Funding for state parks on crowded August ballot

The statewide Parks and Soils Sales Tax funds construction and maintenance of playgrounds like this one at Mastodon State Historic Site in Imperial.

The August primary election is more than a month away, and I am already sick and tired of the television advertising. The ballot includes multiple issues, and big spenders are flooding the airwaves with relentless mischaracterizations for and against the proposals.

At the very least, the deluge could discourage voter participation. Who wants to be associated with an issue that is so terrible, or to support the horrible people on the opposite side? Negative advertising is a scourge. Voters must find facts from reliable sources before making these important decisions.

Among the four proposed amendments on the statewide ballot next month is a question that comes up every 10 years, and one that has had widespread voter support since its implementation in 1984. The Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax is a statewide, one-tenth of one percent funding mechanism split evenly between Missouri’s state parks and historic sites, and soil and water conservation efforts.

The portion of the tax that supports parks averages about $10 per year per state resident. Missouri is one of only eight states that does not charge entrance fees for its state parks and historic sites. Several other states charge $10 or more for each park visit, according to information from the Missouri Parks Association.

Jefferson County has several great state parks and historic sites that welcome area residents — as well as tourists from all over — to enjoy, explore and learn. If you haven’t seen all we have to offer, plan a visit soon to Don Robinson State Park, and Mastodon, Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, and Gov. Daniel Dunklin’s Gravesite historic sites.

Just beyond the county lines Route 66, Robertsville, St. Francois, and Washington state parks all provide great places to enjoy the outdoors. Not much further away are Felix Valle House in Ste. Genevieve, Hawn, Meramec, Castlewood, and Babler state parks. St. Joe State Park and Missouri Mines Historic Site combine both options near Park Hills. 

All of those places and nearly 100 others throughout the state provide free access. Overnight camping, cabins, and some museums do require admission fees, and they welcome more than 20 million visitors and a million overnight guests annually with a 97% approval rating.

The sales tax pays for park upgrades including playground areas, hiking trail renovations, campground amenities, improved accessibility, and ongoing maintenance and repairs of more than 2,000 structures, 3,500 campsites, and 1,000 miles of trails.

If state parks aren’t your thing, the soil and water conservation portion of the tax is vitally important to all humans and other planet inhabitants. Since the tax first passed in 1984 more than 288,000 projects have stopped more than 193 million tons of soil erosion, according to the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Described in practical terms, that 193 million tons of soil would cover all lanes on Interstate 70 from St. Louis to Kansas City with a pile of dirt over 52 feet tall. Keeping that soil out of streams benefits drinking water sources and all the creatures that call our creeks and rivers home.

Prior to the implementation of the sales tax, Missouri cropland lost soil at a rate of 10.8 tons per acre each year. That amount has been reduced by more than half to about 4.8 tons per acre each year.

Among the misinformation surrounding the issue is a steady voice suggesting that voters should reject the 10-year extension as retribution to the state Department of Conservation for its management practices. Missouri State Parks are owned and operated by the state Department of Natural Resources, and soil conservation is the purview of districts established in each of the state’s 114 counties.

The conservation department manages trout rearing operations at three state parks, and enforces wildlife game laws throughout the state, including all public property, but it is not funded by the parks tax. The proposed punishment of the MDC is misdirected.

For more information on Amendment 1, the Missouri Parks Association is a nonprofit citizen’s organization. Learn more at missouriparksassociation.org. For information about the soil and water conservation districts throughout the state, the website is moswcd.com.

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 35 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

First visit found much to like about Montauk

A stretch of Current River through Montauk State Park offers solitude for fly-fishing anglers.

When I interviewed new Jefferson County conservation agent Dominick Montileone III earlier this month, I was not surprised to learn that one of the places he identified as part of his indoctrination to the outdoors was in the woods and water at Montauk State Park.

Our new agent, who begins his assignment on July 1, is from Jefferson County, and it seems like everyone from here has a Montauk story. One notable exception is the guy who has been writing about the outdoors in Jefferson County for 35 years. I had never visited the popular property.

I have been to the state Department of Conservation’s trout parks at Maramec Spring in St. James and Bennett Spring near Lebanon. Whenever the topic came up, it was almost embarrassing to say I hadn’t been to Montauk, but I rectified the situation with a stay in the park near Salem at the end of May.

