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Posted

It happens MNHunter, 2 years ago had a 28 pack of toms at the bird feeder daily 0 hens or jakes really. Last winter 0 rarely saw a bird except it seemed they found a guys feeder a mile and a 1/2 away so you wonder if those were some of the ones who knows. Now this winter there's a 42 pack in the yard again, it just varies, they maneuver along, I knew they were coming this year as winter began, they were in combined corn across the road daily until about New Years day, then that next snow and drifting buried where they were feeding, so sure enough had 2 at the bird feeder then 34 then finally the works and 42 is the #, only 1 tom, a few very yearling jakes, the clincher is looking out the window right now at heavy wet snow up to 9" that will be freezing solid soon enough, that isn't good on those birds or the pheasants and cold well into March I hear, but these birds are tough for sure, doesn't hurt that they've eaten about 200 pounds out of my bird feeder lol, free fertilizer ! smile

Posted

This snow is really going to shrink the area they are in this weather. I still believe in the northern range of these birds,you are going to lose birds unless the bird feeders do the job.

Posted

I am hoping the turkeys make it out of the winter in good shape, they are one hardy bird.

Posted

So what are the dates for the different seasons for Turkey? I can't find it anywhere in the regs book, it just gives a spring turkey start date. I obviously missed the lottery, so what season is over the counter, and is the over the counter season still bow only? Thanks in advance for any info.

Posted

MN DNR website should clear up any questions you have on Spring Turkey licenses that are OTC or with bow.

Posted

So what are the dates for the different seasons for Turkey? I can't find it anywhere in the regs book, it just gives a spring turkey start date. I obviously missed the lottery, so what season is over the counter, and is the over the counter season still bow only? Thanks in advance for any info.

A = April 16-20, B = April 21-25, C = April 26-30

D = May 1-5, E = May 6-10, F - May 11-15, G = May 16-22, H = May 23-29

It is not necessary to enter into the lottery for permits in the

time periods D - H they are available over the counter at ELS

Over the counter archery permits are good for the entire D - H time periods.

Posted

I'm feeding a flock that is growing, 48 birds in the batch and neighbor guy has about 60-80 in his batch, it's hard to say but doesn't seem like any have croaked, there were 42 forever, now 6 toms are in the mix, they fly where they want to go except they walk the gravel unless cars flush em. They are definitely tough and now with a 7:00AM sunrise they're to the feeders and silage socks by 7:10AM, must be a long night in the roost. And yes it takes a lot of birdseed I do the cracked corn/millet/blackoil seed and they mop it up like crazy and yes I think I've gone through 300 pounds already this winter, key is buy at it's lowest price whenever that is and I have 175 pounds left, geez lol that's getting to almost be too much, need a mild one next winter. Will be curious April 26th season C to see what the landscape looks like then.

Posted

Sounds like your turkeys are doing OK!

I went with the C season too.

I was not a fan of the deep snow of lasted years A season.

Posted

i hope for a slow melt. so the rivers dont flood my turkey areas. but the flooding pushes them off the river bottoms and makes it easier i feel like some time.

Posted

Seen a study from Pennslyvania(sp) that a study showed a turkey can survive up to two weeks without food. Yes it also showed turkeys are tough old birds,but losses do occur from harsh winters. How much?

Posted

I was not a fan of the deep snow of lasted years A season.

It wasn't bad as long as you tagged out by noon the first day. shocked

That was my hardest A seaon tag to fill it took 3 hours. grin

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
Posted

It wasn't bad as long as you tagged out by noon the first day. shocked

That was my hardest A seaon tag to fill it took 3 hours. grin

I was done in two the first day in A but only had driving freezing rain. I would have taken the snow! wink

Posted

Well, "B" season was no walk in the park last year either. Heavy snow the first night, took me till the last minute of the last day to fill my tag. THEN we got i6" of snow the first week of May to totally screw my WS season. frown We can only hope for a better spring this year.

Posted

Even though I am a mid-season MN turkey hunter, I am usually not too happy when I shoot a bird opening morning. I learn too much being out there. I guide my kids when the opportunity arises and try to hunt another state ever so often.

I would say almost 90% of the Minnesota birds I kill are on day 3 of my 5 day season. Exhaustion seems to take over on days 4 and 5. My decision making process gets foggy and my willingness to bail early becomes high.

2006Pictures002.jpg

One of my favorite day #3 birds. This guy was 3-4 year old Tom with a softball head. Followed him off the roost, down the ravine, across two swamps to the river. He came to me when his little hen had enough of him that morning.

Posted

Nice bird, good story!

Posted

Permits go on sale today. Wouldn't we all love to see this opening morning?

full-20096-43058-turkey.jpg

Posted

Hey, Is it illeagal to us a mechanical decoy like the new Mojo Shakin Jake Decoy in minnesota. I know it is illeagal to use a electronic call. Those new Mojo's are pretty darn nice and realistic to boot!!

Posted

Hey, Is it illeagal to us a mechanical decoy like the new Mojo Shakin Jake Decoy in minnesota. I know it is illeagal to use a electronic call. Those new Mojo's are pretty darn nice and realistic to boot!!
Posted

Also the use of a range finder is not allowed. This was pointed out at one of those Turkey clinics by the Game warden that attended it. This seams to me one of those laws that makes little sense. blue

Posted

No range finder lol, for the archery turkey hunters ? What ? Wouldn't that be a great teaching tool to use with youth hunters so they can actually learn another way to field judge distance, a big fluffed tom can appear closer than it maybe really is idk.

