1. State, Federal Charges Cap Poaching Investigation
2. James River: Corridor to Ozark Adventure
3. 1996 Natural Events Calendar Available
4. Commission to Meet Nov. 9 in St. Joseph
5. Favorite James River Fish Species
6. Down the James River
7. Join a Stream Team
"We are building ourselves an asphalt treadmill and allowing the green acres of our nation to disappear." -- Gen. Omar Bradley
1. State, Federal Charges Cap Poaching Investigation
Father and son charged on dozens of counts, including over-limit of deer and turkey
and interstate transport of game killed illegally in national parks.
VAN BUREN, Mo. -- An investigation that began with the killing of a deer in a wildlife refuge in Carter County has culminated in state and federal felony charges for poaching as far away as Montana.
United States Attorney Edward L. Dowd, Jr., announced Oct. 19 that a federal grand jury had indicted John Partney, 46, of Van Buren and his son, Andrew Partney, 22, of Cape Girardeau. The two are charged with violating the Lacey Act, a federal law against transporting illegally taken game across state lines. The charges are related to the killing of an elk in Yellowstone National Park and a bighorn sheep in Glacier National Park.
At the same time, Carter County Prosecuting Attorney Bradshaw Smith announced he was bringing state charges against the two men. The state charges include dozens of counts ranging from taking deer and turkey out of season to endangering the welfare of children. Dowd said he expects officials in Wyoming and Montana to file additional charges against the Partneys for violations in those states.
Dowd said the elder Partney is charged with: conspiring to transport bighorn sheep horns across state lines (Lacey Act); transporting bighorn sheep horns from Montana to Missouri (Lacey Act); conspiring to transport elk antlers across state lines (Lacey Act); transporting one set of elk antlers from Wyoming to Missouri (Lacey Act); conspiring to hide items to avoid seizure by law enforcement authorities; and selling ammunition to minors.
Federal charges against Andrew Partney include: conspiring to transport bighorn sheep horns across state lines; transporting bighorn sheep horns from Montana to Missouri; conspiring to transport elk antlers across state lines; transporting elk antlers from Wyoming to Missouri; conspiring to hide items to avoid seizure by law enforcement authorities executing a search warrant; and hiding the property to avoid seizure by law enforcement authorities.
State charges against John Partney include one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon -- carrying a concealed weapon -- and three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of children. He also is charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of taking deer in closed season, two misdemeanor counts of taking deer in a wildlife refuge, one misdemeanor count of taking a coyote by illegal methods, one misdemeanor count of taking more than the legal limit of deer and three misdemeanor counts of possession of turkeys in closed season.
State charges against Andrew Partney include 12 misdemeanor counts of killing deer in closed season and one count of killing a deer on a federal wildlife refuge.
The investigation that led to the charges began with the killing of a deer inside the Big Spring Wildlife Refuge in Carter County. Undercover agents with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) gathered enough evidence to obtain a warrant to search John Partney's home and associated buildings in Van Buren.
The raid involved almost every conservation agent in the Missouri Department of Conservation's Ozark Protection Region. Agents from the National Park Service and the FWS also were part of the team that conducted the raid. Juvenile officers from the 37th Judicial Circuit accompanied the other law officers because evidence showed that juveniles were involved in the case. MDC Ozark Protection Region Supervisor Gary Cravens said he suspects John Partney found out about the impending raid, because some of the evidence that undercover agents had seen at Partney's property was missing.
"He was pretty calm -- almost like he had expected us," said Cravens. "Interrogation of Mr. Partney and tips from citizens eventually enabled us to find what we were looking for, though."
What they were looking for included 196 sets of white-tailed deer antlers, 248 turkey beards, the horns from a bighorn sheep and the antlers of elk, antelope and mule deer. Also recovered were photographs of alleged illegal activities and diaries in which both Partneys recorded the time, date, place and other details of their activities dating back as far as 1961.
"It was a mountain of evidence," said Cravens. "It took weeks just to match antlers, diary entries and photos."
