Southwest Metro Hunting????

[Fisher Dave]

You can find pheasants just about everywhere surrounding the metro. Theres some land at Louisville Swamp NWR and Carver Highlands WMA that holds some birds that are very close to your area. Look at the DNR HSOforum on the recreation compass and you should be able to find some areas to hunt. Your not going to find too many grouse near the metro. Theres some north of the cities, but they are few and far between until you get way north.

[Nels]

I hunted several WMA's just south of Jordan/Belle Plain last Wed. and saw 14 pheasants (most within gun range)in about 3-4 hours of hunting. Only 2 were roosters (shot at one and missed), but I had alot of fun walking through cattail sloughs and hearing the hens on the ground before they would flush 10 feet in front of me.
I will definately try getting down there again. For me it is about an hour drive, but I'm on the north end of the cities. If you are in the SW, it is probably about 30-40 minute drive.

Good luck hunting!
Nels

[Guest]

I went hunting for the first time this weekend, and had a blast. We went up to the McGregor area and did a little grouse hunting.

My question is, can anyone recommend a closer spot to hunt (public or state land) to the Chanhassen area? I dont always have the time to drive 2+ hours for small game hunting. Just wondering if anyone could share some info on the Southwest Suburbs for pheasant, grouse or other small game.

Any info is much appreciated!
Thanks guys!
-Tony

[Perch Jerker]

Go to the DNR HSOforum and buy a PRIM (Public Recreation Information Map) map for $6 or so and it'll direct you to PLENTY of WMA, Refuges (that you can hunt on), etc as well as Federal, State, County public land. Some spots are 5 acre small and some are 5000 acre big, but at least you can tell public from private land with certainty. They are VERY detailed and show all roads, RR tracks, and such.

[Guest]

Djfish,

Prim maps help a lot as does the public hunting map that covers the whole state.

Pheasant hunting is open to the middle of the Dec I forget the exact date, grouse hunting is open to the end of dec.

As for pheasant hunting slowing down I'm not sure what you mean. As far as within the season or from season to season? Generally the birds are easy in the beginning of the season. Although a lot of the early season success depends on if the corn is still in the fields or not. As the season goes on the dumb birds get killed. Once the corn goes out they maybe easier to locate but they tend to run or flush way out of range. This time of year look in the thick stuff, the sloughs and cattails. From season to season it really depends on the weather and the habitat available.

Oh and we are at the very bottom (hopefully) of the 10 year cycle for grouse.

[Guest]

Thanks alot guys for the help.

I will definetly have to get a PRIM.
Sounds like that is the answer. Being a newbie to hunting, it is good to get a little advice from the pro's on where to go!

When does pheasant hunting slow down? (It goes till the end of Dec, correct?)

Also, I know that grouse have a cycle. Is it a 15 yr, and where are we now?

Sorry if these are stupid questions....but I am trying to learn what I can.

Much appreciated!

Happy huntin!

Tony