Minnesota’s statewide fishing report for Sept. 6, 2023
Last weekend’s heat slows angling activity. A look at the fishing report from across Minnesota on Sept. 6, 2023.
Minnesota’s statewide fishing report for Sept. 6, 2023 Read More »
Kids learn trout fishing, habitat work at Wisconsin’s Trout Unlimited camp
Harlon Meade’s 16 birthdays belie the fact he’s already a seasoned trout fisherman.
The Antigo High School senior was one of about 20 kids at Trout Unlimited’s annual youth camp Aug. 17-20 in Waupaca and Waushara counties in Wisconsin. Linn Beck, president of TU’s Central Wisconsin Chapter, helped organize this year’s event at Pine Lake Camp near Waupaca.
Kids learn trout fishing, habitat work at Wisconsin’s Trout Unlimited camp Read More »
What the ideal morning setup looks like during the early archery season
Anyone who consumes plenty of whitetail media has surely heard mixed opinions on hunting mornings during the early archery season. Is it worth it or not?
That depends on what you are looking for. Mornings during the early season can be a good time to fill a doe tag if you have that option. But what about older bucks? Many voices in the whitetail world say skip the mornings until bucks are on their feet longer when it gets closer to the rut, but there are situations where it can work in September and early October.
Here are the ingredients that need to come together.
What the ideal morning setup looks like during the early archery season Read More »
Youth Outdoor Activity Day in Minnesota draws thousands to Alexandria Shooting Park
The annual Youth Outdoor Activity Day in Alexandria has become a model for how to host a one-day event that focuses on introducing and keeping kids active in the outdoors. Sunday’s event was another example of that.
This year’s youth day at the Alexandria Shooting Park featured ideal weather conditions and drew 4,643 people, including an estimated 2,785 kids. The six-hour, completely-free event hosted by Douglas County Pheasants Forever and the Alexandria Viking Sportsmen Club provided participants with more than 50 outdoor-related activities for kids.
Youth Outdoor Activity Day in Minnesota draws thousands to Alexandria Shooting Park Read More »
Here’s what to pinpoint with scouting leading up to archery deer season
It had been almost a year since I’d been on this property in North Dakota, and my first order of business was checking out a specific bedding area.
It’s actually more of a single bedroom – the tip of an oxbow so small on a narrow river system that the cover is going to hold only a deer or two, but that deer could very well be the biggest buck on the property. I believe the buck I tagged during the 2022 archery season was bedded here before he presented me with a shot coming out to the edge of the standing cornfield.
My buddy Sam Schmid and I were back on the property a few weeks ago as we followed a subtle trail through the canary grass and found a good-sized deer bed.
Here’s what to pinpoint with scouting leading up to archery deer season Read More »
New ownership group brings archery to Alexandria at west-central Minnesota shooting park
The Alexandria area in west-central Minnesota is a popular destination for outdoor users across the state, most notably those who want to spend time on the water fishing or otherwise recreating on the hundreds of lakes in the area.
Now there’s a reason to grab a bow when coming to town. A new ownership group that took over this year at the Alexandria Shooting Park has wide-ranging plans for the future of that park. Part of those plans involves making archery a primary component of the park’s offerings.
New ownership group brings archery to Alexandria at west-central Minnesota shooting park Read More »
Could antler point restrictions be the answer for a more balanced deer herd in parts of Minnesota?
For decades, Minnesota DNR surveys have shown that many hunters want change, but there’s little agreement on regulations to increase the number of older bucks. The result continues to be a deer population that lacks a balanced age and sex structure in many parts of the state.
Could a state like Missouri, with a similar number of hunters and a gun season that, like Minnesota, falls during its peak breeding period, be a model for how a limited antler point restriction could do something to improve the balance of that age and sex structure in areas where CWD is not present?
Easily train your bird dog to recover big game before this fall season
My mind was still racing with nervous energy as I walked back to the truck along the standing cornfield last September at last light.
I had just shot a great buck with my bow. The shot hit its mark perfectly, but the deer ran into the corn after the shot. That’s an uneasy feeling. After waiting a half an hour, I got down from the tree and followed the blood into the corn for about 20 feet before losing the trail for a few seconds.
“Back out,” I thought. “This is what you trained him for.”
Easily train your bird dog to recover big game before this fall season Read More »
Detroit Lakes’ Kira Wolf wins first Girls Division title at Minnesota’s clay target state tournament
The Minnesota State High School Clay Target League wrapped up its 2023 spring trap shooting season with two individual titles and a team championship up for grabs at the state tournament on June 23 at the Minneapolis Gun Club.
