directions to the bemidji game refuge

[USPENAMC]

i will be in the area of bemidji on the 19, 20, 21 for my brothers YOUTH HUNT in the bemidji state park. My dad will be him on the stand and i want to go out bowhunting near bye. We have never been in that area as a matter of fact never been farther north than the rum river state forest so it will be an adventure on its own. I was looking to find any directions to the BEMIDJI GAME REFUGE or any other hunting areas near bye. I did find the state forests on the DNR COMPASS MAP but nothing on the game refuge. TIPS, POINTERS, PLACES, IDEAS, are always appreciated [email protected]

[swedishpimple]

Lifelong resident of Bemidji here. The Bemidji Game refuge is not that clearly marked like a WMA. There are some Game Refuge Signs and as far as I know some boundaries are only marked by roads.

I don't really know the boundary myself, but I do know that most of it is either private residential land or state park. Many new houses are "popping" up where it was once forest or ag land.

[USPENAMC]

any ideas of where to go i figure the best areas to find are the wmas cause most are marked really nicely and you can get more info on line.. the state forests sometimes are not marked too good? i went to princeton minnesota area trying to find the state forest i thought since on the dnr compass it was a big block to the east and to the west it was all state forest... but like you said many houses and no signs posted..

[The Donk]

If you visit a Sportsmans warehouse (or maybe cabelas has them) the PRIM maps are great for all the public lands out there. They are pretty detailed, but are 5 bucks apiece. They have broken the state into like 20-25 areas, you can buy a few and find a ton of land to hunt.

[USPENAMC]

cool thanks

[swedishpimple]

Bemidji does not have much for WMA's, but there is a lot of state, county and federal land in every direction.

I typically go North and East either into the Chippewa or on county lands skirting it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

USP---Like I said in another post... Schoolcraft!!!

[camdu7]

Hey DD don't U think there are enough guy's in SC??

The Beltrami COunty web site has some recreational trail maps that show public land in the Bemidji area. Or if you choose to go to SC it is in Hubbard County and the Hubbard County HSOforum has all the parcel data on it. Please note that all the land in the SC and Bemidji Refuges are not public!!! Be respectful of other hunters and if you see me in SC please help me drag out the giant buck I'm going to shoot! Oh yea. You may want to wear orange at least to and from your stand! Since the area outside the refuges will be open to guns you never can never be too safe.

[USPENAMC]

thanks for all this info guys.. im only going to be around the area maybe a couple of days 20 and 21st so i might get lucky and i might not. The bottom line is that ill be in new terrain, and will enjoy every minute of it.

thanks,

david

[Deitz Dittrich]

Quote:

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Hey DD don't U think there are enough guy's in SC??

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Well, I myself havn't hunted in Bemidji since I left there 13 years ago. But its public land. And if there is anything I have learned.. if its public, there is an chance that a lot of people will be hunting there. I have also learned, that for the most part people are lazy... if your willing to work, you can pretty much find a place to yourself in overhunted areas as well.

[USPENAMC]

thanks guys, although im excited to go up there im actually more excited hoping my brother will get to harvest his first deer at the special youth hunt. On friday we can arrive early and golook at some public land that I can go bowhunt. Then we will go set up a stand and leave it overnight until sunday evening(its allowed for the special youth hunt) We will help my brother (my dad and I) find a spot and set up the two man stand at 7 pm we will go to the meeting. saturday morning i will go drop off my father and brother so they can go on their marry way and i will head to whatever public land i had found the day before.

any ideas on hotels, where to eat, and any watering holes would be nice to know of.

[big drift]

Green Mill / Hampton Inn or Northern Inn should meet all your needs. The Hampton is nicer in my opinion.

[swedishpimple]

A good watering hole for sportsman is Slim's. Lots of mounts and a log cabin atmosphere. Typical crowd is local businessman and some college guys. The occasional "cougar" rolls through too. If you want a variety of beers on tap, better go elsewhere only Labatt Blue, Pabst and Summit.

[big drift]

But they do have great burgers there also, it is right on the way out to the state park just turn on Anne Street as your coming down Bemidji Avenue.

[woodman]

My back yard is the state park, I can give you some pointers on where to bag your brothers deer. I am amazed that more people have not stopped by and ask me where the deer are located or travel. We see them every day, and can give you some great spots to sit. Drop me a line. woodman at paulbunyan (Contact Us Please) net

Glad to help out on a youth hunt! What a better way to get them started off on the adventure of hunting!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

[USPENAMC]

I myself would have been one of the ones not to ask for help..at least im a bit braver through a computer than in person. I have sent you an email and thanks in advance for the information. My brother has gone several years hunting Public land without having a shot opportunity i hope it pays off for his wait.

[Bobb-o]

shoot me an email i can get you directions to a decent spot that i wont be hunting this year. [YouNeedAuthorization] at gmail.com