. True, birds can't destroy all reward is ugly, scorched earth—barren of wildlife. six-legged varmints but they do help and are nice to have Most farmers and gardeners everywhere wage constant around. Besides, some choosy bugs set up quarters in crops war againt weeds. Each year the battle goes on until 01' Man regardless of clean or weedy fencerows. Frost finally ends the growing season. Even then weeds still In the late fall when frost finishes off the last of the crawl­ hold out in many field corners and waste places. They're never ing, flying, buzzing hordes, weeds are just beginning to put out completely licked. Not even the drouth can subdue them. their crop. Then our year-around birds adjust their diets to They must have some purpose in Nature's scheme; otherwise, endless sizes and shapes of seeds. From September through they wouldn't exist. April about 50 percent of Bobwhite's food is weed seeds. Webster's dictionary has a rather long definition of "weed." Among the most eaten are big and little ragweeds, crotons, beg­ But for common usage let's shorten it. One of the simplest gar ticks, foxtail grass and panic grass. During the same ways to state it is: months some songbirds—cardinals, j uncos, goldfinches and "A weed is any plant growing out of place." others—depend entirely on weed seeds for survival. To some people a tangle of wild morning glory or trumpet Generally wild plants that help support wildlife and pre­ vine dresses up a fencerow. Milkweed and yellow mustard vent erosion are of no direct use to man. Yet many wild herbs have showy flowers, too. The same plants choking our veg­ have been eaten by country folk and campers since long before etable garden probably would lose out in favor of the produce the days of row crops, grocery stores—or what we call modern market. Yes, weeds get a nasty reputation from cropping up civilization. in the "wrong" places. But where we can control them, most Some of our most common weeds such as dandelion, wild plants are more than "just weeds." chicory, lamb's quarters, curly dock and plantain still are boiled Everyone knows—but some forget—that the most valu­ as potherbs by some folk. Others, especially sheep sorrel and able commodity on any farm is the soil. There are always wild mustards, may be used as wild seasoning in soups and a few farmers who don't know how to manage the life-giving stews. stuff—or just don't care. They work the land until it's worn For campers who yen to live off the land—and for those out, then try their skills elsewhere. When they wash out in who forget the can opener—there are other possibilities. Young their tenancy, Nature takes over with weeds. shoots of milkweed and pokeweed when well cooked are fair Weeds are Nature's fast crop. No matter how poor the substitutes for asparagus (note: poke berries and roots are soil, there are wild plants for every situation. Some of them poisonous.) That species of wild morning glory known as "man- even warn us by their presence of just how badly the fertility of-the earth" develops tubers weighing up to several pounds has been drained. which can be roasted like potatoes. As for beverage, there is a First on abandoned land usually comes poverty grass. sassafras tea, New Jersey tea, spice-bush tea, lemonade from Then come years of broomsedge. Then the herb-like weeds sumac berries—and even coffee from those who trouble to grind take over in greater numbers and varieties. Some of them the dried roots of chicory. send roots deeply to draw up minerals and, incidentally, to There are, of course, a few weeds that we could well do break hardpans. Others creep along the surface and help without and should avoid at all times. Aside from poison ivy bind the soil. Slowly but surely they build up fertility by lay­ the worst ones are jimson weed and white snake-root. These two ing down an annual blanket of organic matter. After a few are poisonous to domestic stock as well as to man. Snake-root, years—if demon fire doesn't halt the succession—those waste in fact, "mysteriously" caused many deaths from "milk sick­ fields will have cover to prevent erosion and to aid wildlife. ness" back in Civil War days before its toxic nature was Such land, unless heavily fertilized, may not support farm crops discovered. for a hundred years, but it's better than bare ground. For most of us the good or harm we find in weeds de­ But what about the food and cover values for wildlife? pends on how well we can keep them under control. That They are a must for small game, particularly quail and rabbits. means practicing good methods of cultivation and rotating Here weeds really prove their worth and with no cost or effort croplands to prevent their getting the upper hand. on our part. Yet most every farm or acreage of real estate has its per­ The hawk and fox, the stray cat and man can't readily see manent weed patches, those corners of land too poor or too what goes on in a dense weed patch. But movement in the steep to cultivate. Or they may be gullied fields healing with tangle is easy for those small creatures whose colors blend with greenery after being given up as useless. the vegetation. Any quail or cottontail who ignores such cover If we can tolerate them in their place, weeds will prevent for long is in some way a misfit; it doesn't live long. In winter, erosion, they might furnish good hunting grounds, or they it's plain to readers of track language that weeds and protec­ could even supplement the vegetable bin. And they don't cost tion are synonymous in the wildlife world. a thing.

