Get Ready for Bow Season

*As supporters of Missouri’s Hunter Education program, the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc. plays a major role in preventing hunting incidents. A Missouri Conservation Agent once said to a group of volunteer instructors, “No matter how many classes you teach we will never wipe out all hunting accidents. That’s just not possible. Another reality is, you will never know how many hunting accidents were avoided because of your efforts.”

For many of us who are seasoned hunters, we address the following steps in preparing for the season out of habit and in some cases from learned experience. We don’t always think about the difference we make in sharing this wisdom with young people and others new to hunting.

We are passionate about the outdoors, for sure. Consider how our efforts as conservation educators, safety instructors and mentors impact the generations after us and the future of hunting in Missouri.

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It seems that every bow hunter I speak with suffers from the same problem. As the days get shorter and the temperatures become more comfortable our thoughts turn to the upcoming bow season and we realize that once again, we are starting to prepare WAY too late.

Whether you’re an experienced bow hunter or just getting started, here are a few tips that can help you prepare for the upcoming season.

Button buck, photo by the author.

Physical Conditioning

Get your bow out – YESTERDAY!

Over the last several seasons, I’ve noticed that the 65-pound draw on my Allegiance bow keeps getting harder to draw each year. I’m just not maintaining the strength in my shoulder the way I did in my youth. Fellow MHHF Board Director Michael Sauber has been bow hunting all his life. He keeps several exercise bands scattered throughout his house. Starting in June he will pick up one of the bands throughout the day, draw it tight and hold for as long as he can. He’ll continue this practice all the way to the season.

I’ve stayed pretty active this spring and summer but my cardio routine has become very irregular. When I do find time to get on the elliptical, I’m huffing and puffing more than I did last winter. Time to ramp that up, too.

Stand Placement

At the end of the season, I start thinking about the following year and how I can increase my chance for success. At the top of this list is where I’ll put my stand. I walk around a bit and try to figure out what can be improved. I promise myself I’ll get back out in March or April, choose a new location, or just move to a slightly different tree in the same area. All I need to do is bring the saw out and clear some shooting lanes while the weather is still nice. Of course, here it is July and those plans were never executed. Does this sound familiar to you?

Now, regardless of the weather, I have to get out there with my chain saw. Oh, and I have a trail cam in a box that I’ve never used. This year it’s going to get used.

Treestand, photo by the author.

Checking Gear

I have a minimal tree stand for archery and a heavier, more comfortable stand for rifle season. I need to look these over to make sure they aren’t rusting out or missing parts. I’m also going to measure the foot tray on the bow stand. Last year it seemed uncomfortably small, especially while putting on my coveralls in the dark. To help avoid a fall, I’m going to look around for a new one with a bigger platform.

Did you know that the service period for your fall restraint device has an expiration date? You should check this before every season. Mine expires this year so I’ll need to order a new one.

I didn’t harvest a deer last year so my field dressing supplies should be in good shape… unless the mice got to them. I had to patch my backpack after the mice found the candy bars I left in it a couple of years ago.

Bow Practice

Several times last year I could have taken a shot but was not able to stand up from the seat without spooking my prey. This year I’ll continue with my usual routine of starting practice at 10 yards from the target, move to 15, then 20 and then 25. I’d like to see if I can increase my effective range beyond that if for no other reason than to build confidence. Sauber’s effective range is 40 yards, wow! I’d like to get there.

At 25 yards I’m shooting from an elevated position. Then I’m going to add something new, I’m going to practice from a seated position, experiment with different angles and so forth. Maybe this year I can take those shots.

If you have tips you’d like to share, send them to MHHF Executive Director, Colton Zirkle at execdir@mhhf.us. He’ll share them with others on our Facebook page. No matter how prepared we are, there’s no guarantee that we’ll harvest a deer. But by being better prepared, we can eliminate some of the variables we control.

Missouri’s archery deer and turkey hunting seasons run from September 15 to November 10, 2023 and November 22, 2023 to January 15, 2024.

To learn more about MHHF Youth Hunter Education Clinics, including possible bow hunting clinics, visit mhhf.us/clinics

 

by Lee Vogel

Co-Founder

Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc.

Guided on Safari

August, 2022: The second of a series of memos from MHHF co-founder Lee Vogel, who recently visited Africa.

Our safari guide KLB whispers urgently: “Take picktcha! Take picktcha! Take picktcha!”

We’re in a sunken pit-blind like waterfowlers use in the Midwest but we’re not hunting ducks today. We’re in front of a man-made watering hole on a private preserve in the Kalahari Dessert in Botswana, Africa.

The setting sun behind us creates perfect light for photographing kudu, jackal, springbok and warthog. The national bird of Botswana, the Kory Bustard poses cross-legged, head tilted one-quarter away toward the evening light as if to say, “I am kind of a big thing, you know.”

Safaris are big business in South African countries, the third greatest source of revenue behind diamonds and beef export. Guides like KLB (he goes by initials since his native name is too long and difficult for guests) use skills handed down over hundreds of years dating back to the indigenous Bushmen.

The guides learn to identify the animals, male/female, old/young, their “scat” (manure), how to read their tracks and how recently those tracks were made. Over time they become knowledgeable about individual animals.

They also learn about the plant life, its medicinal properties, whether it’s useful to get water from, and using them to make tools, traps and fire. They learn how to read the weather and understand the impact of the changing seasons.

In hunter education we classify these skills and knowledge as woodsmanship. Like the African, many of these skills that we use were handed down from our own indigenous people.

The guides ascend through the ranks as they gain knowledge and experience. They move from one camp to another like doctors completing their “clinical rotations.”  At each camp they learn all of the different jobs from guiding to vehicle maintenance, from making up the visitor tents to washing dishes. The camps are remote and if a staff member can’t perform the others must fill in. When a rotation is over they “furlough” home for a period, often to remote villages with a community water well, no sanitary system, comprised of grass huts structures with dirt floors and many family occupants.

The role of the safari guide has changed little since the days of the big game hunter in search of a trophy or procurers filling an order from a zoo. Today the ecotourists are armed with Canon, Nikon and Sony digital cameras, and of course cell phones.

This morning we saw a family of white rhinos. Since this is a private preserve the rhinos are tranquilized every one to three years to remove the horns making them useless to the poachers who would kill them otherwise.

There is strict protocol when tracking moving wildlife for the tourists. Up to three vehicles, usually specially outfitted Land Cruisers or Land Rovers, are allowed in a particular area at a time. Any additional parties must wait at a distance until one of the other leaves (otherwise the experience seems more like a Disneyland ride). The guides stay in radio contact. Once a moving animal or group is spotted the first guide provides location and direction to the other two guides. The autos “leap-frog” past each other and then park along the forecasted path of the animals, waiting for them to appear.

Although the animals generally ignore the safari vehicles, guests are instructed to stay seated and in the car. Humans are considered a form of “super-predator,” which through experience the animals learn won’t attack them. As long as the humans behave, the animals behave and go about their business. The one exception is when young animals are present. Larger beasts surround the young ones even if they are grazing. If one of the youngsters gets curious about the onlookers and steps away from the group the rest of the herd pays close attention. We saw a mother elephant face us, spread her ears and threateningly shake her head as if telling us to keep our distance.

