Yup, I agree and try to implement this tactic as well. (I’m in Northern Minnesota too) great videos BTW. I’ve been following you for a couple of years now and really enjoy them.
Another good vid Matthew. You're right, most don't want to do that type of work. I used to when I was your age. However now, I find myself still able to go back there but, not able to drag them out without quartering. So occasionall I still will. I've had to relate to hunting smarter. So as not to go back as far but still keep away from most hunters. It can be done. It takes more effort.
I would 100% quarter if I knew how, in a timely matter. Unfortunately I’ll be dragging my harvest up a huge hill this year if I wanna get away from others. First time public land, gonna challenge myself..
Great advice. I’ve been using them methods for years up in the U.P. fact we just scouted some areas up by camp that were over 2 miles inn by foot. We hunt public land up there nobody will that far inn (in my area) to afraid of getting lost. Nice video always enjoy your stuff
Hey I appreciate the note. I hope your guys’ deer caught a break up in the UP this winter. I know the deer in NE Minnesota needed this break from the hard winters. Keep up the good work on your channel too and thanks for stopping by.
@@northernforestwhitetail yes the deer did well they never left for the yards. We seen a lot of deer on this trip. Appreciate the comment on the channel.
What are some specific terrain features other than swamps you look for in the big woods? Any particular type of trees or topography? Keep up the great work!
In the big woods, I like younger/mid-aged clear cuts near swamps. Find transition zones where the swamp changes to a dry ash swale along the CC. Or another feature we see more deer in is upland white cedars if you can find them. Low, wet, dense cedar swamps dont seem to hold deer. But if you find a cover transition between say a mature popple/balsam forest and a low area there will be deer trails, and buck sign along that seam where you get semi-open upland cedar areas. Another feature we key in on is natural openings of any sort. These are sometimes created by the logging equipment and other times are naturally occurring like an ash swale. You need to confirm deer sign if you are going to hunt them though. The deer will tell you which pockets they are using. Hope this helps.
I think most hunters are going off something they saw on TV and just hint that way... but in the Northwoods of Wi, MI, or Minnesota, you need to find those pockets of deer like you've shown. It only takes one good doe group that's un-pressured to hold a decent amount of bucks nearby during pre-rut/rut
Onx has made the obvious islands and funnels easy for anyone with the app. Studying the maps and looking for the not so obvious is what separates you from some pressure
Yeah it’s definitely made things easier as far as finding the swamp islands and funnels. However in my area most hunters are still unwilling to cross thru wet swamps to get out to a swamp island. Still some spots a guy can get to himself.
Do u put cameras on natural scrapes ? Say a complete knock out, 10/10, absolute kill spot. I only ask cuz people will say don't chance spooking the buck with a camera. Even if it's high in tree and a cell. I'm on the fence
I’ve gone back and forth on this. There are times where I do worry a little about spooking a buck if he sees the camera. Over the years, I have gotten a big buck (3 to 4 yrs old or older) multiple times in a season on a scrape. This would indicate some tolerance for cameras. What I do now is I make sure that the camera is well behind the scrape, not close to it. I position the camera so it’s pointing at the branch where when the buck approaches the branch, he is facing away from the camera.
I have to agree with you,when it comes to distance.Especially bowhunting.But then again during the breeding frenzy,that buck goes where he wants to go.
True- always that chance he could come by even in higher pressure areas. But I still believe the odds are better if you can hunt an area by yourself with natural, undisturbed whitetail movement. Thanks for sharing
I don’t think it’s the distance is the problem. It’s packing a deer out or dragging a deer out that far that takes a long time. Especially when you’re by yourself and you have no help.
Glad you enjoyed it- you know, that is a good video topic. Maybe I’ll try to focus a video on cedar swamps and/or beaver ponds here this spring. Thanks for the note.
Yup, I agree and try to implement this tactic as well. (I’m in Northern Minnesota too) great videos BTW. I’ve been following you for a couple of years now and really enjoy them.
Thanks for the note I appreciate it. I’ll have more videos like this coming out 👍
That was a monster buck in the beginning video! Wow! Great job!
Thanks. Yeah I got him on cam a couple times last fall. Absolute giant. Never saw him In person. Hope your spring is going well!
