Show Me the Ozarks September 2022

up through the soil. The two little trees grew closer together until they eventually became one. Through research on my computer, I found out what it was like in this part of America 200 years ago when the giant old oak started its life. I wondered what that tree could have told me about what it had seen and heard. The tree was here when the Osage Indians lived where our home now sits. It was still a young tree when the white settlers came to the land of the Osage. They built cabins and fences out of the trees and cut them down for firewood. It must not have been big enough to use during that time, and it continued to grow. When we bought the land over 50 years ago, we wanted our house close to the old tree. We didn’t have many neighbors back then. I hunted deer and turkey in the surrounding woods and hunted rabbits in the fields with my sons. I searched for morel mushrooms in the woods. My boys and I caught fish in the pond up the road. It was quieter then. Now we hear lawnmowers running, dogs barking and kids playing. Today, no matter which direction we look, there are houses. The road out front can get busy at times. There is no more hunting or fishing around our place. Life here has changed again. All that time, the giant old oak tree was there for the Osage, the settlers, the farmers and us. It was part of their life and part of ours. It was there as our kids and grandkids grew into adults. It was there as my wife and I grew old together. Just like the tree, someday we will be gone, too. I sometimes go out to where the tree once stood. One day when I was there, something caught my eye. There, nourished by the decomposing leaves that fell from the giant old oak tree creating fertile soil for them to grow, were two oak seedlings growing close together. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” - Nelson Henderson OLD BOONE’S FISHING TIP September is often the time of year baitfish transition from deep to shallow water and bass often follow. So should you. KNOCK ON DOORS Do you not have your own land to hunt? Can you not afford to pay for a high-priced lease? You do not want to hunt on public land? It’s time to go knock on doors. Before you do, go to your local school and talk to the school bus drivers. Go to your local post office as well as UPS and FedEx offices and talk to delivery drivers. These people are out and about every day doing their job and can tell you where they see deer. Once you have identified areas with lots of deer, contact your local DNR or conservation department office and see if there have been any complaints by crop farmers of deer damage in these areas. If there were, knock on doors and politely ask if they would allow you to hunt their property to help control the deer population causing their damage. If they agree, don’t do anything to mess it up, and you will have a deer hunting paradise for years to come.

Lauren Gilbreth Senior Marketing Specialist / Promotions

AMIRadioGroup.com

417-691-0688 lauren@amiradiogroup.com

Born and raised in this community, I have a heart to see businesses grow in and around my hometown. With a degree in Marketing from MSSU, I have 15 years of experience in Branding, Marketing, Sales & Social Media content. Helping my customers with creative campaigns that set them apart from their competitors and seeing consistent results is what drives me. When working with my clients, I become a partner, a goal setter, and most importantly, another member of your team. Building and maintaining your trust is very important to me, and I know how that can correlate back to your business. I thrive on growth and success and would love the opportunity to help you with yours.

September 2022 • www.showmetheozarks.com • 95 AMIRadioGroup.com