Public land success!

[Powerstroke]

My dad and I spent the day hunting together. He wanted to go duck hunting and I wanted to pheasant hunt. We made a plan and did both.

We started off duck hunting at a WPA that I've hunted before. I haven't had much success in the past, but it was the only place I knew of on short notice. We got out bright and early. The air was a crisp 28*F and there was ice ~10 feet out from shore. We got the deeks set and waited. We bumped a small group of mallards off the water that were sitting in the spot I wanted. Once we were barely set up we got buzzed by a pair of woodies. We finished with one green-wing teal. It should have been two, but I missed.

After dragging our gear back to the truck we grabbed lunch and headed to a different WMA that I knew of. It had a couple acres of crops on it so I figured that would be a good place for some pheasants. I was right!!

I got these boys about 30 feet apart, each of them with a single shot. I make mention of that because I've used almost an entire box of shells so far this hunting season and haven't hit a thing. It was starting to get old.

There can be success on public land if you put in some time and do a little scouting. I also went on a weekday which I'm sure helped.

[fishuhalik]

Nice work! I know it's frusturating when you're first learning to shoot, but keep at it and eventually you'll get 'er down just fine.

[fishinmajishin]

Well now you got the eye for it. Just keep visualizing those shots and what you did right. You'll be saving alot more on ammo now, and eatin better too!

[Neighbor_guy]

Well done. We have all spent a lot of money on Public land. Glad to see it is getting used and that someone has had success on it.

[USPENAMC]

ive shot all my deer,first buck first doe, in public land. as a matter of fact heading up to bemidji around noon to see what public land has to offer. Sometimes like you said going on a weekday when there is less people and less pressure pays off

[mrklean]

nice job, i think some people over look public land

[Neighbor_guy]

BTW I wll likely be spending my weekend running the lab on public ground for grouse.

[Powerstroke]

I know that too many people turn their nose up at public land or think that it doesn't have the quality. Both places that I hunted are about an hour from my place. I use the DNR's rec compass to check out land form the air and then I plan whole days to hunt/scout these places out. Make notes on the ones I want to visit and then print a photo of them. I keep a folder of my maps and take notes on successes and activity noticed.

The MN public land system does have its shortfalls, but it is a pretty good system and its growing all the time.

(shameless plug)

VOTE YES ON THE OUTDOORS AMENDMENT!!

[Wanderer]

Good work Powerstroke!

You do get payback on public land when you invest the time and energy that you have.