I haven't seen any threads about Ames this year. How's the hunting been? CWD having any major negative effects? Fewer "mature" deer? I'm just curious is all.
Yes re restrictions being cancelled due to CWD. It's also "earn a buck" this year. Members are required to kill a doe before harvesting the first two bucks. I'm not sure the count at the moment but generally more 2.5 and 3.5 yr olds are being killed this year. I killed a 129 1/8th inch buck Monday. Probably 4.5. Haven't aged him yet. A great buck was killed yesterday. I think it was in the 140s.I did hear where they canceled restrictions due to CWD, but I'll let someone from Ames verify.
Fairchaser is fine. Talked to him this morning.Where's Fairchaser ? Hadn't been him post in a few days , hoping nothing is wrong . Anyone know how to contact him ? Seems to be a good guy . He hunts @ Ames .
He is. Andy S. as well. Hope they've been doing good at Ames. I always enjoy their posts.Where's Fairchaser ? Hadn't been him post in a few days , hoping nothing is wrong . Anyone know how to contact him ? Seems to be a good guy . He hunts @ Ames .
Two of our best !He is. Andy S. as well. Hope they've been doing good at Ames. I always enjoy their posts.
Thanks for asking Snake. I'm doing well. Just haven't been posting much. I've been hunting and working when I have to. I hope all have a safe and blessed Christmas.Where's Fairchaser ? Hadn't been him post in a few days , hoping nothing is wrong . Anyone know how to contact him ? Seems to be a good guy . He hunts @ Ames .
Good to.hear from you and a Merry Christmas back at yahoo brother .Thanks for asking Snake. I'm doing well. Just haven't been posting much. I've been hunting and working when I have to. I hope all have a safe and blessed Christmas.
I agree there has been a lot of pressure to kill does. However, over the last 3 years, they have backed off due to lower numbers. In some ways, lower deer density is beneficial in controlling CWD. That's the goal now. If we are successful in getting the infection rate down, they may allow the herd to build back up slowly. But right now it's a bloodbath especially on bucks over 2.5. It's not the club it used to be and it's best days are probably gone but there's always a few good bucks to chase and that keeps most of us in the game.I hunt two farms around Ames. Your gonna hardly ever see a doe and it has nothing to do with cwd and everything with how Ames has been managed over the last decade. Ames has literally destroyed the deer herd in that area. They have continually over harvested does, literally every year since their club started. Yea we have managed to still kill some good bucks over that time but the overall quality of hunting has fallen off of a cliff. It's really sad to see what they have done.
Y'all are gonna lose another big group of hunters this next season. I realize the goal now but the over harvest of does has been a major problem since the club started. It's done way more damage than cwd in that area and now members are shooting everything they see. Say what you want but the management has always been subpar. Someone is needed that not only has the biological background and the general common sense of how to keep an area productive. One of those qualities has always been lacking from there.I agree there has been a lot of pressure to kill does. However, over the last 3 years, they have backed off due to lower numbers. In some ways, lower deer density is beneficial in controlling CWD. That's the goal now. If we are successful in getting the infection rate down, they may allow the herd to build back up slowly. But right now it's a bloodbath especially on bucks over 2.5. It's not the club it used to be and it's best days are probably gone but there's always a few good bucks to chase and that keeps most of us in the game.
He might have. He's not been in the club for a couple years. We hate to see him go and will miss his knowledge on this forum. Maybe he'll chime back in.Mike Belt was at Ames. Did he just stop hunting?
He might have. He's not been in the club for a couple years. We hate to see
Have y'all found a lot of deadheads/dead deer from CWD?I agree there has been a lot of pressure to kill does. However, over the last 3 years, they have backed off due to lower numbers. In some ways, lower deer density is beneficial in controlling CWD. That's the goal now. If we are successful in getting the infection rate down, they may allow the herd to build back up slowly. But right now it's a bloodbath especially on bucks over 2.5. It's not the club it used to be and it's best days are probably gone but there's always a few good bucks to chase and that keeps most of us in the game.
I found one yesterday which looked over a year old. It was a doe. I found a mature buck head during turkey season. That's all though. But if every member found 2 each, it would add up to a lot.Have y'all found a lot of deadheads/dead deer from CWD?