Fast40M: Are you going to deer hunt by Wagner again this year? If so. I have some info for you, we were up there last week end. Woodman, how do the deer numbers look this year in your area?

Spent the day moving a stand to a new ridge with lots of paths and sign. Had the camera up on my stand for 2 weeks and got lots of does and fawns and a couple of nubbies staring at the camera and video. They may have been the same deer, but some of them look different!

Talked to somebody today at Jiggs Cafe that hunts down by Wagner lake and he said he pounded the woods all weekend and no sign of deer, but was disapointed with the Wagner Lake WOlf Pack sign. He said the past few years have been nothing for deer because of them.

Put the camera up by the new stand so we will see what we get on that over MEA!

Good luck and man are the colors nice! Dad and I parked on a hill top this afternoon and just sat there looking at all the colors!

Woodman: Thanks for the reply. We have been able to get our deer by Wagner the last few years in spite of the wolf howls we have heard in the mornings. I hate to give up on that area after hunting it now for 3 generations. We know the area well but if things continue to get tougher, this could our last year. I noticed an area across the road was cut, selective it appears. Is there anyway I could find out what lands that they will cut in the future--hate to be taken by surprise on opening morning and find no trees to put the stand on!!!!!! We might come up the thursday of mea and check things out and look for some grouse, how are the numbers?

The best way to find out cutting plans is to contact the Itasca Forestery and see what they have going on in the area. I did not drive that way home, so I am no help there. I thought about it but took 71 home. When we came out of our stand area I looked down the road and what do you know a grouse walking across. Nobody had a license or a gun so we watched and said, that only will help in the next few years! My dad said it was the first grouse he has seen this year and he has been in the woods every week. If you come up head to where we used to hunt and let me know on the report!

Good luck with the pack and hopefully they will chase the deer to you so you can go home with some fresh veni!

Thanks again Woodman, I e mailed the Itasca county land office in Rapids for info and am waiting for a reply. I'm hoping that the pack stays on the southest side of the the creek that goes out of Wagner. Although there might not be much water in it anyway. Have you ever heard of anyone getting pictures of the wolves on their cameras that they set by their salt or mineral blocks? Wonder if they are attracted to those feeding areas too. I 'm still hoping to hear from fast40m.

Hey Huskie, I was just checking in for the first time since spring!!! As far as hunting, I again have to play it by ear. I plan on being up that way MEA time. Hopefully will be there opening weekend. If not opener, for sure the next weekend. I don't wanna get in your groups way. You guys all gonna be in the same spots???

Good to hear from you fast40m. I wanted to let you know that the area north of where you park has been selectively cut. Not sure what happened to those other guys stands in there, probably down. It really opened it up, you can see quite a ways into the woods. We will be mostly on the east side of the road that we park on, all the way back to that open area by Wagner. We might have our usual 3 but most likely there will be 5 of us this year. We plan on hunting Sat. and sunday until about 2 or so. My wife and I might head up that way over MEA also, skip the convention again and look at the colors and maybe some grouse. Shoot me a private email at davlund@hotmail.com and I'll give you some other info. Have a good one and may see you this week end or on the opener.

fast40m: Sorry, but the camera got left behind somehow. The selective cutting looks to be in about 100 yards or so, I didn't see much deer sign and less grouse. Just brought the wife along for the week end to look at the colors on the drive. Probably will not get up that way again until opening morning. may see you then.

Hey Huskie- Not a big deal on the camera. Still working my rear off so I can make opener. Thanks for the report. See ya on opener hopefully!!!

It looks like 5 of us, good luck and if you don't make it, I'll let you know how things went. Woodman, how do the chances look like for snow on the opener? How does your area look for deer?

Well it was 60 here today, so snow noway, maybe rain

Lots of sign and lots of does on the camera.

good luck

Talked to dad tonight and he went snooping around the stands to see what sign was out there. Every stand had rubs and scrapes and lots of sign. The wifes stand had a massive track so hopefully the monster my dad hit and found the sheds is back. That is the stand he was in when he attempted to take the biggest buck he has seen in his hunting years.

He saw NO wolf tracks so far, so hopefully they have moved out of our area FINALLY!

The weather here was in the high 50's and I evan got some paintiing done outside with the two oldest kids. Man was that fun and also funny! ONe more job off the list!

Good luck next weekend and don't loose too much sleep dreaming about those big bucks in God's Country!

Just looked at the extended forecast, shows Thursday at a high of 40 to 45 (lows in the mid 20's) and rain or snow showers likely. then Friday high 30-35 with a chance of snow, and opener mostly sunny with high in the low 30's.

Had a guy up for archery and took a spike home, but then he saw a 8 pointer. Good luck!

Thanks Drake, this looks like the perfect opener week end. we'll stay down at Squaw Lake as we have for the past few years, Might give your place a call next year when we fish winnie. Going to retire in June, unless the better half can change my mind, and would like a combo fishing trip to Winnie, the Duck and Red. Have a safe deer season and let us know how the hunt goes for you and your guests,

FAST40M: We took two deer, a huge doe and a small buck, also lost one that was not hit very hard. Two people got the shooting, same stand, but myself and 2 other guys didn't see a deer. If you are going back up there let me know and I can get you the locations that were the most promising.