Violations of the Lacey Act carry a maximum punishment of $10,000 and imprisonment for one year on each count. Destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure has a maximum punishment of a $10,000 fine and imprisonment of five years. Selling ammunition to a minor carries a maximum penalty of $250,000 and imprisonment for five years. The state misdemeanor charges carry maximum punishments of $500-1,000 and up to a year in jail. The state felony charges could bring penalties of five years in prison.
According to federal indictments, John and Andrew Partney went to Montana in 1993 and illegally brought a bighorn sheep's horns back to Missouri. The same year John Partney allegedly held a light on a 12-point, 800-pound elk in Yellowstone National Park while Andrew Partney allegedly shot it. The men allegedly cut off the antlers and drove back to Missouri.
"In this case, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways division of the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have worked hand- in-hand to investigate and expose numerous hunting violations," Dowd said. "I also would like to personally congratulate Gary Cravens, Carter County Conservation Agent Thomas May, Carter County Prosecuting Attorney Bradshaw Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Poore for their outstanding work on the prosecutions of John and Andy Partney."
The indictment further alleges that on May 26, 1995, John Partney sold .22-caliber rimfire ammunition to two boys under the age of 18 and that from May 26, 1995, to June 5, 1995, John and Andrew Partney hid a number of items from possible seizure by law enforcement officers. Agents allegedly later discovered that John Partney had stored deer antlers, bighorn sheep horns, elk antlers, photographs, deer meat, rifles, diaries and other written information with neighbors and employees.
Charges of endangering the welfare of a child refer to an alleged incident on May 30, 1995, in which John Partney allegedly hired two juveniles to grind off information from plaques holding deer antlers. One additional misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child refers to John Partney's allegedly taking a juvenile hunting on the Big Spring Wildlife Refuge, where he used illegal means to kill a deer. The felony weapons charge refers to May 26, 1995, when John Partney allegedly was carrying a concealed weapon.
State misdemeanor charges against John Partney allege that he: killed 12 deer out of season from September through December 1994; killed deer on the Big Spring Wildlife Refuge; killed a coyote using an artificial light; killed more than the legal limit of deer; and killed turkeys out of season.
State charges against Andrew Partney allege that he killed 12 deer out of season from October
through December, 1994 and killed a deer in the Big Spring Wildlife Refuge.
2. James River: Corridor to Ozark Adventure
You can watch wildlife or hunt it, and catch everything from trout to paddlefish along this
Southwest Missouri river.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- East of this Ozark metropolis the James River rushes at first, then slowly crawls south to its confluence with Table Rock Lake. Along the way it is transformed into a lake then back to a river, and passes a number of public fishing accesses, a national battlefield and three conservation areas (CAs).
The James, along with the White River, is credited with spawning the southwestern Ozarks' float-fishing industry. The lore of Branson's Jim Owen and his crew of guides showing visiting anglers the joys of smallmouth and goggle-eye fishing from johnboats is etched into local history.
Southwest Missourians treasure this river, as indicated by the 40 Stream Teams associated with the James and its tributaries. Missouri Stream Team is a cooperative program of the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Departments of Conservation (MDC) and Natural Resources. It empowers citizens to take an active role in caring for the state's water resources. Stream Teams practice stream stewardship by monitoring water quality, encouraging community involvement and performing beautification projects. Four of the 40 Stream Teams in the James watershed have received Stream Team of the Year awards for their work.
The headwaters of the James are in eastern Webster County. However, the most practical place to start floating this 97-mile stream is at Highway 125 in Greene County. Also known as McCraw's Ford, the Highway 125 bridge right-of-way has traditionally provided access for floaters. Property adjacent to the right-of- way is private.
About 6.5 miles downstream is MDC's Joe Crighton Access. Take Farm Road 185 south off Highway D to Farm Road 193. This narrow stretch of stream bank (only the river side of the road is public land) provides about one-half mile of bank fishing and, although there is no boat ramp, fair access to the stream.
