SHOW-ME GOBBLER A Quarterly Publication of the George C. Clark Missouri Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation Volume 26 Number 2 • November 2008 RHINE VALLEY CHAPTER OAK CREEK WHITETAIL RANCH FIRST ANNUAL JAKES DAY By Lyndon Ruediger WOW! ..................... Totally awesome!!.......... These few words most accurately describe the “special” JAKES event the Rhine Valley Chapter recently facilitated. You will notice that I used the word “facilitated” (that was deliberate) as this event was a cooperative effort between the Rhine Valley Chapter (Hermann) and the Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch (Bland, Missouri). A very significant portion of the effort required to achieve this success came from Donald and Angi Hill, owners of Oak Creek Ranch as well as that of their team of guides. First of all, let me tell you that the Rhine Valley Chapter and the Oak Creek Ranch originally became allies in promoting the JAKES program when, two years ago, Donald and Angi learned of the Rhine Valley Chapter JAKES event and brought Don Viehmann, Rhine Valley Chapter President, helping one of the young shooters at the “shot gun/still target” class. their two sons, Cody and Zack to that event. As a result of the great time they had there with the Rhine Valley folks that day, they have looked for numerous ways in Now, having given you that back ground let me tell you why this event was so which to help the Rhine Valley Chapter JAKES program over the past several “totally awesome.” years. Having this event at Oak Creek Ranch ( a private hunting ranch specializing in, As a result of these positive experiences with the Rhine Valley JAKES program, among other species, “monster “ Canadian whitetail bucks ) creates some unique Donald and Angi decided they wanted to host a JAKES event at their ranch and in opportunities for a JAKES event that any NWTF chapter could normally only order to obtain the very best results for their efforts, who better to turn to then the dream about. For example, the event could be tied in with a “management doe folks at the Rhine Valley Chapter. Well, that’s the background on how the Rhine harvest “ which would enable some very fortunate JAKES participants to have the Valley Chapter and the Oak Creek Ranch became co-conspirators in this very incredible opportunity of hunting the ranch, observing some huge Canadian worthwhile endeavor. Whitetail bucks, observe other species ie: Elk, Fallow Deer, Water Buffalo, Turkey, continued on page 5 Silent Spring??? By John Burks Say WHAT!...Are we really facing a turkey crisis in what was formerly considered the turkey capitol of Missouri if not planet earth? Not exactly. It certainly is an attention getter though and we definitely have far fewer turkeys in northeast Missouri now than we had five years ago. The perception of the severity of the problem seems to be more pronounced west of Hwy 63 than east. However, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) had been fielding enough concerned citizen calls to have initiated a Northeast Missouri (NEMO) staff meeting to discuss this issue back in August. MDC staff are hearing everything from disease to increased bobcat populations as the “boogyman” of choice. It is human nature to want to identify a single foe for your whoas. However, when facing significant decreases OR increases in wildlife populations, there is rarely a single factor but usually the accumulation of many that combine for a “perfect storm” effect. continued on page 2 Page 2 • Show-Me Gobbler Silent Spring continued from page 1 HOW ME OBBLER The bottom line is that high quality habitat icantly) up and down over time based upon S - G makes everything else better while trying to local and regional weather patterns and President Secretary Ben Doerge Roger Wilson treat the individual symptoms (predators, even, yes, fluctuations in predator 21410 Adrain Rd 314 30022 Monroe Rd. 410 disease, weather conditions) rarely does. populations. I have no doubt that distemper Mexico, MO 65265 Paris, MO 65275 Here are some facts to consider. No matter outbreaks that can crater raccoon 573/581-7828 660/327-5344 [email protected] [email protected] how good the habitat is, unfortunately in the populations locally, could conceivably cause case of ground nesting birds, reproductive local increases in turkey and quail numbers. Chairman of the Board Women in the Outdoors success is VERY weather dependent. Bad However, to be effective, predator control Dan Minor Regional Field Supervisor P.O. Box 942 Ellen Benitz production is a reality despite great habitat has to be at a landscape scale and there are Hannibal, MO 63401 9348 Private Drive 3902 when an uncontrollable variable like only 2 things that can accomplish that; 573/822-4779 St. Joseph, MO 64505 weather creates unfavorable conditions. significant