Ames Plantation

• Deer Hunting Club
  • Membership Application
  • Newsletters
  • Notes and Notions
• Scientific Publications - Updated Feb. 2009
• Photo Gallery
  • 2009/10 Trail Camera Photos
  • 2009 Deer Harvest
  • 2008 Deer Harvest
  • 2007 Deer Harvest
  • 2006 Deer Harvest Part 1
  • 2006 Deer Harvest Part 2
  • 2006 Deer Harvest Part 3
  • 2006 Trail Camera Photos
  • 2005 Deer Harvest Part 1
  • 2005 Deer Harvest Part 2
  • 2005 Deer Harvest Part 3
  • 2005 Deer Harvest Part 4
  • 2004-05 Trophy Bucks
  • 2003 Trophy Bucks

Ames Plantation Hunting Club

Ames Plantation is often referred to as one of the best deer management programs in the State. It is quickly becoming known as not just another place to hunt, but “the place to hunt.” Ames is recognized by wildlife biologists and Quality Deer Management (QDM) experts around the country.

During the 2008-09 hunting season, a Limited Membership of no more than 115 individuals will be accepted. A Member can maintain membership with the payment of an annual fee. There is some turnover in the membership every year as people move away or develop other opportunities. A waiting list is maintained for those wanting to join the Club and by having your name included the chances of becoming a Member are excellent within a year or so.

The Ames Hunting Program is designed to accomplish three things: 1) achieve the goals of QDM, 2) preserve the tranquility and grandeur of the outdoor experience, and 3) place safety as the ultimate priority.

There are two primary herd management goals of QDM. The first is to develop a hierarchy of male age classes so that a significant number of mature bucks are present in the population. To accomplish this, the Boone & Crockett scoring system has been adopted as the most efficient way for the average hunter to “age” bucks. Over the course of the Club’s existence research has been superimposed in cooperation with Dr. Craig Harper at the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at the University of Tennessee. The results of this work indicate that a score of 120 B&C will protect more than 90% of all 2-year-old bucks in the fall population. We have defined a 3-year-old buck as having achieved maturity. The membership is required to let any buck that scores less than 120, and therefore likely to be less than 3-years-old, walk away from under the gun. Penalties are imposed for bucks that come in under 120 B&C, including monetary fines.

To accomplish the second QDM objective, a goal for the doe harvest is established prior to each season. A running total is kept as the season progresses. A doe must be harvested before a second buck is taken. Members who bring in 3 does are included in the 3-doe-club and receive an Ames “deer hat “ or some other token for their involvement and have their name posted for all to see. Doe goals have be reached and exceeded during all years of the Club’s existence.

Of course, a benefit of the 120 B&C threshold is the certain knowledge that mature bucks are in the herd and that there is a reasonable chance of seeing an exceptional buck. This has proven true. Since the program’s inception more than 110 “legal” bucks have been taken and several bucks scoring over 150 have been harvested with one that scored well over 160. Interestingly, most of these big bucks have been less than 4½-years-old, indicating that the program is still developing and that the very mature animals learn t o avoid the gun. The Membership is well aware t hat mature bucks are in the woods with them.

Ames is not trophy management and those wanting pure trophy management should not expect it here, but it fits the bill for hunters who want a chance to hunt where younger bucks have a realistic chance to mature. Due to the extraordinary mix of good soils and varied landforms, large-scale agriculture and mature woodlands, uplands and bottomlands, it is true that the average Ames buck can grow what are considered exceptional antlers by the time he is 3-1/2-years of age. A 120-class buck can take your breath away when he comes prowling through the woods. A fully developed and exceptional 3- or 4-year old buck can make you forget your gun.

Larger antlers are simply a by-product of having a more mature herd. On most hunting grounds across Tennessee and the south, yearling bucks are what fill hunter quotas. Taken in their youth these bucks never have the chance to express full potential.

The tranquility and grandeur of the outdoor experience is cherished at Ames and certain things are done to assure that these amenities are preserved. To some extent hunting at Ames is a throwback to a simpler and a “quieter” time. ATV access is limited to deer retrieval, to certain roads, and to times of the day when it is expected that the least disturbance to hunting will occur. There are remote places on Ames that allow the chance to “get away from it all” and these require walking, but it is also true that some of the biggest bucks have been taken within sight of public roads. Ames is remote as soon as you step out of the truck.

Safety is of paramount importance. To ensure that the highest respect and regard for safety is achieved, evidence of the successful completion of a state administered hunter safety course is required from all hunters, their guests and all youth. It is each Member's tip of the hat toward safety; and each Member, regardless of age, knows that he or she is hunting with fellow Members that have taken extra-time to be extra-safe.

Members are urged to carry police whistles and that signal is considered by the membership as call for immediate help. Members must sign-in, by unit, prior to accessing Ames and this also is a helpful means to locate them should things go awry.

Members will have access during the following periods:

Squirrel:  Squirrel hunting: from the first day of fall Squirrel Season until October 31, unless otherwise specified.

Deer:  Deer hunting: from the first day of fall Deer Season, beginning with archery season until the end of that deer season, unless otherwise specified. It is probable that some restrictions at the end of any deer season will be required, either with regards to fewer days of hunting or closure of some areas due to the need for field trials or other events. It has been true in the past that the vast majority of the Plantation is available during these times.

Guests are allowed, although guests cannot come at certain, specified times. These times are geared to coincide with periods that would be high-use by the membership and Members are given the highest priority during those periods. Any Member will be allowed to bring a son/daughter or grandson/granddaughter who is 10 to 16 years of age.

Two primitive campgrounds have been set aside for use by Members in the past. However, these will be consolidated into one campground which is planned for summer construction. It will also be primitive, but will have some amenities, including water on site.

The Hunting Program will be carried out as part of scientific research focused directly on a better understanding of the deer herd. Members will have the chance to participate in and benefit from these efforts.

There is a central Check-in Station where all deer that are harvested must be checked. This serves also as a TWRA check-in station. The Station is complete with wood heater, electric stove, refrigerators, tables and chairs. Many a good meal has been shared and the recipes and stories fly around like confetti.

Every year, just before the archery season opens, a supper is provided to the membership by Ames Plantation. Nationally recognized speakers deliver excellent presentations and over the course of the last several years long-term Members have gained the knowledge to become more than just hunters but also herd managers with expertise that the average hunter does not have.

Potential Members are often somewhat intimidated by the need to know how to judge B&C. It is one of the first questions asked by hunters who wonder about joining. Looking a buck over before pulling the trigger requires a certain acquired expertise and also patience. It is not the difference between two basket racks and an 8-pointer - it's the difference between an 8-pointer and WOW! It is not always an easy thing to do afield but even our secretaries have learned how to judge. They have never hunted, never intend to, but they can tell you what to look for. Our membership has demonstrated that not just western hunters can develop the ability and most have become unerringly good at it as they’ve gained experience.

On this website are several other items that may interest you. The "Newsletter" details some of the recent changes and the regulations spell out how the Club operates. We invite you to take time to look over each item and explore the opportunities for hunting on the Ames Plantation where you can experience QDM on 18,400 acres.

Join and learn. We are accepting potential Members on the waiting list. The sooner you put your name there the sooner you will be able to join. But also it must be mentioned that we try only to accept people of good reputation and high standards.

The yearly fee is $1,630. A holding fee of $100 is required until your application has been processed and accepted. The remainder of the fee must be paid by July 1. Any person interested in becoming a Member of the Ames Plantation Hunting Club, should send a letter requesting an application and contract to Mrs. Beth Hanna at the Ames address listed on the webpage or call 901-878-1067.