After a weekend of fun along the trout stream and a great float trip on the Current River, I understand why so many people in Jefferson County consider it their “go-to” place. Even the roller coaster state Highway 119 leading to the park adds to the allure.

Anglers of all ages enjoy the fishing action at Montauk State Park.

Families and fishermen of all ages found space along the streams trying to satisfy their dreams of a lunker lurking in the depths. Unlike the opening day images of elbow-to-elbow activity, the stretches of spring branch provided plenty of room for everyone on a spring weekend. The flies-only section of the Current River inside the park offered Sunday morning solitude for wading anglers in the clear water.

When the 6:30 a.m. whistle blew to signal the start of the day’s fishing, the action was fast in the any-bait section just downstream from the rearing ponds and hatchery. Throughout the day, anglers tried their luck, including people standing in water up to their waders and others in lawn chairs enjoying a more casual approach.

Montauk State Park is owned and managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, while the hatchery is operated by the conservation department. The tandem agencies provide an enjoyable experience for all visitors.

I stayed in one of the park’s 33 cabins and found the accommodations outstanding. With a full-sized kitchen, bathroom and shower, two beds, covered porch and campfire ring, I was not roughing it. The concessioner also offers 18 motel rooms in Montauk Lodge. Most visitors filled the 150-plus campsites in four camping loops along the river. A fifth camping area is under construction.   

A paved trail connects the camping area to the park store, restaurant and snack bar, which serves hand-dipped ice cream. A couple of longer trails offer hiking options. The Montauk Lake hike is mostly flat and on service roads for those who are looking for an easy way to add extra steps to their day.

With a couple of steep climbs and natural surface through the woods and along bluffs, the Pine Ridge Trail is a challenging 1.4-mile hike. The out-and-back route offers nearly three miles of solid workout, or the walk can be turned into a two-mile loop by using park roads between its two trail heads.

For those with a taste for history, Montauk State Park offers several preserved relics including a gristmill. Built in 1896, the mill was once a center of attraction for the town. With much of its original machinery still intact, the two-story structure offers a glimpse into the past. 

Montauk is celebrating its 100th anniversary as a state park this year, and its history includes assistance from the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Several of the original works of those craftsmen still stand, including an old stone bridge over the fishing stream and a stone shelter for family picnics.

The park’s other claim to fame is its status as the starting spot of the Current River, the most spring-fed of all the Ozark streams. My weekend float trip from Cedargrove to Akers Ferry passed Welch Spring, the sixth largest spring in Missouri.

A personal high point from my visit came a week or so later when I was talking with a Jefferson County resident who told me he had just returned from Montauk. He and members of the Missouri Disabled Sportsmen group donated another special wheelchair to the park to provide stream access to those with mobility issues.  

I complimented him and the group for their work with those who need extra assistance, and took pride in telling him, “I was at Montauk a couple of weeks ago. What a great place.”

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 35 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Rarely orphaned, wild babies don’t need human help

A young robin inadvertently trapped itself in an open garage twice in the same morning.

Every spring the state Department of Conservation sends a reminder to “leave wildlife wild” because the advice is so important for the newborns and hatchlings that sometimes end up a little too close to home.

I had two encounters last week. A baby robin found its way into the garage, then couldn’t find its way out. It huddled in a corner, inches from the 16-foot-wide open door, afraid to move as I approached. With a five-gallon bucket lid as a safe landing zone, I convinced it to take the leap and then quickly carried it through the opening.

The flightless fledgling hopped across the lawn as one of his parents squawked overhead. I was not sure who was being scolded, me or the baby bird. The adult swooped down and gave the bird a bite to eat and then flew back to the neighbor’s roof.

The next time I went out to the garage, the little hopper had worked its way back inside. There is no way the concrete floor was more comfortable than the green grass, and for some reason, this time the bird was all the way at the back of the garage. With gentle nudging from a floor broom, I was able to direct it out again and close the door.

A young fawn spent the entire day in the same backyard location while its mother stayed in the nearby woods.

Then this past weekend, I peeked out the bedroom window early on Saturday morning to see a fawn curled up in the vines at the edge of the backyard. Throughout the day and into the evening we checked on the baby deer. Although it stood up and laid back down, it never left its green hiding spot. 

