Kayaking Stockton’s Water Trail Bill Cooper Kayaking, along with many other outdoor pursuits, has grown in popularity since the advent of the COVID 19 pandemic. Several of Missouri’s State Parks offer water trails for paddling enthusiasts. Stockton State Park north of Springfield offers visitors a well laid out trail complete with mile markers and interpretive signs. Missouri Tourism’s Outdoor Ambassador Scott Pauley says that interest in kayaking has exploded across the Show Me State. “It is difficult to find a kayak right now,”he said. “They literally flew off of retail store shelves as more people were being forced to stay home because of the virus. Those people quickly began to look for ways to get outdoors. Fortunately we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor resources in Missouri, including water. Most people in Missouri don’t have to travel far to find a water resource where they can paddle a canoe or kayak.” Scott Pauley and I both attended a Fish ’n Fun Media Event recently which was organized by the Missouri Outdoor Communicators and sponsored by a variety of organizations with ties to the outdoors, including: Tandem Fly Outfitters, Orleans Trail Resort and Restaurant, The City of Stockton, Hammons Black Walnuts, Missouri State Parks, Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Conservation Federation of Missouri, and Toyota Motors USA. Fishing for walleye and white bass were the main focus of the event and drew outdoor writers from across the state including, Kenny Kieser and Tyler Mahoney from the Independence and Kansas City areas, Scott Pauley and Kyle Stewart from Jefferson City, Zach Smith from Columbia, Bill Cooper from St. James and Brad Wiegmann from Arkansas. Other activities were also scheduled including a guided tour of the Stockton State Park Aquatic Trail. The 6.5 mile Stockton Lake Water Trail offers two entry points. One is located at the Stockton State Park Marina, where paddlers can launch their canoes or kayaks from a provided ramp or a floating dock. The second access point is located just across the peninsula at Hartley Cove. Both trailheads have bathrooms, and the State Park Marina offers a store where paddlers can buy supplies of grab something to eat before or after their paddling trip. “Paddling on a lake is quite different than paddling on a river where there is a current to help move you along,” said park superintendent Kenny Neal.. “However, the lake trip is a good way get people out on the lake paddling, with an easy shuttle that has trail heads only a mile apart.” Blue skies and a slight chop greeted our paddling party as we began our trip out of Hartley Cove. A majestic Bald Eagle flew high overhead, soaring on the air currents and obviously experiencing a bird’s eye view of the lake and surrounding countryside. Justin Adams, Deputy Regional Director, Missouri State Parks/Ozarks Region and Park Superintendent Kenny Neal provided high quality kayaks and life jackets for the paddle trip. I chose a sit on top model, a first for me. I quickly discovered that the molded plastic kayak provided a comfortable seat with high back support. Adams and Neal gave our party a quick overview of the water trail as we boarded our kayaks and all headed across the lake together. It felt good to be on theater again. I hadn’t paddled all summer due to an accident earlier in the year. I felt perhaps the heavy exercise would stretch sore muscles. The wind picked up a little forcing us to keep paddling. Should we pause, we would loose ground we had gained. As we moved forward our party discussed the pros and cons of each variety of kayak we were paddling. A couple were sit on top fishing kayaks, which offered a bit more stability, while the longer, more slender boats cut though waves and water a bit better. The Stockton Lake Water Trail offers a public swimming beach with restrooms about half way through the trip. The 6.5 mile trial loop takes from 2-to-6 hours depending on how fast one paddles and current wind conditions. Paying attention to wind forecasts is important when planning a paddling trip on Stockton Lake. It is a big, deep lake, and its two arms are oriented in a manner that allows the typical south-southwest winds to blow up the lake. The winds are great for sailors, and Stockton Lake is known as one of the best lakes to sail in the Midwest. High winds, however, may be treacherous for canoes and kayaks. Water trail signs at each entry point caution paddlers to wear PFDs and to stay aware that water and wind conditions can change rapidly. Always check the weather forecast before you get on the water. Adams pointed out that it is usually at least a little windy on one side of the peninsula, while the other side is a little more protected. “If you stay close to shore, its not too bad,” he said. “If the wind picks up, you can always turn around and paddle back to your starting point.” Fishermen can enjoy the paddle trip, too, as the lake is well stocked with bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye. As we made the turn around the point, we were met with white caps and fierce waves. I paddled to the tops of waves only to have my sit on top kayak spun side ways and dropped into the hole. Then it was a repeat. Time was running short and it became obvious we could not complete the entire trip. Neal called a park employee and had him pick us up at an accessible cove. What a fantastic paella trip. To check out paddling the water trail at Stockton, simply Google Stockton Lake Water trail.

