JULY 1990 JOHN ASHCROFT, Governor Space Invaders ~

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JULY 1990 JOHN ASHCROFT, Governor Space Invaders ~.. THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION HERE'S A DIRT ROAD in the Ozarks where blackberry JOHN POWELL JAY HENGES bushes grow plump, juicy berries bursting with flavor. They are JERRY P. COMBS ANDY DALTON T easier to pick along a roadside, where chiggers and ticks are scarce, though their thorny brambles still entrap bare arms and legs. It's DIRECTOR hard to pick blackberries unscathed. JERRY J. PRESLEY I noticed something new last blackberry season. Growing along this EDWIN H. GLASER, Deputy Director remote dirt road was crown vetch, a plant I associate with banks along PERSONNEL: Roger E. Ponder state highways where it is planted as a groundcover. During June and FISCAL: Aaron Chapman PLANNING: Dan Dickneite July its pink flowers make an attractive display. ACQUISITION: Ron Thoma But crown vetch, for all its attractiveness, is a space invader. Rather KENNETH M. BABCOCK, Assistant Director than curing erosion, it merely hides it. FISHERIES: James Fry Seeds are spread by animals or, where it grows along a stream, FORESTRY: Gerald E. Ross waterborne to places far removed from its original planting site. The WILDLIFE: Ollie Torgerson NATURAL HISTORY: Jim H. Wilson same reasons that make it attractive for a groundcover—hardiness and lush growth—make it a real threat to the state's native vegetation, which DAVID D. HURLBUT, Assistant Director PROTECTION: Robert King is often crowded out by the prolific, persistent crown vetch. OPERATIONS: Everett Clark Invasions by non-native plants don't make headlines like invasions by ENGINEERING: Don Henson killer bees. That's partly because the changes don't take place overnight. PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Jonathan D. Powers EDUCATION: Don Heard It may be years from now before the crown vetch next to my blackberry bushes successfully overtakes its neighbors. Given time, however, invasive STAFF ASSISTANTS plants can change entire landscapes. INTERNAL AUDITOR: Robbie B. Briscoe The vine kudzu is well known in the southeast U.S. for its rampant GENERAL COUNSEL: Jane A. Smith growth. In wetlands, purple loosestrife crowds out plants beneficial to METRO OFFICES wildlife, and no wonder—one plant produces 300,000 seeds. A northern Jim Pyland Irv Logan Brywood Shopping Center 1221 South state estimates 33,000 acres of its wetlands are infested with purple 8616 E. 63rd Street Brentwood Blvd. loosestrife. In Missouri it is illegal to buy, sell or plant it. Multi-flora Kansas City 64133 St. Louis 63117 rose, introduced in the 1950s as a "living fence" that provided good Jim Schroder 2630 North Mayfair wildlife food and cover, is now a serious pest where it dots farm fields. Springfield 65803 We once believed the benefits to wildlife of some non-native plants justified their introduction. Autumn olive used to be included in wildlife CONSERVATIONIST STAFF KATHY LOVE Editor bundles distributed by the Conservation Department for its nearly JIMAUCKLEY Managing Edito impenetrable wildlife cover. But because it tends to shoulder out other DICKSON STAUFFER Art Editor native plants likewise beneficial to wildlife it has been phased out. DAVE BESENGER Artist KEVIN BINKLEY Composition Other plant species introduced for their agricultural benefits have had JIM RATHERT Photographer an adverse impact on wildlife. Fescue is a cool season grass that is grown PAUL CHILDRESS Photographer JOEL M. VANCE Staff Writer widely for livestock forage. But its dense mats of vegetation make living MAYSHIKLES Circulation Manager conditions impossible for many small species of wildlife, like quail and LEILA KEMPKER Composition prairie chickens. Native warm-season grasses provide forage of equal BERTHA BAINER Composition quality, but without the harm to wildlife populations. The Missouri Department of Conservation receives The Conservation Department provides help for eliminating fescue and federal aid in fish and/or wildlife restoration. Regu­ lations of the U.S. Department of the Interior and converting to warm-season native grasses—the best solution, or for the Missouri Department of Conservation prohibit managing fescue to minimize its adverse impact on wildlife. discrimination on the basis of race, color, national Japanese imports are arguably a threat to U.S. industry, but there's no origin, age, handicap, sex, or religious belief. Any person who believes he or she has been discrim­ argument that Japanese honeysuckle, imported as an ornamental, can be inated against as described above in any program, a very real threat to forest ecosystems. Even though it was formerly consid­ activity or facility managed by the Missouri Depart­ ered of wildlife benefit because deer fed on it, the plant suffocates native ment of Conservation and/orfunded through fede­ ral assistance should write to: Office for Human woodland trees and wildflowers and is now considered a serious pest. Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Depart­ A neighboring state conservation agency has likened the harm from ment of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240; or Director, Missouri Department of Conservation, exotic invaders to the damage caused by pesticides in the 1960s. The P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. threat is slow and insidious; it may be years before we fully recognize the Phone: 314/751-4115 harm. Cost to reverse it is sure to be high. Not all exotic species are aggressive pests, naturally. Many compete on an even footing with native plants and do not spread. But none serve a useful or ecological niche not already occupied by a native species. We have only recently begun to recognize the checks and balances nature provides, and address the problems caused by human tampering. It's not possible or desirable to revert to a landscape unchanged by human hands. But knowledge and caution are needed to prevent wholesale alteration of an ecosystem. My blackberries will probably be around for years. Crown vetch can't easily compete with an established bush. But other roadside plants may not survive this alien invasion. ksl 1VI l_S_SjO_lLJJBt_jI CONSERVATIONIST

Volume 51, Number 7 July 1990

2 Of Beavers and Creeks by Mark Goodwin Beavers are making fishing opportunities in Missouri creeks. 6 The Little World That Time Forgot by Joel M. Vance You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. 10 Global Warming—Is the Sky Really Falling? by Chris Luley Global warming may awaken us to the harm that can befall our planet if resource management is ignored. 14 Just Over the Hill by Ruth Schuller Reeves Missouri's elusive Kingdom of Amarugia now includes a wildlife area. 19 First Aid for Dogs by Bill Turner An aid kit for hunting dogs is a good investment. Part one of two parts.

22 The Healing Power of Herbs by Jim Featherston Can herbal remedies make Old Buck's Hootie a healthy hound? 25 Mapping Missouri Wetlands by Howard W. Browers and Ronald E. Erickson The National Wetland Inventory will help conserve wetlands.

28 Almanac edited by Ruth Schuller Reeves Yellow-billed Loon visits...deer hunt schedule...tree planting awards and more. Page 10 32 Why Missouri Pastures Need SALT by Sarah Fast Local people are solving local soil erosion problems through a program called SALT.

Front Cover: Sunset silhouettes a dickcissel on a water pump recharged by plentiful spring rains. Photo by Jim Grace.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the official monthly publication of the Missouri Department of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, Mo. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents; outside Missouri $5 per year. Notification of address change must include both old and new address (send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 45-day notice. Second Class postage paid at Jefferson City, Mo. and at additional entry offices. Printed by Harmony Printing Company, Liberty, Mo. Separations by ChromaGraphics, Inc., Kansas City, Mo. Copyright © 1989 by the Conserva­ tion Commission of the State of Missouri. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Missouri Department of Con­ Page 22 servation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 314/751-4115. • SfR; .."J:"' -A.1'.. , 1, •• i

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by Mark Goodwin Jackson

. *• h| 1 ARK, ARE YOU sure you know where you're M going?" Craig sounded doubtful as we trudged up the creek over jumbles of slippery rocks. "Positive," I responded. "The farmer said follow the creek for about a mile and we'd find a place where beavers have it dammed. I'm sure we'll find good fishing there." Craig's face reflected his uncer­ tainty, and with reason. The creek we were on was no more than a trickle between holes. We hadn't Beavers form stable seen any water over two feet deep, much less large bass or even decent were looking for. Beavers had built pools capable of panfish. Besides, it was a miserably a 60-foot dam of sticks, rocks and hot day—not the best for exploring mud just as the farmer had stated. supporting a variety creeks for fishing holes. But I had a The creek was backed up for three- of fish. good feeling about what might be hundred yards, and small, beaver- ahead. felled trees drooped in the water "Look there," I said offering along both banks. enthusiasm to my dubious fishing An open ridge with mature, buddy. "An old beaver stick. It had broad-leafed timber met the creek to have washed down from above. on the left side, and flatland with a We've got to be getting close to the thick tangle of vegetation bordered dam." on the right. The ridge trees gave I quickened the pace. the entire beaver pool shade, and The creek forked and made a the water was about four-feet deep turn. Around the turn was what we and clear.