Page 11 Welcome, OWAA

From over the U.S. and Canada, outdoor Management, with panel members Elmer writers and conservationists will stream into Peterson, Oklahoma newspaperman, Bryce Missouri this month for the annual meeting Browning of the Muskingum, Ohio, conserv­ of the Outdoor Writers Association of Amer­ ancy district, and Leon "Buck" Hornkohl of G. Edward Budde ica. Probably 500 people will cram housing the U.S. Forest Service. Dwight Payton, facilities of Rolla; the campus of the School president of the Kansas Watershed Associa­ of Mines, just cleared of its crop of engineers tion, will be moderator. Edward Beecher of and geologists, will sprout new "students" pre­ St. Louis is chairman. senting more lined countenances and less hair. The afternoon session is on Conservation Scholar-wise, despite the air of frivolity Education, with speakers Attorney John Clag- that overhangs OWAA meetings, the visitors gett of Washington, D.C., Annette Fluger of won't shame campus erudition. There will the Pan-American Union, Teacher Edwin %#« be biologists, foresters, ecologists, icthyolo- Conklin of New Jersey and James L. Bailey, gists and many a doctorate in the crowd— conservation education head in Tennessee. plus typewriter-pounders, radio broadcasters, Bud Jackson and Dan Saults, Missourians, are TV wildlife men, game photographers and chairman and moderator. public relations people. The OWAA conven­ The group goes back to work that evening tion draws a motley throng, but all are united on a Soils panel with Dr. William Albrecht of in one central factor: they are interested in University of Missouri, M. 0. Steen of Con­ the outdoors and in seeing that other people servation Commission and Everett T. Winter Werner Nagel hear about it through spoken words, printed of Mississippi Valley Association as speakers. pages or reproduced photos. Mike Hudoba of Washington, D.C., is chair­ The Missouri Outdoor Writers Associa­ man and Charles Clayton of the Globe-Dem­ tion, mostly known as MOWA, was led by ocrat is moderator. Bernie Gerdelman last year; he spearheaded Tuesday morning will be devoted to group the bid for the meeting. This year's presi­ business and election of group officers. That dent is Harry J. Fey of the St. Louis Globe- afternoon a Waterfowl session goes on. Speak­ Democrat. Both men will play roles in the ers: John Farley, head of the Fish and Wild­ meeting, of course, but actually two other life Service; Lewis Martin, Illinois; Nash Missourians drew the heavy assignments. G. Buckingham, Tennessee's famed outdoor Edward Budde, president of the Conservation writer; Tom Evans, Minnesota; George Federation and former president of MOWA, Moore, Louisiana. Glen Montgomery, Ohio, is general chairman of the convention; Wer­ is chairman and Charles Hopkins, Illinois, ner Nagel of the Missouri Conservation Com­ moderator. That night, J. Hammond Brown mission's Fish and Game Division, a direc­ will chairman an open forum on public land tor of OWAA, is chairman of the workshop policy, with Colorado's Joe Penfold as chair­ Harry J. Fey panels of the meeting. man, and all gloves off. The MOWA has 48 members and issues a Wednesday is devoted to OWAA's busi­ monthly bulletin on Missouri affairs edited ness, including presentation of resolutions, by Charles De La Haye, the outfit's secretary. over which a committee will have been labor­ The national body also has its monthly bulle­ ing for three days. The annual banquet tin, Outdoors Unlimited, edited by President (speeches forbidden) closes things out that J. Hammond Brown and used as a place for night. members to sound off on various subjects, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the generally controversial. trip periods, with Thursday's feature a dedi­ OWAA's meeting begins on June 20 with cation of a plaque to the late Senator Harry registration and an evening smorgasbord B. Hawes at Big Spring State Park, near staged by the Rolla Chamber of Commerce, Van Buren. Tours have been arranged from followed by welcoming ceremonies at the Rolla, but many writers will have gone fish­ School of Mines and presentation of outdoor ing, of course, before the farewell party the movies featuring Missouri. The first forum night of June 26. Bernie Gerdelman gets going at 10 a.m. Monday on Watershed Should be quite a show. Page 12 * tf-n&tn the £GM.