How to Avoid Four Common Duck Hunting Mistakes Bill Cooper With duck populations at the peak of long term averages, expectations for every hunt are always high. The reality is, however that every hunt does not produce the highest quality hunt. But, what if a majority of hunts fall short of expectations? There may be some common denominator problems, which can be easily fixed and increase harvests. Movement in the blind - It sounds silly. Every duck hunter knows you have to keep movement to a minimum in the hunting blind. “Unnecessary movement is one of the biggest problems I have with duck hunting clients,” stated Perry May, owner of IYF Outfitters of Southeast Missouri. “Even though we are in a well camouflaged blind, ducks are above us and they have sight many times more powerful than humans. The shine of uncovered faces looking up is a dead giveaway. Use head nets and face paints. If you are constantly moving in the blind and kill few ducks, cut down on the movement and your kill ratio will improve immediately.” Poor camouflage - “I don’t care how good your blind looks, you can never have enough camouflage,” May continued. “If ducks flare or I have difficulty finishing them, one of the first things I look for is holes in the camouflage. It may not be much. I walk all the way around my blinds looking carefully for small holes and openings. Often shooters push clumps of grass or camo material to the side when they stand to shoot. Those spots need to be rearranged before the next flight arrives. Blend in to your surroundings - “You can have all the camo in the world, but if it doesn’t blend in with your surroundings, ducks are going to notice it,” May said.” If you get a lot of ducks flaring from your blind, your materials are not making your blind disappear into the landscape. The result is far fewer shot opportunities.” Bass Pro carries a full line of camo materials and supplies which will help you and your blind vanish into the surroundings. Calling tactics - “Every duck hunter likes to blow his duck call,” May stated. “Blowing a call and watching ducks react to it, is one of the most enjoyable facets of duck hunting. However, if ducks are reacting negatively, or taking a long time to commit, you might want to analyze your calling techniques.” Some say experience is the best teacher. May added, “There are lots of learning aids out there these days to help an individual learn to blow a duck call. Duck hunting videos are plentiful, as are TV shows. However, you still have to practice...a lot. Then there is the issue of knowing when to call, what call to use at a given time and when to quit. One of the most difficult times in the duck blind is when a client is calling and flaring ducks. I let it go, until they become frustrated. Then I politely ask them if they want to kill ducks. Of course they do. At that point, I ask them to allow me to teach them how to call.Then we kill ducks and everyone is happy.” “No duck hunter is so good he can’t improve,” May concluded. “I see hunters make the same mistakes over and over. Force of habitat often works against them. Be flexible and analyze your setup constantly. If you aren’t killing ducks that are present, stop and ask yourself why. Your problems most likely fall into the categories mentioned. Make changes and score.”

Five Planning Tips for a Better Waterfowl Season Bill Cooper Waterfowl hunters are a passionate group of people. Passion levels can generally be measured by the amount of time an individual waterfowler spends preparing for the upcoming season. If you want to increase your passion for waterfowl hunting and improve your success rate at the same time, follow these preparation tips. Basics Count - “Every waterfowl hunter needs to remember the basics, especially on opening day,” said JD Driskill, owner of Dirty Rice Outfitters in Gobler, Missouri. “Too often hunters allow opening day to sneak up on them. That is a recipe for failure. Guns need to be checked, including chokes. Showing up with a wrong choke can ruin your shooting effectiveness. Decoys need cleaned and lines repaired. A tangled mess is not what a duck or goose hunter wants to deal with when the sun is coming up on opening day.” Prep Machines - “Machines are an important part of waterfowl hunting,” said long time duck hunter Russ Nanni of Paducah, Kentucky. “Boats, motors, ATV’s, UTV’s, motorized decoys and pumps that provide water for hunting spots are all key factors in the success of hunts. To neglect them is to guarantee that you will have problems. They are all pieces of mechanical equipment and they will break at some point in time. Regular maintenance is good insurance, but checking them all out before opening day is absolutely necessary to the quality of the hunt.” Scout Early - “Knowing where the birds are is just plain smart,” stated retired school teacher Orville Tharp, of Cuba, Missouri. “Duck hunting days are limited and I don’t like to waste them searching for birds.” Visiting public hunting areas in mid to late summer allows Tharp to see first hand what crops area managers have planted to attract migrating waterfowl. Too, he talks with area managers to find out what they have planned for the upcoming season. “Pools can be closed down, pumps can break, storms can cause damage. Every one of those items will have an effect on your season. Knowing what is going on at your favorite spot is important. Conceal Blinds - “Ducks have great eyesight,” said Diamond Dunn, a 16-year-old guide from Corning Arkansas. “All duck hunters, and goose hunters, too, should take a close look a there blinds before the season starts. All holes should be filled. New vegetation should be added to give the blind some depth and relief. Matching the blind to the cover you hunt in is important, too. If you hunt in corn, add corn stalks to your blind.” Practice on Five - “Competition calling is not necessary in the duck blind,” explained waterfowl calling expert Perry May of Dexter, Missouri. “I like to blow a call as much as the next guy, but come opening day, I use the five note greeting call a lot. It is one of the first calls beginning duck hunters learn and it can be blown on any mallard call. Ducks, particularly young ducks coming down the flyways are very familiar with the greeting call. Practice the greeting call well before the season and come opening day, your odds for success will soar.”

