It all depends on how you look at it, but did March come in like a lion or a mouse?  We had rain, snow, ice, and extremely cold weather.  Things could have been worse, but by the same token, things could have been a lot better as we could have had balmy weather with normal temperatures.  I would say that March came in like a lion-hopefully it will go out like a lamb as it is supposed to. This month’s words of wisdom are in the form of a warning.  Usually I can pick out a good topic to write about but this time the warning comes because a recent Saturday started out to include the worst 30 minutes I

If you have “Cabin Fever”, you just might find a cure for it on March 14 at the Heartland Gobblers chapter of the National Wild Turkey Foundation’s annual fund-raising dinner and auction. Doors are set to open at 5pm and the dinner starts at 7.  Ticket prices are $45 for single, $60 for couple, $265 sponsor, $650 Table, and Jakes are $20. The NWTF motto is “Dedicated to Making a Difference”.  Since 1973, the NWTF and its partners have raised and spent more than $331 million to conserve 15.9 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.  In addition to wild turkeys, a multitude of species such as quail, woodcock, ruffed grouse, prairie chickens, pheasants, and white-tail deer benefit

For the love of God, I am seriously considering moving south! This is ridiculous, and it doesn’t appear to be ending, and as many of you read this we may be in the midst of another monumental snow storm, but I will be 4 hours south where you’d think it would be safe. But alas, they’re calling for freezing rain almost to New Orleans! Horrendous weather or not, I am leaving in a few days and had to get the boat ready, which was (still is) quite the task given the 10-inches of frozen snow encapsulating it. Not to be deterred, I began with a propane heater aimed at the drain hole and took a garden hoe to the top,

The fourth time was the charm for River Blount, a home schooled sixth-grader from Annapolis who won the sixth annual Three Rivers College Southeast Missouri Regional Spelling Bee held Feb. 28. Blount correctly spelled "adjudicate" in the 12th round of the regional event to earn a trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be held in Washington, D.C., May 24-29. “I studied really hard the last few weeks, just practicing and practicing,” Blount said. “I’m really excited about winning and about going to Washington.” Three Rivers began holding the Regional Spelling Bee in 2009 to provide area students with an official qualifying event for the national competition. Students in grades 1-8 travel from across Southeast Missouri to represent

JEFFERSON CITY—State Sen. Doug Libla, R-Poplar Bluff, is urging citizens to participate in the Missouri Department of Conservation’s public comment period in regards to possible changes to the 2016-2017 deer hunting season. Throughout the summer of 2014, the Department of Conservation gathered nearly 4,000 comments through public input on the deer management plan and proposed regulation changes using quantitative scientific surveys of deer hunters, numerous open houses were conducted around the state, and developed a dedicated web page. As a result of public input consistent with biological consideration, seven recommendations for regulation changes have been drafted. From February through April 2015, the department will collect public comments regarding those proposed changes online and through additional open houses. Recommendations include: Maintaining

Well folks, February has her icy cold fingers wrapped tightly around the throat of the Heartland, and as adept as I've become with my snow shovel, I still can’t seem to get her to let go. This is when an outdoor writer has to strap on his literary snow boots and earn those big checks, which aren't actually over-sized, but just appear that way in comparison to the tiny numbers written on them. With the 9-inches of snow still in my yard and the wind chill nearing absolute zero, I can only fantasize about warmer climates and future plans. I have a trip coming up in a few weeks, and I’d like to invite any of the crappie fishing/boat owning