Looking for a change!!!

[Grandee]

I've been shotgun hunting SW MN for many years now and I'm ready for a change. My brother and I would like to go rifle hunting somewhere up north. Doesn't matter where, just looking for some ideas for next year, so we can start planning. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[brittman]

No easy answer here.

Public land w/easy access may look relatively quiet when scouted (even during grouse season) but will be covered during deer gun. Often groups of people take over wooded cul-de-sacs or approaches.

You may want to try for a permit on State Park land. Then at least you know number of hunters is restricted and that people will not have a particular claim to an area.

[maros91]

I agree. There are many State Parks in your area that offer such hunts. Number of hunters are restricted and usually there are many deer if the park holds a hunt. My wife, father, and I will apply for a state park hunt next year.

[BradB]

Get a plat book of the county you want to hunt with. Then identify all the land-locked tax forfeited lands in the area you may wish to hunt. Look at them on Google Earth and identify areas that might be promising.

Then go to the farms around the land and be polite, and ask permission to walk through their land to get to the tax forfeited property. Do this in the spring or summer, and not anytime near the season. It helps if you are a bow hunter as they will be more likely to let you in to bow hunt, and then if they like you let you in to rifle hunt as well. Give them gifts (booze, food, etc.) and offer to help with any chores they may need help with.

This has worked for me very well, and I've had access to great properties with no one but me hunting them.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Dont hunt near parking spots. Pick your spot by pulling over on the side of the road far from convenient parking. This will up your odds of avoiding pressure dramatically.

[shogun]

If you're looking for a change, take up bowhunting!