Rules for Deer Camp - Who Needs Them? Deer camps are special places, many or which have been in existence for decades. Deer camp rules have always been a staple of the annual gatherings, but are they still needed and accepted in today’s society? 
 I’ve attended a number of deer camps over the last five decades. They shared a common denominator. They all have been superb. The primary reason behind the success of those camps is the fact that each had an excellent camp boss. The term “boss” carries a negative sentiment for some these days. The continuing breakdown of societal rules flows into every area of our lives. Change is constant, and we as hunters face the consequences of change everyday. Camp bosses come with a wide variety of personalities, leadership types, and camp goals. Becoming well acquainted with the camp boss, and as many attendees before committing to a camp is the best rule to follow. Almost all have rules of some sort. Make sure you understand them and can follow them to a “T.” Deer camps are something which hordes of hunters look forward to each fall. Hunting buddies long to see their friends again, swap stories, catch up, compare gear, share good food, and have fun while there. For those who have attended camps for decades, many changes have come along over the years in hunting equipment and attitudes of hunters. Bringing younger hunters to deer camp has always served as a “right of passage,” and continues to serve the same purpose yet today. However, more than one quarrel has arisen at hunting camp over attendees bringing in new technology and attitudes toward wildlife management and ethics. If you have gained permission to bring a new person to deer camp, it is your responsibility to make sure that the new individual is ethical and safe. Make a concerted effort, too, to learn the individual’s stance on game laws, outdoor ethics, and landowner relationships. Firearms have seen a dramatic change with the advent of Black Rifles. Many old-timers balked at the introduction of these firearms to deer hunting camps, because of their similarity to military weapons. Old habits die hard, and older generations hold onto values engrained like a fine walnut stock on their favorite hunting rifle. And there may be deeper sentiments. Many older hunters have been to war, and weapons that hold a likeness to military weapons may stir emotions and bad memories. But, not all veterans think that way. I took a pause when I saw my first Black Gun. I didn’t like the idea of someone bringing them into deer camp, but held my tongue. First, I made the effort to get to know the young man who carried the weapon. He was solid, knowledgable, and respectful of everyone in camp. I learned from him and now have no problem with military style weapons being used for deer hunting. Every deer camp has it’s own set of rules. Everyone should follow them, and everyone should carry their own weight. Of course the young guys do more physical labor than the older guys. They did the same when they were younger.

