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3 miles from the Park Entrance. Never fish it, drive through every so often and maybe eat a meal. But it does give several Jobs I know. oneshot

Ok use to know Johnny Morris years ago. He changed and seems anymore it is all about money and wouldn't put this past him. Bass Pro use to be more Fishing, Cabela's more Hunting. Did some shopping at Bass Pro in Springfield just before Fall and got quality at a fair price. If I can continue to do this I'm Happy. oneshot

Well the river a few years ago was getting Stocked more Regular, then got to the point you might as well hang it up fishing for Trout in the Winter. oneshot

Well after a few calls I managed to talk with someone with DNR that is saying they will check it out. I was going to fish just below but right now I'm waiting awhile. It is really obvious, steady flow coming from the lower Lagoon for last few weeks. oneshot

Seems to be a lot of people around this weekend. Going to take my Grandson out next weekend Youth Deer Hunting. Me I've got plenty of Deer meat and Fish so been getting a few Squirrels. Coon Season opens get a few of them. oneshot

The last week looks like the Lagoon is over flowing and running into the river. Thinking for sure someone knows what is going on? oneshot

We went up to our Cabin and looked like more Timber showing than what had been. Be glad to finish the Cabin and I'll spend more time up there again. oneshot

Sounds pretty good I hope he considers stocking the river like they use to. oneshot

Looking at the river. Once again Low and Clear. So Gigging should be good. oneshot

You might talk to Linda at Adventures she will do some out of the way shuttles. oneshot

I believe usually the MDC has their mind made up no matter what. Once a decision is made it is very hard to get changed back most the time it is changed is because people involved in fishing or hunting sees a problem and takes it to the MDC in numbers. oneshot

Truth I didn't know I was just told by others. Still Praying for you. oneshot

I also learned from many that went through the Depression plus was raised by an Logger with us 7 kids. Back then there wasn't Deer or Turkeys but plenty of Rabbits, Squirrels and Quail. Which he didn't care about Game Laws on them. He would also fill Ice Chest at Taney. Know many that are just as bad. Always wonder how so many get away for so long. Went to the river late this morning caught two Rainbows for Lunch and two short Smallmouth that were released. While there seen one Rainbow swimming they had a Gig mark Thing is I wasn't taught to observe Game Laws but as an adult I have continued to obey all Laws to the letter and set an example to my kids, Grandkids and Great Grandkids and still receive what the Lord offers from the Land. oneshot

Ok talked to them about the Restrooms, they have been told by several about them but I didn't hear anything about taking care of the problem. Have heard Coffee Shop talk about changes going to be made down there. What I heard I don't know if it is Bad or Good. I'm concerned about other Camp Grounds and Outfitters in the area from what I seen last season and this season has been good. I see this and have one that is to pay a percentage, in past has been good about paying this year have not seen a Dime. Not sure what is going on, I'm going to have to have a Talk with them. oneshot

Ok far as burning the woods things have changed, use to be if it was burning isolated property and not endangering any buildings, it was let to burn. if by chance it was needing stopped I was out there with Forestry, Rake in hand running the hills, would Rake or Blow a Line and Back fire. Set watching many nights completely surrounded by fire but never found myself in danger. Now days if I wanted to help and was able they wouldn't let me. Seen a fire that burnt for miles took out structures. Over that distance there was way too many places to stop it but they was afraid to Back Fire. Go through there now, piles of dead trees laying on each other, underbrush growing very thick in it. Last couple Springs I cringe looking at it knowing it will burn and be 5X worse. I told the Guy in charge that the fire should have never got that much out of control in the first place and these places needed burning to just clean up the dead stuff. You know he really disagreed until he seen me burning off a place. After that he said he would trust very few to light a match in the woods and I was one that he would trust. Use to be we would wade Sac River Bass Fishing and if had a Boat hit some lakes catch stringers of them. Back then was the only time I would truly Target Bass. Now I go out after a rain and get Night Crawlers, go to the river, cast out if it is legal it goes home, most time it is either Suckers or Goggle Eye, if it happens to be a Bass so be it. Not in my Book hurting them I usually don't catch that many but to me it is just wrong to turn a 13 inch fish back. To some now days look at animals or fish as fun I look at them as food. Don't Dove hunt because there is just not enough meat to justify using shells. Road Kill I will pick up even Squirrels if fresh. I pick up Snapping Turtles, some are putting me down for this. Matthew 6:26 MDC helping me stop a fire at my place. oneshot

