I’m thinking about going up to northern Minnesota this fall to chase deer in the Boundary waters canoe area. Has anyone ever had any luck hunting up there or does any one have any advice? I would love to hear some stories and tips that could possibly help me this fall! Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I use to live in Ely, MN. Miss it, but any ways that is some big woods hunting with low densities. When I use to hunt up there, it was in the hay days of deer hunting in Minnesota. Deer densities were at their all time high and you could only expect to see one or two deer after a full day and a half of hunting. Deer densities are a little lower in the wilderness it self because of the older age class forest. I would try to focus on either the 1999 blow down area, even though that is getting a little old or the 2011 pagami creek fire (although this may be a little too young). I would try to hunt the edges where there is mature forest and brows. Funnels are key in this part of the state, if you find a nice funnel you will see deer more often but if you fail to do so you will likely see little to no deer. The good thing about the boundary waters is that there is an older age class of deer that get little to no pressure. Boatable (25 hp max) lakes within the wilderness do get some hunting pressure, especially during the Minnesota Rifle season until the lakes are near frozen. Going right before or during the rifle season is your best bet because it falls within the pre-rut/rut when bucks will be up and searching. You do need to realize that this portion of the state is typically bucks only or in some areas hunters choice but you only get one deer. I'd focus on lake access away from motor lakes. I've done some hunting within the wilderness and enjoy it but the facts are the hunting is better on the outside of it because of the managed forest. I have some co-workers that live in Duluth (different office) who hunt whitetails in the BWCA each year by canoeing rivers during rifle season. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. PM me if you'd like to meet up and do a joint trip, I can't guarantee I'd be able to go but maybe schedules would work out.
Tons of deer up there. Super cold though. I’d practice some long distance shooting if you are hunting public land. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
In the actual BWCA? That is a challenge. Fitz is the area expert on the Ely area but I suspect he is pretty busy with resort season starting.
I hunted up there last year and be prepared to see some wolves. There are deer though dont get me wrong. If you're going to rough it have a plan. If you're not from the area the weather here in the fall is nuts. Hot and snow can happen.
