Wanting to bowhunt the northern US

[Nathan Killen]

I'm interested in hunting one of the northern states like Wisconsin or Minnesota along the Canadian border for whitetails. Looking to do a wilderness type hunt. Trophy potential isn't that important, but would be a plus and decent deer numbers would be nice. Any of you guys have any locations or ideas in mind please PM me. This would most likely be a once or twice in my lifetime trip. Thanks  !

[Longbowcrowder66]

Always wanted to do the same thing Nathan..hope someone will chim in for advice..

[Panzer]

Pandhandle Idaho.

[Al Dean]

Milk River Montana

[Bob Abeln]

Northwest Mn would be the better area to hunt. The rest of the northern area is pretty much big woods and tough to pattern the deer. There are some big ones lurking though. My fear would be getting lost up there. No roads for miles in some areas. Better have a good GPS if you venture in.

[MnFn]

Lots of state land in Northern MN. It can be tough to get into some of it once the snow starts to fly tho.

The numbers probably won't be as good as in agricultural areas, but there are large tracts of land open to hunting.

PM me if you like, and we can talk about it.

[Orion]

It's bucks only in the northern tier of Wisconsin counties this year, as it was last year, and will likely be next year.  Deer population is way down due to over harvesting, bad winters and predators. This is big woods country, and you can find areas to pack in and be by yourself.  There are a few good bucks around, but you won't find a lot of critters.

[northener]

Northern mn. Is very diverse the extreme western part is agriculture transitioning to scattered woods with low ground. This area used to be really populated with moose but disease and other factors have pushed moose to the eastern portion of the state. Still good whitetail hunting though. North central has lots of low ground farther you go east the more woods and big forested areas you'll encounter. The east "arrowhead" is BIG woods and wilderness, beautiful country though without question.  I would suggest western part for your best chance at whitetails only problem, lots of private land. Have to ask farmers for permission. Lots of good folks up there. If you want to experience big woods with a wilderness feels  George Washington State forest would be my pick. Two state parks are located there Scenic state park and McCarthy beach state park from these two parks lots of public hunting land, endless really.  I used to rifle hunt out of Scenic years ago.  Keep in mind the NE part of Mn. Has the largest pop of wolves in the lower 48.   Good luck.  Pm me if you would like more info

[Nathan Killen]

Thanks for all the info guys. I might send PM's to a couple of you guys. Keep the info coming !

[frassettor]

Lots of land in Northern Wisconsin. Thousands, thousands  of acres

[PEARL DRUMS]

Originally posted by Orion:
It's bucks only in the northern tier of Wisconsin counties this year, as it was last year, and will likely be next year.  Deer population is way down due to over harvesting, bad winters and predators. This is big woods country, and you can find areas to pack in and be by yourself.  There are a few good bucks around, but you won't find a lot of critters.

Ditto for our upper peninsula. There are 10's of thousands of acres of public in Northern Michigan under the bridge, with respectable deer numbers.

[eidsvolling]

I grew up canoeing and camping in the Arrowhead region of MN, most of it in what has eventually become the BWCAW. I have a pretty good idea I know where you're coming from.

I haven't hunted it, but this guy has been doing it for years:

   Plan Now For A Wilderness Deer Bowhunt By Canoe

[elkhunter-27]

It doesn't get any more "wilderness" than the Adirondacks in NY.  However, it can be really rugged and the deer are few, but there are some booners up there.

[tarponnut]

Ditto for the Adirondacks some great almost untouched fishing up there, as well.

[Nathan Killen]

The Adirondack mountains are just like the mountains I hunt here at home. We have very remote areas, but I'm looking for a "Canadian like " experience here in the US. The boundry waters area sounds like exactly what I'm looking for !

[last arrow]

Michigan's UP is about as Canadian like as you can get.  Large cedar swamps to rocky ridges depending on what you want. Few Deer, ocassional moose, bear wolfs, etc.  Bucks only but the potential for large deer if you can find them.  There is nothing like being in a treestand as it gets dark and a pack of wolves starts howling a few hundred yards away.

[mlsthmpsn]

Some parts of WI can be "Canada-Like", especially areas in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

But, there's not a boat load of deer and most of that is going to be buck-only for the foreseeable future. If you have camping equipment, that's all you need to head to the National Forest....camp anywhere you please (just not smack in the middle of trails)....seek out the cedar swamps and plan to roam a bunch to find them. Don't come during the 9-day gun hunt over Thanksgiving weekend...you won't find a spot to yourself.

PM me if you have questions. I've hunted a lot of it, but more for grouse than anything. I rarely see deer, but that's expected with bell ringing dogs and a couple hunters stomping along behind them.

[ChuckC]

Adding on to Orions info.  Same goes for the UP of Michigan, last I heard( bucks only). Same reasons, and I think northern MN is the same.  WI has numerous millions of public accessible acres you can hunt and otherwise recreate on.  The UP of Michigan is similar.

ChuckC