November Traveler Sample

By Doug Smith

About 3:30 p.m. I was sitting in my ground blind, some 100 yards from the farm house we use as a hunting cabin these days. As I watched a doe feed across the

hillside in front of me my phone rang. I had heard a shot a minute earlier from the direction of my

son’s tree stand on the other side of the property. Even though he’d hunted by himself since age 15, I still asked that he call me when he killed a deer so I could share in his good fortune. “I just shot a small buck and it’s laying within sight of my stand and it isn’t moving,” he reported. I replied by telling him I was watching two small bucks trail a doe across the hillside through a tangle of some downed trees. “Do you need me to come

help you take care of it,” I asked. “No,” he said, “I’ll take care of it. Go ahead and hunt.” A few minutes later I heard a 4-wheeler start and fade off into the distance. A short time later I heard it return and then go silent. While I couldn’t tell the direction, I recognized the sound of the ATV I’ve owned for nearly 10 years.

Continued on Page 6

November 1, 2012

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River Hills

Volume 40, No. 5

OUR Annual

DEER HUNT EDITION

Closecall

Nearly tragic stabbingchanges one family’shunting safety habits

Ethan’s name appeared on the phone’s screen in big let-ters. I hit the answer button. “Dad, I’ve accidentally stabbed myself. I think I sev-ered an artery. I’m afraid I’m bleeding to death.”

LUCKY TO BE HERE — Ethan Smith accidentally stabbed himself deep in the thigh while field dressing a deer. He recovered in the weeks afterward and returned to hunting the following year. Doug Smith photo.

By Heath Wood

Every year around July and August, I began looking for new places to hunt,

trying to find those par-ticular spots that will pro-duce a mature buck. I look for good travel routes, food sources,water, bed-ding areas, old rubs and pinch points — any kind of sign that will help de-termine the best location for seeing deer. All of this along with game camera pictures helps

me determine where to hang a stand. I try to hang multiple stands in dif-

ferent areas. Multiple stands allow me not to overhunt an area. This creates to much pressure on bucks, and will make them leave a particular area. The one thing I truly believe in, is hunting a stand for the first time. Every year I choose the one stand that I think

Continued on Page 8

First time inStaying away from hunting stand until perfect time to hunt improves chance of harvesting mature buck

Charlie Slovensky prefers to stalk deer from the

ground and take advantage of sec-

ond chances. Story on Page 5.

EIGHT-POINTER — Heath Wood got his buck last year by staying away from his stand from late summer until firearms deer season. Heath Wood photo.

Ad Index .................. 20Calendar .................. 19Editorial ..................... 4Fishing..................... 17Hunting .....5-8, 10, 14,

15, 19, 20Indians ..................... 20Nature ...................... 16Outdoor News . .3, 5, 9,

11, 15, 19Photography .......12-13Real Estate .............. 23Recipes ................ 7, 21Seasons .................... 17State Parks ............... 18Sun/Moon ................ 17Trading Post .......22-23Thru the Years ......... 22

NOVEMBER 2012 RIVER HILLS TRAVELER -- PAGE 2

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This practical guide tells both how and why, enabling you to fool fierce small-mouth bass with natural looking flies. Illustrated, 191 pages, soft cover. $19.95, $3.50 shipping

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We now carryGently Used Books! Check one-of-a-kind selections: www.riverhillstraveler.com/ TravelerUsedBooks See something? Call us: 800-874-8423 x2 for availability. Thanks!

The Ozark Trail Guidebook By Margo Perry & Peggy Welch The authors walk you across each trail section, guiding you with distances, directions, GPS and points of interest; sidebars tell of camping and nearby towns. The front and back are packed with hints, contacts, and further references; a small color photo insert gives you just a hint of what you will see. If you are planning to start hiking sections of the Ozark Trail, you will want this book.Illustrated, 200 pages, soft cover $18.95 $3.50 shipping

NOVEMBER 2012 RIVER HILLS TRAVELER -- PAGE 3

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Your thoughtfulness will be appreciated each time Traveler arrives, packed with outdoor news, entertainment and great photos of the Missouri outdoors. Remember Traveler’s Theory of Relativity — Be nice to your relatives and they’ll be nice to you. Your brilliance will go down in history.FREE BONUS OFFER — With any gift subscription, we’ll send out a free copy of our popular 40th Anniversary Edition issue, along with a gift card in your name. We’ll send it to you to present or to your giftee. Just let us know your preference.Order by Dec. 15 for pre-Christmas delivery.

