show-me gobbler - Missouri State Chapter NWTF

SHOW-ME GOBBLER
A Quarterly Publication of the George C. Clark Missouri Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation
Volume 27 Number 3 • November 2009
Good News!...Seems like
Turkey Production May Be
Better Than We Thought!!!
By John Burk
Photo courtesy of MDC
Historically, the brood survey annually
orchestrated by the Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC)
has been the primary indicator of
relative turkey reproductive success.
This ratio of poults to hens observed
by staff and volunteers from across the
state provides an index from year to
year and a trend over time. As most
know, the news has not been good for
the last several years, especially in the
central and northern part of the state
considered to be the turkey factory of
Missouri. Last summer, this index was
one of the lowest recorded and this
year was not much better (see attached
map). The June period of the survey
has usually been a pretty good
indicator of what can be expected.
However, the June index relies on
“normal years” and it has been historically accepted that the first nesting
attempt is what you hang your hat on.
During years when the first hatch is
good, poults are larger, spending more
time in the open, and are more visible
during the June observation period.
As the precipitation map indicates,
weather conditions during the initial
nesting period for the last couple of
years has been unfavorable for nesting
success. Most hens will renest after
loosing their first clutch and weather
conditions were more favorable this
year during the second attempt period.
Broods from later nesting attempts are
obviously hatching off much later and
are not as visible. I personally only
saw one brood during the survey
period traveling my normal route to
town and back. However, during the
end of September and the beginning
of October I observed four large brood
flocks along this same route and ran
into three large broods on the Mark
Twain during the second day of the
fall season. Reports that I have heard
from other biologists and hunters is
leading me to believe that my
observations are not unique.
If what I am seeing holds true, it looks
like we may have finally turned the
corner. Although the hatch would
obviously not be considered a boom
year it does appear that it is better
than it has been which means more
gobbling 2-year-olds starting in 2011.
I don’t think that we had a good
enough hatch to see a dramatic flip in
the age structure regionally, but in
some locals, next spring, some hunters
may experience “gang violence” in the
turkey woods! This phenomena is
relatively common in places like
Texas where reproductive success is
also weather dependent and tends to
be usually either feast or famine.
When you get a “feast” year after
several “famine” years, the population
turns over and there are many more
jakes than adults. When the age
structure favors adults, jakes stay
under the radar. When the age
structure favors jakes, the jakes have a
tendency to travel in gangs and keep
the adults under the radar…kids?!?
Time will tell but I am more
optimistic now than I was after the
2009 brood survey results came in.
Whatever the spring of 2010 has in
store, I’m sure you’ll all be out there
enjoying it as will I. Another certainty
is that the support we get from our
volunteers will continue to be used to
improve the management of the
resource we care most about as well
as supporting outreach efforts for the
folks that enjoy it!
Page 2 • Show-Me Gobbler
President’s Message
Here we are again, the year seems to go by so fast when you are busy and have many important issues on our
plates. The yearly elections to the State Board are here. We have many qualified supporters running for two
positions. Do them and yourselves a deserving courtesy and read each one of their bios and vote for the two
you would like to serve your interests in matters that the board is in control of. Each volunteer desires a threeyear term on the board. Each one of us on the board and in supporting positions, take this honor very
seriously. You should all be very proud of the people you have elected to these positions. If you ever attend a
board meeting you will witness the passion of our volunteers. Ballots must be returned by Jan 31, 2010. Bring
them with you and hand them in at the awards banquet, Sat January 9, 2010, at the Inn at Grand Glaize, the
Lake of the Ozarks. Let your Regional Director know if you are planning to attend.
There is also a National Board election underway, Doc Dettmer is seeking re-election to the National Board,
he is deserving of your vote to continue to serve us at the national level.
National Convention will again be in Nashville, Tenn., February 18-21, 2010. Make your reservations early
and hope to see you there.
Winter is on its way. The cold damp air while hunting in October makes you look forward to the spring. It
will be here in the blink of an eye. We will again be mesmerized by the gobble and strut of the wild turkey,
mowing grass and planting food plots. Today it’s only 47 degrees. Hope each of you has a great fall hunting
season, and a joyous holiday season and a bright New Year. See you at a banquet coming to you soon
Good luck and happy hunting.
Ben Doerge
National Director’s Report
SHOW-ME GOBBLER
President
Ben Doerge
21273 Audrain Rd. 306
Mexico, MO 65265
573/581-2701
badoerge@ktis.net
Chairman of the Board
Dan Minor
P.O. Box 942
Hannibal, MO 63401
573/822-4779
dlminor@insuranceservicemo.com
Regional Field Supervisor
Travis W. Scott
5389 Trikalla Drive
Columbia, MO 65202
573/474-2993
tscott@nwtf.net
Treasurer
Bernie Grice
1310 Bradshaw Ave.
Columbia, MO 65203
573/445-6967
bernie@tranquility.net
Regional Director
Tim Besancenez
2710 Eagles Drive
Pacific, MO 63069
636/257-7121
tbesancenez@nwtf.net
Secretary
Roger Wilson
30022 Monroe Rd. 410
Paris, MO 65275
660/327-5344
rwilson@hannibal.k12.mo.us
Regional Director
Larry Neal
2780 Hwy. V
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573/334-8881
lneal@nwtf.net
State JAKES Coordinator
Charlene West
1807 Grant Circle
Rolla, MO 65401
573-426-6331
ckwest@fidnet.com
Regional Director
Mike Allen
20240 State Highway J.
Brashear, MO 63533
573/323-5531
mallen@nwtf.net
Editor
Jay Langston
6013 Ridge Farm Place
Brentwood, TN 37027
615/887-1389
JayLangston@bellsouth.net
Regional Director
Ellen Benitz
9348 Private Drive 3902
St. Joseph, MO 64505
816/387-6606
ebenitz@nwtf.net
Graphic Designer
Joe Pendergrass
Crossroads Marketing
Columbia, MO 65201
573/368-1402
mrjgrass@hotmail.com
By Robert “Doc” Dettmer
As I write this, our fall turkey season is underway, and firearms deer seasons are approaching.
