Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

What laws or restrictions would u like too see added and what restrictions would u like too see taken away? I would like too be able too use a scope for muzzloading. Even if its a low power one. Also how would u feel about antler restrictions?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Move gun season back to when it used to be.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Oh boy! This could be a long one. I would just move gun season back a couple of weeks out of the rut. I know this will start a battle between gun and archery hunters. I gun hunt also, but think that the movement caused by the orange army gets things going for gun hunters and the rut gets the movement for the archers.

I would also not object to antler restrictions but I do have mixed feelings about it. Mainly for youth or new hunters who haven't harvested a buck. I would hate to tell them they "couldn't" shoot a small buck.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Tee Jay - I have only lived in MN for a couple of years so pardon my dumb question of When did it used to be? Earlier or Later?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

i was just going too ask the samething, when did it use too be/ So by moving it out of the rut,the advantage would go back too the bowhunters your saying. I think u could have the anterler restrictions but take them off the youth tags.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Back in the 70s it opened tThanksgiving weekend. In the 80s they moved up a week. Before long it was opening the first weekend in Nov. And no by moving the rifle season back does not benafit the archer it benafits everyone. I archery hunt during rifle season. I havnt caried a gun for 4 years now. What it is going to do is let some of the bucks take their brain from between their legs an put it back in their heads. Take them out of the rut and let the boys get smart again.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

wow, that is a interesting concept. i wasnt around when it was like that. Id give that a shot, im up for anything new. U didnt mention what u thought of antler restrictions. do u think that would ruin hunting. Actually now that i re-read what u wrote, i think if they did that, they wouldnt have too have restrictions, correct?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

1. Move rifle season out of rut.

2. Get rid of party hunting.

3. Do a little more analyzing area specific on deer numbers. I live in Central/South Central MN. I can shoot like 5 deer. Well the numbers aren't there. Period. It just gets me real frustrated.

These are just a few. When we had our best hunting it was in the 90's. My dad likes to say we were doing QDM before there was QDM. We were passing bucks all the time. Hunting was very good. We had a day to remember in 1995, I shot a 205" gross and my dad shot 2 150" bucks on opening day. The reason we did good is because there was actually a population. Backthen you had to send for a doe permit, now you get 5. And you had to pick a weekend to hunt in our zone...before multi-zone and All-season. The DNR needs to come to grips. There may be a lot of deer in the state somewhere but in our 75 mile radius there are hardly any.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Yes, u get five doe permits now, but i dont think it will be like that forever and something had too be done, there was way too many deer. THe doe population back when u had the doe lottery was nothing like it is now. Also what do u have against party hunting. Im not for or against it per say, I just like too know when someone says too get rid of something, what their reasoning is. Also, the multi lis. or multi zone is great for someone who does archery, rifle and muzzloading. What part of the state are u in that u arent seeing any deer. I havent heard this anywhere in mn.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

In my post I wrote Central MN. Kimball to be exact. There are not many deer at all. I have never seen way too many deer...I like seeing deer. If you log on to fishing mn and look in some of the deer reports you will see others saying the same. People tend to forget how good it really was thats why they continue to say there are still deer. Well I can guarentee the numbers are far too low in my area as compared to the carrying capacity. The deer are a resource albeit a renewable resource but theyshouldnot be used asa marketing tool.

I like the all season that's fine but I say no party hunting. The reasoning is to save some deer. Also, how many people buy their wives, grandma's etc tags to fill...it happens more than one would think. If you shoot a deer then you should be happy and tag the deer and be done and hunt for the umteen doe tags allowed. But if you shoot your buck then you should definatly be done buck hunting. So maybe a new law could read party hunting only for antlerless but I say do away with it all. If you want to shoot a fork then that should be it for you.

The question could be asked the other way....Why dowe haveparty hunting?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

With the way MN's weather has changed so drastically in the past years. I would love to see the season start up later in the year. This past season was pretty bizarre temperature wise. I remember hearing stories of freak warm weather November hunting, but it seems to be the norm lately. Snow would sure be nice sometime during the season. That was the discussion this past year around the fire, poll was bump the season by a Month.

