Grouse hunting questions?

[high_roller21]

I was wondering if anyone on here has been to Meadow Brook WMA?  I have a place near Brainered and noticed this place on the web and the area looks like it could be good for grouse.  This will be my first year trying for grouse and woodcock and was looking for some input on WMAs in that area.  Our place is in Pequot Lakes. The only upland I currently do is hunting Roosters out west.... so any comments would be great!!  

Thanks
John

[thunderpout]

I have checked it out with a few other smaller WMA's in that general area... was there in the early fall and there was alot of vehicles there for a smaller area... looked like bowhunters possibly, but I didnt even get the dog out... I like to check out spots like that when Im in an area grouse hunting, maybe not for that day always, but for the future.  Good to have options.  I grew up grouse hunting in that area, Pequot lakes, Breezy Point (when it was a lodge, not a city), Cross Lake..... Things have really changed around there the last few years, gun ordinances, housing developments etc.  Lots of golf courses and time share units sitting on spots I used to have marked in my map books.   There are some areas left in that area, but they get hit really hard by hunters... the good thing is that you are fairly close to some pretty good areas that arent as developed, mostly north from there, Atkin, Crosby, Cass lake, Walker.... etc.  The WMA's are a good place to start, but most of my spots arent WMA's.... they tend to get hit hard, especially near those heavily developed areas like the Brainerd area.

[high_roller21]

Thanks.  I have been looking at logging maps in the Cross Lake area,, one I drove by is near Ox Lake, so am I able to hunt these trails?  I have never hunted on public land in my life, it has always been on private and I am now trying to venture off on hunting expeditions with my wife by our lake place.  Any info on these logging trails and what not would be great.  I have tried searching for this info on the net and DNR site, I just find maps and not too much info. I am planing on our first grouse trip the weekend after our duck hunting trip.

Thanks
John

[thunderpout]

A good resource to get trail info is with PRIM maps... (public recreation maps)  you can get those from the DNR at their HQ in St Paul, thru the mail, online or by mail.(used to be able to get them from stoes also, Gander, etc.)  St Forest trail maps are also available thru the DNR.... I use those alot, PRIM maps show large areas and arent quite as detailed but have alot of info on them and cover alot of square miles.... On public land, trails are usually designated for their use, ATV/OHV, Motorcycle, snowmobile, horse, hiking etc. .... unless restricted for hunting, very few are.... they all make good trails to get to areas  to hunt... remember, alot of atv & snowmobile trails cross private property, so keep that in mind.  Logging roads that are built off of fire roads can be either on state land, which makes the good spots to check out, but sometimes the land is owned by paper companies like Blandin and others and are usually posted if they are.... good luck and have fun!

[high_roller21]

Thanks a bunch for all the info.  I pass by the DNR HQ in St Paul several times a day, I just might stop by their tomorrow and see what they have to offer.

Thanks again!
John

[Cody Gruchow]

ill be doing a little grouse hunting around the park rapids area this weekend.

[mahmoodmahi]

If it is logging company land, you can hunt it on foot, they can't deny access, legally (i don't know exactly why). Also if you are hitting WMA land that gets traffic, work off the trails and get a bit dirty, it usually helps.  consider  buying the platbook for each county you really want to hunt, they really help when you are trying to find publuc land.

[deadeye]

Normally as part of enrolling forest land in a tax advantaged class, they must allow access by the general public. (This generally is for large tracts >1900 acres)

[UplandObsession]

Ok, this is a pretty old post now and the grouse season is over. But there are acouple places i have been grouse hunting for 10+ years now just north of the spider lake ATV trails which are east of pine river, early season 2010 saw alot of birds there but they get hunted very heavily due to spider lake. Also right out side of Barrows MN which is on Business 371 there is a small chunk of county land that gets road hunter traffic through it but if you get out and walk, it will produce birds. I use to live 1/8th mile away from it and shot 5 birds out of there this last year in 1 week. All early season aitkin-Remer area was producing birds. There is so much state land in that area you can practically go down any county road and you will find state land, some will hold birlds but most wont... its always makes it fun doing the trial and error yourself. Hopefully this might be of some help to your 2011 season. This heavy snow should bring drum count up abit through out the state.

[deadeye]

Welcome to the site, UplandObsession.  Thanks for the information on grouse hunting.  I know it's a ways off yet but many of use are still thinking and planning for the next great hunt.