The NWTF has opened a retail outlet in downtown Edgefield, SC. That outlet promises to be very worthwhile
not only for their community, but also for the NWTF, in that excess banquet program merchandise will be
made more available for folks to purchase, while reducing our warehouse load. A new online purchasing
program will very soon be available for our members. You’ll be hearing more about it, and I’m sure you’ll
like it!
Also coming soon is our election of National Board Directors. Directors are elected for three-year terms, and
indeed I will be on the ballot you will soon receive or have already received, as my current term expires in
February. I therefore ask that when you get the ballot in your November/December issue of Turkey Country
Magazine you vote! I, of course, ask that you vote for me, as well as two other candidates on the ballot, for
indeed one must vote for three candidates. Certainly all of the six candidates are well qualified, but I feel that
my unwavering passion for the wild turkey and the NWTF, as well as my many years of service and
experience make my candidacy exceptional. The votes of my fellow NWTF volunteers in Missouri will be
pivotal to my success in this election, so please vote---for me and two other candidates.
Hunting Heritage Banquets
My thanks to each of you for what you’ve done and will continue to do for the wild turkey, and for me!
Bayou Strutters
Event Date: 01/15/2010
Location: Top of the Town
Banquet Hall
East Prairie, MO 63845
Tim Kavan
Contact:
Phone:
573-823-6366
Current River Callers
Event Date: 01/16/2010
Location: Winona School
Hwy 19N
Winona, MO 65588
Contact:
Troy McAfee
Phone:
417-331-4831
Springtown Wattlenecks
Event Date: 01/16/2010
Location: Annunciation Comm. Ctr
705 N Jefferson St
Kearney, MO 64060
Contact:
Troy O'Dell
816-628-4254
Phone:
Southern Ozark Longbeards
Event Date: 01/22/2010
Location: Doniphan 1st Church
of God, 506 E Pine St
Doniphan, MO 63935
Alan Slayton
Contact:
Phone:
573-996-3211
Email: aslayton@doniphanr1.k12.mo.us
Crowleys Ridge Limbhangers
Event Date: 01/23/2010
Location: Dexter Elks
325 North 2 Mile Road
Dexter, MO 63841
Contact:
Kyle Ouzts
Phone:
573-624-5505
Indian Creek Chapter
Event Date: 01/23/2010
Location: Lampo Building
1700 North Main Street
Neosho, MO 64850
Chuck & Doris Dalbom
Contact:
Phone:
417-628-3253
Email:
cdalbom@leru.net
Lincoln Hills
Event Date: 01/23/2010
Location: Lincoln Co. Fairgrounds
Troy, MO 63379
Contact:
Jay Herring
573-898-5420
Phone:
Tick Ridge
Event Date: 01/23/2010
Location: Macon CO Expo Center
Hwy 63 S
Macon, MO 63552
Contact:
Matthew Burks
Phone:
660-395-1404
Email:
mattburks1@yahoo.com
Ozark Greenway Thunderin Gobblers
Event Date: 01/29/2010
Location: Willard ComM. Bldg.
222 West Jackson Street
Willard, MO 65781
Contact:
Jason Bussard
417-830-1535
Phone:
Email:
bucks_n_beards@mail.com
More Heritage Banquets on Page 11
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Show-Me Gobbler is published quarterly by the
George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and is
circulated statewide to its membership as well as other interested parties. As the official
publication of the George C. Clark Missouri State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey
Federation, the Show-Me Gobbler serves to inform, educate and entertain wild turkey
enthusiasts throughout Missouri and is committed to supporting conservation through
sound wildlife management, and sport hunting through safety and ethics education.
ARTICLE SUBMISSION NOTE:
The staff of the Show-Me Gobbler thank you for your contributions to the publicaton. Please feel free to submit future
articles with photos to the contact information listed on the
back page of this issue. Submission requirements: Digital
copy submitted in Microsoft Word (version 2003 or earlier).
(please contact us if you can only send hard copy) Digital
photographs are preferred but will be accepted as snapshots
if supplied to the editor. When scanning your own photos,
please use at least 225 resolution (dpi) but no more than 500
dpi, saved as a .jpeg, .jpg, .tiff or .eps. Photos scanned outside
of these guidelines may not be suitable for printing. Please
include photo captions and credits for each photo submitted.
Photos will not be returned. Thanks again for your contributions and we look forward to your participation in the future.
Page 3 • Show-Me Gobbler
Regional Director’s Report
By Mike Allen
Hi everyone! Hope you have time to read this issue of the Show Me Gobbler, after you get in from hunting. Seems like we wait for spring turkey season and the fall hunting seasons
for so long, and they go by in a flash. Fall is such a hectic season. School sports keep those of us with kids of that age on the go non stop. Sometimes trying to find time to hunt
takes second fiddle. Hope everyone gets out and enjoys the bounty of our great state.
With the holiday season fast approaching I would like to urge you to take a moment and ponder on the upcoming banquet season. As we all know the life-blood of our organization
is continuing to have successful banquets. A little planning now will certainly pay big dividends on banquet day. Get in touch with your RD and plan a meeting for this fall.
The regional staff spent the greater part of a week at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield SC in June. We all feel the items you will have at your banquet next year are the best yet.
