anyone else gonna try to do a metro hunt this year

I am. I hunted Turtle Creek last year and got nothing. But I met some good hunters and had a good time anyway.

This will be my third year. I've had a great time and met some awesome people.

The registration is a little different this year so if you haven't looked yet, you should.

yea iv'e already registered. where is tutrle creek. i did the vadnais one last year

I don't believe that MBRB wants us to disclose the locations of the hunts on the web. On their chat site they never give any details and just tell you to come to the orientation for the hunt you are drawn for (if you're drawn). I think this is to keep the antis from finding out and causing trouble.

Many of them are Ramsey Cty Parks. so if you can figure that stuff out you can usually find them.

Most people take the shotgun approach to applying. Once you've been there a couple years and learn which hunts are which you'll be able to narrow down your choices. I don't think any of them are bad, but some of them are easier to hunt. Much like hunting public land, the harder you're willing to work the better chance you'll have.

I've been debating the shotgun approach this year and, for now, have only selected the hunts that I believe to be the sweet spots. I may change my mind before the application deadline--probably. I'm kind of torn between applying for everything and getting another tough one vs. taking my chances and trying to get a premier hunt.

As an aside, has anyone here seen the news story about a deer hunt at Crosby or Hidden Falls in Saint Paul? I've been trying to find information on that but can't find a thing. Three people have told me they've seen a story on the news, but I can't find a thing on the web. My mom even thought they were talking about it on the radio.

Heck, I saw it on the TV when I was in Canada!! I think it was on CCO, and they referred you to their website for more info.

Good Luck!

A lot of the hunts can vary from year to year.

I coordinated Turtle Creek two seasons ago and we got 7 deer out of it. That was very good for a small hunt.

Other than Duluth and the one the lady shot in the Twin Cities, any good bucks taken?

My friend is "waitforit" on here has shot two 10 pt bucks the last 2 years on MBRB hunts. The big one measured 148" and the smaller one was still like 135". I've seen some amazing bucks from these hunts. I wouldn't mind getting one. I like to hunt for the freezer so anytime I have the chance to shoot a couple does in a weekend is good hunting for me.

i saw some good bucks last year. had a nice 10 point bed down 15 yards from my stand but couldnt take it because it was does only the first hunt period. he never came in close enough the second hunt period so instead i end up missing a smaller 8. i think the buck fever got to me

My two biggest bucks came from MBRB hunts.

"Old Silverhorns". If anyone knows Ken or the hunt knows about this deer. He is easily 160+ " and may be B&C quality. Tall tall thick tines with at least 12 pts. Very wide and symmetrical.

I won't say where he is but its an amazing deer. I've seen him standing belly deep in a swamp. All the hunts are designated that you have to be hunting from a stand so taking a shot at this deer would have been more than breaking the rules. Not worth it for me and I knew he was only 60yds form my stand. Too bad he never came that way.

Oh man now I've got Powerstroke bragging for me. Thats not good.

Don't get the impression that MBRB hunts are like ranch hunting in Texas.. I sat for 4 days without seeing much of anything before last year's 10pt came rolling in. In fact, ask my wife.. she'll tell you how frustrated I was, especially when other hunters were seeing 3-4 deer per sitting. Feast or famine. The 10-pt from 2006 came after sitting through lunch on the coldest day of the year.

Like Powerstroke, I'm primarily a meat hunter. Just happened to get lucky two years in a row - going for a three-peat!

This year will be hard, though - I've got a little baby girl (our first) on the way in October and I'm going to be begging everyone I know that has land close to the cities to let me come along for an evening.

Some free advice: Be in your stand from 1130-230pm - thats when the big boys are roaming.



One more thing: Always bring your camera on the does-only weekends!! I've been disappointed that way too.. really hard to watch them walk. Almost as if they know they are untouchable.