The fawn stood up and laid back down throughout the day, but never left its hiding spot.

I scanned the nearby woods several times and never saw its mother, but I am certain she was out there somewhere. The next morning the fawn was gone. Hopefully we will see it again as it grows.

“Young animals are rarely orphaned,” conservation department wildlife veterinarian Sherri Russell said in a press release. “If the young are left alone, the parent will usually return. Parents are normally out searching for food and cannot constantly attend to their offspring.”

Her description of the baby bird I saw was precisely what I witnessed. It tried to fly but had not mastered the skill.

“If you see a chick on the ground hopping around and it has feathers, leave it alone, the parents are nearby keeping an eye on it,” Russell said. “Fledglings can spend up to 10 days hopping on the ground while learning to fly.”

Nests of baby rabbits face dangers from pets and mowers this time of year, but the greatest peril may be well-meaning people trying to take nature into their own hands.

“Rabbits seldom survive in captivity and can actually die of fright from being handled,” Russell said. “Even if the animal is injured, return it to the nest because the mother will most likely return.”

Despite what many think, wild mothers do not abandon their young because of a human scent, she said.

“While people have good intentions, the care and rehabilitation of wild animals require special training, knowledge, facilities — and permits,” Russell said. “Without such care, wild animals will remain in poor health and could eventually die. And it is illegal to possess many wild animals without a valid state or federal permit.”

Russell also noted that wildlife can become dangerous as they mature, and can carry parasites, disease, and can damage property.

“Native wildlife can carry mites, ticks, lice, fleas, flukes, roundworms, tapeworms, rabies, distemper, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases,” Russell said. “Some of these can be transmitted to humans.”

Nature can be a cruel place, and occasionally a baby will lose its mother or fall from a tree before it is ready to leave the nest, but no matter how well-meaning we may be, people do not make good surrogate parents.

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Conservation agent returns home with new assignment

Northwest High School graduate Dominick Montileone III begins his assignment in Jefferson County on July 1

Most people associate homecoming with the fall season, but a 2018 Northwest High School graduate returns to his alma mater on July 1. Conservation agent Dominick Montileone III starts his new assignment in service to Jefferson County next month.

Following graduation from the state Department of Conservation Agent Training Academy last September, Montileone was assigned to St. Francois County, where he worked with a field training agent for two months.

“I’ve been in St. Francois since October. Then some transfers occurred, and I was able to take a chance on getting to return to my home county,” Montileone said.

Among those transfers was agent Ben Bardot, who had been assigned to Jefferson County since 2021. Originally from the St. Clair, Mo., area Bardot now patrols Franklin County where he grew up. Cpl. Lexis Wilson remains as the county’s senior conservation agent with more than a decade of experience here.

Montileone, 26, is familiar with Jefferson County’s outdoor resources like Big River and the dolomite glades at Valley View, where he said he enjoys hiking through the unique topography. But it is a place outside of Jefferson County that first caught his attention and developed his affection for the outdoors.

“Growing up I was big on fishing for trout,” he said. “My family would go multiple times a year to Montauk State Park. That’s where I first interacted with conservation agents and department employees, and I always thought about it as a possible career.”

He took a different route when he graduated from Northwest and earned his degree from Lindenwood University in Paramedicine. He worked four years at Big River Ambulance District as an emergency medical technician but always felt the call of conservation, so he applied for the academy.

In addition to the Police Officer Standards Training (POST) program, he spent 26 weeks completing physical fitness requirements, fish and wildlife management instruction, lake and river boating courses, and emergency vehicle operations to earn state certification as a law enforcement officer.

Because of his familiarity with Jefferson County, he recognizes that it is a different place than where he has been in St. Francois.

“Jefferson County is a lot more urban,” Montileone said. “Down here on some of the National Forest land you might not see another person when you are out hunting, but in Jefferson County you might walk past two or three people on your way out.”

Compared to the large tracts of public land available in southern Missouri, Jefferson County is mostly in private ownership, with a few conservation areas and river accesses available as its rare public properties.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there, spending time in those areas, and getting to know the hunters, and getting their feedback,” he said. “I am going to be available and willing to take time with the people whether I’m out and about in a conservation area or just stopping at a gas station.”

