Website review: losthunter.com

www.losthunter.com

I found a new website while I was looking for a new bow to hunt with yesterday. Although I didn't find quite the right bow to hunt with, I thought I would share the site as a fun site to look around on. You'll notice right away that visually, this website is a mess, but don't let that deter you from hunting around on it for a product you are interested it. The website has several listings of both online and physical stores to give you ideas and help you look for a bargain. I wouldn't use it for some of the informational purposes (hunting seasons etc.) as there are quite a few broken links. 

2012 Minnesota Grouse Counts Down

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) just released the 2012 Grouse Survey Report. For the most part, the news is bad, but not unexpected. In the areas of Minnesota known for the having prime grouse habitat, Northern and Northeastern Minnesota, the grouse numbers appeared to have decreased significantly. I say "appeared" because there are limitations to the survey as it attempts to measure the drumming associated with breeding and therefore is an indirect method of estimating total grouse numbers, but historically the survey has been a very good indicator of what we can expect in the upcoming season. 


The drop in numbers was not unexpected as historically the Minnesota grouse population follows an approximate 10 year cycle. Whereby, in a typical 10 year period the grouse population will fluctuate from the rock bottom of barely a bird out there to a population high where just about anyone can find a bird. Typically, after the population reaches the high point of the cycle the next few years the population drops back down to that rock bottom. Since the numbers from the last few years' surveys have indicated a cycle high-point in Minnesota, it is not surprising that the numbers are bad this year and probably will be for the next 3-5 years as well as the population bottoms out and slowly rebounds. 


This doesn't mean you won't find any birds, as there is always a few spots that the hard working hunter can find, but it might be time to sharpen your pheasant hunting skills a bit. 

The Report can be found here: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/grouse/index.html

Other Sources

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birds/ruffedgrouse.html

The Star Tribune's Outdoor Portal-A Link to Minnesota Outdoor Articles

The Star Tribune Outdoor Portal is constantly updated with good articles that will keep you informed of much of the latest Minnesota hunting news (as well as other Minnesota outdoor activities). If you are in the mood to read some interesting regional outdoor news or catch up on the Minnesota hunting news, this link is for you. 

The Minnesota Game Fair/Sports Show

http://www.gamefair.com/

There are sports shows all over Minnesota with hunting themes such as the sports shows in Minneapolis and St. Paul each year. However, the Anoka gamefair is by far the best sports show type event for hunters. The event typically takes place in August and is near the town of Anoka, MN. There are activities and vendors for nearly everyone. Some of my favorite things to do are watching the dock dogs competition, attending hunting seminars and trick shooter exhibition, and trying out new bows on the archery range. If you are a Minnesota hunter, you are sure to love this event.

Two Turkey Hunting Audio Files

 If you are getting ready for your first spring turkey hunt in Minnesota, these podcasts are perfect for you. They are posted on the turkey hunting area of the Minnesota DNR website. The creators are very knowledgeable and the advice is right on. A great orientation to Minnesota turkey hunting!


http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/news/podcasts/TurkeyProg1.mp3


http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/news/podcasts/TurkeyProg2.mp3

Forum Link- Ultimate Pheasant Hunting Forum (Minnesota

Ultimate Pheasant Hunting Forum-Minnesota

This site is the best forum I have ever found for being what a forum is supposed to be. In this case, the forum is supposed to be a place for Minnesota pheasant hunters to get together and discuss hunting pheasants in Minnesota. The moderators do an excellent job of keeping the spam out and the site is relatively easy to sign up for. There are a fair number of "regulars" that are helpful to newcomers and remain focused on the site's topic. If you are new to Minnesota or a region of Minnesota, you are sure to find someone at this site that can help you get started hunting pheasants in that area.

The DNR-One of Minnesota's Best Sites for Hunters

I don't really have to give you the link for the Minnesota DNR, it is extremely easy to find but here it is anyway (Minnesota DNR Hunting Page). If you have not already explored this website for hunting information, then you have missed out on a site with a lot of helpful information. New residents to Minnesota will find the site invaluable to explaining the rules and regulations to hunting any legal species. But, the site has much more to offer.The hunting land finder portion of the page provides several helpful tools to any hunter looking to find public and private hunting land. If you click on the particular species you are interested in hunting you'll find tons of information on how and where to hunt it. Additionally, you'll find the results of annual population surveys the DNR conducts to estimate populations of certain game animals. These will steer you to the right area of the state to consider for a particular species.


If you haven't ever looked around this site, give it a try, particularly if you are new to Minnesota.

Article Link: Removing Rust From A Gun

How To Remove Rust From A Gun

Now is  a great time to make sure your gun is rust free. Most of you are probably not getting much shooting in right now, so now would make a good time to look over your guns to make sure they are rust free while you are waiting for the snow to melt. I found this article on the Minnesota Hunting Today website; it provides some quick tips on removing rust. Unless it is a collector item, be sure to check over your guns and help keep them in good shape.

Hunting Grouse In Minnesota

Grouse are among the most suspenseful and thrilling game bird to hunt. There are few things more exciting to me than the intense flush of a grouse whether anticipated or not.

