stjoenews.net | Stories by Jeff Leonard

The United States National Parks Service announced Tuesday it would begin taking action to phase out the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle in parks under its jurisdiction by the end of 2010. The announcement brought forth opposition, especially in the hunting and firearms industry.
Acting National Park Service Director Dan Wenk made the announcement, saying, “We want to take a leadership role in removing lead from the environment.” Officials of the National Park Service said they realize that hunting and fishing play an important role in the complicated and intensive management of wildlife populations.

Ice-fishing issues heat up in Maryville
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

The tables seemed to have turned at Mozingo Lake. Several weeks ago, I reported how an ordinance that prohibited ice fishing effectively put an end to the popular activity at the lake. Now the ordinance has been changed. But it raises another question: Has the city of Maryville violated its partnership agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation?

Gun sales take off after election
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

The media keeps shouting about how bad the economy is, but gun buyers don’t seem to be listening.
Firearms sales have soared the past couple of months, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) attributes this to concerns about incoming lawmakers.

Flash from the past makes finding fish simpler
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

A wise angler once said 90 percent of the fish are often found in 10 percent of the water. To find these spots, many of us rely heavily on modern graph style sonar units that reveal an amazing representation of what’s below. Unfortunately, many of us are missing out on the benefits offered by a flash from the past.
Traditional flasher-style sonar units are making a big comeback in the fishing industry. Using a rotating wheel or dial that displays bottom and other targets (fish, brush, etc.) as a series of multi-colored lights. Flashers, unlike other fish finders, work in real time, meaning that what you see on the display is exactly what’s under the transducer.

Wathena farmer earns national Quail Unlimited award
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009

Dave Weber of Wathena, Kan., has been an active member of Quail Unlimited since the early 1990s. His love of conservation and passionate management of his land has led to one of the top honors the organization could bestow upon anyone. Weber was named the 2008 National Adopt A Covey Habitat Farmer/Landowner of the Year.
The award is the culmination of over a decade’s worth of effort and a lot dedication. Weber attributes much of his success to the Heartland Chapter of Quail Unlimited and its members.

Women in the Outdoors event coming to Geiger
by Jeff Leonard
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009

They’ve hosted the No. 1 event in the state for four years running, and the Platte Purchase Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) would like to make it a fifth.
It’s the Women in the Outdoors event, and it’s coming to Camp Geiger in less than two months.

Mozingo ice fishing clinic gains in popularity
by Jeff Leonard
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009

MARYVILLE, Mo. — It seemed as though the cards were stacked against the Missouri Department of Conservation’s annual ice fishing clinic at Mozingo Lake. A forecast of warm temperatures and an obscure city ordinance seemed to threaten everyone’s fun.
Even with these roadblocks, more than 120 area anglers showed up to learn a little and experience the sport of ice fishing last weekend. This year’s attendance was nearly double that of last year, a testament to the growing popularity of the sport in this region.

National Wild Turkey Federation banquet will fund projects
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Jan. 30, 2009

Ellen Benitz, regional director of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), has a special night planned for Valentine’s Day. She, along with other members of the Platte Purchase Chapter, will host their 12th annual Hunting Heritage Super Fund Banquet featuring some special activities just for the ladies.
“Of course when I first mention that our banquet is set for Valentine’s Day, most folks groan, but really, when I ask them ‘Do you go out on Valentines Day?’ most admit they do not,” Benitz said.

Anglers put on ice at Mozingo Lake
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Jan. 30, 2009

In all fairness to those who read the outdoors page regularly, I feel I must confess. I have officially violated a city ordinance pertaining to fishing in one of the area’s top public lakes. This wasn’t a one-time deal either. I’ve done it multiple times over the past two years. Unfortunately, many of you have unknowingly done it, too.
Anyone who enjoys pulling a fresh catch of bluegills and crappie through the ice knows Mozingo Lake is one of the top destinations for ice fishing enthusiasts in the Midwest. That was until recently when it was discovered the city of Maryville, which owns the lake, has an ordinance specifically prohibiting it.