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Craig Logan I passed the bait bucket of cray­ up in some brush the fish tired and Craig had caught and released fish I'd been carrying to my friend, was brought to hand. every species of black bass—small­ who had his mind on bass, then I grinned as I made my cast. Two mouth, largemouth and spotted— began tying up with a small, big green sunfish raced for my jig as including seven keepers with the rubber-skirted jig for panfish. it slipped past some exposed roots, but biggest a 17-inch largemouth. And Craig's first cast placed the cray­ a 10-inch spotted bass darted out of a we didn't even count the undersized fish about 10 feet from an unsuspect­ patch of shade and beat them to it. bass we both tangled with. Beavers ing smallmouth with a gentle "plop." My ultralight rod pulsed and strained had, indeed, provided a fishing The bass turned and immediately under the fighting efforts of the fish. bonanza. charged, engulfing the crayfish We walked away from the beaver For several years now I've enjoyed greedily as two smaller bass rushed dam that day with two stringers similar fishing along many beaver- in. Craig set the hook hard and let with the biggest of the green and impounded stretches of small creeks out a yell as the pound-and-a-half longear sunfish, goggle-eye, and in Missouri. In such waters I often smallie broke water. After a few warmouth I'd caught. I even caught catch not only fish of good propor­ drag-pulling runs and a tense hang­ two bullheads on jigs. tions, but an unusual variety of

July 1990 3 species for small creek environments, they support headwater fish in Beaver ponds hold keeper-size too. The explanation for this kind small numbers as well. largemouth bass. of action is interesting. These relationships explain why The deeper water made by the en­ so many different fish species are gineering efforts of beavers support found in beaver-dammed portions algae and other plants. These aqua­ bigger fish, but understanding why of small creeks. In essence, beavers tic microbes provide a large food beaver-impounded sections of creeks form large, stable pools in head­ base, ultimately passing energy on support so many different types of water sections capable of support­ to game fish in the form of fat min­ fish involves a less obvious answer, ing the variety of fish found down­ nows and healthy crayfish. Fisheries one that requires a fair knowledge stream. And, unwittingly, beavers biologists would be hard-pressed to of stream fish distribution. even do more to bolster the ability outdo beavers at improving head­ Most creek fishermen learn from of their homes to support a variety water fishing opportunities. experience that certain kinds of fish of gamefish in chunky proportions. are likely to be found in certain To obtain materials for dam con­ hough beavers are masters at kinds of creek habitat. For example, struction and tender bark for food, T converting small stretches of clear, gravel-bottomed headwaters beavers cut trees surrounding their streams into fishing havens, certainly are prime living quarters for small­ home. They eat the bark of most this ability was of little concern to mouth bass and goggle-eye. As trees, and being opportunists they the struggling settlers of this coun­ water is added downstream, flow typically cut down those trees clos­ try. To most early colonists, beavers slows, waters may muddy, and est to their customized creek sec­ were valued for one reason—their conditions become more favorable tions. Most trees growing along hide. for largemouth bass, crappie and creeks lean slightly toward the Prior to the Civil War beavers channel catfish. water, so when they fall they land were still abundant throughout Mis­ What most anglers don't realize, in the creek. This suits beavers be­ souri, but as with much of Missouri's however, is that headwater species cause they prefer to eat in water, and wildlife, beaver populations were in such as smallmouth bass are typi­ it makes floating materials for their trouble by the turn of the century. cally still found in most lower dam construction. Fish like it, too, Unlimited trapping and the encroach­ stream sections. It is not their pre­ for beavers leave most of what they ment of civilization exterminated ferred habitat, and they're not as cut intact, providing superb cover. beavers in eastern and southern common, but they are still there, A less obvious benefit to fish pro­ Missouri by the 1890s. By 1900 only something I learned while doing vided by beavers involves stream pro- a few colonies remained along the Missouri River. In an effort to re-establish beavers in southern Missouri, six pairs were >jSr*&~ • purchased from a northern state and released in 1928 and 1929. Most beavers living in southern Missouri are presumably descended from that original stocking. =5S!!^* ^^^t^^ From 1939 until 1955 beavers were continuously trapped statewide : :"*. ^/c^* c J A W3 from areas of high populations and J^^^^Jj*,-^;-.. ,, ., .# ^M released in desirable locations, result­ ing in the re-establishment of this species to healthy numbers through­ out Missouri. Trappers—and ^M W ^T^^S stream fishermen—can be thankful. % I make serious efforts every sum- o mer to find new whereabouts of O w. | these industrious, flat-tailed rodents. 1 3 With vigorous populations of beavers statewide the job is easy. I simply graduate studies concerning the ductivity. Aside from eating bark, study county maps to locate creeks distribution of Ozark stream fish. beavers consume a fair amount of that cross roads in fairly remote Research consistently revealed nonwoody vegetation. Water willows, areas, seek fishing permission, and changes in fish distribution on pond lilies, arrowhead and even then go exploring. Most landowners streams result from the addition of corn are all eagerly gathered and are happy to give sincere anglers the species downstream, not replace- consumed in the creek. Leftovers right to fish, and most know what ment of headwater species. The rapidly decay, releasing nutrients, creeks support beaver colonies. larger pools of lower creek sections Beaver droppings release quanti- Once I've found a good stretch of not only support fish typically asso- ties of nutrients, too, fertilizing the beaver-dammed water, and if I'm ciated with lower stream regions, water and stimulating the growth of fishing by myself, I'll use a two-way

4 Missouri Conservationist "•PKIMIP"

approach that almost always pro­ most of the holes along the larger Yanking in bullheads accom­ duces. First I'll pick on the panfish. streams I fish have been worked panied by the hoots and hollers of a They're the most abundant and the hard. Such waters are a well-known couple of youngsters is a great way ones I will string for eating. Casting resource. Not so for the smaller to spend an evening outdoors. small jigs or spinners to beaver- creeks cradling beavers. Most are (Watching a kid jump the first time downed trees while wading the mere trickles at road crossings, and they hear a beaver slap his tail on creek center almost always produces. the majority of anglers looking for the water is fun, too.) While hooking panfish I keep my a place to fish see the lack of water, Beavers—once a cornerstone of eyes prowling for good bass to catch turn up their noses and drive on, American commerce during the and release for fun later. They leaving good fishing behind—and colonial period—were relentlessly usually spook while I wade and fish privacy, too. pursued for their hide and were for their broad-sided cousins, but it Certainly bass rank high on the brought to the brink of extinction makes little difference. Bass are list of species pursued by stream in many areas of North America. It territorial; they'll be back where I fishermen, yet there is another happened in Missouri. But sound spooked them in a few minutes. sporty fish, often disregarded, that management during this century After catching the panfish I need, thrives in beaver-worked creeks— has restored beavers to healthy I'll get out of the water and give the bullhead catfish. numbers. Trappers still value them bass a little time to cool down, then Bullheads are common in small for their fur, but as with all wildlife I'll go for them. I'm no purist here— creeks, and in beaver-ponded areas the value of beavers is broad-based. my favorite way to tangle with they can breed to unbelievable As managers of creek fisheries, small-creek bass is to locate them numbers. You don't hook up with beavers are unexcelled, producing a from the bank and cast live crayfish them much during the day, but as variety of fishing opportunities for to them. I won't make the pro soon as the sun retires they emerge the angler who appreciates the circuits that way, but I do have fun. from cover in force, providing non­ thrills of fishing smaller running The bass in beaver-dammed creek stop tight-lining fun, fun that's best waters. And their work is out sections are a special treat in both enjoyed with a child or two around there—often overlooked—waiting numbers and size. By midsummer the age of ten. to be enjoyed. A

July 1990 5 THE LITTLE WORLD THAT TIME FORGOT

by Joel M. Vance Mitch Jayne is a storyteller, whether he is on stage with Conservationist Staff the Dillards bluegrass band, writing a book or just listening to hounds bawl in the night.