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"Never a dull minute!" Ray Owens, Oregon county agent, saw his county getting So reported La Verne Broyles, St. Charles county conser­ "green all over and April showers are keeping things growing. vation agent. And he had reason for that statement. Let The farmers and their livestock are rejoicing. The streams him tell it: run now after a small shower so we must have a fair supply "I was checking snaggers around midnight last week of moisture in the ground." when an unexpected "visitor" gave some 50 fishermen (and And everywhere the advent of spring—along with the this agent!) quite a start. I heard someone calling, "Here, rains—was popping out mushrooms and mushroom hunters kitty, here kitty." I turned around just in time to see a fellow —and fishermen. reach out to pat what he thought was a cat. It so happened the "cat" turned out to be a beaver and fortunately the man "The mushroom hunters have been having a field day in this part of the country," said 0. V. Swigart, Andrew county realized his mistake in time. agent. "It hasn't been at all unusual for two fellows to find "The beaver appeared very unconcerned and nonchalantly a bushel or two in a few hours. Mushroom time around here ambled over to the edge of the dam where he stood for a few sort of reminds me of the opening of a new fishing lake— minutes. After seeing all those treble hooks being jerked people spring up from everywhere." around in the water below, the animal apparently deemed it safer to walk, rather than try to swim. So with nary a word Harris White from Chariton county said, "I've never seen to anyone, he marched off into the brush. as many mushrooms as were found this year. People were "I don't know what business he had on the dam unless he spending all day hunting for them in the river bottoms and was looking for the "bunch of beavers" who built such a huge then taking them to town to sell. Some sold as high as $1.50 structure." per gallon." Down in the Bootheel things were happening, too. For All of this adds up to the effect Missouri has on a lot of two years Lavon Penrod, agent for New Madrid and Pemiscot people like a former Salisbury girl White told about. The girl counties, had been biding his time, waiting to nab an illegal teaches in Phoenix, Arizona, and wrote to Missouri friends frogger. As Penrod put it: "she had seen the quail film ("Bobwhite Through the Year") "Floyd Gee, Kennett, got up in New Madrid county frog- at one of the schools there. She said she'd forgotten how ging too early. Got caught with 80 big bull frogs. I'd had beautiful Missouri is in the spring and that the film made her reports on Mr. Gee the past two years about taking frogs in good and homesick for Missouri." March and April. Had to run him nearly a quarter of a mile before I caught him. We went back to the boat. Gee caught But getting back to fishing. Ed Hartel, Cole county agent, the frogs with his hands and Gee and I turned the frogs back saw some "excellent fishing on the Osage river this month for into the water. Gee was fined $80 and $7.50 costs and was the pole and line fishermen, especially around the lock and given a six-month suspended jail sentence on good behavior." dam. Everyone we checked had fish of one kind or another, 'Nuff said. mostly crappie and white bass. We checked more fishermen More things were happening in April. Up in Nodaway on the Osage this month than we ever checked in one month and Worth counties, Agent H. K. Armstrong told of whopping during the past two years." nig hailstones that killec! two Canada geese in the Hopkins Machines continued to take their toll of wildlife. In Texas vicinity. A few ducks also were killed in the storm. county two deer and a wild gobbler were killed by cars and But the BIG news was the drouth-breaking rains. Most a truck. Said Agent Bland Wilson, "The turkey weighed 20 of the state came in for some of the needed moisture. John pounds and had a beard a foot long. These gobblers are Reed, Pulaski county agent, stated: pretty rough on trucks-—this one took about three-fourths of "April was the turning point. Nature decided to compen­ the windshield with him and landed inside the cab of a milk sate for a poor year in '53 and really turned it on for '54. truck." Never have I seen such rapid and lush growth in fields and Agent Ben Love of Crawford county reported seeing "a lot woods. of wild turkey this spring. Some in fairly large gangs, some "And the rains came. People decided there was not a in pairs and in singles. Saw my first wild gobbler strut this crash landing in sight. Goggle-eye were phenominally plenti­ month." ful, good size and cooperative. This pleasant plentitude fol­ lowing two years of drouth was a welcome and amazing ex­ St. Louis County Agent Dennis Connor told of one "land­ perience for many fishermen. Plenty of small bass are show­ owner with seven coveys of quail on his 350-acre farm. This ing. Had about seven floats and found the rivers full of teal farm has good cover and has been farmed with ground cover with some mallards." for wildlife as one of the considerations." Page 13 Conservation Commission Radio, TV Programs