Hunters need to take responsibility
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

With all the media coverage centering around the presidential inauguration this week, many might not have noticed the article circulating throughout the nation about several men in Boone County, Mo., who apparently killed not one but five rare trumpeter swans.
According to a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) press release, eight trumpeter swans arrived at the Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in southern Boone County (near Columbia) on the night of Dec. 29.

Archers boast a banner year
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

It may far from a record setting season for firearms hunters, but the ever-growing number of bowhunters in Missouri let their arrows do the talking this past season by taking the largest amount of whitetails ever.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently released the 2008-2009 archery season statistics revealing hunters arrowed a record-breaking 44,434 deer during the 111-day season, according to the conservation department. To put this in perspective, this equates to about 400 deer per day.

Modern efficiency puts damper on outdoors memories
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

During a recent foray into the annals of my personal hunting and fishing history, I noticed that my outdoor scrapbooks were looking a little neglected. For around 30 years I’ve collected all my expired hunting and fishing permits and other special tags. Many were neatly arranged in my scrapbook, but the pages from the past 10 years or so had been largely ignored.
It wasn’t that I had stopped collecting the permits. They were all there, although the more recent ones were just laying loosely in a pile in a Rubbermaid container and not proudly displayed in the memory book. So what changed?

Young hunter makes most of special season
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

At 4 in the morning it’s difficult to get any kid up and around, but for Ryan Seger it wasn’t a problem. The 7-year-old hunter had a goal in mind and a little early morning grogginess wasn’t about to deter him from it.
Within an hour, he had eaten breakfast and headed out with his father, Mike, and his .223 Remington Model 7 in search of his first whitetail.

Outdoors provides good gift options
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Dec. 19, 2008

With Christmas a mere five days away, last-minute shoppers are hitting their favorite stores in search of just the right gift. If you’re an outdoors person, why not consider giving someone an invitation to the world of hunting or shooting?
It may just be the gift that keeps on giving to the recipient — and the giver as well.

State program names ‘best’ trees
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Dec. 19, 2008

Whether its athletics, academics or a recreational pursuit, becoming a state champion often takes years of training, hard work and skill. There is an exception (make that 116 exceptions) to this rule.
They are the Missouri Department of Conservation-certified State Champion Trees.
What does it take to become a state champion tree? The conservation department uses a formula to assess a point value for big trees. Points are determined by a tree’s height, crown spread (the average distance the tree stretches in all directions) and trunk size. They come up with this point value by adding the circumference in inches to the height in feet plus one-fourth of the average crown spread.

MDC, Quail Unlimited team up for study
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Dec. 12, 2008

Jeff Powelson graduated from college years ago, but in the next 8 months, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s private lands biologist and other his peers will get an education like no other as they complete a comprehensive study of bobwhite quail and their habitat from various locations in Missouri.
The project which began in early October is the first of its kind in Missouri not only because of its sheer size, but also because it is being done on private property. “(MDC) has done studies on public lands, but what about the private landowner who’s actively managing their property?” Powelson said.

CDC report may shed light on venison debate
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Dec. 12, 2008

Lead in venison has been one of the hottest and most controversial topics among hunters, the firearms industry and, unfortunately, anti-hunters this past year.
A new study by the United States Center for Disease Control might be just the key to getting some sound answers to this debate.
Last fall, a North Dakota dermatologist sounded an alarming announcement that the venison being donated to food pantries contained lead residue from the very ammunition used to harvest the deer. His announcement unfortunately caused a hasty reaction which resulted in the removal of thousands of pounds of protein rich deer meat from the shelves of food banks across the Midwest.

Eagle Days kick off
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

With colder temperatures settling in and the calendar year coming to an end, it’s time for the living symbol of America’s freedom and spirit to make its annual appearance both in the wild and at Eagle Days events at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Smithville Lake.
This will be the 30th anniversary of Eagle Days at Squaw Creek, near Mound City, Mo. The refuge will host its event on Dec. 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and feature hourly programs from The World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis and its captive eagles and other birds.
The event also will have a large number of exhibits in the refuge visitor station from local wildlife agencies and others.