Mike

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I would also love to see the rifle season get pushed back a couple of weeks. I think they should get rid of permanent tree stands on public land. That is just a pet peeve of mine because of where I hunt. I think the state should go on some sort of antler restrictions. I would love to see bigger bucks on the public land that I hunt.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I dont know how I feel about restriction. Kids and new hunters. I think that there will be alot of dumped deeer. Pull the trigger walk up to it oh crap it is not big enough lets get out of here. There is an awfull lot of that now with spikes and doe permits. Move the season 3-4 weeks back let the bucks get smarter and they are going to get bigger. "Quality not Quantitee!"

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

i to would like to see the rifle season pushed back at least 2 weeks, and also i would like to see a buck tag draw ,.and less doe tags issued,. (the doe tags for at least a few years ) in the area that i hunt anyway., but i look at nothdakota and even in state hunters have to apply for a buck tag., and in some areas,. theyissue only 1 % buck tagsfor non-res.,so maybe we can do that also., and yes i think they could pass the law to use scopes on muzzle loaders ., and if they the people that dont want them? then dont use one.,i my self would use one..,there is so many was to and suggestions out there so who knows???

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I would definitely be in favor of moving the gun season back a couple weeks!! Sure the bow guys would have another two weeks in stand, but with the statistically low harvest percentages for archery....it wouldn't matter much at all in regards to the overall harvest. Give the rutting bucks some time to get over their urges and I think it would help tremendously.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

here is my only beef with moving the rifle season back. The problem is and it wont be for everyone, it depends on where u live, it could be damn cold. Almost too cold for the youth and elderly that hunt and if rifle is pushed back, muzzloading would have too be even later and it would really be cold. I know this wouldnt be a problem in certain parts of the state, but in the northern part, holy crap, u would die out there some days if the seasons were later.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I know the Wisconsin guys aren't any tougher than us. Their season always opens around Nov 20th. I don't think the cold hurt anyone in WI lately. It's not like you can't dress for it.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I live in eastern ND, and the Rifle hunting is almost not worth it unless you know someone who has some prime private land. The small areas of public land we have around here are almost wore out from all the rifle hunters.

As far as MN seasons go, I muzzleloaded in MN this year it was a blast. I unfortunately did not harvest an animal but the entire experience was a plus. It has been so much fun I want to move to MN to not pay so much to do that every year. I disagree with the allowing scopes, because you might as well shoot a rifle if you are going to scope a muzzleloader.

I could ramble more but I would just start talking about stuff I don't know about.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

We are Minnesotan's, we are supposed to enjoy being COLD!;)When I hunted in the 70's with my Dad up in Northerm MN it was almost always around 15 daytime high or much colder. Now days it is tough to plan on what type of gear that you intend to use, temp wise. Back then you just put on everything you could to try and stay a little warm. This past season up in zone 1, I came out of the woods soaking wet from sweat, I was wishing that I had packed some sun screen!

For myself, I really miss the old fashioned Winters. Nothing felt better than freezing in the woods and then the best hot chocolate, I ever tasted:D

As far as messing up the ML season, isn't that a seperate zone? Possibly they could just set some are area aside for just Muzzleloaders, I believe that the State already gives them the State Park lotto's for hunting. I am not sure on this though as I am just getting started into the Muzzleloading.

Mike

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I think that they should have muzzleloader season from the end of rifle all the way to the end of archery. That way I could hunt christmas break. Also scopes should be allowed. I 'm even going to propose no more than 2 shells in your rifle. It would keep people from making such idoitic shots.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

a muzzleloader has only one shot! a rifle has more ., cant compare the two!! the way i look at it,. it will be the all mighty dollar$$ ., the state will pass it some day soon ., so that the sporting goods stores,. and the state will make more (there)money? look what happen with the recurve and the long bow ., before you know it they went with compound with sights and release aids?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I still think they should only allow scopes on rifles if at all. Possible a special permit for red dots for those that really need them. but to just allow scopes for muzzleloading to just do it is a little far fetched.

I ate a 136 dollar muzzleloading tag this year for being a non resident and I am not upset about not harvesting a deer at all. A scope would have not helped me one bit at all.

I see your point about archery as well with the use of compound bows. I think that some of these bows they have been coming out with is insane. It doesn't take as much skill as it used to shoot a bow. I can remember hearing stories from my Dad and his Buddies how they use to shoot 900 rounds with 40% let off and still score in the 880's or 890's.