RADIO Boonville, KWRT, 1370 KC, 9:05 a.m., Wed.—Stuesse Carthage, KDMO, 1490 KC, 5:15 p.m., Fri — Maschmann Charleston, KCHR, 1350 KC, 12 noon, Sat.—Henrickson Chillicothe, KCHI, 1010 KC, 12:30 p.m., Tues.; 7:30 a.m., Sat.—Cleeton Clinton, KDKD, 1280 KC, 5:15 p.m., Sat.—Sweeton Columbia, KFRU, 1400 KC, 7 p.m., Thurs.— Hoefelman Festus, KJCF, 1010 KC, 5:00 p.m., Wed.—Berrey; 4:45 p.m., Fri.—Fowler Hannibal, KHMO, 1070 KC, 11:30 a.m., Mon—Wallace Jefferson City, KLIK, 950 KC, 1:30 p.m., Fri.—Hassler Jefferson City, KWOS, 1240 KC, 6:15 p.m., Sat.—Hassler Joplin, KFSB, 1310 KC, 6 p.m., Fri.—Maschmann Joplin, WMBH, 1450 KC, 4:45 p.m., Sat.—Maschmann Kirksville, KIRX, 1450 KC, 7:15 p.m., Mon.—Craig Lebanon, KLWT, 1230 KC, 4:45 p.m., Tues.—Pugh Marshall, KMMO, 1300 KC, 12:15 p.m., Wed.—Hoey Maryville, KNIM, 1580 KC, 10:15 a.m., Sat.—Armstrong Mexico, KXEO, 1340 KC, 3 p.m., Sat.—Elson and Kattelman Monett, KRMO, 990 KC, 4:15 p.m., Fri.—Purdom Neosho, KBTN, 1420 KC, 7:15 a.m., Sat.—Mason Nevada, KNEM, 1240 KC, 7:00 p.m., Fri.—Garrett Osage Beach, KRMS, 1150 KC, 1:15 p.m., Wed.—Long; 1:15 p.m., Fri.—Jaeger Rolla, KTTR, 1490 KC, 8:45 a.m., Mon.—Davis Salem, KSMO, 1340 KC, 11:30 a.m., Mon—Feltz Sedalia, KDRO, 1490 KC, 6:00 p.m., Sat.—Hickey Springfield, KWTO, 560 KC, 5:30 p.m., Sat.—Roehrs The largest of jellyfish in Missouri are about the size of a dime. St. Joseph, KFEQ, 680 KC, 10:15 p.m., Sat.—Tomlinson; 10:45 a.m., Sat.—Wells The transparent creature has no head nor tail, drifts with the Ste. Genevieve, KSGM, 980 KC, 5:45 p.m., Sat.—Hall Thayer, KALM, 1290 KC, 1:00 p.m., Mon.—Owens current. Warrensburg, KOKO, 1450 KC, 4:00 p.m., Sat.—Frost Warrenton, KWRE, 730 KC, 4:15 p.m., Sat.—Berrey West Plains, KWPM, 1450 KC, 11:30 a.m., Mon.—Pritchard

TELEVISION Columbia, KOMU-TV, Channel 8, 8:45 p.m., Fri.—Crawford, Barnickol Missouri's Jellyfish Springfield, KYTV, Channel 3, 6:20 p.m., Thurs. 10th, 24th, Fri. 4th, 18th—B ings, Maschmann, Roehrs St. Joseph, KFEQ-TV, Channel 2, 7:30 p.m., Fri.—Tomlinson By Patrick H. Wells Department of Zoology, University of Missouri

