In the September 2008 issue of

River Hills Traveler

What, exactly, is "boo-yah?" It's a term of strong approval with one of Don Herzinger's grandsons, who used it when he hooked a smallmouth on a small Ozark stream and the water exploded. Don's story of turning his grandsons on to smallmouth fishing leads our September edition, which is packed with variety — from hunting and fishing to birding, Saxon Lutheran history and Ozarks fall festival. Here's just a sampling of what the September issue offers.

There's a certain irony that the first place in the state that the destructive emerald ashborer showed up is at Greenville, but few are amused, writes Jo Schaper.

Preparation, preparation, preparation. That's the key to success in September goose hunting, writes Bill Cooper. Bill offers tips on how — and how not to — get the jump on Canadas this fall.

Traveler is trying a couple of new reader-involvement promotions. One is a Reader's Choice ballot, on which readers can list their favorite outdoor places, food and drink providers, lodging and camping spots, gear sellers and outdoor service providers. The other is a classified advertising readership feature called "Where's Trav?" Find Traveler's raccoon mascot in one of the classified ads, list it on the entry blank, mail it in and you might win a handsome Traveler logo cap.

Charlie Slovensky opines that Democracy dodged a bullet in the Supreme Court's recent decision overturning the Washington, D.C. gun ban. Charlie also explains how a meat pole at your hunting camp enhances game dressing, photography and storytelling.

Bob Todd and Dale Kipp dumped a canoe, lost their hats and broke a rod, but still enjoyed a recent Eleven Point outing. You know what they say about a bad day of fishing. In his Seasons column, Bob notes beginning of harvest tips outdoor activities toward hunting.

Birder Bob Lewis details the thrill of sighting a rare black rail in Stoddard County last May. Steve Felgenhauer writes that there are more revamped deer rifles than new models released by manufacturers in 2008, and describes his favorites.

Crossbows are controversial, but two Traveler writers say they are a good option. Bill Cooper argues that states with crossbow seasons are gaining hunters, while Tim Huffman writes that crossbows are a good option for hunters with pain or strength issues that prevent use of a regular bow.

Three of the state's four trout fisheries, Maramec Springs Park, Bennet Spring State Park and Montauk State Park, are in easy reach of Traveler Country, writes Howard Helgenberg. He describes the different personalities of each location.

Perry County gets special treatment this month. Jo Schaper explains the fascinating geology of the place — it's a giant sponge, a sinkhole plain, with unique features like Ball Mill Resurgence Schnurbush Karst Window and Tower Rocks, which graces the front cover. Emery Styron takes a look at the German settlement of the county at the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum and the Saxon Lutheran Memorial, and visits wineries and natural attractions, too.

Traveler's compilation of more than 40 fall festivals in the Ozarks contains something for every taste. We have a Japanese tea ceremony at Missouri Botanical Gardens and the Cheese Hill Mouse Races in Farmington, the Hootin' an' Hollarin' at Gainsville and the Rubber Ducky Race at Eminence. If there's nothing you like, you must be hard to please.

If porch sitting would become popular again, the only hardships resulting would be for bartenders, psychoanalysts, drug manufacturers and politicians, write Jim and Donna Featherston, who remember that porches were once places of learning, healing and friendship.

Fire from the clouds struck awe in Native Americans, some of whom believed lightning's power remained in the wood it struck, writes Kathleen Brotherton. Pat Todd tells how to freeze tomatoes and zucchinni to enjoy summer's goodness later on.

The September issue also includes travel maps for the Upper and Lower Current, Jacks Fork and Meramec and Black Rivers, Clearwater and Wappapello Lakes and the Parkland and Traveler regions.

— Emery Styron, Editor & Publisher

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