Letters

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

Bald Eagles

I live in New Hampshire, but I grew up in Missouri, and I always enjoy getting my copy of the Conservationist to see pictures of familiar landscapes and learn about new ones. I am a teacher, and I frequently post pictures of birds and animals from your magazine in my classroom. Special thanks for the beautiful photography of Noppadol Paothong, whose images must take a lot of patience and artistry to capture. I especially enjoyed the shots of bald eagles in the December 2016 issue [Monitoring Bald Eagles in Missouri]. Thank you for a great magazine.

Kelly Flynn, Exeter,  NH

Had a wonderful time Jan. 7 at all of the Eagle Day venues. Programs were informative and very well planned. Learned a great deal and had fun doing it! Thank you for your time and work.

Frank and Kim Ferguson, Gravois Mills

Long-Time Readers

I just got through reading my Missouri Conservationist magazine. I want you to know how much I enjoy all the information you pass on to us readers. I’m an older lady (80), and I used to hunt a lot when I was younger. I enjoy reading about the young hunters and fishermen. Reading about the monarch butterflies is so interesting — all your articles are great. Just keep up the good work.

Lois Short, N.W. Missouri

The January issue of the Missouri Conservationist is one of the best I have read in nearly 40 years. It is so informative in all areas of what you do for wildlife, the forest, and us. Thank you for what you do.

Don Clements, via Facebook

Moth

I was really excited about the latest issue, Volume 78, with the snowberry clearwing moth [Annual Review; January]. This past summer, after my butterfly bush was in full bloom, I caught sight of an insect fluttering around that I had never seen before. I went to grab my camera and took quite a few shots, but I never got a good one because the wings always turned out blurry. He stayed in one spot long enough for me to take my camera away from my eye, spot where he had flown to, focus the camera again, and attempt to get a picture. I only got a good picture of the body with blurry wings.

Thanks again for a delightful magazine.  My dad used to get this magazine when I was a child, and I really liked it then, too.

Joyce Biggs, Grain Valley

Wonderful Walleye

Thank you for the walleye article [Wonderful Walleye; February; Page 18]. Having enjoyed catching and eating many walleyes when in Minnesota, I haven’t had much luck back here in Missouri. After reading this latest article by Jim Low, I am getting enthused to go after some of these rascals in northwest Missouri in early spring, as was suggested.

Donald A. Potts, Independence

Professional Agents

After a recent hunt at Maple Leaf Conservation Area, we met one of your agents in the parking lot. This officer was awesome. We had a young boy on his first hunt with us, and your officer was nothing but professional. My young friend was scared at first, but we assured him he was doing his job so that we would have a place to hunt in the future. The officer was excellent all around, and he made the young man a believer that being legal and respectful will ensure we always have a place to hunt.

I live in Kansas, but I have never hunted one day in the state. I grew up in central Missouri, and I hunt only in Missouri due to the treatment you get in the field by your agents. Thanks to him and the Department for making great hunting experiences.

Hadley Turner, Lenexa, KS

Reader Photo

Home Builders

Trina King of St. Louis captured this photo of caddisfly larvae and the portable protective cases they build for themselves at Rockwoods Reservation in St. Louis County. King, an avid participant in the Missouri Master Naturalist Program, began studying the insects in earnest after encountering them. “I knew what they were, but after watching them move around and seeing how beautiful they are, I had to research everything I could find,” said King. “This particular kind uses tiny rocks and sand held together by silk to create their little homes.” King says she spends as much time as possible outdoors and loves to study nature. “I’m outside every single day studying and exploring, whether it’s my backyard or a longer hike.”