Hunting Pressure

[Nate McVey]

I was hoping some of you guys would be able to shed some light on hunting pressure in some of the WMA's in Scott and Carver counties. I am new to Bloomington and see waterfowl as one of my only options for hunting this fall (besides a deer trip to western MN in November). I've been doing some research on line, and I'm afraid there may be a ton of pressure on some of these. Can a couple guys go midweek and avoid some of it? If you take a canoe to some of them, can you get away from the crowds? Are 500 decoys necessary to have a successful day?

I've been living in Duluth the last 4 years and there wasn't a whole lot of waterfowl pressure. Thanks for any info.

[WallyGader]

Its extremly tough to get away from the crowds in mn, midweek will help offcourse. A canoe could help you get to other spots where there may be fewer hunters, and for decoys it doesnt matter how many you have unless your hunting snows or late season canadas. When your hunting ducks in WMA's or small ponds there is usually no more than a few birds hanging around anyway, i think it comes down to your calling skills when your competeing with other hunters for the birds. Just my 2 cents.

[Scott M]

shiner, there will probably be a lot more pressure than what you're accustomed to, but if you can go midweek I think it makes all the difference in the world.

I don't think anybody can speak for every pothole out there, so the best you can do is go and find out how much pressure there really is.

[Nate McVey]

Agreed guys and thanks for the feedback.....without posting specific spots I was looking at and adding even more pressure, I'll check them out midweek and see how the crowds are. Good luck this season.

[dan z]

all ya gotta do is try and then try and then try mid week uaually helps and going to motorless lakes really help you can alsways jump shoot to keep yourself busy. good luck

[gonefishin11]

Google Earth is a great scouting tool. You can find small potholes on the back sides of WMAs that most people can't see from the road.

[dhuth]

Some may see this as "assisting the internet scouter" but its not meant as that. It is meant to save this guy some time and stress...

I also live in Bloomington. I have hunted just about every public pudle and field around the south metro. I will give you some places to stay away from (an no these aren't my honey holes and I'm not trying to save them for myself) if you don't believe me, go ahead and try them. These are listed from worst to no as bad...

1) RICE LAKE 169 and highway 13, the absolute worst display of skybusting, location choking, early shooting, bad calling I have EVER seen. take my word for it!

2) CARVER RAPIDS, may be decent mid week, but its a heck of a walk to go hunt with 50 other guys, skip the walking time and drive another hour instead of walking. Too many guys and they all want the holy grail of a goose. They will stop at nothing (yardage wise) to get one. Be prepared.

3)Anything else within an hour of here. My advice to you (if you haven't gotten it yet) is to spend the extra time driving to get a decent hunt. If you think about what I am telling you, you can picture what it is like out there. Hunting the metro is often like fishing minnetonka on the 4th of July. Sure you might have a decent day numbers wise but your blood pressure will also skyrocket. PM me with any questions.

[Nate McVey]

Thanks again everyone. dhuth, that's what I figured and thanks for laying it out there. I am by no means an "internet scouter" and was in no way looking for honeyholes, free tips or taking the easy way out. The way I looked at it was I'd rather test the waters here than show up on opening day and ruin someone else's hunt. It's not as easy to scout WMA's for geese and waterfowl (IMO) as it is to scout for deer (meaning to be able to tell if someone else plans to be hunting there). I appreciate the help and post back after a few midweek trips and let you know how it goes. Thanks!

[jerkin'm]

I sent you an email....

[Nate McVey]

Thanks, replied.