He said he encourages conversations.

“I’d rather they come up to me and ask questions. Yes, we are law enforcement, but we are also educators for the Wildlife Code.”

As a native son of the county, he also knows he will cross paths with people from his past.

“In the academy they actually talked about if you work in the county where you are from,” Montileone said. “I took an oath to apply the law without fear or favor. If I have to write a citation for someone I know, I won’t enjoy it, but I’m mature enough to do it.”

Like all conservation agents, Montileone’s office is his mobile telephone. After July 1 he can be reached by text or telephone at 314-954-5697. His email address is dominick.montileone@mdc.mo.gov. For the rest of this month, he is still assigned to St. Francois County and answering that cell phone at 573-330-8038.

.John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Blue moon and big bluegill join forces this month

Bluegill sunfish that take two hands to hold are prime targets this time of year.

Deep in the recesses of my aging mind, I have the lyrics for hundreds of old country songs bouncing around. Occasionally, one of them worms its way to my consciousness. Today that song is a 1980s tune by Earl Thomas Conley: “Every once in a blue moon, I do something right.”  

Early in the morning on May 31, the Earth’s moon will officially be full when the sun, the planet and its satellite arrange themselves in a straight line. The official time is 4:45 a.m., and it marks the second time this month that the celestial circumstance has manifested itself. The phenomenon of two full moons in one month is known as a blue moon.

The moon’s orbit around Earth takes slightly more than 29.5 days, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, so the night we get to witness the full scope of the sun’s reflection decreases by about one date each month. Our crazy collection of 28- through 31-day months causes a few wrinkles in the system, but about every three years, we get a situation like 2026 when the moon is full on May 1 and 31.

The website earthsky.org says the next monthly blue moon will occur in December 2028, with occurrences again in September 2031, July 2034 and January 2037. When it happens in that first month 13 years from now, there will be no full moon in February, but two in the same month again that March. The short month also was skipped by the full moon in 2018.

I was thinking about all that moon information (There is a ton more at almanac.com and earthsky.org.) because I have always told people that the best time to go fishing for big bluegill is as close to the full moon in May as you can get. This year we have two chances to try to hit it just right.

The reality is that anytime you can go fishing is the best time to try your luck. My full moon advice has served me well, but weather conditions, water temperature, and hours of sunlight are probably more likely indicators for stringer success. Those atmospheric measurements in Missouri can be dramatically different between May 1 and May 31.

Bluegill and their redear cousins are my favorite piscatorial pursuits. They are most people’s first-fish because they can be easy to catch, but landing large sunfish on Missouri’s lakes and ponds takes some extra focus and a few equipment tweaks. Obviously, big is a relative term; any fish over 8 inches or 12 ounces is a true keeper.

Live bait is usually the best bet with worms and meal worms as the most popular options. I prefer crickets, but they can be hard to find sometimes. Catching fish on artificial flies, spinners, and prepared soft baits can be a blast, but real food always seems to be the best option for bringing bluegill to the dinner table.

Little bobbers are the next big subject to tackle. A small strike indicator is less obtrusive when it splashes in the water and easier for even small fish to pull under. Frequently I see anglers with huge red and white balls attached to their fishing poles. My preference is a thin slip-float that slides along the line until it hits a predetermined stop tied to the line. The pencil shape sinks easily when something takes the bait.

Terminal tackle needs to be small, with a light sinker to match the mini bobber and a hook that can fit in a little mouth. Not trying to get technical, but it’s hard to beat a gold Aberdeen No. 6 hook. I know people who insist that No. 8s are better, (The larger number represents a smaller hook.) but the slightly larger, light-wire hook is easier to remove.

The other instance where size matters is in the line you choose. Modern technology has come to fishing string with a wall-full of options. Nylon, fluorocarbon, and polyethylene braids are all the rage. Some perfectionists suggest that two-pound test or less is preferrable, and the smallest size you can be comfortable with is recommended, but I exclusively fish with four-pound monofilament on my panfish setups.  

Where to find fish is the next test. This time of year, they move toward shallow areas for nesting. Expect them in clear water areas near shallow flats along the shoreline. As is the case with all fishing, stealth helps. Find a way to get your bait to those areas without giving up your own location.

