Where to go...

[heartattack22]

Looking at going pheasant hunting the week before Christmas somewhere in MN. We are from Northern MN. What are everyone's suggestions for where to go? Thanks in advance!!

[GSP4ME]

Look for some of the smaller WPAs and look for the cattail swamps that are frozen with the ag field close by

[jjz]

South of I 94 from Melrose to about Fergus Falls. I usually target big public lands 600 acres or bigger with lots of thick cover and cropfields surrounding them. The big public land always have birds regardless of pressure, you just have to hunt harder. Smaller tracts of cover get the birds pushed out easier and are less dependable for me. Just do research on western stearns, pope, douglass and surrounding counties and you will find tons of high quality public lands and very good hunting. Was out for the first time this weekend around my old haunts around Sauk Centre and found more birds than last year and shot 4, it was pretty good.

Good Luck

[heartattack22]

Thanks for the info guys. Where would one find public hunting area maps? Are there other areas besides the WMA and WPA's that can be found on the DNR HSOforum? Also have family out that way that have some private to hunt it sounds like.

[Pherris]

You can get good info from the DNR HSOforum. Google WIA areas mn. You will get a really nice interactive map with all the WIA areas that opens in google maps so you can actually do some virtual scouting. Also if you google minnesota pheasant prospects map you get a map showing high road count areas and counties in the state. You can get wpa and wma maps on the DNR site too. What I like about he WIA areas is they do not allow trapping so should not have to worry about dogs getting into them. Finally Sportsman Connection puts out an atlas with maps that include all WMA WPA areas as well as state parks,trails,lakes and more. Great resources for outdoor types. I got mine eat Gander

Also if you google top 25 pheasant hunting towns in America you will get a list and there are a few areas in MN

Good Hunting!!

[CodyDawg]

So Alexandria is right in the area previously described. This year so far has been phenomenal and judging by the roosters I have seen deer hunting, the end of the season will be sensational.

My advice is to look for areas with good nesting cover. We got hit hard with winter 2 years back, so good habitat has rebounded. Poor habitat has not rebounded as well.

[jjz]

+1 That area area has lots of quality public land. But late season roosters off public land are not usually easy pickings. I have had plenty of 100+ birds days and am lucky to make two tough shots to get a limit. My formula for success is 1 or 2 guys, no noise, hunt into the wind (preferably toward feeding areas), take your time in prime heavy cover and it doesnt hurt to have a dog that knows how to hunt real wild birds. Some days you still find some dumb roosters, but generally hunting smart and hard fills the gamebag.

Good Luck

[muc33]

SW Mn numbers have been pretty good. Yes, you have to be willing to walk, but the numbers are good in Nobles County and there are over 2300 acres of public ground. Click here for Nobles County Maps of Public Hunting Areas