Missouri Conservationist HE OZARK HILLS are from his Hickory Holler days on after coonhounds, but found the vibrant with exploding Salem radio station KSMO. It was a cure almost as bad as the ailment. T redbud. Sudden warm convincing summary of the day's "I bought a jumping mule, Old spring temperatures have brought a market on Ozark Hoo Boy White Banjo," Jayne says. "I rode him for haze to these worn old mountains. Dot Crush Proof Dry Valley Wonder miles and miles, but he got to Mitch Jayne is doing what he ticks, and on Ozark snakes: "Staggy throwing me off and dragging me likes to do best. Tell stories. Some­ old copperheads are bringing..." down roads, so I ended up with where out back of the house is a KSMO is progressive and as liter­ about as may bumps and bruises as flock of wild turkeys, each with a ate as any radio station—but not if I hadn't had him." nickname. Chances are that when when Jayne was creating auditory He raised a variety of wildlife— no one else is around, when his mayhem. The time tone signal was raccoons, birds, an owl named J. wife, Smitty, is in Columbia at the a gargled barred owl call. Edgar Hooter and even a couple of University of Missouri where she is Nothing like Hickory Holler had coyotes. "They all were free to come working on an advanced degree, been heard before in the Ozarks and and go," he says. He enjoys watch­ Mitch Jayne is telling stories to the nothing has since. A commercial ing the flock of turkeys that comes turkeys. pilot wrote Jayne to say he had been into the field behind the house and Somewhere out there also is diverted over Salem by a thunder­ knows them all. "I like the jakes Hickory Holler. Like Garrison storm and had tuned the show in. best," he says. "They're awkward Keillor's Lake Wobegon, it's never After that, he said, he regularly flew and gawky and all legs and with quite where you think it should be, the altered route and broadcast pimples for all I know." but it is where it ought to be—in Hickory Holler over the intercom to Probably reminds him of the your mind. let the passengers know what kind young Dillards just before lightning Mitch Jayne is a storyteller, of country they were flying over. struck. whether he is on stage with the Dillards bluegrass band, writing about a drunk old Indian out of his time...or sitting around a campfire in the Ozark hills listening to hounds bawl in the night. Jayne is the son of a Kahoka law­ yer. "I actually was born in Indiana, but we were only there two weeks, long enough for my mother to have me, then we moved on to Missouri." Jayne says he ran away from home nine times before he was 13, each time to the woods, each time with more equipment and experience. He discovered the Ozarks through his first wife, whom he met at the University of Missouri. After three years of school, he moved south with her to Dent County and began teach­ ing in the one-room Cross School, near Lecoma, about 20 miles from Salem. "I had to Jeep into the school—there wasn't any road," he Jayne and his wife Smitty live in Columbia. says. A relic of those days in the early Jayne raised hounds for years and Rodney and Doug Dillard and 1950s is "The Standard Mitch Sense still enjoys sitting around a camp- Dean Webb were Dent County na­ of Humor Test" for grades 4-6. fire and listening to fox hounds run tives and they fell in with Jayne and "Lots of people think they have wit the hills. Probably also listening to spent much time entertaining the and are about half-right," says the the hounds somewhere in the dark turkeys and deer with bluegrass introduction. Among the questions is Dooley, hero of a Dillard song: music on Jayne's back porch. Folk is this one: "Name three things "Dooley, slippin' up a holler/Dooley, singer Pete Seeger once character­ sillier than the metric system." tryin' to make a dollar." Dooley is a ized bluegrass as "folk music in Obviously the Jayne feeling for moonshiner, a traditional Ozark vo­ overdrive." the absurd was begining to per­ cation, not entirely eradicated today. The Dillards dreamed of Nashville, colate. Hound music is something Jayne along with every kid, clutching a Now legendary is Jayne's "Tick still enjoys. He tired of being tired guitar or banjo, who'd been told he and Snake Market Report," a skit from stumbling through the night was really good. The Dillards really

July 1990 7 nothing except themselves. Later, he found the blade of a kitchen knife and had it re-handled. Everything else was gone. "When the house burned, that was the end of an era. My books weren't selling, my house was gone. All the family heirlooms, the family records, everything that had ever been valuable. All of a sudden you're buck naked in the woods. I was ready to die and proceeded to do it as quick as I could. Smitty wasn't." Jayne went into a six-year emo­ tional tailspin ("I dived into the bot­ tle and didn't come out for a long time") that ended a couple of years back when a combination of Smitty's unrelenting support and profes­ sional help pulled him out of it. Life today is on a different level than the frenetic pace of the 1960s. Jayne is in his 60s. He's survived two decades of being successful and being burned by it, both literally and figuratively. But, fate has a way The Dillards became the Darlings on Andy Griffith's television show. Front of proving the truth of the adage, row, I to r, is Doug Dillard, Margaret Ann (Maggie) Peterson, Griffith and "what goes 'round comes 'round." Denver Pyle. Back row is Mitch Jayne (left), Rodney Dillard and Dean Webb. The Dillards once again are re­ united, and have been selling out were good, but good is not enough. The Dillards barely touched everywhere they take their high- "I knew Nashville would eat them ground in Los Angeles when a powered act (including a 1989 tour alive," Jayne says. "They needed talent scout for the Andy Griffith of the British Isles). someone to take care of them." television show heard them and told The resurrection of The Dillards Jayne is almost a decade older Griffith he thought the kids from started when Denver Pyle, who than the oldest Dillard (he was 36 Salem might fit well in Mayberry. played the "boys" father on the when they started: the rest ranged So, they became the Darlings. Griffith show, was doing a Nash­ from 26 to 19). A tailgunner veteran In between stints on the television ville television show and asked of the fighter-bombers that flew off show, they toured with musical tal­ them to help him out. The reunion aircraft carriers in World War Two ent as diverse as the Byrds and Elton worked and the band tried its new (one of the most dangerous assign­ John. Bluegrass and Elton John? wings in Columbia, then went to ments of the war), he decided he For a couple of years in the 1960s, the West Coast, where it all began. wasn't ready to settle down in the the Dillards were the hottest blue- They were sold out at every show. old hills yet, so he talked the band grass band in the country. Then they Before they knew it, they were into heading for California. fragmented. Jayne came home to booked for an England/Ireland There was no doubt he would be the hills and built his dream home tour, also sold out. the band's spokesman and on-stage with the money from a moderately Will it last? "I've had about all voice, but he became the official successful and wonderful book, Old the fun I can stand in motel rooms bass player on the four-day auto Fish Hawk. The house nestled and traveling all over the country," trip. "I laid in the back seat with against the Mark Twain National Jayne says. "I'm too old. And I fig­ the bass propped up between the Forest and no man could want more. ure I've about used up my chances seats and learned it. I mean, there's Jayne split every one of the 10,000 in airplanes—started out riding only four strings. How many shingles on his home. It was more around with hot rod jockeys flying mistakes can you make." than a home; it was a monument, a off aircraft carriers around Cape Jayne deprecates his bass play­ museum for two decades of show Fear. Appropriately named." ing—he is hard of hearing and says business. It was his life. And it Maybe there will be more novels. one band member is his designated burned down one winter night in There are several that are unpub­ ear. "He leans over and tells me to 1981 when a spark caught those lished. One long piece about the play in the Key of B when that's hand-hewn shingles. Elton John trip simply vanished. what the band is playing in and I "I couldn't believe how fast it Old Fish Hawk is Jayne's literary happen to be playing in C." went," he says. He and Smitty saved legacy to date. It's the story of a

8 Missouri Conservationist drunken old Osage Indian around the turn of the century in a town in the Ozarks who ultimately redeems himself by tracking down a 400- pound Russian boar, by using woods skills almost forgotten. The hardcover, published in 1970, sold fairly well, the softcover bet- tter—but best money came from movie rights. The late Will Samson, an Indian, played Fish Hawk in the charming film which wasn't widely seen, but which is available on video cassette.

Mitch Jayne began radio broadcasting in 1955. He says his first serious stumbling block to straight news broadcasting occurred when he announced that ailing President Eisenhower 'had passed a 'milestone during the night. His now famous radio show "Hickory Holler Time" was launched over radio station KSMO, Salem. Broadcast from the "tastefully decorated, glassed-in, air-conditioned, Jayne carves scenes on hunting wall-to-wall carpeted, 100 percent batproof studio located horns, used by hound men to call on the second dead limb up oh the white oak tree," it was their dogs. a satirical but good-natured look at Ozark life. Weekly market reports on ticks and snakes, sponsored by "I always knew I was going to be Hoo-Boy Tick Farms and Mother Mitch's Tick Kitchens a writer," Jayne says. He is a word- (largest tick research laboratories in the country), replaced smith, even with the spoken word. the usual Deny Brownfield fare of feeder calves and pork About the reunion of the Dillards, bellies. "We were all spread out like a coon Listeners learned, for instance, that fat tick prices were hide..." A Jayne simile that is near- climbing, but tick futures were selling short "and when legendary: "As slick as deer guts on ticks goto the shorts, there's bound to be problems. Market a doorknob." But writing is only prices for dressed ticks remain high." How were the ticks part of this multi-talented man. He dressed? "Dressed ticks were wearing little rhinestone paints and carves exquisite hunting Porter Waggoner suits, all glimmerin' and shimmerind" scenes on hunting horns, used by While keeping track of varmint values, listeners could hound men to call their dogs. hum the Hoo-Boy theme song: And he works with the disabled, a "// you live in the country, every bug is your neighbor, job that Smitty started and he took over so she could go back to school On this one thing we can agree. to get, first, a degree, then a Mas­ Oh, they'll all come to greet you and they'll all come to ter's. It is a devotion annealed in eat you, fire. Smitty stuck by Jayne when he So you all come to Hoo-Boy when you buy—ticks, that is. needed her; now he works to give Remember—if you don't say "Hoo-Boy," then you her a treasured goal. haven't got a tick. Now that all the mistakes are over Hoo-Boy Tick Farms and Mother Mitch's Tick Kitchens and the wounds healed, the scabs were the home of the genetically engineered tick—the picked away, the man is back in the Hoo-Boy Hard-Back White Dot Crush-Proof Dry Valley hills with the turkeys in the back Wonders, as well as the black snake Thanksgiving din­ yard. You look for a way to sum it ner —the Hoo-Boy Blacksnake Pilgrim's Pop-Up Delight. all up and, trite as it seems, you have to fall back on the old saw, "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the coun­ try out of the boy." A

July 1990 9 GLOBAL WARMING Is The Sky Really Falling?