We need to keep in mind what happen before 1930's People were going through a Great Depression and not that many years before thousands were traveling through the area fighting one of the worst wars we had ever seen and let us not forget the drought at the time. I was just having a discussion the other day during the 50's farming in the area was very different most raised grain even though the ground was not the easiest to work with. We picked many tons of rock off the fields every year. We raised our own feed. If you had acreage you had Milk Cows, milking twice a day by hand, Grade C Milk that was picked up in Cans taken to the Cheese Plant in Springfield. People raised Tomatoes to be sold and Cucumbers for the Pickle Plant in Springfield. We cut Saw Logs, Firewood and Post. We picked Black Walnuts. Yes we burned the woods every Spring because we knew that was the only way that Cedars were thinned and there was good undergrowth for the animals. But there was many Rabbits, Squirrels and Quail. In early 70's I made enough Trapping and running Coon Hounds to buy me and my wife our first Farm, got away from paying $35 a month Rent. It was a good place down on the creek where I caught plenty Bullheads and Carp some times caught another variety. We had our Garden and heated with wood. But yes even when I was young I lived as I was taught to use the Land. In late 60's I started seeing what I considered Farmers getting lazy. They sprayed the Timber, many thousand acres. Cleared it sometimes with Goats and then Fertilized with Turkeys. Either way was being cleared and planted in Fescue. Everyone went to Beef Cattle. Yes I seen many wild animals dwindle in numbers because of these changes. I have also seen the MDC get Tunnel Vision. Seems they get focused on one thing ignoring other things going on. They are worried about Endangered Plants, Animals and Fish, so you can no longer do this with the Land, they ignore the fact that maybe this is the reason this Species is in the area, because the Woods were burnt and thinned, the Gravel was taken out of the Stream making a deeper hole. Maybe there is less Turkeys and Small Game because there is more Predators, including the Coyote we use to never see. I was involved with bringing back the Otters in the 80's. I asked when numbers would be to where we could Trap them? I was told they was just a Novelty and would never be a Trappable number. Then they have people chosen for just one area. I had a Forester come out check my Timber, didn't mention burning. I talked with another MDC worker that was over an other area that they burnt often. He told me I had a Forester come out and he would never advice burning, if I had a Wildlife Manager come out it would have been different. Yes I live off the Land always have but I eat many things so many turn their nose to. But I learned from my family how to cook and make anything the best you could ever ask for. Lot of it is in peoples head, even my wife had this problem one time. We went to my Grandparents for Christmas Dinner. Grandma had cooked bunch of Coons and Possums. My wife looked at them and made a face. I said what is the matter Dear you like eating Coons and Possums? Yes but I'm not use to them grinning back at me. Grandma had left the Heads on which was the custom. Use to be there was Ponds where people paid to fish for Carp. It was common to see Carp in the Store. Many say you can not live off the Land with out Poaching but I have found most are thinking along the line of Deer, Turkey, Catfish, Crappie, Bass and Trout.; But like I say there is far more out there. Never said it was all Smallmouth oneshot

If you want I will let my friends know down there. I hope you caught fish of size this has been one problem in the past. oneshot

Was just thinking with so many Smallmouth maybe the best thing to keep all happy they should put a slot limit on them? Use to raise much of my meat but found it much cheaper to hunt and fish. Spend very little and don't do with out. Old Plug just because you prefer Men over Women I don't hate you I just feel you are wrong and I will pray you change because I want the best for you. oneshot

