July 20-25 2006 Hunting Updates

25 July

Traveling

We have our standard group of new members this year with most from out-of-state planning their first trip. A recurring question references camping and campers. We offer this that others have told us worked for them.

The first idea is to call the local motels in the area to hunt (see MAHA Yellow Pages upper right of this page, includes known camp grounds). It may be more cost effective to stay at the local motel than haul a large trailer or drive a self-contained RV.

The ones that camp the most do so sleeping in their truck in ether a slip in camper or just inside the bed shell. The next most common camper is one of the lightweight pop ups. The least recurring camper is one with the larger trailers or self-contained RV's. This latter group more frequently than not does not make a second trip with the larger campers.

Road access during wet periods is a problem for all campers to include the pickup truck slide in type.

Always reserve a campground spot before traveling out. Sounds like common sense until recognizing the conditions. Those conditions that have bitten folks include that most times of the year the campgrounds have space on demand availability, except for occasions such as opening weekend of pheasant and deer season. A deer hunter traveling out will frequently not think to check for upland bird opening dates.

And, as always. Not all MAHA leases are available for camping. No camping on any farm with any kind of building. No camping on prime deer and turkey leases to limit pressure. All campers require a second reservation in addition to the hunting reservation and we will not guarantee anyone to be able to camp on the property they are hunting. Most agree these are good regulations as we exist for quality hunts and camping puts pressure on the land.

24 July

Deer

Jon and John,

Thanks for another great year. Drew a tag for [location deleted] last year and didn't want to waste any hunting time so I drove all the way from southern jersey (we don't consider ourselves from NJ!) to do some scouting in September. Spent five days walking farms that were recommended to me. Must say that it was well worth it. Couldn't imagine the differences between farms. Found one farm with the sign I wanted and spent most of my time trying to find a way into the best areas that wouldn't spook the deer.

Drove back out in December and spent several freezing days from sunrise to sunset on stand but, passed up more deer than I ever thought possible; wish I hadn't forgot the camcorder at home! Shot an awesome ten point with two drop tines over six inches.

Can't wait for another season. This year I hope my preference points pay off with a [location deleted] hunt; saving all my vacation time in hopes of spending at least two weeks looking for a monster muley with my muzzleloader.

Thanks for the advice, Ellis.

Thank you Ellis for the picture and hunting account especially the part about hunting where you scouted.

Waterfowl

A late spring photo of paired blue wing teal (more outside of the picture frame) taking advantage of a water hole that was created after a well needed NC KS big rain.

While some of the central and much of the southern mid-west is officially in a drought the dry spring allowed for a good spring hatch of ground nesting birds. The summer rains are behind averages with effects such as foraged crops at about 70% tonnage per cutting compared to last year and some corn being cut to silage. With all that said the summer cover and bug population is just fine and the concern for the coming fall will be water levels for all wetlands.

Feedback on Feedback

A member suggested what has been suggested before that we take all the various lessons and tidbits the traveling hunter has offered in the letters and emails received/posted and consolidate them into a single "how to" reference for those coming out our way to hunt. We think that is a great idea and one more on the list that we will never get to. If someone out there would like to write such a reference we will post it to the appropriate section of the website. Good luck!

20 July

Traveling Hunting Buddies

Jon and John,

I just wanted to send you a note about my 2006 turkey hunt.

I was able to recruit a couple of new members from down here on the La. gulf coast, and I don't think that they're were disappointed. In 2 1/2 days were able to fill all 6 tags. Not to mention the 4 misses.

For the most part we hunted as a threesome, and enjoyed every minute of it. The weather was great, a little windy at times but, clear blue skies and nice temps.

The highlight of the trip was the last morning when we were down to just Brandon's last tag. This was his first turkey hunting trip and he had already taken one by gun, so he wanted to bring his bow along. When the gobbling started early that morning, I thought maybe somehow we had woken up in Texas. We did our best to estimate the number of birds we where hearing. It was a clear, calm and cool morning and we could hear birds all around us. We conservatively estimated that we were hearing about 20 gobblers. After a couple of almost, we managed to get 2 long beards in the decoys at 10 yrds. Brandon did his thing with his bow while Alex had the camera rolling and I just called, watched and smiled. After a lengthy recovery every one was smiling.

I think my partners are now hooked on the mid-west. We are all eagerly awaiting whitetail bow season.

I have included a few pictures from our exciting trip.

Thanks for all that you do,

Sincerely,

Jacob

Alex

Brandon & Alex

Jacob

Thanks for the excellent picture of the set up.