CAMPFIRE CHAT WITH
MOC PRESIDENT GRETCHEN STEELE
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Warm greetings to each of you, the influential voices that bring the wonders of the outdoors to life through all types of media and communication.
First and foremost, I have to send yet one more hearty Thank You to everyone who worked so hard to make this year's annual conference a success. Although attendance was somewhat lower than in other years, the conference was still its usual fun and fact-filled weekend that always rejuvenates and inspires me.
The smaller crowd gave things a much more intimate feel and allowed us to network and talk with each other. The overall feeling was relaxing and made it much easier to truly learn from each other, our hosts, sponsors, and attendees.
The opportunities provided to us by the host site Meremac State Park were outstanding, and if you haven't yet sent a thank you to our sponsors and hosts on the well-put-together and easy to use list provided to us by Kyle, please, please do so! As for me, I can't wait to return to Meremac State Park for a winter visit. I can only imagine the beauty of the bluffs, caves, glades, and landscape after leaf off!
Again, I just want to remind everyone how important it is to share the articles, photos, podcasts, etc., that we are able to produce thanks to the conference and its sponsors and hosts. We must share with those folks (and also Kyle) how much coverage we provide when visiting a destination. This gives our organization a quantitative way to show future destinations, sponsors, and hosts our value.
I was amazed during our annual Thayne Smith Memorial Day of Service. Our Day of Service was a river cleanup. It was more like a treasure hunt because Missourians value their streams and waterways so much. While we returned to shore triumphant with our collected trash, the stark difference between what we found along that stretch of the Meremac and what we would have found along a similar waterway in IL was clear. I even remarked to the other participants if we did a river cleanup on 5 miles of my "home" river in Illinois, we would have needed a barge and a dump truck. So kudos to everyone in Missouri who works hard to keep your waterways clean and pristine.
I continue to be so deeply appreciative of all of our MOC members and their unwavering commitment to showcasing nature's beauty, excitement, and importance through your creative work. Whether through captivating articles, stunning photography, engaging podcasts, or compelling videos, your talents and dedication can ignite a deep connection between people and the natural world. MOC members do it well, do it prolifically, and due with a genuine love of the outdoor world around us.
In our fast-paced and ever-evolving society, the significance of our role as outdoor communicators cannot be overstated. We are the bridge connecting individuals to the awe-inspiring landscapes, the remarkable wildlife, and the profound experiences nature offers. Through our words, images, and sounds, you inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace and protect the precious resources that make Missouri so extraordinary.
Together, we are not merely communicators. We are ambassadors, advocates, and catalysts for change. Our words and creations can spark a collective awakening, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship for our environment. By telling stories that capture the essence of our natural world, we can inspire others to actively participate in its preservation, fight for its conservation, and nurture a sustainable future for generations to come.
In this year ahead, let us commit ourselves to embracing diversity and inclusivity within our community. Let us celebrate the unique perspectives, voices, and talents that each individual brings, enriching our narratives and expanding our collective understanding. By representing the diverse tapestry of humanity in our storytelling, we can create meaningful connections and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world amongst people from all walks of life.
As we journey through the coming seasons ahead, let us embrace innovation and adaptability. Let us explore new platforms, technologies, and mediums to amplify our reach and engage with audiences in fresh and exciting ways. Let us collaborate, share our knowledge, and support one another, fostering a vibrant community that thrives on collective growth and camaraderie.
I encourage each of you to embark on new adventures, venture into unexplored territories, and immerse yourselves in the extraordinary beauty of Missouri's landscapes. Seek out the untold stories, the hidden gems, and the untamed wilderness that await your discovery. Let your passion for the outdoors fuel your creativity and infuse your work with an unmatched sense of authenticity and inspiration.
Together, let us use the power of our communication to advocate for preserving our natural heritage, encourage sustainable practices, and ignite a collective sense of wonder and responsibility.
As always, thank you all for your unwavering dedication to your craft, for your commitment to spreading the message of conservation, and for being the guiding voices that inspire others to connect with and protect the great outdoors.
May your days ahead be filled with endless inspiration, remarkable encounters, and the profound beauty of Missouri's landscapes.
- Gretchen Steele, President
Email: SteelePhoto@Gmail.com
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE | | | |
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Late autumnal greetings to all of you.
I hope that the fall season has seen you and yours getting out and about and enjoying all the incredible outdoor adventures our state and our region have to offer.
For me, the fall season has been filled with all the things I enjoy most: family, friends, fishing, floating, hiking and camping and I wouldn't have it any other way. And, it only gets better when all those things intersect. As such, sharing the outdoors with those I love has become a personal mission for me. Selfishly, it's a way for me to get to do all the things I want to do with the people I want to spend time with. On the other hand, it's a way of embodying the three Rs (recruit, reactivate and retain) to ensure there are ample wild spaces and wild things for all Missourians to enjoy long into the future. Whether that's sharing a favorite trail, stretch of river or woods with someone new or helping someone learn to fish or paddle for the first time, I find it very rewarding. And, I don't care if it means that I might have to share my favorite spots with a few more people. I'm OK with sharing because that means more people recognize and value what a special ecosystem we have here in the Ozark highlands. I'm not trying to be greedy -- I want to share the wealth because I believe it will pay dividends in the years to come.