S l lllt'\ Forest I'nth HE GREENHOUSE More heat trapping gasses means information and technology avail­ effect, global warming, more heat being trapped, which able to predict what is happening to T global climatic change, means increased warming of the •the earth's climate and what may melting of polar ice caps, drought, earth or global warming, or so the happen in the future if current famine . . . help! Is the sky really theory goes. trends in air pollution continue. falling? Well, to tell you the truth, Note this is a theory, and an old Many scientists argue convinc­ it may very well be. But then again one at that. Predictions about ingly that the information used to it may not be nearly as bad as some possible global warming due to develop the models and to make the predictions suggest. increased amounts of greenhouse predictions is just not good enough Since most of us (myself included) gasses have been around since the to accurately assess what is going to are not global climatologists or late 1800s. happen with global climate. There atmospheric chemists it can be diffi­ This is also where things get are also many aspects of global cult to know what to believe. And sticky and the controversy begins warming that the scientific com­ more importantly what to do, if any­ about global warming. Some scien­ munity admits they do not under­ thing, about such a complicated tists believe that this theory is real­ stand or have not adequately and potentially important problem ity already and accumulation of studied. For example, the role of the as global warming. greenhouse gasses has caused our cli­ oceans in heat storage and release, In Missouri, as elsewhere, we are mate to warm a small, but measur­ how carbon is cycled through the producing the greenhouse gasses able amount. Other scientists believe environment, the potential contri­ that contribute to global warming. that our climate has not warmed, or bution of methane (another green­ We are also, however, growing trees at least we do not have enough evi­ house gas) to global warming, and in forests and cities that help buffer dence to say for sure that a warming the impact of sulfur-containing the problem. has occurred. compounds from air pollution on reflecting incoming solar radiation. Keeping things in perspective is Few would argue that we have important, particularly when the polluted and continue to pollute "end of the world" is being pre­ the air with large amounts of green­ dicted. But first, it will be necessary house gasses. Scientists have docu­ to cover a few of the basics about mented changes in the composition the greenhouse effect. of our air, particularly in the The "greenhouse effect" is actu­ amounts of carbon dioxide. Carbon ally beneficial because it is what dioxide, which comes mainly from keeps the earth's climate habitable. the burning of fossil fuels (coal, gas, By trapping some of the sun's heat oil), is one of the main contributors being radiated from the earths's sur­ to the greenhouse effect. face the greenhouse effect keeps the Other air pollutants are also con­ earth's temperature livable, which is tributing to the greenhouse effect. an average of approximately 60 F. Some of these pollutants are increas­ Without the greenhouse effect the ing faster and can trap more heat oceans would freeze and even polar than carbon dioxide. bears wouldn't want to live here. Determining the effect of this Anyone sitting in a car on a increase in greenhouse gasses on sunny day with the windows up is our climate has been attempted intimately familiar with the green­ with the use of predictive computer house effect. The sun's rays pass models. The best models, or the through the window and warm the models which most experts in the The planting of oxygen-producing interior of the car. As the heat field find acceptable, predict a two trees can buffer greenhouse effects. generated by the sun attempts to to five degrees Farenheit increase in For trees to have a global impact, v escape, some of it is trapped and global temperatures in the next 50 though, would require the planting retained by the windows. to 100 years. These predictions.have of huge numbers of them. This quickly warms the inside of been so widely repeated recently that they have taken on the aura of the vehicle. The warmth feels great What are the odds that global reliability. on a cold winter day, but on a warming will actually happen, and sweltering July afternoon it makes Other models predict both more how high will the odds have to you quickly reach for the air condi­ and less dramatic changes in our become before we actually take tioner or the window handle. climate. There is also good evidence action to prevent it? Developing In our atmosphere, the windows that our climate has changed very theories and studies may soon show of the car are replaced by a number little, and some scientists even have us how high those odds are. One of heat trapping gasses—sometimes evidence that indicates our climate current line of thinking is to use referred to as greenhouse gasses. may be actually cooling. "tie-in" strategies, regardless of the The increase of greenhouse gasses Which model or theory is right? odds, that will benefit the environ­ due to air pollution is the crux of In reality no one knows. The models ment event if the greenhouse effect the concern about global warming. are simply an attempt using the best isn't a factor in the future.

July 1990 11 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO POLLUTION Much of Missouri's power is produced by coal-burning plants. Each time we use an electrical appliance we draw on those plants and put carbon dioxide into the atmos­ phere. Reducing our use of fossil fuels would reduce the greenhouse effect. Electrical Pounds of Carbon Dioxide Appliances Added to Atmosphe re* Color Television per hour .64 Steam Iron per hour .85 Vacuum Cleaner per hour 1.70 Air Conditioner, room per hour Toaster Oven per hour 1 Ceiling Fan per day Refrigerator, frostless per day 12.8 0 Waterbed Heater per day 2 4.00 with thermostat per day <• I'/. Clothes Dryer per load 10.0 0 Dishwasher per load Toaster per use .12 Microwave Oven per 5-min use .25 Coffeemaker per brew .50

-March 1990 issue of National Wildlift

illiterately COB* lthough many questions Tropical deforestation is often sting and inhaling the contents A remain, scientists believe we cited as contributing to global taf. Do no! puncture, in­ have altered our atmosphere suffi­ warming. The deforestation has ciently that long term changes in occurred mostly by cutting and cinerate, use near heat or store 8 9 our climate may occur. The real burning, which releases large ve 12G F (49 C). Will not question is not how to further amounts of carbon dioxide into the operate below 20°F. (-7°C). Do not quantify the information—though atmosphere. Destroying the forest 0¥8 valve from unit until can is specialists will continue their also destroys the recycling that empty. Contains a chlorofluorocar- analyses—but how society needs to occurs when trees absorb carbon to that may harm the public health change to reduce the pollution dioxide, release oxygen, and slowly and environment by reducing ozone affecting our planet. release the remaining carbon in the upper atmosphere. A simple example often used is through natural decomposition. the reduction of our use and Many campaigns have focused on dependency on fossil fuels. Fossil planting trees as an effort to offset fuel burning pours carbon dioxide the removal of trees in the tropics. and other pollutants into the atmos­ Although trees produce many bene­ Someday product pricing will phere. Reducing our use of fossil fits in our environment, the number reflect increased costs to the fuels will not only impact the green­ of trees that need to be planted to environment. house effect but will reduce air pol­ have an impact on global warming lution and conserve these resources. is too large to consider this a plaus-

12 Missouri Conservationist ible strategy. One report indicated that an area two-thirds the size of the United States would have to be planted just to maintain current levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In Missouri, the total acreage of forest cover has increased in recent history. A forest inventory and analysis conducted by the Conserva­ tion Department and the Forest Service showed the total forested land went from about 12.4 million acres in 1972 to about 13.4 million acres in 1988. This is an encour­ aging trend. In urban areas where trees can have a direct impact on our energy usage, another survey conducted by the Conservation Department found a large need for tree planting. For every tree in place along urban and suburban streets, there are more than two empty spaces where trees could be planted. Planting trees is not the answer to the global warm­ ing, but wise use of our forests and trees in our cities will benefit the environment in the long run. What else can we as individuals do to combat the potential problem presented? A good place to look may be in our own backyards. Our consumptive ways contribute a integrity of our wetlands, streams, greater per person amount to green­ forests and other fragile ecosystems house gasses and other pollutants to at home are just a few examples of the environment than any other positive actions to maintain our nation in the world. environment. To really demonstrate our con­ Many of the strategies to decrease cern for global warming and the global warming will probably cost environment in general will mean a us money. Cost to the environment significant change in our attitudes is not included in product pricing, about the way we live, our consump­ but as citizens put pressure on tive life styles and how our actions government to further regulate now will affect the environment for intangibles like safe disposal, emis­ a long time. We can protest the cut­ sions and other pitfalls of the ting of the tropical rain forests or manufacturing process, product plant the symbolic tree in our back­ pricing will reflect increased costs. yard to combat global warming, but The price of protecting our envi­ possibly the biggest individual con­ ronment will not be cheap. tribution we can make is to reassess Population growth is also a fac­ how our lifestyle is contributing to tor. The world's growing popula­ the environmental problems we tion, coupled with its increased face. consumption, is putting a strain on Many efforts to slow the impact our environment. Even renewable that we are having on the environ­ resources cannot respond indefin- ment are already gaining momen­ etely to burgeoning demands. Wise use of our forests and trees in tum. Grass roots recycling, conserv­ There is a positive side to cries cities will benefit the environment ing all forms of energy we use in that the sky is falling: predictions of in the long run (top,). Grassroots our everyday life, concern over the global warming awaken us to the efforts to maintain our environment effect of pesticides on our environ­ harm that can befall our planet if re­ can start with the simple act of ment and efforts to maintain the source management is neglected. A planting a tree.

