Public Islands

[JIMBOB]

How Many Of You Guys Hunt Public Islands With Any Luck? We Have A Few Islands Up By Us That Produce Big Bucks Every Year. They Seem To Be Far Enough Out Of The Way That No One Cares To Hunt Them. One More Question. What Do You Guys Use To Access These Places, A Canoe, Boat, Argo???

[buckslayer]

I can honestly say that other then for duck hunting, I have never hunted from an island. Unless it's a big island with lots of room to move around, and has the food they need, or is close enough to shore to swim to food I don't think they will hold that many deer. But I guess once the gun season kicks off and people are moving all over the place, those islands could be a very good place to sneek into for an old swamp buck. But I am guessing that sneeking in would be an understatement.
I have looked at a few islands in MN to try but never got around to actually trying them. Maybe next season I will.

[JIMBOB]

I would like to hunt some of the islands on the missouri river in missouri and there are some great bow only Public area's in Missouri. Problem for us(from Whitetail Adrenaline) http://www.whitetailadrenaline.com/ is that as far as we know a peson can't film on Public Land for Professional Film. I think those island hunts are cool and if a guy gets into the right area's there can be alot of deer on them. I'd give those islands in Mn a shot if your gut tells you to.

[buckslayer]

That is correct about the filming on public land in Missouri. I actually remember seeing that on dream season where the olsen couple were the only ones that knew that and took the time to look into those laws.
Since then I have been looking into that law in every state that I plan on hunting/filming.
The good thing though is that there really is not that many places that don't allow it.
I do know that you won't find it in to many hunting regulations. Thats one of those laws that actually require a person to call the DNR or state law enforcement to look into.
I still have a couple more months over here after my leave in September. I will look into the filming laws of the Midwestern states and post what I find out for everyone thats interested.

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

That's Great Man! Hope the rest of being over there goes quick and well for you. Hopefully they eventually lift that law. I mean It's silly not to let them help promote their state lands.

[Stump]

I had no idea filming on public ground was illegal in some states! Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me why.

Is it illegal in MN?

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

I'm to scared to ask The only state that I'm aware of is Missouri and that's why were not going there. I know it isn't in Iowa. They actually want people filming on their state lands. Doesn't make sense. Invest all that money in state land and then not tell anyone. Hmm.

[Stump]

Can you then not take still pictures of nature, deer you shoot or at anything else then in Missouri too? LOL

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

No kiddin...

[Grasshopper]

Very strange law...never heard of anything like that before

Have a good buddy who hunts islands in the Mississippi River. Canoes to them and has one set within 25 yards of the bank. Slips in there like a thief; no scent trail, no noise...really sweet. Has killed a couple nice ones there.

And no, I can't tell you where "there" is

[Stump]

Taking the time and having a boat as part of your arsenal would be awesome! There has to be a lot of areas in every state that would play out well with those tactics.

[newhntr]

I know of a certain public island that I would like to get out and scout very soon, maybe next weekend...I would also have to check with DNR because it is on 'border waters' and Im not real sure what state jurisdiction it falls under.
The only other problem I would see with this certain island is that once duck season opens...85 billion people will be on it, but if a guy could get in-harvest a deer and get out before duck season...that would be great.

[buckslayer]

So far I find no laws against filming in MN, ND, SD, KS, IA, IL, KY and WI. It almost is looking so far like Missouri is the only one. Good for most of us, bad for those that live there and hope to film for more then just memories.
But I will keep looking.

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

Anyone know of any Public Islands in Illinois on the Mississippi River???

[buckslayer]

My brother reminded me of a smaller public island from MN the otherday that I forgot about. Its fairly small and thick, but there are some good spots to hang a stand or 2 on it and once the shooting starts around it thats where I'd hide if I was an old buck I guess. Theres a tiny finger of land that runs to it from shore, but theres no way i'd ever walk that strip. I'd probably have to take a small boat so that theres no scent from me on that trail.

[Whitetail Adrenaline]

I was checking out some islands in/by Pike county, Ill today. On the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. I think there are a few Public areas that could be dynamite. Especially on the Missouri side where we won't be able to hunt due to the no filming on public land law in missouri. However there is a loophole and that is any land open to public for forest crop management or any other program like that would probably be OK. Where going to try and get them to get rid of that rule over the next couple years though...