Minnesota grouse hunting is among the best in the country. There is no state that produces as many grouse as Minnesota. It is easy to find land to hunt, but not always easy to find birds. I have on occasion walked several miles without flushing a single bird, and I have on occasion flushed 10 separate birds in a 1/4 mile walk. This post will explain some of the strategies for successfully hunting this mysterious bird.

Equipment Notes: I don't recommend shooting anything less than a number 6 shot size and an improved cylinder choke. Most of the shots you will take are going to be close and quick. Additionally, for safety reasons be sure you have both a blaze orange vest and hat so that other hunters can easily see you in thick woods. Of course, having a map and compass (or GPS device) is important if you are unfamiliar with the area and probably important even if you are familiar with the land. When grouse hunting, you will often leave the trail trying to locate a flushed grouse. It is easy to get lost.


If you are new to hunting grouse in Minnesota, there is no better resource than the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. On the site you will find an annual Grouse Drumming Survey that will help you understand which portions of Minnesota have the highest populations of Ruffed Grouse. The DNR site will also have a public hunting land and hunter walker trail locating tools that are invaluable for finding places to hunt.


Time and Location: Waiting until the leaves have fallen is very helpful if possible. It is easier to see both other hunters (thus more safe), and it is easier to see a flying grouse if you wait. You'll be shocked at how much further you can see in November versus September. In choosing your location attempt to find an area with both young an old trees, and a mix of evergreen and deciduous forest. Forests with large numbers of Aspen (Poplar) trees of various sizes, but with numerous stands of young trees.


Technique: Typically I start by walking a logging trail or state forest trail in a relatively slow manner. I always keep an eye on the trail about 50 yards ahead in case some very wary birds flush early. If this happens note where they flushed and the direction they headed to hopefully try to track down later. It is also possible to sometimes spot a grouse on the to the sides of you as you walk by it. Look for suspicious shapes on the ground or on logs. Trust your instincts while scanning the ground and give anything that looks out of place a second look. Be ready for the grouse to flush as soon as you swing your gun or stop walking.


Pause frequently as you walk. This is an essential behavior while hunting any flushing bird. The act of pausing frequently while walking mimics the behavior of the grouse's natural predators. A bird that thinks a predator is about to pounce is more likely to think that flying away is a good idea. Pausing frequently will guarantee that you will not walk past as many hiding grouse.


If a bird flushes and you can't shoot it or you miss it, go find it. Most grouse will not fly more than about 50-75 yards after flushing. Try to pinpoint where the bird went down and then head for that spot. Many birds will re-flush several times before the hunter can finally get the right shot.  A good dog can help find the bird if you can find the general location of where it went down.


Hunting with Dogs:  A dog can be invaluable if it is well trained. A good dog can track down and flush a grouse that would otherwise continue to hide while you walk by, and the dog can be invaluable for finding a dead bird. It must be trained to stay very close to the hunter. It should hunt within 20 yards of you at all times.  If it is a pointing dog, it needs to stay absolutely still. If it walks toward the bird after pointing it will likely flush the grouse early.


I hope this helps you get some birds. Good luck and hunt safe!

A Basic Pheasant Hunting Strategy

I'm going to start this blog by discussing a basic strategy for hunting pheasants. We will build on this strategy over the next year. The first step in successful pheasant hunting is searching  for a good location at your state natural resource management department's website (or whatever your state calls the department that manages the state's hunting and fishing activities). Most state websites have information online on where public hunting lands are, and what areas of the state have the most pheasants. Another way to find the public lands is to buy a topographic atlas at a store such as Cabelas or Gander Mountain. These books will detail the locations of pretty much all the public land in a state. You will have to actually scout the land or hunt it to really determine how good it is though.


Choose a few spots to try and choose a close backup just in case your spot is taken. The best pheasant hunting lands have plenty of dense cover ( high grass, scrub shrub, cattails), agriculture fields next to it, and are not too large for the size of your hunting party. Sloughs and other water bodies with cattails can hold a lot of birds, but are hard to hunt. Also keep in mind that really cold or snowy winter weather will push the pheasants into the thickest cover such as cattails, but they will be much more concentrated.


 Slowly walk the thickest part of the cover.  This is particularly effective from mid morning till about noon and during the late afternoon. Spread out with about 30 yards between hunters and walk in a zig zag fashion (while not getting ahead of each other) across the area you are hunting. It is also important that hunters pause for about 5 seconds on a frequent basis. This mimics the behavior of some of their predators and will help make the pheasants nervous. Be sure to walk the natural edges of the cover particularly if there is a food source nearby. While planning the direction you are walking try to walk towards a place where the cover stops such as a bare field, body of water, or other environmental barrier. Often pheasants will run ahead of you until the cover ends at which point they may flush.


Another way to force the pheasants to flush is to place hunters on the corners of the cover to use as "blockers," preventing pheasants from escaping out the ends, and adding another motive to flush instead of  running.


When you are planning your hunt, choose a good time. If you only have a few days to hunt them, wait until the crops surrounding the cover have been taken in. If the crops are unharvested in the field, the pheasants will prefer to use them as cover rather than the nearby prairies or natural cover.


Look for more articles on pheasant hunting soon!