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Holm-Made
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« on: December 21, 2011, 11:54:59 PM » |
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Now that the season is winding down, I'm curious as to how the deer numbers were in your neck of the woods. I hunted around Brainerd/Little Falls, NW corner of the state, Grand Rapids and a couple places in North Dakota. This was my slowest year by far when it comes to seeing deer. I sat stand an estimated 50 plus times and saw probably 15 deer total from the stand. I had shot opportunities on only 2 deer. Most years, I have good shot opportunities (under 15 yards) on about 8-12 deer.
What have you guys seen? My impression is that deer numbers are way down in the northern half of the state. Chad
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rraming
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« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2011, 07:23:34 AM » |
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I saw a lot of deer on some private land I got to hunt on (5 days) near Stillwater. On public land (near Hinkley) I never saw a doe, which was strange, I usually see at least one every time I go. I only had one shot opportunity on a button buck and passed on it. Maybe 5 days on public land. I think numbers were down in the public area i hunt but also had other hunters disturbing deer, shown by flagging tape through the bedding area, so I can not really say. It was funny to see how much flagging tape one guy needed to find his way 70 yards through the pines, should of used a rope line instead.
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HalfRack
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« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2011, 04:23:35 PM » |
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I saw a lot of deer while hunting the 4 times I went, like 5-15 per hunt. In the southern half of the state numbers are comparable with other years, but the point restriction is paying dividends with the quality of deer up a notch. Another positive is that I hear gun hunters complaining about not being able to pop off a quick shot at moving deer and actually having to take the time to IDENTIFY the deer positively before shooting, i think this makes for a safer gun hunt.
-Mike
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Holm-Made
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« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2011, 03:05:25 AM » |
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Probably makes for less wounded deer too, Mike.
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Joeingrandrapids
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« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2011, 09:57:58 AM » |
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Hunting mainly Itasca county I saw normal numbers to higher numbers during pre-rifle season. But once the firearms season started movement shut down.
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Tod_Becker
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« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2011, 12:07:50 PM » |
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We had normal or high activity in our area this year.
With the heavy snow last year I put up one of the feeder that attaches to the bottom of a bucket and sprays the corn out. I was concerned that the deer would bunch up and be feeding on top of their droppings. I set it at two times a day with a small amount of food to supplement their browse. The deer would come a couple of times a day and then work their way to other back yard feeders a quarter mile away. I used the snow blower to clear an area for them to get out of the deep snow.
I did find two deer carcasses in the spring. They looked like young deer that may have been caught in the deep snow by the coyotes.
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W900
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Posts: 27
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« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2011, 07:13:43 PM » |
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Slow in my area. If the farmer puts up corn we don`t see many deer till it snows which doesn`t seem write but that`s what happens every other year. If he plants bean`s we see lots of deer I have never understood this but that`s the way it works for my area.
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Take a kid hunting now and you won`t have to hunt for them later !
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jaybird
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« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2011, 03:11:14 PM » |
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Saw lot's of deer each time I hunted until the firearms season opened.
Been very slow since.
I sat out all but two hours yesterday and never saw a deer. Sat again this morning and never saw a deer.
This is on private land that I have exclusive permission to hunt in an area where firearms hunting is not allowed.
I can drive around the neighborhood at night and see a ton of deer but they sure are scarce during shooting hours.
I saw one very large racked buck this season.
Shot a small rack buck on opening day. Could have shot a boatload of spikes, forks etc... They were all over especially during late October.
I started deer hunting in the early 1970's. Compared to those days the deer hunting in MN is fabulous. Back then I was lucky if I saw a handful of deer in an entire season.
Happy Holidays!
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Buck Fever
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« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2011, 06:37:57 PM » |
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I did not get out as much as I'd like to this year  It seemed like the numbers were down a little though. It's hard to say when a person only hunts a relatively small piece of property, 80 acres. BETTER LUCK next year!!! No complaints though  |
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jaybird
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« Reply #9 on: December 25, 2011, 07:01:23 PM » |
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Sat from 1:30-sundown again and no deer sightings. Still incredible weather for Christmas day.
Heading up after ruffed grouse tomorrow.
It's a wonderful life!
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BadShotDad
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« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2011, 09:06:47 PM » |
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I saw no deer in the *6* hours of hunting I got this season- surprise, surprise. That was in a public hunting area here in the Metro. But there was ample sign, and we saw a buck in the same area when we went on a family scouting trip in September.
There are at least 4 does and a buck here in Hopkins. I see them when I get up in the morning. Saw two huge turkeys today on the way out to do some shopping. Alas, no hunting hereabouts. Maybe one will run in front of the car...
Here's to next year!
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Snuffer
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« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2012, 11:57:37 PM » |
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Wadena and Alexandria areas seemed down this year, seen less deer than the last 3 years.
Lack of snow to move deer to cover was the problem in the late season (after gun season).
Good winter like we are having should help. Counting the days till season opens again!!!!
Chuck
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Chuck
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jaybird
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« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2012, 06:29:03 PM » |
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I did not get out as much as I'd like to this year It seemed like the numbers were down a little though. It's hard to say when a person only hunts a relatively small piece of property, 80 acres. BETTER LUCK next year!!! No complaints though Up until this year I had 2-1/2 acres to hunt. This year I obtained permission for another 5 acres so I am living large! |
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Buck Fever
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« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2012, 09:56:10 PM » |
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If you have a great spot to hunt with fantastic neighbors, all you need is a yard to hunt in. If you have a mediocre or bad area to hunt with bad neighbors that like to trespass and shoot deer on the property your hunting on, you need more. I am unfortunately hunting in an area described by the latter description!!!
I have tried to aquire many other properties to hunt on, but so far I have been denied.
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littlebigman
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« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2012, 04:04:56 PM » |
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We have a phenominal herd down here in the SE. We killed 4 does and one great buck on my farm. The buck was killed by my nephew on 12/6. He was a 12 point that scored 148 gross. 2 py bucks 2 years in a row for the kid. I hunted nearly ever day of the season and passed up numerous legal bucks that were just 2.5 year olds. this easy winter is going add to the population for sure.
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