That's one of the things I highly appreciate about this organization -- we share the bounty and help others find their own treasurers, too. It's part of the fabric of MOC and our mission as an organization and you all do such an incredible job of embodying that ethos that I find it inspiring. Your passion for your chosen pursuits is obvious in your work and I believe that's why we've had so many members have such fantastic careers and routinely be recognized for their work and their achievements.
Case in point: Gretchen Steele, Sara Parker Pauley and Bill Cooper have all received well-deserved recognitions for their illustrious careers in the outdoor field; multiple MOC members received Excellence in Craft awards among a national field of contributors, and that's hardly scratching the surface.
This newsletter is a testament to all the great work our members are doing in their communities and around the country. I hope that you'll enjoy reading it as much as I did while putting it together.
We have a lot to be grateful for and even more to look forward to.
- Kyle Stewart, The Beenders Walker Group
Missouri Outdoor Communicators Executive Director
Email: Kyle@TBWGroup.net
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LOOKING AHEAD... MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2024 MOC CONFERENCE | |
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The 2024 Missouri Outdoor Communicators Conference will be held in beautiful Cape Girardeau, Mo. the weekend of May 17-19, 2024.
Be sure to mark your calendars and plan on joining your fellow communicators for another fantastic annual conference in this exciting new location (for MOC).
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Located along the Great River Road, Cape Girardeau, Missouri is a great destination for activities and recreation along the Mississippi River. As a winner of the 2021 “Best of the River” awards published by River Traveler Magazine, Cape Girardeau has something to discover and enjoy throughout the entire year.
Whether you want to spend some time in the great outdoors, view the public art, relish in the area’s rich history, explore the unique markets, or discover award-winning festivals and events, there are plenty of opportunities around Cape Girardeau.
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Some highlights MOC members can expect to experience while in Cape Girardeau include:
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LODGING
While in Cape Girardeau, MOC conference attendees will be staying at the Auburn Place Hotel & Suites. We will plan to hold most of our seminars and hospitality gatherings at the hotel with meals and activities taking place off-campus.
The Auburn Place features a selection of newly-renovated guests rooms along with free Wi-Fi, breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, indoor swimming pool and other convenient amenities.
Hotel rooms at Auburn Place are $89 per night before tax.
To make your lodging reservation, please call the front desk at 573-651-4486 and ask for the MO Outdoor Communicators group block to ensure you get the conference lodging rate. Please be sure to book your accommodations before April 17, 2024 to receive the conference rate.
Learn more about Cape Girardeau at www.VisitCape.com.
Thank you to Visit Cape for sponsoring and hosting our 2024 conference.
More conference details in regard to conference accommodations the schedule of events will be available in the coming months.
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TIME TO RENEW YOUR MOC MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024 | |
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As we now find ourselves heading toward the close of another year, it's time to renew your Missouri Outdoor Communicators membership for 2024. Please return your completed renewal form by January 31, 2024.
The registration form can be downloaded and printed by clicking this link.
For your convenience, you can also process your renewal online at the following link:
www.missourioutdoorcommunicators.org/memberships/. Simply select the membership category you qualify for, fill out the form and complete your "purchase."
If you have trouble downloading or opening the file or completing the online transaction, please call me at 573-619-3296 or email me at Kyle@TBWGroup.net and I will gladly assist you.
Your involvement in MOC is important and very much appreciated.
I look forward to receiving your membership renewal. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at kyle@tbwgroup.net or by phone at 573-636-8282.
-Kyle Stewart, Missouri Outdoor Communicators executive director
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2023 MOC ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION A SUCCESS | |
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MOC's fourth annual online holiday auction concluded on December 1, 2023. The 2023 MOC online holiday auction raised just over $3,600 that will go towards MOC's annual Thayne Smith Memorial Service Day projects and the organization's general operating funds.
The 2023 MOC online auction featured 17 items primarily consisting of guided fishing trips and outdoor getaway packages, all donated through the generosity of MOC's Supporting and Media members.
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all who donated their time, services, expertise and products to this auction:
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Bill Smith, Scenic Rivers Guide Service
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Joe Bragg, Thump30 Guide Service
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Jim Rogers, Bennett Spring State Park and Roaring River State Park
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Brad Wiegmann, MOC media member
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Brandon Butler & Nathan "Shags" McLeod, Driftwood Outdoors Podcast
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Lynn Berry, Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Lyndsay Webster-Dillon, Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park
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Michael Collins, Misty Mountains Guiding Service
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Gary Stewart, G3 Expeditions
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Teresa Friend, Current Situation at Southern Comfort Cabins and RV Park
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Phil and Lisa Lilley, Lilley's Landing Resort and Marina
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Ann Walters, Margaritaville Lake Resort
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Paul Leahy, The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resort
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Ryan Walker, Ozarks Stream Guides
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Kathy Pirtle, Shack's Cabin at Stockton Lake
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Kris and Amanda Nelson, Tandem Fly Outfitters
- John Neporadny, MOC Media Member
- Max Gilley, MOC Media Member
And, of course, another THANK YOU is in order for those MOC members who helped to promote and participate in the 2023 online auction.
