Western MN Walk in Access Question

A buddy and I are looking at going to Western MN to try to shoot a pheasant. Neither of us have ever shot a MN pheasant before and want to give it a try. Is anyone familiar with the area between Staples and Fergus Falls? I am not looking for specific spots, just any pointers would be appreciated. He has dogs and this would be a 1 day or 2 at the most outing looking for 2 roosters.

I don't have much to offer in regards to your exact question so hopefully others will chime in.

One possible area to try is Lac Qui Parle WMA, which is a bit South of where you are looking. It is very large and would give you several places to try. I have heard that it really gets hammered early in the season but things settle down later on. I have kicked up a couple roosters while out predator calling there and I didn't see any other hunters the couple times I have been there (several years ago now). But the days I was there the weather wasn't particularly conducive to outdoor comfort.

Thanks Nate. Anyone else?

This should help: [img]https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/walkin/find.html[/img]

Rob, if it were me, I'd go further west and south of the area you are enquiring about.

Say Morris to the South Dakota border and south. There is quite a bit of public ground. I'm sure it's been hunted hard already but there will be some birds.

I have been down in some of the walk in area along the South Dakota border. Dont remember names but there were birds. I would hit them during the middle of the week if I did it again. They get hit pretty hard and are even better when all the farmers corn is off the fields.

Thanks everyone. This has been extremely helpful!

X2 Steve 49er. Benton Lake Area. Lots of public Land Good Luck

If you decide to head east I personally know the area around pine city holds a good number of Pheasants, I have managed to get at least one every time I go out for them, if you need I can even point you to a good area and having dogs your golden

Geez I forgot how pretty they were! The last time I remember hunting them was around 2008 or so and that was a game farm.

I have to head over to Fergus for work on Saturday, I'll keep my eyes open.

Thanks everyone. The general consensus is that we need to head farther South and West so I may need to rethink my plan.

We seem to have a fair amount of them around here. Most of the corn is out but you still see them in the stubble or CRP.

I have quite a few here on my small farm. I leave thick unkempt borders and driveway edges they like.

Honestly, I don't think I have shot over 6 wild birds in my life. I am not a bird hunter but for some reason I have an itch to get a MN rooster.

OK, I drove down I-94 West to Fergus today. There were 3 large areas of public hunting that looked good. The first waround Mile marker 71 on the south side of I-94(this one looks the best of the 3). The next was around mile marker 80 on the north side of 94. These two areas would be near Ashby. The final place of interest was about 5 miles west of Brandon at mile marker 85 on the South side of 94. I did not see any hunters at these areas, there were a couple of groups out closer to the Brandon exit, however.

The south east corner of ND has good numbers of birds, I'd look around Breckenridge area.

new retirement plans coming into play there Rob ?

THANK YOU! That is great info and more than I hoped for. I appreciate it.