Archery Deer Hunting Pressure

[TNtoMN_HuntFish]

Just wanted to get a feel for what to expect. Coming from TN, I'm used to fewer areas of public land but they were much larger so if you were willing to walk a bit, it wasn't too hard to get away from crowds especially during bow season. I know the short gun season is a madhouse on public land and I'd avoid the woods at all costs for those 2 weeks.

 

I've done a lot of scouting on some smaller public lands in Sherburne and Wright counties. I live in Andover so it's a decent drive, not too bad. I've also scouted the larger areas of public land, lets please NOT mention the names so this thread doesn't show up in Google searches and attract pressure, but we all know what land I'm talking about, and I would think during archery season I could have some peace and quiet. 

 

I have no intentions to climb a tree 50 yards from a horse trail! I walk deep in the woods and have found some great deer sign. 

 

So, how bad is it? Living near the metro area I know it's tougher so I'm trying yo find larger areas of land and get as far away from roads and horse trails as I can. I don't care about monster bucks. I just want quiet, safe hunting and some meat for myself and family. Thanks in advance and I look forward to learning from you all. I've lived here about 6 months and absolutely love this state! 

[Capt. Quicksteel]

Welcome to Minnesota. I moved to the metro from way up north about 20 years ago so faced some of the same questions. Once I scouted a bunch of local WMA's I found several that didn't get much bow hunting pressure. Most days you're by yourself. But you have to be prepared for the unexpected. Once I was in a tree stand near some water. Right after sunrise I heard some shooting and shouting and a minute later a nice looking black lab ran past my stand with a mallard in his mouth! I didn't even know they were sitting in a blind down the shore from me. All in all I have had pretty good luck at finding places to hunt especially if you can go during the week.

[ozzie]

as with most anywhere and public land the further you trek in the less pressure but generally bow hunting pressure is minimal in most areas

[ZachD]

The big one in Sherburne I hunt a lot and even during firearm season I never see anyone close to me as I like to get back as well. During archery it is even easier usually I only see a truck here and there but the place is huge so you never see them.

 

You living in Andover there is a 200 acre public place like 10 mins away from you that doesn't get hardly any archery pressure I sometimes go there after work for a quick hunt and there is only a couple trucks there usually.

 

There is also a very small one on the way up to the big one in Sherburne that on spur of the moment I went to on gun opener and I was the absolutely only person there.

 

But really most every one for archery is going to have minimal pressure. 

[ZachD]

I sent you a private message.

[monstermoose78]

I grew up in this area and if walk in a ways  you can be all by yourself. Best time deer hunting can be during duck season when people are moving the deer.