Downriver another four miles the James' current slows and fades into Lake Springfield, which was built in 1957 by Springfield City Utilities as a cooling lake for the James River Power Plant. The 300-acre lake provides opportunities for angling and nature study.
Fall and winter are excellent times to watch migratory waterfowl around this shallow lake. Clay Henshaw Access on the lower lake is a great vantage point for this activity. And the nearby warm-water discharge provides decent fishing in all four seasons. Named for a local advocate for the disabled, Clay Henshaw Access is a premier disabled-accessible site.
Southwood Access at the upper end of Lake Springfield also has disabled-accessible features. This access is on Farm Road 181 off Highway 60.
Also on the upper end of Lake Springfield is MDC's Springfield Conservation Nature Center. It has a boardwalk and wildlife viewing blind on one of the lake's more secluded arms. Opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography are excellent there and at other locations around the nature center.
Don't miss the fascinating exhibits and miles of trails at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4600 Chrisman Road. Call (417) 888-4237 for more information.
Boaters using Lake Springfield should be aware that Springfield City Utilities requires a $5 annual boat-registration decal. Statewide regulations are in effect for fishing year- around. A six-horsepower limit on boat motors is strictly enforced. Nothing larger is allowed, even if it's attached to the boat but not in use. Hunting is not allowed at Lake Springfield.
Below Lake Springfield's dam is Tailwaters Access. Like Southwood and Clay Henshaw Accesses, it is a cooperative effort of Springfield City Utilities and MDC.
A low-water slab about 1.5 miles downstream from Tailwaters Access requires a short portage, and shelf-rock formations farther down the river sometimes require skillful boat maneuvering or walking during low water. Good fishing usually makes up for these inconveniences.
MDC's Delaware Town Access is 15 miles downriver in Christian County, just upstream from Highway 14. Five and one- half miles farther is Shelvin Rock Access off Highway M in Christian County.
An MDC sign on Highway U in Stone County points the way to Hooten Town Access. Here a concrete boat ramp allows easy motor- boat access to the river.
Shelvin Rock to Hooten Town provides a good day of fishing, about 5.5 river miles. Goggle-eye, black bass and catfish are usually accommodating. Camping is not allowed on the previously mentioned MDC areas due to their small size, but stream access is available for boaters and bank fishing for anglers.
The stretch of the James River from Hooten Town Access down to Highway 13 at Galena is a special black bass management area. Beginning January 1, 1996, all largemouth and smallmouth bass caught in this stretch of river will have to be released immediately if they are less than 15-inches in length. Anglers will be allowed to keep only one smallmouth bass in their daily limit of six black bass.
Research indicates the fertile water of the James produces some of the best conditions for fish growth in Missouri. The new regulation should result in a great opportunity to catch bigger black bass.
Open season for black bass begins the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and closes the last day of February. Anglers also need to know that it is illegal to snag, grab or possess paddlefish between Highway 160 and the Lake Springfield Dam.
MDC selected the James River as an introduction site for paddlefish when Truman Lake flooded traditional paddlefish spawning areas, and the James has become home for this unique fish.
From Hooten Town to Galena, river travelers are treated to the splendor of towering limestone bluffs. Home to vultures and visited seasonally by ospreys and eagles, these magnificent cliffs are truly beautiful. The rock slabs in the stream along these bluffs contribute to the great fishing. Wise anglers fish such sites thoroughly. They produce a fair number of lunkers. The bluff on the right below Hooten Town has a spectacular natural arch that is easy to see after the leaves fall.
H. L. Kerr Access is off Stone County Road 176-40. The area has a concrete boat ramp and a great view of Echo Bluff just downstream.
Kerr Access is the final MDC river access at this time, but MDC plans to build another at Highway 13. It will be known as Ralph Cox Memorial Access. The Highway 13 Bridge at Galena is the boundary between the James River and Table Rock Lake for the purpose of fishing regulations.
Table Rock Lake is one of Southwest Missouri's favorite outdoor attractions. Its usually clear water is popular with water-sport enthusiasts from skiers to scuba divers.
