Letters

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From Missouri Conservationist: Feb 2013
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Submissions reflect readers’ opinions and might be edited for length and clarity.

Mission Impossible?

In the January issue there was an article regarding the Ozark chinquapin. My wife and I could not relate the picture of the nut to the acorn we see on the chinquapin. It was only after my wife researched the name “Ozark chinquapin” that we found out it was different from the common oak chinquapin we are familiar with. I guess it has become so rare that we were unfamiliar with the tree you were writing about. A reference should have been made in the article indicating that it was different. Otherwise, great article, as usual.

Charles Morrow, Holts Summit

Ombudsman’s Note: Your point is well taken. Due to the similarity of the leaf shape of chinquapin oak and Ozark chinquapin, I can see why you were confused. Both species are in the oak family (Fagaceae) but in different genera — Quercus for oaks and Castanea for chestnuts, which includes Ozark chinquapin. The Ozark chinquapin has never been documented from central Missouri, so you would not be familiar with it unless you had observed it in southwest or southern Missouri counties or other states (Ark. and Okla.).

I read on Page 15 of the January issue that Steve Bost says his group [Ozark Chinquapin Foundation] will make chinquapin seeds available to anyone who wants to help reestablish them. I am one of them. Can you let me know how to get them? Also instructions, etc.

Delamar Fisher, Lamonte

Ombudsman’s Note: The Ozark Chinquapin Foundation may be able to assist you in obtaining seeds of that species for planting. They have a website at ozarkchinquapin. com. Or, you can contact them at stvbost@yahoo.com or by writing to Ozark Chinquapin Foundation, PO Box 1133, Salem, MO 65560.

Glad the birds know

On Page 25 of the January issue, the paragraph about the peregrine falcon Web camera says that Ameren’s Sioux Plant is in Franklin County. It is actually in St. Charles County.

Dave Hollabaugh, Fulton

Give us an hour...

Thank you for providing such an outstanding magazine. Each month, I take an hour break from the world to see the Missouri outdoors. I really like the various columns and stories and the pictures are great. I nearly always get ideas of things to do or places to go as I am very much an outdoorsman. What a great magazine!

Joey Rich, Saint James

Just when I think the photography can’t get any better, along comes your January issue with the wildly spectacular eagle cover photo by Noppadol Paothong. Unbelievable! From his other great work in the Conservationist, I can tell he obviously has the patience and determination to do whatever it takes to achieve excellence.

Tom Anderson, Brentwood

Trout amongst us

I am confused by your January article on new 2012 state fishing records. It states that, on June 22, Brodrick Glessner caught a 1-pound 14-ounce brook trout from Lake of the Ozarks. As far as I know, there are no trout, period, in the Lake of the Ozarks.

Mark Menos, St. Louis

Editors’ Note: Trout are not usually found in the Lake of the Ozarks. While anglers do catch the occasional brown or rainbow trout, they have almost certainly come into the lake from elsewhere. The brook trout are assumed to be escapees from a now-closed trout park and are considered extremely rare.

Reader Photo: Snowy Snack

Kathy Melton of Pacific captured this image of an opossum eating corn at the Pacific Palisades Conservation Area while out on a winter walk with her husband. Food plots such as this are grown on many conservation areas for the benefit of wildlife. The bounty of corn was apparently tempting enough to persuade the opossum to stay put as the couple walked by, says Melton. “I took a few shots and we left him to his meal,” says Melton. Kathy and her husband frequent many of the conservation areas and state and city parks in the area. “My husband and I enjoy all that Missouri has to offer: hunting, fishing, hiking, parks, rivers, and lakes,” says Melton. “We have it all.”

This Issue's Staff

Editor In Chief - Ara Clark
Managing Editor - Nichole LeClair Terrill
Art Director - Cliff White
Staff Writer - Bonnie Chasteen
Staff Writer - Jim Low
Photographer - Noppadol Paothong
Photographer - David Stonner
Designer - Stephanie Thurber
Artist - Mark Raithel
Circulation - Laura Scheuler