Letters

We go way back

Happy anniversary to the Missouri Conservationist, and happy birthday to me! I was born Feb. 11, 1936, in southern Missouri (Shannon County).

When I was 9 years old, for a class project we ordered the Missouri Conservationist magazine, and I was so excited when my first issue arrived. In 1954, I met and married a good old country boy whose greatest passion was the great outdoors and hunting and fishing. For 52 years, we both enjoyed our monthly friend, the Conservationist, and then he left me in May 2007.

My latest issue arrived yesterday and after reading it from cover to cover, I gave it to a friend of mine who also loves the great outdoors and hunting and fishing. My eyes may be getting dimmer, and my steps getting slower, but the Conservationist keeps getting better and better with each passing year. Keep up the good work.

Shirley J. (Hart) Huett, St. Louis

I am a school counselor at an elementary school. In my mailbox this morning was a copy of the Missouri Conservationist. It was supposed to go to the librarian’s box next to mine. What a pleasant memory. When I was a little girl (I will be 60 in April), my grandfather had these magazines. I would pretend to be a teacher and would use no other magazine but the MC! It is just as great as I remember!

Judy Henson, Tarkio

From Facebook

Are BB guns considered firearms?

Barbara Rehling

MDC: According to the Wildlife Code of Missouri, the definition of a firearm is: “Pistols, revolvers and rifles propelling a single projectile at one discharge including those powered by spring, air or compressed gas, and shotguns not larger than 10 gauge.” This would include BB guns. Municipal ordinances may vary and should always be consulted.

What is the length limit on walleye and the number you can keep on the Lake of the Ozarks?

Taylor Brasel

MDC: The daily limit for walleye is four, and they must be a minimum of 15 inches. Check out the Fishing Regulations booklet for these and other limits at mdc.mo.gov/node/6108.

What are the purple triangle boxes hanging in the trees in the Greenbrier area?

Shawn Jackson

MDC: The purple triangle boxes are sticky traps placed on ash trees in order to catch emerald ash borers.

The traps have been set so that the distribution of this invasive species may be determined in Missouri. To find more info on the emerald ash borer, visit mdc.mo.gov/node/5326.

Last summer I captured a beautiful picture of a white-lined sphinx moth getting nectar from my petunias in my flower box. It let my husband get close enough to touch it without flying away. I’m wondering if they are fairly common in Missouri? We thought it was some kind of hummingbird until we saw the antenna on its head.

Patricia Walton

MDC: The white-lined sphinx is a common and widely distributed resident species in Missouri. The adults are with us from early April into November each year, visiting a variety of flowers during daylight hours and at night. They are also attracted to lights at night. Their hovering at flowers does resemble the behavior of hummingbirds. We sell a good reference book, called Butterflies and Moths of Missouri, if you are interested in more information on those groups. It’s available online at mdcnatureshop.com.