Local hunter boasts amazing day
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008

With Thanksgiving leftovers still lingering in the refrigerator, many won’t want to hear the word turkey mentioned for a long time. But for Matt Whitmore, the word conjures up great memories of a recent bow hunt where he bagged not only a trophy tom but a monster buck — all in a period of 15 minutes.
Whitmore hit the jackpot on Nov. 9, which incidentally is his sister’s birthday.
“I have been hunting for 15 years now and have missed her birthday on the ninth and my grandma’s birthday on the 10th every season with the exception of grandma’s 85th” he said.

Resurgent deer population a credit to good wildlife management
by Jeff Leonard
Monday, Nov. 17, 2008

As Missouri hunters continue the 64th annual firearms deer season this week, the odds of taking a whitetail will be pretty good.
In recent years, an annual average of more than 500,000 hunters have consistently harvested about 300,000 deer each season. While the odds of successfully taking a whitetail are fairly good, they weren’t always this way for Show-Me State hunters.

Conditions appear good for deer rifle season
by Jeff Leonard
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

They’ve patiently watched as archers from all over Northwest Missouri have been bringing in some great whitetails. Youth hunters also had their turn and with less-than-favorable weather conditions still managed to complete their first weekend with an above-average harvest.
And as firearms season gets started on Saturday, gun hunters finally get their chance.

Missouri increases nonresident permit fees
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

During its September meeting, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved a broad range of permit changes for the upcoming 2009 season. While the changes affect literally everyone who hunts or fishes in Missouri, nonresidents will see the most dramatic increases of all.

First of 2 youth-whitetail seasons ends with success
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008

Colby Burns and his father Chad headed out into the fog on opening morning of the initial youth deer season last Saturday with high hopes of harvesting a nice whitetail. The morning hunt was special to them, as it was Colby’s first and the weekend youth hunt offered the perfect setting to get his feet wet.

A truck load of rainbows delivered to Western
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008

Missouri Western State University got some new residents last week, and while they’re not professors, I think they may be able to teach a few local anglers a lesson or two.
These newcomers were of the finned variety, and their home has now become the Everyday Pond on the northeast side of the campus.

Tradition runs deep for local duck hunters
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008

What do you do with a young duck hunter who can hardly wait till the first rays of sunlight to begin streaming in over the beautiful wetlands around his blind? You go to a kickoff party the evening before.
It’s a tradition that John Chezik and ranch manager Robert Lee have held onto for many years on Chezik’s hunting property north of Mound City, Mo. In attendance among all the crusty old waterfowl hunters was a 9-year-old boy who was about to make the transition from being just an observer to toting his own shotgun into the blind as a hunter.

Show-Me Bucks Club returns
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008

Deer hunters lucky enough to harvest a trophy whitetail buck this season can again look forward to joining the ranks of 8,000 record holders in the Missouri Show-Me Big Bucks Club.
The club is accepting new applications for records under the typical and non-typical deer and shed categories. The club has not accepted applications in several years because of an outdated record-keeping system which made the process unmanageable.

Permit prices see 1st hike in 5 years
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008

When sportsmen head to their favorite permit vendor to purchase their 2009 hunting, fishing, and trapping permits they’ll notice some significant changes. In previous columns we discussed changes to youth, senior and landowner permits. This week we’ll cover the price increases to resident permits and also the addition of a new “light geese” permit.
While I’m fairly certain no one wants to hear the words “increased prices” mentioned in the same sentence, Missouri still remains among the cheapest states to hunt, fish and trap in the Midwest.

Youth permit system gets overhaul
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

Change. It’s a word we’ve been seeing and hearing just about everywhere in the heat of political battle as both Democrat and Republican candidates spend the last few weeks competing for our vote. While most of us are growing tired of hearing all the political rhetoric, change is something all Missouri sportsmen will have to deal with in the coming year, regardless of who wins on election day.
This is the second in a series of columns designed to give outdoor folks a heads up about the new permit changes passed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) last month at the Conservation Commission’s meeting in Poplar Bluff.