Product is ordered, firearms are allocated and now we are all gearing up to help your chapter have a great banquet. Things that are helpful are checking with the banquet hall and
ensuring the date is booked. Make sure the caterer and the auctioneer have the date in their calendars. It is also a good idea to touch base with the place the merchandise is shipped
to. It is certainly important to check in with the FFL handler prior to the banquet. A quick phone call, or visit, will ensure delivery of the firearms for your banquet. If there is a
problem, the more lead time you and your RD have to fix it, the better. Last minute changes are not only worrisome, but rush shipping is very expensive. Any dollars we spend, that
we don’t have to, are dollars that will not be spent on outreach programs, Super Fund projects, or any of the other great things your organization does.
I would also urge you to make those contacts now to ensure that you have several applicants for your local NWTF scholarship. Call or e-mail the school counselor for the schools in
your area. All the information on the scholarship program is available online at nwtf.org. If you go to the outreach tab, extreme jakes, scholarship, you will find all the forms and
information needed. Again this year, your local winner needs to be submitted to Ben Doerge by February 1st to be considered for the state scholarship.
In closing, please do not hesitate to contact your regional director with any questions or concerns. In this busy, hectic season, take time to enjoy family, friends, and the great
outdoors. Good luck hunting and send me pictures!
Cooking Turkey’s Other Parts
Most of us have a favorite recipe for that big gobbler once he’s in the bag but I will share with
you one of our family favorites. The breast is saved for frying and what I will speak about is all
other parts except the breast. I normally separate the breast and prepare it for later use although
you may choose to include it in this preparation. Many hunters have struggled with what to do
with the legs and even thighs and back of their turkey but worry no more. This is an easy and
delicious solution.
After the bird is dressed and skinned, separate the legs, thighs and back. Removing any parts you
may not want to eat at this time and cleaning up the others to cook.
Use a pan large enough to fit all pieces and deep enough that you can cover them. I use a roasting
pan with its lid. Place parts into pan and lay side to side in the bottom.
I use three beef bullion cubes per carcass, if you’re including the breast I would use five bullion
cubes. Normally I use one per leg and thigh and another for the remaining parts. Crush the cubes
and sprinkle over the top of the turkey. Add salt and pepper for your taste.
I then peel and cut potatoes, carrots and onions and add as well. We normally use a dozen or so
potatoes, a pound or two of carrots and two or three onions but how many you’re feeding will
vary that. Halving or quartering the vegetables will be fine as they will have time to cook even in
larger sizes. What you are preparing is very similar to roast in both taste and texture.
Cover the pan and place in an oven at 225 degrees for 5 hours.
If you don’t have a lid for your pan just cover it tightly with aluminum foil. You don’t need to add
any liquid to the turkey.
You may peek at it after 4 hours and depending on the bird size it may be done and smaller birds
will cook a bit faster.
Remove from oven when done and separate the vegetables from the turkey. Then separate the
turkey from its bones. This process is very easy as the meat will fall from most of it and the
tendons in those once difficult legs will slide gently from the meat. Turkey legs were once
troublesome for us to prepare but not anymore. I have been amazed at how easy this is and how
well it turns out. This is an easy and quick meal to prepare, as once you get it into the oven, it
pretty much takes care of itself.
A variation of this recipe is to leave out the vegetables and cook only the meat. After you separate
the meat from the bones add your favorite barbecue sauce and make into sandwiches. You could
also use the meat in soup and other dishes as well. I hope this adds another way for you and your
family to enjoy the wild turkey.
Pete Ripley of the Kingdom of Callaway Limbhangers with the
epitome of the chapter’s namesake. Pete’s bird had three beards, spurs
over an inch and tipped the scales in the mid 20s.
Board of Directors Biographies
Page 4 • Show-Me Gobbler
Barry Barnes
Age 58, lives in Sedalia, MO. Worked for Rival
Manufacturing / The Holmes Group for 33 years.
Left the company as Senior Quality Engineer when
it was sold and moved to China. I have been
involved with the Boy Scouts for 28 years, I am an
Eagle Scout and I received the District Award for
Merit, the Silver Beaver and served on four
Woodbadge Courses.
Hobbies are Hunting, Fishing, Woodworking and
Welding.
I have been president of the State Fair Strutters the
Sedalia Chapter or the NWTF for the last five years.
I take a lot of pride in the fact that we started over
from scratch five years ago and have built a good
committee and have a solid chapter going.
Our chapter helps with the Conservation
Department Share the Harvest Program, we place
collection boxes in restaurants and convenience
stores and make the weekly collections and donate
proceeds to the Pettis County Share the Harvest
Program. Last year we collected nearly $500.
We also hold a turkey shoot, which benefits the
chapters Scholarship fund and Share the Harvest.
We have splatter boards, skeet shooting and archery
games at which we raised over $400 last year. Our
chapter donates turkeys to the needy through the
Elks Lodge Christmas Basket.
I was asked why I wanted to be on the State Board.
After a lot of thought, my answer is that I want to
be sure that our grandchildren have an opportunity
to enjoy an outdoor and hunting way of life. One
way to do this is to participate in the next level, to
have a say in what our hard work and the money
goes for, to try and help make a difference, make
the system better. Thank you.
Randy Hargis Jr.
My name is Randy Hargis Jr. I was raised in the St.
Charles area and currently live in Pacific with my
wife, Holly, and daughter Sara. I work full time for
the Missouri Department of Transportation, were I
have been employed for the past seven years as a
bridge maintenance worker. I have also proudly
been serving our country for the past 11 years in the
Missouri National Guard. I am an Ira•veteran and a
Purple Heart recipient. I am currently serving as
treasurer of The St. Louis Sponsor Event and have
been a member of NWTF for many years. I am an
avid sportsman and family man who enjoy taking
my daughter out and teaching her ethical hunting
techniques. I am running for the Missouri State
board, and if elected, I will ensure you that I will
work hard for our hunting heritage and conservation
here in Missouri.
