Tough HuntsJon & John, Hey guys, [name deleted]. Just wanted to let you know about my year in MAHA. This was my third season in the association and as always very educational. I did a lot of scouting this year in [locations deleted] and had a very good time. I'm learning more about the terrain & farm land deer each year. I also drew a [location deleted] and my buddy & MAHA hunting partner [name deleted] did as well. [name deleted] & I scouted & hunted together this year and I sure want to thank you for putting us together with the buddy program. This makes the second year we've hunted together and he is a great deer hunter & person.
[location deleted]
Opening weekend was a little hectic. I was hunting on a new piece that was added in 2006 and had a little trouble with trespassers. However, the matter got resolved and I was able to get a buck. He was not the one that was dominating the area, but I was happy to take him considering the circumstances. I would like to add that I hunted for 3-4 days trying to kill a doe and all the deer spotted were bucks! Not bad at all. The weather was great this year and I can't wait 'till this fall.
[location deleted] This was probably my biggest educational deer hunting experience to date. [name deleted] and I arrived the last couple of days of the [earlier season] season to set up things for the [sequential season] opening day. The weather was unseasonably warm and we endured lots of rain. Many of the local hunters had made drives on surrounding properties and the deer were really spooked. I've never seen deer run so far & so fast when bumped. After a few days of not having much luck we moved west to another unit and the deer were much calmer. I was able to shoot a doe and a buck, however we didn't really see any big boys. The weather was still warm and there were lots of doe. I know there are some big ones there because I saw the signs. It was a hard hunt but rewarding because of the knowledge gained. Those late season hunts can be tough, especially if the weather doesn't cooperate.
We always like to see the doe harvests, thank you for taking that extra effort!
As I prepare this letter my plans to scout in late March are underway. Doing this has expanded my knowledge of the land and helped with my success. I hope to see you guys in March and will keep an eye out for the quail, turkey & pheasants for you. Thanks again for another great year & hunting experience.
Respectfully, [name deleted]
Thank you for the special handwritten letter and pictures that show the tough nature of deer hunts. Good luck for spring turkey and your scouting.
5 Apr Buddy Hunt ListTo all: Shaun's computer failed and we lost the current copy of the buddy hunt list. In an attempt to include all that want to be included we ask all that were or want to be on it to email Shaun their information. Please include name, telephone number, hunting interest and if you have a dog.
4 Apr Traveling Deer HuntersJohn, Well the monkey is finally off my back. After years of passing up 120 class bucks, I decided to finally close the book on going home empty handed. Thanks to both Johns for all your help with recommendations, returned calls, updates, etc. The club is a great organization with access to some great mid-western ground. Again, thanks you for your diligence in obtaining all the property we have access to. As strictly a whitetail hunter, it is my objective each year to harvest a wall-hanger. I have been a member since 1999 and every year with the exception of one, I have had that chance (at 140 class up, get to see a boonie most years). It just seems something always happens to help toward my lack of success especially since picking up the bow. Low shots, branches, I know you've heard the stories. There are some real fine bucks still walking thanks to me. Anyway, we'll keep trying w/the bow. The pix are of [name deleted] and my bucks from [location deleted] w/rifle in 2 days hunting. Back east my best buck has been ~125 B&C in 25 years of hunting. As mentioned earlier, I pass on bucks this size every year now because I know I'll get a shot on a deer exceeding this usually in 1 week's hunt in MAHA. We do love the mid-west, and hope to continue to keep coming for life. Thanks again to everyone, [name and address deleted]
Thanks guys for your true, just how hard it is, account. We certainly appreciate and hope all pick up on that you two come from a big woods state of small deer to hunt the big open (shown in your pictures) of the central mid west for big deer. Far too many traveling hunters think they must be in 100 acre woodlots for the best deer hunting. We also like how you explain what reasonable expectations are about how easy big deer are to see and how difficult to harvest. Sometimes those that pay to hunt have unreasonable expectations of too good of success for too little effort. Good luck!
ShedsHey John, Seeing it is that time of year, I thought I would send a picture of the shed I found 2 turkey seasons ago. It was one of those sheds you just could not miss. It without the other side and spread scores 62 inches and only has 4 points. The G2 is just over 12 inches alone. Imagine if this deer is still alive and still on his way up. What a deer it would be!!! ae
Thank you for sharing a good looking shed picture. We agree that deer probably grew into a fine rack. It also gives us a chance to temper some expectations. Finding a shed every so often is just part of scouting. Coming out only looking for sheds is a waste of time. We work with those that seriously want to scout and hunt. Those that simply want to shed hunt should re-focus.
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