Bluegill are found naturally in streams and lakes statewide and stocked in just about every man-made pond. In places where there are not enough predators, the sunfish can become stunted, but in bodies of water with an overabundance of bass, big bluegill are usually the standard.

Bringing the right equipment to the right place will always do more to affect fishing success than the moon, so when you gear up make sure you size down. And that’s the name of that tune.

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Conservation agent reminds residents to be ready for possible bear visits

Two young black bears are on the move in this image captured by Missouri Department of Conservation photographer Noppadol Paothong.

For more than a decade Cpl. Lexis Wilson has patrolled Jefferson County with the goal of protecting our natural resources and investigating game law violations, but the role of conservation agent goes way beyond those familiar tasks.

Maybe most importantly, agents educate the public about the wild world around us. One subject that has been near and dear to Wilson since her arrival here in 2015 has been the wandering black bears who visit for only a very short time almost every spring.

Missouri has a growing bear population whose home range continues to expand. Most of them live in the dense wilderness of Mark Twain National Forest across the southern third of the state. As spring begins to turn to summer, young male bears get wandering souls and leave their home turf in search of greener pastures to claim as their own.

The young bruins are on the prowl for comfortable habitat, ample food sources, and female companionship. They will travel as far north as Jefferson County and beyond, but while our local streams and forests can provide the first two, component number three is not available here.

One of Wilson’s most consistent lessons offered to area residents is to limit the traveling bears’ access to easy eats. Pet food containers and bird feeders are obvious attractions, but so too are trash cans and barbecue grills. Bee hives should be protected by electric fences.

Wilson believes the message about limiting attractions for bears, along with a gradual acceptance of their occasional presence has led to a more peaceful coexistence between bears and the residents of Jefferson County.

Conservation agent Cpl. Lexis Wilson talks with a group of children.

“People are beginning to get a little more comfy with the idea of bears in the county,” Wilson said. “For example, last spring one came through town in De Soto, and nobody even called me about it. I’d like to think that means they are starting to get more comfortable with sharing the county with black bears.”

Calling the conservation agent to report interesting wildlife encounters helps track movements and can provide an alert for others to be aware of any visitors. Wilson can be reached by telephone or text at 314-696-9425. Another helpful resource is bearwise.org, a cooperative organization supported by the Missouri Department of Conservation and other state wildlife agencies.

I signed-up for the monthly newsletter when I first learned about BearWise, and I get great information all year long. A recent missive included a link to a new, free four-page PDF of facts about our bears. With research from across the country, Meet the American Black Bear answers questions that separate fact from fiction.

  • Where Black Bears Live
  • A Bear’s Natural Diet
  • Black Bear Physical Traits
  • About Bear Cubs
  • The Life of Black Bears

Another BearWise email I received at the beginning of this month included compelling news with a lead story about encounters between bears and dogs.

“Bears don’t like to be barked at, chased, or cornered. When a bear feels threatened and doesn’t see an easy way to get away from ‘danger,’ the natural instinct for self-preservation kicks in, and the bear will most likely defend itself,” the newsletter explained. “No matter how big and strong your dog is, pound-for-pound bears are much stronger and more powerful.”

Troublesome human and bear encounters often begin with a dog. Those interactions often result in injuries or death for the pet, and can be very dangerous for people too. With a little bit of improved understanding, those situations can be avoided.

BearWise is a national education and outreach program created by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. To learn more or subscribe to the free newsletter, visit bearwise.org.   

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Turtles on the road again with spring weather

A red-eared slider pauses on its path across a river bottom road.

The deluge of overnight rain certainly played a part, but I was surprised to see so many box turtles crossing the road during a recent morning trip through central Missouri. This is the time of year when they are most active, and the good news was that most of them I saw along the county roads and state highways were still moving.

I have known several people who stop to “save” the traveling terrapins, but that level of concern has real potential for danger, especially on thoroughfares with blind curves, rolling hills and high-speed drivers. Putting yourself in harm’s way may seem noble, but the danger level is too much to risk.

Being alert to the possibility of turtles in rural areas is the best advice. “Keep your eyes on the road” is solid guidance for all motor vehicle operators all the time, but this time of year, it is exactly where you should be looking to see turtles on the pavement. They don’t move fast, so they are not going to dart out in front of your car. They are likely to freeze in place, allowing ample opportunity to steer safely around them to insure your tires don’t take them out.

