REGIONAL— Looking for a good place to try grouse hunting? Why not check out one of the many designated hunter walking trails in northern St. Louis County?
Try the old Koschak farm, located just off County Rd. 88, between Ely and Winton, which has 2.5 miles of hunter walking trails. Or there’s the Hwy. 115 trail system, which includes 3.6 miles of trail. There’s another 2.1 miles of boat-access trail tucked in along the south shore of Black Bay of Lake Vermilion. There are hunter walking trails near Elephant Lake, Crane Lake, Black Duck Lake, and 9.5 miles of trails just south of Echo Lake, accessed from the Echo Trail. The Darwin Myers wildlife management area in Embarrass has 6.1 miles of trail.
Many, but not all, of the trails are mowed and some are enhanced with planted clover, which always attracts grouse and other wildlife.
“Hunter walking trails are a fun way to check out new areas and they do provide good hunting,” said Ted Dick, forest game bird coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “New hunters can follow these trails and not worry about getting lost or wandering off public land. And you can get away from trucks and four-wheelers, and into some decent grouse habitat.”
With or without a dog, the trails can offer a surefire way to get out and get away from it all. To get started, find a shotgun, a blaze orange vest and hat, and buy a valid small game license. You don’t even need a dog, although a good hunting dog can significantly boost your odds of success. On a sunny, crisp fall afternoon, with your faithful companion working the thickets, you just can't beat it. So Tivo the football game and get off the couch and into the woods. You’ll be glad you did.