Off Topic: Hunting in MN

Hey guys, I know seasons are over but we're just getting settled in and I am vowing to find a way to get some hunting done in 2013. We spent 2.5 years in Georgia and I didn't hunt a single day while down there.

I am using the DNR website for information regarding rules & regs. A few questions for any that hunt or can provide some general insight. My questions are around finding somewhere to hunt.


I'm hoping to find some private land via folks at work but I know that's a tough road to go down. Down south we have hunt clubs that lease land and can have anywhere from 5 to 50 members. These clubs tend to be really informal though - up here when I google hunt clubs or leases it seems like everything is a formal, organized club with landscaped clubhouses and stuff like planned pheasant hunts and skeet shooting. I envision a lot of wealthy city folks there with pristine benelli shotguns. Nothing against it, just not my thing. I'm looking for the pickup truck, scratched shotgun crew :)

Do those types of clubs exist up here? Is there a forum similar to this one for Minnesota outdoors? Georgia Outdoor News Forum - Powered by vBulletin (GON forum - Georgia Outdoors Network)

Also, regarding public land (WMAs'). Down south if you hunt a publc WMA you're taking your life in your hands......over crowded, "if it's brown it's down" crowd.
Are they like that here too?

Thoughts?

There is a lot of public land up here where hunting is first come first served, where it is allowed. Private land is by permission, a lot of that spreads by word of mouth as to who allows and who doesn't. Most of those I know either hunt on property of a friend or a friend of a friend, that sort of thing or work the public lands. The actual hunt clubs tend to be pretty exclusive which is what you are finding out. But most private owners are friendly and if you can come with a recommendation of someone they know and trust, you are as likely as not to get permission. Further away from the Twin Cities or other major population centers that is more likely of course. Most Minnesota hunters don't lease either. You are doing the right thing to do your leg work early.

The best thing like with fishing is to find someone local to hunt with and if you are in contact with other parts of the state in your job it doesn't hurt to ask those folks about possibilities in their areas.

A local hunt forum would be a better source of information than here. Only a little googling will provide some samples for you to check out.

Appreciate the feedback - right in line with what I'm finding, you're right.

Working on a few "in-roads" at work. Unfortunately most of them take a trip over to Wisconsin for some reason