MINGO CONTEST WINNERS

Images were judged in August for the 2012 Mingo Swamp Photo Contest. Peter Rea (far left), Mingo National Wildlife Refuge staff liaison to the photo contest, and Aaron Horrell (second from left) contest chairman, gathered at the Mingo Refuge with some of the winners.

Sharon Tuschhoff (center), Oak Ridge, won four first places in the Adult Division. Douglas Adams (second from right), Cape Giradeau, won first place in the professional division; and Jacki Glastetter (far right), Puxico, won a first place in the Adult Division.

Winning photos are displayed on pages 12 and 13 of this issue of Traveler and can be viewed online at www.riverhillstraveler.com.

“I don’t remember ever not wanting to be outdoors,” says Jennifer Battson, the new Wildlife Division chief for the Missouri Department of Conservation. Battson, 40, assumed her new responsibilities Sept. 1. She had been interim Wildlife Division chief since Aug. 1. Fascinated with trees from an early age, Battson earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the Uni-versity of Missouri-Columbia. Between college and being hired by MDC, she worked as a forest technician for the USDA Forest Service on the Allegh-eny National Forest in Pennsylvania and as a geographic information sys-tems (GIS) technician for the Missouri Department of Transportation. Her 16-year MDC career has includ-ed jobs as assistant resource forester, management forester, GIS special-ist, information technology trainee, private land conservationist, forestry programs specialist, wildlife regional supervisor and wildlife management chief. Battson succeeded DeeCee Darrow, who led the Wildlife Division from December 2007 until her retirement Aug. 1.

Battson namedMDC Wildlife Division chief

Jennifer Batson

At its meeting in Springfield Oct. 19, the Missouri Conservation Commission uspended hunting, fishing and/or trap-ping privileges of 27 Missouri residents and one Iowa resident for Wildlife Code violations. Those whose privileges were suspended are: • Edward J. Atchison, Silex, hunting and trap-ping, six months • Kolt W. Barker, Lebanon, all sport privileges, 1.5 additional years • Tharel D. Beckwith, Doniphan, hunting, 1 year • Justin D. Boothe, Greenfield, hunting, 1 year • Doyle D. Burgess, Bloomfield, hunting, 6 years • Erik E. Casas, Wheaton, hunting and trap-ping, 1 year • Robert K. Cassinger, Ellington, hunting, 3 years • Clark A. Chrisman, Doniphan, hunting, 1 additional year • Paul Edwards, Marion Woods, fishing, 1 year • Mark W. Glover, Brighton, fishing 6 months and hunting 1 year • Travis Hudson, Billings, hunting, 1 year • Scott M. Jenkins, Rolla, hunting 6 years • Brandon A. Lanier, Steele, hunting, 1 year • David L. Lentz, Sumner, commercial fishing, 1 year • David L. Little, Muscatine, Iowa, hunting, 3 years • Betuel V. Mailat, Nixa, fishing, 1 year • Dalton K. Maynard, Sarcoxie, hunting and fishing, 1 year • Frankie S. Moman, Gatewood, hunting, 1 year • Jimmy L. Oneal, Doniphan, hunting, 1 year • Ronald F. Poole, Richland, hunting 6 years • Shawn W. Reeves, Doniphan, hunting, 1 year • Marshall H. Russom, Sikeston, hunting, 1 year • Roy L. Schwartz, Argyle, hunting and trap-ping, 1 year • David E. Sipes, Doniphan, hunting 1 year • Vance A. Tate, Callao, hunting 1 year • Levi L. Taylor, Doniphan, hunting, 1 year • Kaleb W. Triplett, Deerfield, hunting, 8 years • Tyler D. Watkins, Doniphan, hunting 1 year.

Privileges suspended

NOVEMBER 2012 RIVER HILLS TRAVELER -- PAGE 4

Periodical Rate postage paid at St. Louis, MO (ISSN 87501899)Copyright, 2011. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced in any form or by electronic means

including information storage systems, without written permission of the publisher. However, reviewers may quote brief passages, freelance writers may remarket materials, advertisers may reuse

their ad layouts without permission.

River Hills Traveler

Email:Editorial & Advertising inquiries: [email protected]

Digital ad art, pdfs & technical questions: [email protected]: [email protected]

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Single copy price, $2.59 plus sales tax. Back issues available up to one year from publication, $5 including sales tax & shipping.

