Ames?

[tn24]

Was checking the kill pictures and the last one was early December. Was that the last one or have they just not posted the rest? Congratulations to the members on here that I saw in the pictures.

 

[fairchaser]

Was checking the kill pictures and the last one was early December. Was that the last one or have they just not posted the rest? Congratulations to the members on here that I saw in the pictures.

All the pictures have been posted. That was the last "good" buck killed. There were 10 or 11 bucks killed after during the special extended season when the minimums were temporarily lowered to bring in bucks for sampling. All the bucks killed during the extended season were 2.5 to 3.5 year olds.

 

[tn24]

Thanks fairchaser. Have any deer from Ames checked positive for CWD?

 

[ronnycl]

Just curious about membership renewals? Are y'all seeing a lot of members not renewing due to the cwd outbreak?

 

[Andy S.]

It was such a rough season, a lot of members had quit by December 10th. Couple that with fewer deer sightings, and it's easy to see why the good bucks stopped coming in early December. Also worth noting, this year in SW TN it rained, was windy, or was hotter than normal on just about every weekend in Nov/Dec. I hunt a fair amount during the week, but weekend warriors were dealt a terrible hand this year. I am sure that had some impact on the kill numbers too, along with EHD, CWD and numerous other things we probably do not fully understand.

 

[Andy S.]

Have any deer from Ames checked positive for CWD?

Yes, Ames is right in the thick of things with CWD in Fayette County.

 

[Andy S.]

Just curious about membership renewals? Are y'all seeing a lot of members not renewing due to the cwd outbreak?

No way to know this early in the year as payment is not due until June 1, with some members typically joining/paying Aug/Sep time frame. There is a lot of speculation that the membership will look different this year, but that is yet to be determined. Past members are awaiting the new contract which I am sure will look some different than years past, with different goals most likely, and maybe a different fee associated the membership. I expect all of those changes and finite details will have an impact on members renewing or not.

 

[fairchaser]

Just curious about membership renewals? Are y'all seeing a lot of members not renewing due to the cwd outbreak?

Next season will be my 10th year in the club. You would think that experience would make me a true veteran but NO. There are members like Mike and Andy who have been there for much longer, even decades longer. Just like families, you stick it out in good times and bad. These are the truly bad times with CWD. This will be a test for the club. Some of the long time members are questioning whether it's worth it. If your a true mature buck hunter, the future looks bleak. But two things are certain. 1. There will be a buck of your dreams somehere on Ames. 2.The future is always unknown. I can't imagine where else I could hunt that offers what Ames does within an hours drive. For me, it's either give up local hunting or Ames. There's nothing else.