SE Minnesota deer hunting

[Monkster]

My son had his youth archery hunt cancelled at the Arden Hills Training center. I am thinking about taking him SE to one of the 'Special Youth firearms' areas for October 21st and 22nd (Thursday and Friday of MEA weekend). There are a lot of WMA's, especially Whitewater. I did notice some Sate Forest land scattered around also. Maybe knocking on a couple doors might be an idea also.

Does anyone have any experience on where to try, whether it's in Whitewater or some other public area? We may even stay overnight on that Thursday. Any direction or advice would help.Thanks.

[bogwalker]

Does it have to be on public land? When I hunted S.E. I hunted the apple orchards. The orchard owners had to allow public hunting or they could lose their permits to shoot nuisance deer. This was a big deal to them.

[Monkster]

Bogwalker - No, I would love if it was NOT public land. I have heard there is a lot of pressure in the public areas.

Did you just approach the orchards or call them? I thought about calling a CO from the DNR and asking them. Any particular area?

Thanks

[MinnesotaMike]

The farmers and apple orchards that get free tags do have to let the public hunt their land BUT you still have to obtain permission.

I called alot of farmers on the FREE tag list and they said they already have people hunting their land. It is up the the farmer to detemine how much pressure his land can handle.

It's in the regs.

I have hunted SE since 86'. The public land does get hit hard but there is a TON of it. get deep and away from the crowds.

Good Luck,

Mike

[96trigger]

Monkster, email me (nashasticker @ yahoo.com), I can try and give you some information on where to go in the southeast for the youth firearm, i don't think it will be too bad over MEA, although regular firearms season is a complete zoo.

[bogwalker]

Bogwalker - No, I would love if it was NOT public land. I have heard there is a lot of pressure in the public areas.

Did you just approach the orchards or call them? I thought about calling a CO from the DNR and asking them. Any particular area?

Thanks

Local C.O. or there is an apple growers association. You could try there too. I hunted around La Crescent.

[matchset]

awwwwwwwwwwww, Good ole La Crescent! i love that town!

[bogwalker]

awwwwwwwwwwww, Good ole La Crescent! i love that town!

Have you spent much time there?

[goblueM]

+1 for La Crescent and Hokah area... what an amazing area of MN

[Monkster]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think we have some options with public and I will follow up with Trigger.

[matchset]

Have you spent much time there?

past couple of seasons.... lots of spring turkey/shed hunting/morel picking....

+1 Hokah!