October 2007 Updates page 5
20 October
Archery Success
From a long time traveling archery hunter showing his latest success. This hunter we have had yearly discussions and feedback with and he has graciously been part of the reference list for a good couple of years. He is one of those hunters that left us with a bit of wisdom that has stuck with us from that one incidental conversation long ago. That wisdom he expressed to a potential applicant was answering the question about if our hunts were good. This hunter's response was how can hunting be bad, its hunting, it is better than most other of what we do.
Congratulations on the buck and coyote the hard way. Thank you for taking the time and effort to send in your pictures.
22 October
Maps
We've had several calls lately asking when the new maps will be complete. Right now, we"re 98% there but the other 2% will linger throughout the season. Please check the map website before each hunt to make sure you are working with the most current map. For example, last week we posted a new farm and discovered 40 acres was sold and they built a house on the property. Fortunately, we were able to change the map and post it on the map website before the season.
Upland Bird
A pheasant flying into a MAHA lease.
The upland bird season from the road looks like we will have more cover than ever, which typically makes early bird hunting difficult, but enhances late season hunting. All of the new land has been posted and we would like to thank a handful of members who helped us complete this task.
Our new signs as of last season are yellow and do not include our name and telephone number. There are still a lot of white, yellow and some smaller red signs with the name Mid-America Game Bird Association. If you find a farm posted that is not on the maps do not hunt the farm. We do not remove the old signs, so there are some farms posted with our signs that are no longer leased by the club.
Trespassing occurs and it’s impossible to eliminate from the hunting business. If you encounter a trespasser you are welcome to card the individual or group and kindly ask them to leave or call the office with a name, license plate or any other information you can gather. Confronting a trespasser can turn into a serious affair if it is not handled properly. If you are not comfortable with the situation, call the office and give us a report of the situation. If you do not have a name or license plate, there is nothing we can do.
Guests - Upland bird hunting guests are not allowed until after the Thanksgiving weekend and after the Missouri season closes. The fee is the same as the last two seasons, $50 per day. No more than one guest is allowed per day and no more than 2 guests per group, regardless the number of members in the hunting party. Please do not ask for exemptions to be made to the guest policy as your request will be denied.
There is a little more that goes on behind the scene we try to keep quiet about, such as disciplinary actions that has been taken with members, but now is a good to remind everyone to avoid conflict this fall.
Over the past three seasons we have dismissed 4 members for taking unregistered upland bird hunting guests. Three out of four were 10 year plus members and it was a very uncomfortable situation for both parties. We have a zero tolerance for members that break the rules. You can sneak a hunt and/or guest or two, but eventually it will turn into a very uncomfortable situation that could have been easily avoided.
Since the price of leases have become so valuable to the landowners, we are working together much more now than in the past, to make sure the hunting is being done by the paying customers. Always have your drivers license and membership card in case you are checked by a landowner, one of the staff or another member. Also, hang tags visible in you vehicle is required by everyone.
A photo taken of a mule deer that walked within 20 yards of the truck while posting land. Last week the deer were working the milo field hard early and late.
