Letters

Good billing

I was ecstatic to learn about the several facets of the Farm Bill in your February issue [Paying it Forward; Page 20]. I have always stressed the importance of comprehensive conservation and restoration projects, as plants, animals, soil and water are all necessary aspects of sustainable land management. And it’s great to hear that landowners can receive assistance in restoring unused or damaged land, managing waste runoff, and setting aside land for wetlands, reforestation, or quail habitat. The concerted effort not only directly benefits local wildlife and flora, but also indirectly benefits water quality and helps control soil erosion and flooding. Thank you for shedding light on this subject!

Mark Ostendorf, Joplin

Sadie & Katie

My 4-year-old son, Noah, and I like to read your magazine together every month. We both enjoy learning about the outdoors in Missouri. We live in Liberty and found the back cover story [March] about John Wheeler’s quail habitat interesting, but one nagging question remained for Noah: What are their dogs named?

Noah and Justin Watermann, via Internet

Photographer’s note: Both of the dogs are registered Llewellyn setters, and they are mother and daughter. The dog on the right is named Katie and she is the mother to the dog on the left, named Sadie. They were excellent bird dogs and we had a fun afternoon flushing quail for photographs. — David Stonner

Extra-ordinary girls

I just had a chance to look at the January issue while substituting at Lebanon Senior High School. I really enjoyed the article on Tori McAfee [An Ordinary Outdoor Girl; Page 32]. I, too, have Spina Bifida and love to hunt and fish. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to enjoy the outdoors when I was her age, but I take in every minute that I can now. This past deer season I participated in a managed deer hunt in Warsaw, and I was able to harvest three does. There are a lot of volunteers to help make this hunt possible and they do everything they can to accommodate every hunter’s needs. Thanks for the article on Tori. She is an inspiration to us all!

Rachel Pamperin, via Internet

Rate update

After reading the 2009 Regulations Update [Page 26] in the March issue, please forward my gratitude to the parties involved in lowering the cost of the youth deer and turkey permits. The full cost of the permits was quite a burden on our bank account come hunting season.

Todd Bash, Plattsburg

International angler

I would like to compliment you on your marvelous magazine. In the March issue I read the article on paddlefishing with the great picture [Osage Accesses to Paddlefishing; Page 8]. This brought up wonderful memories. We visited the USA twice and stayed with the Durreman family in Lebanon, Mo. Together with Bill Durreman I frequently went fishing, and at the Truman Dam Bill caught a paddlefish. Such an animal I had never seen before because we don’t catch them in the Netherlands. We also went fishing in Bennett Spring, catching trout, and on the Missouri River we went fishing by boat. My wife and I had a great time in Missouri and enjoyed its nature a lot. Missouri is magnificent! The Netherlands is a wonderful country, too, with beautiful nature. I often go out fishing for pike and pike-perch. Wishing you lots of success with your great magazine.

Arend vab der Sloot, The Netherlands

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