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.

Deer season...any worries?


Recommended Posts

Just wondering if you guys have any worries when setting up on the edges of lakes/slews now that deer season is upon us?

Heading out tomorrow morning and this just came across my mind last night.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My first thought is .... No, one should be fine on/near a lake when most deer hunting happens in the woods.

However, with all the horror stories we hear about these days, I'd be a little more than a little leary about being covered in head to toe camo in any location other than my living room this weekend.

I can all but guarantee that Monday's news will have at least one story involving a senseless fatal shooting of some type (and that person will be wearing blaze orange, no less).

Don't think it's worth the risk of a duckie or two tomorrow and Sunday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just had this conversation with my wife last night and she doesn't want me to duck hunt this weekend because of the deer hunters. I will be wearing orange setting up and going to and from my hunting spot. But, obviously I am not going to be wearing the blaze while hunting.

Am I little worried? Yes, I am a little worried about an errant shot or some (Contact Us Please) shooting at noise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gopack ~

Great idea on the blaze orange...can't be too careful....good luck and be safe this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Before I started deer hunting, we in a blind on a private lake the morn of deer opener. We always used to joke around that some goofy deer hunter would shoot one of us... Well, wouldn't you know, we hear this thrashing through the cattails, and see a deer coming our way. Up behind us on a hill was a guy in a hay bale blind. Sure as crap, we see a splash in the water not 10 yards from us.... then hear the CRACK of the rifle. Then another....

We were not hit, but boy did we hit the deck - about 6 of us diving for the ground. The deer got away, and we started yelling, and fired a few shots in the air...

When we left (after shooting some ducks) the guy was not there any longer. There is no way he didn't know we were there, as we drove in AFTER shooting time, and we saw him and he definitely saw our truck lights and the truck, as we went by him about 40 yards away on a field road.

Anyway, I have not been afraid to duck hunt during deer season, but no matter how careful you are there is always a chance that some yahoo will do the wrong thing. I personally would not walk through woods or even a field to get to a duck hunting spot in deer season, especially public area. But if you leave from a boat access in a boat, and sit on a lake, you shouldn't have any problem. But I would wear an orange cap and vest any time you were not in your blind for sure.

good luck to all the deer hunters and duckers. I will duck it this weekend, and my deer hunt trip is next weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A few years ago we had slugs wizzing overhead! Some ignoramus was tresspassing and shot at a doe on the ridge right behind us. That was one of the few times I heard my Dad get worked up and chew someones behind. That was back before everyone had cell phones.

Some of the best duck hunting can be during the deer season. I thought we were safe on rented land, but you never know....

Good luck, and great idea wearing blaze setting up etc..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was in the blind with BoxMn when we had our close call. since then if I'm near woods or public land I'll keep some orange on even in the blind. That same day we actually shot a fair number of divers with orange hats on. We also had a big buck (that I'm assuming was being pushed) swim through our decoys on Big Marine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Good luck, and great idea wearing blaze setting up etc..


If I am not mistaken, not only is it a good idea, but it is the law during deer season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i think theres a provision in the regs that allows waterfowlers to not need blaze orange; but its a hell of a good idea i.m.o. i will be wearing a blaze orange beany while in my layout blind if i go out tomorrow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Box is right. You have to have blaze orange on if duck hunting this weekend. I will be out Sunday with some on!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You DO NOT have to have blaze orange while waterfowl hunting during deer season. Not saying it wouldn't be a bad idea while setting/picking up etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, everyone is making me nervous about going out this weekend. I was going to go down by North Lake/Gores Pool WMA by Hastings. Does that see much deer hunter activity?

So are most of the crazy guys only out on opener weekend? And it is a little less crazy later on?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to be 100% accurate, I agreed with above when he said you need it when "setting up", which seems partially true...

Page 30 in general rules:

"bLAZE ORANGE REqUIREmENTS

Small Game Seasons: You may not take small game unless a visible portion of at least one article of clothing above the waist is blaze orange, except when hunting wild turkeys, migratory birds, raccoons, or predators, or when hunting by falconry, with nontoxic shot or while trapping.

Deer Season: Also, you may not hunt or trap during the open season where deer may be taken by firearms (including special hunts, youth seasons, and muzzleloaders) under applicable laws and ordinances unless the visible portion of your cap and outer clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, is blaze orange. Red is not a legal color, except for those who qualify under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. Blaze orange includes a camouflage pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange within each square foot. This restriction does not apply to migratory waterfowl hunters on waters or in a stationary shooting location or to trappers on waters."

Just wanted to make sure I am not giving inaccurate info out smile.gif

I think other deer hunters are the most likely to get shot mistakenly, than duck hunters. I hope we have a safe season so noone gets shot, of course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"This restriction does not apply to migratory waterfowl hunters on waters or in a stationary shooting location or to trappers on waters."

This sentence of the reg would lead me to believe that unless you are on the water or stationary you should be wearing blaze orange. So if your not in a boat or sitting in the blind you should be wearing orange. Good luck huntin' gents.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would avoid Gores Pool during deer hunting season blaze orange or no blaze orange. 2 years ago I went down there for an afternoon hunt. I didn't pay close attention to the deer zone map and thought that the season was closed for that area. Wrong. There was all sorts of blasting away going on in the woods and I saw roving bands of "hunters" wearing orange moving all around the woods, popping out to the water every once in a while. Now I'm no deer hunter but I was pretty sure that that wasn't the way deer hunting is supposed to be done so I figured that the chances of these guys being able to distinguish a duck hunter from a deer was pretty slim. I was hunting the Vermillion river back water out of a shore blind and had walked in with no blaze orange on at all. I packed up and high tailed it out of there seriously expecting to get shot before I made it back to my truck.

North lake itself might be a different story since there isn't much for a deer hunter to setup in close by, but I wouldn't put it past anyone if there was one set up in that narrow strip of woods that runs from the launch up the west end of the lake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are not in your blind yes you do have to wear blaze orange. any time you are moving, be in a boat or on foot you best have your orange on, it is the law.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Geez thanks for the tip. Actually while I think it is a very good idea to wear orange while in transit during the deer season I don't read the regs as explicitly saying that. It says you may not hunt or trap. If your gun is unloaded and cased you are not hunting you are walking in the woods. There are no restrictions on activities other than hunting or trapping. For waterfowl hunters this boils down to no sneaking up and jump shooting. You can interpret it how you like and it is better safe than sorry for sure, I just don't think it says that you must wear orange when boating or toting your decoys back to the truck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

I just don't think it says that you must wear orange when boating


While I agree it's a good idea to wear it, I also agree that no blaze orange is required for boating (fishing).....which is pretty much what you are doing when your gun is cased and put away.

Walking through the cattails to find a cripple, yep.....I would have it on.

Thanks for the info!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think people should be as concerned about breaking the law on this one and getting a ticket as they should be about taking a slug in the head. I would just hope everyone that goes out takes the safe route and wears some orange and lessens your chances of being another statistic....Way to many (Contact Us Please) with guns out there during deer season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I must have miss read that one. I checked because im leaving in a few hours to duck hunt and was told you need blaze. I think I goter now. Thanks, guys.

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.