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1. Show-Me River Showcase: Nodaway River
2. Archers may encounter sick deer in some areas
3. Vets report higher incidence of blue tongue-like symptoms in cattle
4. Surplus property auction set for Oct. 3 at Salem
5. Federal program helps Missouri welcome ducks
6. Additional articles and river marker of Nodaway River
News contact: Jim Low, Jefferson City, Missouri, (573) 751-4115
"More than anything else, our forgetfulness is created by the supermarket, where we pluck from the shelves processed bits of plants and animals that are hidden inside boxes, cans and packages-creating the illusion that we can have food without harvest, that life can be maintained without death, that our daily existence is separate from the land, and that we are fundamentally different form all other organisms."-Richard K. Nelson, Finding Common Ground, introduction to " Hunter's Heart"
Sluggish by nature and tamed by the hand of man, this northwest Missouri stream nevertheless offers unique recreational opportunities.
BRADDYVILLE, Iowa--From this point in southwestern Iowa, the Nodaway River rounds a bend, crosses the Missouri state line and descends 60 miles south to join the Missouri River northwest of St. Joseph.
That river bend is the exception rather than the rule along this stream. The Nodaway River has been straightened and its banks laid bare along most of its length due to channelization. Still, opportunities exist to enjoy a unique stream experience on this somewhat sluggish prairie stream as it meanders back and forth within its manmade confines.
Two theories compete to explain Nodaway River's name. One holds that it originated as "neatawah," the Potawatami Indian word meaning "peaceful," and an accurate description of river's present character.
"Nadowa" meant "snake" to the Menominee, Chippewa, Ottawa and other Indian tribes, and may have described the river's serpentine course before channelization began.
Missouri Department of Conservation accesses and conservation areas provide ample public sites where wildlife may be viewed, photographed, and/or pursued with firearm, bow and arrow or fishing pole.
The first public land encountered south of the state line is the Missouri Department of Conservation's Possum Walk Public Fishing Access. Located on Highway C two miles west of Clearmont, this area is suitable for bank fishing and, although there is no boat ramp, determined anglers and floaters can launch small boats or canoes. The redirected channel flows past willow patches rooted in sandy silt bars at the water's edge. Fertile bottom fields produce bumper crops. This combination is attractive to area wildlife, particularly deer, turkey, waterfowl and furbearers.
Bilby Ranch Lake Conservation Area lies on the western boundary of the Nodaway River Basin. Here, hunters can walk their legs off on more than 5,000 acres of rolling grassland. Plum thickets are interspersed with native grasses, making this public area west of Maryville Missouri's premier pheasant hunting location as well as a hot spot for upland game and song birds.
The area's namesake lake covers 110 acres and has a boat ramp and disabled user fishing dock. Bass, bluegill and channel catfish are popular targets for area anglers.
Bilby Ranch Lake CA is steeped in history. Its boundaries encompass a little less than one fifth of what once was an immense cattle ranch founded by J.S. Bilby in 1832. Today, ring-necked pheasants take the place of longhorns, but the rolling grassland must appear much as it did more than 150 years ago.
The next stop downstream is the Maitland Public Fishing Access on Highway A east of Maitland. This is another bank-fishing access without a boat ramp, but here too, small boats and canoes can be launched.
As the Nodaway makes its way through the Nodaway Valley CA, an intense agricultural presence becomes more apparent. This 3,700-acre area is specifically managed for migrating waterfowl. It's a popular midwinter location for duck and goose hunters. Pheasants are also a possibility, but all hunters are required to use steel shot.
Just upstream from Honey Creek and Monkey Mountain conservation areas, river travelers are greeted with a change of scenery. This lower stretch of stream remains unchannelized. Channel catfish angling is better in this stretch of the river, thanks to more natural stream conditions.
Veteran Nodaway River catfish anglers know the key to connecting with their quarry is to hit every bit of cover the river offers. Drifting stink bait, chicken livers, shiners, crayfish or other tempting items into and around snags, root wads and other obstructions is the best way to lure a scrappy catfish. If you don't get a hit in a minute or two, move to the next likely looking spot.
Above the steep banks on the lower stretch of the river rolling hills nurture mature stands of hardwoods. Bottomland crop fields support deer, turkey and upland wildlife.