Thank You for your vote.
Bill Kliethermes
I am Bill Kliethermes from Linn, Missouri. For the
past three years I have had the privilege of serving
on the NWTF state board. I was raised on a farm in
Osage County and have a life-long love for the land
and respect for the game that live on it. Previously
an accounting instructor at Linn Technical State
College, I am retired from the State of Missouri,
also as an accountant.
For the last eight years I have been a member,
treasurer and bronze sponsor of the “Osage
Gobblers,” my home NWTF chapter. I am also a
member of the Belle NWTF chapter, the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited,
Wheelin’ Sportsmen, Women In The Outdoors and
am a life member of the NRA.
Hunting – turkey, deer and Western big game – is
my passion, and I believe in contributing both time
and money to preserve these resources. My wife and
I attend about 20 NWTF fund-raising events each
year, volunteering to work any time assistance is
needed. This has made the banquets even more
rewarding, as we have met some of the finest and
friendliest people in the state. Our goal is to attend,
at least once, every chapter event in Missouri.
Hunting is great fun, but introducing young hunters
to the sport is even more rewarding than bringing
home the game myself. This is one reason I support
the JAKES Program so strongly. I have immensely
enjoyed teaching young hunters (including my sons,
friends of my sons and my adopted “grandchild”)
the art of calling, how to use camouflage and how to
hunt safely and ethically. Bagging the game is a
great experience, but more important is learning and
honoring the ethics of hunting and following the
rules of safe hunting.
I would greatly appreciate your vote for my reelection to the State Board of the Missouri National
Wild Turkey Federation. I will do my best to
continue to honor your trust by representing your
views and interests and contributing my time and
love of hunting to the NWTF.
Jackie Rowe
I began hunting as a young child with my dad and
brother. Almost every hunting season you will find
me in the woods looking for that perfect trophy.
There were a few hunting seasons I had to miss
while I pursued my degree in Anesthesia and when I
served in the Air Force, but I am glad to say those
days are now behind me. I currently live in Marble
Hill where I have lived for fifteen years. My wife
Mary and I have two grown children Jeffrey and
Rebecca. Our daughter, Rebecca married Nick
Underwood and have blessed us with three (and one
more on the way) future hunters, Bailey, Noah, and
Luke.
I have been involved with the Bollinger County
Chapter of the NWTF since it was started seven
years ago. Since helping to start our chapter I have
been the president and have acted as our banquet
chairman. Our chapter has participated in several
NWTF programs including the Turkey Hunters
Care, and just recently hosted our sixth JAKE’S
event. We have also participated in Wheelin’
Sportsmen, dove and deer hunts, Jake’s turkey
hunts, and provide food plot seed for local residents.
Through my early hunting experiences, I have
developed a love for the outdoors and still enjoy
hunting and introducing others to the outdoors. One
of the reasons I became involved with the National
Wild Turkey Federation is their commitment to
preserving our hunting heritage. I currently teach
hunter education classes to help young hunters
appreciate that heritage. As a state board member, I
would strive to preserve this heritage. I strongly
believe that educating our youth and introducing
them to the outdoors is the key to preserving our
heritage for future generations.
If elected to the Board, I will continue working to
ensure that the NWTF mission statements are
reached. I will strive to encourage local landowners
as well as state agencies to improve wildlife conservation and continuation of our hunting heritage.
With all the agencies and organizations fighting to
take away our hunting rights today, I feel very
strongly that we, as conservationists, should let our
voices be heard. I would greatly appreciate your
vote. Thanks.
Travis Moore
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. At some
point, every business or organization runs into a
bump in the road. The ones that survive are the
ones who work through the difficulty and look
towards the future.
I have been an NWTF member since 1993 and a
district director for almost 15 years, and one thing I
can tell you is that if you stick with anything long
enough, you are going to face some adversity. I
have seen a lot of local chapters have their troubles
and come out of it stronger in the end. And now, it
is NWTF national who is having its turn.
Many of you are now aware that the NWTF is
making some major changes. I firmly believe that
the NWTF is a leader in the conservation arena and
that we will continue to prosper. We just have to
tighten our belt a little and focus on the things that
mean the most to us. In these trying times, I have
been asked to run for the Show-Me Chapters State
Board and would appreciate your vote.
I have been a fisheries employee for the Dept of
Conservation for 18 years, the last 10 as a fisheries
management biologist. During that tenure, I have
served on or chaired several agency committees
including planning committees for five states,
regional and international conferences. I work
directly with a variety of other state and federal
agencies and not for profit groups. I am well versed
in conservation strategies both on the water and on
land and serve on the area management committees
for a number of conservation areas.
As an NWTF volunteer, I have served as chapter
president, treasurer, JAKES chairman, as a member
of the scholarship and WITO committees, and heave
bee banquet chairman and emcee of our local
banquet for several years. I regularly review
Superfund grant applications and have submitted
several successful proposals myself. I have
presented a the state leadership event, occasionally
continued on next page
Page 5 • Show-Me Gobbler
Sho-Me Chapter’s Bois D’Arc Day at the Range
Photo courtesy of R. L. Bennett
The annual Day at the Range, held at Bois D’Arc Conservation Area has always been a
very successful Wheelin’ Sportsman event for people with various disabilities. This year
was no exception, with 202 participants. There were 201 caregivers and family members
and 178 workers from the NWTF, Southwest Center for Independent Living, the Missouri
Department of Conservation, Boy Scout Troop 200 of Nixa, the Shriner’s and many
others.
