Suggestions

[Xplorer]

This year for the 4 day MEA weekend I would like to take my 12 year old son on a combo pheasant/turkey hunt, with pheasant being foremost. He is completing his hunter safety course and I'd kinda like to make this a "end to the means" for passing it.

What areas would give us a decent chance at hunting both during the 3.5 days? I will be traveling south from Cloquet, but distance isnt that important, a good experience is. Also we will be staying in a local motel so if you have suggestions on that it would be appreciated also!

[WalleyeDrifter]

I would try somewhere in the Minnesota River Valley. Lots of farmland for pheasants. WMA's and WPA's as well. Turkeys in the hardwoods along the river.

[CaptainMusky]

Dont overlook Central MN. The pheasant population may not be what it is in other parts of the state, but there are TONS of turkeys.

They are everywhere. The area from Paynesville to St Cloud to Annandale seems to have a decent population of both critters.

[Tom7227]

Unless your son has a decent amount of hunting experience I would be concerned about whether that intense a hunting day is a good choice. Turkey hunting can get to be a bit much especially if you expect him to set for more than a couple hours. Also pheasant hunting can get to be a bit much unless you get into the birds. I suggest that you consider some turkey hunting for a couple of hours and then maybe a game farm where you know that there will be birds.

As I explained in another forum kids that age have a tough time getting things done in a timely fashion. Although that thread was about ducks you could maybe pick up some useful ideas on that thread.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ers#Post3268660

[Xplorer]

Thanks for the idea's. The MN river valley sounds interesting.

Well it looks like we will be basing out of Mora, staying at a friends weekend place.

I realize that hunts will need to be kept fairly short, a couple hours at a time. Looks like there are a decent number of WMA's around there that we can hunt. I'm thinking I will head down after Labor day and see if I can get access to hunt some private land for turkey.