Getting the lead out ... of venison
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008

A new study by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) may have deer hunters from throughout the country reconsidering their choice of firearms and ammunition. The study began after several samples of ground venison from a North Dakota venison donation program (similar to Missouri’s Share the Harvest) were found to contain lead fragments last winter.
Minnesota officials tested samples from their donations with some unsettling results. Ultimately, 27 percent of the ground venison and 2 percent of the whole muscle cuts were found to be contaminated with lead fragments from hunters’ bullets. This information prompted the MDNR to complete a preliminary study to improve their understanding of the problem.

Significant permit system changes face seniors, landowners
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

At a time when folks are just beginning to see a reprieve at the gas pumps, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is making changes to the permit system and asking all sportsmen to dig a little deeper into their pockets.
March of 2009 will bring some drastic changes to our permit system that will affect everyone, including youth, seniors, college students, landowners, general residents, non-resident licenses and even special-permit purchasers.

Taking a ‘stand’ for hunting safety
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

With another archery deer hunt in full swing and rifle season on its way, deer hunters who choose to hunt from elevated stands are asked to use caution when heading up to their perch. Studies show more people are injured or killed each year, not in firearms incidents but in accidents involving tree stands.
With the popularity of elevated stands on the rise and the amazing variety found on the market, more hunters are heading up in and effort to stack the odds in their favor.

After-shot care makes for better trophy
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008

Unlike most of the hunting shows — in which outdoor celebrities seem to add one or two trophy whitetails to their collection every time you turn on the television — the chances of taking a wall hanger come few and far between for most of us. This is why it’s so important to be prepared when you finally get your chance at the buck of a lifetime.
While many of us are more than equipped to head into the woods in pursuit of big whitetails, having a game plan for the after-shot care is also very important. Craig Debord of 9 Toes Taxidermy in Clarksdale, Mo., and I spoke about this important aspect of the hunt, and he’s provided a little guidance on this issue.

Big heads, aching arms for local anglers
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008

While working in the Sugar Lake area last week, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Agent Steve Nichols ran into a Missouri angler with not one but four great fish stories and some arms that ached from handling a fishing rod.
Millard McGlothen of Kansas City and his buddy had hooked up his boat and drove to the lake in hopes of snagging a few buffalo or other non-game fish, but what ended up at the end of their lines put them and their equipment to the ultimate test.

Sportsmen celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

What started out as a small, simple way of thanking the sportsmen of Pennsylvania has now turned into one of our country’s most effective grassroots efforts to promote outdoor sports and conservation.
Today, American sportsmen celebrate the 36th National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Chillicothe’s Ducks on Parade takes off on Swiss concept
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

It started in Zurich, Switzerland and eventually worked its way to Kansas City, Chicago and about 29 other cities throughout the world.
The idea was simple: Decorate fiberglass replica cows and place them on display before auctioning them off to raise money for charity. Steve Holt of Chillicothe latched onto this concept and as an outdoorsman decided to alter it a little by using ducks, and more specifically, beautifully decorated decoys.

Things do go bump in the night in the north woods
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

Having just returned from an archery black bear hunt in the north woods of Minnesota, I’ve found a whole new respect for those who choose to scratch their outdoor itch in some of America’s more remote and rugged environments. I also discovered through the span of the seven-day hunt that some of these trips are not for the faint of heart.
All four of us on this trip were new to black bear hunting and although we were well equipped and physically ready, we hadn’t actually envisioned what it was like to be hunting in such a wild, untouched area. This would be a trip filled with moments of pure, heart-stopping excitement along with hours of pure boredom sitting on stands waiting for a shot opportunity to reveal itself.

Trappers' association marks its 50th year
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

The Missouri Trappers Association are gathering in Cape Girardeau this weekend for a Fall Rendezvous that highlights their 50th Anniversary, according to Karl Rice of the Northwest Chapter (District 8).
The association began when a young trapper from Dewitt, Mo., named Walter “Eddie” Stephenson decided to form an association that would follow the remarks he included at the end of all his correspondence, “Yours For Better Trapping.”

