Self Guided MAHA Hunter Testimonial John and Jon, I thought it might be a good idea this year for me to do a year in review. It seems only logical that I was able to have my best year Turkey Hunting, Archery Deer Hunting, and Gun Deer Hunting. I want to preface this update with the fact I happen to be a fortunate hunter. Not only do I have access to hunt club land in three states, but I have access to two different tracts of private land in one of the states we cover. One of those tracts is my girlfriend's family farms. I want to note that without her support, days a field shed hunting, a trip or two bird hunting, and countless let's drive around some land trips, I would not be the passionate hunter I am today. A big THANKS to her. Turkey to present I have already sent in an update from spring with the actual harvest. I was able to harvest my two allotted turkeys in one of our covered states in a matter of the first two days hunted. Go figure in another state, I actually hunted more days and didn't harvest a single bird. Goes to show no matter how good, or bad, one is everyone is going to have those days that the birds do not co-operate. I was able to call in one to with in feet on one occasion, but the shot opportunity did not present itself. Overall, the year was very successful not just in harvests, but in seeing large flocks on several of our properties. Spring included seeing flocks of around 30. Throughout the fall it seemed that I was seeing more and more turkeys in places that I had not in the past. During my latest shed hunting trip I was able to count 50 on one of the club properties. I will have more on Turkeys in my next update after season. Deer to present Deer season started out with several trips scouting for deer during the summer covering many MAHA lease spots. Most of the scouting was done driving around our leases and on a few occasions reserving the property and viewing from a high vantage point. Countless trips were made to just see that one deer that I would want to hunt in the fall. During this time I was able to put eyes on five 140 class deer and one 160 class. During one summer trip sixteen bucks were spotted, all within sight at the same time. Only two doe were in the field at the time, so it appeared this was the preferred deer feeding ground during the summer. As summer progressed into fall, the deer started to disperse. A few sightings were made but none of significance. That lead into deer hunting season. Early in the season I was able to harvest my best bow buck to date as stated in an earlier update. It was one of those well planned trips that could not have worked out any better. After less than an hour on stand the buck was harvested from a lease that was one of several leases I planned to hunt. I continued to archery doe hunt up until gun deer season and actually did not get a shot opportunity that I wanted to take. This is partly because I like to wait for the easiest drag when it comes to does. I only had one good buck sighting of a 120 class. During gun deer season I counted over 175 deer sightings, about a quarter to half of which were bucks. On one particular day, I had seen 31 deer by noon, 27 of which were bucks. Most of my activity was focused around still hunting, and not sitting on deer stand. This year opening gun deer weekend was the absolute best time for rut activity in my experience. The most bucks seen chasing one doe, was 5. I was able harvest the buck I sent in the enclosed picture. It is my largest gun deer harvest to date, and I could not be happier. He was harvested while still hunting a lease. I did put eyes on two larger bucks throughout gun season on our lease land. I also was able to harvest four doe during the regular gun deer and doe seasons. Of note, two deer were given to the share the harvest program, two given to friends, and two kept for myself all off MAHA lease land. 
Late archery deer season proved a tough road for me. I had several chances at does, and few sightings of bucks. This has lead into the current period, winter deer scouting and shed hunting our lease land. Early January, I was able to put eyes on a winter bachelor group of ten bucks, only one with one side dropped. The other 9 had both sides still. I backed out to come back later. All told one shed has been found on that lease. In mid February two large bucks have been spotted with both sides still on. I wanted to share my opinion on the minimum point restriction. I was able to hunt in counties this year without it and some with it. In my experience I have seen more large bucks in counties with the restriction than in counties without it. The overall number of bucks seen has increased in counties with restriction also. Currently I would say I am in favor of these deer laws, but time will only tell. All in all, this deer season was one I will never forget. The club affords one the opportunity to see as much private lease property and deer as one wants to see. All it takes is scouting and hard work. Thanks for a great club, that I am proud to be member of, ae | 