Cold Weather and Your Dog Bill Cooper It’s true. A dog is mans best friend. Ever since dogs were domesticated, they have been making great sacrifices for their owners. Dogs will go to great lengths to please their owners including subjecting themselves to extreme weather conditions. When does cold become dangerous to a dog’s well being? First realize that all dogs are not created equal. Temperature that feel balmy to one dog may send other to seek shelter. Several variables may affect how dogs respond to cold. Coat type is an important factor to consider. Dogs with thick, double-layered coats, like Huskies, Labs and Newfoundlands, will be the most cold-tolerant. Most cold tolerant breeds were developed in Northern climates, and may have other physical and psychological traits that allow them to thrive in frigid temperatures. On the flip Sid of the coin, dogs with thin coats, like, Greyhounds and chihuahuas, will suffer most during cold weather. Coat color also affects a dog’s tolerance of colder weather. During clear days, dogs with darker coats will absorb significantly more heat than dogs with light colored coats. Other factors affecting tolerance of cold conditions include size, weight, conditioning, age and health. Small dogs have larger surface to volume ratios. The smaller the dog the more skin they have in relation to their insides through which they loose heat. The bottom line ism that small dogs generally get cold quicker than big dogs. Body fat is a great insulator. Hefty dogs stay warmer than skinny dogs. However, the health risks of being overweight far outweigh warmth benefits. So do not fatten your dog up for winter, so to speak. Conditioning and acclimatization play an important role in how dogs handle the cold, too. Being healthy and in good physical shape is an advantage when cold weather strikes. Gradual increases in colder temperatures gives dogs the opportunity to acclimatize as well. Forty degrees in October is less tolerable than 40 degrees in April. Very young, very old, and sick dogs are not as capable to regulate their body temperatures as healthy dogs in their prime. It reasons then that need more protection from the cold. Temperature as shown on a thermometer is not the only environmental factor that affects how dogs feel the cold. Wind chill is a major concern as to how dogs handle cold. A brisk breeze can cut right though a dog’s coat and quickly decrease its ability to insulate and protect itself against the cold. Dampness in the form of rain, snow, sleet, heavy fog, or going for a swim, soaks through the fur can quickly chill a dog even if the air temperature is not particularly cold. Cloudy days block the sun and keep dogs from soaking up the warmth. Watch for sings of chilling. If a dog is quite active while outside, it may very well generate enough heat to keep warm, in spite of cold temperatures. Generally, people tend to think dogs are tougher than they really are. This is especially true of owners of hunting breeds. Temperatures usually do not become a problem until they drop below 45 degrees. Cold averse dogs will begin to suffer at this point. At 32 degrees owners of small dogs, dogs with thin coats, and young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their well being. Temperatures below 20 degrees should raise red flags. Dog owners need to be aware that their dogs could develop cold weather health problems like hypothermia or frostbite. One of the best ways to monitor your dogs when it is cold is to keep a sharp eye on their behavior. If you see your dog shivering, acting nervous or anxious, whining, slowing activity, searching for a warm spot, or holding its paws up, it is definitely time to take them inside. Above all don’t forget that your dog is your best friend. It gives you its best every day of its life. You should do the same for it. It takes a commitment to continually pay attention to your dog’s well being. Establishing routines for feeding, watering and medicating as soon as you bring a dog home will ensure your continued attention to detail. The rewards will be a healthy and happy dog and a long and rewarding relationship. Take extra precautions with hunting breeds during cold weather. They are expected to be out in harsh conditions. Keeping them warm will keep them functional. Invest in a good dog vest for cold temperatures. Most will help with floatation, too, which helps dogs retrieving in cold water to conserve energy and stay warmer. Once your dog returns from a water retrieve watch it closely. Vests are good, but make sure the dog has protection from the wind via a box, or protected area in the boat or blind. In extreme temperatures, taking along towels to dry your dog quickly is good insurance. A wool blanket is a prize and could be important to both of you in an emergency situation. I have two Labs, BJ and Hooper, that spend most of their time outdoors. However, they have learned that when temperatures drop they are welcome inside. Should I become lax with my judgment, they scratch at the door as a reminder. As I write, BJ and Hooper are piled up on a blanket in front of the fireplace. They do take advantage. Remember, never spoil your huntin’ dog.

Catching Winter Walleye

