Waterfowling on the River

[LoneRooster]

A bit off topic as this is predominantly an upload site but I know many of us on here also enjoy shooting birds on the water. I recently just moved to the Anoka/Ramsey area right near the Mississippi river and I know that certain parts of it are huntable and I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction of how I can appropriately determine whether or not I am legally allowed to hunt a certain stretch of the river. I already understand the rules regarding 500 ft from a bldg., water right of way/access etc but with the river being considered federal land, and with the various islands around..how can I make a safe assumption (I hate assumptions) in regards to where I can take some ducks on the river. The main area I am looking for help with is north of the coon rapids dam, thru Anoka, Dayton, Champlin, ELk River, Ramsay etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated..not trying to steal any spots or have any handed to me..just some advice on how to make sure I am hunting legally in those areas. Also, anyone going out for the early intensive goose season this year? August 10th? wooweee its going to be a hot one..might hop in a floaty tube and bob down the river with the old 870.. JK! THanks all!

 

[small munsterlander owner]

i gave up duck hunting in MN more hunters then ducks here in MN!!! lol wish you the best of luck thow!!!

1st off get a public hunting land map or go to the MNDNR & look at the public lands & that should help you out big time as thats the 1st thing you do when you hunt a new location... pick out your spots you are interested in then go from there...

2nd get on the phone with a MNDNR wild life biologist or area game manager for the specific lands you want to hunt & ask your questions to them guys they will have exact info for you... if they dont they will give you a phone number for somebody who can answer your questions for you... also try a CO in the location you plan to hunt he can answer questions like is there a ton of other hunters is access hard is is even worthwhile to duck hunt the area ETC.

thats a real populated area so id assume you will have some other hunter buddys to deal with come duck season???

i have a 15 month old small munsterlander so i need to get out duck hunting or even early goose season to get her out working also gave up early season goose hunting as we lost our spot a few yrs ago & with the new law that says you can shoot early season geese over water now i may get back in to the early goose season??? thats about a 1-2 yr old rule change we never used to be able to hunt over water had to be like 100 ft or yards from water for the early season... it sure moves the local woodducks & teal away from there summer homes thow im not a fan of that aspect of the early season!!!

 

[goldeneye]

I would think you could ask the city if your in city limits where you want to hunt or not. the river in that area is hard to figure out. I will be going Aug 10 but that's to early there will be lots of ground pounding on the water birds aren't flying yet. kids want to go to the game fair so that maybe better time spent.