When you think of world class whitetails, states like Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and even places in Canada will probably come to mind before Minnesota. These states consistently produce trophy whitetail bucks in terms of antler scores. Minnesota produces some respectable antlers, but it's most impressive measure of whitetail bucks is probably weight.

Fall of course is the most important time of the year for MDHA chapters and members. Deer season obviously, but it is also time to collect hides! The Hides for Habitat program is unique to MDHA and is a celebrated example of recycling. Deer hides donated by conservation minded hunters are turned into wildlife habitat and hunter education. It makes sense utilizing a by- product of our hunt and as a fundraiser, it works! 

Nineteen yards! That’s where he now stood, a mere nineteen yards away. The countless hours of preparation and mental game planning were about to culminate in the ultimate moment we can all only hope to encounter as bow hunters. All that was needed now was for me to be able to execute the shot. But, before I get into that, let me tell you about what transpired before this moment as I don’t believe this moment was an accident.

The age-old issue with bow hunting in the big woods is finding a way to get those scattered bucks within bow range somehow. In the beautiful, vast, northwoods regions of Minnesota the lure of the wilderness is strong, but the sting of not seeing a deer during an all-day sit can leave a bow hunter with great frustration. 

“The goal is access for all!” was how longtime, dedicated MDHA member Dana Klos of the Thief River Falls Chapter enthusiastically described the goal of the latest in a long string of important TRF Chapter’s projects. 

Minnesota is a state rich in natural resources, but the greatest of our resources is our children. The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association knows educating hunters is key to perpetuating Minnesota's hunting heritage. The best tool of wildlife and ecosystem education is instilling a greater appreciation for our natural resources in our children.

I remember those mild winters like it was yesterday. The entire winter was mild. Spring actually came in March. The resulting long growing season was exactly what northern whitetails needed. Just like the winter of 2024 is what the deer herd needs now.

Why? Because the deer seasons that follow exceptionally mild winters have been good to me and I look forward to this fall with anticipation. Mild winters have a dramatic impact on our deer herd just as severe winters do. But, the impact is positive! Short winters produce longer growing seasons in the North.  Shorter winters drastically increase winter survival. Does come through in excellent physical condition, fat and healthy versus skinny and emaciated. As a result, does produce a high percentage of twin fawns and with early green-up, does also produce higher quantities of nutritious milk for two, and sometimes three, healthy fawns.   

The first thought most people have when someone mentions Minnesota’s Camp Ripley is that it is a premier military training site for the Minnesota National Guard. However, for the avid whitetail deer enthusiast, Camp Ripley is thought to be home to one of the most coveted deer populations in the state. While both trains of thought are correct, the focus of this article is deer and the role MDHA has played in sharing this wonderful resource with our veterans and the general public.

If you aren’t or never have taken full advantage of spring scouting before green-up, you’re missing out on a lot of whitetail information that could be applied to following seasons. Many times, you’ll hear from successful deer hunters that the most important time of the year for a deer hunter is spring. The more hours you spend scouting, the better odds for success next fall. Here are three things you should pay attention to while you’re out scouting and/or shed hunting this spring.

If you shed hunt strictly to find antlers, you'll come home disappointed a lot of days. Even the best shed hunters get skunked. Shed hunting is a great way to beat back cabin fever, get some exercise, learn about deer bedding and feeding areas and if you're lucky, maybe bring home some antlers. But sometimes you get more than you bargained for.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association is committed to preserving our hunting heritage, promoting habitat education as well as building and protecting habitat to benefit deer and deer hunters in Minnesota. MDHA brings people together who share a common interest in the stewardship of Minnesota’s resources, with opportunities for involvement in local chapters, events, partnerships, and networking. Through these activities we are able to ignite passions, ideas, talents and raise funds to maximize our efforts for habitat conservation. 

Today, more information is unfolding regarding whitetails and predators. Yet can predators “alone” impact deer herds to the declining numbers that some hunters are experiencing; and when do management agendas tip the scales in favor of predators….?