Northland Lodge - Minnesota Duck Hunting

Duck Hunting

Northland Lodge is nestled into the trees on the shores of Big Winnie. Ideally situated in the middle of the Chippewa National Forest Northland Lodge provides the hunters who stay there with direct access to thousands of acres of public hunting ground. Waterfowl including ducks and geese are also found in this area which is littered with lakes and wetlands - perfect for Minnesota duck hunting and Minnesota goose hunting. Hunters can also find their way to any one of dozens of small water bodies close by perfect for setting up for that perfect hunt.

So bring your hunting buddies to the comfortable cabins of Northland Lodge and experience the joy of hunting in at-home accommodations in a beautiful setting! Call us now to book your hunting stay with us 1-800-272-2338!

10 helpful hints to pave the way to your most successful duck hunting season ever.

1. Make a Plan for the Season

Last season is the best starting point for planning this season. If you keep a waterfowling journal, review last duck season objectively. Try to determine which hunting spots produced under what weather conditions. Which spot is best on a storm front, and, conversely, where should you be when the weather is clear and calm? Which option is best when it rains, snows, or freezes?

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2. Dust Off Your Duck Call

As a starting point, clean your calls and inspect the reed. If you hunt three or four days a week, consider starting each season with a fresh reed or reed set.

At the end of last season, your calling never sounded better, and the birds responded as if mesmerized-at least, that's the way you remember it. To pick up just where you left off last winter, you'll need some practice prior to opening day. When you practice, do so with purpose. Don't just call randomly. Instead, make your practice sessions as realistic as possible by calling as if you are working a flock of ducks.

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3. Give Your Shotgun a Checkup

At season's end, most waterfowlers break out their best gun cleaning supplies and treat their loyal duck guns to a good rub down before retiring them to the cabinet. By the end of duck season, however, most shotguns have endured considerable abuse and are due for a serious checkup.

A first step, of course, is a thorough cleaning. If you have access to a small compressed air tank, use it to blow powder residue and other grime out of the trigger assembly and receiver. Then treat all metal surfaces with a light coating of high-quality gun lubricant. While your shotgun is disassembled, check for excessively worn or damaged parts, and have them replaced by a gunsmith.

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4. Hone Your Shooting Skills

Once your shotgun has a clean bill of health, you should put it to good use before the season starts. For duck hunters, sporting clays is a godsend, offering much more realistic targets than either trap or skeet. At many courses, a round of sporting clays or five-stand isn't cheap, but it makes for an entertaining afternoon with friends and will definitely improve your shooting skills.

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5. Touch Up the Rig

When it comes to decoys, duck hunters fall into two categories: those who enjoy repairing and repainting decoys, and those who simply buy new ones to replace the shabby or sinking decoys in their rig at the end of the season. Whichever camp you fall into, now is the time to get your decoys in working order.

In addition, be sure to inspect your existing rig for dry-rotted or frayed anchor lines. With new decoys, buy top quality decoy cord and take care in tying your knots.

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A primary concern should be getting your pup in peak physical condition. Long walks and lots of water retrieves will help keep him toned up through the summer. Water work not only serves as excellent exercise, but also keeps your dog enthusiastic about retrieving.

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7. Whatever Floats Your Boat

The fare for safe passage to your blind this season is a Saturday afternoon devoted to routine maintenance on your boat, motor, and trailer. First on your list should be an inspection of the boat. If the hull is aluminum, check it for stress damage near welds or rivets and for wear spots on the chines and bottom.

If your johnboat doesn't have plywood flooring, you may have to paint the deck every few years. When the paint wears off, the deck's bare aluminum will gleam in the sunlight, possibly flaring ducks. Some duck hunters are using the new polyurethane spray-on bedliners for this job. These products, available at auto parts stores, produce a textured, non-slip surface that is waterproof and helps dampen noise.

Run your outboard well before the duck season to assess if major repairs are needed. If it is running poorly, have a qualified mechanic service your motor. Otherwise, you can do much of the routine maintenance yourself. First, buy a flush kit from a marine dealer and flush out your motor. Then, drain and refill the lubricant in the lower unit. Install a new set of spark plugs, and lubricate fittings and moving parts.

Also, remember to inspect the gas tank for rust or leaks, and check the gas line and fittings for leaks. Make sure you start the season with fresh fuel. Try out your running lights and other safety equipment. Buy new life vests if yours are badly weathered. Test your trailer lights, lubricate your Bearing Buddies, and replace the winch line if it is frayed or damaged.

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8. Secure Your Hunting Spots

At the end of every season, smart private-land duck hunters lay the groundwork for next season. They find an appropriate way to show their thanks to landowners, and let them know whether they hope to hunt on their property again next duck season.

Some finalize the details then; others wait until summer. Either way, it's important to keep in touch with the landowner throughout the spring and summer, not only to maintain a positive relationship, but also to keep informed of any land management or farming changes that might impact your hunting spot.

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9. Spruce Up Your Duck Blind

Building a better duck blind is all about having the right perspective-that of a duck in flight rather than your own earthbound view. Think back over last season. If circling ducks frequently appeared to shy away from your blind, you may want to make some changes.

If, for instance, birds often landed wide of your blind, maybe you should rethink your brushing strategy, modify the width of the shooting box, lower the overall height of the blind, or possibly even relocate it. (Sometimes ducks land around the next bend in the creek simply because that particular spot-even though only 80 yards from your decoys-naturally appeals to them.) Now is the time to decide what, if any, changes should be made, and to get on with the work.

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10. Get in a Duck Hunting State of Mind

Slowly, you are returning to a duck hunting state of mind. Here are some suggestions to make the anticipation all the sweeter.

a. Reread your favorite waterfowling stories.

b. Get involved in your local Ducks Unlimited community. Ask the committee chairman how you might play a role in making this year's event the most successful ever. Volunteering your time and skills for the benefit of the resource not only engenders great personal satisfaction, but also opens the door to new friendships with others who enjoy the outdoors.