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WELCOMING NEW MOC MEMBERS | |
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The Missouri Outdoor Communicators family of esteemed members continues to grow. Below you can learn about six of our newest members.
Please be sure to reach out to each new member to give a warm welcome to MOC.
NEW SUPPORTING MEMBERS
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LILLARD FLY FISHING CONSERVATION FUND
LFFCF is rooted in education and conservation, serving these needs through summer camp scholarships and project grants.
The LFFCF team believes that the summer camp experience is life-changing. We've witnessed it over a decade of running trips for teens and we -every one of us- had our lives changed by summer camp growing up. We think that experience should be available to every teenager.
We also recognize that the wild places where these memories are made aren't without needs. We've seen the impact that small, local initiatives can have on access and the quality and health of a fishery. Learn more about opportunities or how you can help at LFFCF.org.
Contact: Ben Scott
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MISTY MOUNTAINS GUIDING SERVICE
Based in Jefferson City, Misty Mountains Guiding Service was founded by Michael Collins to share the incredible fishing experiences that can be found in the Show-Me State.
Some would say that Michael is "obsessed" with fishing. He lives, eats and breathes fishing. A few years ago, after seeing a need in the area, Michael began his journey to become a fishing guide and fishing instructor. Since then, he has shared his experience and expertise with countless clients around Missouri.
Michael's services include guided wade fishing trips, guided raft fishing trips, fly casting instruction and fly tying instruction.
Contact: Michael Collins
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G3 EXPEDITIONS
G3 Expeditions offers several options for incredible guided trips afield: Hunt for bear and moose in the Alaskan bush; chase javelina, elk, coues, muleys and quail in Arizona; fish for trout from a drift boat on the most beautiful rivers in Wyoming and Arizona.
Owner, operator and guide Gary Stewart makes sure that each of his clients enjoys a trip of a lifetime in some of the most beautiful places in the country.
Originally from Jefferson City, Gary has been guiding hunts in Alaska for over 10 years and he has been guiding in Arizona and Wyoming for nearly as long.
For 2024, Gary is expanding his guiding service footprint in the Show-Me State by offering guided fishing trips on several Ozark streams as well as guided upland bird hunting on his family's farm in Osage County.
Contact: Gary Stewart
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ALAN CLEMONS
Alan is an award-winning professional with more than 38 years of writing, editing and photography experience for newspapers, magazines, online outlets and public relations agencies. A native and resident of Alabama, he began his career at his hometown weekly newspaper while still a senior in high school. Since then he has written about the outdoors, sports, news, food, travel and more for Huntsville News, The Huntsville Times, Phoenix Gazette, The Birmingham News, Thicket, Birmingham Magazine, Lone Star Outdoor News, Deer & Deer Hunting, Grand View Outdoors publications, Game & Fish magazine, Golf Sport, ESPN Outdoors, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Bassmaster, FLW Outdoors, Cabela’s Outfitter Journal, Wired2Fish.com and others.
Clemons is married with two grown children and enjoys travel, trail running, biking, golf, reading, good beer and art.
Contact Alan
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GARY GARTH
Hailing from Murray, Kentucky, Gary's work has been featured in USA Today, AARP Magazine, Outdoor Life, Kentucky Monthly Magazine, the Louisville Courier-Journal, Yahoo! News and many others.
Gary is a husband, father, paddler, angler and all-around outdoor enthusiast.
Contact Gary
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MAX GILLEY
Max grew up in Jefferson City and started fishing for bass and bluegill at a young age at his family's cabin on the Lake of the Ozarks. Although Max drifted away from from fishing to focus on playing ice hockey and soccer, he rediscovered the passion when he started fly fishing and fly tying about 15 years ago.
While bouncing around the country for work the last 10 years, Max has had the pleasure to fish North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, California, and Nevada.
Max recently moved back to Columbia, Mo. and is currently obsessed with pursuing a new species he's never targeted: smallmouth.
Max has joined MOC as mentored media member.
Contact Max
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Members of Missouri Outdoor Communicators continue to be recognized for their craft as well as their contributions to the outdoor industry.
Take a look at some of the awards and accolades our members have received in 2023:
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Gretchen Steel to be Inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame
MOC President Gretchen Steele will be inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame in the spring, the Illinois Conservation Foundation board of directors announced.
“A passion for nature and the outdoors runs deep, and it is my privilege and honor to welcome to them to the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame,” said Natalie Phelps Finnie, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in regard to new inductees. “We are grateful for their commitment to improving outdoor spaces, educating children about nature, and promoting the importance of conservation. Illinois is better because of each of them.”
Since 2002, the Illinois Conservation Foundation has recognized Illinoisans for their significant contributions and unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing, or supporting natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities with induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.
Formal inductions will occur during the annual Illinois Conservation Foundation Gala in the spring of 2024.
Gretchen Steele of Coulterville has made it her mission to inform, educate, and communicate with as many people and different outdoor groups as she can reach. She is an award-winning outdoors photographer, a bowfishing expert, and a volunteer. In her work, she strives to understand and explain to others any pending legislation that would be important to outdoorsmen and women.
