The March 2010 issue of
River Hills Traveler
Get into spring!
Here's a complete summary of articles in the March 2010 print issue of Traveler:
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Crappie can be found on Clearwater in March — Bob Todd
Bob and Roy Halbert follow clouds of shad along the old Black River channel in Clearwater Lake to catch all the crappie they cared to clean.
Choke tube wins friends, sales for SE Missouri hunters — Steve Felgenhauer
Machinists and hunters Stuart Ruehling and Mike Ponder developed a choke tube to fill in slow times at their Frohna shop. Their product, marketed under the name, Indian Creek Shooting Systems, shows up consistently in shooting championships, and has led to friendships with big name hunters such as Walter Parrott.
Change tactics or else... — Bill Cooper
Turkey numbers are down from historic highs and it takes more effort these days to bag a wise old Ozarks gobbler. Bill offers five field-tested tactics to improve your turkey hunting success.
Teamwork key to safety at whitewater event — Becky Allgier Tinsley
Becky grew up on the hog farm next to Millstream Gardens, where the Missouri Whitewater Championships are held each March, but she didn't see behind the scenes of the races until she covered them as a writer and photographer. Tinsley interview race officials to learn how safety is 
emphasized in an inherently dangerous activity.
Traveler editorial: Fishing as a high school sport?
That's a concept Traveler can get behind, and one our friend, outdoor writer John Neporadny, is promoting around Missouri.
Search for new fishing hole leads to lasting friendship — Howard Helgenberg
Howard went to his favorite neighborhood fishing pond one day and found it drained. His search for a new pond led him to Andy's place, where he found not only an unfished pond but a great new friend.
Makin' Tracks: Read. Enjoy. Play — Emery Styron
It's been an unusally rugged winter, but spring will come. Emery says the March issue is intended to spur you to get outdoors now.
Floods, storms hard on fish, wildlife, but there's good news — Tim Huffman
Tim interviews MDC's A.J. Hendershott to assess the impact of last year's weather on flora and fauna in the region. Believe it or not, lots of down trees are a boost to salamanders, which are high and protein and eaten by almost every other creature. There are other silver linings.
Nature's Corner: Find beauty in a snapping turtle's eye — Aaron Horrell
Aaron, an ace nature photographer, gives us a closeup in words and photo of a rugged old snapper in this new monthly feature.
Ruminations on an ecological ethic: No short cuts — Charlie Slovensky
A long plane ride spurs Charlie to formulate his own code of ethics for living with nature. A sample: "When I can learn to appreciate a storm as much as a sunset and a cockroach as much as a crappie, then I will have attained an ethical posture I aspire to."
Merit badge catfish — Bob Brennecke
Scoutmaster Bob kept his promise to take Danny fishing. Danny earned a merit badge and oohs and ahs throughout the camp for the Nims Lake record catfish he brought back. Bob lost his glasses and had some clothes to dry out, but a good story to tell around the campfire in future years.
Law changes allows possession of firearms on federal properties
Congress has acted. As of Feb. 22, 2010, you can lawfully possess a firearm on National Wildlife Refuges and in National Parks, including the Ozark National Scenic Riverway, subject to federal, state and local firearms laws, but that doesn't mean hunting, trapping or fishing regulations on those properties have changed or that guns are allowed in buildings.
Rock Talk: In praise of lowly, common limestone — Jo Schaper
It's the most versatile, variable and valuable stone in the state. It's arguably the most common. You eat it, use it to brush your teeth and improve crop yields with it. Here's the lowdown on limestone.
MDC to test online system for waterfowl hunting slots — News release
The Missouri Department of Conservation will test an online drawing system called Quick Draw at Eagle Bluffs, Grand Pass and Otter Slough conservation areas to assign waterfowl hunting opportunities.
Seasons: Fish are ready for those who seize opportunity — Bob Todd
It's March. The fish are ready. Anglers who take the opportunity when conditions are right will catch some fish, says Bob. Those who don't are the ones who will be chasing two-week-old fishing reports the rest of the season.
Riverways plans prescribed burns — News release
Ozark National Scenic Riverways personnel will be setting intentional fires various locations through April. Exact schedule depends on the weather and fuel supply.
Old Appleton area memorable stop in southeast Missouri — Kathleen Brotherton
From a Spanish land claim to a Shawnee Indian village to a busy grist mill and the popular Silver Dollar Tavern, Old Appleton, where Apple Creek meanders between Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties, has long been an interesting and historic place. It's still worth a visit.
The Iron Kettle: Soup simmering on stove warms chilly days — Pat Todd
Crock pots are fine, says Pat, but big iron pots are "more old-fashioned cozy." And nothing warms up a chilly winter or early spring day like a pot of soup bubbling on the stove. She shares recipes from for Indian tacos, Indian fry bread, Kraft fiesta meatloaf, Mama Melchor's Mexican rice and turkey and wild rice soup.
Furry thief frustrates taste for 'something different' — Jim and Donna Featherston
After a morning cutting wood, Jim is ready for a "something different" treat of black walnut goodies, stored in a wooden box on the porch. A grey squirrel beat him to the treasure.
Conway Welcome Center plays on romance of Rt. 66 — Jo Schaper
Travelers who remember old Route 66 will recognize the decor at the new Missouri Welcome Center near Conway, at eastbound mile marker 111, on Interstate 44. Those who never experienced the Mother Road in its heyday can get taste of its flavor at the rest stop. The sign out front resembles that of a 50s drive-in or motel. The info area looks like a tourist court front desk and a Route 66 road map from Chicago to Kingman, Ariz., is inlaid in the atrium floor.
Conservation Commission approves land transfers
Meeting in late January, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved various land transfers, helped protect Lake Taneycome and gave hunter education awards to several people.
11 Wildlife Code violators lose privileges
At its Jan. 28 meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission suspended hunting and/or fishing privileges for 11 Missouri residents and affirmed action by Missouri courts suspended the privileges of six others.
Through the Years in Traveler: Whys, wherefores, rules for 'poke sallet'
Twenty-five years ago, A.E. Lucas was writing in Traveler that spring, to old-timers, was known as " poke-sallett" time. He went on to explain exactly how you go about enjoying pokeberry greens. Warning: Seeds and roots contain toxins. Know what you're eating and how to prepare it.
Young and looking for work? State and federal parks are hiring
The Missouri Divison of State Parks and Army Corps of Engineers both have federal stimulus money and have put out calls for college students to work the 2010 recreation season.
Travel maps in this issue: Clearwater Lake, Lower Current and Eleven Point, Upper Meramec, Huzzah and Courtois, Parkland Region, Upper Current and Jack's Fork, Upper Meramec and Wappapello Lake.