Honey Creek CA has three designated campgrounds and plenty of deer and turkey. Monkey Mountain CA also enjoys large numbers of turkey and deer. There also is an access (again suitable for small boats) on the Nodaway River at the northeast corner of Monkey Mountain CA.
Not far below Monkey Mountain CA, river cabins come into view, indicators of more easily navigated water. The river passes under a road bridge and a railroad trestle and winds around the final bend to join the Missouri River at Tom Brown Public Fishing Access. This is about a mile upstream from Nodaway Island Access on the Missouri River, where boats can be launched from a concrete ramp.
Certain portions of the Nodaway River and its adjoining conservation areas get heavy weekend pressure during special seasons. But better than average channel catfish action is enough to compensate some anglers for sharing the water. Those who can visit the area on weekdays may have the area to themselves.
- Ken Drenon -
2. Archers may encounter sick deer in some areas
A disease that is killing deer in northwestern Missouri poses no threat to humans and is not likely to cause widespread problems for livestock producers.
TRENTON, Mo.--Archery deer and turkey hunters won't find much different in 1998 hunting regulations. The biggest news is that officials with the Missouri Departments of Conservation and Agriculture are asking archers' help in gauging the extent and severity of a disease outbreak that could significantly affect deer populations in some areas.
Archery season opens Oct. 1. The only difference in regulations is that tagging will be simpler. Unlike the past two years, hunters will not need to take pens to the woods to fill out transportation tags after taking deer or turkeys.
This year's Archery Deer and Turkey Hunting Permits will double as ready-to-use transportation tags. The permits will be printed on tear-resistant paper and will have prepunched holes to aid in attaching them to game.
After taking a deer or turkey, the hunter will attach the appropriate permit to the animal. Hunters must provide string, wire twist ties or other material to attach permits to deer and turkeys. Check station operators will remove permits and attach them to check station record sheets.
Conservation Department Wildlife Research Biologist Lonnie Hansen says hunters can expect excellent hunting, with the state's deer herd standing at an estimated 850,000. He said, however, that an outbreak of a common deer disease could reduce deer numbers in some areas.
"In mid-August, we began getting scattered reports of deer dying in some counties, mainly in northern Missouri," says Hansen. "Tests have confirmed that some of these deaths were the result of EHD."
According to Hansen, EHD-epizootic hemorrhagic disease-is a viral infection that is spread through the bites of tiny flies known as midges. Conditions that concentrate deer in small areas help spread of EHD by increasing the opportunity for midges to carry the virus between animals.
Penned deer on game farms have an increased risk. So do wild deer that are forced to share limited water supplies during the hot, dry weather of late summer. EHD outbreaks end when the first hard frost of autumn eliminates midges.
About one-third of deer infected with EHD die. Symptoms include weakness, open sores or swelling of the mouth and tongue and bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or anus. Thirst accompanies these symptoms. Consequently, affected animals often die near water.
"Deer with EHD die of internal bleeding," says Hansen. "The disease usually progresses very rapidly in deer that are most susceptible. They may appear perfectly healthy one day and be dead two or three days later."
Hansen has received reports of dead or dying deer in Mercer, Grundy, Daviess, Adair, Macon, Chariton, Putnam, Linn, Boone, Cole, Jackson, Randolph, Howard, Callaway, Miller, Camden and Carter counties. So far, the reports have been scattered and few, but Hansen says this is likely to change as archers spend more time in the woods for preseason scouting.
EHD is always present in deer populations, but seldom results in large-scale deer die-offs. The last major outbreak in Missouri was in 1988, when an estimated 10,000 deer, or approximately 20 percent of the deer population in some east-central and south-central counties, perished. If the current outbreak turns out to be as severe as in 1988, the number of deer killed could exceed the number that die in deer/vehicle accidents each year. Missouri motorists reported 8,110 such accidents in 1997.
Hunters who find sick or dead deer are encouraged to call the nearest conservation agent or Conservation Department regional office. In northern Missouri, they can call offices in Kirksville (660) 785-2420, St. Joseph 816/271-3100 or Columbia (573) 882-9880 or 884-6861.
EHD does not infect humans, and eating venison from deer with EHD is not dangerous. However, secondary infections can render venison unfit for consumption as the disease progresses. Hansen suggests that hunters who kill deer that appear to be in extremely poor condition should tag and check the animals at check stations, then contact a conservation agent to obtain free replacement tags.- Jim Low -
3. Vets report higher incidence of blue tongue-like symptoms in cattle
Wildlife and veterinary health officials want to find out if a disease that often is fatal in white-tailed deer is affecting cattle.
