When you said NE Minnesota, I was thinking the arrowhead area or the iron ore region. Big Falls is north central.

Anyway, I'm straight south a few hours and can't really help personally with that area. I can recommend you to call the MN DNR wildlife office in International Falls, just north of where you will be hunting:

218-286-5434

I talked to Frank there and asked a few questions for you. He said the "deer numbers are not exceptional" in that area. He talked about how the winters have been tough on deer there as well as the timber wolves. Together they have kept the deer numbers down a bit. In fact, he said it's been since 1998 in that area that the state had to limit to only antlerless or antlered tags.(forgot what he said)

Looking at my map, the wildlife management in that area was out of International Falls, so I gave it a shot. Frank said he and another gentleman cover Big Falls. Sounds to me he's the guy you should be talking to. He also said you could eMail him or the other guy from that office as well. Their eMails are below:

[email protected]
[email protected]

He also talked about the area to the west, the Pine Island area is not too good on populations. He talked about a general place to start is along the Big Fork river. Frank mentioned the best thing for you to do is contact him and tell him exactly you will be hunting and he can give you the info for that area. I also urge you to ask him where "he" thinks the best area for you guys to hunt at is.

Hope that helps. Be careful over there; be safe!

iSnipe