Posted

I believe the rangefinder law also applies to deer hunting. From what I understand, it's okay to range trees or rocks or decoys or....but not the actual animal.

Posted

I'm ready for this white stuff if it happens again. South dakota the snow was up to your waste in spots was very tough going. We did end up with our birds in the first 15 minutes after they flew out of roost. Come running to the calls no decoys. Had birds at 5 yards was a blast but a lot of work. Was not sure we would get any birds with how the weather was and all the snow we had to deal with.

SD2013001_zps78b5e291.jpg

SD2013008_zps61b486bd.jpg

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • JerkinLips
      Went back to Burntside on Tuesday and I got "skunked again" (LOL).  Looked like the lake was a mess over the weekend, but it was all frozen solid by sunrise Tuesday when I arrived.  The new ice cleats I got worked very well on the glare ice.  Was a beautiful sunny day but cool and quite windy.  I had a nice view of my tip-up from my warm fishhouse but the flag never went up, and I didn't mark a fish while jigging.  May have to try North Arm next, or go back into the BWCAW if the ice conditions improve.
    • JerkinLips
      Yes, eagle swoops are awesome.  Had one happen when I was duck hunting one year in Stuntz Bay.  Stole the only duck I got that day.   Vermilion got very wet over the weekend.  Tower Cafe posted a video of a SxS driving into McKinley Park landing going through water that went over their floor board.  Burntside Lake was frozen nice and solid Tuesday morning when I was there.
    • Wanderer
      Or the other book that said: The bitterness of poor quality outlasts the sweetness of a low price…   Dang, what a mess to have to deal with.
    • leech~~
      When it said. "The foolish man, builds his house upon the sand"? 🫣   Just got back from 10days on the golf of America.  By Panama city Florida.   
    • smurfy
      Venny backstrap and the fixins!
    • SkunkedAgain
      Running on empty at dark on a sled is definitely stress-inducing. Been there, done that. Glad that you made it out.
    • SkunkedAgain
      Eagle swoops are always a hoot to watch.   The snow is mostly gone on the lake. Ice melt made things pretty wet but the ice is obviously still very thick. 
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  The big question:  "How is the ice up at Lake of the Woods?"  That is for each individual resort or outfitter who operates an ice road or trail to answer, but overall, ice conditions are still very good and ice fishing is going strong!  As always, stay on the marked ice  roads and trails for safety.     Being up on the Canadian border, the colder temps Lake of the Woods enjoys vs much of the region combined with three feet of ice makes a big difference.  Fish houses are allowed unattended overnight through March 31st and it sounds like a good number of resorts will be fishing through the month, but ultimately, Mother Nature will determine that.     Regarding the fishing, overall, very good reports for walleyes, saugers and perch.  There is a strong population of smaller walleyes and saugers in the lake which bodes well for the future, but in the meantime, anglers are sorting through them to catch their keepers.   The one-two punch of jigging and deadsticking remains the most effective technique. Jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head or a lipless crankbait on the jigging line is the ticket.  On the deadstick, a live minnow a foot off the bottom on a plain red hook or medium sized ice fishing jig is catching a lot of fish.   Using electronics is super helpful.  Many nice walleyes are swimming through suspended, keep an eye out.   Anglers tip-up fishing for pike have had a great week and it should continue to get even better.  Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt are working well. Putting baits 1 foot under the ice or right off bottom seems to be effective this week.  Most common depths, 9 - 15 feet. On the Rainy River...  The Rain River is still frozen with no signs of open water yet.  Every year can be different, but on average, the Rainy River will start opening up around the third week of March.  The first boat ramp suitable for larger boats is Nelson Park in Birchdale.  We will keep you posted.    As of March 1st, walleyes and saugers are catch and release only on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.     Make plans now for sturgeon season.  Once the open water appears, the fish are super active.  Here are the seasons...   -Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd. -Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30. -Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.  Up at the Northwest Angle...  Fishing remains very good up at the Angle and the ice is in good shape as well.  As on the south end, resorts monitor ice roads and trails daily and there are still some great ice fishing opportunities available.     Walleyes, saugers, perch, and pike are showing up in good numbers.  Those targeting crappies are reporting good numbers of fish.  Work through a NW Angle resort for ice fishing opportunities on this part of the lake. The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14th. Pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. Whether booking a day house rental, sleeper fish house, or resort stay, there is still plenty of time to plan a late-season ice fishing adventure. 
    • Wanderer
      Looks like a shallow lake with some potential.  Keepable crappies, decent bluegills and some nice perch according to the last survey (2015). Susan Lake   With a max depth of 10 feet, I’d want to know a little more about it before I’d start drilling holes.  Could be a nice little adventure though.  
    • Brianf.
      Jeff and I fished Saturday and half day Sunday, targeting whitefish, ciscos, crappies, and perch.  The bite was tough for us.  We ecked out a few, but nothing special.  Highlight of the weekend was the sled ride into Wolf Lake and having an eagle swoop in and eat a rock bass we had on the ice.  All in all, not a bad way to waste time.    
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