deer hunt styles

[I'M42NDAMEND]

Southern Mn drive'em and shoot'em vs. Northern Mn. stalk'em and actually "hunt" them? Which do you prefer.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I live in SW MN, but I like the Northern MN way better.

[Stratosman]

I've drove deer in northern MN and southern MN, I've stand hunted in both northern and southern. When I was young I liked doing the drives because we always shot deer. Now that I have experience and know how to set up and where and when I have more luck and get greater satisfaction out of stand hunting. Very rarely will you shoot a trophy buck while pushing woods. Besides I hate pushing woods, then it's wrecked if you want to sit somewhere for the evening. Not to mention deer drives can be dangerous to hunters if everyone is not fully aware where all the hunters are and/or ar not careful hunters. I have had a coule scary instances.

[kpj5br]

I am totally against deer drives.

My personal opinion is I think it is an insult to the animal, true hunters, and the sport in general.

I have seen some wicked crazy $*$ go on while sitting in a blind watching drives...

[russ]

For me it's the peacefulness of the deep northern forests where I don't see another hunter for two weeks. Observing everything from ermine to montain lions. Living in the forest, enjoying nature. Going one on one with deer on THEIR turf. Taking a break during an afternoon still hunt to catch a few z's against the sunny side of a cedar tree. And listening to all tranquil silence which I look forward year after year. Oh yeah, when I shoot a deer, thats just a bonus.

[I'M42NDAMEND]

test

[jbdragon]

How about that first climb into a stand and the feel of your heart beating in the back of your throat when you think everything you see in the dark is Mr. Big Rack!! Is there any other time more anticipated? I know it is about an 11 month build up for me!!

[echotrail]

I hunt Northern MN (Orr area). I have real good results just setting up a ground blind and waiting. Never had much luck stalking. I walk too fast and too loud! Most of the deer I have taken were between 20 and 50 yds.

[bigbucks]

Pretty much love all of it, don't do much still hunting or stalking unless I happen to observe a deer from the vehicle or going to & from stands that seems stalkable. Drives are really a lot of fun & in our area often a necessity during the second weekend if you want to get any deer. As satisfying as stand hunting is & ambushing deer, there's something about nailing one that's going by wide open.

Whoever said they can be dangerous is very right. We're very specific about when, where, & who can shoot on each drive. We're also very careful to put experienced, safe hunters in any positions that require more than normal judgement on whether it's safe to shoot at times.

I stand hunt all fall with the bow & love sitting morning & evenings during gun season, but it's a lot of fun to get out & stir the pot a bit during the day. I agree you don't shoot many big bucks during those drives, but it's not completely about that for us during gun season.

[TundraKing]

I'M42NDAMEND, I have to disagree with your stereotype statement. I grew up in Southeast MN and I've hunted deer there all my life. There are many people that stand hunt as well as drive. I personally do both and enjoy both.
If anyone has hunted SE MN you know what I mean when I say that the terrain is the hardest and most physically challenging to hunt in the state. That is why you see alot more drives going on.
The fact of the matter is, the chance of taking a deer with a rifle in a stand is much greater than the chance of taking a deer at a dead run with a shotgun on a drive.

Deer are very intuitive. During a drive they know where you are and where they can run to avoid you. I've watched from across bluffs, deer running right between two drivers heading back the way it came from without the hunters having a clue.
I do agree that there are some groups that take advantage of driving where they will completely surround a small area to the point where deer would have no chance. That kind of driving is not the kind I am referring to.
Overall, I think that both Northern and Southern hunting has its advantages and disadvantages. Either way, I'm glad we all can get out and enjoy the hunt.

[Swamp Scooter]

Stand hunting is what I do. I also walk when I get cramped or cold. We drive one afternoon but have never gotten much when we do.

I think stand hunting IS deer hunting. I say this as it takes a lot more out of you to read the woods, trails, wildlife to pick the place where you will see deer during shooting hours.

Driving can be physically demanding and take a lot of careful planning but I have just not been very successful with it. I think in 25 years of hunting we have shot only one deer on a drive and only seen two others.

Maybe it is just the area or the group size being only 6-7 but give me my stand and about 2 hours in the morning and I am out of the woods and done dragging by noon!

Good topic.

[bigbucks]

swamp scooter,

Do you guys only have big pieces of land to hunt?

We often do successful drives with the number of hunters you have. We're usually driving 20-40 acre pieces of woods or willows. When we have our whole crew of 10-12 it works a little better naturally, but we pretty much know where the deer are most likely to be jumped & run so we just post & drive accordingly with less guys. Sometimes we have guys that need to leave early or that want to just stay on stand, so we hunt with the smaller number. Second weekend we have a few new hunters, but only about half of the first weekend hunters hunt both.

[I'M42NDAMEND]

TundraKing, Point well taken, terrain in southern MN does vary greatly.