I shot a 900 round and scored almost 850, and I have only been shooting for a couple years... where has the skill factor gone? have we all gotten this lazy that we need everything to be about ease of use?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Well everyone I know buys the all season tag. So they are already hunting in late Nov and Dec. So the thing about beeing to cold is out. I say start rifle Thanksgiving Sat and run it for 9 days state wide. That will run into the first few days in Dec. Start Muzzleloader around the 15th of Dec and run it for 2 weeks.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I like that idea TeeJay, you get my vote if you are campaigning in the coming years.;)It just seems like they really need to get the season later in the year at least as long as this strange weather trend continues. I kind of enjoy frost on the nose syndrome, kind of makes you feel alive. Although for the rifle season we stay in my friends cabin very toasty, for next years ML season my other buddy tents it. He says that way you don't mind staying in the woods every minute of the day mostly because there is no place to go get warm. That will be my first attempt at Winter camping, I am already getting the cold weather camping gear list together. Cabela's will be loving me! I don't think the 2 shell idea could be enforced very easily. Although it sure would make a person make the first shot count. That is exactly what makes Muzzleloading and archery so attractive. You will just have to practice that idea on your own I'm afraid. We were doing that this past season instead of going into the woods with a clip full of ammo, we just took 4 bullets with for the day. I was shooting a bolt so you kind of need to make the first shot the one that counts anyways.

Mike

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I agree that it would be hard to enforce a two shell limit. The people who make the first shot count would probably be the only ones who would obey the law. All the deer that I've shot in my life have only taken one shot and the farthest one ever went was 25 yards. It just makes me mad on opening day it sounds like a war zone out there. People shooting machine guns.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

bowhuntnd ., i do agree with you ., maybe it is cause im dealing with poor eye sight then im used to ., i have never had a problem shooting with the gun untill this year, as far as my sight goes., glasses? yes i have them but i think i might have to get them redone or something ., i have to ask you ., how does your state do the buck tag? do they have a in state buck draw? (for the gun season)and if they do do they give out alot? i bowhunted out there last year and somethis year and the buck you have are awsome, i guess this post is to try and come up with a good idea so that our state can have bucks like that to., we have to do something with all the hunting pressure that we have!

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

The rifle season has a lottery for Buck tags. I have applied 5 or 6 times and gotten a buck tag every time. everyone I have hunted with in ND has gotten buck tags. THe non resident tags in this state are a joke. My dad lives in MN and I live in ND. for us to go hunting together it is expensive as hell. The last time I rifle hunted in ND was my dad's first ND buck tag in years, I think he said that he applied every year for 6 years. and he finally got one that year. I have not rifle hunted in ND for atleast 4 years. This is actually my first year bow hunting in ND. I am looking forward to many years of bowhunting be it in MN or ND.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Some areas here in Wi.have no deer at all.They used to have LOTS! Back in the 70s when i was younger id see 50 every day of the seasion,and not a buck anywhere.When you did shoot a buck,150#or better(meat-not bone)it was usually a fork at best.
Now the deer seam to be on private land.They wont go far from the food.I think all the deer feeders and food plots have caused a shift in the way people need to hunt.Private land is still holding alot of deer.Just a thaught.
I dont have any trouble with the weather here in Wi. unless its too warm like this year.I think the deer move arround less and you see fewer of whats there.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

how about starting rifle season same as the bow hunters? No party hunting, any firearms-no restrictions. Any deer. As much baiting as one could afford.Perhaps if bigger antlers taste better, one should pass up lesser bucks. Are we all asking what WE want or perhaps whats best for the vast numbers who hunt? While we all would love to shoot that trophy to go on the wall, it all comes down to personal satifaction of the hunt,be it a doe,spikes, or 8 pts or better. Who are we to judge what the regs should be. The DNR manages the deer population like they do fish ( quantity and not so much quality). They are making improvements with fishing regulations-what do you hear from the ones who used to go to Mille Lacs.Antler restictions don't work-period. They have been tried in many other states already. A older age group of hunters must need to have a different mind set- shoot more does to get herds into check- Like someone else already wrote-zones need to be broken down smaller and more micromanaged to reflect a better deer density. Enforceing it would be difficult as to what zone the deer was legally taken, though. I'd love to see a deer season months old-like in some of the southern states but its not neccessary. What about moving ML season to the first part of October instead of after rifle season? I can only imagine what the bow hunters have to say about that suggestion. I really don't understand the logic of having it after the rifle season-especiaaly if scopes aren't allowed. I guess that was the way the DNR gave in the growing numbers of ML hunters. Or how about the first 4 weeks of deer season for bowhunters, next 4 weeks ML and the next 2 weeks for rifle? I'm sure this will stir the pot alittle. No baiting at any time by anyone during any deer season. Must go as I'm off to to try again to stick an arrow into a doe before season closes. Yes I do bowhunt- predominetly.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Kaily I dont understand your xconcearns with baiting. It is illeagle now. I have no problem moving rifle hunting ahead. Just get it out of the rut. You say they are going places with their fish regulations actually making headway. Is this not from the slots? This is different from antler restrictions how?

