‘07 – ‘08 Season in Review
Elm-Hat archery season got off to a good start with several does and lot’s of small bucks seen. One 9 point was taken on Baker-Brown for the largest with a bow.
A 2 day youth hunt was held Nov. 17-18, 2007. Our kids harvested one 9 pt (scored 130), one 7 pt, one 4 pt, and 2 does. It was a very exciting and successful event for kids, fathers, grandfathers & friends of kids.
Gun season started with several bucks and does killed with lots of small bucks/does seen and let walk. After Thanksgiving until late Dec., deer harvest slowed down. There were large crops of acorns and food supplies, and mild weather causing the deer to move at night. Jan. came and the rut started. Members killed lots of nice bucks. It was hard to believe that there were that many nice bucks out there during the middle of last season. One of our first year members (and 1st year to hunt) took 1 doe (bow), one 10 pt, one 13pt, with two guests taking one 8pt & one 5pt.
By the end of deer season, Elm-Hat members tallied up another very successful season with total deer of 139 head – 66 bucks, 73 does. Bucks were as follows: 2 spikes, 2- 4 pts, 2- 4 on one side, 4- 5 pts, 10- 6pts, 7- 7 pts, 28- 8 pts, 5- 9pts, 3- 10pts, 3- 10 pts, 1- 11 pt, & 1- 13 pt.
2007-08 turkey season was very unusual. With cooler weather than past years, gobblers were late breaking up (out of groups) and establishing their own territory. Turkeys were in large groups on certain properties that feed was continued on after season opened. Additional problems caused by coyotes, decrease in turkey population and harassing turkeys all day made gobblers & hens not to make as many calls. These same turkey reports were statewide.
Society Hill’s 1st Coyote contest was very successful with a total of 42 coyotes entered. Casey Davidson won $500 for the most with 4. Jody Warrison won $500 for the largest at 42 pounds. We plan to have another contest next season.
We are working to obtain new lands for next season. We have several possibilities close to Society Hill. We want to make sure we are able to afford the properties when they become available for lease. Obtaining lands near our base, Society Hill, is our main goal.
Let’s Get Together
The 3rd annual Elm-Hat run will be May 31, 2008. A cookout is planned for after the ride. We plan to have hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade ice cream. Remember to bring your 4-wheeler, cooler of water, ice-cream freezer and a change of clothes. We have enjoyed getting together to ride, talk and meet new members for the last two years. We hope that if you have never been able to participate, you will make every effort to attend. If this is your first year in the club, make this year the beginning of a long tradition.
Smith T was sold & the new owner plans to hunt it himself. Elm-Hat will not have Smith T for 08-09 season. All personal stands, feeders, etc. must be removed no later than 6-15-08. After lunch on the 31st, we plan to go to Smith T to begin removing stands & feeders. We will also be working on Smith T that following Sunday,6-01. All stands, feeders and any other personal property must be removed by the 25th.
Attention All Members
Don’t forget that your ’08-’09 membership dues need to be in no later than June 30th to avoid a late fee. Remember that sponsored members will receive first consideration for new membership so, have your friends and family that are considering joining call now to reserve their place.
Elmhat.com
There have been many great trophies taken as well as many “First Ever” dreams come true. The unfortunate news is that there has been a small portion of these trophies sent in for inclusion on our web site. Every member should take pride in our site and make every effort to send in a photo of his/her deer or turkey. We all like to share (and yes even brag a little) to our friends and family. What better way than on elmhat.com? With your pictures online, you always have them with you to ‘Show Off’.
Don’t forget to send in those photos of your hunting memories with your ‘little future’ member. Even if you did not harvest that Buck of a Lifetime, they will never forget how much fun they had with you. The most memorable thing you can ever give a child is time! Show them you are proud of the time they give you too and send in a story or picture of the two of you today.
New Club Rules
New rules were added last season with much success. We feel that most members appreciated and abided by them. That said, there is always room for improvement.
For the 2008-2009 season, there will not be kill cards at the pin out boxes. Instead, each member will be expected to keep a record of his/her own harvests as well as any guest’s harvest. At the end of each season, Elvis will contact you for a tally.
We will initialize a new means of tracking all personal stands and feeders. Before you place any stand/feeder in the woods you must obtain a tag from Elvis. This tag is to be placed on your stand/feed and should remain there. These tags are consecutively numbered and will be registered to you personally. All feeders that are placed, must be removed no later than Oct. 1st and the tag returned to Elvis. Any stand found without a tag will be removed by Elvis and can be reclaimed after paying a $25 fee. Any feeder found without a tag or found after Oct. 1st, will be removed and cannot be reclaimed. All unclaimed items left after Jan. 31, 2009 will become the property of Elm-Hat.
The restrictions on Baker Brown not only relieved pressure on our deer population but it allowed other hunters to spend a little more quality time on this track. We are keeping the 2 deer limit on Baker Brown again this season. If a member or his guest breaks any rule while on Baker Brown, that member will not be allowed back on Baker-Brown for the remainder of the year.
Beginning this season, we will have a disciplinary board consisting of 4 members and 4 alternates with Elvis being the tiebreaker. Any member/guest breaking ANY rule will be taken before the board. All fines imposed, if any, must be paid before that member will be allowed to hunt again. All decisions made by the board will be final. Board members will be selected by Elvis and posted for members no later than 10-01-08.
You can find any other new or amended rules online. Any changed or new rule will be in bold print for easy recognition. Please take the time to read your rules carefully. If you have any questions or concerns, address them now. Do not wait until you are in the woods and have to ‘Guess’ what you are supposed to do. Ask now and save yourself a lot of trouble later. Remember, little eyes and ears are always looking up to you. Set a good example and “Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.”
Don’t Forget
* Plan to be at the 3rd Annual Elm-Hat run 05-31-08. Bring your 4-wheeler, water, ice-cream freezer and an appetite.
* Plan to remove any personal items from the Smith-T property. It is not included in our lease this year.
Contact Information
Elvis Manasco – 256-412-4590 or 256-383-8512
or elvis@elmhat.com
comments@elmhat.com (comments/issues concerning our web site.)
