For seasoned whitetail hunters, trail cameras are more than tools—they’re the backbone of pre-season scouting, early-season strategies, and real-time intel during the rut. Coincidence? Maybe. But if you’ve hunted long enough, you know coincidence doesn’t explain consistent patterns. Mature bucks don’t live five, six, or seven years by luck. They’re adaptive survivors, hyper-aware of change, pressure, and intrusion.

How much is your property worth?

This seems like an odd way to start answering the question, but it’s important to realize that a recreational property is often worth just as much as building a new house. Even a 40-acre tract with no access and no utilities in northern Minnesota is likely going to sell for $100,000. Would you build a house worth that much without a plan? Can you come up with an appropriate floor plan that will use every square foot of space efficiently? It’s too expensive to fix stuff after it’s built, and our deer hunting properties are no different. Respect your property for what it’s worth. 

Most articles I read about stand selection are usually surface-level information. We get it by now—hunt funnels, set up downwind of trails, yada yada. What isn’t discussed nearly enough are the cornerstones and enhancers. 

There are likely two types of hunters—those who have tracked a wounded deer and those who haven’t…yet. Sometimes, even a well-placed shot won’t drop a big buck immediately, so having some basic tracking skills and the right tool in your hand could mean the difference between going home empty-handed or going home with fresh backstraps. That’s why onX Hunt is a must-have when you’re on a blood trail.

There’s a phrase I hear just about every year up at our Northwoods deer camp in the fall. At some point in the season, I hear my dad say “It ain’t easy up here,” as he stares into the campfire with an empty meat-pole behind him. He’s right, in the sprawling Northwoods of northern Minnesota, the deer numbers are sparse, and the cover is vast. But, despite the disadvantage, our deer camp is nestled in the remote aspen and balsam forests of northeastern Minnesota and a crackling campfire keeps our spirits up each evening as we await the morning hunt.

We’ve been hearing from a lot of hunters lately asking about the shotgun zone changes in Minnesota. When does it end? What about this season? Will counties still be able to say “shotguns only”? Let’s clear up the confusion with some straight-shooting answers.

It was a cold Wyoming morning with a light wind and a foot of snow on the ground. Clearing a pine-covered ridge, overlooking a steep-sided canyon, I spooked a herd of white-tailed deer that fled up the canyon floor, climbing out and halting on the far side a good 500 to 600 yards away. 

Moose Wellington with Madera Sauce is a rich and elegant twist on the classic beef Wellington. This dish features tender, lean moose loin wrapped in a savory mushroom duxelles and flaky puff pastry, baked to golden perfection. The bold, gamey flavor of the moose pairs beautifully with a luxurious Madera sauce—a reduction of Madeira wine, shallots, and beef stock—adding a deep, slightly sweet complexity that elevates every bite. Ideal for special occasions, it’s a showstopping centerpiece that brings wild game to the fine dining table.

When I was making my first yesteryear solo ventures into the deer woods, compared to today, my pack was, well, okay…it didn't exist. As I would leave the communal campfire before dawn, wishing everyone good luck, my deer hunting mentor, “Old Man Weasel,” would stop me in my tracks and ask, “Got yer knife and a length of rope? How about a piece a wire for tagging? Don't want to be cutting your boot lace.” All that stuff, plus some extra ammo rounds, maybe a liverwurst sandwich, plus a compass pinned to my jacket, had to be crossed off my mental lest before I headed to my stand. 

Every summer, a quiet but impressive transformation is underway in the Minnesota woods. Bucks are busy growing antlers, and while it may seem like just another part of deer biology, there’s actually a lot going on behind the scenes. Whether you're a seasoned hunter, land manager, or just curious about whitetail behavior, understanding summer antler growth gives you valuable insight into deer health—and how you can help improve it.

This recipe can work with most any wild game meat either red or white. Venison, elk, pheasant, turkey are exceptional with this sauce…. Try with a good German Riesling style wine or beer.

Beavers can be a royal pain. They flood roads and trails impacting access to your hunting lands. They can also destroy valuable timber and if you own the timber and were counting on a pay out, it really bites.