All Outdoors - 12/29/95

JEFFERSON CITY -- Ask Janet Sternberg what's new, and she may tell you a grasshopper, some crickets and katydids, a beetle and a snail. Those are just a few examples of animals that were not known to live in Missouri -- until recently.

Sternberg is a wildlife ecologist in the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Natural History Division and part of her job is documenting the discovery of animal species that are new to the state. MDC sponsors surveys to establish what plant and animal species exist in Missouri's diverse habits, such as prairie, glade, forest, caves and swamp. Often, MDC works with The Nature Conservancy or individual researchers to locate and list species.

MDC wants a better idea of what species are found on the state's 170 natural areas totalling 37,000 acres. Researchers are having some success in finding animals that were previously unknown as inhabitants of Missouri.

Most of the finds are invertebrates -- animals without backbones. Invertebrates are the objects of careful study because little is known about them. Sternberg says the number of species in this category is immense, and most are small and easily overlooked. So it's inevitable that past researchers have not encountered all of the invertebrates that are out there.

To illustrate the huge size of this category of animals, Sternberg pointed out that insects alone -- just one clan of the invertebrate tribe -- include more than 800,000 described species worldwide. Some authorities believe there may be four times that many still undiscovered.

"To track down all the animal species," the wildlife ecologist says, "there will have to be very specialized studies. We have a study being conducted by The Nature Conservancy on orthoptera (insects such as crickets and grasshoppers). The researchers have found 144 species in this class in Missouri."

The orthoptera study has discovered six species for which there was no previous record in Missouri. These include a grasshopper, two crickets and three katydids.

Determining whether a species is new to the state is hard work. Researchers must record all the information on the physical characteristics of each species in detailed and specific terms. Then they must conduct a statewide search of museums, written information about species of the same class and interview other experts.

When an animal is believed to be a new species, these tasks must be extended worldwide. That process is about to begin for a snail recently discovered in Missouri.

Another study supported by MDC involves beetles. So far, that study has found what may be two new undescribed species and three species new to the state.

For Sternberg, finding new or potentially new species is fascinating because they reveal information about the biological diversity of the state.

"Each species in an ecosystem is there for a reason or it wouldn't be there. Insects, for example, are the food base for a lot of other species. Just because a species may not have an importance that we can see, it doesn't mean that it's not important."

4. Citizens Taking a Bite Out of Poachers

ROCK PORT, Mo. -- When one or two hunters violate the Wildlife Code of Missouri, all hunters get a black eye. Ethical hunters are concerned about wildlife and habitat and many actively work to protect these resources.

Atchison County Conservation Agent Richard Sperber can give several accounts of hunters who are not only committed to abiding by the law, but also are committed to upholding it.

"Most of the good cases that are made, cases where we get convictions against violators," Sperber says, "are gotten because of cooperation from citizens. They are sick of these violations and willing to take a stand against the people committing them. For many it's difficult to come forward, because they don't want their names publicized."

Often an agent's ability to convict a law breaker hinges on the testimony of a witness to the crime. Two recently resolved cases in Atchison County couldn't have been made, according to Sperber, without the help of alert hunters.

One case led to St. Joseph resident Kevin Lane's guilty plea to a charge of taking deer before season. The Friday before opening of the firearms deer season, two hunters were checking their hunting site when they came upon Lane dressed in hunter orange and carrying a rifle. They struck up a conversation with him and learned that he had killed a buck earlier in the day.

The two hunters got Lane to show them the animal then informed Lane that he was hunting before the opening of the deer season. They took the illegal hunter to local law enforcement officials who issued Lane a ticket. Lane pleaded guilty and paid a $500 fine and $52 court costs.

In mid-December, Kevin D. Carter of Tarkio was convicted of attempting to take deer with a firearm after 5 p.m. He was fined $100 plus $100 court costs. His arrest and conviction were the result of a report from two citizens. The two witnesses phoned Agent Sperber after they saw Carter shooting at a deer at 5:15 p.m. on the opening day of deer season. Hunting hours end at 5 p.m.

Agent Sperber says more people are coming forward to report illegal activities they see afield. He says eyewitness reports are among the strongest tools MDC has in combating code violations.

"An agent has only one set of eyes. I cover 543 square miles. If the public out here is concerned about natural resources, every person is another set of eyes that can help catch those violating the law," says Sperber.

Anyone witnessing a wildlife code violation is encouraged to contact the nearest conservation agent, law enforcement agency or the toll-free Operation Game Thief hot line: (800) 392-1111.

5. Commission to Meet Jan. 31 Osage Beach

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. -- The Missouri Conservation Commission will meet Jan. 31 at Marriott's Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. 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 desiring to be placed on the agenda for a hearing or other business should write: Director, Missouri Department of Conservation,
P.O. Box 180,
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180,
at least 10 days before the meeting date. Or, for information about Commission meetings, phone (314) 751-4115.

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.

DOWN THE BIG PINEY RIVER

RIVER MILE 89.8:

• Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Simmons Ford Access between Houston and Cabool on Hwy. 63. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 88.2:
  

• MDC Baptist Camp Access one mile west of Hwy. 63 on Hwy. RA. No camping. (1990 river otter release site.)

  RIVER MILE 87:
  

• MDC Dripping Spring Natural Area (NA). Accessible by river only, this 8.5-acre NA features a spring and wet-bluff. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 84.7:
  

• Bridge on Hogan Rd.* in Texas County. Hwy. 63 about 1.5 miles east.

  RIVER MILE 83.2:
  

• Hog Creek on right.