Said her nominator: “The engaging and delightful personality that is Gretchen Steele is widely knowledgeable about outdoor Illinois and has spent a lifetime sharing that knowledge with all of us in her humble, gentle way. Gretchen guides us quietly on an outdoor journey that we may have been lucky enough to experience with her by our side.”
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Sara Parker Pauley Inducted into the Mizzou Hall of Fame
The University of Missouri boasts more than 300,000 alumni worldwide. From actors, artists and musicians to business leaders, politicians, inventors and more, our Tigers leave the Mizzou campus prepared to change the world for the better.
Created in 2016, the Mizzou Hall of Fame honors high-achieving alumni who have exhibited excellence in their chosen field.
Sara Parker Pauley, director of the Missouri Department of Conservation, became the first woman to hold the position with her appointment in 2016. Under her leadership, the department’s more than 1,700 employees carry forward the mission to protect and manage the fish, forest and wildlife resources of the state.
Sara has a long track record of serving the State of Missouri including her time as director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, chief of staff for the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives and president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
A Columbia native, Sara is a two-time Mizzou alumna and member of the Mizzou Alumni Association, earning her bachelor’s in journalism in 1987 and a law degree in 1993. She was instrumental in the creation of the Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries, Wetlands and Aquatic Systems at MU, which is a partnership between the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, MDC and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
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Bill Cooper to be Inducted into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame
The "Legends of the Outdoors" was established by Garry Mason of Springfield, Tennessee to recognize those outdoor sportsmen and sportswomen who, through countless hours of hard work and devotion to the outdoors, in both hunting and fishing, have played an integral part in setting the standards and guidelines for the rest of the outdoor world to follow.
The Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame is owned by Mason and was begun as a way to pay tribute to those outstanding individuals in the outdoor industry, including celebrity status hunters and anglers, as well as leading outdoor products producers, and outdoor writers, podcasters, radio and TV personalities who have provided exceptional service to their fellow outdoorsmen across the nation and around the world.
It was announced in early November 2023 that MOC member Bill Cooper will be inducted into the 2024 class of the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. Throughout his 53-year career, Cooper has earned a Masters in Outdoor Education, served as an Army Officer, worked as a park superintendent, naturalist, interpretive specialist and an outdoor writer. Bill has penned over 6,000 stories with credits in Outdoor Life, Bass Pro, Cabela's, Game and Fish Publications, Southern Trout, Outdoor Heritage Quarterly, Outdoor Guide, River Hills Traveler, Adventure Sports Outdoors, Trophy Whitetail World, as well as numerous newspapers and tabloids. He was awarded the "Outdoor Communicator of the Year" and "Outdoor Educator of the Year" awards from the Conservation Federation of Missouri. Bill was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 2018 as a Legendary Outdoor Communicator.
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MOC Members Take Home Excellence in Craft Awards
Eight MOC members were recognized among the "Best of the Best" in outdoor communications during several 2023 outdoor writers association conferences, taking home a total of 19 awards this year.
Congratulations to all of you. Keep up the outstanding work!
2023 Missouri Outdoor Communicators (MOC) Excellence in Craft Awards
Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation Youth in the Outdoors Contest
- Zach Smith - 1st Place
- Larry Whiteley - 2nd Place
MOC Annual Conference Story Contest
MOC People's Choice Photography Contest
- Gretchen Steele - 1st Place
2023 Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) Excellence in Craft Awards
Golden Glow Award
Best of Industry - Public Relations
- Curt McAllister, Toyota Motors
Best in Show - Print or Electronic
- Larry Whiteley - 2nd Place
Best Blog - Open
- Larry Whiteley - 2nd Place
- Gretchen Steele - 3rd Place
Best Blog - Fishing
- Larry Whiteley - 1st Place
Best of Magazine - Fishing
Best of Newspaper - Hunting
- Brandon Butler - 1st Place
Best of Radio/Podcast - Open
- Brandon Butler - 1st Place
Best in Photography - Hunting
- Gretchen Steele - 2nd Place
2023 Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) Excellence in Craft Awards
Fishing - Blog
- Brent Frazee - 2nd Place
- Brent Frazee - 3rd Place
Family Involvement/Youth Outdoor Education - Magazine
Gear/Technical
Hunting/Shooting Sports
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Kathy and Kenny Kieser pose with 2023 Golden Glow Award that Kenny received during the 2023 AGLOW conference; Curt McAllister (right) is presented the award for Best of Industry - Public Relations at the 2023 AGLOW conference. | |
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AN ODE TO OUTDOOR GUIDE MAGAZINE
AND THE MAN WHO MADE IT BE
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By Brandon Butler
Bobby Whitehead was the right man, in the right place, at the right time. Print media was the main mode of communication in the 1980s, and St. Louis was without a publication dedicated to the local outdoors scene. With over 2 million Missourians active in angling and hunting, it only made sense to produce a top-quality magazine covering the endeavors of those outdoor-minded millions. Bobby saw the need, put vision to paper, and gifted us, the readers of the Outdoor Guide, with over 30 years of adventure at our fingertips.
