Januray 2009 Updates page 7
14 January
Traveling Hunters
Mid America staff.
Dec 12, 2008 [we are running a bit behind at getting updates posted],
From: Rex, Deb, Austin and Dan.
I wanted to drop you a line summarizing our hunting trips for the fall season.
My wife and I started in Kansas with the early muzzle loader deer season. This was my wife's first season in Kansas, and muzzle loader hunting. We hunted together (side by side), for the first few days for her to gain some experience and to be able to judge a buck in the field. We then split up on the same property and that must have been what it took, because when I left her, she started to see a lot of deer, she claimed I was a jinx.
On the second evening on her own, a group of several does and a nice buck emerged from the timbered draw heading towards the evening dinner table. She saw a nice buck appear with the group right at dark, she said it looked like it had a drop tine, so she steadied her gun and took the 130 yd shot. The smoke flew and no deer was in sight, so right away she came over to get me to go look for the deer.
As we came upon the area where we thought the deer was, I saw it and the so-called drop tine, the drop tine was a glob of tangled bindertwine on one of the beams. None the less the buck was a nice 9 pt, she was so excited, and quickly claimed a spot in our trophy room for where her deer was going to be displayed. I cut the twine off,( I wish I hadn't), and took some pics and put the buck on the cart and headed for the truck.
I ended up passing on countless bucks on several properties in the area, however one buck almost made me pull the trigger. It was a half rack ten point that was featured on the updates page earlier this fall. If it were a full rack it would have been a boone and crocket class buck, so I went home with my tag in hopes to see a big one in the later firearm season.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that after Debbie got her buck, she decided to try to get a turkey. I need to bring her along more often, because on our first morning turkey hunting, we set up and on flydown a nice trophy in the form of a bearded hen presented us with a shot and that was over. She said she thinks this hunting thing is easy, I told her people hunt for years and never get a chance at a bearded hen, I tried to claim her success was due to having a quality guide, and she quickly dismissed that notion!!
Our next trip would be to Missouri for a week of bow hunting during the first week of Nov. My brother and son joined us this trip and they had a blast as well. Between the four of us we harvested two pope and young bucks and one doe, with several close calls on turkeys. My brother Dan scored on his best buck in the club with an arrow on his last morning, and I took a mature buck as well. My son Austin passed on several pope and young bucks waiting for a 'Missouri giant', and as it ended he took home only a mature doe. Dan's deer was a long tined 8 pt, and mine was a heavy, main frame 8 with split brow and 3 other stickers at the base of his right beam making him a 12 pt. My wife ended not getting a chance on a mature buck.
Our last excursion was back to Kansas to try to fill my muzzleloader tag. I managed to reserve the section where I had seen the half rack giant, in hopes of seeing if he made it through the bow season. As it turns out, I did not see him, however, I did see 4 other shooter bucks. The largest one of the 4 I did not get a shot at, but on the 4th day of my hunt, this respectful 9pt showed himself with a group of several does right at dark and my hunt was over. I put a tape on him right at 135.
So in closing, our family had a great year. Counting spring turkey, we took 4 turkeys, 4 trophy bucks, 1 doe, and a coyote. The club has been a big part of our outdoor life every since we joined 6 years ago. I think it is a great value, as I don't have access to quality hunting land in my area back home. I have also met a couple of members this year that have been a pleasure to share info and stories with. May everyone's adventures be successful and to all have a merry holiday season.
The Amstutz's
Thank you to all the Amstutzs for a great season accounting. Congratulations!
Missouri Spring Turkey
"The length and timing of spring and fall turkey seasons are the same this year..2009 turkey hunting seasons:Spring youth season: April 4 and 5. Spring season: April 20 through May 10. Fall firearms season: Oct. 1 through 31..."
Jim Low, MDC.
