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DEER HUNTING in MINNESOTA
Every November, over 400,000 hunters gather in Minnesota's woods and fields to pursue what may be the  most adaptable big game animal of all: the whitetail deer. The
whitetail has been able to survive and expand in the face of civilization as well as large wilderness areas like those in the northern part of the state. Their numbers continue to expand, which is further proof of their
adaptability. This adaptability has served the whitetail well when it comes to eluding hunters also. The success rate in Minnesota for deer is about 25-30 percent annually. That means about 300,000 hunters go
home empty handed each year. With the proper equipment and preparation it wouldn't have to be that way. Most hunters totally overlook the scouting process. Scouting is as important a part of the hunt
as the hunt itself. A thorough knowledge of the area hunted combined with the proper equipment will help insure a successful hunt. |
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DEER HUNTING in MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA DEER HUNTING METHODS
Deer hunting in Minnesota usually involves locating a prime spot to put a stand and the patience and perseverance to wait the deer out. Preseason scouting is the key to a successful hunt. Unfortunately, many hunters neglect this important step. By getting out and scouting the area ahead of time, much can be learned. Start by finding trails that lead between nighttime feeding areas and daytime bedding areas. If you can find an area that bottlenecks the deer, such as a narrow strip of land between two bodies of water, ups your odds considerably. To improve the odds even more, find an active scrape. If you locate such an area, you can be sure that the buck will be back. It is best to set up multiple stand locations to cover different wind directions. Obviously you want to be hunting from the stand that is downwind of the area you are watching. By having several stands to choose from, you can be assured that you will have a downwind stand no matter the wind direction. If you have done your preseason work properly, you have improved the odds considerably.
The morning of the hunt, quietly approach the selected stand from downwind. By using a good deer lure, one can cover oneself in case a deer approaches from an unexpected direction. Once on the stand, patience is the key to bagging a buck. A hunter's patience is often determined by how comfortable he is. It is important to be dressed properly so one can stay warm and comfortable. Good quality PAC boots like the Rocky Barrows will keep the feet warm under the coldest conditions. Dressing in layers is important, not only to stay warm, but it allows one to take clothes off during the middle of the day. Don't forget to pack handwarmers. They can make the difference between staying on the stand all day or leaving early because of the cold. During very cold conditions, a heater such as the All Day Heater will help one to stay on the stand for extended periods of time. Many times, the hunter that is able to be patient will score. Bagging a deer usually comes down to doing the preseason scouting properly and waiting for the opportunity to arrive.
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