Saturday mornings were a little different for me than most boys my age when I was a kid. I’d stay the night with my grandparents so grandpa and I could wake up at 5:30 a.m. to begin watching fishing shows on Channel 37, an old UHF channel out of Chicago. While most kids were watching cartoons, I was studying walleye fishing tactics with the In-Fishermen guys, and learning how to be a better bass angler with Bill Dance. Fishing Facts and Midwest Outdoors were the magazines of my youth. My Christmas lists were made from the Bass Pro Shops catalog.
When I moved to Missouri in 2010, I had only been involved with producing outdoor media for a few years. My syndicated newspaper column was running in a number of Indiana publications, and I’d spent a few years as a staff writer for the Indiana DNR. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life communicating the outdoors, but my skills had not yet caught up with my ambition. Thankfully, I had joined professional outdoor writing organizations, like the Hoosier Outdoor Writers and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, where I was exposed to the best of the best.
The best in Missouri, I quickly came to learn, was Bobby Whitehead. As I began to make my rounds in the outdoor world of the Show-Me State, it was readily apparent the man in the fancy hat and dark sunglasses was the godfather of Missouri outdoor media. If I wanted to make a name for myself in this state, I would have to win favor with the man I affectionately came to call “The Bobfather.”
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The first time I met Bobby Whitehead, he broke my heart. It was the spring of 2010. We were at the inaugural Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Cast and Blast in Branson. About 20 of us outdoor communicator types were in attendance, but the night had whittled our number to fewer than 10.
“I was sitting there with giants in the business and the industry, people I’d known and respected for years and years, having a cocktail, playing a game of chess. And you show up and sit down. I had heard about you. I didn’t know you, but I had heard about you. You had a scrapbook, sort of a deal that you wanted me to look at, and here I am playing a game of chess, drinking some whiskey, and hanging out with giants in the business, and you wanted me to look at your book? I guess I was aggravated, and I was thinking, who is this brash young man? Who is this kid? And that was the beginning of a long and wonderful relationship,” Bobby said.
We take our shots in life, and I guess I took mine at the wrong time with the Bobfather. A lesson learned about getting between a man and his whiskey fueled chess match. But ultimately, I won him over and he became one of the most important people in my life, both professionally and personally. Not a week goes by when I don’t seek his council on some move I have to make, whether that be advice on business or how to win the heart of another human.
You see, Bobby didn’t come to publishing The Outdoor Guide from a place of serious hunting and fishing acumen. He dabbled, but will be the first to tell you, he started the magazine because he saw a business opportunity. Not because he was some highly skilled outdoorsman. Over the decades, he became a great angler and turkey hunter, but even with those skills, the outdoors isn’t what defines Bobby. Kindness and compassion. Those are his gifts.
Bobby is one of the very rare people who are always positive. When he walks into a room, he lights it up. No one ever fears Bobby raining on their parade. He compliments everyone, always, and makes strangers feel like they have been his friend from the minute they meet. He rains down joy on all around him. When I’m having a tough time, or I simply need sound advice, Bobby has been my first call for over 10 years. He could have retired long ago had he charged me for all the counseling sessions he provided pro bono. I know I am not alone in this boat. He has been a guiding light for so many of his friends. Bobby has taught me far more about how to be a better man, than he will ever teach me about how to be a better fisherman.
I asked Bobby about The Outdoor Guide and his run there.
“You get out of life what you put into it. This is true with relationships, and it’s true with work. For over 30 years, our content in the magazine was second to none. We drew on the top writers in the country. We had our problems along the way, but we worked through them. Here, at the end, I’m very proud of what we built, how long it lasted, and all lives touched by the words and photographs our incredible contributors,” he said.
As anyone who knows him would expect him to do, Bobby gives the credit for the long-term success of The Outdoor Guide to those he worked with over the years. And while there is certainly truth to his claim of having worked with the best of the best for three decades, it was the captain at the helm guiding this ship who made the incredible success it was.
When Bobby loves someone, he refers to them as his blood brother. So to all my Outdoor Guide blood brothers and sisters out there who will forever remain part of this family, I wish you all health and happiness in the future. We’ve been lucky to be part of this special publication, and we are all better people for having the man, Bobby “The Bobfahter” Whitehead, in our lives.
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HONORING A MISSOURI LEGEND: KEN WHITE | |
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By Brent Frazee
I feel sorry for those of you who didn’t know my friend, Ken White.
Ken was one of a kind. On the surface, he was soft-spoken and unassuming, not at all like some of the brash media members of today’s generation.
But beneath that calm demeanor, he was a fascinating Forrest Gump type of character.
How else could you describe someone who:
- Was President Harry Truman’s personal photographer.
- Won the World Series of Freshwater Fishing.
- Hosted a weekly television show on fishing and hunting.
- Hunted every one of Missouri’s spring and fall turkey seasons.
- Photographed the Beatles when they came to Kansas City, and later sold posters featuring his work.
- Was a featured guest on the old “What’s My Line?” television show.
- Wrote a weekly outdoors column for more than 60 years.