July 1990 13 JUST OVER "X THE HILL

by Ruth Schuller Reeves Conservationist Staff

ESTLED IN Amarugia, in the dis­ THE HILLS tant hills. Driving N of western Mis­ over the next ridge souri is an intriguing yields frustration and 1,000-acre Conservation directions to continue Department hunting, over yet another ridge. hiking and fishing area It's not the lush south­ known to local folks ern Cass County land as Amarugia (Am-er- that causes folks to oo-gee). Legends and deny their Amarugian folklore grow as thick residency. as the oaks in the roll­ "The land is really ing hills, and are as mysterious as quite ordinary," said historian Donald the boundaries that separate the hill Lewis Osborn. "But for some reason people of Amarugia and their neigh­ there have always been stories about bors, the prairie people. the area. Most of them have to do "The thing is, no one would ad­ with the Kingdom of Amarugia." mit to being from Amarugia," said Osborn knows as much about the Doug Archer, a 21-year resident of Kingdom of Amarugia as anyone. Archie, who serves as both fire chief Although he now lives in Lee's and police chief of the town. "It's Summit, the accountant grew up in always just over the next ridge." Amarugia. He is a lover of history 'Archie is near, but not in, and has spent long hours recording Amarugia. With a wave of his hand the illustrious past of his homeland. and a chuckle, Archer points to In 1972 his collection of tales was published in the booklet, Tales of the Amarugia Highlands. Basy Owens, the story goes, wan­ dered over from Big Sandy, Ken­ tucky, liked what he saw and set up a fur trading post on Qwens Creek in 1830. One man can make a differ­ ence, and the impact of the Hudson Bay Company agent went far beyond lending his name to a creek. The local newspaper, the Cass

Historian Donald Lewis Osborn with David Wilson's headstone. The stone notes Wilson was the King of Amarugia, 1895 to 1913. Amarugia is always said to be just over these hills (right,).

14 Missouri Conservationist July 1990 15 right and justice be secured, some form of government soon became necessary. A council was accord­ ingly convened, and the form of government adopted was that of an absolute monarchy, at the head of which was placed Owens himself." Provincial living was not new to the Kentuckian whose home state The Amarugia Wildlife Area's 55- was ruled by "county kingdoms." acre lake opens to fishing in 1991. The mini-monarchies were rife with The area has hunting (left) on over nepotism, as was Amarugia. When 1,000 acres of land. illness sent Owens to an early grave,

16 Missouri Conservationist Justice was delivered every Saturday morning in Amarugia. The king served as both judge and jury and fines rarely exceeded a few pumpkins, a gallon or two of good cider or a few twists of tobacco. The kingdom fizzled into obscur­ ity in the early twentieth century, but the stories thrived, and grew into legends and folklore. Many of the stories sprang from conflicts between the robust-living hill people and their farmer counter­ parts, the prairie people. The flat- land folks resented sharing their homeland with the rowdy hill people, and began to shift Amarugian boundaries "over the next ridge," so as to exclude them. Amarugia's royal surveyor The lake includes a fishing pier for recorded official boundaries for disabled anglers. king Basy Owens as: "northward as far as the South Fork of the Grand The name itself is a mystery. River. The southern boundary Could Amarugia have been dubbed being limited by the commence­ for the red love (amour rouge) of a ment of the vast prairie lands of romantic Frenchman? Perhaps the Everett Territory. Eastward as far as word is rooted in Greek, meaning the confluences of the South and immortal. Speculation has wan­ Middle forks of Grand River. West­ dered many directions. Some say it ward to the plains of Brosley." is most likely a Sioux Indian word According to the royal records, from the days when Indians domi­ the town of Everett is part of the nated the area. official enclave, but the town's The unknown adds to a sense of current residents claim otherwise. anticipation when driving through "Yes, I've heard of Amarugia," Amarugia. Cresting each ridge said one young Everettite, pointing brings hope of spying a band of off in the distance. "It's over in rowdy outlaws or royal subjects, but those hills. My girlfriend lives there none appear. and she said there are witches and The land of legends now has kings and she's afraid at night." added attractions: a lake, wildlife Although locals are confused as area and prairie maintained by the to where Amarugia begins and Conservation Department. Drop­ ends, they are sure that there is ping a line in the new 55-acre lake some truth in the word-of-mouth may produce a supper of catfish, legends they have inherited. bass, bluegill or redear sunfish The stories vary as often as the elu­ when the lake opens to anglers next sive boundaries, except for the old­ year. Hunters also have a sporting est that says Ponce de Leon cruised chance in the 1,000-acre area. Owens II, a descendent, was up for a visit during the winter of Handicapped accessible facilities crowned. 1513. Amarugians say the Spanish allow all to enjoy Amarugia. A succession of kings followed, explorer wintered in Missouri after Large, wooden signs define the but not all were princely characters, reaching Florida in his search for elusive boundaries and point one as the Democrat reports: the fountain of youth. Historians direction to the Department's "David Wilson, Cromwell-like, say he opted for the Bahamas. Many Amarugia Highlands, seven miles declared himself king and ruled have dug for the treasure he is said northwest of Archie on Highway supreme and unmolested for years. to have buried in the shallow hills. W. But the mystery lingers. He finally got into serious difficulty Jesse James and Cole Younger "Oh, I've been over to that lake," with some of his female subjects escaped to the hills during the said Thelma Christiansen, self- and came near being beheaded by border wars between Kansas and proclaimed local historian. "It's not the male population. He gave up Missouri, and some say, even traded really in Amarugia. Amarugia is a the crown and left." horses there. ways over, just over those hills." A

July 1990 17 MISSOURI'S OUTDOOR NOTEBOOK

\

If' FIRST AID FOR DOGS

by Clark Fobian, D.V.M., Sedalia Bill Turner Streams Program Coordinator

Part One of Two Parts

UR PHEASANT HUNT enjoy is not too strenuous for your We have discussed the basics of was over and as we drove dog. Three key factors are impor­ preparing our dogs for the field. O home I reflected on the tant in this conditioning process: Now let's talk about first aid when day. My first thoughts were of the nutrition, exercise and acclimating an accident does happen. The most afternoon hunt and the sight of our the dog to the outdoors. common situations requiring first retrievers working pheasants in an Most of us know nutrition and aid are cuts and punctures, fractures alfalfa field. There was a bite in the exercise play an important role in and joint injuries, snake bites, eye sharp November air that day. our health. So too with our dogs. If injuries, hypoglycemia, frostbite As I remembered our bird hunt, I we allow them to become over­ and heat stroke. Also requiring treat­ was reminded of how close we had weight from lack of exercise, or in ment is the shock which occurs as a come to not hunting at all. Shortly poor condition from eating a result of these situations. after the hunt began my retriever deficient diet, problems will arise emerged from a ravine unable to when they are put under the strain SHOCK walk on one front leg. This proved of vigorous outdoor exercise. Care­ We have all heard the word shock to be a simple muscle strain but ful attention to the ingredients used in news accounts referring to required the correct action to listed on the label of your dog food accident victims. In medical terms a prevent further injury. package, and limiting the use of body in shock is one that has lost Whether it is your hunting dog or fatty table scraps, are good preven­ the ability to supply itself with oxy­ your family pet on a camping trip, tive measures. Of course, exercising gen and nutrients. Simply put, the the injury of active outdoor dogs is your dog is doubly beneficial circulatory system is not getting the common. The owner's initial reac­ because you, too, get exercise. job done and without emergency tion is quite predictable. At the Acclimating your dog to the out­ care, death is a very real possibility. sight of an injured dog one's mind doors is necessary when he spends In many cases of shock, the need is flooded with emotions and most of his time in a heated or air for immediate veterinary care is questions. conditioned home, rather than in obvious because the dog is close to What happened? How bad is the the changing climate of the out­ being, or is unconscious. Deciding injury? What type of injury is it? Do doors. Acclimation may also be if a dog is in shock often requires a I need to find a veterinarian? needed if you are travelling to a closer look. Suppose you are on a Should we cancel our day's activity? different climate. This is important hiking trip in the Ozarks and your Field dog owners need to know because a dog can be permanently dog runs up the trail out of sight. basic first aid. Failure to know what handicapped from a case of heat You hear the sounds of rocks to do can result in an unnecessarily exhaustion or frostbite. rolling followed by the yelping of long recovery period, permanent Acclimation, accustoming the your dog in pain. Rushing to the disability, or most tragically the loss dog to unfamiliar weather condi­ scene you are somewhat relieved to of your dog. tions, begins with short periods of see your dog struggling up from the To discuss first aid for your dog, exposure which are gradually bluff it just fell over. The dog is let's start at the beginning. Ben lengthened. Generally, your dog shaken by the experience, but seems Franklin said "An ounce of pre­ will be able to handle strenuous in good shape. vention is worth a pound of cure," activity as long as you can in cold Your next question is, "Are there and this is a good philosophy to weather, but will suffer more hidden internal injuries which may lessen the need for emergency first severely in hot weather. Of course, cause its body to go into shock?" aid in the field. In this case the if the time outside does not include Here are three simple checks to "ounce of prevention" is having much exercise, your dog will fare make periodically for about six your dog in good physical condi­ better in hot weather than in hours after the accident to deter­ tion so the outdoor activity you extreme cold. mine if the dog is in shock.

