Two Best Weekends of 2011

[matchset]

hey ya'll ! its february 1st today! Time to start planning tree-top dates and hardwood socials!

so... in YOUR opinion; what are the TWO best weekends to hunt Mature whitetails in minnesota during the archery season?

[hockeybc69]

Any time you can get out!!!!

No sense in picking dates dude.

[gloomiseye]

In Iowa its the first weekend in October with opening bow where the mature bucks are unpressured. Then the next best is sometime between November 1- November 15th

[HunterLee]

Last week before rifle season and the week or so before the bow opener. They seem to hit a trasition phase right before opener here and disappear, but in ND opening weekend they were like clocks and that ended ones life.

[DaRangeFinder]

I love the weekend before gun season and I also like the weekend of halloween. Seems like things are really moving up in the area I hunt during those times plus we have the most people at the cabin at that time, GOOD TIMES!

[Stratosman]

I like the two weekends before gun opener for all day action...but I also really like about the the second and third weekend after opener as well, really good time to pattern a mature buck maybe still in bachelor groups and moving earlier. Biggest two deer I have ever seen and not had a shot at were both in September....

[ANYFISH2]

opening weekend and the weekend before rifle opener. Although they only seem good for seeing them as I have yet to harvest a buck with he bow, maybe the 14th year is the charm.

[sticknstring]

Two best weekends of MN archery season for taking a mature buck:

1. Opening weekend

2. Weekend before firearm opener *

* 2nd weekend of November if minimal gun pressure exists or cold weekend in Dec over standing crops

[Bear55]

I generally like and see mature bucks the first two weeks of the season and then again the 2 weeks before rifle season. I will hunt the weekends hard and usually save a few extra vacation days for some midweek hunting either just before that last Oct weekend or the week before rifle opener. For whatever reason late Oct has been better to me than early Nov.

I also find it a little more useful to plan mid-week hunts later in the week on Wed, Thurs, Fri. Sometimes the pressure from the weekend hunters will keep bucks a little spooked the first couple days of the week.

[charliepete]

Two best weekends of MN archery season for taking a mature buck:

1. Opening weekend

2. Weekend before firearm opener *

* 2nd weekend of November if minimal gun pressure exists or cold weekend in Dec over standing crops

I used to bowhunt 70 days a year. I bought a dog and started upland hunting. I now bowhunt 10 days a year. The week of opener, and the week before gun starts. My harvest rate is actually up. If I only had a week it would be the week before gun.

[newfish]

i am right there with you Anyfish2. Still have yet to get a buck with my bow. Glad I am not the only one

[paceman]

My favorite days are the two right before gun opener and then anytime in mid to late december. I just love hunting in the snow!

[matchset]

you're a patient man, ANYFISH. props to you!

it took my till my 5th season...but its been a landslide ever since!

[Archerysniper]

The weekend closest to holloween and the thusday friday before gun season.

[certified jumbo]

Last weekend in October and first wkd of November.

[matchset]

thanks for all the input! lots of different responses, but i'm really glad i asked!

let me be the first to say; good luck to you all in 2011

[JBone]

Mid september to gun season and after muzzleloader. Location is key