- Was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
- Kept fishing, hunting and writing into his 90s.
Ken passed away at age 94 on Nov. 19, and Missouri lost one of its legends.
I also lost one of my best friends. I met Ken shortly after I arrived at The Kansas City Star in 1980, and we quickly hit it off.
I still remember our first fishing trip—to a farm pond Ken had permission to fish. We positioned our boat off a point and caught bass after bass on plastic worms.
That was the start of a long friendship. I often traveled to Stockton, Mo., where Ken lived in an A-frame cabin with his wife, Donna, and we fished Stockton Lake for everything from bass to walleyes to crappies.
We also would get together for opening day of trout season at Bennett Spring and for turkey hunting near his land in west-central Missouri.
After losing Donna, he eventually moved to Georgia to live with his daughter and her family. But he missed Missouri.
I remember taking to him a couple weeks before he passed away. He ended our conversation with his customary statement, “Keep smiling.”
Sorry, old buddy, it isn’t easy. I’ll miss you.
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CONSERVATION NEWS:
MISSOURI STATE PARKS ANNOUNCES NEWEST STATE PARK -- THE ROCK ISLAND TRAIL STATE PARK
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RECYCLING AT ITS FINEST... RAILS TO TRAILS
By Tisha Holden, information officer for Missouri State Parks
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Spanning a section of the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad corridor, Rock Island Trail State Park contains mostly undeveloped trail not yet open for public use. However, it also encompasses the former Rock Island Spur of the Katy Trail State Park, which has 47.5 miles of developed trail extending from Pleasant Hill to Windsor, Missouri.
The park’s master plan for the remaining 144 miles can be found on the website at mostateparks.com/sites/mostateparks/files/4RIT_BOOK_MasterPlan.pdf.
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An exciting element of the Rock Island Trail State Park is the economic development coming to the 23 communities along the trail. Another is the how the trail will provide a safe route to schools in some districts. Several towns have received grants to help with the trail’s development, which when completed will help make a 400-mile trail loop connecting St. Louis and Kansas City. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Once completed, Missouri will have the longest rails-to-trails project in the world!]
“After receiving the corridor from Ameren Missouri on Dec. 14, 2021, we began holding public meetings with landowners and other stakeholders, allowing for question and answers, public input and assessment of the communities’ needs and goals,” said Ron Bentch, Rock Island Trail development coordinator. “Our first priority has been working with adjacent landowners to address fencing needs, liability and trespass issues.”
Bentch and Clint Barnett, the Missouri State Parks Rails-to-Trails project manager, have met with 38 landowners so far. In addition to discussing fencing needs, these meetings garnered some memories and interesting stories – stories that need to be told.
“These landowners will be our neighbors for generations to come,” Barnett said. “It has been great working with them and getting some fencing projects underway. We’ve really enjoyed meeting with different people and hearing their stories. Many remember when the Rock Island Railroad was active.”
As the corridor is preserved through conversion to a trail, its history is coming to light. So many landowners have interesting, unique stories that need to be shared. Please send your Rock Island Railroad memories to Tisha.holden@dnr.mo.gov.
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History of Rock Island Trail State Park
On Oct. 25, 2012, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources signed an Interim Trail Use Agreement with Missouri Central Railroad (MCRR). The following month, the initial 5 miles from Pleasant Hill to Wingate was transferred to MoDNR. In early 2015, a second Interim Trail Use Agreement was signed for the 42 miles of corridor from Wingate to Windsor. Shortly after, additional right of way was transferred to MoDNR. On Dec. 10, 2016, the Rock Island Spur of the Katy Trail State Park extending from Windsor to Pleasant Hill officially opened to the public. The 47.5-mile rail-trail (now the developed portion of Rock Island State Park) was designed for walkers and bicyclists with the trail between Windsor and Purvis Road outside of Pleasant Hill open to equestrians.
On Dec. 14, 2021, MoDNR accepted ownership of 144 miles of corridor extending from Windsor to Beaufort. Missouri Central Railroad, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameren Missouri, donated the property to the state at no cost. At closing, MCRR also assigned MoDNR its rights to build “rail with trail” along a 12.6-mile section of active rail line that extends from Beaufort to Union. Since then, the current owner of this portion of the line has begun the process of abandoning 9.71 of those miles. In response to a request from MoDNR with concurrence from the railroad, the Federal Surface Transportation Board issued a Notice of Interim Trail Use on Nov. 18, 2022, granting the parties a one-year period to negotiate an interim trail use agreement.
Developed section of Rock Island Trail State Park
The open section runs 47.5 miles from Pleasant Hill to Windsor. There are five trailheads, including the trailhead at Windsor that the park shares with Katy Trail State Park.
This developed section opened in 2016 and was originally considered the Rock Island Spur of Katy Trail State Park. With the acquisition of the Rock Island Railroad corridor, the developed spur became part of Rock Island Trail State Park.
