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1 week ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
Jefferson County archers recently took their show on the road and continued to flash their sharpshooting prowess. Most notable among the dozens of arrow-launchers was the continued dominance of Hillsboro High School sophomore Wade Conner. After winning both the bullseye and 3-D competitions at the Missouri state tournament, Conner went to Louisville, Ky. on May 8-10 and won both events again in the Eastern National Finals of the National Archery in Schools Program.
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2 weeks ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
Just ahead of free fishing weekend, the state Department of Conservation is proposing increases in the cost of permits for the third year in a row. Based on input from hunters and residents in a survey this spring, the biggest price hike will land on the backs of nonresident deer and turkey hunters. The state Conservation Commission approved the proposed price increases at its May 16 meeting in Jefferson City.
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3 weeks ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
There is nothing like a free sample to get your attention or maybe even get you addicted. The state Department of Conservation is offering several opportunities to get people hooked on fishing at no charge. The first chance is this weekend and targets young children when the department and the James Foundation team up for the annual Kids Fishing Day at Maramec Spring Park near St. James. The event is much more than just a free day at the stream.
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4 weeks ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
Jefferson County and its neighbors continue to rack up substantial increases in cases of chronic wasting disease discovered in deer harvested by hunters. After upping its total by more that 50 percent last year, Jefferson recorded an increased number of cases again this year, according to an annual report by the state Department of Conservation.
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1 month ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
First and foremost this week I have a correction. In my column last week about hummingbirds, I recommended using powdered sugar in feeders. The recipe I shared should have said to mix four parts water with one part of granulated sugar. Thanks to the alert Leader reader who questioned my mistaken recipe, the result of an editing error. Brown sugar, honey or any artificial sweeteners are also all incorrect ingredients.
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1 month ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
Spring brings bright color back to a gray landscape, and few things illustrate that vibrancy better than the ruby-throated hummingbird. The daffodils arrive sooner, the redbuds are easier to spot, and the woods pop with new green, but the tiny speedsters are the stars of April. I’ve heard reports about the return of the annual mini-migrators to Jefferson County, so now is the time to mix up some sugar water and place your feeders where they will be found in a fly-by.
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1 month ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
The awards podium was a popular place for Jefferson County archers at the National Archery in Schools Program state tournament March 19-22 in Branson. Twenty-three area schools participated in the bullseye tournament and proved once again how strong our county is in this popular sport.
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2 months ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
The city of Herculaneum and a few other online sources have recently posted helpful tips for pruning Bradford pear trees. The once-revered ornamental landscaping plants, now recognized as invasive, are notorious for how easily their branches shear off in storms. Recent spring turbulence has reemphasized the need for tree trimming and observing safety in chainsaw use. The procedure is simple; one cut across the stump as close to the ground as possible is recommended to eliminate future troubles.
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2 months ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
We just celebrated the first day of spring, and it’s not too early to begin making plans for summer. You can register now for the annual Discover Nature Girls Camp scheduled for June 16-17 in the St. Louis region. The camp accepts up to 60 girls ages 11 through 15 each year, and as of March 20, more than half of those spots were already taken. The link to registration provided by the state Department of Conservation is short.mdc.mo.gov/4jc.
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2 months ago | 
myleaderpaper.com | John Winkelman
One of the most contentious but least consequential issues that hunters argue about is non-residents coming to our state to hunt for deer, turkey and waterfowl. The state Department of Conservation is asking hunters and the public for their opinions on the subject. A survey was emailed March 10 to 56,000 state residents and 1,800 non-residents who purchased permits over the past two years, according to a press release from the department.