While experiencing the wildlife in Africa I found relevance to the MHHF Mission of introducing youth to an outdoor way of life. Time and again I was moved with an unfamiliar awe. Much as I’d like to think our clinic participants feel when they first spy a deer approaching their blind, a duck cupping its wings, swooping in close or watching the rising sun painting the sky through clouds of their breath in the chilly morning air. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle of what we do every day and the human drama around us. We know it’s important to take time to pause and experience these special moments nature provides.

Hearing Loss Through Shooting

Kenneth L. Kieser

Shooting in a waterfowl hunting pit, especially with other hunters, is deafening. The same can be said of a shooting range. Studies show that most firearms create noise over the 140-decibel level and exposure to slightly louder noise can permanently damage hearing.

Scientists claim the actual organ of hearing is the inner ear cochlea that receives sound waves and passes them on to your brain. Ears receive sound waves and change them into signals that are sent along nerves to the brain. Your brain then analyzes signals, recognizes them as sounds and interprets them. Problem is, Hearing becomes uncomfortable if the sound pressure level is above 110 decibels and is damaged above 130 decibels—sure as shooting.

A small .22-caliber rifle produces around 140 decibels of noise, while big-bore rifles and pistols can produce sound over 175 decibels. A shotgun produces over 155 decibels of sound. Imagine the damage you can do or have done while target practicing without hearing protection.

According to the National Institute of Health, about one in eight Americans over the age of 12 years has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing tests, nearly 30 million people.

I have lost much of my hearing from many years of shooting and wear hearing aids just to understand what is being said on television. A simple conversation with a family member is lost if they don’t speak up. Possibly even worse, I talk louder than most and don’t realize it—including in public—an embarrassment to my friends and family until someone reminds me to lower my voice. Hearing loss certainly affects controlling speech volumes. I, like many, can no longer hear distant gobbling or even song birds in the woods without help.

“Permanent damage to hearing is likely with long term exposures to noise levels low as 85 decibels, that’s like a busy city street,” said Jeff Morrill, Audiologist and Director of CAVCON Inc., manufacturers of shooter hearing devices. “The “never to exceed” noise exposure set by OSHA is 115 decibels. Physics of sound define a “doubling loudness effect” with each three-decibel increase. Thus, muzzle blasts from firearms at 135 to 160 decibels are thousands of times louder than the forbidden OSHA level. Firing only a few rounds without hearing protection can cause as much damage as a full-time exposure for one year in a noisy work setting.”

 The good news is that there are new technologies available to protect hearing and simultaneously enable hearing others in close proximity.

Electronically controlled protectors amplify speech and game sounds, similar to a hearing aid, and instantaneously shut down the impulse noise from gun shots.

These are available in ear muff, in-ear inserts and custom fitted ear sets. It is important to have a reliable “seal” to prevent the gun blast from penetrating your ear canal. Without a seal creating the hearing protection value, the electronics are useless. The shutdown of these electronics must be fast enough to prevent the blast from entering the ear through the amplification system, if not, the user gets “double jeopardy” from the amplification. Less than ½ millisecond shutdown time is preferred.

Passive protectors dampen the background noise similar to any insert hearing protector. They control the gunshot blast with an “impulse filter” implanted in the in-ear or custom ear set. The filters are capable of allowing normal background noise and speech to pass through the filter and significantly reduce the gunshot impulse noise when it occurs.

The same “seal” principle applies to passive filters and the electronics; you must have a good seal in the ear canal or the filter capabilities are useless. Custom fitted ear sets are a more consistent option to achieve the ear seal. Universal ear sets employ either a flange plug, usually in three sizes, or an expanding foam tip and placement is critical to get a seal.

Bluetooth capabilities are found in some products, although, phone calls or listening to music should be considered as a possible distraction for safety. Power sources are either hearing aid batteries, which are inexpensive and easily available or rechargeable options. Failure to remove the battery at the end of each hunting season causes probable damage due to corrosion.

Prices for electronic units run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The old adage, you get what you pay for applies.

I have field tested many of these products and my favorite hearing device, WildEar Hunting & Shooting Product Series, are built for the shooting sportsman. WildEar products are said to provide the most advanced technology in hearing protection and enhancement on the market while protecting ears from extreme noise and gun blasts, yet provide hearing enhancement for safety and communication for those with or without hearing loss.

“Our products are designed and built with the latest digital technologies, with the goal of resolving known problems in competitive design,” said Katie Macke, director of marketing. “Our line of products has advantages in ease-of-use, simplified controls, field adjustment, durability under harsh field conditions, and product quality. Special attention has also been given to achieving the absolute best fit in a custom product.”

I personally recommend this product to save your important hearing ability while still enjoying hunts and target practice. More information is available at https://www.wildear.com/ or by calling 855-494-9453.

Questions About Wild Turkeys

Kenneth L. Kieser

Wild turkey rumors start about this time of year. For example, cougars are not being stocked in Midwestern states, even though your Aunt Alice said they were. They are likely following turkey and deer herds from western and northern states, and no, wild turkeys are not responsible for eating all of your quail and morel mushrooms.

Wild turkey questions are common. Many don’t understand this unusual bird that is timid by nature and sighted from long distances in big groups most of the year and smaller groups in the spring. Yet there is no denying the disappearance of quail and rabbits.

For many years, some hunters have wrongfully blamed wild turkeys for devastating quail populations by eating quail eggs and chicks. This idea may sound ridiculous, but, once again, the accusations against turkeys seem to always be flying.

Some even blamed rabbit shortages because the big glutton wild turkeys were eating baby rabbits. I would not be surprised to find someone blaming wild turkeys for the rising fuel prices. They are likely as much to blame for that as they are for rabbit or quail shortages.

Quail populations in many regions have declined over the last two decades while wild turkey populations have dramatically increased at the same time, but there is no scientific data that points to turkeys as the culprits.

According to Jim Dietsch, president of Quail Forever's Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter, a lack of quality quail habitat - not turkey predation - is to blame.

"Habitat is one link between the rise of turkey populations and the fall of quail populations in Oklahoma and across the nation," Dietsch said. "Predation will always occur in nature, but we can help quail by improving their habitat. Quality quail habitat and proper nesting cover allows for more successful nesting with less interference from predators and bad weather."

Quail thrive in early growth habitat, which is dominated by small, food-bearing shrubs, weeds and grasses that provide plenty of ground cover for the small birds to avoid predators. Wild turkeys, in contrast, are more opportunistic and use all habitat types from pristine woodlands and prairies to older, more mature forests.

In the early to mid-20th century, when small family farms were popular, quail populations thrived. Wild plums, sumac and other shrubs grew around field borders, providing food and protection from predators. Wildfires also generated new forest growth that quail require.

To meet modern agricultural demands, farms have grown. Today's farmers plant larger crops and mow field borders. Additionally, wildfires, which once cleared brush and restored plant communities to the early habitats quail prefer, have decreased and have not been replaced by prescribed burns in many areas.

