Letters

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

Up a Lazy River

I read with great interest Up A Lazy River by Jim Low [July; Page 25]. While I’ve had a subscription to the Missouri Conservationist since moving to Missouri in 2016, I’ve just completed the four Discover Nature — Fishing classes at James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area’s Prairie Hollow Lake in Lee’s Summit. I bought a Lifetime Fishing and Trout Permit and poured over the article, while looking at maps, learning about different fish species, lures, and various locations planning a novice’s first fishing expedition out of the Kansas City area.

Ed Marrow, Liberty

Floatin’

I took my 8-year-old grandson, Matthew, on his first overnight float trip — an 18-mile, two-day adventure on Flat Creek in southwest Missouri. I wanted to share with him the thrill of paddling through a fast-moving rapid or drifting through a quiet pool, watching a smallmouth bass leap clear of the water while shaking on the end of your line, watching a great blue heron take flight from a massive sycamore tree with its distinctive squawk, or just looking down into the clear water and watching the underwater world pass beneath as you drift along. But, most of all, I wanted to get him hooked on the lure of an Ozark stream and the experiences that an overnight float trip has to offer.

Before sunrise the next day, we got the fire going. I noticed Matthew wasn’t by the fire. Instead, he was standing at the water’s edge, fishing pole in hand, silhouetted by the morning sky, already fishing. I thought, he’s hooked, and we may have to do a three-day float next time.

Thank you MDC for your part, providing good accesses, clear streams, and healthy fish populations. In the meantime, I will try to do my part to show future generations how good a float on a Missouri stream can be.

Randy Evans, Monett

Grateful

I have fished and hunted all my life, and I want to thank MDC. I have seen otters and turkeys where I’ve never seen them before, good populations of beaver, muskrat, mink, and bobcat. I’ve also seen plenty of wood ducks and owls. I am really grateful for what the Missouri Department of Conservation is doing for all of our wildlife. Keep up the good work.

Bradley Cupp, via Facebook

Kudos to our Missouri Department of Conservation for managing our wild turkey population to be the best place on the planet to hunt for wild turkeys. As I was reviewing the 2016 wild turkey harvest in Missouri, I was astounded by the number of counties that bagged over 400 birds. Out of 114 counties, 61 exceeded the 400 mark. I am proud that MDC protects and manages the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of our state, and how they facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources.

Dan Fuller, via Facebook

Types of Terrain

I have been a Missouri resident since 1948. I have been reading the Missouri Conservationist for many years. It is one of the best such magazines in the U.S.

I have been outdoors many years, rafting, fishing, hunting, and hiking, and have seen many kinds of terrain. In the magazine, I see reference to savanna, prairie, glade, etc., but I don’t know what they are and I would guess that many others don’t know either. Could your experts prepare an article? It could have a description of each type of terrain and with the help of the photographers, a photo of each type.

Frank S. Thomas III, Ballwin

Editors’ Note: The Missouri Conservationist is starting a six-part series with this issue that will cover the various terrains in Missouri. The series will cover caves and karst [August], forests and woodlands [November], wetlands [December], rivers and streams [February 2017], glades [April 2017], grasslands/prairies/savannas [July 2017].

Reader Photo

A Poosey Sunset

Dianna Reed of Hamilton took this photo of the setting sun at Poosey Conservation Area in Livingston County. “My husband and I had been bass fishing out of our boat on Indian Creek Lake,” said Reed. “The fishing had been good that day, and we were on our way back to the boat dock, and the sunset was just beautiful.” She said she and her husband visit the area frequently to camp, fish, hunt, and hike. “We haven’t bowfished for carp there yet, but hope to try it out soon,” said Reed. She said they also enjoy hunting at nearby Gallatin Conservation Area and fishing for catfish on the Grand River at Holmes Bend Access.