July 1990 19 to its pink color within two seconds after removing your fingers. If you fail to get a positive result from any of these checks, you should act immediately to transport your dog to a veterinarian. In cold weath­ er keep the dog warm during trans­ port. If there are no head or back injuries raise the lower half of the dog's body slightly so his brain will receive an adequate blood supply.

CUTS Although shock is one of the most serious field emergencies, cuts and puncture wounds are the most com­ mon first aid needs. Small cuts can 1. Check the pulse at the heart or often be handled by cleansing with on the back leg (as shown). The clean water and allowing the cut to pulse should be between 120 and heal on its own. Stitches are re­ 180 beats per minute. quired if: 1. the cut is gaping more 2. Check for breathing. This seems than lA" or is deeper than W," 2. it obvious, but you may have to check is on a moving body part that will closely on a resting dog. Breathing hinder healing, 3. blood vessels, should be smooth and non-labored. nerves or tendons are exposed. All cuts should be cleansed with clean water as soon as possible and of course, bleeding must be con­ trolled. This is best done by com­ pression and elevating the cut above the level of the heart. Do not use a tourniquet. Apply compression by taking a bandage or clean cloth and holding it tightly against the wound. It should be held in position for at least 10 minutes. Elevating the cut lowers the blood pressure at the cut and makes it easier to stop the bleeding. Com­ pression allows blood to continue to flow to the limb, but a tourniquet stops the flow of blood, which can result in permanent damage. Another technique that may hurt more than help is the use of soaps or disin­ fectants when cleaning a cut. It has been found that many of these pro­ ducts kill the tissue cells that are Look at the dog's gums (above); if needed to start the healing process. there is good circulation they will After cleaning with water, K-Y be pink. Press on the gum (below); jelly is a good temporary wound pink color should return within dressing that will keep the wound two seconds. clean and prevent the bandage from sticking to the wound. The dog Bleeding from a cut (simulated in 3. Check for good circulation should always be left resting if the this case) is best controlled by throughout the body by looking at cut requires stitches or a foot pad is elevation and compression (top). the dog's gums. They should be cut. A cut pad requires stitches Put a gauze pad on the wound pink rather than blue or pale. And when tissue is protruding out of the (center), then wrap with stretch if you force the blood away by cut. Any cut that penetrates through gauze. Elastic tape (above) was used firmly pressing on the gum with to the inside of an eyelid needs to hold the gauze in place on this your finger, the gum should return immediate veterinary attention. A satisfied customer.

20 Missouri Conservationist © ©

Jim Rai

First Aid Kit ing gauze and other applications 10. Cotton swabs—Good for requiring tape. cleaning hard-to-reach area but Essential to practicing first aid in 5. Cotton (one-half pound roll)— must be used carefully to avoid the field is a compact kit that you Used as a bulk wrap on an injured pushing objects deeper into an ear can pack with you. The primary use limb. Provides good support when canal or wound. of this kit is for bandaging, splint­ wrapped with stretch gauze and 11. Tweezers—Useful for remov­ ing and other practices needed in then taped. ing splinters, thorns and ticks, the field. Following is a list of the 6. Scissors (6-inch)—A heavy- 12. Surgical blades—An accessory basic items needed for your kit: duty rust resistent pair for cutting item needed for some snake bite cases. 1. Gauze pads (15, 3 inches x 3 bandages and for other duties. 13. Needles—Used in removing inches)—Used as cleaning swabs 7. K-Y lubricating jelly—This splinters. and applied directly to a wound non-irritating, water soluble dress­ 14. Water tight case—This can be before wrapping with stretch gauze. ing is applied to an already cleaned any one of a number of plastic con­ 2. Stretch gauze (2 rolls of 3 wound to keep the wound clean and tainers that are on the market. The inches)—This non-adhesive, con­ prevent the bandage material from new fishing tackle "soft pack" forming gauze is used to secure sticking. containers may allow you to carry gauze pads or cotton to an injury. 8. Antibiotic eye ointment—A the kit in your hunting coat. 3. Elastic adhesive tape (2 rolls of cortisone free ointment should be The easiest way to stock your first 3 inches)—Used as a final covering used to relieve mild irritations. It aid kit is to visit your veterinarian. over the gauze to hold it in place can be applied prior to entering the Unlike many pharmacies, your vet and keep dirt and moisture away field if your dog has sensitive eyes. should have all of these items in from the absorbent bandage 9. Thermometer—Cover with K-Y stock. The cost of putting this kit material. jelly and obtain anal temperature. together, $30 to $40, may seem high, 4. Adhesive tape, porous (1 roll Normal body temperature is 101.5F but your canine companion's health of 1 inch)—Used to secure conform­ to 102.5F is well worth it.

July 1990 21 THE HEALING POWER OF HERBS

by Jim Featherston Kirkwood

"...Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs that did renew old Aeson." —William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice

FTEN SOMEONE will molecular pattern of the original. low as a man can get when I came say something to me along Scientists like to tinker with things, by to mooch a cup of coffee. Buck O the lines of, "You write like making butter out of soybeans sat, chasing flies from Hootie's sore and speak of herbal remedies as if and pork hams from turkey parts. as he told me the story of the vet's they really work. Do you have any Getting back to the story of the verdict. proof that they do?" endangered life that was saved, the "I suppose I ort to let him go," "Sure, I have proof," I answer. "I life belonged to a beagle hound, he sighed. "I'll sure miss this old eat herbs, drink tea made from flow­ Old Buck's Hootie. dog." ers, roots and bark of herbs. I have The weather was hot and dry that Buck's story saddened me. A never suffered from any of the seven summer several years ago. Flies beagle is just a dog, but Hootie was dread diseases or the five catastro­ thrive in hot, dry weather. Hootie something more. phic illnesses. There's your proof." developed an ulcer in a spot where "Buck, your father was a veteri­ A good reply ought to convince he couldn't take care of it and flies narian back in the days before any reasonable person, but cynics swarmed over the sore, driving wonder drugs. You went with him and skeptics are never satisfied with Hootie crazy. Buck took his beagle to treat every ailment that animals easy-to-understand teachings of the to a veterinarian. The Doc came out were inflicted with. You have his unknowable. However, most critics of the examining room wearing a notebook and your neighbor Donna go right on complaining that I may grave expression. grows about every herb that is not have caught any disease even if "There isn't much I can do for I hadn't been an herb user. I finally known in the midwest. We have a Hootie," he told Buck. "He is an natural source of just about every reached the point where I wouldn't old dog and probably wouldn't waste time on agnostics, but my drug listed in the pharmacopoeia. respond to any treatment. It would Let's see what we can do for Hootie." silence bothered me. be best if I put him to sleep." Buck's eyes lit up with interest I do have an example of a well- "What do you mean?" Old Buck and, I thought, hope. He went into documented case of herbs saving a roared, clutching Hootie to his the house and got the old ledger life, a story that needs to be told, a bosom. "When do you aim to wake book his father had left him. story that proves for all time the him up?" value of herbal remedies. Thoughts of coffee were forgotten Buck was getting the folks in the as we read and talked. We put I won't bore you with a lot of waiting room upset. The Doc had a Hootie inside, away from the flies background talk about nature smooth pet-side manner and a lot of and gnats, while we went to the having a cure for all the plagues, experience with distraught dog farmer's store and bought a can of blights, diseases, parasites and other owners. He laid a caring hand on pine tar to use as a base for a salve horrors that nature furnishes to Hootie's head. we intended to formulate. pester humans and critters, except "It would be better for him if we to throw in a word to remind one After much discussion we had ended his suffering." and all that, until this century, decided to include pyrethrum medicine was dependent on herbs "You ain't gonna kill Hootie. If flowers to keep insects away and for treatment of all diseases, he has to be kilt, I'll do it," Old jimson weed leaves for its healing including leprosy. Even today, Buck shouted as he ran out of the powers in our salve. We briefly exotic drugs are being discovered in office with Hootie in his arms. considered including catnip, but growing things and synthetic drugs Buck took Hootie home and rejected it when Hootie growled are being manufactured using the started grieving. He was about as when he heard the word "cat."