Without prescribed burns, young, brushy habitats perfect for quail to grow into forests more suitable for wild turkeys. Each of these factors has contributed to the decline in the quail population, but has created ideal conditions for wild turkeys.

"Turkeys can survive better than quail in much of today's landscape," said Brandon Houck, regional biologist for the National Wild Turkey Federation. "Because turkeys travel farther in one day than quail will in a year, turkeys simply have more options for finding food and shelter. The good news is that quail and turkeys can cohabitate when provided with the right habitat - like in central Kansas and western Oklahoma where quail and wild turkeys thrive on the same properties."

Will a turkey eat quail by accident when feeding on grasshoppers? Absolutely, but they don’t purposely go quail hunting. The poor old turkey just happens to be visible and constantly feeding, especially on grasshoppers. I believe the same could be said of morel mushrooms. The turkey may gulp some down if they find one, but they don’t go looking for the tasty morsels—humans do that!

Currently Conservation organizations are involved in numerous conservation projects nationwide that will help create the right habitat for both quail and wild turkeys. Projects include conducting prescribed fires, managing longleaf pine plantations and creating watering spots for wildlife.

We have eastern wild turkeys here, there are four sub-species in America, and they have babies in April, sometimes in early May. Hens lay between 10-12 eggs during a two-week period, then are incubated 26-28 days. The hen will only leave her nest for a short period to feed and may remain nesting for several consecutive days. 

Nests are always well hidden and the hens lays motionless when danger approaches, only flushing at the last minute. We have spooked several while mushroom hunting in the spring. A spooked wild turkey may fly almost a ¼ mile, seldom farther. Wild turkeys may walk a mile or two in one day depending on habitat and distance to food and water sources.

Turkeys venture off their travel patterns to feed on whatever is available and that may include crossing busy roads. Wild turkeys are opportunistic foragers. They spend a good portion of their day scratching in leaf litter, chasing bugs and milling for seeds. They love grasshoppers, one of their best protein sources. 

You may be fortunate enough to hear gobbling during the spring. Toms become king of the woods during their breeding season and the normally shy birds develop an attitude. April is when you will hear thundering gobbles in our woods—an awesome, addictive sound.

However, turkeys gobble less when there are large numbers of predators around. Two years ago, we were hunting on my farm by St. Joseph, Missouri. I called a gobbler off its roost and it was making plenty of noise moving in. Suddenly we heard a cat-like scream and then a huge commotion.

A bobcat or cougar jumped our gobbling bird. We could hear hens making distress calls while running down through the timber strip and the hunt ended unsuccessfully for us, but not for the wildcat. A biologist later told me that cat may have laid under their roost all night, waiting for the morning fly down—such is the life of a wild turkey.

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The Danger of Ricocheting Bullets

Kenneth L. Kieser

Some of you may have found a new rifle or pistol under the Christmas Tree. I know there is nothing better than shooting that gun the first time. But before you pull the trigger, be aware of the dangers of ricocheting bullets.

The Christmas Story, about a boy getting his first BB gun came with the line, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Most of you have seen the movie and know Ralphie almost did. I almost did too.

I was a farm boy at age ten and got a Daisy BB gun for Christmas. I loaded the gun with BB’s, put on my warm clothes and went out in the snow for my first shot. My father’s disk that pulled behind a tractor to cultivate the soil for planting looked like a good place to set a can.

I positioned the can on a steel beam, stepped back to take careful aim and shot. The BB shot low, hit a disk blade and ricocheted straight back and hit just above my right eye, yep, just like in the movie that was made some 20 years later. My folks never knew but I had a sore spot on my face. A bit lower and my right eye might have been lost forever. I was amazingly lucky.

Science has proven that BBs bounce back with almost all their velocity. How fast they return depends on what they hit. The harder and more immovable the object, the faster they rebound. There is no place for the energy to go but back into the BB’s velocity in the opposite direction.   

A few years later, I was frog hunting with cousins. One of the boys got a .22 rifle for his birthday and was aiming at a frog. Before pulling the trigger, his brother walked down to the pond shore directly across from the intended target for a closer look.

His brother shot, hitting the frog and his brother. The bullet skipped across the pond and grazed his leg, luckily only a minor injury. Shooting at water is never a good idea. Bullets skip off water and go out of control in often dangerous directions.

Sometimes a thrown rock “penetrates” into water, and sometimes it skips along the surface. Same with a bullet on water or the ground. Sometimes a bullet fired down at an angle could turn parallel to the ground, occasionally striking someone in the leg—it has happened.

So how fast does a bullet actually travel? Everything depends on bullet weight, amount of gunpowder and the length of the firearm’s barrel. I don’t have enough space to outline all bullets and sizes but here are some examples:

When bullets fly through the air, they do so at amazing speeds. The fastest bullets travel more than 2,600 feet per second. That's equivalent to over 1,800 miles per hour.

The muzzle velocity will depend on the type of firearm used. Longer barrels will generally produce higher velocities. A short barrel 22 long rifle will produce a muzzle velocity around 800 feet per second and a longer barrel will produce a velocity of about 1100 feet per second. Imagine a piece of lead hitting a flat object at this speed and there is little wonder why ricochet accidents happen.

Many .22 long rifle cartridges use bullets lighter than the standard 40 grams and are fired at higher velocities. Hyper-velocity bullets usually weigh around 30 to 32 gram and can have a muzzle velocity of 1,400 to 1,800 feet per second.

A 22 long rifle bullet can ricochet off the surface of water at a low angle of aim. Severe injury may occur to a person or object in the line of fire on the opposite shore, several hundred yards away. A 22 long rifle bullet is capable of traveling 2,000 yards or more than one mile. Most 9mm pistol rounds have a velocity somewhere around 1,200 feet per second at the muzzle and ricochets have been estimated at 500 to 600 yards.

This is a brief example of the importance of shooting in a safe direction, at a safe angle. You may shoot the bullet in what is considered a safe direction, but where exactly will that bullet end up?

Shooting ranges are no exception. Ricochet without proper safety protocol is a widespread occurrence, even in some shooting ranges and can be caused by any firearm. Poorly positioned targets can be dangerous. Surface angle and velocity/energy are factors that must be considered to design an effective range for eliminating or avoiding the risk of ricochet. However, I will note that most state and private shooting ranges are well set up with a sharp-eyed range master.

Many of us that teach Hunter’s Safety courses are trying to eliminate firearm accidents or at least decrease the number of annual mishaps. This is best accomplished by choosing location wisely and implementing safe handling of your firearms.

Shooting at flat areas like ponds, rivers, lakes or any hard surface is definitely a mistake. You never know where that bullet might stop or worse, who might stop the bullet.

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Safe Cold-Water Boating

Kenneth L. Kieser

Fall and winter offer some of the best fishing and many hunting opportunities, especially for waterfowl. Problem is, falling overboard could end your life. A simple fall overboard is the number one boating accident "event" that leads to the most fatalities for recreational boaters, especially in cold water.  

