Where to scout in the metro area?

[RaininFeathers]

I just moved to Minneapolis. I have a hunting shack up north but am trying to find some spots around minneapolis to hunt when it is slow/frozen up there. I have checked out Paul Hugo and Carlos Avery WMA but wasn't super impressed. Where should a guy new to the area start his search? I also have all the gear so if there is someone around the area that knows of a spot that doesn't shoot at birds past 45 yards we should join up.

[RumRiverRat]

I know of lots of places.

Too many hours invested finding them to post them.

Carlos Avery is the Squirrel hunting capital of Minnesota.

Drop me an email and we can exchange ideas.

[email protected]

[carpshooterdeluxe]

i'd pick up the big red public lands atlas that the sporting goods stores carry, throw a tank of gas and a few mtn dews in the truck, and make a day of it.

[Born2Fish]

Carlos Avery is the Squirrel hunting capital of Minnesota.

I have to say I agree with that 10000000%!!!!

[Basseyes]

Hunting pressure can be intense but there are areas where you can find hunt able pockets of birds even on public. As always weekdays are better than weekends. Timing is a big deal. Google earth is a great tool. A good pair of binoculars are very helpful when scouting and finding out of the way pockets of birds. There are birds that use Carlos but you'll more than likely have a lot of company hunting them. Hugo, Oneka, Coon, Linwood, Fish, Pickerel, George Watch, Peltier, Pelican, the Mississippi river, Sherburne NWR among a slough of others get a lot of pressure but are options if you are willing to get up early and deal with the crowds. The areas get hunted and hunted hard. Get creative if you can't find any private areas to hunt. Hunt odd hours, be willing to go the extra mile or stay right by the access as everyone else motors or paddles way back in. Have had success after the crowds leave late morning early afternoon, hunting close to the access points or going way back in. Do something different than everybody else. Or just get out scouting and knocking on every land owners door that has a good pond or field. Good luck with it.

[BoxMN]

Basseyes, I gotta say, I think you gave about some of the best advice I have seen in a long time. You gave some actual spots, without giving too much info or giving away a "secret spot" that other might think is their own honey hole, gave some good tactics on how to find spots and some good tactics on how hunt crowded spots effectively. Your answer works perfect to keep those who don't want "spots" given away, but also for those folks who are new to the area or the sport and just looking for where to start. I have mentioned some of those areas to others in the past, in general terms, but your extra info on "how" to hunt them effectively is greatly helpful.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, that is why this site is great. Good luck this year!

[PierBridge]

If you're into Field hunting get a Plat Book in the area you are interested in to obtain land owner contact info. That along with knocking on doors has been a big bonus for us also to get permission to hunt Fields loaded with Waterfowl!

Nothing like a good field hunt when just about every thing is frozen up!

Mississippi River and their backwaters are another option!

[RaininFeathers]

Thanks for giving me some areas to start. Other responses tried to tell me how to scout like I need to know to bring bino's. =) Good to get a general start tho. Crowds are rough around the area I typically hunt but like you said scouting and getting out early is the key. What makes me worried is the hunters with poor ethics that hunt by our shack are typically from the Minneapolis area. I can't imagine the shinanigans that go down at some of the swamps around here.

[BoxMN]

Rainin, give me an email at c-box at comcast d0t net if you want. I see you are from Aitkin, I hunt sort of by there a time or two during season. Could give you additional tips for scouting in the metro.

[PierBridge]

Thats CRAZY to claim the problem hunters in your area are from MPLS and are the ones causing problems.

[RumRiverRat]

Hugo, Oneka, Coon, Linwood, Fish, Pickerel, George Watch, Peltier, Pelican, the Mississippi river, Sherburne NWR among a slough of others get a lot of pressure but are options if you are willing to get up early and deal with the crowds.

Everyone knows there are no ducks to be found on those lakes.

[Gordie]

[hunter322]

your right rainin ive hunted that paul hugo farms a few times. if it didnt have so much pressure it would be a pretty good spot but it gets hit supper hard.

[BoxMN]

Just being nice, and I understand that elwood.... and RRR... it sux there ....

[RaininFeathers]

Sorry Pier, Didn't mean to offend you. It's just the problem I have ran into. I'm sure there not all bad.

[PierBridge]

No problem! I'll assume you you checked their ID's to confirm they were actually from MPLS!....

Maybe they were gang bangers testing their Glocks and sawed off shout-guns and didn't see you all Camo-ed up..LOL!

Good Luck!