  RIVER MILE 82:
  

• Indian Creek on right.

  RIVER MILE 81:
  

• Bridge on Hwy. Z.* Houston 2 miles east.

  RIVER MILE 81.2:
  

• MDC Piney River Narrows NA 1.75 miles west of Houston on Hwy. 17. Dolomite pinnacles and an Ozark stream natural areas are featured on these 258 acres. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 79.2:
  

• MDC Dog's Bluff Access at Hwy. 17 bridge 3 miles west of Hwy. 63. Under normal conditions adequate water level from here down. No camping. Beginning of experimental rock bass regulation. Daily limit nine rock bass with length limit of 9-inches.

  RIVER MILE 76:
  

• MDC Horseshoe Bend NA on Horseshoe Dr. west of Houston. This 215-acre site contains a series of river bluff caves. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 74.2:
  

• MDC Mineral Springs Access on Mineral Dr. north of Houston has a boat ramp. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 72.1:
  

• Burton Branch on left.

  RIVER MILE 70:
  

• Bridge on Sand Shoals Rd.* Hwy. E one mile east. End of experimental rock bass regulation.

  RIVER MILE 67.8:
  

• Arthur Creek on right.

  RIVER MILE 63.2:
  

• MDC Boiling Spring Access at the end of Hwy. BB 7 miles west of Hwy. 63. Boat ramp. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 59.6:
  

• Boone Creek on right.

  RIVER MILE 58.2:
  

• Bridge on Hwy. 32. No access.

  RIVER MILE 57.3:
  

• MDC Mason Bridge Access north of Hwy. 32 on Mason Rd. 7 miles west of Licking. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 53.8:
  

• Falling Springs on right.

  RIVER MILE 49.7:
  

• Paddy Creek on left. Part of United States Forest Service (USFS) property designated as wilderness. Primitive camping. No vehicles.

  RIVER MILE 48:
  

• Bridge on Hwy. AF.* Licking about 10 miles east.

  RIVER MILE 47.8:
  

• USFS Slabtown Access on Slab Spring Dr. off Hwy. N north of Hwy. 32. Beginning of special black bass regulation. Only one smallmouth allowed in black bass daily limit of six, and smallmouth must be at least 15-inches in length. Camping permitted.

  RIVER MILE 46.1:
  

• MDC Peter A. Eck CA 315 acres accessible by river only. No camping.

  RIVER MILE 42:
  

• Prewett Spring. Private.

  RIVER MILE 40:
  

• Trail Ride, USFS access and camping.

  RIVER MILE 39:
  

• Six Crossing Access. Private.

  RIVER MILE 34:
  

• Bald Ridge Creek & Pipeline. Private.

  RIVER MILE 32.2:
  

• MDC Ross Bridge Access. Lower boundary for special black bass regulation. No camping. (1990 river otter release site.) Camping on Fort Leonard Wood (FLW) allowed only at East Gate Campground.

  RIVER MILE 28.2:
  

• Entering FLW left bank. Access beyond immediate river bank is restricted. Camping permit is required from FLW Outdoor Recreation Center, (314) 596-4223. FLW fishing permit not required on Big Piney River within the installation; FLW hunting and trapping permits are required. Private property on right bank.

  RIVER MILE 26.2:
  

• FLW property left and right bank.

  RIVER MILE 25.1:
  

• Bank stabilization project initiated 1995.

  RIVER MILE 24.4:
  

• Demolition Road Access. Also referred to as Upper boat ramp. Left bank.

  RIVER MILE 24.3:
  

• FLW Water Intake Plant.

  RIVER MILE 24.2:
  

• Dam and bridge. Portage required. Unimproved access immediately below bridge on right bank.

  RIVER MILE 22.4:
  

• Bailey Bridge. FLW Road 26.

  RIVER MILE 22:
  

• Happy Hollow Picnic Area on left bank.

  RIVER MILE 21.4:
  

• Stone Mill Spring Trout Management Area on right bank. FLW and state fishing permit/trout stamp required.

  RIVER MILE 20.7:
  

• FLW property left bank, USFS property right bank.

  RIVER MILE 20.5:
  

• Breeden Spring Access. Also referred to as Lower boat ramp. Left bank.

  RIVER MILE 19.8:
  

• Old dam. River runs in old high flow channel at left bank. Use caution when canoeing this area.

  RIVER MILE 19.6:
  

• East Gate Bridge, FLW Road 10, Hwy. J approximately 2 miles east. East Gate Campground downstream of bridge on left bank.

  RIVER MILE 19:
  

• USFS access, limited parking and camping.

  RIVER MILE 16.8:
  

• Spring Creek on right.

  RIVER MILE 14:
  

• Ousley Spring on right.

  RIVER MILE 8:
  

• USFS Mayse School Access

  RIVER MILE 4.6:
  

• Railroad bridge.

  RIVER MILE 3.6:
  

• Devil's Elbow Bridge.* St. Roberts 4 miles west.

  RIVER MILE 3:
  

• Bridge on Hwy. Z.* St. Roberts 4 miles west.

  RIVER MILE 2.7:
  

• Bridge on I-44. No access. St. Roberts 4 miles west.

  RIVER MILE 0:
  

• Confluence with Gasconade. Attention anglers: entering the Gasconade places you in a special black bass management area where smallmouth less than 18-inches in length must be released immediately, and only one may be taken per day. The special black bass management area on the Gasconade begins at Hwy. Y bridge in Pulaski County and ends at Hwy. D bridge in Phelps County.

*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.

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