Because the ornate box turtle and three-toed box turtles are land-dwellers, they are more likely than their aquatic cousins to be seen on roadways. In low-lying wetlands and near river or stream crossing, snapping turtles and sliders could be on the move as well. In the spring, male turtles are looking for potential mates or staking out new territory. Female box turtles seek out potential nest sites. The cold-blooded creatures also are attracted to the heat that blacktop can hold on a sunny day.

Missouri’s two box turtles are fairly easy to distinguish from one another. Their names spell out the most noticeable differences. The three-toed box turtle has that many toes on its hind feet, while the ornate box turtle has four toes on its back peds. The ornate turtle looks much more decorated, with numerous bright yellow lines on its dark shell. The carapace of a three-toed turtle is plain olive brown with indistinct color streaks.

The locations where you are likely to find the two provides a hint to their individual identity. Ornate box turtles are more common in grasslands and prairie habitat. Three-toed box turtles are considered a woodland species. Neither are exclusive to their own preferred spaces, but in simple terms if you find one in the forest it is likely a three-toed box turtle. In fields and pastures, the ornate turtles are more common.

The places you won’t find them in Missouri also are coincidental. They both found statewide with a few wide-set exceptions. Three-toed box turtles are rare in the far northwest edge of the state. The ornate box turtle could be anywhere except for the Bootheel in the southeast corner.

While box turtles can be easy to find, there are concerns about their declining numbers. The aforementioned vehicle encounters present an immediate risk, but they also are threatened by habitat destruction. The slow movers usually have a limited home range, so even small developments can disrupt many lives. Projects that convert hundreds of acres of woods into subdivisions or business projects displace dozens of box turtle homes.

Another challenge they face is being loved to death. Too many get moved from their preferred turf to be relocated as pets. These captive conditions are dangerous because of the turtles unfamiliarity with the terrain, and lack of food sources they are accustomed to finding, can lead to starvation. Even worse than moving them from one place to another, there is also a developing market for box turtles as pets in Europe. Box turtles in Missouri are protected from being kept or sold as pets.

In addition to the dangerous human connections, box turtles also face many natural threats. Adults can protect themselves fairly well in their shells, but turtle eggs are often eaten by skunks, raccoons, snakes, and others. Young hatchlings are also susceptible to predators.

Those natural perils have always been a part of the turtles’ existence, but humans can do something about their impact on the species. In an informational video from the state Department of Conservation department, Kristie Hilgedick provided advice for drivers about turtles they may encounter.

“Thousands of turtles are killed each year while crossing roads and highways,” she said. “You can make a difference by driving with more care and attention.”

When you are out and about on the highways and bi-ways this spring, follow the conservation department’s advice, and “give turtles a brake.”

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

“Prospects” report outlines Mississippi River fishing opportunities

“Raised by a river: I suppose both meanings are true – you can hardly have one without the other.” I love that line from Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I feel like it strikes close to home for me.

My childhood included five-minute bike rides to the Mississippi River, weekends and summer vacations swimming and fishing in the Gasconade and Missouri rivers, and then in my teens and 20s, I was obsessed with floating as many Ozarks streams as I could access.

Geographically in Crystal City, I am still “by” the biggest waterway in North America, and all the years I have spent wading in, walking along, and submerged in streams contributed considerably to my upbringing. It’s a cliché to say rivers are part of my DNA, but I guarantee I have absorbed and ingested more free-flowing water than is healthy or recommended for human consumption.

In all those decades I have encountered an incredible number of aquatic creatures. I’ve collected freshwater mussels, and caught common carp and crazy looking fish like quillbacks. I’ve handled exotics like eels, spoonbills, and river sturgeons, and reeled in gars, turtles, four kinds of catfish, all three black bass species, many of Missouri’s sunfishes, walleye and sauger, and plenty of doldrums drum, which the state Department of Conservation reports as the “most common fish caught by anglers” while fishing in the Mississippi River.

It is that variety of angling opportunities that makes river fishing so eventful. The 2026 Missouri Fishing Prospects discusses a dozen different fish for catching in the Middle Mississippi River, which is the portion that flows past Jefferson County, and includes the area from Alton, Illinois, to Cape Girardeau.