Events this year included air rifle, .22 rifle, crossbow, target and skeet fundamentals and
shooting. Archery, fishing, bird house building, wing bone call making, outdoor jewelry
were other activities. There was even a session for gardening from a wheel chair, and
outdoors scrap book making.
An event of this magnitude has required the support of the entire community due to the
number of staff and workers needed to make an event of this size a success. We would
like to thank those people who donated their time.
If you would like to be a part of this great event, please contact Patty (psmith@swcil.org)
or call (417)886-1188, or contact Laura (glmbrlyford@earthlink.net). Their web site is
www.southwestmissouridayattherange.com.
We encourage everyone to get involved with this Wheelin’ Sportsman event or one in
your area. It is a true blessing for the disabled participants, but I believe it is more so for
the helpers who get to see the smiles, laughs and the sense of accomplishment on the
faces of so many.
NWTF volunteers help this youth get his crossbow lined up on the target during the Bois D’Arc
Conservation Day.
Board of Directors Biographies continued
submit articles for the Show Me Gobbler, and assist at six to eight additional banquets
each year. As a matter of fact, my wife Kathi, and sons Chance and Jacob, have been
called the traveling committee as we all work at those other banquets.
Besides volunteering for the NWTF, I serve as the Mizzou Alumni Association’s School
of Natural Resources Board President and Scholarship Chair, as an administrative
advisor and assistant coach for the Hannibal Shooters Education Program, and have
served a variety of roles for the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.
My strengths are that I am persistent, adapt quickly to changing situations, and I am a
creative problem solver. I tend to listen first, then, speak when it is called for. I believe
in the right to bears arms and am the holder of a conceal carry permit. I fully support
our hunting heritage and believe that we should be available to teach others about this
part of our history, no matter their age or creed. And I believe in supporting our
members of the military. Those folks do the toughest job in the world and have earned
all our support.
My approach as a state board member would be to help us maximize our funds to the
benefit of our beliefs and to look for new opportunities to raise funds and promote the
ideals of the NWTF. If you like what you’ve seen so far, I would appreciate your vote.
Tori McAfee (center) pictured with her father Troy (right) and guide
and Capitol City Strutters committee Member Josh Webb (left)
Page 6 • Show-Me Gobbler
Missouri Chapter Presents Awards
By Roger E. Wilson
Outstanding Cooperator Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators
to the George Clark Missouri State Chapter. Receiving the award (l-r), Travis Scott,
Regional Field Supervisor, National Wild Turkey Federation; Roger Wilson, Secretary,
George Clark Missouri State Chapter; Ben Doerge, President, George Clark Missouri
State Chapter. The NAAE recognized the George Clark Missouri State Chapter for ten
years of sponsorship, student scholarships, educational and equipment grants for FFA,
schools, and their support of conservation efforts throughout the state of Missouri.
Roger Benson with Gould's Turkey taken in Chihuahua Mexico. 22 1/2
pounds, 10 in beard and 3/4 spurs.
This was a great hunt, saw a lot of birds and food was excellent. The
high elevation desert ranch country is pretty amazing, desolate, and dry
dry dry. Very interesting trip and a good way to hone your Spanish
skills! No swine flu and we didn't get killed by the Mexican Mafia, but
we did get to watch two drug busts by US Customs.”
The recipient of Missouri Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher award for 2009
was Tim Larrick, from South Shelby High School, Shelbina, MO. The award is
sponsored by the George Clark Missouri State Chapter. The recipient receives a plaque
for recognition and a check for $1,000 from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Missouri Outstanding Agricultural Education Program award for 2009, West Plains
FFA Chapter-South Central Career Center, West Plains, MO. Presenting-Travis Scott,
Regional Field Supervisor, National Wild Turkey Federation; Tonya Jedlicka and Jay
Hale instructors, receiving the award, presenting-Roger Wilson, Secretary, George
Clark Missouri State Chapter; presenting-Ben Doerge, President, George Clark
Missouri State Chapter. Congratulations! The recipient receives a plaque for
recognition and a check for $1,000 from the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Phil Brooks, son of board member Tim Brooks, with one of his 2009
birds.
Page 7 • Show-Me Gobbler
Bass Pro Hosts
WITO Workshop
Bass Pro of Independence, Missouri, hosted their second Women in the
Outdoors outdoor skills workshop on August 21 and 22 with 44 ladies in
attendance for a fun filled day of learning. Approximately 30 of the ladies
attended a social on Friday evening and enjoyed an Outdoor Wear fashion
show, a scavenger hunt and marshmallow and weenie roast over a fire in the
outdoor amphitheater. On Saturday the ladies participated in a multitude of
outdoor skills workshops that included: Turkey Tail Taxidermy taught by
Natasha Morris of The Turkey Roost, Dutch oven cooking taught by Missouri
State Board member Sherry Hill, and Duct Tape Tote bags taught by Jeanette
Limback and her sister Michelle. Thanks to the hard work of Janet Sue Filberth
Event coordinator, April Vertako, the Bass Pro program director and Mary
Katherine Barge. Thanks also to Bass Pro of Independence for working with
the committee and allowing them the use of the store, instructors and for giving
each lady a discount coupon to shop for equipment the day of the event and for
their many other donations to the event.
Page 8 • Show-Me Gobbler
The Little Dixie Longbeards
and Kingdom of Callaway
first annual JAKES event
Traveling through our communities soliciting for banquet support as NWTF staff and
volunteers, we are often confronted with the question, “what do you do for us locally?”
and the statement, “all of our money goes to Edgefield or some corner of the state we’ll
never see.” As we compete for limited dollars with other NGO’s on these solicitation trips,
it can be frustrating and disappointing if you don’t understand and sell the organization
that you represent. As most know or should know, the NWTF has three outreach
programs (JAKES, WITO, and WHEEL’N) as well as a local scholarship program. All
four of these programs as well as $250 per program of support money are available to
every chapter in the state equating to $1,000 of guaranteed funding for local efforts.
