April 2008 Updates page 18
28 April
Father & Daughter
Hi, I’m Kristi, Bob Dillman’s daughter. I’m 20 years old, and my dad became a member of MAHA long before I was born. I have loved the outdoors for as long back as I can remember. My dad let me go fishing with him as soon as I could hold a fishing pole and keep an eye on a bobber. One of my favorite memories was when I caught my first “big fish.” When I was a few years older I went hunting with him for the first time. Now I’ve got my license and bug him to go every time I come home from college. My dad has taught me everything I know about hunting, and I am so thankful that he introduced me to the sport.
Every hunt we go on is so much fun. It doesn’t matter if we shoot the limit or don’t see a bird all day; it’s still a great time just being outdoors and with him. There is nothing more beautiful than being out in the middle of nature and watching the sun rise, and I have seen so many interesting animals that few people have had the chance to see outside of a zoo. The best part about hunting and fishing is that the whole family can be involved, and it’s never too late to start. I’m so thankful that my dad let me get involved when I was young because it has been such a great part of my life.
29 April
Land
A sample representing some of the land that we have recently contracted and have in process to lease. Not the best or the worst in terms of habitat just an average example of that land's quality.
Last year's crop above. Milo on the high ground out of the picture and beans on the low ground shown. Deer trails show shortcuts between the creeks bottom points. Good showing of turkey tracks on both ends of this piece and several crowing pheasants. Not one Bobwhite whistle heard.
This year's winter wheat on this efficiently clean tilled tract.
The wet drainage was dry boot crossable in some spots, too wide, much mud and deep to cross over most of it (this was a wet spring for this area). Plenty of internal trails and tree stand trees. Between the trail pattern and wood lot composition even as wide open as the crop fields are this tract has good bow hunt potential. The next time this farm has milo the soft working dog pheasant hunters should find it a spot to hunt.
MAHA land inventory sees occasional large acquisitions when we contract from large landholders and smaller additions/deletions representing smaller acreage holders. It is a slow process that occurs throughout the year largely unnoticed until heading out to those localities as most land is held on long leases. Posting these pictures is not intended to highlight this one piece as especially good for any particular reason. It should remind all to double check the update date on the map index to insure no one is missing out on any opportunities.
Rare Win
Meijer cuts short contest raising money for Humane Society
"Meijer Inc. has cut short an online pet photo contest that was raising money for the Humane Society of the United States. The Grand Rapids Press reports the retailer stopped the contest Monday after the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance complained the Humane Society is anti-hunting."
The Associated Press, 4/28/2008, Grand Rapids, MI.
Objectivity
"...Since 1998 PETA has killed more than 17,000 animals, nearly 85 percent of all those it has rescued...'With the resources at their disposal, PETA and the Humane Society of the U.S. could become no-kill in no time,' Winograd says. 'Instead they have become leading killers of cats and dogs, and the animal-loving public unwittingly foots the bill through taxes and donations."
Animal Rights, PETA and Euthanasia, Even among animal lovers, killing unwanted pets is a divisive issue, by Jeneen Interlandi, Newsweek, Apr 28, 2008.
