MDHA Question???

[MnMoose]

Ok folks, here's my deal, complaint, thoughts call it what you want gimme feedback right or worng let me know please.

I spent the weekend at deer camp, as I normally do before I go, spend about 20 bucks on all kinds of random magazines.  I found a really nice one most of you are probably familiar with called WHITETALES published by the MDHA.  Great mag.  I am not currently a member but I believe they have me sold.  Now...I was reading an article on deer hide donation and how the money is put back into MN for obvious reasons.  I think it is a wonderful thing.  Well I shot Two deer this weekend and I checked over 10 different places and none had any kinda drop boxes.  I did the obvious the ganders the Sportsman's Whse different sporting good store Capra's in Blaine different gas stations.
I was kinda bummed out I cant find a drop site for these hides. 

Now I am not knockin the MDHA or these stores all of these entities are here to help us, but maybe we can help with this observation I've stumbled across.

[Grute Man]

The deer's hides change as the season progresses and at this time of they year, they are worthless to our buyer.  I just recently found out because we put my son's deer's hide in the freezer and the guys who have done hides for years told me.  I've been doing it for just a couple of years now so I'm learnin as I go.

Hey, I truly appreciate your dedication and efforts.  We work pretty hard at it and at times wish we could get more donations.  Unfortunatly, the ones you have now won't help us. 

On behalf of Lakes Chapter --

THANK YOU!!!![/color]

Lets try again in the regular firearms season.

GRUTE

[Spinach]

The hides for Habitat program runs from mid Oct through mid December only. The website explains everything but no drop points are listed yet. It says they will update in mid October.

Sounds like they probably have trouble getting businesses to accept the hides and storing them on the property, even though they supply a box. I'm sure businesses are reluctant to the madness of participating in this program. I've seen boxes in the past, I believe Blue Ribbon Bait in Oakdale has one or at least used to.

Gander Mountain too i thought......

http://www.mndeerhunters.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=46

[Auggie]

    The hides will not keep well this time of year. They would need to be kept frozen or fleshed and salted. Don's statement about them being worthless isn't quite true. They might be to the MDHA's fur buyer, but there is a market. The hair off tan for leather will not care if they have thick winter hair or the pretty short transition coat from the early fall.
     Also any buck capes I would be interested in purchasing.

[MnMoose]

Thanks for the education guys I didnt know about marketing of hides and all that..also Don I would like more info about the MDHA if you wouldnt mind

[Grute Man]

Well I'm in the Lakes chapter    I joined them because they are close to my home and I can attend meetings, volunteer, and make a difference.  Some people join in the area that they plan ot hunt so their dues $ goes to that area of the state.  There are over 50 chapters state wide.

I help out with Hides for Habitat, our annual banquet, I try to be the web guru guy  and I work on other fund raising efforts...

All membership $$ goes to help with education (sending kids to Forkhorn Camps), Legislation (congress - keeping hunting laws and gun ownership on our side), and land management/acquisition.  Also all -- ALL-- $$ stays IN Minnesota.

If you would like to join us, our next chapter meeting is this Monday at Maple Lakes Farm.  It's kinda between White Bear Lake and Forest Lake.  If you or anyone else would like to join us, I'd be more than happy to give you directions.

Grute

[deadeye]

I am also an MDHA member. 

[MnMoose]

Yes Don that would be fantastic...I would love to learn more.  I guess that location isnt too far hence Im in Blaine.  Shall I bring anything with?  I have tons of questions and want to learn more.  Hunting Whitetails is the easy part.

[Grute Man]

PM sent.

[jnyman]

 

Ive thought about joining mdha before but just not totally sure what you do at meetings and if i would join here in the citys or up in cambridge where i hunt i know a litlle  but just curious what you guys do all year really if you just hang out and talk white tails or is it pretty serious and what are the perks of being a member??????????

[Grute Man]

Well we (Lakes Chapter) meet 6 times a year and usually discuss things like Hides for Habitat, Fork Horn campers/camps, the annual banquet, and this year our 2ndary fundraiser (ATV raffle)...We'll have a few beverages of choice  but we keep it mild.  Sometimes after the meeting, we hang around for a while BSing about hunting, shooting....

I'm not sure which chapter is closest to Caimbridge but here's a link for the list of chapters:
http://www.mndeerhunters.com/index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=usersList&listid=2&Itemid=21

If you'd like to join us, we'd love to have you join us. PM me or email me for directions.

Grute