Catfish are one of the most popular species for anglers fishing on the Mississippi River.

The highlight species in that stretch of stream are the blue and flathead catfish, which this year are rated as good again. The report says that fish in the 20 to 30-inch range are common, and biologists’ surveys “noted an abundance of young catfish and quite a few trophy-sized fish, with several over 70 pounds.”

The three major catfish species prefer different habitats and different food offerings, according to the publication. Blue catfish prefer swift current areas downstream from the ends of dikes and along reinforced stream banks. They also like deep holes near structure.

“Flathead catfish are found in moderate current around dikes, along revetted shorelines and cut banks, especially if woody cover is present,” the Prospects states “Flathead catfish prefer live bait, such as sunfish and goldfish.”

When most people think of Mr. Whiskers, its the channel catfish they are considering. They are the species that are stocked regularly in ponds and lakes. When fishing for them in the river, think about the areas that seem the most lake-like with slower moving water and side channels. The best bait bets for channel catfish may be more diverse than fish species in the river. Most commonly they are caught on nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and stinkbaits.

The other featured trio in the report are shovelnose, pallid and lake sturgeon, which also grow big, but come with a caveat. Only the shovelnose is legal to keep. The pallid and lake sturgeon are protected species and must be released immediately if caught.

“In recent years anglers have reported catching greater numbers of lake sturgeon. The increased catch is due to a state/federal effort to recover this endangered species,” the report states. “Lake sturgeon are a charismatic species – with a lifespan over 100 years and an adult size of 4 to 8 feet. If you are lucky enough to hook one of these large, powerful fish enjoy the fight, but be sure to release the fish promptly and unharmed.”

Other fish mentioned in the report about fishing in the Mississippi are walleyes, one of the country’s most popular game fish, and their close cousin the sauger, which are most frequently found in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and suitable tributaries. Minnow-tipped jigs near dikes and rocky shorelines are the main target areas.

Dikes and riprap banks are also recommended in the fall for a chance to catch white bass and stripers. The report suggests using spinners, jigs and crankbaits around those rocky areas. It specifically mentions the Chain of Rocks area in north St. Louis County, which is one of the places my bicycle took me for fishing in my early teens.

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Rail-to-trails organization celebrates 40 years of success today

The former rail corridor through Defiance, Missouri, is now a part of the 240-mile long Katy Trail State Park.

All conversations about rails-to-trails conversions in our state begin with the story of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad corridor. The MKT rail line property is now the 240-mile Katy Trail State Park from near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to Clinton, southeast of Kansas City.

Acknowledged since 2008 by the national Rails To Trails Conservancy‘s Hall of Fame, the Katy accounts for more than half of the converted miles in Missouri, but it is not the only former rail line that hosts bikers and hikers. The state has 26 rail-trails and 16 projects for more the 400 additional miles of potential.

The non-profit conservancy advocates for conversion nationwide. The US has more than 2,400 rail trails that provide access to nearly 26,000 miles of developed hiking, according to railstotrails.org. This year the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary on Celebrate Trails Day, April 25.

Obviously there are many opportunities to find a trail for hiking any time of the year, but the Katy stands out from the crowd as the longest in the nation. With 26 official trailheads and countless private accesses, Missouri State Parks also highlights four fully restored railroad depots along the way.

We recently visited the most convenient places in the St. Louis area to experience the Katy Trail. The St. Charles Riverfront offers easy access and ample services to support users. The historic Main Street shops provide a lure to get even the most reluctant hikers to try a few strides on the trail.

The other handy spot in the region to climb aboard is in the Augusta and Defiance area, which is notable for its wine country attractions. We caught the Katy at the Matson Trail Head parking lot along Highway 94 and then rewarded our workout with a cold bottle at the nearby Sugar Creek Winery.

Access to the Katy Trail is not available in Machens, MIssouri, at the trail’s eastern terminus.

The one place we couldn’t take our walk was in the tiny town of Machens where the trail and state park officially begins. Even though it appears on Google maps that a public street can get you to the eastern trail terminus, roadside signs say something different. We even set off alarm sirens when we stepped out to take a photograph.