The James River Arm of the lake has become a paddlefish hot spot to rival the Osage River and Lake of the Ozarks. Recent tests of the big fish reveal that previously detected chlordane contamination is no longer present in dangerous levels. For more information about Table Rock Lake contact the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers: (417) 334-4101.
MDC Compton Hollow CA lies within the upper reaches of the James watershed. It offers deer, turkey and squirrel hunting, a mile-long hiking trail and an archery range. This 840-acre woodland is in Webster County about five miles south of I-44 at the Northview exit. Watch for the MDC sign on Highway B.
Holland State Forest in Stone County is a 160-acre wooded tract with fair deer and squirrel hunting. The nearest community is Ponce de Leon. Take Stone County Road V-20 north to Stone County Road V-20C.
Wire Road CA is also in Stone County. It consists of 730 acres north of Crane and west of Highway 13 on Stone County Road 13-190. Another portion of the area is southeast of Crane on Stone County Road 13-130. Squirrel, deer and upland game hunting are among this area's drawing cards.
Crane Creek, which flows though the CA, has the distinction of being home to wild, McCloud-strain
rainbow trout. Only artificial flies may be used, and all trout must be released immediately in Stone and
Lawrence counties above Quail Spur Crossing (Stone County Road 13-195).
3. 1996 Natural Events Calendar Available
Tips about what's going on outdoors make the 1996 Natural Events Calendar an amazing bargain
JEFFERSON CITY -- If you never step foot outside in the coming year, you still can enjoy the excitement of nature's annual cycle. How? Through the 1996 Natural Events Calendar from the Missouri Department of Conservation. If you do go afield, the calendar provides a wealth of insights about natural red- letter days and suggestions for seasonal activities.
Consider the following entries: Jan. 3 - White-tailed deer bucks begin to lose antlers; March 15 - Raise purple martin houses today; May 5 - Male catfish begin making nests around logs; June 4 - Gooseberries ripen through mid-July; July 30 - Watch for young hummingbirds at feeder; Sept. 5 - Freshwater jellyfish may be abundant in reservoirs; Oct. 17 - Beginning of peak fall color in maples, oaks and hickories; Nov. 13 - Look for "frost flowers" with first hard frost; and Dec. 27 - Orion, Cassiopeia and other winter constellations arrive.
The Natural Events Calendar is a visual feast, too, with 32 sumptuous color photographs that will transport you into the midst of a flock of winging snow geese, to a glade awash in a sea of yellow coneflowers and inside a den with two bobcat kittens.
The Missouri Natural Events Calendar is available at MDC service centers around the state and at
MDC nature centers in Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis and Jefferson City. Some retail book stores
also stock the calendar. The price is $3, plus 19 cents sales tax in Missouri. For mail orders of single
calendars, add $2 for shipping. For information about quantity discounts, or for correct pricing when
ordering more than one calendar, call 1-800-392-4115 or write to: Natural Events Calendar, Missouri
Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
4. Commission to Meet Nov. 9 in St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Missouri Conservation Commission will meet Nov. 9 at the St. Joseph Conservation Service Center, 701 NE College Drive, St. Joseph. The Commission will meet in closed session at 8:30 a.m. The open meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m.
Commission meetings are open to the public. Anyone with business for the Commission should contact: Director, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or phone (314) 751-4115, at least 10 days before the meeting date.
Persons with disabilities requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements at the same address or phone number.
Commissioners are: Anita B. Gorman, Kansas City, chairman; John Powell, Rolla, vice chairman;
Ronald J. Stites, Plattsburg, secretary; and Randy Herzog, St. Joseph, member.
Note to editorsWith the change from daylight savings to standard time, an increased number of Missourians will be making their evening commutes during the time of day when deer are most active. This time of year also coincides with increased deer movement due to mating activity. You might consider alerting your readers to the increased potential for deer/car accidents, as such mishaps can be costly or even fatal for commuters. A news story on this topic appeared in the Oct. 6 issue of All Outdoors. Copies are available on request. -- Jim Low, (314) 751-4115, ext. 243.