Where it may be difficult to maintain support and momentum for local banquets if that’s
all you do, it becomes easier when your chapter committee is active and visible in the
community throughout the year. It is more work, and with small committees, can be a
challenge, but doing just one of the 3 outreach options and a scholarship can go a long
way towards garnering support come banquet time.
The Little Dixie Longbeards and the Kingdom of Callaway Limbhangers are both small
chapters with small committees in central Missouri but both chapters showed
improvement over 2008. Each chapter issued a local scholarship and the chapters
coordinated together for their first annual JAKES event on September 26, 2009. The
Fulton WalMart, Gerbes, Backers Potato Chips, Prairie Grove Shooting Sports, Briggs
Gun Shop, Callaway County 4H, and the Fulton High School Outdoor Club provided
support for this first-time event. Kids ages 6-17 attended the event despite bad luck with
the weather and experienced the following activities: instruction on hunter safety, fur
trapping, turkey calling and call making, archery, black powder shooting, clay bird
shooting, and .22 rifle shooting.
Bellow: Alex Garner dialed in at the .22 shooting station; Bottom right: Instructor Bob Peneston provides
guidance to Natalie Phillips at the beginners archery station. Top: Extreme Jake Scott Strough looks on as
Logan Burk tries his hand at sticking the target with traditional archery equipment.
Page 9 • Show-Me Gobbler
NWTF works with Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative (MoBCI)
at Whetstone Creek Conservation Area
By John Burk
Whetstone Creek Conservation Area is a 5,147-acre property just north of I70 adjacent
to Williamsburg in Callaway County. Although this area is a quail emphasis area, as
most know, and many more are learning, wherever you can make quail do well, in most
cases the turkeys will do even better.
This past year, one of the projects funded was a $6,000 Timber Stand Improvement
Project on the north end of the management area. The north end contains a lot of the
forested component of the property and it is in these forested blocks that a unique twist
to quail management was undertaken with the help of the Missouri Bird Conservation
Initiative (MoBCI).
MoBCI is an organization of 54 member organizations devoted to doing all-bird conservation work in Missouri. Each year there is roughly $100,000 available in grant money
to do good bird conservation work across the state, and our Whetstone project was
selected by the MoBCI grants committee for funding during 2009-10. Most forested
lands throughout Missouri and the Midwest, for that matter, are overstocked, closed
canopied forests. From a healthy forest perspective as it relates to both forestry and
wildlife objectives, this essentially means that there are too many trees. In a crowded
forest, individual trees are competing with one another for moisture and soil nutrients
and are growing more slowly. In addition, the close canopied condition completely
shades out the sun, favoring lower value, fast growing, shade tolerant species like
maple instead of the oak/hickory mix currently in place that provides better wildlife
habitat and higher quality wood products. In some cases commercial harvests can thin
the forest to desired stocking rates that reduces competition, increases tree growth rates,
and opens the canopy back up to allow herbaceous vegetation and forest regeneration to
occur. However, in many cases, the trees that need to be thinned currently have no
commercial value and cost over $100/acre to treat.
During the 2009 funding cycle, $6,000 of super fund money and $1,200 of in-kind for
monitoring was matched by $7,200 of MoBCI money to treat Unit 4. Before and after
photos of the treatment area illustrates the benefits of conducting TSI. When
competition is reduced, the size of the canopy expands over time producing more mast,
and the sunlight that hits the forest floor in the interim, allows a herbaceous vegetative
response that is conducive to nesting and brood rearing habitat. The desired herbaceous
vegetative response that provides the primary benefit for wildlife will be more dramatic
on south and west facing slopes where soils are dryer, shallower, and less prone to
“brush up” like better tree growing north and east facing slopes. In either case, to
maintain the desired herbaceous condition overtime, prescribed burning must be
implemented.
Although probably cost prohibitive if contracted without cost share, there are cost share
programs available for private landowners through state and federal programs designed
to offset these costs. With a little advice from your local biologist, TSI is also not very
difficult to undertake on your own. Whether cost shared or tackled as a do it yourself
project, TSI and prescribed burning is a very effective combination for improving
habitat conditions for deer and turkey on forested landscapes.
Before and after shots of unit 4 (above). In time and following prescribed burning, portions of the stand
will look like the stand below and provide excellent nesting, brood rearing, bedding, and fawning cover.
Photos courtesy of Chad Smith and Aaron Jeffries.
Page 10 • Show-Me Gobbler
District Director Scott Roy with daughters
Briley and Sadie after a memorable morning.
Don’t forget to vote for
the new board members
of the George C. Clark
Missouri Chapter of the
National Wild Turkey
Federation. Biographies
are on pages 4 and 5 of
this publication. Ballots are
due on January 31, 2010.
This was one of the best turkey hunts I’ve had
in my life! This pair of two-year-olds came in
about 11 o’clock with six hens in tow. At
sunlight, 60 to 70 birds pitched down in the
pasture about 150 yards from us. At any one
time there were 8 to 10 gobblers in full strut
sounding off and several other gobblers trying
to figure out how to get in the game. It was a
really neat sight. After about an hour they split
up. I told the girls we would sit tight and one
of those gobblers would be back sometime later
to check us out. They were 25 feet from the
blind when the girl’s finished the hunt.”