While some of these accidents involved other factors, being able to quickly get back in the boat - without help - isn't easy. A fall into cold water can turn into a life-threatening situation very quickly. It doesn't take long for exhaustion or hypothermia to drain the life out of you.  

Brace yourself: When you realize you're falling into cold water, hold your breath to avoid breathing in water if your head goes under for a moment. Having the presence of mind to lean back a little will help you avoid submersion of your head.

Keep a cool head: The body will react to the plunge by going into "cold shock," a condition characterized by hyperventilation, involuntary gasping, and internal responses including hypertension (high blood pressure) and changes in pulse rate. It's easy to panic under these conditions, but the fact is, you've got time: even in near-freezing water, people in decent physical condition will generally have at least two to five minutes and sometimes much longer, before losing the strength or coordination to pull themselves out. Don’t panic!

Stay afloat: Though your head may have gone underwater initially, you want to make sure you keep it out of the water from here on out tread water and lean slightly back to help you float more easily. Don't worry about getting out right away; in the first minute you should just concentrate on keeping afloat and not drowning.

Control your breathing: The gasping and hyperventilating associated with cold shock begin the second you go into the water and can last up to 4 minutes. You need to normalize your breathing as quickly as possible to ensure that you have enough energy and awareness to get yourself out of the water and minimize the risk of cardiac arrest resulting from cold shock, a condition that is rare in healthy people, but can strike almost instantly in the elderly or people with pre-existing heart conditions. Concentrate on slowing your breathing, and make an effort to take deep breaths.

Get as much of your body out of the water as possible: Grab on to your boat and use your arms and elbows to lift yourself up. It's likely that you won't be able to get all the doing so, but you can get out as far as possible. Water dripping off your clothing will make you weigh less. Swim out by making your body horizontal as possible

If you are unable to get out of the water after 5 or 10 minutes, you're almost certainly not going to get out. Your body will become weak and uncoordinated, and you will eventually lose consciousness. Don't give up. Instead, change your strategy. Many people who have lost consciousness after falling out of a boat in cold water and have still been rescued because they managed to keep their heads above water even while they were passed out.

Get as much of your body onto the boat quickly as possible. Struggling takes away your energy and can lower your body temperature.

Boaters and anglers need to be prepared, especially if you are alone. accidents can happen to you, so please read the following tips from Deckee for ideas on surviving the unexpected:

Have a plan: An essential part of getting out on the water is that you have a plan for your trip in advance. Freshwater does not necessarily mean calm water – so consider how to get there and back, and take into account the conditions you are boating in. Let someone on shore know where you will be going boating, and what time to expect you back.

 

Always check the weather beforehand: Being weather-wise is very important for cold-water boaters. Check the forecast for the weather and wind, and monitor the conditions while you are out on the water. 

 

Know your limits: Whether it’s your first time going out on the water or the 100th, it’s essential you know your limits. Not every boater has the same level of experience, and that’s fine. 

 

Make all your boating decisions based on the level of your knowledge, confidence and experience. If you notice that there’s a current, or the wind seems a little strong, you can always change your plan. 

 

Bring an assistant skipper: Having a friend with you while boating is a safe bet. If you feel unwell or get hurt, it’s important that someone on board can take you and the boat to safety. Briefing your buddy on how to start and helm the vessel before going out is essential, as you may be incapacitated and won’t be able to help them. 

 

Bring a life jacket and a throwable device: Depending on the size of boat you’re taking out, you need to bring enough life jackets for everyone on board, and a Type IV throwable device. It is recommended that you wear a life jacket at all times while onboard. 

 

When choosing a life jacket, make sure it fits well. If there is a storm or other severe weather, passengers on board who are elderly, are non-swimmers or have a serious medical condition should wear a life jacket at all times.

 

Check with your state to determine any safety requirement for boats in your area.


Have a boat safety kit on board: Having the right gear aboard in an emergency is crucial. A first aid kit should be kept on board, equipped with a selection of bandages and a range of medication.

 

Deckee is the free boating app for local information, weather, navigation aids and official alerts and notices. This group is dedicated to boating safety and have an incredible amount of information. You can check their website at: www.deckee.com.

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Safe Hunting in 2021

By: Kenneth L. Kieser

Deer season was winding down and someone decided that a walking drive might push out the big buck that had gone nocturnal. Many had viewed this monster throughout the summer and fall while feeding in row-crop fields only to disappear when hunters entered the woodlots. The year was 1983 and I, too, wanted a shot at this whitetail buck with antlers that made it trophy status, possibly one for the record books.

The idea was to take turns driving out timber strips while two sat up ahead watching possible escape routes. We had enough deer hunting savvy to know the buck would angle ahead of the crowd, then stop to look back, the exact moment when a one-shot harvest was possible.

A running buck in brush was almost impossible to drop, with a better than average chance of wounding this great creature to crawl in the brush for an agonizing death—an unacceptable scenario. We agreed to wait for it to stop before shooting or not shoot if it kept running.

The drive started in an area where likely the big buck was hiding. A couple of young hunters joined us and six started slowly walking through a long strip of thick cover that included vines and bushes scattered between hard-wood trees. My cousin sat about 60 yards across from me and I was positioned with a good view of several escape areas including an open field. We had deer rifles with good scopes sighted in at about 150 yards.

A commotion broke below us in the strip and someone yelled, “There he is.” The sounds of what turned out to be two does and the big buck crashing straight towards my position. I tensed up and then tried to relax, knowing that I would only get one shot. My eyes strained for a view of the trophy buck quickly moving towards me. Then it happened.

One of the younger hunters saw a glimpse of the buck and took a quick shot. “BOOM,” then a chilling sound similar to a locomotive train engine screamed past my head. The frightful sound of that bullet passing will never be forgotten, the moment my life almost ended.

I would have died that day had the bullet been angled inches closer. The shock of this epic incident made the long-gone buck seem unimportant. I informed the young hunter that his bullet almost took a fair portion of my head and he looked sick. Hunters on that drive should not have fired straight ahead where the blockers were positioned—no matter how big the buck.

That was my last deer drive. I no longer allow drives on my property and encourage others to avoid doing this potentially dangerous act, although some are well organized with veteran hunters. I would rather target a buck and then shoot it from a stand.

Today I am a certified Hunter’s Education Instructor and a board member of the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation. We teach firearms safety with the intension of saving lives or serious injury. I was shocked to learn a many of the teachers have been shot—including me.

I was showered by shotgun pellets while blocking on a pheasant hunt in the early 1990’s. A bird jumped up in front of a novice hunter and he fired a load of #6 shot that caught a fair portion of my back and left shoulder.

My saving grace was that he was about 60 yards away, but the impact knocked me sideways to the ground. Eventually the guide was able to pry out three shotgun pellets from just under the skin of my upper back and apply Neosporin. Fortunately, most of the pellets seemed to glance off my heavy hunting jacket.

The shooter that outweighed me by about 40 pounds actually laughed, so my old boxing days kicked in and I decked him before anyone could stop me. He wisely stayed down for a few moments while I cooled off.

