Deer hunting near Onamia

[TeamFredBear]

Im looking at buying a property for deer hunting a little south of Onamia. Im not familiar with the area and just looking for some general info on what kind of hunting i can expect for the area. Where i hunt now a buck that scores 125 is considered a "big buck". What kind of size can be expected around that area?    Anybody with any help would be appreciated.   Post any trail cam pics that youve got from that area, or past hunting stories, or any advice would be great as i dont want to spend $70000 if theres not big buck genetics.     Thanks!

[deadeye]

It's pretty hard to predict the size of the deer in a general area.  However, I have property about 15 miles southwest of Onamia and the deer are (if alowed to grow) pretty good sized.  Not a lot of monsters (160-175) but you will find them in the mid 140's or so.  Probably depends on how the area around the land you are interested in is hunted.  Larger tracts of land with fewer hunters who manage for bigger deer will make a big difference than if there are small, heavily hunted, kill everything tracts around.  Check the plat maps and see who owns what around the area or a good indication of what to expect.  Go visit neighbors if possible.     

[TeamFredBear]

Thanks for the response deadeye....ya i checked the platte book and the neighbors all own 80-200+ acres with a 400 acre forsale across the road.   I have an appt tomm to go walk the land.    Also when i drove past i seen some of the neighbors had QDMA signs along their property.   Deadeye do u mind posting a pic ofone of those monsters?!   Either from trail cam or in the back of yr truck.   

[deadeye]

Ok, but just a taste of what is there.  I picked one pix from 2012, 2013, and 2014.  Just for variety and interest I didn't just use deer killed photos. 


This was taken last fall just prior to the rifle season.  No one shot it so maybe it's bigger this year.


I found this one after the 2013 gun season.

2012 gun season

[TeamFredBear]

Wow nice deer deadeye!!!!    What did that 10 point score?   145?   how many acres do you hunt?   do u bow hunt as well, or just rifle?

[deadeye]

I posted one picture from 2014, 2013 and 2012 now I will post from 2011, 2010 and 2009.  It gets really hard to pick one that more or less captures the season.  Between my brother in law and myself, we have just over 800 contiguous acres.  I know it's a lot and we are thrilled and blessed to have this much land to play on.  I made the first purchase in 1991 and we added the last 106 acres last summer.  I didn't have them officially scored, but by my measure, just over 140.  Yes I do bow hunt as well as hunting the muzzle loader season.  Now, I guess I have to post a few bow kills as well. 

2011 -  Needed a sturdy trailer for these brusers


2010 - These were taken in one day


2009 - Perfect morning

[TeamFredBear]

So pretty much you kill multiple bigbucks every year!    Yep thats info i was looking for....thanks for the help!

[dakids]

I have had the great privilege to hunt with deadeye. Great guy and vreat land. Proof that if you pass on little bucks you have chances to kill big bucks.

[Cody Gruchow]

Anywhere in the state can produce big deer. Have to practice QDM and let the little ones walk, even if the neighbors don't. Also lots of work in prepping the land. I"m not trying to be a downer, but it takes a lot of work and some luck to kill big deer every year(all the factors were in your favor that day) and  you improve that with QDM but that takes time before you really start noticing the difference in deer quality.. just buying land you might have a couple around if your lucky, but you have to have the things there that make them want to stick around. Again this is just my opinion and knowledge from experience.. I wish you nothing but the best in your future buy and good hunting.

[deadeye]

Cody is absolutely correct.  It does take quite a bit of work.  Here is an example.  Last week we planted 12 apple and 4 plum trees to start an orchard.  You may have read about hunting near apple trees on an abandoned farm yard.  Well, somebody had to be plant them.  Of course, now you have to protect them from being destroyed by the vary critters you want to help.

Just getting started


A job well done

[TeamFredBear]

Nice work deadeye!!!!   Yes i know about apple trees....when i was 16 i killed my biggest ever with my bow...a 145 inch 11 pt coming to an apple tree...    And ive had been hooked ever since....thats why its time to get better land where i get more opportunities at those giants.

[dakids]

Nice work deadeye!!!!   Yes i know about apple trees....when i was 16 i killed my biggest ever with my bow...a 145 inch 11 pt coming to an apple tree...    And ive had been hooked ever since....thats why its time to get better land where i get more opportunities at those giants.

WE NEED PICTURES NOW

[Cody Gruchow]

may I ask where abouts you hunt now? those 125's you talk about being considered "big buck" let those go for another year or 2 and then you will have big bucks.

[TeamFredBear]

Southeast of st cloud where i hunt theres just too many hunters for not enuff land....the bucks rarely make it to 4 years old.   I love passing on small bucks and seeing them on the trail cam the next year!    My area has good genetics, but horrible neighbors with no morals, blasting fawns and small bucks all the time it sickens me.    Heres the pic of my bow kill when i was 16.   

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[Cody Gruchow]

well you will find that everywhere unfortunately, the way I view it is if that's what they want to put there tag on, then more power to them. most are just happy to get a deer and they don't care the size. I pass on lots of deer, I hunt the west metro and up on the family farm by park rapids, family members I hunt with up there will shoot the first thing they see, I have brought them around slowly, well atleast my cousin I have, but even then she will shoot any buck. I just continue to show them pictures of the bigger bucks I shoot every year and show them pictures on my phone of little bucks I pass on while hunting up there. you have to try to get the neighbors on your side, because unless you own a large portion of land its very difficult because the bucks wander especially the smaller ones during the rut, they are young in love and quite possibly the stupidest at that time of the year.

BTW very nice buck!

[gophergunner]

Southeast of st cloud where i hunt theres just too many hunters for not enuff land....the bucks rarely make it to 4 years old.   I love passing on small bucks and seeing them on the trail cam the next year!    My area has good genetics, but horrible neighbors with no morals, blasting fawns and small bucks all the time it sickens me.    Heres the pic of my bow kill when i was 16.   

I don't agree with your statement on "morals".  Shooting small bucks is not violating "morals".  Maybe it violates your morals, but it's perfectly legal to shoot any legal buck.  You can disagree with that if you want, but don't belittle those that are obeying the law, but shooting a buck that doesn't meet your own standards.  So folks still hunt more to put meat on the table than horns on the wall.