Catching Winter Walleye Bill Cooper Interest in walleye fishing has been growing at a steady rate over the last several decades in the mid-south, and rightfully so. The largest walleye in the nation are caught here. And, the biggest walleye are caught in the cold weather months. Here’s how to catch them. No one knows walleye fishing better than Buster Loving, of Rockaway Beach. He’s been chasing the tasty fish for over 30 years. A teacher-coach by training, loving chased his dream and became fishing guide. He spends over 300 days a year guiding clients for bass, crappie, trout, and walleye during the winter. Bull Shoals Lake, a 43,000 acre Corps of Engineers lake on the Missouri-Arkansas line, is the focus of Loving’s winter time walleye fishing trips. It is a trophy walleye fishery, according to Loving. “It’s world class,” he said. The Missouri state record walleye came from Bull Shoals. It weighed 21lbs.1oz. “My best walleye weighed 17lbs,” Loving said. “Ten pound walleye aren’t that uncommon. We’ve caught several over 10lbs. this winter. Knowing exactly where to fish eliminates a lot of water and search efforts. Of the 700 miles of shoreline on Bull Shoals, Loving concentrates his efforts on 8-miles of it. “I was fortunate enough to see Bull Shoals at White River level in 1991,” he said. “All of the old ponds, creeks, drainages and terrain features were exposed. I mapped many of them, and that information has been invaluable for my walleye fishing business over the years.” “There are a lot of mud flats in the area of the lake I fish,” Loving said. “I find more walleye relating to mud flats than I do rock banks, where so many walleye fishermen spend there time.” Mud flats covered with 4-to-8-feet of water are Loving’s preferred areas to fish. “They will still hang on the flats in deeper water, but it makes them more difficult to find,” he said. “However, most of the fish will hang out right where the lip of the mudflats drop off into deeper water. I concentrate most of my efforts in those areas.” Nightcrawlers and bottom bouncers are synonymous with walleye fishing, yet Loving never uses them. “I’ve fished for walleyes for decades,” he said. “I’ve found that I can catch them just as easily on big stickbaits and Keitech swimbaits.” Walleye key in on shad, and Bull Shoals Lake harbors a great population of shad. In high water events, more shad come over the dam, often spurring feeding sprees. One only need to take a look at the dozens of photos of big walleyes on Loving’s iPhone to realize that he catches big walleyes consistently. Walleye can be caught all winter long on Bull Shoals, but when the water temperature nears 50 degrees, the spawn begins. “Walleye begin to stack up in deep holes as the spawn begins,” Loving said. “I love to see my clients catching big walleye, and the spawn is the best time to do that.” Anglers may keep four walleye, 18-inches or longer. Walleye are known for their culinary qualities. Walleye wrapped in bacon, and seasoned are one of the finest meals you will ever eat. If you’d like to book a walleye fishing trip with Buster Loving, give him a call at 417-335-0357.

Carolina Rigging for Bull Shoals Bass Bill Cooper for www.lurenet.com The Carolina rig has been around for a long time and been responsible for the undoing of untold numbers of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Mike Welch, of Theodosia Marina Resort on Bull Shoals Lake in southern Missouri, believes that the Carolina rig is as effective as ever. The Carolina rig is similar to the popular Texas rig with the bait rigged weedless, but the weight is separated from the lure with a leader and barrel swivel. “I use a 3/4-ounce egg weight and a red plastic bead between the weight and the swivel,” Welch said. “The bead helps protect the knot at the swivel, plus makes noise as you move the bait across the bottom.” The Carolina rig is Welch’s favorite way to fish for big bass. “It is my favorite bait to use all year round for big bass,” he said. “It’s good in all seasons and weather conditions, but the Carolina rig really gets hot in June. A bass’s metabolism is in full swing, and they are hungry and will eat a big plastic bait being crawled across the bottom of the lake.” Welch likes to rig his Carolina rig with a 30-inch leader. “Some guys go with leaders as short as a foot, or 36-inches, or longer,” Welch said. “The 30-inch leader works well for me. You are going to get hung up a lot on the bottom of Bull Shoals. It’s full of rocks of all sizes and you can’t help but get stuck. I often break off only a few inches of the leader. The 30-inch leader allows me to quickly re-tie and get back to fishing.” Welch says the key to catching big bass on Bull Shoals is knowing where they live. “I’ve fished Bull Shoals for decades,” he said. “My time on the water has taught me that there are places on the lake where I can catch good fish year after year. The structure and food sources are there.” Mike normally sets his boat up in 30-feet of water and casts to rock rubble, old road beds and other structure in slightly more shallow water. “Making contact with the bottom is essential,” he said. “You are putting a bait in the home of bass, and with the right tactics they are going to eat it.” Welch knows that bass will eat a variety of plastic baits, which primarily imitate crayfish. “Bass love crayfish,” he said. “The technique is to put your bait right where bass hang out, let it settle to the bottom, and then make a wide, slow sweeps with your rod. Go slow enough that the egg sinker will never come off of the bottom. It will, however, make noise as it strikes rock, wood and other debris. Too, it will stir up the bottom as you drag it.” Once Welch completes the sweep he allows the bait to settle back to the bottom, but only briefly. “I quickly begin another sweep of my rod,” he said. “As soon as I begin the sweep the bait begins to come off of the bottom, wiggling and moving as if it has come to life. Hungry bass have a tough time resisting the action.” Welch is a fan of YUM plastic baits, particularly the Bad Mamma in Green Pumpkin. “I also like to fish the YUM Wooly HawgCraw,” he said. “Green Pumpkin seems to be a universally good color. I do occasionally throw the Watermelon/Red Flake color as well.” Mike Welch owns Weekend Warrior Guide Service on Bull Shoals Lake, on the Missouri side. He may be reached at bassmaster921@gmail.com.