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Rock Island Trail State Park is part of a larger rail-to-trail system within Missouri State Parks. At Windsor, Rock Island Trail State Park connects to Katy Trail State Park, the nation’s longest developed rail-trail stretching 240 miles between Clinton and Machens in St. Charles County. The park is built on the former corridor of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or Katy) and features 26 trailheads and four fully restored depots along the way. The trail is open to walkers, hikers and bicyclists with sections also open for equestrian use. Katy Trail State Park annually attracts more than 400,000 visitors.
Rock Island Trail State Park will connect to Jackson County’s Rock Island Trail and will become part of a trail network spanning the entire state of Missouri, linking Kansas City to St. Louis.
Public use of undeveloped corridor is prohibited! While the 47.5 miles from Pleasant Hill to Windsor are open to the public, use of the undeveloped corridor between Windsor and Beaufort is strictly prohibited.
Did you know…
- The corridor includes three railroad tunnels, three deck truss bridges, five through truss bridges, four I-beam bridges and 20 deck plate girder bridges?
- At least 10 of the bridges were designed by the firm A.J. Tullock, a bridge-building firm of national and even international reputation? All are still in place and display all types and lengths of bridges required to span anything from a small stream to a major river.
- The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built the corridor between 1902-1904, and the engineering of the track bed, tunnels and bridges remains as built more than a century ago?
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Memories of the Rock Island in Rosebud
Bob Estes, 77, of Rosebud, Mo., has fond memories of the Rock Island Rail, growing up with tracks cutting through his family’s property. The house Estes grew up in, and resides in today, was built in the early 1900s.
“It was a way of life here for us. The trains would go through twice a day and blow their whistles. We just got used to it,” he said.
The trains stopped running about 1979-80, Estes recalled. But before that, the rail was used quite heavily. Until the mid-1940s, passenger trains used the tracks, and in WWI and WWII, troop trains used them. Estes believes his grandmother took the train to St. Louis to visit the 1904 World’s Fair.
The family would ship cases of their chickens’ eggs and dairy cattle’s cream from the Rosebud Depot to St. Louis for use in bakeries. Later, trains hauled clay to a chemical plant in Owensville.
“The trains would go through, coasting and throwing sparks, setting the woods on fire. Of course, it would usually happen at night,” he said. Estes fought fires in his teens and remembers a preacher lived in a rental property near his where the fire had spread. He said the preacher looked up and said, “Oh, Lord, I wish it would rain.” They received a little sprinkle, but not enough to put out the fire, he said with a laugh.
As a young boy, Estes said migrant workers, or what they called hobos, hanging around his house were a common occurrence. His family never had any issues with crime or other problems, but his mother would give them food. They often offered to cut wood or do chores in exchange for her kindness.
Estes spent the majority of his life on the property, with stints working as technical illustrator, packaging coordinator, toy designer, insurance adjuster and farmer. He appreciates the peace and solitude his property brings and hopes others can enjoy the beauty of the trail when it’s finished.
For more information concerning Rock Island Trail State Park, visit mostateparks.com/map/rock-island-trail-state-park.
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-- NEW CULINARY COLUMN --
MILO'S WILD GAME CORNER
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By Ryan "Milo" Miloshewski, MOC Secretary and hobby wild game chef
Thanks to my grandpa, I grew up hunting, fishing and eating a lot of what we harvested. Over the last ten years, I have been honing my wild game cooking skills. With the help of Hank Shaw, John Wallace and other wild game chefs, I have been able to create some really great dishes with ducks, venison, fish, and other game Missouri has to offer.
In the first installment of Milo's Wild Game Corner, Ryan shares his recipe for perfect pan-seared mallard breasts.
Pan-seared Mallard Breasts
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The most important error folks commit when preparing puddle ducks is over cooking. Because they are birds, there is a misconception they must be cooked "well done." This is a tragic mistake. Ducks should be cooked rare to medium-rare. Keep your mallards, pintails, and teal pink in the middle and you’ll enjoy the birds way more, I promise.
Here is a simple recipe I’ve used over the years that works well with fat, skin-on mallards.
Step 1: Dry the breasts thoroughly and burn off any pin feathers. A small torch or lighter works great.
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Step 2: Score the skin in a cross-hatch pattern. This allows the fat to render out easily.
Step 3: Salt both sides of the breasts and add a little pepper to the non-skin side. Too much pepper will burn.
Step 4: For mallards or similar sized ducks, place skin side down in a COLD pan. Turn the heat to medium/medium-high and let them cook for 5-7 minutes. Starting with a cold pan allows the fat to render slowly and get a great crisp on the skin.
Step 5: Flip to the non-skin side and cook for 2-4 minutes, depending on the size.
Step 6: Stand each breast up in the skillet, touching each other, and cook the thickest part of the breast for 90 seconds.
Step 7: Remove and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Step 8: Slice and serve.
This method will give you perfect medium-rare duck and crispy skin. The combination of flavors is exceptional, and it will be hard for you to cook a mallard any other way ever again.
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By Charlie Slovensky, MOC founding member and father of MOC TALK.
This column is dedicated to all those outdoor communicators who couldn’t make it as clowns in a circus or standup comedians in Vegas. It will be a combination of humorous quips and anecdotes to give us food for thought as we self-analyze our writing styles. It is offered free of charge and free of malice, and with the keen knowledge that none of us can afford the option of a therapist, not that visiting one would be helpful.
