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  • Happy Anniversary:


  •  HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
  • November - Jerry  Chervek
  • December - Thomas, Randy


  •  We have 4 new Martin houses at the lake. Club purchased two, Cotton Schaeffer and Jerry Chervek each donated one.


  • Pam Torti is still gathering recipe's for our cookbook. Please send your submissions to Pam at 6601 Old State Rd. 21, Lot 29, Barnhart, MO 63012-1028


  • PLEASE NOTE:

            For Meat Shoots, we start selling rounds at 10:30 a.m. and the first shots are at 11:00


  • Worms- $2.50 a dozen


  • Fire Wood - $4.00 a bundle 



                                Tea Lakes offers excellent fishing all year long



SHARE BY:       Bill Wakefield — August 31, 2018   


Readers of the River Hills Traveler enjoy the many opportunities the state of Missouri has to offer. There is almost an endless list of activities and opportunities that the outdoor sportsperson can indulge themselves in.


Spelunking, birdwatching, hiking, bicycle riding, ATV parks, visiting historic places along with the traditional camping, hunting and fishing adventures or just reading about these activities. All of this is topped off with a good meal, whether it be over a campfire or a restaurant in a quaint Missouri town.


The River Hills Traveler, along with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, are a few of the primary resource references that the sportsperson may use to plan an activity or as an educational tool to become more knowledgeable in their preferred sport.


Bill Wakefield

Another resource that is often overlooked is the Conservation Federation of Missouri.  Sportsmen throughout Missouri came together in 1935 to form the Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) with the purpose of taking conservation out of politics. Their initiative petition campaign resulted in the creation of the Missouri Department of Conservation, a non-political conservation agency that has been a model for other states.


The Conservation Federation of Missouri is not a branch of state government or an entity of a public agency. CFM is a private organization made up of thousands of Missourians who work together to better our natural resources, and represents Missouri’s citizen conservationists. 

The CFM receives no state or federal funding but relies on membership fees of its members and of its affiliated, Since then, the Federation has championed many successful battles to ensure Missouri continues to be the leading state in conservation policies and funding.


In 1976, CFM spearheaded the successful passage of the conservation sales tax to create stable funding for Missouri’s forests, wildlife and fish.


The CFM is the largest and most representative conservation group in Missouri. It is a citizen’s organization with over 90 affiliate organizations and thousands of members. CFM is the Missouri affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. The list of affiliate organizations contains some of the most influential and recognizable organizations associated with outdoor sportspersons and conservation activists throughout the state.


Organizations such as the Anglers of Missouri, the Audubon Society of Missouri, Missouri Bow Hunters Association, Missouri Ducks Unlimited, Missouri National Wild Turkey Federation, Missouri Smallmouth Alliance, and Quail Forever & Pheasants Forever just to name a few. 

In the next several issues of the River Hills Traveler I would like to bring to the reader’s attention some of the various affiliates of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, and their contribution to Missouri and the various activities that they offer to its members.


One of these organizations is the South Side Division Conservation Federation, which is the steward of the Tea Lake Conservation Wildlife Preserve.

Their mission is, “To ensure conservation of Missouri’s wildlife and natural resources, and preservation of our state’s rich outdoor heritage through advocacy, education and partnerships.”


Tea Lakes is a 216-acre multi-use wildlife preserve and conservation area located at 3762 State Highway T, Rosebud, Mo. The original tract of land was acquired in 1946 and has since been expanded to its current state. There are seven lakes and ponds, and the largest covers 28 acres.


Tea Lakes offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year that can challenge anyone from the occasional weekend fisherman to the fishing enthusiast.


There is a maximum size limit on all boats or canoes of 20 feet and only electric trolling motors are allowed. Members also have the option of renting boats from the caretaker’s office.


The lakes are also easily accessible, so fishing from shore is possible. There are also several fishing jetties that shore fishermen can use.


There are 20 primitive campsites on the area which can accommodate anyone from tent campers to campers with self-contained units. A seasonal shower house (weather permitting April to October) is also available near the campsites. Whether you choose to “rough it” or camp with some of the comforts of home, all the campsites have a beautiful view of the lake.


Tea Lake Wildlife Preserve has four main hiking trails of varying lengths that wander throughout the preserve. The chance that hikers could see deer, turkeys or other wildlife is excellent.

The organization holds membership meetings, publishes a newsletter, there are competitive meat shoots, raffles, drawings, a website (www.tlakes.org) and other social activities.


The South Side Division has programs which are directed toward the youth of the organization in which they can participate in hands-on projects that teach good conservation practices. 

Scout troops have used the Tea Lakes area as a place in which to practice the various scouting programs. There is an organizational fee for either a family or general membership, but the dividends are excellent.


This is an organization in which you can participate in all aspects of conservation.  A place where you can be educated and educate, promote and demonstrate all the best methods of land management through the preservation of all fish and wildlife, reforestation and game, feed and food plots as well as all conservation and restoration practices pertaining to the preservation of our natural resources.


I recommend that that you visit the South Side Division Conservation Federation of Missouri website (www.tlakes.org) and its Facebook page www.facebook.com/TeaLakes, or contact Bob Blocker at (314) 971-9950 (blocker5@sbcglobal.net) or Steve Faller at (636) 296-8063 (b_faller@sbcglobal.net) for more information.


The caretakers of Tea Lakes are Patti and Glen, and they can be reached at (573) 437-5563. Tea Lakes is open seven days a week.


(Bill Wakefield runs the Traveler’s St. Louis office and can be reached at w3@charter.net.)





ANYTHING NEW TO ADD PLEASE CONTACT Chris Jordan  (636) 524-1853 or email to cjordan5689@gmail.com