29 Apr Double Turkey
26 Apr Deer
Greg
Thanks Greg for the great story of what would be a great hunt for anyone!
25 Apr Turkey
Thank you Jason for what we agree is a unique picture and one more piece to the puzzle.
23 Apr Fishing
Thank you Matt for a balanced and fair assessment of the good and bad. 20 Apr
Upland Birds"...I can honestly say that the opportunity that Mid America has provided has been worth the money. With a new family it’s hard to get away and really put in the time needed to find good hunting spots and work the dogs!" Read some more of this hunter's account Thanks Mark and family for a good assessment and picture.
18 Apr Safety |
Cost | One time setup Fee | Annual dues | Tax | Total first year only cost. | Every Year Thereafter +tax |
Individual | 500 | 900 | 104.65 | 1,504.65 | 900 |
Individual + Spouse | 550 | 1,350 | 142.03 | 2,042.03 | 1,350 |
Individual + 1 Child Dependent | 600 | 1,100 | 127.08 | 1,827.08 | 1,100 |
Individual + 2 Child Dependents | 650 | 1,300 | 145.76 | 2,095.76 | 1,300 |
Individual + 3 Child Dependents | 700 | 1,500 | 164.45 | 2,364.45 | 1,500 |
Spouse addition to any of the child dependent level add | 50 | 450 | 37.38 | 537.38 |
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We have this issue as the number one landowner concern and this time ATV's worked to our advantage as we picked up a good lease previously held by an outfitter that offended the landowner with running ATVs "...all over the farm..." Just some feedback to the members.
7 Apr
Here is a break from turkey hunting information.
We do everything in our power, provided mother nature cooperates, to provide quality habitat for our waterfowl hunters. It's a 12 month project that needs to be delicately monitored.
A combination of late season mallard, pintail and gadwall flushing from one our wetlands.
Have a look at some more live duck pictures.
An anonymous email asks why was the name blacked out on the Sonja and Bernie letter posted in the 6 April update? We typically do not respond in any manner to anonymous emails believing them to simply be rude. However, we have had this question before so we thought we would give feedback to all on this question. The names as well as address, telephone numbers and city of origin have been deleted from all letters as in the early days of this website they were posted and we found those members being targeted by some aggressive salesmen. Some of those same members would send us the sales material they received and we were surprised by first the range of variety and then how desperate some hunt providers must be for clients. While there are a good many hunt providers out there that have long track records of satisfied hunters the ones that seemed to be the most aggressive at advertising their services through tracking down our members were known locally for their reputation that was not good.
I thought you and the other members would be interested in the attached link. If you are like me, not only do you look forward to the MAHA Updates, you also wear out the Outdoor Channel in the off season. Ted Nugent's show recommended that if you use Time Warner Cable for keeping you intrigued during the off season, you might want to make some noise to insure the Outdoor Channel is still a regular part of your home programming, without interruption or extra charge….. (if you use Time Warner Cable).
Best regards, Charlie G., MAHA Member since 1999
Thanks Charlie, every bit counts.
6 Apr
This is the time of year when spring turkey seems to overrun the updates and much to the disappointment of the non-turkey hunting member. And, each new story adds one more bit to the overall picture as does this one sent in by a traveling pair of turkey hunters, a husband and wife team. They do not so much tell of their turkey hunt as what is described is the higher value attained. Have a read.
Thank you Sonja and Bernie for a very well written sentiment on what is important.
5 Apr
| Scenes from this week's land run. |
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Spring turkey season should be one of the safest hunts of all, since the hunter is only allowed to harvest a turkey with a visible beard. Most would agree to see a turkey that clearly would identify the shot target as a turkey and nothing else. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as each spring turkey season accidents do occur and mistaken for game incidents are the primary cause of turkey hunting accidents. Each year many sources publish spring turkey hunting safety tips. The best source we have found is the IHEA website that provides a by state breakdown and hunting discipline with short incident reports telling the circumstances of the accident. Reading those incident reports is certainly more impacting than reading lists of tips. They have reports covering 672 nonfatal and 72 fatal hunting accidents making it the most wide ranging database of hunting safety issues to be found. In short the IHEA is a quality organization every hunter should review. With youth season coming fast having a read of some of these summaries may be the best safety reminder of all.
Same birds as above. The tom seemed to strut as much for us as the hens. |
For those that do enjoy lists of tips here are some to consider.
"...Vermont’s hunter education coordinator Eric Nuse says remembering the following safety tips will help prevent accidents during the turkey season.
