March 3, 2007
Gateway Outfitter’s Educational Center
St. Charles, MO., 63303
The seminar began at 10:05 am.
The meeting was called to order and Jeff spoke about the QDMA and the branch history and previous speakers, about possible upcoming seminars and our banquet.
He also spoke about getting kids into hunting in our state and that if anyone had kids or knew of kids that wanted to get into the outdoors, and then please see Jeff after the meeting.
Jeff also asked for pictures and stories about their QDM successes.
He explained about the raffle and the 50/50 and the items on the raffle. He also said that we had shirts for sale and explained the survey and the patronize list for the attendees to use. He also spoke about our website, www.qdmagateway.org and our email address gatewayqdma@sbcglobal.net
Lonnie then took the podium and spoke about how the apr’s have increased the age of bucks, without hi grading the good, young bucks. Doe harvests are not where he would like them to be and his office is looking into options to improve doe harvests. He also listed several areas where the doe harvest was great and that the state overall has a buck to doe ratio of about 40/60. Lonnie then spoke about possible season changes and how the commission was discussing an October antler less harvest, breaking up the deer rifle season, and possible other options that are under consideration.
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We then had an extended question and answer session. Several quality questions were asked by the audience and answered by Lonnie. A question about the Youth season being changed to an antler less harvest what explained that we could not allow the youth’s to be handcuffed when they are our future and to limit their ability to hunt would possibly hurt their recruitment. Reciprocal tags were talked down due to conflicting with family ties to our state, and that the MDC does not want to enforce possible reciprocity. A question about antler less tags and the following processing fees were discussed. A gentleman thanked Lonnie for managing the herd to allow him to see a fine 10 pointer last season. I missed a few questions…but the overall questions were very well spoken and thought out.
We then pulled raffle tickets for the turkey hunting package, the fishing package; the Timberline Food plots Arctic oats and Brier Ridge food plot mix, Imperial whitetail chicory mix, Imperial mineral supplement, and an Imperial video.
After the prizes were awarded the 50/50 was drawn and 65.00 was awarded.
We then reassembled and about 30 enjoyed a great presentation on aging the whitetail deer by tooth evaluation. Lonnie gave a hands on display of frozen deer heads that were from fawn age to age 2 ½. We had a great time putting on the seminar and hope that you all had a great time too.
We sold a few shirts and registered a couple members. We took home information from 61 surveys and gained about 25 addresses for our mailing and email list. We grossed about $800 on the raffle and netted $350.00, thank you to all who participated.
We owe a great big THANK YOU to the Gateway Outfitter’s for their facility and the great deal on the raffles, Lonnie Hansen, Buckspy Software, Redneck Ringtones, Timberline Feeders and Food Plots, Imperial Whitetail Clover, Brier Ridge Food Plot seeds, and everyone who attended.
We will try to use the information that we gathered to facilitate more exciting meetings.
Our website is www.qdmagateway.org or email address is gatewayqdma@sbcglobal.net and the website for getting kids into hunting is www.missourioutdoorexperience.com
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.