Ever seen a jellyfish in that old fishing hole? Most peo­ ple consider the jellyfish a weird inhabitant of the sea and don't expect to find one in Missouri waters. True, most kinds of jellyfish are strictly salt-water animals. However, there is one fresh-water species, Craspedacusta sowerbyi, which occasionally is found in lakes and slow-moving streams of eastern United States. These jellyfish always have been rare throughout most of their range. But since comple­ tion of our major impoundments they have become more regu­ lar inhabitants of Missouri. During the past several sum­ mers large numbers of them have been observed in Lake of the Ozarks and they probably also occur in many other lakes and ponds in the state. Our jellyfish are round when viewed from above and are very transparent. The largest ones are about the size of a dime, both in diameter and in thickness. Many tentacles dangle from the outer edge. The centrally-located digestive system and four large sex organs (gonads) can be seen through the trans­ parent body surface. The mouth is on the under-side; in this animal (as in all jellyfishes and their relatives) there is only one opening to the digestive cavity. Jellyfish float near the water surface with their mouth surfaces down. Since they have no head or tail ends to their circular bodies, they make no directional swimming movements but merely drift with the current. Jellyfish are strange and fascinating members of the Ani­ mal Kingdom. You may have seen them before and wondered just what they were. If you haven't seen them, you don't need to spend your vacation in Florida or California. Just keep a sharp eye while fishing this summer. You may be lucky! 'Y'all Come" Page 14 The Mammals of Missouri become white in winter have a mottled appearance during the fall molt but show a sharper line between the new brown fur and old white fur during the spring molt. Young weasels are much like adults in coloration. Because males are much larger than females, two sets of measurements, in inches, are given for extremes occurring in Long-Tailed adult Long-tailed Weasels. (Weasels in southern parts of the range may be slightly larger.) MALES: total length IS1^ to 17%, tail 4y2 to 614, hind foot V/2 to 2, ear %, skull length Weasel 1% to 2, and skull width % to 1 1/16. FEMALES: total length liy2 to I5y2, tail 3% to 5, hind foot 1 to IV2, ear %, skull length 114 to 1%, and skull width % to 15/16. Males (Mustela frenata) weigh between 6 and 9% ounces while females weigh only 2% to 4% ounces. The Long-tailed Weasel has 34 teeth (see plate). On each side of the upper jaw are 3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars, and 1 molar; the teeth of the lower jaw are similar except for an By Charles and Elizabeth Schwartz additional molar. The skull can be identified by the fol­ lowing combination of characters: size as given above; number of teeth and the typical dumbbell-shaped upper molars; hard Classification. The Long-tailed Weasel is the only palate extending beyond the upper molars; and auditory bulla weasel known to live in Missouri although a smaller species, (bone surrounding the inner ear) greatly inflated and notice­ the Least Weasel (Mustela rixosa), is recorded from southern ably longer than wide. The weasel's skull is distinguished from Iowa and may possibly occur in northern Missouri. The Long- the very similar mink's skull by its smaller size and propor­ tailed Weasel belongs to the Weasel Family or Mustelidae, a tionately larger auditory bulla. division of the Flesh-eating Mammals or Carnivores. Other The sexes are identified by the difference in body size and representatives of this family in Missouri are the mink, River by the typical external sex organs. The sex ratio in young ani­ Otter, badger, Spotted Skunk, and Striped Skunk. mals is 50:50 but in trapped adults, there are usually more The first part of the scientific name of the Long-tailed males than females. Males are more likely to be trapped than Weasel Mustela is Latin for "weasel" and is compounded from females because their greater weight springs the large traps two words meaning "to carry off mice," a very apt term. The set for other furbearers and because they have a somewhat latter part frenata is Latin for "bridled" and refers to particu­ wider range. More females than males occur in the popula­ lar facial markings in some forms or subspecies of this species tion during low densities. In the wild the life span is probably occurring in southern parts of the range. The common name very short but in captivity it may be 5 years or longer. "weasel" is from the Anglo-Saxon "wesle;" long-tailed is self- A pair of musk glands in the anal region secretes an ex­ explanatory. tremely nauseating odor. These glands first begin to function when weasels are about 6 weeks old. Description. The Long-tailed Weasel is a slender, long- Weasels purr and call a characteristic "took-took-took" bodied, and small to medium-sized mammal with short legs and rapidly and often. They hiss when hunting or disturbed and a well-furred tail about half the length of the head and body. give a raucous screech when alarmed or attacking an aggressor. The head is small, flattened, and only slightly larger in diam­ A female