MN Special Archery Hunts
Minnesota
Contributors to this thread:
Has anyone ever hunted Elk River's archery hunt and if so do you have any feedback on the hunt? What other special archery hunts are folks trying to get drawn for this year?
Cant speak for the rest, but I lived down the road from the woodlands for a long time. Never hunted it, a few deer in there. From what I understand hunters are assigned a section. If your looking for a brute, there around, but I don't know if you would have the freedom to be productive enough to find them.
Where in Elk River?? Used to hunt an area near Armstrong ave.
He is referring to the hunts hosted by the city. There are a handful of parks around the city that they grant access to for bowhunting to a select few.
That's right. There are a few areas within the parks the city administers a hunt for this fall. Just checking to see if anyone has hunted this one before or if you have other ones you hunt I would like to hear your feedback.
We should just blow this MN forum up. Or maybe everyone goes to the WI page like me. This forum is terrible.
Not enough people interested around here. I'm on WI more than here as well.
I will chime in a bit more than I did about your hunts. I know the areas well, I know there are deer, all about looking what you want to get out of it.
If you have no good place to hunt currently, or ER is close to you, give it a try. I have contemplated doing the hunt many times, but what it boils down too, is time. There is never enough time in a season for any hunter, so I chose to use the time I have, in places I know very well, and know big bucks roam.
It would be a gamble. Are there big boys around in there, I'm sure, its within the city, not a ton of hunting pressure. But there are always people around, they are parks after all. They have gotten used to peoples presence, but are still smart about it. And who is to say the big boy is going to be in your designated zone? I have been in a few of them for recreational purposes many times, and have seen a buck maybe twice.
I don't know for sure, but I would also bet there is a ton of people that apply for it. And availability for roughly a dozen? Between 5-6 different areas? Cant remember exactly.
Thanks Frigid. I didn't mean to be offensive to you just in general I am disappointed we don't have a more robust community on here like WI does. That said, I apply to a LOT of city hunts as I don't have access to private land in the metro-ish area so that leaves me with these hunts. Each one is a gamble and I've taken some nice bucks too but that's the exception, not the rule or norm.
I agree on the lack of participation on here. Lots of bow hunters in this state, both in state hunters and those that hunt out west. Maybe people aren't aware of the site?? 'm on the Big Game forum and the Colorado forum because I hunt Colorado.
Lack of participation is a understatement, used to get very involved with the MN non-profits, state organizations, taught as a DNR bowhunter Ed instructor . Many bowhunters in MN are incredibly complacent, self-centered or non-political. Sometimes when I pressed the issue with folks a response would be "we have private land, manage our own bowhunting opportunities", or "I only bowhunt until firearm season opens". Getting anyone to put money on the table to help fight antis was also sometimes difficult with the "what's in it for me" attitude. How many people even know MBI, MSAA, SCI-NW Archers, Professional Bowhunters Society, Christian Bowhunters, The Sportsman's Alliance, etc. exist and fight for bowhunting rights in MN and beyond?? Firearm hunters dominate most state DNR discussions and feedback. Its gotten to the point they hardly even ask archers any more.
You may not care to get involved with politics, but politics care a whole lot about controlling you... Author unknown
Tonybear61, your one comment about "we have private land,manage our own bowhunting opportunities" pretty much hits the nail on the head. Its the same here in Wisc. Heck of a lot more members and participants when it was blue collar,not any more the State bowhunting org. was pushing close to 12,000 members back in the late 90's now its around 4000, sounds like a lot compared to Minn, but you have to remember Wisc has twice or more bowhunters. Its isn't do to the aging of hunters line either. Technology and changing private land ownership have caused much of the decline.
I also hear that since they went to computerized tag reporting many folks don't bother even though it is illegal. A hunting buddy even heard someone in the DNR office giving that advice to not worry about it.
So what are they using for their harvest info to make decisions on harvest management???
I live near lake of the woods, no one bowhunts around here anymore.
Grubby, was there a time when it was popular by you? Seems north of hwy 2 bowhunters are sparse in general
Yeah, 15 years ago there was a lot of bowhunters and more archers in general , there’s definitely not less hunters, just less Bowhunters
I agree tonybear they are making poaching even easier now. I’m assuming that the honest ones who use to register at a station according to the regulations will take the time to do it online or phone. Poachers will be poachers is my mentality. If it were my choice we would have much stiffer penalties. Taking away hunting privileges from a poacher to me doesn’t make sense solely, but add on a hefty monetary fine and it might stop a few.
When the deer herd has declined in NE MN, the hunters declined. I haven't archery hunted for deer in MN since 2011 but still rifle hunt. There's a number of reasons but if there's not very many deer to hunt who's going to hunt? I can still enjoy the woods in other ways.
I applied but did not win the lottery
No vehicle issues, house appliance repairs, lawn or tree issues, work lets me breathe for a few hours. THAT to me is winning the lottery I actually have time to hunt.
If anyone is interested there are still a lot of openings for the camp ripley hunt. Just go to the license purchase site and buy one of the two ripley options to hunt there. Yes you do need to use your regular doe or buck tag.
By the way, Minnesota bowsite users will never get close to the Wisconsin forums. Just ain't gonna happen.
I tried Ripley a few times but gave up. I guess it’s just not my style but I did see a monster buck ther a few years back I will never forget!!
Jeff the wi forum got kind of weird lately with a few guys.
Mnhunter, I think those few guys making things weird are all the same person. Some had never posted before.
I agree Jeff it’s too much of a coincidence.
Used to only follow the WI forum. Between all the crossbow talk and the fake profiles, its getting really old........ Why is drama associated with EVERYTHING? Bowsite is supposed to be a fun place to share experiences and knowledge.....I have been primarily on the beast lately do to it all. I used to prefer bowsite over it.
Never heard of the beast. The fake names as of lately are over the top! Some days it’s like a car wreck I just can’t turn my head away no matter how hard I try:)
Been on the Wi. Forum since inception (lived in Wi. for 21 yrs and here since 06) and have seen good people go and bad ones come in. Will not reply to fake, if they cannot be forth coming then it is just trouble and the Wi site has went south with the main characters bulling tactics. At least Mn. has held their ground to baiting and x-bow which plays a big factor on the public ground, just hope it stays the course. Going to hunt Ripely the first time do to the youth hunt, where I hunt above Hwy 1 on public it is bad enough with the grouse hunters during that time and throw in the rifle hunt I'll do Ripley not worry about lead, it would be sweet to have a traditional bow hunt on Ripley similar to McAlester, Ok. Enjoy the hunt- JJ
Good luck at ripley! Please keep us posted. I went 3 or 4 times and had fun. Saw the biggest buck to date while in the stand while hunting there.
A traditional hunt there would be cool but I suppose it probably wouldn’t fit there agenda of thinning the herd like they want. From what I e heard the good old days there were a lot more deer. But still plenty of deer and quality bucks too. Good luck to the youth and enjoy!