hunting report.

[outdoor ran]

How's everyones fishing or hunting going?

I haven't wet a lure for over a month now but have been hunting hard. Well as hard has you can with 3 little kids and that job thing.

I was seeing lots of deer bow hunting when the leaves were up. Just havent seen a shooter. But now they have seemed to disappeared around my stands. Havn't seen a deer my last 6 times out in 5 different spots. My theory is they know where I'm at and theres now lots of rut hunters in the public woods, my guess.

I've been out grouse hunting a few times and havn't had any problem finding birds. Now getting a shot off and hitting them is another story. But a few are finding there way to the pan.

Duck hunting the first couple of weeks was unreal. Lots of action with mostly redheads, pintails and ring bills. With kid duty and everyone getting sick I wasn't able to hunt last week during the rain/ snow and wind (duck hunters heaven). Bad thing having so many friends that hunt they will let you know what your missing. From what i've heard just about everyone was limited out for 3 days. There was a big push of mallards, teal, pintails, gadwalls, etc. Things have slowed way down now with some fishducks, buffleheads and goldeyes staring to show up.

Lots of hunting left, good luck and take a kid with ya.

[Deep_Sinker]

Ran,

Do you ever hunt MN for ducks? Shoot me an email if so, it sounds like you really know the ducks around the Twin Ports and I would like to learn more. I have been out on Fish Lake to no avail and even during the wind/snow haven you spoke about. Hope to hear from you...

[outdoor ran]

DS, I've never hunted Mn for ducks. I hunt several different places here in Wi. I work with guys in Duluth who have pretty much given up hunting around that area. They just could'nt find enough birds to keep them going. They use to hunt Rice, Fish and Island I know. They pretty much just take a couple of weeks and head west instead.

[Wade Joseph]

Haven't been fishing since last day of laker season. I have only shot 2 grouse so far, and as I said on the archery thread, I lost a nice doe last evening. I will look for her again this afternon after work. Haven't had a chance to do any quackin bird hunting. If it wasn't for work I could get alot more of this done.

[Deep_Sinker]

To say duck hunting around Duluth is slow is an under statement. I spent opener in West central MN and could of shot ducks all day long...Oh well, it's a good thing as the grouse numbers are far from disappointing up here.

[outdoor ran]

Wade, its a sick feeling to wound a animal. I've been there like most hunters. Sounds like your pretty much in a hope to stumble on her mode now. No exit hole and this rain makes it tough. I like to get a bunch of guys together and spread out and do circles. Keep walking the deer trails for a while. Sometimes a wounded doe will stick to the easy routes to travel then fall over next to the trail. Listen for crows and coyotes they can tell you where shes at also.

If nothing else you will know you did your best to recover your deer. Not sure where you hit it but we skin deer at work that have had broadheads in the craziest spots and the deer lived threw it. You never know

Good luck

[Tom Linderholm]

Got into a stand for the first time in my life on Sunday. Just started picking up bow hunting, and my brother put me up over one of his plots. I was pumped to say the least. I never did see any deer but did have one massive black bear circling around me. Came with in 20 yards and gave me a few snorts. Pretty neat to see, walked backwards out of the woods however with my release clipped to my string.

Now I can't wait to get up there again and I didn't even see a deer.

[Cooter]

Any luck on that doe Wade?

[Wade Joseph]

No luck, no coyotes yet either, maybe she lived.

[MNmikew]

Listen for crows as well. They often flock over a dead deer.