WE KIN ALL AGREE
Once upon a time, in grammar schools everywhere, grammar rules ruled. Catholic nuns, second in command to the Pope, sported rulers to enforce the rules, and to make sure their pupils graduated with eyes wide open.
Some used yardsticks to extend their reach within and beyond the classroom. Makes me wonder what measures they might have taken to adapt to the six-foot distancing mandated by the Covid response—two yardsticks spliced together with stiffeners, perhaps? Talk about yer long arm of the law!
I was thinking about this early this morning, during my nightly wrestling match with Insomnia. At 2 a.m., I relented and turned on the headstand light to wax poetic on the Notes App on my cellphone:
There is one rule
From grammar school
We kin all agree to foller
To keep the Sister or the Marm
From going past the holler—
One to save us all from harm.
It’s this that every time we write a sentence
The subject and the verb must paint a mural
By being both of common tense
Both singular or plural.
But if, forsooth, on the other hand,
We doth resist, and nay, persists,
Sister Sinthia and Schoolmarm Charmane
Will surely wrap us on our wrists,
And later on, we may well finds
That Editor Ed has wrote in red
Or spoke his mind
In words we all have come to dreads:
“We must rejects, for we objects,
To prose so poorly you’ve composed;
Your verbs don’t match your subjects,
So we must call this subject closed.”
Then I awoke and turned on the news, hoping to catch a real-life example of this all-too-frequent blunder. It didn’t take long to hear a reporter say: “ . . . and one of the things that aren’t talked about . . . .”
I arrest my case . . . .
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STARTING AN OUTDOOR WEBSITE
By Kevin Paulson, new MOC member and publisher of www.HuntingLife.com
I got started learning how to create websites by default in 2003 when I purchased an outfitting business in Idaho and Montana. We owned the domain GotElk., and we put together a very expensive website and blog. I had to get educated quickly. We created the blog in our website to be able to share tips, tricks, gear reviews and the story of how we were building our business. It was all cutting edge twenty years ago, and we learned fast. Know your audience and speak to them directly, and you can grow quickly.
In 2006, I lost my father and chose to recenter my life. I sold out my portion of the outfitting business and bought HuntingLife.com the next day. I liked writing and creating content a whole lot more than I liked saddling up horses at 4 am and paying feed bills year round. I also wanted to be home more in the Fall and around my kids and family. We started HuntingLife.com to be an outfitter directory and, of course, the blog. In 2009, we pivoted to become a much bigger, focused news website.
Building a website can be as complicated or as easy as you want it to be. The most important part of the process is writing great content that speaks to your readers. As outdoor writers, we all work hard on our articles, chapters and books to speak to our readers, and the same is true whether that article is published on our own website or in the pages of a newspaper, magazine or on social media.
I encourage every outdoor writer to have a website even if that website is just a business card or billboard site to share your resume, links to your work, a list of the articles or books you have written, and any awards you have. Show some photos to highlight who you are as a writer or content creator and share your social media accounts so that readers can find you and connect in a more meaningful way.
HuntingLife.com is more than the blog and outfitter directory we started out to be. Today we are a much more commercial website with about a third of our income coming in from direct sponsorship and the online digital magazine. The rest of our income comes in from affiliate marketing. Over the last year, I have given several talks about the value of affiliate marketing to writers and content creators. I have worked with several folks to help them to rebrand and build out their online websites. On our site we always look for additional writers and contributors for our magazine and our online content.
If I can help you, walk you through my process or if you need a team to help build out a site for you, we can help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions at Kevin@HuntingLife.com. We are always looking for writers, and I have a strong network of other folks who are also looking for writers. Content creation is not going away, especially for human writers who can share a story and speak from the heart.
Seven steps to starting a WordPress website:
- Choose a domain name: The domain name is the address of your website. Choose a name that is easy to remember and you know will speak to your readers.
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Choose a hosting service: A hosting service is where your website files are stored. Choose a hosting service that is reliable, fast and fits your budget. We like WPENGINE.com.
- Install WordPress: WordPress is a free content management system that will run your website. Install it on your hosting service.
- Choose a WordPress theme: A theme is the design of your website. Choose a theme that fits the style and branding of your outdoor website.
- Install plugins: Plugins add functionality to your website. Install plugins that will help you with search engine optimization, security, and social media sharing.
- Create Content: Start creating content for your website. Write articles and /lpost photos and videos related to the outdoors to attract visitors.
- Promote your website: Promote your website on social media, forums, and other relevant websites.
Starting a WordPress website requires a little initial effort, but with these steps, you can have a website up and running in no time.
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For future issues for MOC TALK, please send story submissions, photographs, inquiries and upcoming events to Kyle Stewart of The Beenders Walker Group at Kyle@TBWGroup.net.
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MISSOURI OUTDOOR COMMUNICATORS
125 E. HIGH STREET, SUITE 200
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101
EMAIL: KYLE@TBWGROUP.NET
OFFICE: 573-636-8282
CELL: 573-619-3296
WWW.MISSOURIOUTDOORCOMMUNICATORS.ORG
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