MONROE CITY, Mo.--White-tailed deer are dying in scattered parts of Missouri, mostly north of the Missouri River. The cause is epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). Veterinarians in private practice in northern Missouri report an increase in cases of cattle showing symptoms of blue tongue virus in recent weeks.
EHD is present in deer populations throughout the southeastern United States. Significant outbreaks occur periodically when deer concentrations and weather conditions favor the spread of EHD. The disease is transmitted by biting flies known as midges.
Cattle, sheep and goats often carry EHD virus in their blood. Yet, few ever develop the disease, and livestock deaths associated with EHD outbreaks in wild deer populations have been rare.
The Kirksville Daily Express reported on Sept. 17 that a veterinarian in Adair County believed the disease affecting livestock in northeast Missouri is related to EHD. State Veterinarian John Hunt with Missouri Department of Agriculture says the EHD virus is closely related to the blue-tongue virus "structurally, antigenically and genetically."
"We have seen a higher incidence of blue tongue-like symptoms in cow herds in north Missouri," says Hunt. "Several veterinarians there have reported seeing similar cases. Laboratory tests have shown the presence of detectable antibody in serum to both EHD and blue tongue virus in clinically sick cows. Attempts to isolate both viruses are being made, using blood samples taken from clinically ill cattle."
Hunt says blue tongue and EHD infections produce very similar symptoms-excessive salivation, weakness, stiffness or lameness and sores on the tongue, mouth and hooves. He says neither he nor officials with the Missouri Department of Conservation know how much of the current livestock disease problems is due to EHD. Although hard to prove scientifically, the weather conditions, midge populations and increased reports of external and internal parasites in cow herds all appear to be contributing to the increase in clinical cases this year compared to past years.
Dr. David Stallknecht, a epidemiologist with the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study in Athens, Ga., is working with Missouri officials to find the cause of the deer deaths. He echoes Hunt's uncertainty about why the current outbreak seems to be having more than the usual effect on domestic stock.
"These viruses have not been studied enough to even know how they are maintained in the wild," says Stallknecht. "The situation is complicated when cattle are involved. We followed outbreaks in West Virginia in 1993 and 1994 and in Indiana in 1996. We suspected cattle were involved in both cases. Similar lesions were found in cattle in areas where deer had died, and EHD virus was found in the deer, but the virus was never isolated from cattle."
Hunt said the number of cattle affected so far is large enough to warrant concern and watchfulness by livestock owners and veterinary health officials.
Stallknecht says the unusual number of blue tongue-like symptoms in cattle in Missouri this year leads him to think something more than EHD may be at work-perhaps a secondary infection that attacks animals weakened by EHD or possibly an entirely different disease.
Livestock owners whose cattle show symptoms that may be related to EHD or blue tongue are encouraged to call their local veterinarian. Sick or dead deer can be reported to conservation agents or the nearest Conservation Department regional office.
- Jim Low -
Trucks, utility vehicles, outdboard motors, boats and office equipment are among surplus goods to be sold.
BROOKFIELD, Mo.--Are you in the market for a truck or a boat? Maybe you need a lawn mower or some office equipment. All these and much more will be on sale at the Missouri Department of Conservation's surplus property auction Oct. 3 at Salem.
The bidding will begin at 10 a.m. at the Conservation Department's Maintenance Center at the junction of Highways 32 and 72. Potential buyers may preview sales items from 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 2 or from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 3.
A list of auction items will be available during the auction registration period, or you can receive one by mail. Write to: Missouri Department of Conservation, Operations Division, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. The Conservation Department accepts personal checks with proper identification. All property must be paid for prior to removal on the day of the sale.
- Jim Low -
Funds from the North American Waterfowl Conservation Act continue to help the Conservation Department provide wetland areas that benefit migratory birds.
JEFFERSON CITY--The latest in a series of grants from a federal conservation program is expected to pump nearly a million dollars into Show-Me State wetland development. The result will be one of the largest state-owned wetland areas in the Midwest. But even this impressive project is only a drop in the bucket compared to conservation progress already achieved.
Each year since 1990, congress has appropriated $12 to $15 million for projects under the North American Waterfowl Conservation Act (NAWCA). To date, Missouri projects have benefitted from $5,639,300 in NAWCA grants.