My two close calls were probably our fault for putting novice hunters in the position where they could make a fatal mistake. Most experienced hunters would not have made those shots while remembering where the blockers were positioned.

The 2021-2022 hunting season has arrived and it’s time to use common sense. Here are some tips:                 

  The National Rifle Association’s rules for safe hunting:

*Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
·*Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
·*Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

  *Know your target and what is beyond.
·*Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
·*Know how to safely use the gun.
·*Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
·*Wear eye and ear protection, as appropriate.
·*Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
·*Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
·*Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

There should be no excuse for firearms accidents, especially after graduating a Hunter’s Education course. No game animal or bird is worth risking human life or property. Make sure you have a safe shot before touching the trigger. Shooting another human is a tragedy that would haunt you forever.

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Early Fall Squirrel Hunting

By Kenneth L. Kieser

This has been a year of record high temperatures. Hopefully the first of September will be somewhat cooler, but don’t count on it. This is a value of early morning squirrel hunts.

My family hunted squirrels in the early fall throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. Any additional meat was welcomed and going into the cool morning woods was pleasant, inspite of the mosquitos. Young squirrels were plentiful and very good table fare.

Few seem to hunt squirrels these days and that is a shame. They are fun to hunt and this is a good chance to watch the woods come alive in the early morning. Here is a guide for trying this seemingly forgotten sport: 

WHERE TO HUNT: Squirrels are hard to spot if they are alerted to your presence, even in bare trees. Those who move too fast or don’t have the patience to sit still may only see or hear squirrels running from a distance.

Hickory or oak ridges are perfect places to sit, watch and listen. Eventually you will hear squirrels working in the trees or on the ground. Many of the young squirrels will be playing, chasing each other up and down trees.

SNEAK IN: Wake up early and position around walnut trees or cornfields before daylight. Mornings are cool and wildlife is moving this time of year. Sit, look and listen for squirrels and remember, you may hear squirrels before you see them. You might even enjoy the show of young squirrels chasing their kinfolk up and down trees, especially in areas with limited hunting.

You may be out of shooting range, but sit still and wait for you chance. The young fryers may move into easy shooting range. When you shoot one, sit still. You may get a crack at the second or third.

I have known squirrel hunters to shoot their limit of six from the same spot. They shoot and mark where each squirrel falls. Then pick up their limit and walk away with little effort.

STILL HUNT: Still-hunting is the term used for a dead-slow walk. Most hunters only move two or three feet in 10 minutes or longer. You don’t travel far fast, but you will definitely see more.

Watch each step to avoid cracking sticks or making any type of unnecessary noise, easier said than done in the fall. But if you do crack a stick or make some other type of noise, freeze and pretend you are a tree. Squirrels have sharp eyes making a good case for camouflage. Remember to move slowly and only move your eyes.

BUDDY HUNTING: Buddy hunting may be the best way to squirrel hunt. Still-hunt from tree to tree, about ten feet apart. Then study the trees you pass and look behind you occasionally. You might just get an easy shot.

Squirrels move from one side of the tree to the other to escape danger. They are hidden by the tree, but during a buddy hunt, the squirrel will move around the tree to hide from one and become easy prey for the other. My brother and I have taken many squirrels using this technique. But beware of careless or even inexperienced hunters.

SQUIRREL DOGS: Hunters once depended on dogs to tree squirrels. A good dog was considered a prized possession. The dog would chase a squirrel until it sought refuge in a tall tree. Hunters would either have to scan the branches for a hiding squirrel or one would occasionally sit on a limb and bark at its tormentor who was still barking back. That causes quite a commotion in a quiet woodlot.

BLACKPOWDER: Want to try something different. Blackpowder rifles are great fun for squirrel hunting. Most hunters choose a .32 or .36 caliber black powder squirrel rifle. Bigger bores may tear up the squirrel making it inedible.

Loading the old fashion guns is simple. Start by pouring a pre-measured amount of black powder or Pyrodex down the barrel. You will probably use between 30 to 40 grains of powder for squirrels, but this is best determined by spending time at a target range to find your rifle’s most effective load.

Next place a cloth wadding around a small lead pumpkin ball and use a small ball starter to push the load just inside the barrel. The cloth and ball are both lightly lubricated with commercial jells, but saliva will do in a pinch.

The load is then pushed down the barrel with a ramrod until it will push no farther. When you are certain the load will go no farther, mark your ramrod against the barrel’s end with a sharp knife to ensure that the load is all the way down every time. Occasionally a load will jam in the barrel creating a messy situation when the spark hits black powder.

When you are ready to start hunting, cock your hammer back to the safety position (the clicking point just before locking the hammer back for a shot) and insert a percussion cap over the nipple. The cap shoots a spark down to the black powder when the hammer drops by pulling the trigger.

You can use percussion caps to clear out the barrel of dampness or debris before loading. This is accomplished by placing a cap on the nipple, cocking the hammer back and pulling the trigger. First make sure the rifle is pointed in a safe direction.

The first step to black powder hunting is a long visit at the shooting range. All black powder rifles are slightly different. Only practice shooting will determine the best load for your rifle.

SQUIRREL RECIPES: Check the internet for ways to prepare squirrel. I especially encourage you to try Brunswick Stew or fried squirrel.

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Turkey Season is Almost Here-Get That Shotgun Ready

Kenneth L. Kieser

Turkey season will soon be here—is your shotgun ready?

 

I watched three big gobblers in the middle of March feeding in a cornfield. They were clearly walking in line because of their pecking order and nibbling away at some farmer’s grain left in the field. By April 1, they will start looking for hens to breed. The hens will make enticing noises, knowing the boys will soon arrive and that is your cue to make sweet music on a turkey call. Your state’s legal hunting day will arrive in a few days, so be prepared. 

 

Every year, thousands of hunters travel to rural areas looking for a big gobbler. They get out of bed well before daylight and drive while trying to keep their eyes open. Hunter’s live for the moment when a huge tom comes gobbling into their set and in shotgun range. 

 

Then the moment of truth when a big boy fills the air with his gobbling and deepens your breathing. He will walk into view with a bright red head and strutting his wings like a high school bully flexing his arms. Your calling is dead on and everything is working until you squeeze the trigger and feathers fly, but your turkey escapes, likely wounded to possibly suffer a horrible death. Then, after all expense and preparation for the hunt, you leave the woods with a hollow feeling after missing what seemed to be an easy shot and you wish the shot had totally missed that bird. There are few feelings worse than wounding a creature of any kind.

 

Shooting wild game is harvesting, or at least it should be. Wounding any creature to fly away or run off and suffer is terrible for the creature and for you. The one-shot kill requires preparation and plenty of practice. Anything less than a one-shot kill is totally unacceptable.   
 
Knowing how your shotgun patterns is only part of the equation to having a successful hunt. But it is a very important part. Being used to shooting again and knowing your firearm makes you a more successful and safer hunter. Practicing the shot before the season will leave you confident with your shooting abilities, and you’ll be able to focus on other important parts of the hunt.
 
This year, try these helpful hints to ensure success.
 
