November 2003

26 Nov

Congratulations to Matt Rebeck (left) for adding another wallhanger to his archery collection.

We'd like to thank Matt in a big way for volunteering his services to help convert the maps from paper to CD.

Some of the older members seem to oppose changes and would like to see the club operate like it did 20 years ago, but in a competitive market place, intelligent changes are the key to long term survival.

Brennan Klassen (right) is now two for two with a balanced rack that will make a fine wallhanger.

Thanks to Matt and Brennan for sharing with us two very fine deer. We certainly appreciate the time you take to send in your photos, and do so about 800 to 1,100 others every day that view this website.
 

25 Nov

Via email: “I got this deer today with my father. It was my first 10 pointer. We started hunting at 6 am and finished at 4:30 pm. It was a very long hunt. I didn't think we would get one, but I stuck with it to the end. Sincerely, Jon Jr.”

Great dads make great children.

24 Nov

Keith Miller traveling from Pennsylvania sent in this update: "...5 day hunt...5 mule deer bucks, 4 whitetail bucks, and 14 other deer...."  Thanks for the great photograph with the stunning background!

23 Nov

Todd Yohe brought in another picture of his trophy whitetail we originally featured on 19 November. Such a great deer deserves another look. Thanks Todd, this picture shows a large body to go with that great rack.

We have received a number of upland bird reports and a few pictures. This one is from Steve Scholtz that reports: "Tons of both pheasant and quail...", and reflects the general opinion of most of the last several weeks.

However, we occasionally have a hunter that tells us he has had trouble locating birds. The analysis on this seems to get out of the area where no birds are found and try another. This may seem obvious, but do not be too quick to judge an area until both dog and hunter have tried all the habitat variety in that land unit.

Thanks Steve for the picture, it is always good to get all feedback.

22 Nov

John, Hope everything finds you well and prosperous. Galen and I wanted you to share in the joy of our kids’ first deer. Lauren is 12 and George is 9. George got his deer during the youth hunt. Lauren got her deer on Monday. They couldn’t be prouder and neither could we. Best, Marti Sharp
Great pictures, smiles and expressions and great deer for some so young. Congratulations to Lauren and George!

Read what patients, good luck, and simple awareness of our surroundings can pay off with a buck and doe from the same stand within minutes and passing on other deer. Thank you Andrew with your now two year accounting of what kind of deer hunting you have experienced with your Association. We are sure you will continue this success string.

Doug Baker accounts for what had to be one very exciting hunt after a day long of experiencing the big nothing of standing for deer. Doug shows that patients for that golden minute pays off. Thank you Doug as your special account of grunting use and results gives all one more bit of insight into buck behavior.

Take a look at Gary Moore to see what deer hunting potential really is! Thank you Gary for the great picture and all we can say is, wow, and perhaps we are a bit envious!

One of your MAHA staffers' dog with birds from a first year lease being surveyed during the hunting season as part of the quality control effort.
From Harry Oreinsteen a long time upland bird hunter: "I am particularly proud of this photograph as it represents the field, the day, the hunt when my first season bird dog first out produced his 10 year veteran brace mate. Thanks MAHA and staff for all the great land you have for us"

Those out there that are true bird dog hunters readily understand the value of what Harry says and those that don't we would rather not deal with.

20 Nov

Shawn Pingleton sent in some great pictures from this past summer's fishing trips.

Shawn is also a very consistent hunter showing great success at turkey and waterfowl hunting as well. His daughter is following right along in his shoes with Kelsey harvesting turkey and racked bucks with her dad. His luck continues as he has a wife that shares his adventures and is also featured on their fishing page.

Thank you Shawn for being generous and showing others what is possible.

via email: "Jon, here is the end result of my recent bow hunt. Thanks for getting quality land to hunt. Billy Kindrick"

Billy's hunting partner, Buck Harris, shot this very well composed photo. 

Thank you Billy and Buck for taking the time to set up a great picture and sharing such a fine deer with all of us. You certainly have earned one great wallhanger.

19 Nov

Ten year member Todd was kind enough to stop by the office and share a photo of his once in a lifetime Missouri buck. He roughly scored it at 215. It's definitely one that will rank in the upper end of the Missouri Big Buck's Club. Congratulations Todd. All of your hard work scouting and hunting over the years really paid off.

Changes in our hunting lease acreage from last season,2002-2003, to this season, 2003-2004, includes an overall increase of 5,000+ acres. Kansas increased from 116,000 to 126,000 for a 10,000 acre gain. Iowa rose from 14,000 to 19,000 for a 5,000 acre increase. Missouri dropped from last year's 96,000 to this year's 85,000 acres for a decease of 11,000 acres.

This acreage shift reflects the changing profile of member hunting interest, state of choice and an increase in the number of non-residents that comprise the overall membership of the 838 current members. Of these 838 hunters, over 50 are inactive and over 300 come to us from 34 other states besides Iowa, Kansas or Missouri. The net result has been fewer days in the field overall for all members while the number of hunting days by hunting interest in Kansas and Iowa increased. And, after several years of declining hunter use of the Missouri acreage the overall acreage in that state was reduced.

