Ames trail cam pics up on the web

[fairchaser]

If anyone is curious about what kind of bucks are running around Ames, take a peak.

http://amesplantation.zenfolio.com/p377039999

 

[de novo]

Looks like his coat. Several of our old MS River bucks look just like that in the summer.

 

[hunterncoach]

what do you have to do to hunt there?

 

[W.Seay]

Those aren't even a drop in the bucket either, there are MANY buck much bigger than what in those pics!

 

[Andy S.]

what do you have to do to hunt there?

You can read about at the Deer Hunting Club at this link. Ames Deer Hunting Club

If you like what you see and want to pursue a membership, contact Ms. Beth Hanna at 901-878-1067. She is fine lady who can get you squared away if you are seriously interested.

Here is an application that may help along the way as well. http://www.amesplantation.org/pdf%20fil ... cation.pdf

 

[hunterncoach]

im looking at it now....seems like a sweet deal, but how many acres is it?

 

[Andy S.]

18,600 contiguous acres on the plantation with about 13,500 that is huntable. I have hunted it eight years and walked A LOT of miles and there is still A LOT of ground that I have not seen, much less hunted.

 

[hunterncoach]

18,600 contiguous acres on the plantation with about 13,500 that is huntable. I have hunted it eight years and walked A LOT of miles and there is still A LOT of ground that I have not seen, much less hunted.

yeah I found it....are the deer shown all the bucks that were harvested each year?

 

[hunterncoach]

Andy S. have you killed any good ones on there?

 

[REM7]

wow, thats nice

 

[Diehard Hunter]

I have walked miles and miles on that place and I am pretty sure I'd did not cover the same ground twice. When I was in school at UTK I dreaded going down there for the quail census.

 

[Kevin]

How much is a membership, I talked to a member while hunting wolf river last year but I cannot remember, he went on an on about how good a place it was..

 

[Andy S.]

....are the deer shown all the bucks that were harvested each year?

No, those are not ALL of the bucks killed each year, those are the legal shooters that were killed each year. Those are the bucks harvested that made the criteria of 125" gross or 4.5 (current standards). We started at at 110" minimum in 2004, jumped to 120" minimum few years later and our minimum now is 125" gross. There were other bucks killed each year that did not meet the criteria for harvest but they are not shown. Some years were worse than others as far as numbers of bucks shot that did not make it, but the last two years have been very respectable, like maybe 6-10 bucks shot each year that did not make the grade.

 

[Andy S.]

Andy S. have you killed any good ones on there?

I have managed a few good bucks by my standards (3.5+, 120"-149") as well as a few trophy does with my bow (6.5+). I have chased MANY more good bucks over the years and came up short just as well. I have hunted all season and ate tag soup. At the end of the day, it is still hunting and the deer have BEAUCOUPS of cover and premium habitat to hide in. They do a good job of it too, just about perfected it. :)

 

[Andy S.]

How much is a membership...

$1630 annually for squirrel and deer hunting rights only. There is a turkey hunting club as well, but it is altogether separate and independent of the deer hunting club.

 

[easy45]

I sure do miss hunting the place we had that was surrounded by ames, looking at those pics hurt my soul, lol

 

[Andy S.]

I sure do miss hunting the place we had that was surrounded by ames....

What ever happened with that place Scott? Do you know the guys that deer hunted it last year? Is it a lease now or just family and friends hunting it? Reason I ask is they lit the woods up several mornings last year with a rifle in November and early December. I cannot tell you what they were shooting (does, bucks, coyotes, etc), but I can assure you there was more shooting on that place last year during rifle season than the previous two, possibly three, years combined. It is not a big deal one way or the other, I have just always wondered about it since you quit hunting there.

 

[Bucks & Beards]

If anyone is curious about what kind of bucks are running around Ames, take a peak.

http://amesplantation.zenfolio.com/p377039999

fairchaser...shhhh

 

[DaveB]

Andy-
Last I heard my twin boys (age 15) aren't allowed to hunt Ames except as guests. meaning, this isn't a family membership. Is that correct? I can't find the current regulations on the web site.

 

[Andy S.]

That is my understanding DaveB. It is my understanding that one of them can hunt with you as your guest every time you go except during "members only" times, which are typically the opening days of seasons and peak weeks/weekends, typically accounting for 15 days or so of the season. I know for certain that any guest a member brings, such as your son, is an extension of the member and is hunting on the member's buck tag(s). All bag limits, rules and fines that govern us members will also apply to any and all guest we bring throughout the season, regardless of age, relationship to member, etc. Hope this helps.