22 Missouri Conservationist IDav/tcJ

July 1990 23 We cleared flower pots from a for, like she carries all the items he and around the suppurating infec­ bench at the edge of the porch and may want in her apron pocket. She tion. A fly circled, legs lowered for a set up our laboratory. Buck raided came out with a flat popsicle stick. landing. It was almost touchdown the kitchen for necessary lab Hootie watched the compound­ before the fly got a whiff of the evil equipment. Using a tea cup for a ing of medicine with a lot of smelling salve and pushed full mortar and a kitchen spoon for a interest until he figured it had throttle in its haste to get away. So pestle, we ground the herbs to a something to do with him, then he much for the insect problem. paste and blended the mess into a ran and hid under the porch swing. Hootie is a smart dog. He came at gob of pine tar. Using another cup Buck offered him a biscuit, but a trot when Buck got out the salve for a mixing bowl, we stirred equal Hootie looked away. Buck placed cup for the second treatment. With­ parts of each ingredient into a black another treat on top of the first one, out the torment from the flies and viscous concoction. We ended up but Hootie wouldn't look at them. gnats, Hootie got some much- with a half a cup of salve that The ante was up to five biscuits needed sleep. The healing was dra­ looked and smelled impressive. before Hootie weakened and came matic. The ugly fistulous sore "Vera, bring me a sucker stick," out of his refuge. began to shrink and heal. Within a Buck called to his wife. Vera always Buck pounced on him and held couple of weeks he was his old self, comes up with whatever Buck asks him while I smeared the salve on staring through a crack in the fence at the neighbor's cat and burying bones in Vera's rose garden. So there you have it—scientific clinical proof of the power of herbal remedies to heal an existing ailment. This story ought to put to rest for all time any doubts about herbs being good for humans or beagles. A

24 Missouri Conservationist MAPPING MISSOURI WETLANDS

by Howard W. Browers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ronald E. Erickson U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ETLANDS HAVE V"v vis always been the Rodney W Dangerfields of the natu­ ral world—they don't get any respect. All too often wetlands have been seen as wastelands or impedi­ ments to progress and development, and subsequently drained or filled. In the United States, we've lost over half of the original 215 million acres of wetlands estimated to be here before European settlers arrived. Much of this loss has been for agri­ cultural purposes and has been encouraged or subsidized through government programs. Urban devel­ opment, highway construction, stream channelization and flood control projects have also taken their toll on our nation's wetlands. Areas of large wetland losses in the United States include the Atlan­ tic and Gulf coasts, the forested bottomlands of major river systems and the corn, soybean, and wheat belt of the midwest. Some states such as Missouri, have lost over 80 percent of their wetlands. Most of the wetland loss in Mis­ souri has occurred in the flood- plains of the Missouri, Mississippi and other major rivers. Streams have been channelized and levees constructed which prevent the adjacent floodplain forests from being flooded. When this annual cycle of flooding is reduced or eli­ minated, the forests can be cleared and the land farmed. One area of

High altitude aerial photographs are used for identifying wetlands: this is the Missouri River. • - . :;;p'::'i

Mfiil

^ seasonally-flooded forested wetland r(j (top, left), a temporarily flooded shrub wetland adjacent to a river channel (top, right) and a seasonal­ ly flooded emergent wetland (above). Codes on map (left) are: V =Upland ~PT~DIA=marshy, deciduous forest, temporarily flooded ~P¥OlC-marshy, deciduous forest, IffRBw seasonally flooded ~PSSIA=marshy, deciduous scrub- shrub, temporarily flooded VSSlC-marshy, deciduous scrub- PFOSA shrub, seasonally flooded FEMC=marshy, emergent, season­ ally flooded K2XJSA-Riverine, unconsolidated shore, temporarily flooded Exposed sandbars are classified as unconsolidated shore.

Missouri which has been hard hit is animals such as ducks, geese, musk- waterfowl hunters. Coastal wetlands the bootheel of the southeast where rats, beavers and otters depend on are the source of a several-billion over 95 percent of the original wetlands for their survival. Without dollar fish and shellfish industry. floodplain forest has been lost. wetlands these and other species There are other benefits not fully would cease to exist in the wild. understood at present which you Wetlands are great places for recre­ Wetlands are Valuable may not be aware of. For example, ation. Waterfowl hunting, bird did you know that wetlands can aid Recently we've begun to realize watching and canoeing are just a in flood control? By temporarily that our nation's wetlands can give few of the outdoor pursuits wet­ storing flood waters, wetlands help us important benefits. Nearly every­ lands provide. to reduce the downstream flow of one recognizes the wildlife values of These kinds of activities can pro­ runoff from snow melt and storms. wetlands. Wetlands provide homes duce economic benefits through the This is perhaps one of the most for a wide variety of plants and sale of goods and services. Millions important functions of floodplain animals. Many of our more familiar of dollars are spent annually by wetlands.

26 Missouri Conservationist Though more study is needed, recycling of nutrients from decayed researchers believe that some kinds plant and animal matter. of wetlands may replenish ground­ Biologists are now producing water aquifers. Also, evidence shows wetland maps in Missouri as part of that wetlands can filter pollutants the National Wetlands Inventory. and sediments from runoff before Initially, their efforts have been they reach our lakes, rivers and focused on wetlands of the Missouri aquifers. and Mississippi river floodplains which have been designated as important wildlife habitat by the National Wetlands Inventory U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In spite of the awareness of these Aerial photographs, taken at an and other benefits, wetland losses altitude of about 40,000 feet, are continue today. Faced with these used to produce the maps. Each losses, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife type of wetland produces a charac­ Service launched the National Wet­ teristic image or photo-signature lands Inventory (NWI) project in based on the types of plants and 1974. The goal of NWI is to provide amount of water present. Biologists Pairs of photographs are viewed scientific information on the charac­ trained in photo-interpretation are through a stereoscope which teristics and extent of the nation's able to recognize these different projects the images in three wetlands. In other words, what kind photo-signatures. dimensions, enabling biologists to of wetlands do we have, where are Pairs of photographs are viewed locate wetlands. they and how many are there? through a stereoscope which pro­ By knowing this information, jects the images in three dimensions, name of the U.S. Geological Survey better conservation decisions can be similar to what one sees when look­ 7.5' quadrangle topographic map made in the future. One major ing through a toy viewer. This en­ which covers the area. objective of NWI is to produce ables biologists to locate the depres- Wetland mapping in Missouri detailed wetlands maps for the sional areas where wetlands are has been completed for most of the entire country. The status and usually found and to distinguish Mississippi River Valley and future trends concerning wetlands the height of wetland vegetation. selected other areas, where draft can be obtained from these maps. The first step in mapping a partic­ maps are currently available. The Before wetland mapping could ular area is to visit a portion of the Missouri River Valley should have begin, biologists had to decide on a wetlands. In the field, biologists maps available during 1991. wetland definition. The word wet­ record information regarding local Nationwide, wetland maps have lands conjures different images to water conditions and identify plants been produced for about half of the different people and rightly so, found at representative wetlands. country. The remaining half is ex­ because there are many kinds of Back in the lab this information is pected to be completed by 1998. Wet­ wetlands. Swamp, marsh, slough, matched with the photo-signatures land maps produced by the National pothole, wet meadow, floodplain which enables the biologists to iden­ Wetlands Inventory will help us to forest and bog are examples of tify and outline all wetlands on a better manage our wetland names which can be used to photograph. National Wetland resources now and in the future. A describe different wetlands. Inventory maps are available for use Wetlands are exactly that—wet by governmental agencies and lands which are intermediate public groups. Howard W. Browers was a between dry terrestrial ecosystems Maps are available for use by indi­ research associate at South Dakota and permanently wet aquatic viduals also. You might want to use State University, where he directed ecosystems. In wetlands the water the maps to help locate hiking, the team of biologists producing table is usually at or near the canoeing or hunting spots. The wetland maps for the Missouri surface of the land or the land is U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has River floodplain in Missouri and covered by shallow water. Other made it easy to obtain maps other midwest states. He is now an characteristics of wetlands are through the U.S. Geological Survey assistant regional wetlands coordi­ unique plant communities and soils by calling a toll-free telephone nator with the U.S. Fish and Wild­ which have developed due to the number (1-800-USA-MAPS). life Service in Portland, Oregon. presence of water. The maps are available at a scale Ronald E. Erickson is the ! However, wetlands are not always of 1:24,000 (approximately 2/2 regional wetlands coordinator for wet as the name implies. Some wet­ inches equals 1 mile). Maps are on Region 3 of the U.S. Fish and Wild­ lands only have surface water for a mylar plastic at $3.50 each or on life Service. He is responsible for few days, a few weeks or a few paper for $1.75 each. There is also a coordinating mapping efforts in the months. Also, periods of drought $6.50 shipping and handling charge states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, can leave wetlands dry and parched. for each order. Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, These natural drawdowns, however, When calling the toll-free num­ Ohio and Wisconsin. can be beneficial as they allow for ber, customers should have the