increases in the fur market and [email protected] 816/387-6606 [email protected] Why does weather matter so much? It’s God. Regional Director simple…wet hens stink and most significant Tim Besancenez Regional Coordinator nest predators hunt with their noses. Think 2710 Eagles Drive Wheelin' Sportsmen Also, turkeys are animals of thousands of Pacific, MO 63069 Al Smith about it this way. If you take your bird dogs acres and like all species, turkeys function 636/257-7121 203 N. Grant St. Box 188 out, do you pray for hot dry weather or cool in a matrix of food, shelter, water and space. [email protected] Cantril, IA 52542 damp conditions? The main reason you want Office: 319-397-2303 Add to this reality the mobility of turkeys Regional Director Toll-free: 866-397-2303 cool damp conditions isn’t just because you (Transmittered turkeys have gone as far as Larry Neal Cell: 641-777-9484 don’t want to torture your dog but because 70 miles from release sites) and it is no 2780 Hwy. V Fax: 319-397-2292 your dog is going to be able to locate of Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 [email protected] wonder that many folks are getting 573/334-8881 those birds 10 times more effectively. If you concerned about seeing no turkeys. Just a [email protected] State JAKES Coordinator get a lot of rainfall in late April and few short years ago people had gotten used Charlene West throughout May (nesting season) nest Regional Director 19255 State Route EE to seeing turkeys in every nook and cranny Travis W. Scott St. James, MO 65559 predation rates increase proportionally. New NEMO had to offer. In many cases, turkeys 5389 Trikalla Drive 573/699-4667 York actually looked at this “wet hen” had begun occupying very marginal habitats Columbia, MO 65202 theory by correlating May rainfall with fall 573/474-2993 Editor because they had exceeded carrying capacity [email protected] Jay Langston harvest. The relationship was very linear in all of the good spots. What this boils 6013 ridge Farm Place with increases in May rainfall directly down to is that drops in the population from Regional Director Brentwood, TN 37027 corresponding to declining harvest rates. Mike Allen 615/887-1389 poor production have resulted in turkey 20240 State Highway J. [email protected] populations shrinking back into areas that Brashear, MO 63533 Here’s another fact. Turkey and quail they prefer. 573/323-5531 Graphic Designer [email protected] Joe Pendergrass populations have a very high turn-over rate. Crossroads Marketing Quail last about a year and turkeys last So, for you turkey enthusiasts out there who Treasurer Columbia, MO 65201 about three. Therefore, if you have Bernie Grice 573/368-1402 feel compelled to do something other than 1310 Bradshaw Ave. successive bad production years (as has wait and pray. The best advice I can give Columbia, MO 65203 been the case in NEMO…going on five you is invest in habitat (always a good bet). 573/445-6967 [email protected] years now) you are going to see significant Improvements in habitat such as: 1) TSI and drops in the population. Look at harvest prescribed burning to create open woodlands STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Show-Me Gobbler is published quarterly by the rates state-wide. Three years ago we set a and savannas, 2) conversion of fescue to George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and is harvest record at over 60,000 gobblers. This circulated statewide to its membership as well as other interested parties. As the official native warm season grass (NWSG), or 3) publication of the George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey last year it was around 42,000. Population creating agricultural to woodland buffers Federation, the Show-Me Gobbler serves to inform, educate and entertain wild turkey estimates in Missouri are based upon mark enthusiasts throughout Missouri and is committed to supporting conservation through using NWSG strips and dropping a 30-50’ sound wildlife management, and sport hunting through safety and ethics education. recapture data conducted by John Lewis in width of trees adjacent to fields (edge the early stages of Missouri’s turkey feathering) will pay big dividends in the program. John’s analysis indicated that long run. Habitat improvements help take ARTICLE SUBMISSION NOTE: spring harvest accounted for about 10% of some of the sting out of the bad times and The staff of the Show-Me Gobbler thank you for your contribu- the total population. Therefore, you simply make the good times even better. Bottom- tions to the publicaton. Please feel free to submit future articles with photos to the contact information listed on the stick a zero on the end of the harvest total line, if you make your area the best stuff and that is your estimated turkey population back page of this issue.