 

[Wompuscat]

I think i will hunt by lick 61.LOL

 

[BSK]

Fairchaser,

Those are great pictures, and provide an excellent example of how wide antler scores can be for mature bucks in the same area. Look at pictures #10 and #18. Both very mature bucks, but they display a massive difference in antler size.

 

[Relentless]

I think i will hunt by lick 61.LOL

Yep, that is a stud at 61. Notice he was hanging back for a while. Old and cautious.

 

[Relentless]

Andy S. have you killed any good ones on there?

I have managed a few good bucks by my standards (3.5+, 120"-149") as well as a few trophy does with my bow (6.5+). I have chased MANY more good bucks over the years and came up short just as well. I have hunted all season and ate tag soup. At the end of the day, it is still hunting and the deer have BEAUCOUPS of cover and premium habitat to hide in. They do a good job of it too, just about perfected it. :)

I've seen the pics. You've killed good deer there by anyone's standards!

 

[fairchaser]

Fairchaser,

Those are great pictures, and provide an excellent example of how wide antler scores can be for mature bucks in the same area. Look at pictures #10 and #18. Both very mature bucks, but they display a massive difference in antler size.

For sure Brian and that buck in #18 probably would get passed since he doesn't make the minimum score even though he may make the age minimum and many (like me) would be happy to shoot him. I think Ames management is working on a solution to allow hunters to kill 4.5 yo bucks that may never score. The problem currently is that a mistake could cost you a lot of money and possibly loss of hunting privileges or both. We should hear more about any rule changes during the banquet in a couple weeks.

 

[uplandhunter]

Andy S I know those guys that hunt the property that easy45 is talking about. Great guys but it was not them shooting there. The property went into litagation due to bad feelings about family and friends being harassed. There is still criminal charges and more ligiation pending. I know the hole story but this is not the place to air it. Being greedy,harassing land owner son and friends,giving out threats to do bodily harm will get you kicked off a place quick with criminal and restitution possible.

 

[Andy S.]

Andy S I know those guys that hunt the property that easy45 is talking about. Great guys but it was not them shooting there.

Are you implying there were "others" hunting this farm, thus doing the shooting I spoke of? Reason I ask is a few mornings I was close to the line in the bottoms and I know for certain there were 3-4 shot volleys on said land, thus the reason for my question and comment above to Scott.

The property went into litagation due to bad feelings about family and friends being harassed. There is still criminal charges and more ligiation pending.

I hate to hear this as it is a very nice farm that sits in an even sweeter place if one has a passion for the outdoors.

I know the hole story but this is not the place to air it.

I agree 100%.

Being greedy,harassing land owner son and friends,giving out threats to do bodily harm will get you kicked off a place quick with criminal and restitution possible.

Yes it will.

 

[uplandhunter]

I know with out a doubt it was not them shooting. That farm is guarded like fort knox by the game warden. Tom Matthews of Avery outdoors owns property on that road. He has the game warden on speed dial! That is one place that will get you locked up quick cameras are everywhere. The farm is checked by the family that owns all of the property regularly. I know the land owners personally and there are a lot of bad feelings about a lot of things that they have found out about after the fact. The family was taken advantage of in a major way!!! It's just sad and a disgrace. It's not hard to do the right thing in life. What you give in life is what you get back ten fold. We as hunters who do the right thing are the ones who always suffer for just stupidity and greed.

 

[Andy S.]

I know with out a doubt it was not them shooting.

Like I said, I do not know who was doing the shooting, and really do not care, but I can ASSURE you there were several multiple shot volleys on said farm at least two mornings of the year last fall, more like three or four to be exact. Furthermore, I can assure you the people doing the shooting were most likely the ones burning the gravel road up on McNeil headed north at daylight, as I watched several blow by just before daybreak running late to get to the woods.

That farm is guarded like fort knox by the game warden.

I have hunted on McNeil Road on and off for the last eight years and I have never seen a game warden.

Tom Matthews of Avery outdoors owns property on that road.

I am very aware of this and where said property is, as are most hunters who hunt this area.

The farm is checked by the family that owns all of the property regularly.

The Walkers?

I know the land owners personally.....

Are you referring to the Walker family?

The family was taken advantage of in a major way!!! It's just sad and a disgrace.

I hate to hear that and I hope things work out for the best for them in the future.

 

[uplandhunter]

Andy S there is no fight with me. I could care less myself! As you stated I pray it all works out for everyone involved.