Missouri C onservationist SERVING NATURE &YOU VOLUME 71, ISSUE 9, SEPTEMBER 2010 • [ ] NOTE TO OUR READERS Get Into the Forest H ave you ever wondered how many trees are in Missouri? Perhaps you have noticed trees dying or had concerns about the health of the trees and woods in your community or county. Have you questioned which trees are the most important to Missouri pressures created by recent discoveries of new exotic and invasive and why? Curious as to whether our forest is important to insects, diseases and plants; increased land clearing that results whitetail deer, wild turkeys, songbirds and other wildlife? Well, in fragmented habitat for wildlife; and potential new markets for you are not alone. I and most professional for- wood products. In light of these pressures, and esters ask ourselves the same questions. The the fact Missouri could significantly benefit good news is we now have an answer to many from a statewide assessment and plan for our of these questions, or at least have a plan to an- forest, the timing could not have been better. swer them in the future. The Forest Resource Assessment and The Conservation Department recently Strategy is guided by three important priori- completed a two-year project called the Mis- ties: 1) conserving working forest landscapes, souri Forest Resource Assessment and Strat- 2) protecting forests from harm and 3) enhanc- egy. It was designed to evaluate statewide forest ing public benefits from trees and forests. The conditions and how they relate to threats and results reveal our forest resource is at a unique opportunities influencing forest health and productivity. It also crossroads. While Missouri’s forest is increasingly threatened, it includes a comprehensive strategy and potential action items for offers tremendous potential to alleviate many of our most press- sustaining our forest for the well-being of our kids, grandkids ing social and environmental challenges. Properly addressing and generations to come. For the purpose of the Forest Resource these threats and opportunities is far more than any one agency Assessment and Strategy, the term “forest resource” is all-inclu- or organization can tackle on its own. This complex task will sive of trees in towns, the woods on your property and publicly require unprecedented levels of collaboration and partnership owned forestland. The word “forest” represents the statewide between conservation agencies, nongovernmental organizations, tree resource regardless of ownership. the forest industry and dedicated individuals. It will also neces- You may be wondering, why now? Why is it suddenly im- sitate increased public awareness of the importance of our trees, portant to invest this much effort into a process and document woods and forests, and public involvement in activities that en- that focuses on the forest resource in Missouri? There are several hance their sustainability. The Forest Resource Assessment and reasons. In May of 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the latest ver- Strategy serves as the catalyst to make this happen, but, more sion of the federal Farm Bill, which includes a requirement for importantly, it is a call to action. This issue of the Conservation- each state to develop a statewide forest resource assessment and ist will introduce you to the Forest Resource Assessment and strategy in order to continue to make federal forestry programs Strategy and its results. It is my hope that the following articles available to private landowners. Because these programs are will draw attention to the amazing benefits our forest provides to important in assisting Missouri’s communities and landown- each citizen and inspire you to get into the forest. ers with the care of their trees and woods, the Department con- sidered the completion of the Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy a high priority. Our Missouri forest is under increasing Lisa Allen, state forester Our Mission: To protect and manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state; to serve the public and facilitate their participation in resource management activities; and to provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy and learn about fish, forest and wildlife resources. HITE W CLIFF [CONTENTS] September 2010, Volume 71, Issue 9 FEATURES Cover: Missouri’s precious forest by Noppadol Paothong 10 Our Precious Forests Above: Family hiking in the forest by Gus Raeker by David Stonner 12 A Natural Treasure by Gus Raeker Missouri’s forests keep us healthy and happy. MISCELLANY 2 Letters 16 Forces of Change 4 News & Events by Gus Raeker 7 Ombudsman Altered fire patterns, pests, poor harvesting practices and demographic 32 Hunting and Fishing Calendar shifts all challenge the sustainability of Missouri’s forests. 32 Contributors 33 Agent Notes 22 Get Into the Forest! by Gus Raeker Even if you don’t own woodlands, you can help Missouri’s forest resources. 28 Elk History and Restoration The plan to reestablish elk in a defined area will be proposed to the Conservation Commission in October. September 2010 Missouri Conservationist 1 [LETTERS] Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and might be edited for length and clarity. Street Trees killed off those beautiful elms on Goodman for recorded utility easements and call Dig Rite Street. That street was naked for quite a few before planting. Second, consider overhead lines. Graham, Miller and years before new, different trees could be grown A tree planted under overhead lines becomes an there. Nobody wanted to live there any more, expensive problem for the utility and can cause Stonner are all to be and you can imagine what that did to real estate outages during wind and snow storms. Plus, a values and, eventually, indirectly to taxes. tree with its top half sheared off just doesn’t look highly commended for People so often kick about city taxes. The good! For trees that can grow for decades, a few points you made about how well-kept trees hours of planning is time well spent. the excellent article in your July issue about how affect our taxes will be an eye-opener to many Dan Overbey, Semo Port we take our trees for granted and enjoy them who have never considered them in that light. Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, Scott City without realizing what a financial asset they are James F. Whitacre, Columbia A Safe Barracuda to our communities [Street Trees Pay Us Back]. Brought up in a small town in Ohio in the Many thanks for the good article on street trees. I was thrilled when I opened my July issue. On s and ‘s, I was accustomed to trees lining Let me offer two comments. First, when consider- Page  is a wonderful picture of a young man most of our streets and loved them without ever ing where to plant street trees, take into account and his father enjoying a canoe trip together. thinking how very different the place would look where underground utilities are located—water, This young man, Atul, is a member of the without them. Later, living in Rochester, NY, we sewer, gas, electric, phone, cable TV and fiber Jefferson City Barracudas swim team. As a USA also had great mature elms lining many of our optic lines. It is very disappointing to have a swim coach, Red Cross water safety instructor, streets. I’ll never forget the feeling of desolation backhoe rip out a good tree to make necessary and YMCA swim instructor, I was so proud of we experienced when the Dutch elm disease repairs on a leaking water or gas line. Check this father and son for wearing their life jackets. We teach water safety constantly, but too often people feel that they are “good enough” swim- mers, and therefore do not need a life jacket. However, especially during the summer months, we read of drownings that occur because some- one was not wearing a life jacket. I just wanted to applaud this family’s great water safety skills. Have a wonderful and safe summer! Ronnie L. Phelps, via Internet Catfishing Culture Really nice piece comparing bass and catfish tournaments [Catfish Tournaments; July]. Funny and entertaining. Eating a sandwich after handling stink bait—not something I could stomach. I live on a farm and get lots of distaste- ful stuff on my hands, but soap and water is a must before eating. I guess I’m a pansy. I hope to read more of Jim’s work in the future. Tails in nature Tom McSparren, Odessa Reader Photo Kristina Oswald of St. Louis captured this photo of a bullfrog in the final stages I must admit, I never really cared much about of metamorphosis from tadpole to froglet. Tadpoles turn into froglets in about catfish tournaments, but I still liked your article! 11–14 months, but adult size isn’t reached for another 2–3 years. Oswald made Also, did the catfish tournament really have a this photograph at a pond in Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, which is among polygraph? the several natural areas she frequently visits to hike and photograph. Oswald Jodi Pfefferkorn, via Internet has pursued photography as a hobby for about three years and is a member of the St. Louis Camera Club. Editors’ note: Yes. Polygraphs are actually not uncommon at fishing tournaments. 2 Missouri Conservationist September 2010 Missouri Northeast SUBSCRIPTIONS C Northwest Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249 onservationist Address: Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180 E-mail: [email protected] Conservationist online services: Subscribe to the Kansas Central St. GOVERNOR Jeremiah W. “Jay” Nixon City Louis magazine, update your mailing address, or sign up to receive an e-mail when the latest issue is available THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION online at www.MissouriConservation.org/15287 Don C. Bedell Southeast Cost of subscriptions: Free to Missouri households Don R. Johnson Southwest William F. “Chip” McGeehan Out of State $7 per year Ozark Becky L. Plattner Out of Country $10 per year Please allow 6—8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Director Robert L. Ziehmer Deputy Director Thomas A. Draper OMBUDSMAN QUESTIONS Deputy Director Tim D. Ripperger Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3848 General Counsel Tracy E. McGinnis DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS Address: Ombudsman, PO Box 180, Internal Auditor Nancy R. Dubbert Phone: 573-751-4115 Address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180 DIVISION CHIEFS E-mail: [email protected] Administrative Services Carter Campbell Jefferson City 65102-0180 Design and Development Jacob Careaga EDITORIAL COMMENTS REGIONAL OFFICES Fisheries Chris Vitello Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3245 or 3847 Forestry Lisa G. Allen Southeast/Cape Girardeau: 573-290-5730 Address: Magazine Editor, PO Box 180, Human Resources Thomas Neubauer Central/Columbia: 573-884-6861 Jefferson City 65102-0180 Outreach & Education Mike Huffman Kansas City: 816-655-6250 Private Land Services Mike Hubbard E-mail: [email protected] Northeast/Kirksville: 660-785-2420 Protection Larry D. Yamnitz Southwest/Springfield: 417-895-6880 READER PHOTO SUBMISSIONS Resource Science Mike Kruse Northwest/St. Joseph: 816-271-3100 Address: Missouri Conservationist, Reader Photo, Wildlife DeeCee Darrow St. Louis: 636-441-4554 PO Box 180, Jefferson City 65102-0180 CONSERVATIONIST STAFF Ozark/West Plains: 417-256-7161 E-mail: [email protected] Editor In Chief Ara Clark Managing Editor Nichole LeClair Terrill Art Director Cliff White Don’t Get Scammed—Do not give any information to anyone who comes to your door soliciting Conservationist Staff Writer Bonnie Chasteen subscriptions. It could be a scam. Get as much information as possible and then contact your regional Missouri Department Staff Writer Jim Low of Conservation office, police department or the Missouri Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222. Photographer Noppadol Paothong Photographer David Stonner Designer Stephanie Thurber MDC Online Discover more about nature and the outdoors through these sites. Artist Dave Besenger Artist Mark Raithel Blog: www.MissouriConservation.org/node109 MDC Web site: www.MissouriConservation.org Circulation Laura Scheuler Facebook: www.facebook.com/MDConline Nature Shop: www.mdcNatureShop.com The Missouri Conservationist (ISSN 0026-6515) is the of- Flickr: www.MissouriConservation.org/20010 Twitter: www.twitter.com/MDC_Online ficial monthly publication of the Missouri Department Kid’s site: www.XplorMo.org www.twitter.com/Nature_Videos of Conservation, 2901 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO (Mailing address: PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO Missouri Conservationist website: YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/moconservation 65102.) Subscription free to adult Missouri residents; out www.MissouriConservation.org/3939 of state $7 per year; out of country $10 per year. Notifi- cation of address change must include both old and new address (send mailing label with the subscriber number on it) with 60-day notice. Preferred periodical postage New Kids’ Magazine paid at Jefferson City, Mo., and at additional entry offices. Postmaster: Send correspondence to Circulation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. Phone: 573-522-4115, Six times a year we’ll bring you eye-popping art, photos and ext. 3856 or 3249. Copyright © 2010 by the Conservation stories about Missouri’s coolest critters, niftiest natural places, Commission of the State of Missouri. liveliest outdoor activities and people who’ve made a living in the wild. Come outside with us and XPLOR! Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation Ages: 7–12 is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. Questions Missouri residents: FREE (one subscription per household) should be directed to the Department of Conservation, PO Out of state: $5 per year; Out of country: $8 per year Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 573-751-4115 (voice) A guardian’s name and address is required with the subscription. or 800-735-2966 (TTY), or to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Please alllooww 66—8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Service Division of Federal Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA 22203. www.XplorMo.org Printed with soy ink 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or 3249 September 2010 Missouri Conservationist 3 [ ] NEWS & EVENTS by Jim Low tions will be open from Monday through Wednes- day for weekly drawings to assign reservations for Tuesday through Thursday. Quick Draw will handle reservations for handicap-accessible blinds at the three Quick Draw pilot areas. The trial will not affect youth hunts, which will be handled as in the past. This year’s limited trial of Quick Draw will enable the Conservation Department to evaluate whether the system achieves its goal of making hunting more convenient and accessible to more hunters. Depending on how well it works, the system could be modified and expanded to other state-managed wetland areas. More information about Quick Draw is available at bit.ly/a5wp1q. Natural Areas Conference Missouri is hosting the th Natural Areas Conference Oct.  through  at Marriott’s Tan- Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach. The Conference theme, “Connecting for the Future Across Generations and Disciplines,” brings together natural resource professionals, students and volunteers in a forum that provides practical, land management information through symposia, workshops, field trips, paper sessions, posters, round tables and opportunities for social networking. The conference draws land managers, university faculty and students, researchers, planners and administrators from throughout the nation. To Promising Duck Season, Quick Draw on the Horizon register or learn more about the conference, visit: www.naturalarea.org/10conference, or contact Mike Leahy at -., ext. , Missouri hunters have reason for optimism about widgeon and green-winged teal numbers were [email protected]. the upcoming waterfowl season, and those who about the same as last year. Mallard numbers Conservation Auction plan to hunt at three of Missouri’s most popular were  percent above the LTA, and the total managed wetland areas will be trying a new number of ducks was  percent above the LTA. Regulars at Conservation Department surplus- reservation system designed to optimize hunting Hunters will take part in a trial of Quick Draw, a property auctions will find procedures a little opportunities. new, online waterfowl hunting reservation system, different at the next auction Oct.  in Salem. Summer surveys of the north-central United at Grand Pass Conservation Area (CA) in the North Master Card and Visa debit cards are acceptable States and central Canada showed good nesting Zone and at Eagle Bluffs and Otter Slough CAs in with a valid driver’s license as identification. habitat and good numbers of ducks again this the Middle Zone this year. The Quick Draw system Identification is unnecessary for purchases with year. The number of ponds was up  percent from will begin accepting applications eight days before cash or cashier’s checks. G N O last year and  percent above the long-term the Saturday season opener in each zone. The first Credit cards and personal checks are ac- OTH average (LTA). drawing will take place on the Monday before ceptable with the buyer’s valid driver license as OL PA D Blue-winged teal showed the only statisti- opening day and will award reservations for the identification. However, vehicle, outboard motor, OPPA N cwailtlhy as ign pifierccaenntt pinocpreualastei.o Bnl uceh-awnigneg efdro tmea l now, fiMrostn dtharye. eA fdteayr st hoaft ,t hMeo snedaasyo nd,r aSwatinugrds awy iltlh arowuagrhd Ttrraaiclteorr osr abnoda th teitalveys weqilul ibpem heenldt ualnstoil wchilel cbkes chleeladr. UNTER: H are  percent above the LTA. Mallard, gadwall, reservations for Friday through Monday. Applica- until checks clear. UCK D 4 Missouri Conservationist September 2010 Auto dealers must present copies of dealer Sales of all titled items will be reported to the  and  at Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge. certificates and valid driver licenses as identifica- Department of Revenue. The clinic, cosponsored by the Conservation tion. A person acting as an agent for a dealer must Auctions include items ranging from office Department, the Missouri Trappers Association have a signed letter from the dealer stating they equipment to trucks, sport-utility vehicles, sedans, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will cover have permission to purchase items under the boats, farm implements, tractors and heavy all aspects of trapping, from equipment to ethics. dealer’s name. A copy of the dealer’s certificate equipment. A full list of items in the October auc- Participants will make actual trap sets on Saturday must be supplied along with the presentation of tion will be available in mid-September at www. and check them on Sunday morning. Food and a valid driver license as identification. MissouriConservation.org/node/3454, or by onsite camping for the event are provided free of Only the name of the person who is registered calling --, ext.  or . charge. Eighty-four people participated the last with the auction as a bidder will be put on titled time this event was offered in . To register Popular Trapping Clinic Returns items. If a vehicle or other titled item is being for the clinic, call -- or visit www.fws. purchased for someone else, the bidder must Missourians who are intrigued by the idea of gov/midwest/swanlake. register under that person’s name. If a vehicle or trapping minks, raccoons, otters and other titled item is being purchased for a business, the furbearers but don’t know how to get started have bidder must register under that business name. a golden opportunity at a free trapping clinic Oct. (News & Events continued on Page ) Three State Fishing Records Fall in July Three record catches in July focused national attention on Missouri’s world-class fishing. Two of the fish might qualify as world records. For full details, see www.mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/ its-raining-records. TOP RIGHT: Robert Neal Davidson set a new state alternative-methods record when he caught this -pound flathead catfish from the Missouri River near Mokane July . He was using a bank pole. With him in this photo are his son, Drake, and father, James L. Davidson, both of whom were with him when he boated the monster fish, which was  inches long and had a girth of  inches. BOTTOM RIGHT: John West, of Republic, caught this Missouri pole-and-line record striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake July , using a swim bait. The fish weighed  pounds, . ounces, and measured a little more than  inches from nose to tail. It might qualify for a -pound line-class world record. Robert Neal Davidson BELOW: Greg Bernal, of Florissant, caught this Missouri pole-and-line record blue catfish from the Mis- with alternative methods souri River near Columbia Bottom Conservation Area July . The fish was  inches long,  inches around record flathead catfish and weighed  pounds, making it the potential world record as well. John West with pole-and-line Greg Bernal with pole-and-line record blue catfish record striped bass September 2010 Missouri Conservationist 5 [NEWS & EVENTS] by Jim Low Help Protect Missouri’s Waters From New Invasive Alga Didymosphenia geminata (Didymo or “rock snot”) is an invasive alga that can form large mats on the bottom of lakes and streams. Didymo can grow in layers so thick that it smothers the aquatic life in the stream vital to the food chain that supports fish such as rainbow and brown trout. Didymo has been found in the White River in Arkansas, but so far Didymo has not been found in Missouri. Preventing the occurrence and spread of this invasive species is critical to the health of Missouri’s lakes and streams. Recreational equipment such as boats, lifejackets and fishing gear (particularly waders) is the most likely way for Didymo to spread. Prevention measures include “Check and Clean or Dry.” • Check all gear and equipment that has been in contact with the water and remove any vis- ible algae. • Clean all equipment with a  percent household bleach solution,  percent saltwater solution, or dishwashing detergent and allow all equipment to stay in contact with the solution for at least one minute. Soak all soft items, such as felt-soled waders and life jackets, in the solution for at least  minutes. • Expose all equipment to sunlight and dry for at least  hours. Replacing felt-soled waders with waders that have rubber or synthetic soles will also mini- Deer Season Notes mize the risk of spreading Didymo and other invasive species. Manufacturers are now offering waders with alternative soles that grip slippery rocks as you wade, but minimize the risk of A few deer hunting regulations have changed transporting this troublesome invader. —by Shane Bush from last year, and hunters need to be aware of some other items before going afield. The complete  Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet PDF can be downloaded at www.MissouriConservation. org/node/3656. • Hunters can use as many antlerless deer tags as they want in Gasconade and Osage coun- ties. These counties also are open to hunting during the antlerless portion of firearms deer season. • Hunters can use atlatls to hunt deer during HITE W aelxlc eppotr tthioen ms uozfz lethloea dfierre paromrtsio nd.e er season DS: CLIFF • Only antlerless deer may be taken during the N SEE O urban portion of firearms deer season Oct.  MM through . This is not new, but some hunters D; PERSI remain unsure of this provision. AN AL • Mussel Fork Conservation Area (CA) in Linn W ZE and Macon counties is open to hunting under ME NE A statewide regulations. D G N • The Conservation Department will conduct a H A voluntary CWD surveillance effort in Chariton, O: FIS M Linn and Macon counties and parts of Adair, DIDY G ; Randolph and Sullivan counties. Hunters in ON H cthoilsle acrteioan a rseit eens cdouurriangge do ptoe ntainkge twheeeirk deenedr toof DOL PAOT the November deer season. Tissue sampling OPPA N Invasive alga didymo has been found in Arkansas waters near Missouri. will not reduce the food or taxidermy value DEER: 6 Missouri Conservationist September 2010 of deer. A special section on Page  of the fall detailed on pages  through  of the fall an important role in the national Teaming With deer and turkey booklet shows the boundar- deer and turkey hunting booklet. If you hunt Wildlife (TWW) coalition that secured the funding. ies of this area and locations where hunters on a CA, check to see if regulations there The idea is to keep common wildlife species can bring deer for testing. have changed. common and conserve dwindling species before • To keep chronic wasting disease from • The phone number for Squaw Creek National they become so rare that recovery is prohibitively spreading, hunters who bring deer, elk or Wildlife Refuge on Page  of the fall deer expensive. To date, grants totaling $ million moose with the spinal cord or head attached and turkey booklet is wrong. The correct have gone to state wildlife programs, including into Missouri must call -- within number is --, ext. . $. million for Missouri.  hours and take the carcass to a licensed Matching funds from the Conservation De- Wildlife Grants 10th Anniversary meat processor or taxidermist within  partment and private partners leveraged federal hours. Meat processors and taxidermists Ten years ago, after years of lobbying and with funds, boosting the actual benefit to Missouri must dispose of the spinal cord and other much fanfare, Missouri and other states began conservation programs to nearly $ million. parts in a properly permitted landfill. receiving federal funds through the State • Changes in regulations on some CAs also are Wildlife Grants (SWG) program. Missouri played (continued on Page ) Ask the Ombudsman Q: Can you explain the method of predicting the severity of the coming winter by cutting open persimmon seeds? A: I can’t vouch for any accurate forecasts from the method, but I can explain it. Female persimmon trees will begin ripening their fruits in late September. Each fruit contains from three to six seeds that are oval shaped, flattened and about three-fourths of an inch long. If you cut the seeds lengthwise, like you would separate the two halves of a bean, each will have a small structure within that is the plant embryo. The split embryo may resemble a knife, spoon or Persimmon seeds fork. A knife indicates a cold, icy winter (wind that cuts through you like a knife). A spoon indicates lots of snow (think of the spoon as a little snow shovel). A fork indicates a mild winter. “state wildlife areas” under the common term of CAs. Natural areas (NAs) are places that have been specially Q: What is the difference between a conservation designated as representing the best examples of Missouri’s area and a natural area? landscape and have one or more kinds of high-quality “natural communities” present, such as forests, glades, A: C onservation areas (CAs) are properties owned prairies, streams, wetlands or caves. NAs are designated and managed by the Conservation Department by a state multi-agency committee and may occur on CAs, for Missouri’s citizens. Some of the smaller ownerships, other public lands or on private land. For more information such as office sites and river accesses are not referred to as on NAs, visit www.MissouriConservation.org/discover- CAs. Several years ago, we combined “state forests” and nature/places-go/natural-areas. Ombudsman Tim Smith will respond to your questions, suggestions or complaints concerning Department of Conservation programs. Write him at PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, call him at 573-522-4115, ext. 3848, or e-mail him at [email protected]. September 2010 Missouri Conservationist 7 [NEWS & EVENTS] by Jim Low That money funded more than  projects in ev- fedmo.org/teaming, or contact Dennis Figg at best management practices (BMPs) to address ery part of the state. SWG money is helping pro- -., ext. , dennis.fi[email protected]. these concerns but until recently did not know tect or restore prairies, glades, forests, wetlands, how well they worked. A professor of civil and Protecting Streams savannas, lakes, rivers and caves. SWG funds also environmental engineering at the University of have supported research, private landowner as- An independent study by university scientists Missouri conducted a seven-year study to an- sistance and strategic conservation planning. showed that use of forestry best-management swer that question. Researchers examined the The work continues, and you can help. Citizen practices on conservation areas (CAs) prevents amount of sediment entering streams on CAs be- conservation or sporting groups, businesses and erosion and protects streams. fore, during and after timber harvests. The study other organizations can join the TWW coalition Critics of timber harvesting say that removing also tracked  other measures of water quality, at no cost, increasing its national clout. To join trees causes soil erosion and impairs water qual- including nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. TWW, or for more information, visit: www.con ity. The Conservation Department developed Field work occurred in , the wettest year in Missouri history, providing the ultimate test New Books Explore the World of Mushrooms, Herps of BMP’s erosion-stopping power. Researchers found no significant difference in erosion be- tween harvested and unharvested sites. The Nature Shop recently introduced two new The study has huge implications for better must-have books for people who are fasci- management of Missouri forests. More than nated by mushrooms and crawly things.  percent of Missouri’s forestland is privately Show-Me Herps: An uncommonly colorful owned. Unlike CAs, most of this land is not un- guide to  cool amphibians and reptiles in der active management. This is partly because Missouri is a pocket-sized, -page guide with landowners are concerned timber harvests will gorgeous color illustrations. Snakes, skinks, harm their forest. Evidence that trees can be lizards, turtles, salamanders, frogs and toads harvested in an environmentally responsible way all are represented, along with a wealth of could lead to more active management of private information about where and how they live forests, with benefits for wildlife and landowners. and how they affect our lives. The price is $. To learn how the Conservation Department plus sales tax and shipping and handling. manages its forests to protect streams and water Another amazing addition to the Conserva- quality, download a PDF of this booklet mdc4.mdc. tion Department’s book selection is Missouri’s mo.gov/Documents/20867.pdf. Wild Mushrooms: A guide to hunting, identify- Beat the Hunter Education Rush ing and cooking the state’s most common mushrooms. If names like Dead Man’s Fingers, If you need to attend a hunter education class Wolf’s Milk Slime, Fairy Ring, Big Laughing and haven’t enrolled yet, do it now! The longer Gymn, Blusher and Destroying Angel make you you wait, the greater the chances that classes will wonder, this is where to satisfy your curiosity. The -page book provides clear color photos of be full. To find a class near you, visit http://bit. these and dozens more fungi, along with detailed information about edibility, when and where ly/9dxTLV. You also can take the hunter educa- they are found and look-alike species. There are even tips on preserving mushrooms and recipes tion course online at www.hunter-ed.com/ such as “Shrimp Parmesan with mo/. People born on or after Jan. , , must Cinnabar Chanterelle Garni,” complete an approved hunter education class or “Salmon with Black Trumpet An uncommonly buy an Apprentice Hunter Authorization before colorful guide Sauce,” and “Chanterelle and to 50 cool buying hunting permits. Most hunters also need amphibians and reptiles Bacon Pizza.” The price is $ in Missouri hunter education to mentor hunters who are not plus sales tax and shipping and SHOW-ME certified and not hunting on a landowner permit. Herps handling. Taking a hunter education class with a youngster, To order either book, call toll even if you are not required to, is an excellent free -- or visit www. bonding opportunity and helps set the tone by John Miller mdcNatureShop.com. with illustrations by Steve Buchanan for safe, ethical hunting experiences that build MISSOURI DEPARRTTMMMEENNTTTTT OOOOOFF CCOONNSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN relationships and positive character traits. 8 Missouri Conservationist September 2010