July 1990 27 RARE LOONS cooperation with Major VISIT OZARKS League Baseball, are spon­ Armed with his field sors of National Smokey guide, 22-year-old Chris Bear Day. Lundberg of Branson set MISSOURI'S Team souvenirs featur­ out to look for birds last ing a fire prevention mes­ February at Table Rock sage will be given to fans Lake in Taney County. age 14 and under entering He couldn't believe what OUTDOOR the stadium on Smokey he saw. Lundberg had Bear Day. spied a yellow-billed loon, whose summer READER AILS- ALMANAC REQUESTS CURE homeland is Siberia. Lundberg returned to A loyal reader recently watch the bird but was wrote to say that his sub­ confused by an incorrect scription to the Conserva­ picture in his book. After tionist had stopped last three days, he decided it fall. He asked us to add must be the visitor from him to the mailing list afar, and he called Pat again before he developed Mahnkey of Forsyth for a the dreaded M.C.M.W.S. second opinion. Mahnkey He explained the myste­ is a serious amateur birder rious ailment as Missouri who is locally well known ornithologist. Their pri­ British Columbia and Conservationist Magazine for his hobby. mary range is Siberia, but Washington state. Withdrawal Syndrome: a Mahnkey assured Lund­ they also nest in very Two Pacific loons, rare, proliferating ignor­ berg that, yes, this was in­ northern Alaska and which joined the yellow- ance of nature and the out­ deed a foreigner traveling Canada. There have been billed a few days after Lund- doors usually resulting in in Ozark country. The few recorded inland berg's first sighting, indi­ complete withdrawal of word spread fast, and soon sightings of this species cate that the birds were man from his awareness more than one hundred of loon, he says, because blown off course, says of the world outside the people came for a glimpse it is an oceanic bird and Wilson. "Pacific loons are front door. The causative of the loon. rarely strays far from unusual in themselves," agent—not receiving the This was the first re­ ocean coastlines. Loons he says, "they live in the Missouri Conservationist. corded sighting of a yel­ migrate south during northern Pacific region of We are not in the medi­ low-billed loon in Mis­ winter months, says North America, but they cal profession, but we souri, says Jim D. Wilson, Wilson, but the yellow- have been sighted in Mis­ filled his prescription for Conservation Department billeds usually stop in souri. The fact that all the Conservationist with three loons were in Mis­ instructions to read it souri implies they may monthly, take lots of long have been brought here by walks in the woods and a common force, probably go fishing at least once a severe winter weather." week—a proven cure. The Midwestern cousin of the yellow-billed and IZAAK WALTON Pacific loons is the com­ PUBLICATION mon loon, which flies The Izaak Walton League through Missouri each win­ of America is a national ter on its way to the Gulf conservation organization. Coast. The League's newslet­ ter, "Outdoor Missouri," SMOKEY AND has been out of print for THE PROS over a year, but it is now For the fourth season, the back in circulation. Yellow-billed loon photo was sent as a courtesy of Dr. St. Louis Cardinals will For more information William Mills, Anchorage, Alaska. Mills, an orthopedic help bring fire prevention on how to subscribe to surgeon, has been photographing birds for over 30 years messages to their fans. "Outdoor Missouri" and and is working on a monograph of Alaskan loons. He The Cardinals will Outdoor America, the has spent the last three summers on Harrison Bay, which observe National Smokey League's quarterly conser­ lies on the northern coast of Alaska. Mills says that only Bear Day on August 14. vation magazine, write last year was he able to get good pictures of the elusive The U.S. Forest Service Greater Ozarks Chapter bird. Photographs of the loon appear to be as rare as the and the National Associa­ of Missouri—IWLA, Box bird itself. tion of State Foresters, in 494, Moberly 65270-0494.

28 Missouri Conservationist DEER HUNTS Handicapped hunts are Managed deer hunts will also being conducted by the Corps of Engineers at be held on several state Summer's here, and the place to be is outdoors. If Smithville and Mark and federal areas during you can't be there, watch the next best thing...Mis­ Twain lakes. Contact the October, November, Decem­ souri Outdoors. The television show that tells you Corps office at these areas ber and January. Applica­ what's happening in our state. From Missourians for more information. tion for pre-deer season volunteering their time for others, to an art form hunts begins July 15, and used to reel in keepers, there's something for every- ends Aug. 15, 1990. Appli­ CATFISH FARMING oner-Come share the experience of Missouri Out­ cations must be made on AND OTHER IDEAS doors. Check your local listings for stations and official cards available be­ The Conservation Depart­ times in your area. If you can't find Missouri ginning July 1 at Depart­ ment is one sponsor of an Outdoors on any channels, call your local station ment of Conservation organization intended to and tell them you'd like to see it. offices in Jefferson City, improve the economy of St. Louis, Kansas City, rural areas statewide. KQTV St. Joseph Sundays at noon Springfield and Colum­ The Missouri Alterna­ KBSI Cape Girardeau Saturdays at 6:00 a.m. bia. The cards contain all tives Center acts as a clear­ Chillicothe information concerning inghouse for information Cablevision Chillicothe Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. the hunts. Most hunts are about alternative agricul­ American Cablevision St. Louis Check local listings for muzzleloaders and tural crops and products, JCTV Hillsboro Check local listings archers. Application cards everything from shiitake will also be available at Continental mushrooms to Red Cablevision St. Louis Check local listings the areas where hunts are Wattle hogs. being held. "There's a need to pro­ Any resident of Missou­ vide materials on these ated tremendous interest munities more beautiful ri permanently confined subjects that haven't been in the state." The Center and liveable. The program to a wheelchair will be extensively researched also fields questions about is sponsored by the De­ automatically allowed to before," said Karl DeMarce tree farming, fee hunting partment of Conservation. participate in the man­ of MAC. "By 'alternative' and recently even had a re­ Six awards are avail­ aged hunts at Peck Ranch, we mean any agriculture quest for information about able for tree planting on August A. Busch, Weldon product that can be grown processing wood waste municipal properties such Spring, Drury-Mincy and profitably, and hasn't pre­ into pellets for stoves. as city street rights-of- Caney Mountain Wildlife viously been produced on Funds provided by the way. Competition cate­ Areas. They need only com­ a large commercial scale." Conservation Department gories are based on com­ plete an application card One of the fastest grow­ help MAC disseminate in­ munity size. and forward it to the De­ ing areas of interest is formation in response to Six additional awards partment along with a sup­ aquaculture, DeMarce calls and written inquiries. are for trees planted on porting statement by a said. "Catfish farming and Other MAC sponsors are land which is not city- licensed physician and a aquaculture, even crayfish Missouri Cooperative Exten­ owned, including private three dollar processing fee. production, have gener- sion, Department of Agri­ property. Award catego­ culture, College of Agri­ ries are: commercial, insti­ culture, USDA Marketing tutional, recreational, in­ Improvement Program and dustrial, residential (other Missouri Farm Magazine. than single-family resi­ Q^4^XjdUrX^ by Betty Chmielniak Grace Questions about alterna­ dence) and governmental. tive agricultural endeavors All tree planting pro­ can be handled through jects entered into compe­ the MAC toll-free number: tition are judged on their 1-800-433-3704, or by writ­ contribution to the com­ ing Missouri Alternatives munity, quality of plant­ Center, 628 Clark Hall, ing and care, number of /'^fssilf J^L ^^VXT^^JH sub. University of Missouri-Co­ trees planted, and size of lumbia, Columbia, 65211. trees used. Awards are presented in October to GOVERNOR'S TREE owners or managers of

July 1990 29 OCAL PEOPLE are solv­ livestock watering facilities to ing local soil erosion prob­ prevent pollution, pasture rota­ L lems through a program tion to maintain ground cover with an unlikely acronym—SALT. and prevent overgrazing, no-till That stands for Special Area crop production and others. Land Treatment, a program "The basic purpose is to keep financed by the Department of the soil on the land where it Natural Resource's one-tenth of a belongs, and out of the stream, percent sales tax, and adminis­ where it doesn't," said Ray tered by local Soil and Water Evans, the Conservation Depart­ Conservation districts. ment's agricultural liaison. SALT provides incentive pay­ Why Cropland erosion is the most ments for groups of landowners common problem landowners within a single watershed. Local Missouri Pastures solve through SALT, but several landowners in a SALT project districts have identified pasture identify soil erosion problems Need SALT management as their top priority. and then work together on conser­ Jim Shipley, district technician vation treatment. by Sarah Fast from Cedar County, describes the Ben Rogers is chairman of the Soil and Water Program of the Crabtree Branch SALT as "basi­ Cole County Soil and Water Con­ Department of Natural Resources cally pastureland and timber. servation District in central Mis-( The pasture has a fairly low level souri, where SALT is improving servation Service, a support grant of management and the goal of conditions on Clark Fork. Rogers for the conservation districts, and the SALT project is to use funds says he wants the Cole County up to 75 percent cost share on for demonstration projects and effort, one of 50 SALT projects selected practices, landowners information meetings." statewide, to be a "showplace for can institute conservation mea­ The district wants to concen­ the rest of the county." sures to improve the watershed trate on promoting pasture rota­ The Clark Fork watershed and the water. tion and different species of needs erosion control and pasture- The measures could include grass. Shipley says the SALT pro­ land management. With techni­ no-till establishment of grasses to ject could serve as a model for the cal assistance from the Soil Con- halt erosion, correct placement of whole area. "If better pasture management works here, it will have widespread consequences." All counties with soil and water conservation districts may participate in SALT. The pro­ gram goal is to improve 80 per­ cent of the land needing treat­ ment in the five-year lifetime of the project. When soil erosion is viewed as a national problem of immense proportions—which it is—it seems impossible to solve. But neighbors working together on a small watershed project make it possible for people to see that their efforts really do make a difference. 3 For more information on | SALT projects, contact your lo- B- cal Soil and Water Conservation No-till row cropping. district office. A