SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ENJOYS ECONOMIC `BOOM' FROM GOOSE HUNTING

Goose hunting season in Southern Illinois started slowly in late November, but has lived up to its "boom" status as the season winds down. It officially ends Sunday, and Illinois Department of Conservation officials say hunters will reach the 30,600 quota for the 1993-94 season.

Goose hunters trek to Southern Illinois -- known as the Goose Capital -- from across the nation. Dollars spent by these hunters are important not only to Southern Illinois but the entire region.

Goose hunting is big business, providing a $10 million boost to the economy during a 50-to 80-day period each year. Thousands of hunters visit the four-counties -- Alexander, Union, Williamson and Jackson -- each year, spending up to $115 a day for their three- to five-day visits. In 1992, more than 80,000 hunter days were recorded, which translated into $9.2 million. That figure does not include money spend by local hunters.

Hunters have harvested an average of 960 geese a day in the four counties during the past week, and have harvested 22,998 since the season opened Nov. 27. A year ago hunters harvested only 17,225 geese during an 80-day season, which was plagued throughout by warm weather conditions.

Thousands of geese are still wintering in the area. Officials announced their latest count Monday revealed more than a quarter-million geese -- 287,000 -- in the Southern Illinois area. With a cold weekend expected, that figure could easily top 300,000 before next Monday's count.

We're glad the season has been so successful. Many Southern Illinois businesses depend on these hunters to ensure a profitable year. We hope the weekend weather cooperates so the season can end on this upbeat note.

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees honored Narvol A. Randol Jr. with the 1994 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) last week. The honor was well deserved.

Randol has volunteered countless hours in a myriad of civic and community organizations. His efforts have aided the Boy Scouts, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, Cape Girardeau Rotary Club, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, the citizens advisory committee to the Missouri Department of Probation and Parole, and the Family Learning Center.

In short, his care for the community has helped make Cape Girardeau a better place. He follows in the service footsteps of his father -- Narvol Randol, a retired banker and community leader.

Randol was also honored as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Missourians. Another Cape Girardeau resident -- Anne Doyle -- was recognized with this state honor as well.

So many people give to this community unselfishly -- not expecting personal return. This DSA award is just one way for the Jaycees -- an organization with a reputation for community service -- to express its appreciation on behalf of us all.

Southeast Missouri State University embarks on a new Ohio Valley Conference home season this weekend with the reputation of having the league's strongest fan support. The Indians and Otahkians, both off to 0-2 starts in the OVC, will rely heavily on that support Saturday night.

The Otahkians will host Tennessee Tech at 5:15 p.m. Saturday and the Indians will face the Golden Eagles at 7:30 p.m. the same evening.

Indian coach Ron Shumate believes in order to be a contender in the conference his team must win all home games and half of the contests on the road. Strong fan support is critical in achieving such an objective.

Perhaps a full house will enable the Indians and Otahkians to record their first conference victories of the 1993-94 season. We all realized the transition to Division I would bring challenges. Fan support may be just the ticket to ease our players and coaches through some tough times.