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I'd say move the gun season so it's later in the month. It seems it's been getting warmer and warmer and I have personally not had much luck when it's real warm.

Also, I hunt on private land. Every Thanksgiving me and my uncle check some of the trails and there always seems to be more added scrapes and signs of activity. Out of five hunters though, we typically each get one a piece every season. I just think it would be better if it were colder.

I am not trying to rob the post here, but when does the rut in MN typically start? I hear a lot of conflicting answers and reasons, such as weather, day light, etc. I also see so many different scenarios when I'm hunting. A lot of does with a fawn or two, and then a few days later, I'll see a five pointer following a doe, and the next day, a big eight pointer walking all alone. Not sure what to think is going on as far as the rut.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Define rut??????

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Rut (As of deer in rut) The periodic sexual excitement, or heat, of certain mammals.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

As far as I can understand what you mean is the breeding itself right? There is "rut" activity as early as 1 Oct.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I guess I would say i meant the breeding itself. I wasn't sure when the rut started or how long it went. I'm pretty much talking about when bucks are chasing does. I'm not sure how big of a window that would fall into, or when it typically happens.
I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, but I see people write on here that they would like the hunting season out of the rut. I don't know, but I always assumed you'd want to hunt during the mating season, because it seems that there is more movement and mistakes to be made by the deer. I don't know.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

This is the problem! Our good ol boy hunters in this state cant stand to let a little buck pass. In fear the neighbor will smoke him. Let the bucks settle down and get their wits back.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I hear your point. I pass up deer every year, even with the thought of it not making it to the next season. Ya never know if a neighbor down the line is baiting or taking deer out of season.
Our party is 50/50. One side wants proper managment and shoots exclusively for bigger bucks, and the other side shoots for venison.
Either way, who wouldn't like to hunt when the chances are best.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

I think there should be a point restriction for everyone 16r and older for at least a year. You have to let some of the deer go by if you plan on shooting a big one someday. I think muzzleloaders are ment to be scope LESS, but if you want a scope you should have to hunt the shotgun season. The muzzleloader season is for open sights.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

We should make it a 4 point on oneside or betterrestriction. I like the Idea of moving the rifle season to the end of october. Those poor little and big bucks dont stand a chance during rut when gun seasons on. I noted little bucks first cause the big boy still have some sense not much but the little ones are just plain dumb it seems during peak (full) rut. I see alot of deer were we live so im not complaining about thatbut we have the potential to have alot of big bucks (140") plus. I my self would rather shoot a doe then a small 8 point even. Why shoot a little buck (spike, fork, 6point, small 8 point) so you can tell your buddys yeah got a big spike 6'' spikes 7'' inside spread WOW when if in just 3 years of passing the little ones up you wouldnt beleve the difference you would see in overall size. I do alot of bow hunting mostly public land and my few small potlatch leases. and see lots of good potental but always pass the little 8's up but it sucks to see the guy down the road drag them out so much for him getting bigger.2 years ago a good friend and I were hunting county land he shot a 18 pointer it was about a 135" main frame 10 point with alot of 2 inch stickers and a 3-4'' droptine we had a dnr look at it and it was only a 2.5 year old deer, for all we know it could have had spikes the year before. Im just trying to say that if you let them walk they will get big. As for the permanent deer stands crow wing county and cass county they are already outlawed cant build them cant sit in them good step imo. I like the idea of Travisvillesthe 2 shots in your gun sometimes it sounds like a war by you. I'm sure some people wont agree with me but owell keep shooting the spikes trophy hunters.

RE: Mn hunters, what would u do diffrent?
 

Tee jay your from wadena you have some nice ones over there