Well AR pertain to Bucks having at least 4 points on one side and yes true don't pertain to most the areas I hunt but sure as time goes by they will decide we need them. As far as Smallies they are not looking to change regulations by me but give them time. As far as the other varieties of fish you mentioned they can't be found in the river here. In all these years I have only caught one Channel Catfish. Mostly Suckers, Goggle Eye, Rainbow and Brown Trout and Smallmouth Bass. As far as Bull Frogs you will not hear one around here because of another of MDC's better ideas of releasing Otters in the area. My family settled the area after the Civil War in 1873 along with their former Slaves. Traced my family all the way back to southern France. Had several being bused from Float Trips being very upset with the gravel roads and dust. and yes County Commissioner vowed to pave all the gravel roads which never happen because of money. Yes the State Highway is paid for upkeep by the State which I'm sure I pay my share just as you do. By no means am I not paying my share. As I pay my share on the Private road going to the Highway.Just it comes directly out of my Pocket instead of Taxes. Unlike probably the road by your house. And yes our County Taxes pay into our Membership into Local Rural Fire Department unlike many other counties where yearly Dues are paid by each resident to the Local Rural Fire Department and yes I am sure the MDC does pay into the Rural Fire Departments because the Rural Fire Departments to help them put out fires in the area. And seems the point is you just don't really have any idea what goes on. So how could I expect you to have any idea what goes on with the river. Rockpile

There is a couple places along the Highway that has been offered to us to take over and run and we have backing. Thing is getting them back up in shape and staying with them every day. Few places I have no idea how they keep going even with a Good season. Which last two have seemed to be really Good. oneshot

Truth I clicked on the Bell for Messages and thought these were PM's didn't realize that I was answering on the Forum. Oh well don't matter pretty open on Forum, PM or to your face, don't have to hide my feelings on things. oneshot

As far as use of the river same as several have Rafts Rented during the Summer but yes it is getting far more crowded than in the '60's. Still consider the stop of Gravel Mining a mistake and trying to stop the burning of woods the same. Deeper holes in the river and more browse for Deer and Game. Far as homosexuals know many, had some stay with us. Let them know how I feel about their lifestyle and leave it at that. Did take a Girl out hunting for a week that lived this way, got along fine. Years ago had one try to push his thoughts on me which got him in trouble very fast, never tried it again. Only been living where we are for last two years. My Son told me people here are not like what I'm use to. Got people from St. Louis with St. Louis frame of mind, then there is me Hillbilly ways and I'm way too old to try to change but that is just the way with both. oneshot

Sounds like someone that knows from experience concerning Sheep. oneshot

Welp I'm Retired getting Union Pension, fixed income and yes we depend on Meat we get from the Woods and Streams. Never Poach but never turn our nose to anything that most would. as matter fact just had our name put on list for Road Kill Deer. Oh My Free Deer! Well we do go get it, clean it and package it. Funny had a Young Agent thinking I was breaking a Law because he had never dealt with anyone killing a Common Snapping Turtle and actually going to eat it. Ok just a couple of changes mainly made by Urbans Smallmouth lengths and limits and Antler Restrictions on Deer, both geared because they want Trophies, not food. Same goes for Timber and Water management which they know very little about compared to the people that have been taking care of it for the last hundred years. Most from the Urbans come few times a year and wanting things to change to what they are leaving behind. Like just today we was talking about the fact people coming in wanting Roads paved, so county puts down Chip and Seal . Then are unable to maintain it, so they patch it making it much worse than when it was gravel. Fire Department paid with my Taxes. Water I pay each month same as people in the city, if I didn't would have drilled Well and have to maintain it. Septic built and maintain our own system. Heat we do get free Firewood where we can but have to cut and haul it, most is clean up work. Our road is Private so it is up to us to maintain it, not the county. As far as Urban benefits seems they get far more which they never raise a finger to receive. oneshot

Interesting live on the river. Get bait after a rain. Rod and Reels last many years. Go fishing on the river couple times a week and usually plenty of fish. Killed 3 Deer with same Arrow last year and using it this year. Archery Tag cost $20, 2 Deer and 2 Turkeys. Sighted my rifle in, never shoot it other than to kill Game, Reloaded Bullet cost maybe .50. Do buy Any Deer Tag and couple Antlerless Tags Twenty some dollars. Kill Hogs and pick up Road Kill Deer given to us by MDC, no Tags needed. Have did many combination Hunt and Fish outings. Plus we eat several things most stick their nose up to. Obviously you have not been around my wife that refused to let me have more Bullets with 3 Bullets and 2 Deer Tags. Was raised by people that were very much more frugal than me. oneshot