FAVORITE JAMES RIVER FISH SPECIES
CHANNEL CATFISH
James River channel catfish anglers enjoy success throughout most of the year. Favorite baits include worms and chicken livers. Setlines baited with sunfish or minnows are also consistent producers, frequently yielding bragging-size flathead catfish as a bonus. Remember to label all setlines with name and address. Run lines daily and remove them when finished.
BASS
The 1996 regulation should make the James' great black bass fishing even better. For those interested in fish for the skillet, there are plenty of 12-inch and bigger spotted (Kentucky) bass. Late summer and early fall are a favorite time to throw top-water lures for bass. Tiny Torpedoes, Chuggers, etc. provide hours of angling fun. The bass season begins the Saturday before Memorial Day and ends the last day of February. There is a 6-fish daily limit and a 12-inch length limit. Remember, between Hooten Town and Galena, beginning January 1, 1996 only one bass may be a smallmouth, and largemouth and smallmouth bass must be at least 15 inches in length.
ROCK BASS
"Goggle-eye" anglers spend a lot of time fishing vertical around boulders and rootwads. Dipping jigs, Twister-tails and live minnows or worms can produce chunky little fighters which can be transformed into savory fillets. There is a generous daily limit of 15 "goggle-eye," but two or three will make a meal if the keepers are limited to larger fish.
PADDLEFISH
Not a native species to the James watershed, paddlefish were introduced by MDC in an attempt to replace the fishery lost to Truman Lake. Paddlefish have grown well, but the jury is still out on whether they can successfully spawn in their new home. Snagging is the only practical means of taking these plankton feeders. The snagging season begins March 15 and ends the last day of April. Daily limit is 2 with 4 in possession. Paddlefish must be 24-inches in length, measured from the eye to the fork of the tail. See the Wildlife Code for further restrictions.
(Average stream gradient approximately 2.5 feet per mile.)
RIVER MILE 57.5
RIVER MILE 57.3
RIVER MILE 57.2
RIVER MILE 54.2
RIVER MILE 53.9
RIVER MILE 53.7
RIVER MILE 53.2
RIVER MILE 50.5
RIVER MILE 50.3
RIVER MILE 49.9
RIVER MILE 49.6
RIVER MILE 48
RIVER MILE 47.6
RIVER MILE 44.1
RIVER MILE 43.2
RIVER MILE 38.9
RIVER MILE 37.2
RIVER MILE 35
RIVER MILE 33
RIVER MILE 32.8
RIVER MILE 28.7
RIVER MILE 27.5
RIVER MILE 25
RIVER MILE 24.9
RIVER MILE 22
RIVER MILE 21.9
RIVER MILE 17
RIVER MILE 15.2
RIVER MILE 11
RIVER MILE 5.5
RIVER MILE 0
*State and county roads crossing the stream. Access is questionable. As a matter of courtesy, permission should be obtained from landowners to gain access to the stream bank at these locations.
Hooten Town Canoe Rental
Hooten Town
(417) 369-2266
James River Canoe
Highway 13, Galena
(417) 357-6957
Shoals Campground
Railey Creek, Highway 13
(417) 357-6702
Missourians take great pride in their streams. Stream Teams are citizen groups dedicated to the stewardship of Missouri's streams. Stream Teams are supported by the Conservation Federation of Missouri with the cooperation and assistance of the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources. Stream Teams, with the consent and help of stream-side landowners, adopt specific stretches of streams and conduct trash pick-ups, stream maintenance and water-quality monitoring.
At present, there are 40 Stream Teams on the James River and its tributaries.
For information on joining or creating a Stream Team contact:
Mo. Dept. of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
or call: 1-800-781-1989
or call: Conservation Federation of Missouri
1-800-575-2322
Maps of some MDC areas mentioned may be obtained by writing to:
Information Services
Mo. Dept. of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.
MDC AREAS OPEN DAILY FROM 4 A.M. UNTIL 10 P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED.
Purchase and development of some of the areas mentioned were made possible by the use of federal funds obtained through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Acts.
copyright MDC 1995
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