Other Interests

The beauty of the Mark Twain National Forest, the Black River, and the surrounding nature areas lend themselves to a bounty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, bird watching, geocaching, and all sorts of other activities.

Kids and Creeks

   My favorite thing about Big Creek RV Park is Big Creek. No matter what the season is, I'm fascinated by the creek. In spring, I love the sound of the water as the rains make it higher than normal. In summer, I always know I can go to the creek, relax in the shade, and enjoy the cool, spring-fed water. In the fall I love to look at the fall colors and watch the beautiful leaves float on the sparkling water. Even in winter, I love the way the snow, ice, and water intermingle throughout the creekbed.
   So I really enjoyed the article in the August 2011 Missouri Conservationist magazine (pp. 19-21) entitled Kids and Creeks. It was a great article about how to introduce your kids to the outdoors with Missouri's creeks. Here are the tips they shared in the article.
   Tailor the Trips. Missouri's creeks offer a variety of activities that can be adapted to the age and inclinations of your child. If you match outings to what they like, even babies can enjoy creek time! Bring toys, spread a blanket in the shade on a gravel bar, and play with your baby--just like you do at home. Or sit in the shallows with your baby in your lap and let him splash like he does in the bathtub.
   Bring buckets and shovels for your preschooler to dig in the sand. Bring inner tubes and other "floatie" devices to float around in the water, and make sure you have dip nets for catching tadpoles and other creek critters. See who can find the most unusually colored creek rock, and let your child take home a favorite at the end of the trip.
   Most kids are ready for their introduction to fishing by age 4 or 5. And clear creeks are great for this--no boredom while you wait, because kids can see the fish!
   For older kids, tailor trips to the creek to their interests. Allow them to invite a friend or two. Encourage them to add to a rock collection or to study butterflies, insects, or work on their tree-identifying skills.
   Plan for Safety and Comfort. No matter the depth--water poses a drowning hazard. The right creek and proper supervision, however, keeps these outings fun and safe. Choose a creek that is right for the age of your child. For small children who do not swim, choose creeks that offer no rapids in the area you plan to visit and minimal current. Choose spots that offer shallow spots that are good for wading. Be sure that small children wear life vests. Be sure to use sunscreen and insect repellent.
   Be Good Stewards. While kids are learning to enjoy the outdoors, it is also important for them to learn it is their responsibility to take care of it. As you collect belongings at the end of a creek outing, have kids patrol where they played to be sure they left no trash. Join in and help. Pick up any trash left by others and let kids know that it's good to leave a place in better shape than you found it.
   These creek trips, if done correctly, help children develop a deep respect and love of the outdoors, along with a shared interest that offers you and your children a common bond that lasts a lifetime.

*If you would like to read this article in its entirety, see the August 2011 issue of Missouri Conservationist magazine, pp. 19-21.

State Champion...
Trees?
    Did you know? Missouri has a new champion white mulberry tree! This tree is near Pleasant HIll, and it towers over a farm fence on land owned by Phillip Moore. It stands 48 feet tall, has an average crown width of 57 feet, and has a girth of 23 feet. Wow.
    And did you know foresters use a formula combining these measurements to determine state-champion trees? The Cass-County mulberry above scored 338 points, which beat out the previous record holder in Lafayette County that only scored 284 points.
    There is a list of state champion trees at mdc.mo.gov/node/4831. It's set up like a checklist, so feel free to go find these beautiful trees and check them off after you see them! Be careful, however--some are clearly listed as being on private property.

Information courtesy of Missouri Conservationist magazine, December 2011 issue, p. 5.

Great Outdoor/Hunting Websites

According to Outdoor Guide, Early Summer 2011, p. 29, there are some great outdoor/hunting websites you should check out. Thanks to Alan and Dianna Garbers for the info.

www.ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0019.html is an Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet. It lists everything you need to know about establishing a wildlife food plot. It has everything from what to plant to attract specific wildlife to common errors made when establishing food plots.

www.americanbear.org was created by the American Bear Association. It has great information about the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, near Orr, MN. In an interesting twist, at this sanctuary the people are in the "cage," and the bears are free to come and go. A great place to visit!

www.cookingwildmagazine.com is a cooking magazine for hunters and fishermen. It is loaded with fish, wild game, and even foraged plants recipes--and it is issued quarterly. Some of the recipes are available on the website, or you can subscribe to the magazine.

The Monarchs are Coming!

The monarch butterflies are on their way! Right now, they are moving from their winter home in Mexico up through the southern states (Texas, Florida, California, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia and Virginia. For more information monarchs and their migration (and you can even report your first sighting here!), visit www.learner.org/jnorth.

Other Interests The beauty of the Mark Twain National Forest, the Black River, and the surrounding nature areas lend themselves to a bounty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, bird watching, geocaching, and all sorts of other activities.

Other Interests

The beauty of the Mark Twain National Forest, the Black River, and the surrounding nature areas lend themselves to a bounty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, bird watching, geocaching, and all sorts of other activities.