FREE SEEDLING REQUEST FORM
LANDOWNER PROGRAM 2009-2010
Operation Oak
October 15, 2009
State: __________________________ County/Parish: __________________________________
Subject: NWTF Operation Oak Private Landowner Program 2009-10
Landowner Name: _______________________________________________________________
Dear Landowner and NWTF Member:
The National Wild Turkey Federation is very proud to announce the continued
expansion of its Operation Oak Program. A partnership between the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the NWTF has made 15,000 select
oak seedlings available FREE to private landowners in Missouri. The seedlings
available will be a native species, including an even mix of swamp white, pin,
and northern red oak grown at the George O. White State Forest Nursery in
Licking, Missouri.
Private landowners interested in participating in the FREE program must be or
become a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and complete the
attached application form. NWTF staff will review all applications and provide
seedlings to as many interested landowners as possible.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PICK-UP THEIR
SEEDLINGS FROM ONE OR MORE CENTRALIZED LOCATION(S)
IN THE STATE. Pick-up locations and dates will be determined and
announced before trees being available in late March, or early April.
I hope you will be able to participate in our tree-planting program this year and
provide long-term habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife. If you are
interested in receiving FREE seedlings, you must complete the attached
application form and mail, e-mail, or fax it back to the attention of:
John D. Burk
7152 Tomahawk Lane
Steedman, MO 65077
jburk@nwtf.net
FAX (573) 676-5994
Landowner Address: _____________________________________________________________
Phone Information: Work _________________________
Home ________________________
Cell __________________________
E-Mail ________________________
Did you participate in the Operation Oak Private Landowner Program last spring? Yes
NWTF Membership Status: Yes
No
No
If No, please submit membership application.
Description of planting site: (Example – site is currently improved pasture with several food plots. Grass will
be sprayed with Round-up before seedling planting. Seedlings will be planted in small groves adjacent to
existing food plots).
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Total acreage of property: ________ Acreage of site to be planted: _______(200 seedlings/acre recommended)
Property Location: Please attach a county map or topo map that indicates the location of the
property where the trees will be planted (free maps can be obtained @ www.topozone.com). If GPS
locations are available, please provide these also.
Lat
Lon
UTM
UTM
Site Preparation and Planting Method: (Example – site will be treated with Round-up herbicide in the fall.
Site will be disked prior to seedling planting. Seedlings will be planted using a tractor-mounted auger.)
APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ON,
OR BEFORE, MARCH 1, 2010.
If you have any questions about the program, please call
John D. Burk at 573-676-5994.
Best regards,
Jennifer Tapley
Wildlife Biologist
National Wild Turkey Federation
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Number of Seedling Bundles Requested (seedling bundles include 25 seedlings of either Swamp
White Oak, Pin Oak, or Northern Red Oak): __________________
These seedlings come from the Missouri State Nursery.
I _______________________ agree to pick-up my seedlings from a centralized location in Missouri.
(signature)
Page 11 • Show-Me Gobbler
Heritage Banquets Continued
Events
Ladies Doe Hunt
Nov 27, - Nov 29, 2009
North West Missouri Outfittters,
Denver, MO
Karla Ledom
Contact:
Phone:
816-858-2570
Email:
karledom@kcnet.com
Branson Tri-Lakes
Ladies Day Out
Event Date: May 22, 2010
Location:
Branson Rec-Plex,
Branson, MO
Contact:
Catherine McGregor
Phone:
417-230 2832
Wheeling
Sportsmen
Benefits
WS Missouri State Event
Event Date: 01/09/2010
Location: Osage Beach
Contact:
Bernard R. Grice, Jr
Phone:
573/445-6967
Email:
bernie@tranquility.net
WS Sand Hills Thundering
Toms
Event Date: 04/02/2010
Location: Seymour
Jeff Ford
Contact:
Phone:
417-880-7173
Email: fordcat1@yahoo.com
WS Kirksville Ridge Runners
Event Date: 05/31/2010
Location: Kirksville
Mike G. Allen
Contact:
660 323 5531
Phone:
Email:
mallen@nwtf.net
WS Bootheel Boss Gobblers
Event Date: 06/05/2010
Location: Jackson
Contact:
Paul Strickland
Phone:
573 579 5833
WS Bootheel Boss Gobblers
Clay Bird Shoot
Event Date: 06/06/2010
Location: Marble Hill
Contact:
Paul Strickland
573 579 5833
Phone:
WS Young's Creek Strutters
Event Date: 07/18/2010
Location: Boonville
Contact:
Travis Scott
573/474-2993
Phone:
Email:
tscott@nwtf.net
WS Platte Purchase/
Wild Game Cook-off
Event Date: 07/18/2010
Location: St. Joseph
Contact:
Rick Dozier
Phone:
660.446.2274
Email: rick.dozier@mdc.mo.gov
Shaky Ground Gobblers
Event Date: 01/29/2010
Location: K of C Hall
New Madrid, MO 63869
Contact:
Bud Henry
573-748-5999
Phone:
NW Struttin Toms
Event Date: 1/29/2010
Location: American Legion Hal
Maryville, MO
Contact:
Tami Brown
Phone:
816-646-5447
Benton County Thunderin' Gobblers
