Hunting deer on the Gunflint Trail is a challenge to say the least. This might be hard to believe since there are so many deer along the North Shore’s Highway 61 but once you are “over the hill” it is a completely different story. The Gunflint Trail does not boast an abundance of deer and the vast amount of woods for those wily few to hide in is a failing recipe for many hunters—like myself.
There have been a few big bucks shot up here by the experienced hunters who seem to get a nice one every year. In my line of work you learn quickly that it is hard to beat experience, and hunting is a sport new to me.
It was nice to hear some success stories this year, however I can’t help but feel a little jealous considering the amount of hours and mileage put on my boots in the past two weeks. It would have been nice to put some meat in the freezer but I truly have no complaints since I was able to get some exercise while exploring the woods in search of the elusive whitetail. Maybe next year I will get one.
The big three (Seagull, Saganaga, and Gunflint) are the only lakes left to freeze over completely on the Gunflint Trail. It was cool to hear Loon Lake “making ice” while I was hunting last week. The symphony of vibrating echoes kept me on my toes while trying to identify the different noises heard in the forest. The peace and quiet normally associated with the deep woods were overtaken by trees clamoring in the wind and freezing water expanding on the lakes. Alright, I have no more excuses.
Rachelle has started feeding the birds this week while hoping that the bears have taken their winter siesta. It is hard to believe that an animal so big would be drawn to such a small food like bird seed but they love it. Dog food, bird seed, baby diapers, and melons are some of the bear’s favorites but they are willing to eat about anything. I watched one bear eat some plastic bottles of water. He did not appear to be thirsty since he would drain them by biting down on the bottle and letting the water leak out of his mouth before ingesting the crunchy remains. That could not have been easy to pass.
Feeding the birds is an entertaining commitment that the kids really enjoy. I say commitment because many of the birds you feed in the winter become very dependent on that food. They are great morning entertainment as long as you stay consistent since it forms a habit that they will rely on, especially when the temperatures stay in the negatives. It amazes me that creatures so small can survive a North Woods winter.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
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