approached or pursued by a male gives a high-pitched eter than the long neck, the ears are short and rounded, and the reedy note. When annoyed, weasels may stamp their hind feet. whiskers are prominent. The small beady eyes are black in daylight but at night reflect a brilliant emerald green in the Distribution and glare of a spotlight. Both front and hind feet possess 5 abundance. The range or slightly-webbed toes which support the body's weight. There geographic distribution of are several bare pads on the soles of the feet and a pad on the the Long-tailed Weasel is undersurface of each toe. These pads are more exposed in southwestern Canada, the summer when the undersurfaces of the feet are sparsely furred United States except for the and almost concealed in winter when the feet are well furred. southwestern desert region, The fur is composed of soft, close underhair and long, glistening Mexico except for the north­ guard hairs. western desert region, Cen­ There are two color phases annually. In summer adults tral America, and northern are dark brown above and yellowish white below with a white South America. Weasels are chin. Occasionally some pale brown spots occur on the under rare in Missouri but are Distribution surface. The tail is brown except for the terminal third or most common in the south- of the fourth which is black. The usual winter coat of Long-tailed central and southwestern LONG-TAILED Weasels in Missouri is merely paler than the summer one but portions. In general through­ WEASEL an occasional weasel in northern Missouri, like others in more out their range weasels are northern latitudes or higher altitudes, has an all white winter more numerous when mice, their major food, are plentiful and coat except for the tail tip which remains black. A weasel in less abundant when mice are scarce. the white phase is known as ermine. Each of the two annual molts takes 3 to 4 weeks for completion. The fall molt starts Habitat and home. Weasels live in a variety of habi­ on the belly and works upward while the spring molt begins tats but prefer woodlands, thickets, and brushy fencerows near on the back and grades downward. Those individuals which (Continued on following page) Page 15 available drinking water. Their home is a shallow burrow, egg is removed at a time and carried in the mouth to some usually the former abode of a mole, ground squirrel, or mouse. nearby cover where the weasel bites off the top and licks out Weasels may also live in rock piles or under the roots of trees. the contents. Inside the burrow they construct a nest of mouse and rabbit Weasels are voracious killers and often kill more than fur, grass, and sometimes feathers. A special place near the they can eat. This excessive take usually occurs in the spring entrance may be used for a latrine. Usually a cache of food when the young are being fed and again in the fall. Part of or pile of discarded bones is located within the burrow. Weasels the surplus kill in fall may be stored in the den or in the have only one home but often visit other holes or crevices for ground but even a great deal of this spoils without being eaten. food or out of curiosity. In captivity young animals eat from V4 to Vi of their body Habits. These mammals are very suspicious and in­ weight in 24 hours while adults eat only about 1/5 to ^3 of quisitive and are continually investigating their surroundings. their weight in the same period. In general, more food is They hunt during both day and night but are abroad more at taken in summer than winter. Drinking water is essential night. The home range is about 400 acres but their nightly both in the wild and in captivity. forays usually cover only a portion of this. So persistent are Reproduction. Long-tailed Weasels mate in July and weasels in their searchings that in a single night they may August but the young are not born until the following April actually travel linear distances up to 3% miles and still not go far from the den. Males tend to range farther than females. or May. Because of this long period between mating and birth In spite of their small size, weasels are extremely aggres­ the weasel is considered to have a lengthy pregnancy. How­ sive and fearless and may attack animals larger than themselves. ever, the young actually complete their development in ap­ In stalking, a weasel waves its head from side to side in an proximately 40 days out of the 9 months the female bears effort to detect a scent since it seems to rely more upon its them. The embryos which result from fertilization of the eggs sense of smell than upon its sight. When within pouncing undergo an initial development of 10 days to 2 weeks then distance of a small animal, such as a mouse, the weasel rushes have a dormant period of approximately IVz months during and kills its victim with one swift bite, usually in the head which they remain free in the uterus or womb. Subsequently region. If the mouse struggles, the weasel may embrace it they become implanted in the uterus and resume development with all four feet. When taking large prey, such as a rabbit, only 27 days before birth. The single annual litter may con­ the weasel attacks so quickly that the victim is taken off guard. tain from 1 to 12 young