The nearest public access to reach the end of the line is at a wide spot on Music Ferry Road called the Black Walnut Trailhead. It’s a 3.1-mile trek from that trailhead to the official starting point, meaning that the roundtrip hike to the beginning would be six-plus miles. That may be an easy ride for the many bicyclists who use the trail, but it’s a commitment for walkers.

Rail trails are ideal for multi-users. In addition to the impressive length, the former train track easements provide plenty of width for safe passing. We saw several cyclists enjoying their rides, and all the encounters were friendly. The former rail lines also operated on subtle grade and elevation changes as they frequently follow stream valleys, providing easy passage for people of any mobility ability.

Another popular route in the St. Louis area is the 9.9-mile former Kirkwood-Carondelet branch of the Missouri Pacific Railroad line. It is known today as Grant’s Trail and passes through the property once owned by the famous Civil War general and 18th president of the United States.

On a recent trip to Springfield, Missouri, we found several rail trail projects including a hike along the Dry Sac River at the Lost Hill Park north of town. For the more adventurous, the Frisco Highline Trail is a 37.5-mile path on a former rail line connecting Bolivar and Springfield.

The idea to convert former rail lines into hiking and biking trails may have had some initial detractors, but it has become a 40-year success story locally and across the country.

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.

Homemade sausage completes hunter’s work with help from friends

Jim, Tom and Joe Ott rely on the hand-crank stuffer that their dad and grandfather used for making deer summer sausage.

The old saying claims that hunting is all fun and games until you pull the trigger, that’s when the work begins. I take pride in being a Jack-of-no-trades, do-it-yourselfer for many things, and I literally get up to my elbows in deer after the shot.

This year I didn’t finish the job until late in February. I was lucky to take a little buck at the end of archery season in mid-January, so after I waited a couple of weeks for a negative chronic wasting disease test, I could finally break out the tools of the butcher’s trade.

I turned my fall harvests into about 50-pounds of bratwurst and burger, and I am pretty proud of my work. I did get helpful advice from Tom Kolisch at John’s Butcher Shoppe in Festus. You may think that a guy who specializes in selling a hundred different flavors of his famous cylindrical sausages would be reluctant to support amateur competition, but he couldn’t have been nicer about it.

That’s the story of my meat making career. I have relied on family and friends to lead me to the trial and error successes I have today. My earliest influences came from butchering hogs and cattle at my grandparents’ farm near High Ridge. My dad and mom, uncles, aunts and cousins made those events as fun as they were educational.

I also was a big fan of the summer sausage my Uncle Cletus stuffed and smoked every winter in Hermann, Mo., a place where people know best about wurst. I regret that I never learned his process or at least asked more questions about the meat curing in the rafters of his basement. I was satisfied with enjoying the smells and slices of his homemade sausage with a piece of bread slathered in butter.

My hunting companions, Lucky Jim and Big Brother Tom, carry on their family tradition of making deer sausage using the recipe their dad and grandfather perfected throughout the 20th century. I am fortunate to have a copy of that recipe, but my attempts at recreation have never been close to as good as the original.

I have to thank my first deer hunting mentor Steve Ebert of Arnold who took me into the woods under his wing, and then introduced me to his master craftsman butcher and dad, Big Ken. I have seen guys who could handle a knife with a deft touch, but that shiny stainless steel was a magic wand in Ken’s big hands.

For years my cousin Leon Brouk of Hillsboro stacked, sliced and wrapped hundreds of deer for Jefferson County hunters. When he closed his shop a couple of years ago, I was back to relying on myself to convert venison into packages and products that make the most of the healthy natural resource.

This year that last step in the deer hunting process took me almost eight hours from start to clean-up, including a second trip to John’s on Mill Street for more casings and additional helpful hints. The mix of spices and seasonings I use is a creation of my own, based on research and ideas stolen from other places.

Homemade bratwurst ready to be twisted into link sausages.

To make my bratwursts I don’t really consider it a recipe, but more of a collection of ingredients that I combine with equal amounts of deer and ground pork. I use kosher salt, dry milk, garlic water, black, white and red pepper, marjoram, garlic salt, onion powder, mustard seed, nutmeg, ginger, all spice and some sage.

As I said before, I think the end product is pretty good, and I hope my meat making skills continue to get better as I work on it as a part of my deer hunting strategy. I’m already anxious for the fun to begin again in the fall.

John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine.