ozark outdoor journal

"Let My People Go Fishing"

2012-02-09T06:30:00.004-06:00

I came across a great paper at MidCurrent.com - it's posted from the Syracuse Law Review, and has a really interesting take on public access versus private property, basically the idea that just like when a the city, county, state, or federal government takes land away from someone under the clause of imminent domain they have to compensate that party, conversely, if the state is stocking waters

Catch Magazine.

2012-02-02T20:25:00.004-06:00

The new issue of Catch is live. Check it out here: Catch Magazine. It's awesome, as always. Check out the "Elk River Cutties" video segment - just amazing. That is all, for now.

All Star Rods at Wal-Mart?

2012-01-29T19:05:00.000-06:00

I went shopping early this A.M. at the local Wal-Mart and found several things stocked for spring that weren't there last week - KVD Quantum Tour rods, Skeet Reese rods, a few others. Some better reels, too. There's a lot of Rapala and other name brand lures on clearance, but a few more expensive hard baits and soft baits (actual Gary Yamamoto Senko's) stocked fresh for spring than ever before.

Blood Knot Magazine - The 2nd Annual "Blogger" Issue.

2012-01-24T20:12:00.000-06:00

Here's it is: Blood Knot Magazine. Can you believe I'm not in it? Maybe because I didn't submit anything...oh yeah, there's that. Enjoy.

Taneycomo isn't always easy...

2012-01-24T06:59:00.003-06:00

I was too busy to do some "outdoor" themed things going on in Springfield this weekend, like Eagle Days at the Nature Center, and the RK gun show at the E-Plex, but I did manage to take my son down to Taneycomo on Sunday afternoon for a little while. Unfortunately, like most people who think of themselves as an experienced angler fishing with bait for Trout should be as easy as, well, fishing

Sporting Shot #8, Flyfishing and Hunting in Argentina, Gun Engraving.

2012-01-19T06:26:00.001-06:00

Sporting Shot #8 is out - check it out - Sporting Shot. In the issue you'll find a story about Keith Thomas and his amazing engraving work. The link to his blog is Gun Engraving. Go look at his work - it's simply beautiful. I stumbled upon another E-Zine - it's called Patagonia Journal. This will make you want to run off to the other end of the America's to hunt and fish.

The First Missouri Deer Taken By Atlatl...

2012-01-14T06:46:00.002-06:00

The spear thrower known as the Atlatl became a legal method to hunt Deer in 2010 which I thought was really interesting. A few very hard-core enthusiast's made it happen - and now one of them has taken a Deer with the ancient method: Missouri Hunter Takes Buck with Atlatl. Some have raised concerns that there's too much chance of wounding a Deer with this primitive tool - but this guy is pretty

Ozark Anglers Forum Is Down...

2012-01-10T20:16:00.003-06:00

Not really. Phil's just re-doing the site, and like any transfer of all the info from one server to another there's a few bugs. In the meantime - go to the forum here; Ozark Anglers Forum.

I love the smell of burned double-based flake gunpowder in the afternoon...

2012-01-08T08:40:00.007-06:00

..it smells like broken clays. The family and I made a trip to the great Andy Dalton Range at the Bois D'arc conservation area yesterday afternoon. The new Remington 870 was a little stiff as all new 870's can be, but after a few rounds of trap it was slicking up nicely. Normally when I shoot Trap with a pump shotgun after I fire my shot I open the action via the pump with the shotgun rotated

Another Mountain Lion In Missouri...

2012-01-06T06:08:00.000-06:00

This one was trapped near Centerville...Mountain Lion Caught in Missouri That looks like a healthy kitty. Be aware that these guys, along with Black Bears, are roaming around out there. Nothing to be really scared of, but something to be aware of when out poking around in the back yard.

Restoring Elk to MO is gonna cost how much?

2012-01-03T20:55:00.002-06:00

Apparently it was about 30,000-dollars per animal. Yeah, that seems a little high to me. I like the idea of native animals being restored and all, but let's try to keep in mind most people are on a budget, and can't just write off a 300% increase in expenses. If you're the government or one of it's agencies though, it's perfectly fine. Hey - I'm a pretty big supporter of the MDC in general, but

Happy New ... shotgun?

2011-12-31T21:09:00.003-06:00

Yes, I did finally get that Christmas present I really wanted - the Remington 12-gauge 870 Super Mag in Realtree Hardwoods camo: Even with the mismatched Browning sling it blends in good with the foliage. Looks good on the jacket with the same camo pattern, doesn't it? Looking at the back side... I'm pretty happy - I needed a new all-weather shotgun after selling off my Browning BPS

The Heddon Zara Spook according to Charlie Cambell

2011-12-31T00:01:00.002-06:00

Go check out Ned Kehde's blog post at the In-Fisherman website - The Heddon Zara Spook according to Charlie Campbell Anyone who fishes our Ozark Reservoirs, a Zara Spook, or both should find it informative.

All I wanted for Christmas was...

2011-12-30T15:43:00.000-06:00

A new shotgun. I really need a new waterfowl shotgun, but other needs take precedent. Evidently I wasn't the only one - NICS background checks for Black Friday guns sales set an all-time record: Gun are a big seller on Black Friday. I would have been happy with not getting sick - spending time with relatives did give us the gift of a nice virus so we've all been sick here at the hacienda this

Quick Finley Trip...

2011-12-21T07:38:00.003-06:00

I managed to escape for a little while Sunday afternoon - but I didn't have time to go far so I went over to the park here in Ozark. As a side note, if you want to go over and fish the park at this time of year you have to be mindful of the fact that the Ozark Finley River Park has a drive through Christmas light display from November 12 through January 8 and the city closes the main entrance (

Waterfowl Season...

2011-12-17T07:38:00.002-06:00

Next year I'll get to go more - this year I haven't had the chance to go even once. I have the decoys, a decent place or two to go, a new Lab coming along nicely on his retriever training, shells, a shotgun or two - well, I do need a new 12 gauge. I have a couple of decent 20's and despite what "experts" will tell you a good 20 with the right Hevi-Shot load will drop decoying ducks like rain. The

Sunday paddling in the cold.

2011-12-12T21:13:00.001-06:00

I took a rare time out Sunday and went to Lake Springfield for a couple of hours of paddle time in the old Pack solo canoe. I still need get the clutch fixed on my little compact truck, so I had to strap the Pack on the roof of the Jeep for this trip - not a big deal but just more time consuming than throwing the canoe, rods, tackle bag and all in the bed of the little truck and strapping it down

A new "Trail Gun".

2011-12-08T06:40:00.000-06:00

Maybe. Ruger is going to makes it's popular SP101 in .357 with a longer 4" barrel: Introducing the 4.2" Ruger SP101 I would like it even more if they offered it in the new 327 Federal magnum, but I'll take either this Ruger or the Smith And Wesson Model 60 with the 3" Barrel. I had a model 60 I sold when I needed some quick cash - I regret that to this day.

Quick shot of some jigs...

2011-12-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

Just a quick shot of today's fun and games with my jig production:

Pouring jigs, casting bullets.

2011-12-03T08:03:00.000-06:00

When these colder days of Winter set in and I can't get out for various reasons I get my household chores and errands done and spend the afternoon either casting jigs or bullets. I sometimes feel like a production worker, but mostly it's a pleasant chore than has rewards later - either nice shiny finesse jigs or bullets for target shooting. I did have a problem this past weekend when pouring - my

More Supending Jerkbait stuff...

2011-11-26T03:04:00.000-06:00

It seems like every year another suspending jerkbait becomes the new "hot lure" here on Table Rock. Of course last year we saw the longtime "secret" lure, the Megabass Vision 110 just explode in popularity. If you remember my review of this lure for Bass Parade, I said that I think it's an outstanding lure, but the price is a little steep for most guys to buy more than a couple of them. Well, of

Flying Fisherman’s SunBandit Review.

2011-11-25T09:26:00.006-06:00

Why so serious? I received the package with the Sunbandit from Flying Fisherman not long after being selected for the gear review by The Outdoor Blogger Network. This was back in the sweltering heat of our record-breaking Ozark Summer. The only reason I’m so late in this review is that my digital camera gave up the ghost and I thought I’d get a new one to shoot a few new shots of the “product

I see a bad moon risin'

2011-11-21T20:26:00.000-06:00

Not really - it's just been a busy week with plenty of trouble to go around. First of all, I was so busy at work last week there was no way I could get out, or even have time to comment on anything going on here in the Ozarks, like the firearms Deer season. I do know one thing, when people tell you all of the Deer in the Ozarks are tiny, they haven't been around much: That's from KY3's viewer

The first film commissioned by the MO Department of Conservation.

2011-11-15T06:17:00.000-06:00

"Back To Missouri" - 1940. Enjoy.

Crane Creek Again..

2011-11-14T20:44:00.001-06:00

My son and I hit Crane again Sunday ( look at the new header picture) and had a great time. I only caught two fish but both fought well, and were released without pictures. I have a new camera, I'll post about it at a later date - far too busy this week. Both fish came on my "Crane Creek Caddis" fly. I can't wait to shoot more pictures and video. I now have that option with my new inexpensive