Letters

Gar’s Encore

Thanks for such an informative article about gar and the role they play in our ecosystem [Encore!; September]. I personally knew very little in regard to their eating habits and behavior.

I lived in the Bootheel and currently reside in Perry County where I’ve caught many gar on the big Mississippi. And today is no different than yesteryear in regard to myths and wisetales of gar. Many are still senselessly killed.

I want to thank Chris Kennedy and all those involved for their efforts to restore a valuable resource and for helping us better understand the importance of gar.

Christopher Smith, Perryville

Shared Visions

In the September issue, the Taking Action article [Easement Protects Wetlands; Page 7] about John Timmermann, the picture used of early morning fog rising off the duck pond was like déjà vu for me! My farm, Wingshoot Farms, is just west of B.K. Leach, and I took the enclosed picture of the same type of morning.

At first, I thought you had gotten ahold of one of my photos, but they are just very similar. It was worth getting your issue out to compare side by side. And I know who Mr. Timmermann is and have friends that hunt with him each year! What a small world we live in!

Bob Osterholt, via Internet

Hairy Implications

Well, I got tired of waiting until I needed a haircut to read your magazine. So, I jotted down your online address and here I am!

Now, with home delivery, I may have to be taken by force to get a haircut. So, you may hear from my wife!

Jim Kilgore, Bates City

Military Review

My family continues sending the Missouri Conservationist to various parts of the country so I can enjoy it. I am pleased to note that folks all over military bases on the East Coast, Tennessee and now Alabama agree it’s an excellent magazine. Thank you for continuing a high standard for information, content and presentation.

Teilla (Parrish) Lathrop, Enterprise, AL

Watch for Woodcock

Thank you for the wonderful article [Utility Birds; September]. Not living in Missouri anymore, my favorite reminder is receiving your outstanding magazine.

On the article, I only wish you had briefly mentioned the mating ritual of the woodcock for all readers to seek out and witness. They are not terribly hard to find and hear at dusk on a spring evening—with their unmistakable call of paainnt, the whistle of their flight, and their repetitive circular soars to 200 feet. I had the great joy of being introduced to this ritual many years ago by an MDC employee on his farm.

I’ve been told that one reason they fly low to the ground, when flushed, is because they can’t physically fly at a steep incline and this also is why they have to fly in circles in order to gain altitude for their courtship flights. Missouri Conservationist readers should not miss out on learning more about this beautiful creature.

Ted Corbett, Austin, Texas

Editor’s note: You might hear woodcock peenting and see the males displaying as early as late January. Look for them in old fields bordered by timber.

Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and may be edited for length and clarity.