Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Do you ever hunt any of the wma's around you for pheasants? Just wondering if there are any birds in that area at all. Also are there any other state or pheasants forever spots around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are a few spots but there are not a lot of birds in our area. That being said, you can find some near the Downer area. You have to work pretty hard for them or have some secret spots. I have a couple, but they are not very good, but better than some.

The Downer area would be a good place to start. I wish I could be more positive, but there just isn't much around here. It is certainly better than it was 10 years ago or even five years ago, but it has a long way to go.

Any other Qs, let me know.

Hitman

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the info Hit.... just trying to get an idea,I did a little hunting with a buddy around downer on opener and we got 2, had access on some private land...to many crops up frown.gif. Just thought I'd ask aboout the area North of hw 10. Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Livin.....try down the breckenridge area....there is public land aroung there and have quite a few birds.....doesn't seem to get hunted much either....It's definatly not south dakota hunting but there is a fair amount of birds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is also tons of WMA's around Fergus, imo the further south you go the better. I usually end up by starbuck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

the further south you go the better.


This is kinda what I figured, just want someplace close that I can hit on a weekday once and a while so SW MN is out of the ? grin.gif Thanks guys I appreciate the info.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

livin... are you an NDSU guy?

if so, go west. You can drive 30 minutes west and be on way more birds than you would going into MN. I used to go out after class (or during class time...) at least once a week and get my three birds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GF --

You are right on the money. Going to ND is far better than hitting the few birds in MN. Southern MN is WAY better than western or Northern MN but ND and SD are much better than anything else.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah I am an NDSU guy, guess I always thought you had to go pretty far to get into pheasants there. Can either you or Hit suggest any "general" good ND spots, that are somewhat close, weekends are for ducks. Duck season has just begun for me... That way I can leave all those MN birds for you guys, and shoot an extra one. grin.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gone fishin, Are you a bison as well? We should head out and hit up some ND pheasants some time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Get a PRIM map for the Moorhead area from the DNR and go from there. There are a few spots about 15 minutes SW from Hawley that have birds, but couldn't tell you if it's worthwile. When I was hunting the D.L. area for duck opener I saw four hens and one rooster flying near some public WMAs and Pheasants Forever land in the Audubon/Hawley areas. Good luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

tom 01 --

Don't get me wrong -- there is land but they get hit so hard that after the first 10 minutes of opener that usually about it.

We have been trying to increase the population but it is a slow process.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Livin...

I am a former bison. I graduated in May and am stuck in the cities now, but I have a great job so I can't complain too much. Go to the large sports on 45th (I don't know if I can print the name here) and get a free PLOTS guide. There is alot of stuff less than an hour straight S, SW and W.

Also, don't be afraid to go north of I-29 in the Valley City area. Good amount of birds, alot of public land, within an hour drive and WAY less hunters go North of the freeway. Also, don't be afraid to talk to farmers. Alot of hunters post for deer hunting but don't mind as much about pheasant hunting, especially after deer season. Find out their favorite case of beer and some will put you on more land than you can hunt in a day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.