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River Hills TravelerP.O. Box 245

ST. CLAIR, MO 63077

Published monthly (except December and January are combined) by Traveler Publishing Co. Known Office of Publication is 780 N. Commercial Ave., St. Clair, MO 63077.

Editor & Publisher: Emery StyronAssistant Editor: Jo Schaper

Frequent Contributing Communicators: Charlie Slovensky, Al Agnew, Bill Cooper, Don Rathert, Kath-leen Brotherton, Jim & Donna Featherston, Howard Helgenberg, Jo Schaper, Greg Rudroff, Josephine Cozean Styron, Bob Todd, Pat Todd.

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Emery, Got the Traveler today and had to pause a sec to read every word-- and savor the photos. Always a pleasure and very worthwhile reading. Particularly impressed this time with your high road, upbeat remarks on government. Great work! Keep it up! Make ours a voice for hope, improvement, and all we expect and deserve.

Dave MurphyConservation Federation

of Missouri

Balance needed to ‘politics-as-sport’Emery,Nice job on the editorial this issue (p.4). Well said and, I think, very important to start the kind of conver-sation that makes people rethink their assumptions and maybe restore some common sense and balance to the politics-as-sport-world we live intoday.

Terry WinkelmannSt. Louis

Traveler ‘window of opportunity’ for familyTraveler editor, River Hills Traveler has been a window of opportunity for my family and I to get out and enjoy the simple things that Missouri has to offer. And for that, I thank you! Keep up the good work.

Jason Lee HenagerPotosi

92-year-old has read Traveler 40 yearsTraveler editor, Well, another year gone. I am 92 years old. I think this is about 40 years that I have been doing this. I sure do enjoy it. The first one I read was in Kosh-konong, Mo., a lot of years back. Thank you and have a good day.

R. WeilerSte. Genevieve

Another subscriber since year oneTraveler editor, Although I don't have the copy of the original check, I have been a subscriber since the first year. I saw a copy on sale in a store, bought it, enjoyed it and subscribed. Keep up the good work.

Jim HallDexter

Editor’s Note: We appreciate all the kind comments and we also like to hear from those who don’t agree with us or have suggestions for what we might do better. No matter how fancy technology gets, nothing beats a hand-written card or letter or a short note en-closed with a subscription renewal. Email is good, too. Feel free to send questions or comments to [email protected]. You can also send public or private messages to Traveler via our Facebook page. If you haven’t connected with Traveler on Facebook, you really should. Jo Schaper does a great job of keeping Traveler’s Facebook page and blog loaded with interest-ing and entertaining tidbits. —E.S.

‘High road, upbeat remarks on government’ appreciated

Periodical Rate postage paid at St. Louis, MO (ISSN 87501899)Copyright, 2011. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced in any form or by electronic means

including information storage systems, without written permission of the publisher. However, reviewers may quote brief passages, freelance writers may remarket materials, advertisers may reuse

their ad layouts without permission.

River Hills Traveler

Email:Editorial & Advertising inquiries: [email protected]

Digital ad art, pdfs & technical questions: [email protected]: [email protected]

www.riverhillstraveler.comSubscription Prices: $19 per year (includes $1.40 MO sales tax); 2 years, $33 (includes $2.42 MO sales tax)

(Subscription rates vary outside U.S.A. Please call.)

Single copy price, $2.59 plus sales tax. Back issues available up to one year from publication, $5 including sales tax & shipping.

Postmaster: Send changeof address notices to:

River Hills TravelerP.O. Box 245

ST. CLAIR, MO 63077

Published monthly (except December and January are combined) by Traveler Publishing Co. Known Office of Publication is 780 N. Commercial Ave., St. Clair, MO 63077.

Editor & Publisher: Emery StyronAssistant Editor: Jo Schaper

Frequent Contributing Communicators: Charlie Slovensky, Al Agnew, Bill Cooper, Don Rathert, Kath-leen Brotherton, Jim & Donna Featherston, Howard Helgenberg, Jo Schaper, Greg Rudroff, Josephine Cozean Styron, Bob Todd, Pat Todd.

780 N. Commercial, St. Clair, MO 63077 TOLL-FREE PHONE OR FAX: 800-874-8423

On the cover...A detail of “Southern Exposure,”Al Agnew’s portrait of a magnificent buck at rest in the fall sun, makes a perfect cover for Traveler’s annual Deer Hunting Issue. Ten pages of deer stories start on Page 1.