Now the Show-me State has applied for another $973,420 in NAWCA money to purchase and develop 7,000 acres along the Marmaton River in Vernon County. If approved, the grant will enable the Conservation Department to join two existing tracts that make up Four Rivers Conservation Area to create a 14,000-acre wetland complex. The decision on the grant should come this fall.
- Jim Low -
Channel Catfish
Leading the list of 'most sought after' is the channel catfish. The Nodaway River supports good numbers of catfish but they are concentrated in and around areas of cover and unchannelized stretches. Favorite baits include, but are not limited to, minnows (live and dead), chicken liver, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Shallow, channelized portions of the stream probably will be disappointing, but anglers who are willing to hunt for good fish cover can do well.
CARP
Carp are hard fighters, but sometimes they can be finicky about accepting an angler's bait. Here's a favorite tried and true bait recipe: Mix 1-1/4 cups flour, 1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt together. Set aside. Boil 1-1/2 cups water; turn heat down to simmer. Add 1 small package strawberry gelatin, 1 tablespoon vanilla, stir. Using a wooden spoon, add dry ingredient mixture on top of the gelatin water until surface is covered. When the water bubbles up through the dry mixture, continue adding mixture stir dough or take out of pan and knead for two minutes. (Be careful because mixture will be hot!) Dough bait will be very stiff. Store in refrigerator in plastic bag until ready to use.
DOWN THE NODAWAY RIVER
(Average stream gradient approximately 2 feet per mile.)
RIVER MILE 60.5--City access and bridge on Hwy. J55 east of Braddyville, Iowa. No boats ramp.
RIVER MILE 60.2--Missouri/Iowa state line.
RIVER MILE 57.7--Hwy. 71 bridge. * Braddyville, IA 1.5 miles north, Clearmont, MO 3 miles south.
RIVER MILE 53.2--MDC Possum Walk Access on Hwy. C, 2 miles west of Clearmont. No boat ramp.
RIVER MILE 52--Clear Creek enters on left.
RIVER MILE 48.1--Hwy. 136 bridge.* Burlington Junction .5 mile east.
RIVER MILE 47.8--Mill Creek on right.
RIVER MILE 43--Bridge on gravel road. Quitman .5 mile east.
RIVER MILE 40--Hwy. 46 bridge.* Bilby Ranch Lake CA 2.5 miles west. Maryville 8 miles east.
RIVER MILE 36.7--Hwy. DD bridge.* Skidmore .5 mile east.
RIVER MILE 35.4--Hwy. 113 bridge.* Skidmore 1 mile north.
RIVER MILE 29--MDC Maitland Access on Hwy. A at Maitland. No boat ramp.
RIVER MILE 27--Highly Creek on right.
RIVER MILE 25.4--Elkhorn Creek on left.
RIVER MILE 23.5--Bridge on Andrew County Rd. 1.*
RIVER MILE 22.5--Nodaway Valley CA. Statewide regulations. Steel shot only.
RIVER MILE 13.8--Bridge on Holt County Rd. 255.* Fillmore 2.5 miles east.
RIVER MILE 11.2--Lincoln Creek on left.
RIVER MILE 9.2--I-29 Bridge. No access.
RIVER MILE 9.1--Honey Creek on left.
RIVER MILE 7.3--Honey Creek CA left bank down to bridge.
RIVER MILE 6.7--Bridge on Holt County Rd. 404 and beginning of Monkey Mountain CA on right bank. No boat ramp.
RIVER MILE 1.7--Bridge on Holt County Rd. 400 and railroad bridge. Numerous cabins. Nodaway and Hwy. T to the east.
RIVER MILE 0--Missouri River. MDC Tom Brown Access and Nodaway Island Access just downstream. Boat ramp at Nodaway Island.
*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.
JOIN A STREAM TEAM
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 Missouri Departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Conservation Federation of Missouri. 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 is 1 Stream Team on the Nodaway River and its tributaries. For information on joining or creating a Stream Team contact: Streams Unit, Mo. Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180or call: (800) 781-1989, or call: Conservation Federation of Missouri (800) 575-2322.
Maps of some MDC areas mentioned may be obtained by writing to Outreach and Education, Mo. Dept. of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. River basin maps of selected streams available at: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/atlas/rbasin/rbasin.html
MDC AREAS ARE 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.
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