Public Land Question

[hawghunter]

Specifically Regarding Staples WMA, Long Prairie River WMA, Meadow Brook WMA, Foot Hills State Forest, or the Lyons State Forest.

I hope to bow hunt 1 or all of these areas this fall, my question is this; how much hunting pressure am I dealing with? Weather its foot traffic, ATVers, bow hunters, bird hunters, rifle hunters, whatever. Also what are the chances of seeing quality deer in these areas?

To tell you the truth, I've knocked on a lot of doors since moving to the area and have not hade much luck. And now getting into October, Its go time!

Just wondering what I’m getting myself into on public land or should I keep pounding down the doors.

Any info?

Thanks

[norm]

If I was in your situation I would get a hold of a plat book and look through it for State land. I have run into way more people on WMA's than on State land and I think it's because WMA's have the yellow signs all around the boundaries. None of the State land I have hunted had any signs marking it.

[fivebucks]

I've hunted Lyons state forest a couple of 2nd weekends for firearms and there is alot of orange. I usually rifle hunt up by LOW but tried there a couple of times if I didn't fill my tag further north. I did not like it because there were too many people that I really didn't feel totally safe. It might be different for bow hunting but I bet it gets pounded pretty good.

[hawghunter]

I’ve dabbled in some paper co. land and some tax forfeited land. Mostly in Crow wing County. 90% of what I’ve seen is garbage, very overgrown and not much food or deer sign.

Maybe I’m not use to the MN way yet. I’m a ND boy that is very lonely for a corn or bean field

Thanks for you help

I need it!!

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Far northern MN is really the only sure place to find large tracks of land and get away from crowds. Unfortunately that area is not consistently the best deer hunting. That's one of the reasons I like grouse hunting so much.