My First Minnesota River Bottom Gun Hunt

Since the birth of IDO Hunting, reading and being reminded of all the hunting oppurtunties that I used to partake in,I decided to get back into the hunting side of things a bit more this year.

Living on the river is unique in that I have the ability to hunt both states,and with limited time off to hunt during our busy season here at the resort,I decided to pursue the Mn gun season this year.Hunting big river bottoms is a complete change from what I grew up with farm and woodlot country.

Both of these areas are shotgun only.With some help from IDO members I picked up a 20 ga barrel for my Thompson Pro-hunter and topped it with a Leupold grand slam 2×7 range finding scope.After trying 4 different loads,I settled on Federal 3 inch vital shocks.Looking back,I am very appreciative of the recomendations made by the IDO guys.Everything worked as they told me it would,a one shot kill and I found that fresh venison heart was not meant to be from this animal.

My stand location required access by boat only, and with very skinny water this fall,my little jon boat with the Stumpjumper mud motor was just the ticket to get me there.After a 25 minute boat ride in the cold dark morning snow and rain,I decided to pass on my wind bending tree stand,and opted for my groundblind and heater instead.

Once I set-up and sunlight finally broke, there is always a recollection of the opening days that I have experienced years past.Today,a new one would be made,not because this was a monster buck. But because this hunt reminded me of the old field&stream and outdoorlife articles I used to read as a kid.Reading of hunters accessing remote areas by boat and seeing the pictures of the buck laying in their boat as they concluded their hunt feeling that they had accomplished a unique hunting experience from what they may have ever had in the past.I found it difficult to believe that I only heard one other shot in the area this morning,a far cry from the barages of years past.This is a hunt I will remember for a long time and this 9 pointer was only a small part of it.

Special thanks to Craig and Tom for their help with river bottom hunting and Sean for taking part of his fishing trip time, to help me drag the deer back to civilization!

Finally,I would like to introduce you to my newest addition.Gus,a 2 month old Chocalate Lab,his favorite treat is sugar cookies.I hope he can live up to the paw prints that his Uncle Ziggy left.Either way,were gonna have fun trying,and hopefully be ready to fetch some river ducks next fall! I hope everyone can get the oppurtunity to enjoy at least a portion of all the oppurtunities of the fall harvest that exist wether hunting or fishing,it is a dang special time of year.Be safe & hope you can make a new memory too!