Help for deer hunting in MN

[Lbys]

I'm looking to take my first deer this season, but have had bad luck finding a guided hunt that suits me. I'm probably being cheap, but I'm looking for an outfit that:

• Will teach me something about deer, their behavior/habitat, and how to find them
• Help me bag one (obviously)
• Show me how to field dress and haul the carcass out
• Offer some help or training in fully dressing the carcass

I'd like to go on a 2-3 day hunt for $500 or less, but what I've been able to find so far in MN on the internet are guided hunts that cost $1000+, and don't include some of those points above. Anyone have any suggestions? I have the equipment to do rifle (NE MN) or shotgun (SW MN), so I'm not picky there.

 

[bclark1]

do you have property to hunt on, or do you need the land?
i'm not sure where in MN you are, but my family has land in western WI, not far from MN, where i do my hunting. assuming populations are comparable, there is no shortage of deer, and if you get some time in the woods now i see no reason why you wouldn't be able to bag one on public land. it can be tough though, i've never deer hunted public land but i have gone for turkey and i got skunked my first year out.

i just make this suggestion because i taught myself to shoot and hunt as well, and i think it's been a good experience. frustrating at times, yes, but it's been worthwhile and cost effective. the first thing i'd say is read, a lot. there are plenty of books out there, and you can find videos on the web. take classes if you can, too. hunter's safety is a bit redundant if you've done the reading, but it never hurts to reinforce the basics. there are also a lot of DNR sponsored workshops. before my first deer season, i went to a "learn to hunt deer" program with the wisconsin DNR. yea, i was one of the older people / only guys there and felt a little sheepish (my offhand, open-sight groups once we got to the range spoke for themselves, though ). but again, it helped reinforce things the basics and i did learn some new stuff. if you don't know many hunters messages boards are an invaulable resource, too.

i think you can pull it off, but it's up to you. cleaning animals the first time around without help can be tricky, but if you truly take in the sport and respect your game you'll get it right.

anyway, this is an alternative suggestion and not really answering your question. thought i'd throw it out there, though. i could tell you what i've been working with if you need recommended reading.

 

[countertop]

Best advice is to get out and find someone to go hunting with who might be able to show you around.

As for me, if anyone has info on hunting in Minnesota in general I would greatly appreciate it. Looks like I will be on a farm in western Minnesota (Red River Valley) for 3 or 4 days in late September or early October.

Is anything in season this time of the year?

 

[halvey]

Tree rats.

 

[Sunray]

"...teach me..." Few, if any, outfitters will do that as part of the hunt. On the other hand, there are lots of books about deer hunting. Your local public library is likely a great place to find deer hunting books. Plus there are lots of internet sites about deer, including field dressing. You may find that a call to your DNR will get you info on work shops etc they may run. Here's their url. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/index.html
Cabela's has three stores in MN. East Grand Forks, Rogers and Owatonna. They run deer hunting seminars too. A visit to Cabela's isn't a bad thing for any reason. They sell all kinds of game hauling stuff too. A lot of it can be home made or modified from stuff you already have. An inexpensive poly tarp will do for hauling the deer out.
Guided hunts aren't cheap anywhere. Joining a shooting club will, sooner or later, get you invited to hunt with the friends you'll make there. Plan 'B' would be to go with a buddy and split the cost, but most guided hunts, everywhere, are priced on a 'per hunter' basis.

 

[Abby]

Where do you live in MN?

Before Florida, I lived north of the Twin Cities. I belonged to a WONDERFUL gun club in Lake Elmo (Oakdale Gun Club).

If you really want to LEARN about hunting and don't have anyone to teach you, I'd honestly recommend you find a good gun club near you. Most have public hours. Go there. Shoot. See if you can make friends (gun club people are nice).

You can also try posting a card on a bulletin board wherever you decide to shoot, "Responsible grownup needs deer hunting mentor." Gun people like to share their interest - there's a pretty decent chance you will get a call (esp. if you pointed out a willingness to pay for that first experience).

My husband and I hunted a couple years at...crap crap crap...no map here...a public hunting area about 25 miles north of the cities, 5 miles or so east of Hwy 10. Got deer each year, saw plenty running around. But that doesn't solve that pesky issue of what you do with it once it's down...that's a confusing situation the first time.

best of luck!

 

[sgtt]

Sounds to me you should check out the MN DNR website. Loads of info. Most importantly Firearms Safety training.

 

[killzone]

Abby,

Oakdale gun club is nice... Are you a lifetime mamber? I loke their 200 yards line. And they are not too up tight about the shooting hours.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

countertop, MN DNR is at

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html

Looks like dove is open Sept/Oct. Grouse, rabbit, waterfowl probably as well. Good luck.

 

[Abby]

Killzone,

Alas, no. I'm married to the military, so I knew our time there would be limited. But I had a great time there, helped out with some hunter's safety classes, shot a lot. I'd re-join in an instant if I ever got back there.

Nice group of folks, too.

 

[arcticap]

Unless you want an outfitter to offer some kind of a crash course in how to hunt, I believe that you would be learning many of the things you're asking about just by booking the hunt, going, rubbing elbows with the guide and observing how they handle your game.
Magazine subscriptions are great, and for more than several months of subscriptions before deer season begins, there are usually lots of articles about all of the things that you are asking about. But you have fallen behind by not having the subscriptions already. But many libraries do have all the back issues of many outdoor/hunting periodicals which are often even available to check out and take home.
Learning how to hunt is usually something gained over time through experience and by being in the woods along with sufficient reading or obtaining some videos or other learning materials.
That's why one poster mentioned squirrel hunting, because just by being in the woods and stalking small game, you will learn some hunting techniques and how to read game signs.
So, keep following all the good advice the posters have offered here, and don't expect to become an expert too quickly unless you are willing to "hunt down" the right learning materials on your own time so that you will be best prepared for the learning by experience and observation stage.
Doing web searches should also show you a lot of learning resources.
Go Twins! #34 4ever

 

[Lbys]

Thanks all for your suggestions. Sounds like I have some homework to do--maybe spend some time this season doing a lot of research and trying to meet some folks, then bag one next season!

Abby, thanks in particular for the Lake Elmo gun club suggestion. I checked out their website, and will be visiting as soon as I get off the road. Might be fun to have something to shoot at other than silhouettes at 50 yds.

 

[pete f]

Seeing as about 30% of the state buys a deer license, or some insane number like that, finding someone to go deer hunting with should be pretty easy.....

Call the MN deer Hunters Assoc. they have seminars and stuff all the time as well as maps listing places with culling and dedicated harvest intentions too. with in two hours of the cities are GREAT places to hunt. With in Four hours are some of the best on earth. We hunt Mn, wisc and some years over to Mich UP too.


http://www.mndeerhunters.com/

This year we are full up, but if you PM I may be able to point you to some who spaces....