MissouriWhitetails.com

Swan Lake Disabilities Hunt 
2005

The swan lake annual muzzleloader deer hunt for hunters with disabilities has come and gone again. The hunt took place on December 17^th and 18^th of 2005. As usual it was a quality event with the hunters seeing several deer. The 2005 deer hunting season was a little tougher than normal and even though it was held on one of the best deer hunting areas in the state, this hunt was no exception. Deer movement was less than is normal for the annual hunt and the harvest was down much like the regular season numbers were. The area manager and hunt coordinator John Guthrie said that "This is the first time he can remember in the history of the hunt, that no bucks were harvested." The hunt provided several opportunities but most hunters passed bucks to try and take advantage of the exceptional trophy possibilities at the refuge. Some doe were harvested which will help to manage the herd on the refuge. The bucks not harvested this year will provide even more trophy possibilities for future hunts.

Recognition needs to go out again to the hunters who braved the winter cold, and the coordinator and helpers who work so hard to put on a quality hunting experience. Thanks to John Guthrie area manager for putting on and coordinating the hunt. The 2005 participating hunters Chance Coffer, Josh Shumaker, Bob Cross, Tim Grimm, Mark Cooper, Erin Thieret and Raymond Haight. The guys who work as guides and provide needed assistance George Shurvington, Nelson Elfrink, Matt Lewis, Terry Hanavan, Levi Miller, Kevin Pollack, David Lentz, Todd Ritter and Mark Dietz. special thanks goes out once again to the Mendon Mo lions club for providing the great food that made the mid day breaks so enjoyable. We will be looking forward to next years hunt.

Todd Henry
Staff