Another good vid Matthew. You're right, most don't want to do that type of work. I used to when I was your age. However now, I find myself still able to go back there but, not able to drag them out without quartering. So occasionall I still will. I've had to relate to hunting smarter. So as not to go back as far but still keep away from most hunters. It can be done. It takes more effort.
Yeah, the older I get, the more I wonder about how I will get deer out if I’m way back in. That’s where it’s good to have buddies to help!
I would 100% quarter if I knew how, in a timely matter. Unfortunately I’ll be dragging my harvest up a huge hill this year if I wanna get away from others. First time public land, gonna challenge myself..
Great advice. I’ve been using them methods for years up in the U.P. fact we just scouted some areas up by camp that were over 2 miles inn by foot. We hunt public land up there nobody will that far inn (in my area) to afraid of getting lost. Nice video always enjoy your stuff
Hey I appreciate the note. I hope your guys’ deer caught a break up in the UP this winter. I know the deer in NE Minnesota needed this break from the hard winters. Keep up the good work on your channel too and thanks for stopping by.
@@northernforestwhitetail yes the deer did well they never left for the yards. We seen a lot of deer on this trip. Appreciate the comment on the channel.
What are some specific terrain features other than swamps you look for in the big woods? Any particular type of trees or topography? Keep up the great work!
In the big woods, I like younger/mid-aged clear cuts near swamps. Find transition zones where the swamp changes to a dry ash swale along the CC. Or another feature we see more deer in is upland white cedars if you can find them. Low, wet, dense cedar swamps dont seem to hold deer. But if you find a cover transition between say a mature popple/balsam forest and a low area there will be deer trails, and buck sign along that seam where you get semi-open upland cedar areas. Another feature we key in on is natural openings of any sort. These are sometimes created by the logging equipment and other times are naturally occurring like an ash swale. You need to confirm deer sign if you are going to hunt them though. The deer will tell you which pockets they are using. Hope this helps.
Love your videos! Keep up the good work!
Hey thanks I appreciate the note-
Great stuff. Crossing water creeks, ect, also limit pressure.
Absolutely. It’s pretty rewarding when you can find a spot to yourself on public land. Thanks for the note
I think most hunters are going off something they saw on TV and just hint that way... but in the Northwoods of Wi, MI, or Minnesota, you need to find those pockets of deer like you've shown. It only takes one good doe group that's un-pressured to hold a decent amount of bucks nearby during pre-rut/rut
Onx has made the obvious islands and funnels easy for anyone with the app. Studying the maps and looking for the not so obvious is what separates you from some pressure
Yeah it’s definitely made things easier as far as finding the swamp islands and funnels. However in my area most hunters are still unwilling to cross thru wet swamps to get out to a swamp island. Still some spots a guy can get to himself.
Do u put cameras on natural scrapes ? Say a complete knock out, 10/10, absolute kill spot. I only ask cuz people will say don't chance spooking the buck with a camera. Even if it's high in tree and a cell. I'm on the fence
I’ve gone back and forth on this. There are times where I do worry a little about spooking a buck if he sees the camera. Over the years, I have gotten a big buck (3 to 4 yrs old or older) multiple times in a season on a scrape. This would indicate some tolerance for cameras. What I do now is I make sure that the camera is well behind the scrape, not close to it. I position the camera so it’s pointing at the branch where when the buck approaches the branch, he is facing away from the camera.
@northernforestwhitetail thanks! Yes it's a tough one. I'll trial and error. Thanks again
I have to agree with you,when it comes to distance.Especially bowhunting.But then again during the breeding frenzy,that buck goes where he wants to go.
True- always that chance he could come by even in higher pressure areas. But I still believe the odds are better if you can hunt an area by yourself with natural, undisturbed whitetail movement. Thanks for sharing
You bet,I totally agree.
I don’t think it’s the distance is the problem. It’s packing a deer out or dragging a deer out that far that takes a long time. Especially when you’re by yourself and you have no help.
74 yrs old and I still hunt a mile in from limited access . My partner and me never see another hunter .
I love it- great work.
Great video! Could you do a video on how to hunt cedar swamps or around beaver ponds? I hunt northern Wi
Glad you enjoyed it- you know, that is a good video topic. Maybe I’ll try to focus a video on cedar swamps and/or beaver ponds here this spring. Thanks for the note.
Find points and drainage for bedding and well used runs