When it’s man vs. bear, I need backup weapon
by Jeff Leonard
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008

While preparing for an upcoming bowhunting trip for black bear, the owner of the lodge informed us that we may wish to carry a legal firearm along as a backup weapon, as we’d be hunting predominately on our own in very remote areas.
Call me naive, but as a newcomer to the world of bear hunting, in a worst-case scenario, the thought of going toe to toe with a 300- to 500-pound black bear with only a bow and arrow to defend myself didn’t sound too appealing.

On your marks, get set, bow
by Jeff Leonard
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008

Mother Nature sent a clear message that summer is coming to an end by dropping a nice little cold front into Northwest Missouri. With recent daytime temperatures dropping down into the upper 50s, stepping out of the house into the crisp, wet, cool morning air made many bowhunters yearn to be in their favorite tree stand overlooking a heavily used deer trail.
Those who experienced similar sensations can rejoice in the fact that the 2008 archery season opener begins in just over a week.

Local anglers get opportunity to qualify for Cabela’s national catfishing classic tournament
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Aug. 8, 2008

While it doesn’t appear the Cabela’s King Kat Trail will be making up the local tournament that was cancelled due to flooding earlier this year, there still is a last chance opportunity for local anglers to participate and possibly qualify for the Cabela’s King Kat Classic.

3D archery competition hits the spot
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Aug. 8, 2008

With little or no breeze and temperatures stretching into the mid-90s — not to mention a heat index of more than 100 degrees — 88 archers took to the wooded trails of Pigeon Hill Conservation Area for the St. Joe Bowhunters 3D Shoot of the Season.

Boat owners spared a wave of bureaucracy
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Aug. 1, 2008

Recreational boaters and anglers can breathe a sigh of relief after President Bush gave his approval to the Clean Boating Act of 2008 (S 2766) last week. This legislation protects more than 17 million recreational boat owners in the United States from having to deal with federal and or state regulations never intended for them in the first place.

The ‘lure’ of love
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, Aug. 1, 2008

While most husbands and wives hope for a romantic evening away from the kids on “date nights,” Holly Crawford ended her evening with something more.
Holly discovered a new outdoor obsession which would allow her to spend more time with her husband and eventually her whole family, doing something they all enjoy.

Supreme Court decision gives gun owners historic victory
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, July 18, 2008

Law-abiding gun owners in the United States recently experienced a victory unlike any other in the history of the debate over rights granted under the Second Amendment.

Anglers 'get ready to rumble'
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, July 18, 2008

What do a bunch of competitive bass anglers who enjoy hanging out together and just can’t get enough of chasing big largemouths do for fun? They head to the lake once a month for a little thing they like to call the “Friday Night Hog Fight.”

Walleyes still being caught at Stockton Lake
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, July 11, 2008

STOCKTON, Mo. — Les Jarman fishes familiar banks when he chases walleyes at Stockton Lake these days.
The only difference from the past? Those banks are under almost 15 feet of water now.

Deadline approaching for MDC’s managed hunts
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, July 11, 2008

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is looking for a few good men — and women, as well as some youth — to fill this year’s assortment of managed deer hunts being offered. With the new weighted, random-drawing system, hunters now have a better chance of being drawn if they remain persistent.

A large mouth full of teeth and attitude
by Jeff Leonard
Friday, July 11, 2008

Muskies are known among anglers as the “fish of 10,000 casts.” For Darren Peters, a member of the St. Joe Bass Club, the odds were a little better, considering the fact he landed a 41-inch trophy while on a recent bass fishing trip at Pony Express Lake.

Catfish tourney a wash
by Jeff Leonard
Saturday, June 28, 2008

For the second consecutive year, Mother Nature placed a roadblock in the path of the Cabela’s King Kat Tournament Trail, which was scheduled for a June 21st tournament date at the French Bottoms Access on the Missouri River. The roadblock came in the form of major flooding problems.

A world of change might not be far away for us
by Jeff Leonard
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Animal rights extremists must be dancing in the streets after a law in Switzerland recently passed. With utter disbelief and a little laughter, I read through this new law imagining the Swiss people dealing with some of the outlandish details they will have to put up with starting this September.