January 2010 Udates page 10
28 January
Weather continues to be the top topic for hunters of all disciplines. With many Association hunters traveling in from out-of-state having only the national news emphasizing the negative aspects leaves many to believe that wildlife has been adversely affected. That is not a true characterization.
The picture below is from the SW Iowa, NW Missouri, NE Kansas region that received the most ground accumulation and wind driven snowfall of our three state region for the entire winter to date. Other MAHA regions to the west and south received far less while the upper reaches of MAHA's Iowa lands received more. These pictures are weighted towards the region with the most adverse winter weather.
As seen January 27, 2010. What is shown is a rural road drifted in while the melt-down that started in early January cleared the fields of snow. This is the result of our number one central mid-west weather effect of wind. The road drifted in due to the road edge tree line and depressed nature of the road surface capturing the wind driven snow blown in from the fields. The effect was many Association farms went unhunted in November with the mid month mostly in NC Kansas snow storm. The wider coverage December two snowfalls and then the strongest of the winter's storms in January closing many roads that are call minimum maintenance roads or those that are not plowed free of snow.
The majority of the country side appears as such, also on January 27, 2010.
The near ground weed area pressed down by weather, far ground grain field exposed.
Plenty of waste grain is available for wildlife feed to include the least to survive weather effects of soybean, high in protein as compared to milo, preferred and corn, high in energy fat development.
All are from January 27, 2010.
This presentation is not intended to diminish the effects of this winter's weather. This winter was as most of the Association hunter feedback said the worst in terms of lost hunting days they have had in memory. The intent is to present that in spite of the hunter adverse weather that wildlife survival does not appear to have been any more negatively affected this winter than any other. This assessment is largely based on that food availability was wide spread and existent throughout the season with interspersed periods of unavailability that were of short or survivable periods unlike that of the northern plains states that have sustained winter long snow ground coverage.
29 January
...I would love to come back down. I know my yellow lab would too...
This is my second year and I have made 4 trips...from my home in northern Wisconsin. I have hunted dozens of units and have put on many boots-on-the-ground miles as well as road miles. Last year I struggled to find birds but I did find a few spots that produced. This year I have found a couple more good spots. My dog, Biscuit, and I have worked hard and the results have been rewarding and very satisfying. Its never easy, but being able to hunt ground without competition - just my dog and me - is a real joy. I took the attached photo using the self-timer on my camera which was set on the hood of my car. Not every day results in a limit, so when it does it's pretty special and deserving of a photo....
Bob
Thank you Bob not just for the picture but for the true assessment how hard hunting can be.
The Other Side
For those active in various hunter rights groups we have had a period of relative calm. Perhaps a sensing of what is going on in Washington that calm is now changing. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance continues to be the leading pro hunter, pro dog owner organization surpassing any effort by any other hunter organization to include the more well known groups. Here is the latest the USSA is attempting to get hunters to react to.
First Animal Rights State Caucus Formed
Recent news from California shows how animal rights supporters are continuing to gain influence over elected officials. Several state legislators recently joined forces to create the first state based "Creature Caucuses." These groups are meant to bring animal rights minded policymakers together in order to push legislation pleasing to groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and PETA.Illinois Tethering Bill Guarantees Problems for Dog Owners
An anti-tethering bill in Illinois creates severe restrictions for sporting dog owners. All sportsmen and sportswomen are needed to help stop this misguided bill.Proposed Missouri Amendment Would Protect Hunting Rights
A new legislative proposal in Missouri begins the process of amending the state constitution to make it more difficult for the animal rights groups to attack hunting, fishing, and trapping at the ballot box.
30 January
Stands & Blinds
MAHA Conditions of Membership state: 21. b. All tree steps and stands must be removed by the end of (deer) hunting season.
That includes blinds as well.
This one is as found January 29th.