1. Choose the correct shotgun:
When choosing a shotgun for hunting, choose a model that’s comfortable to shoot to give you more confidence. Shooting magnum loads can lead to a bad case of the flinches or jerking the trigger, sure ways to throw off your sight plane.
 
2. The Importance of Shotgun Chokes:
A key element to an accurate shotgun is a good choke. For example, turkey chokes have more constriction than a Full choke, and are often labeled Extra Full or XX Full. Tighter chokes are designed for smaller pellets such as No. 6 or No. 5 shot. The more open constrictions are better suited for larger pellets such as No. 4s.
 
Can you have too much constriction? Yes, you can. Depending on your gun and the ammunition you’ve selected, you can over-constrict the shot to the point where the pattern diminishes. It is possible for the pellets to bounce off each other or become deformed, leaving large holes in your pattern. The solution for this is to go to a more open constriction or to a smaller shot size.

 

Many veteran waterfowl hunters use improved or modified chokes with steel shot. Most prefer to work ducks or geese in for close shots. You will still find full chokes in blinds, but not as often as the lead shot days.
 
3. Ammunition:
The ammunition you choose can drastically affect your pattern. Each gun-choke combination will shoot a specific round better than the others. The only way to determine which it likes, is to shoot a variety of ammunition. Vary your shot sizes and brands from several distances and stick with the one that gives you the most consistent pattern.
 
4. That All-Important Shot Pattern:
The ideal pattern for hunting turkeys is 100 pellets in a 10-inch circle at 40 yards. This density means that there should be plenty of pellets in the small vital area of the turkey’s head and neck to kill it ethically.
 
5. Know 40 Yards:
Turkey guns are often patterned at 40 yards because that is the maximum distance promoted by the Turkey Hunting Safety Task Force as the proper range to ethically and cleanly kill a turkey with a shotgun. However, knowing how your shotgun patterns at distances less than 40 yards is also very important. I think up to 50 yards is adequate for waterfowl hunters, though there are many 60-yard shots, even with veteran hunters.
 
6. Dial it in:
Shotguns tend to be different, so field testing is important. Initial pattern tests should be on a 30-inch target. Sheets of butcher paper or craft paper work great. Draw a small two-inch circle in the middle and color it in with a marker, then draw a 10-inch circle centered on that.

 

Pace off 40 yards or use a laser range finder to mark your distance. Use a shooting brace/bench to reduce human error and shoot a single round at each target. Shoot a few different types of ammo through different choke tubes, record the information and then compare the results. Pick the round that gives you the densest pattern.
 
7. Be ready to shoot:
After a few trips to the range, you’ll have the confidence that your gun can produce the needed results for cleaner kills.

 

Stages of a Shooter and Hunter

Stages of a Shooter and Hunter

Kenneth L. Kieser

You recently purchased your youth a firearm. Now comes the fun of shooting and hunting with that boy or girl while considering responsibilities and phases of a new gun owner.

Gun ownership must start with Hunter’s Education Classes provided free by fish and game groups like the Missouri Department of Conservation or the Missouri Hunter’s Heritage Federation. Even youngsters that never plan to hunt but only shoot targets, are required by law to take these classes and for good reason. Many hours were spent in developing this professional design for firearms safety.

Classes taken, it’s time to practice and the phases of shooting begin. The first pull of a trigger can be frightening for a child. The simple pull of a trigger that creates an explosion caused by exploding gun powder will often make a beginning shooter flinch. This is reason for the required plugs that protect hearing and makes the report less startling.

After the first bullet or shotgun shell is fired, the new shooter will relax and let their firearms safety training take over. Then they can focus and carefully pick their targets before inhaling a deep breath and squeezing the trigger. Shooting glasses are welcome too, especially when some residue accidently kicks back in the shooter’s face. This has only happened to me a couple of times in 60 years of shooting, but the glasses were good protection and besides, they look cool.

The next phase of improving as a shooter requires enjoyable hours of target practice. This, too, is important to ensure that later your youth will be capable of the all-important one-shot kill instead of wounding a bird or animal so it can suffer and later die a terrible death. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s a fact of life and why proficiency with a firearm is important.

Your youth will soon develop a familiarity with their rifle or shotgun, so now it’s time to hunt. This is an anxious time for most young shooters that are sharing an adventure afield with their adult. For some this may be the most adult activity they have tried in their young life.

The youngster should be fully aware of dangers their firearm can cause after pulling their trigger and sending a life-threatening bullet or shot at several thousand feet per second. The main reason why professional firearms training is necessary.

The first hunts will be about the experience and hopefully taking their first wild game. Adults should acknowledge the first kills with praise like “well done” or “good job”—something positive.

I remember shooting my first wild rabbit and holding it up for an older family member. His comment, “What do you want, a medal?” That sarcastic comment was not encouraging and I still remember it about 59 years later.

You now have a hunting partner for many positive outings. Remember your youngster is a beginner, so keep an eye on his gun handling. Occasionally a shooter that has become too comfortable with their firearm will make mistakes, some fatal. So be aware and watch.

The next phase of hunting may be focusing on trophies. They may discover that the young gobbler called a jake or the young buck with small antlers was nothing compared to the bigger species their buddy shot. This is an important time when the adult must explain that any deer or turkey provides good meat for the family and there is nothing to be ashamed of in taking a younger or smaller bird or animal.

We live in a competitive society where sports in school identify youth. Races, wrestling matches or other tests determine if a boy or girl will earn their varsity letter and proudly display it on well-made jackets. Even grades in some classes are part of competitions in schools, called grading on the curve. Competitive spirits are created in scholastic settings and there is nothing wrong with this.

However, that mindset has absolutely nothing to do with hunting. This sport is not about shooting the biggest or the most for bragging rights.

I once saw a man get shot in the face by a friend that rose up and shot at quail too quickly before making sure of a safe shooting lane. His ambition was to shoot the most birds for later bragging rights. Fortunately, the shot man was not seriously injured, although it’s a miracle he wasn’t killed. He had some skin ripped on the edge of his left cheek that was cleaned up at the hospital, ending the friendship.

On another hunt I saw a very good hunting dog killed. We had to physically grab the dog’s owner to stop him from seriously hurting the shooter. That dog had slept beside his bed every night since it was a puppy. Tears were shed and the shooter left without hesitation, his only wise act that day. 

Hunting is about enjoying the experience and doing it right. What you harvest is not important. How the hunt is carried out is, especially when you have good dogs working. There is no room for fast, brainless shooters on a hunt.

There are many phases for a hunter or shooter. The trick is to be safe and enjoy the good, clean outdoors.

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MO Hunter Education Course/Concealed Carry Class: Very Different Indeed

MO Hunter Education Course/Concealed Carry Class: Very Different Indeed

Lee Vogel Co-Founder, Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation, Inc.

 

Today a very good friend and loyal supporter of MHHF forwarded an article about U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colo) and her strong promotion of concealed and open carry rights. My response was supportive so long as there is adequate education for those not yet knowledgeable about firearm safety. He noted that he’d taken a concealed carry course years ago and found it helpful.