but the average is 6 or 7. The weasel grasps the nearest part, then literally climbs onto At birth the young are blind, toothless, pink, wrinkled, the rabbit maintaining a tight hold with both front and hind and practically naked. As early as two weeks after birth the feet during the ensuing struggle, even though the contestants sexes can be distinguished by the external sex organs and may roll over and over. While still clinging to its prey, the by the larger body size of the males. By 3 weeks of age the weasel maneuvers until it is in a position to inflict a fatal bite. little weasels are furred and at 4 weeks their teeth begin to So rapidly does the weasel bite the back of the neck or the appear. About 5 weeks after birth the eyes open and the fe­ jugular vein that the action can hardly be followed. But in spite male starts to wean the young at this time. After weaning, of the weasel's tenacity, the larger animal frequently dislodges the young leave the nest and become independent of the its attacker and escapes. mother. Sometimes the male assists in caring for the little Weasels normally bound or lope along with the back ones. arched and the tail extended straight out or slightly raised. When 7 weeks old males are larger than their mothers. Less often do they run or walk. Weasels swim well and climb Weasels 10 to 11 weeks of age have their permanent teeth. trees easily. Their agility and speed enable them to follow Young males do not mate their first summer although females their prey over all sorts of terrain regardless of obstacles and become sexually mature and mate when 3 to 4 months old. their small girth (about 1% inches in diameter) permits them to pass through tiny knotholes, crevices, and tunnels in hunt­ Mortality factors. In spite of their ferocity, weasels are ing or in pursuing victims. the victims of many predators, principally because of their Weasels are active all year and show no more tendency small size. The most common predators are foxes, coyotes, to "hole up" during winter than at any other time. On occa­ house cats, hawks, owls, snakes, and men. Fleas, ticks, round­ sion they may stay in their dens for 24 to 48 hours regard­ worms and flatworms are the most frequent parasites. Weasels less of weather conditions. Weasels are mostly solitary but are very nervous and in captivity sometimes die of excitement. sometimes two individuals may frolic together. Importance and management. Weasel fur is soft and Foods. Long-tailed Weasels eat animal foods entirely durable and the skin tough. Between 1940 and 1950, the preferring their prey alive and quivering. The only carrion average annual harvest in Missouri was 956 weasels which consumed consists of victims they have stored in their burrows. brought an average of $.62 each and a total annual income As long as rodents are available, they are eaten almost ex­ to trappers of $620. White pelts or ermine fur bring higher clusively. The major food items are mice, rats, squirrels, chip­ prices than brown pelts and are used in making expensive munks, shrews, moles, and rabbits. On occasion small birds, fur coats and in trimming elegant cloth wearing apparel. bird eggs, reptiles, amphibia, earthworms, and some insects The total take by man is doubtless larger than the harvest are eaten. In captivity some vegetable matter is taken along for pelts because many weasels are destroyed by farmers who with a largely fresh meat diet. report them killing poultry. Certain individuals sometimes After a victim is killed, the blood may be licked at the kill poultry but the species as a whole causes little economic wound and sometimes a small amount is sucked from the loss. Weasels are mainly beneficial because they eat large animal. The fur, feathers, and bones of small prey are all numbers of mice and rats and should be encouraged and ap­ consumed along with the flesh but usually only some of the flesh preciated as an integral part of our wildlife scene. It is essen­ is taken from a large animal. When a nest is pilfered, one tial that the regulation of the harvest be continued. Page 16 LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata)

FALL MOLT— COMMON from summer to ANNUAL COAT

12-18 inches

m^p RIGHT FRONT ft^ FOOT—summer RIGHT HIND FOOT—summer ^T, ff RIGHT HIND Motor FOOT—winter dumbbell- Hind foot shaped 114-2 inches

% 4 * inch

: Hard palate^^-^^/ <•'" "*%.... 9<>ted SKULL—top view When wildlife bundles went begging . . . So did wildlife food and cover

For Rent—Wildlife Only Optimistic moments come fairly few and far between for the men whose job it is to look out for wildlife's future. Too often the pattern is toward less and less food and cover for their "wards." But recently came a bright, pencil-ray of hope. This year the Conservation Com­ mission had to hang up a "Sold Out" sign on wildlife bundles—plants designed strictly for wildlife food and cover. Multiflora rose and other plants have been going well for several years but they have other uses beneficial to farmers. But this year, shrub lespedezas, pokeberry roots, food and cover bundles all were sold out. People spent money and used land—just for wildlife! Let's keep it up—for wildlife's sake!

But Consy's "Sold Out" sign means . . . Better days are coming!