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Trav loves letters Send to P.O. Box 245, St. Clair, MO 63077 or email [email protected]

TRAVELERMAILBAG

MAKIN’TRACKSBy Emery Styron

I heard a judge speak recently about the amazing wisdom and common sense that 12 ordinary citizens selected for jury duty

exhibit when tasked to hear evidence and decide a defendant’s guilt or in-nocence. That is the same sort of admiration I have for Traveler’s freelance writers and photographers. Bring together this a group of ordinary people with differ-ent backgrounds and a common love for the Missouri outdoors and you often get an extraordinary result. Traveler’s contributors are a diverse bunch in age, location, interests and education, but the trait they all share is that they get outdoors and write about their experiences. They aren’t reading about a place or activity on a website or in a brochure then regurgitating that information. They are reporting on what they’ve seen, heard, smelled, tasted, felt and experienced. My hat is off to them for sharing their talent and experiences with our readers. They make Traveler what it is.

••••• Deer hunting stories naturally domi-nate the November issue of Traveler. November 2012 will be no exception. Doug Smith leads the issue with a gripping story about a real life emer-gency he and his son, Ethan, experi-enced while deer hunting three years ago. We publish it not to dampen anyone’s fun, but to emphasize the need for safety precautions before and during your hunt.

Al Agnew has supplied us with another great cover illustration. If there is a better wildlife artist anywhere than Al, we haven’t come across him or her. Some people like to hunt from treestands. Others prefer to stalk from the ground. Both schools are represented in this issue. Heath Wood has been suc-cessful with his method of hanging multiple treestands in late summer, then staying away until the season opener from the one most likely to produce a mature buck. Charlie Slovensky, on the other hand, gets his share of deer by still-hunting, a misleading term that means creeping through the woods. To each his own. Don Rathert’s stories usually reflect the highs and lows of any outdoor adventure. There is always something that goes wrong, but there is usually some redeeming aspect to every outing. Maybe not this time. Read Don’s story to find out. Bob Todd is still on his project of digitizing thousands of negatives shot for Traveler over the years. He uses some old images to recall the social aspects of deer camp from times past. Bob also gives dates and details for deer hunting in his Seasons column. Maybe it’s a sign of the tough economic times we’ve been through or maybe folks are subconsciously thinking about storing up fat for a hard

winter. Whatever the reasons, we have an unusual number of deer stories that

center around food. Bill Cooper is as passion-ate about hunting as anyone we’ve ever met, but this time he turned in a story about eat-ing instead of taking a buck or doe. Evidently, the food is that good at Ray Eye’s deer camp. Howard Helgenberg caught up with House Springs butcher Dave Martin at a deer pro-cessing demonstration at the Jay Henges Shooting Range

in St. Louis County. Howard’s story indicates he came away with a new appreciation for the skill of a knowl-edgeable butcher. Kathleen Brotherton draws on her own experience as a farm wife and mother of hunters and her research on Native American lifestyles for her ar-ticle this month. To Kathleen, deer are creatures to be enjoyed for their grace and beauty. To Native Americans and to her deer-hunting husband, they represent food on the table. I got a kick out of Rudi Rudroff’s deer story. It seems the worm has turned in his household. His wife may have once resented his weeklong absence for deer season, but nowadays she counts on Rudi and other family members to fill the freezer. She even gives instructions on the size of deer they should shoot to get the cuts of meat she wants. Rounding out our deer coverage, Pat Todd gives recipes for venison

stir fry and venison stuffed bread in her Iron Kettle column. I need to finish this column. For some reason, writing it is making me hungry.

••••• If deer hunting isn’t your cup of tea, there’s plenty else to enjoy in this month’s Traveler. We are especially pleased to bring you winning images from the 7th Annual Mingo Swamp Photography Contest on Pages 12 and 13. We are grateful to contest chair-man Aaron Horrell for getting the images to us and to West Side Camera in Cape Girardeau for sponsoring their publication. Aaron, as you may know, is an ac-complished photographer and artist himself. Check out his cute photo of a baby opossum. We are also pleased to kick off an every-other-month series on state parks written by Barbara Gibbs Ost-mann. Traveler Country is rich with excellent state parks, so watch for this series to get to know them better.

••••• We have had trouble in the past get-ting prompt mail delivery in Novem-ber during a major election year. We are hoping the flood of political mail will be out of the way shortly after this issue enters the mail stream. If someone you know has not received their Traveler by, say, Nov. 9, please give us a call and we’ll send out another. We wish you a safe, successful deer hunt and a happy Thanksgiving.

Traveler’s writers: ordinary folks with passion do extraordinary work