This got me to thinking about the distinction between Hunter Education and Concealed Carry. For those who know the difference, I hope you find this article interesting. For those who do not, please bear with me and read on.

In Hunter Education, as in the Missouri Hunter Education Certification classes we include in our MHHF clinics, we focus, among other things on how to safely operate a firearm so hunters do not unintentionally injure themselves or others. This includes KNOWLEDGE about the basic firearm actions, sights and safeties and SKILLS that come with practice before the hunt. We also discuss a hunter’s ATTITUDE. If someone does not respect the potential lethality of the firearm they hold and act in a careless manner, all the knowledge and skill won’t keep an accident from happening. The history of reduced hunting-related firearm incidents nationwide after implementation of required hunter education courses speaks for itself.

The Concealed Carry class focuses on, among other things, the legal ramifications of “brandishing” a firearm, the legal ramifications of shooting another person in defense of person or property, whether you should “shoot to kill”, the procedure you need to follow after an incident as in regard to contacting and communicating with law enforcement and, what might be considered justified self-defense in a jury trial and the difference between legal and civil suit following the incident.

Concealed Carry is NOT hunter education, though like hunter education certification I personally believe it is an interesting and valuable class to attend.

I know of folks who considered purchasing a personal defense firearm and after taking the class, chose not to make that purchase. I respect that. After all, isn’t our country all about choice?

 The young people who participate in MHHF clinics are there because their parents have an expressed interest in introducing them to the shooting sports and hunting. They are looking for an engaging way to make that happen and, more importantly, a safe way. They could easily try to take on this role themselves. Instead, they choose MHHF because they know we will carefully and conscientiously provide an experience that can lead to the creation of another Missouri hunter. Whether the youth takes the next step and embraces Missouri’s outdoor way of life, is up to them. That will be their choice. And if/when they do, we can be proud that we’ve provided them the education and skills necessary to be successful.

FROM LEE'S DESK - MARCH 2019

Greetings!

This is my last column as your MHHF President. On March 30th, at our Annual Business Meeting, Stacie Hubler will be named President of Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation. She is the second person to serve the Federation in this position. Stacie has served MHHF and its members for seven years, both as a volunteer and as a member of our Board. I’m excited for this transition and look forward to supporting her as she leads our organization over the next several years.

In addition to helping with this leadership transition, I will continue on the Board for another year representing MHHF at Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) and other association events, producing our Annual Progress Report, developing an endowment for the continued funding of our organization, supporting new member recruitment, continue to coordinate the Annual Henry County Waterfowl Clinic and, oh yeah, expanding the Henry County Chapter!

Before I go, I’m very excited to announce the appointment of Kenneth Kieser to our Board of Directors. Ken is an award-winning outdoor writer of 41-years with several thousand bylines in newspapers and magazines. His work, writing and photos have appeared in most of America’s top outdoor magazines and numerous newspapers. Ken is very passionate about getting youngsters outside and behind a firearm or a fishing pole.

In addition, Brandon Butler has accepted the Board’s nomination to a three-year Director term. I met Brandon 10 years ago at the annual conference of the Professional Outdoor Media Association in St. Louis. Despite the 22-year difference in our age, we found we had much in common. For the last five years he has been the Executive Director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, as well as an MHHF life member and clinic mentor.

Speaking of CFM, Stacie and I attended the 83rd Annual Conference in Jefferson City March 9th and 10th. At the Affiliate Luncheon, MHHF received a check for $1,250 from the CFM-David Risberg Memorial Grant. This is the second year this grant has been awarded, and MHHF has been a recipient both times. Conference speakers included Ben Ellis, Division Director of Missouri State Parks and Sarah Parker Pauley, Director, Missouri Department of Conservation. It is always a thrill to be at a conference surrounded by so many others who are passionate about Missouri’s outdoors.

CFM’s Explore the Outdoors-Kansas City Banquet https://www.confedmo.org/kansas-city/ will be held May 2nd at The Bass Pro Shops, Independence. If you haven’t attended, this is like a mini-conference with dinner, key note speaker and silent and live auctions. If you are interested in attending please let me know. Depending on the number of us going, we may be able to get a MHHF table.

I sincerely hope you’ll consider joining us on Saturday, March 30th at the Annual Business Meeting and stick around for the 8th Annual Spring Fling Trap & Turkey Shoot Benefit. http://www.mhhf.us/events In addition to the usual business of electing officers, reviewing our accomplishments and presenting our Keith McCanse, Allan Hoover and Volunteer of the Year Awards, we’ll get to meet our new State Hunter Education Coordinator, Justin McGuire. Come on out!!!!

FROM LEE'S DESK - FEBRUARY 2019

Last week, from a beach on Hawai’i Island, I saw a humpback whale cow execute a full breach and then watched her calf repeat the maneuver. A full breach is where the giant mammal swims up from the depths with great speed and flies out of the water, its entire body airborne, and then flops back in a horizontal position.

Spinner dolphins also do this, but their splashdown doesn’t displace as much water as their 33 ton cousin. So they add their own twist, if you will, a corkscrew technique to add a little pizazz. Hence the name, ‘spinner’ dolphin.

Even after more than six decades of life, this Missouri boy still experiences a sense of overwhelming awe at the wonders of our natural world. My next thought is almost always: How can we get more young people to experience the miracles of the great outdoors?

Recently, MHHF Director Stephen Bramlett circulated an article to the Board from the New York Times about members of the Millennial Generation turning to hunting for the benefit of eating better.

My favorite part is reading about the 33-year-old chef who tried to teach himself how to field dress a deer by surfing Google. But what the heck! If the motivation for the next generation to become outdoorsman is through their gourmet hobbies, more power to them!

Nationwide, the number of hunters and other folks skilled in the ways of the outdoors are going the way of the Jedi Knight. Scientific studies continue to point out and make known the serious implications of this trend. Fortunately, there are growing numbers of resources available starting with our Missouri Department of Conservation. Their website and publications provide terrific information for individuals, families and school classes. Another resource to check out is the Children & Nature Network website.

Of course, for the most hands-on experience, the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation continues to provide free hunter education clinics for five to six families at a time. For a parent (or any relative) who wants to introduce their youngster to Missouri’s hunting tradition, plus give them the knowledge and skills that come with being a hunter, this is one great weekend. And, short of buying a hunting tag when applicable, it’s all free.

Thank you, as always, for your support of our efforts and please come join us on March 30, for the Annual Member Business meeting and eighth Annual Spring Fling Trap & Turkey Shoot Benefit at Lake Lotawana Sportsmen’s Club.

FROM LEE'S DESK - JANUARY 2019

Greetings! Wishing you a year of good health and exceptional prosperity.

In May 2017, the MHHF Board of Directors set a goal to graduate the 500th family by December 31, 2018. We fell short of this goal by 16 families. Three more clinics would have put us over the top. Although we didn’t meet our goal, I believe we achieved something of equal – or perhaps greater – value. I think back on a number of occasions where young people I did not immediately recognize approached me, reintroduced themselves and shook my hand. These clinic graduates are considerably taller and more mature these days. Sometimes they share pictures of hunts they have been on with family and friends. What a thrill to know I was, in a small way, involved in their development with this activity that brings them so much joy. It’s a fun and humbling experience.

There are many roles and components to our clinics. We need a classroom, shooting range, land to hunt. We need instructors, mentors and other volunteers to take pictures, help with equipment and our camp lunch. Our Clinic Organizers are the front line “sergeants” who pull everything and everyone together.  It’s not a difficult job and honestly, a lot of fun. It just takes time. The process is all lined out in our MHHF Procedure Manual. We revised this document last year to keep it up to date. It states everything that needs to be done, when to do it and what to do when something doesn’t quite come together as expected. Every time I complete a clinic, I’m so amped-up I’m ready to start working on the next one.

This year we need to recruit more Clinic Organizers. Please consider this for yourself or someone you know and send their name to me at president@mhhf.us.

In this update you’ll note that we already have dates for most of our annual events. Our annual Membership Meeting is Saturday, March 30th. Part of the agenda will be the presentation of the MHHF Keith McCanse, Allan Hoover and Volunteer of the Year awards. You can see previous recipients and the criteria for nomination on our new recognition page http://www.mhhf.us/mhhf-recognition/  Consider nominating someone and send it to execdir@mhhf.us by March 1st.

Our 8th annual Spring Fling Trap and Turkey Shoot/Benefit is also Saturday, March 30th. We are seeking sponsors for Spring Fling now. Email us at execdir@mhhf.us to get sponsorship information.

Our 9th annual Shoot for the Future Sporting Clays Benefit is Saturday, August 17th.  Please put these dates on your calendar now.

It’s going to be a great year for MHHF! I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

FROM LEE'S DESK - DECEMBER 2018

When you think back on the winter holidays growing up, were there traditions that involved going outside? I’ve heard when families gathered in the country, they would set up targets for “plinking” with a 22 or BB gun. Sometimes the kids would build snow forts and have a “war.” Perhaps, for city kids like me, it was critical to build a snowman who would greet the family when they arrived or stand guard as everyone bundling up and headed out to “walk off” dinner. Regardless of the activity, it was done as a family – young and old.

I’m concerned that, for whatever reason, there are traditions involving the outdoors that have been lost and replaced with passive forms of entertainment. What does the family, specifically the young people, spend their time during the family gatherings today? Do they go outdoors or do they sit around the TV to watch a movie, curl up on the couch with a video game or find comfort in their own private activity on their mobile device.

Regardless of what they do, the consequence of staying indoors is a less active lifestyle.

According to a WebMD article, “Years ago, it was rare to hear about a child with type 2 diabetes. Doctors used to think kids only got type 1. It was even called juvenile diabetes for a long time. Not anymore. Now, according to the CDC, more than 208,000 people younger than 20 have this disease. That number includes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The single biggest cause of type 2 diabetes in children is extra weight.”

One of the contributing factors to weight gain is the lack of physical activity. If our family traditions encourage a reluctance to go outside, especially if it’s too cold to go without a coat, aren’t we doing our kids a great disservice?

In the coming months, the leadership of MHHF will focus on reaching more youngsters and parents to promote the joy and benefits of learning about the outdoors through our hunter education clinics.

We greatly appreciate your support in this effort.

Please have a safe, joyful and active holiday!

FROM LEE'S DESK - NOVEMBER 2018

Last week, Fox News posted a story about a Wisconsin man who harvested a 19-point buck after pursuing it for five years. As you can imagine, this started a debate between those who don’t understand the value of hunting as a means of sustainability and those who are proponents of hunting. Over the course of time, nastiness prevailed and the debate lost any opportunity for real thoughtful commentary.

We see these extremes everywhere these days. The middle ground doesn’t get represented.

The solution to bridging this gaping difference in point of view is better understanding developed through education. If people don’t experience hunting and the outdoors way of life, they don’t have a basis to understand it or others who love it.

One day, years ago in early November, I was hunting alone not expecting to see any ducks. A HUGE flock came into the flooded field and stayed there. All of the other hunters in my group were away on trips. I called a very good friend who is not a hunter and pleaded for him to bring his daughter and join me. He did and after spending that beautiful afternoon in the blind he completely understood my passion for this experience.

Shortly after that he became an MHHF life member and was later elected to our Board of Directors. Now, he and his wife frequently volunteer at our waterfowl clinics. While I doubt he will ever become a hunter, he has become an advocate for hunting as a means of conservation. While this is just one example, it represents one of the many reasons why I feel the mission of our organization and the efforts of our volunteers and supporters is so important.

We shouldn’t for a minute think all the young people who participate in our hunter education clinics will become lifelong hunters. But we feel they will have had the experience to understand the love of the outdoors, the hunting traditions, the importance of conservation and why others have such a passion to get outside and “be amongst’em.” 

You can help introduce a family to Missouri’s hunting tradition by inviting them to participate in our Henry Country Waterfowl Clinic, December 7-9. If you know an adult with a young person who would be interested, please send him or her my way at president@mhhf.us

Thank you for your support and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

FROM LEE'S DESK - OCTOBER 2018

Off the coast of Maine lies the island of Mount Desert which includes the charming seaport of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. While visiting last month, I learned that, in the island’s early days, maintaining a healthy population of white tail deer was no problem because the indigenous tribes of the Wabanaki Indians hunted the deer for food. But that was a long time ago.

In the 1600s, the island was discovered by the French and shortly after that the British and eventually surrendered to the Americans. By the late 1800s, the island had become a summer destination for the rich and the famous. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and others purchased land and built flamboyant summer “cottages.” From 1915 to 1933 Rockefeller led a campaign among his peers which resulted in a donation of 35,000 acres to the US government for the national park. He played a big role in the design of the park including financing many of the improvements, trails and bridges, personally.  

But I digress….

With no Wabanaki hunters and the land now a federally managed park, the number of deer grew to the point where there was not enough food to sustain a healthy deer population and over-browsing was having considerable impact on the forests. Park rangers introduced coyote to the island to reduce the number of deer but being the opportunists they are, the coyote decided domestic dogs and cats were their preferred fare. Soon they had issues with two animal populations.

I asked a noted historian if the authorities considered managed hunting within the park to reduce the number of deer. That option has proven effective elsewhere, including in Missouri. He said the park staff met with the local community and this option was considered but rejected.

Though not everyone agrees with every management decision made by the Missouri Department of Conservation, we know considerable scientific research and conversation with Missouri citizens is made before action is taken. In the hunter education certification class our clinic participants learn about the important role humans and specifically hunters play in wildlife management. With this perspective, understanding and appreciation of the natural world we are better prepared to make wise management decisions.  

 Thank you for supporting our hunter education clinics.  And thanks to all of you who participated in our 8th Annual Shoot for the Future Sporting Clays Tournament.

For more interesting examples of great mistakes in managing wildlife, consider reading Nature Wars by Jim Sterba.

https://smile.amazon.com/Nature-Wars-Incredible-Comebacks-Battlegrounds/dp/0307341968/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1539110525&sr=1-23