Cheers! Brand new to the forum and brand new to archery! I've rifle hunted private land my whole life when I lived in WI. I moved to MN several years ago and have not hunted local. I'm looking to start archery as the season is more flexible for a family man such as myself. The only problem is I have zero experience slinging arrows. My two questions are as follows. I'm looking for equipment set ups that people can suggest that they absolutely love. I'm 6ft 170lb and work out so thinking I'll need 28-30" draw at 60-70lb. I will be hunting deer only. I've read great reviews about the BT reign 6, PSE prophecy, and Hoyt defiant pro. I would prefer a very quiet bow! I also like the reviews for trophy ridge react 5 pin for a sight. Any input or suggestions for bows/accessories I should test out? Money is not an issue for set up. Secondly, I have no effing clue where to put my boots down. I know it's bad etiquette to ask for places to hunt but I am desperate. I've looked at close (within an hour of twin cities) WMA, NWR's, and other public places. I can read terrain maps and have considered Raguet, sherburne, Carlos Avery, etc but I have read horror stories about illegal hunters and irresponsible gun shots in those areas! I have a wife and 3 kids and would like to enjoy a nice safe hunt. Any Minnesotans have a suggestion of where to look for public land where I will see deer and no people? Any guys have some private land they'd let me hang out on? I look forward to checking out the MN wildlife and taking up archery. Wouldn't mind filling up my freezer for the winter.
I hunt pretty much exclusively in 601 on public. I can't think of any place that you can go where you will be alone. There are a handful of properties around the metro that are archery only that might be worth checking out. In my years of hunting the public tracts I haven't encountered anything horrific in terms of violations. The occasional hunter not giving others berth, maybe some small gamers without orange, but nothing horrible. What part of the metro are you in? I might be able to help point you to a few properties...but definitely not my trees :-)
I would run to Bwana archery and test out a few bows; as for as locations, it maybe too late, but check out some of the state park hunts or city hunts--which there again could add a new level of frustration
That's good to hear, the blogs I read made it seem like I needed an orange bullet proof vest just to bow hunt with small gamers! I live in north metro in Arden hills. It seems like a lot of scattered plots of public up past Forrest lake, also I've looked south in the shakopee area. It may be easier for me to stay north of the cites though. Do I find archery only land on DNR site? How do u hunt from tree on public? Climbing sticks and hang on? Any brands you could recommend that are quiet and easy to haul a half mile? and what bow gear do u have/like? Thanks for the info man!
Thanks! Will definitely check out Bwana since it's pretty close to my house. What gear are you shooting? Likes/dislikes?
Yes, archery only would be listed under the individual property if you click on it in the recreation compass. Also check out SNAs, some of them allow hunting too that'll be listed on the website. AMAs (dark purple on the Rec Compass) allow hunting if they are general use. Those seem to be sometimes overlooked parcels. Living so close to a large population you are likely going to find that no matter how deep you get there are other people. I personally try to find those overlooked chunks of land that others drive right by, even if they are small. WMA, AMA, WPA, SNA, whatever is legal I'll look at at least once. I personally use a climber. I have a summit and love it. Nothing against hang-ons, but I just personally like the idea of the up and down being all in one motion. Set it up, climb, and I'm hunting. As for bows jmnhunter has it spot on. Head to an archery shop without any preconceived idea of what you want and shoot a few brands and bows, then go with whatever is most comfortable. Bows are like shoes...you might be a Nike guy but try on a pair of reeboks and they are comfortable. The setup is really all personal preference too. Whisker biscut or drop away, Multi pin or single pin, large or small peep or no peep. Its all about what works for you.
