Bowhunting land

Hi all,

I know this is a fishing board, but I was hoping for a little help. I moved up to the Twin Cities about 4 years ago, and would like to get back into bowhunting. I was thinking of trying to find a farm somewhere between Apple Valley and Red Wing. However, I guess I am not the type of person that feels real comfortable knocking on doors. Any thoughts on how I could approach this? I am willing to bale hay or do any chores during the summer in trade for some time in the woods. Any thoughts are appreciated.

nubbinbuck,

I am in the same boat that you are in. Only I am looking is Southern Washington County. I won’t knock on doors because I think that is rude. It seems that less people are willing to let people hunt on their land nowadays too. So if anyone out there is willing to I am willing to do anything in return.

Thanks much

Hi, I know its hard to find land now day’s — and I really don’t know your area very well… but I am from around lock and dam 16 area…. the public hunting area’s are probably the best kept secret for deer hunting in Iowa. I have been hunting them for more than 20 years and have had very good luck through the years. If you have any around your area I would not be affraid to hunt them. This year I have seen several very nice bucks and have taken a 140 class 8 point. Good luck and hope this helps.

He’s right. I hunt all refuge and love it. All by yourself and theres lots of it. The best places are the ones that you have to take boat to. The longer the run the better. The tiffinay bottoms are good. Plenty of land and swamp for those big bucks to hide. I have seen some real dandys in the upper 40’s and 60’s Havent’ come in close enough yet but next year is the one.

I’ve bowhunted public land for a long time and don’t feel handicaped at all. Most hunters try to stay away from public land, and I like that. There’s some good deer to be taken there. Check it out, I’ll bet you won’t be sorry. Good Luck hunt’n

Contact MNDNR they will be more than happy to give you some maps for public land to hunt on. I was in your situation untill i stopped at the dnr post in white water. the park ranger was very helpful. He gave me maps for the park and surrounding areas.

Goodluck!

Bart

While public land is plentiful and loaded with deer, don’t be afraid to knock on doors. Most farmers (those who are farming for a living, not the ones who are making a living selling the state’s deer to you) are more than happy to see the deer go. A few examples:

1. A friend of mine put a shed through a tractor tire this spring while cutting hay. 3 tines from the left side of an 8-point punched completely through the tire.

2. Another friend caught two fawns in the haybind a couple of years ago. One was instantly dead (cut in half) and the other was wounded very badly. He was instructed by the DNR that putting it out of its misery would constitute a poaching violation.

3. About 5 years ago someone pulled a doe into the corn head on the combine. The deer escaped with a badly wounded leg and fortunately, no serious damage to the combine.

While these cases are extreme, I don’t know of a single person who lives on a farm with lots of deer that hasn’t hit one with a car or had them wreck fences and harass livestock. For the people who demand cash in exchange for hunting, I laugh, leave, and know that their turn is coming. I just wish someone would take a picture of the expression on their face when their $250K machine is sidelined for a week because they were “deer greedy.”