Event Date: 01/30/2010
Location: Knights of Columbus
Old Highway 65
Warsaw, MO 65355
Contact:
Josh Young
Phone:
660-547-2535
youngj@socket.net
Email:
Delta Bootheel Gobblers
Event Date: 01/30/2010
Location: Kennett Eagles
1090 Jones
Kennett, MO 63857
Contact:
Lynn Smith
573-888-7014
Phone:
Honey Creek Strutters
Event Date: 01/30/2010
Location: Lake Viking Club House
144 Main Lake Viking
Gallatin, MO 64640
Contact:
Scott Estep
Phone:
660-749-5816
Email:
sestep@dishmail.net
Ray County Short Spurs
Event Date: 1-30-2010
Location: Richmond, MO
Ray co.Veterans Mem. Bldg
312 Clark St. Richmond, MO
Contact:
Mark McCorkendale
Phone:
660-398-4785
Union Covered Bridge Gobb
Event Date: 01/30/2010
Location: American Legion Hall
South Main St
Paris, MO 65275
Contact:
Bruce Mills
Phone:
573-721-2268
bcmills1@centurytel.net
Email:
Lost Creek Longbeards
Event Date: 02/05/2010
Location: Innsbrook Resort
1 Aspen Circle
Wright City, MO 63390
Contact:
Gary Janes
Phone:
636-290-8310
Rogersville Strutters
Event Date: 02/05/2010
Location: First Baptist Church
101 West Center St
Rogersville, MO 65742
Contact:
Cody Wilson
417-838-2451
Phone:
Clearwater Longbeards
Event Date: 02/06/2010
Location: Trinity Methodist Church
Hwy 34
Piedmont, MO 63957
Contact:
Richie Ayers
Phone:
573-223-2356
Gateway Long Spurs
Event Date: 02/06/2010
Location: St. Paul K of C
1270 Church Road
St. Paul, MO 63366
Dan Zerr
Contact:
Phone:
636-625-1608
dan089@centurytel.net
Email:
Meramec Valley Strutters
Event Date: 02/12/2010
Location: Eagles Hall
1000 Acid Mine Road
Sullivan, MO 63080
Contact:
Mylinda Twyman
573-468-5010
Phone:
Email: mylinda.twyman@mdc.mo.gov
Brickyard Hill Drummers
Event Date: 02/26/2010
Location: Atchison Co. Mem. Bldg
417 S. Main Street
Rock Port, MO 64482
Contact:
Wally Riebesell
660-744-4115
Phone:
Email:
mvalley@rpt.coop
Little Platte Longbeards
Event Date: 02/27/2010
Location: Lathrop Comm. Center
406 Elm
Lathrop, MO 64465
Contact:
Eric Dennis
816-539-3558
Phone:
Email:
candedennis@yahoo.com
Bootheel Boss Gobblers
Valentines Party
Event Date: 02/13/2010
Location: Bavarian Hall- Jct I-55
and US Hwy 61 N @
Jackson, MO 63755
Contact:
Bronson Senn
Phone:
573-225-3087
Black Mountain Longbeards
Event Date: 02/27/2010
Location: Fredericktown
Middle School
S. Main
Fredericktown, MO 63645
Contact:
Jason Wengler
Phone:
573/783-7962
Turkey Creek Longbeards
Event Date: 02/27/2010
Location: Shriners Club
1040 South Joplin
Joplin, MO 64801
Charles Forest
Contact:
Phone:
417-781-4720
Email:
cforest@joplinmo.org
ADVERTISING IN THE
SHOW-ME GOBBLER
The National Wild Turkey Federation
Show-Me Gobbler
c/o Bernie Grice
1310 Bradshaw Ave.
Columbia, MO 65203
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 353
Columbia, MO
Ben Doerge
badoerge@ktis.net — 573/581-2701
Business Card Size (3.5” x 2”): $30/quarter or $100 - if year paid in advance
Quarter-Page Size (5” x 6.5”): $75/quarter or $240 - if year paid in advance
Half-Page Size (10.25” x 6.25”): $125/quarter or $400 - if year paid in advance
Full-Page Size (10.25” x 13”): $225/quarter or $720 - if year paid in advance
(Show-Me Gobbler ads are available in b/w and color)
THE NEXT DEADLINE FOR THE SHOW-ME-GOBBLER IS FEBRUARY 15, 2010.
SEND NEWS AND PHOTOS TO JAY LANGSTON, 6013 RIDGE FARM PLACE,
BRENTWOOD, TN 37027. EMAIL: JAYLANGSTON@BELLSOUTH.NET
(SEND ELECTRONIC PHOTOS AT 225 DPI OR GREATER RESOLUTION.)
If you are receiving a duplicate copy of the Gobbler, or if you do not want to receive this newsletter, contact Ben Doerge,
badoerge@ktis.net. You may consider dropping off your extra copy at the doctor's, dentist's, or local mechanic's waiting
rooms! Help spread the word. Check the new WEB-site for information concerning your local chapter: www.monwtf.org.
OFFICIAL BALLOT
George Clark Missouri State
Board of Directors
This is the only ballot that can be used for
this election—NO PHOTO COPIES.
You must vote for two (2) people.
Any ballot with more or less than two votes
will NOT be counted.
All Ballots must be sent in a postmarked
envelope by Jan., 31, 2010.
Send your ballot to:
Ben Doerge-Election
21273 Audrain Road 306
Mexico, MO 65265
o Barry Barnes
o Randy Hargis Jr.
o Bill Kliethermes
o Travis Moore
o Jackie Rowe
You are invited to attend the 12th annual Missouri only
Show Me Awards & merchandise preview banquet.
Hosted by the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
at The Inn at Grand Glaze - Lake of the Ozarks
The festival kicks off at 5:00 p.m.
• Join us for an evening of fun & fellowship with your fellow Missouri chapters.
• Happy Hour for the first hour, Free Beer and Soda.
• Meet old friends again and see some new faces.
• Chapter awards will be presented, including the prestigious PINK MINK award!!!
• Preview the 2010 banquet package and purchases chances to take one or more of
these items home.
• See the 2010 Gun of the year and many others, you might be the winner of one.
• Enjoy a delicious meal prepared with all the fixings.
• Tickets are $35.00 per person or $55.00 a couple.
• For hotel reservations: The Inn at Grand Glaze. 573-348-4731. There is a NWTF
room block till Dec. 30.
• For more information contact your Regional Director.
• So book now! Don’t get left out in the cold. The good seats are going fast. So come
aboard and join the flock!!!