The acreage increase/decrease numbers above do not reflect all acreage we dropped or added, just the net difference from last to this season. Additional acreage was essentially swapped out in our continuing improvement effort. In every case of land being dropped from inventory it was replaced with higher quality habitat. Hunting leases were deleted due to farm improvements by bulldozing wildlife areas, landowner failure to comply to contract requirements, land sales where we chose not to continue the contract and land we surveyed as simply not being productive. We did lose some acreage due to competitive bidding where others were willing to pay more for small acreages than we would consider reasonable.

18 Nov

T.J. Bass Jr., and Senior both harvest bucks from the same ground blind, the same day within 20 minutes of each other. What better memories for father and dad? T.J.'s is the larger of the two.

An Iowa lodging option different than motels is available in Bedford, IA.  Just 7 miles north of Missouri. D&P Rentals Sleeps 4+ with kitchen. Day, weekend, week. Bedford, IA 50833 402-752-3412

16 Nov

A new lodging option for those hunting the Linn County Missouri area is "The Farm House".

The Farm House

Bed and Breakfast

660-895-5304

12 Miles north of Brookfield, Missouri

For 2 to 12 guests, country living with fishing pond.

Pet accommodations outside.

Contact Elizabeth Hershberger, 22240 Hill Road, Linneus, Missouri 64653

15 Nov

Two deer bow hunting buddies hunting the same property the same day harvest two bucks. How can it get any better?

Our youth hunters continue to do well through all seasons. For any that have not reviewed our youth hunting page the wealth of pictures of many fine young people will not only slow down the page opening time of even the fastest internet connection they may also make a few adults envious of their success.

14 Nov

From the past youth duck hunting season two up and coming hunters show what can be done when only given the opportunity to hunt the right kind of habitat. Better to develop friendships in the field than the street.

13 Nov

Matt Estes with his first buck. Congratulations Matt, a great start on your deer hunting career!

Al Stahl (right) says he's something over 60 ducks for the season to date and has some bonus roosters.

Mark Ortinau (left) is one of the Association's most consistent producing duck hunters. He sends via email: "Jon, We opened the middle zone of the duck season with a great hunt. Sam and I had 17 ducks in two days of hunting. There were 11 gadwall, 3 widgeon, 1 mallard and 2 ringnecks. It was a great trip. Thanks for all you guys do. It is because of your efforts that we have such great hunting properties. Mark"

12 Nov

Delete from the Republic Co. Unit A page 1 map Section 17, one mile south of Cuba and Section 12, one mile south and one mile east of Belleville.

John….I don’t know how everyone else’s experience was opening weekend, but I would very comfortable say that the birds are way up. I have not seen that many pheasants and quail in at least five years. We went out and took a RIO Grande the day before opening. I attached a couple of pics of Jasper, another member. Thanks, Andrew

Kevin with this year's bow harvest. Scored by two at 140 and 141 before deductions. A very large bodied deer.

Deer hunters be careful about placing out tower and ground blinds as plywood and 2x4 stands of any kind are not permitted. We are in the process of removing one that a hunter drove through the field to place.

All, be prepared when calling in with your reservations as to the date, state, unit and property numbers you want to reserve. Calling in and stating ambiguous descriptions such as the: "...320 south of Greeley..." are not honored. We have a time tested proven system that is accurate and we will use it.

7 Nov

We have some reports from our NW Kansas properties that the bird population is strong and worth hunting in-spite of the earlier "official" reports of pheasants numbers being down due to lack of cover resulting from the poor summer rains. These reports come from impartial, non-hunting landowners and one of our local to that area members that patrols that ground year round. So far hunting reservations for that area have been very light.

5 Nov

Those hunting Kiowa County this year we have a new addition to our lodging listing with the cabin below.

Galen Nichols' Rustic Cabin, 12 miles south of Greensburg. Gas cook stove, bring your own sleeping bags, out house, interior propane lighting, interior hand water pump. A quite getaway.

A second cabin on the edge of Greensburg, 2 single beds (bring linen or sleeping bag) , a couch for a third person, wood burning stove plus a gas heater, electric lighting, hot and cold water, full bath, no cooking. Surrounded by trees and very quiet. Call 620-723-2878

In Republic County the Wheatland Hunting Lodge is also new this year.

Wheatland Hunting Lodge
Four bedroom brick house with 1300 square feet, fully furnished with stove, refrigerator, microwave, washer, dryer, central heat and air conditioner.

785-732-6498 Agenda Kansas

From the late season last year Gerald Clark sends a timely reminder that the Association hunters have always been conservation minded and understand the need for a good doe harvest. While we do not require our hunters to harvest a doe we certainly appreciate those that do. We also list on the lodging listing the meat lockers in each county where we lease land that participate in the hunters for the hungry program. In any case the lack of a wallhanger is no reason not to have venison in the freezer.