Turkey hunting is an exciting sport that has its own unique safety considerations:
· Never shoot until you clearly see the beard. No beard -- no shot!
· Never attempt to sneak up on a turkey. It doesn't work and it is dangerous.
· Successful turkey hunters sit and call.
· Never wear or carry turkey colors -- red, white, blue or black.
· Call with a large tree or rock at your back.
· If you see another hunter -- don't move! Speak up in a loud, clear voice to identify yourself. Never wave, whistle or make any turkey or animal sound.
· If you use a decoy don't set it broadside to you, and if possible set it with an obstacle between it and you. If someone attempts to shoot your decoy you want to be out of the line of fire.
· Always carry decoys or a harvested bird in a camo or orange bag.
· If you wear camo, be sure to cover your face and hands completely.
· Be sure of your target … and beyond!
1. Identify your target. Be absolutely certain it's a legal turkey before pulling the trigger. Be sure the shot path to the bird and beyond is safe. You can never take a shot back.
2. Never stalk a turkey or turkey sound. Movement or sounds you think are a turkey might be another hunter. Be patient. Let the bird come to you. Enjoy the sport!
3. Assume every noise and movement is another hunter. If there is any doubt whatsoever -- don't shoot.
4. Protect your back. Select a large tree, rock or other substantial natural barrier while calling.
5. Shout to alert approaching hunters. Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert hunters of your position. Movement attracts attention that might lead to a mistaken for game incident.
6. Eliminate red, white and blue from your clothing. These colors are found on the head and neck of mature gobblers.
7. Hunt defensively and be on the alert for those who don't.
1 Apr
Scouting plays a key role to the success of our hunters. Some of our most successful spring turkey hunters spend as much time scouting as they do hunting, to determine the patterns of the birds before they enter the field. This picture was taken on March 31, a good illustration of green up (winter wheat) and flock behavior.
To make hunting leases work they must work for all parties involved. If they do then we retain the best for years to come.
On occasion, we talk or visit with a landowner and he or she might request a small adjustment to the lease, which is usually relayed to the hunters as a "special regulation" on the map.
It's very important to comply with these guidelines to maintain a positive relationship with the landowners. Before you hunt or scout, it's a good idea to proof your printed map with the one on the map website for any changes. If the map was recently changed, the date of the change is under the updated column on the front page of the map website.
Driving through fields is not allowed on the majority of our leases and camping is restricted on many. We have to emphasize these points on a couple of maps with a special regulation clause because it is a make or break issue with the lease. Don't assume if only a handful of maps restrict driving through fields and camping, it is permissible with the rest of the maps. Vehicles beyond the gates to the property have caused trouble in the past.
Ponds are sometimes good fishing through unknown previous means. In many cases ponds take some management. Management is not particularly hard work, just time consuming. In this case we are relocating some Crappie to give balance to Flathead minnow heavy pond. The pond in this case had been used to grow for sale bait minnows. In two to three years this will be a good fishing spot.
John, Steve and I filled out our NE. tags same morning. Could you ID the type of birds these are for me please. I think mine is a cross ( on the right ) and Steve's is an Eastern ? Thanks
Even though the weather was quite warm I had a good hunt. Seen a lot of bucks. At 7:00AM one morning I rattled in 5 bucks to within 30 yards. No shooters. I killed this buck on the 8th day after missing a 160 class ten pointer 30 min. earlier. My hunting partner Matt [last name deleted] video taped the whole thing. He had killed a 160 inch buck a couple of days earlier. Can't wait 'till next season. Thanks for a great club.
"...A picture I have not yet seen on the website. This is a spot where the turkeys were dusting. From the tracks in the dirt of when it was muddy to this day's fresh dry dusting shows this one spot to be a favorite for this flock... had we not finished at first light this may have been a good afternoon spot..."
"... It is so great when the student surpasses the teacher in ability...my 11-year old was catching three to every one of mine..."
First ever Spring Turkey - Spring 2005. Thanks, Gerald.
im, a 13 year local member with a trophy buck from the 05 season. Thanks for sharing a photo with us. Hopefully, next season you'll have that non-typical to add to your collection. 
"...a great fall! Spent some quality time with my son..."
A member recommends all that spring turkey hunt come prepared as the chiggers and ticks have done well this spring.
"...he is able to handle a junior 20 ga. pretty easily. He downed his first 2 pheasants..."
"...anytime a young man gets to bring home a bird, even a jake, it is a great time for both father and son..."
