Maple Ridge Resort
42388 Turtle Lake Rd
Bigfork, MN 56628
218-832-3837
1-877-261-3837
Email Us

Big Game, Birds and Waterfowl - Hunt For It All At Maple Ridge Resort

For the avid hunter in the family, there is plenty of opportunity to sharpen those hunting skills in the Minnesota Northwoods. Whether you seek big game, small game, or waterfowl, there is a wide variety available for your hunting pleasure. This area has an abundance of whitetail deer and open season starts in mid-September for archery and early November for firearms. Ruffed grouse are also a commodity in the Northwoods. The open season for grouse and partridge begins in mid-September and continues to the end of the year. For that "really big game" hunter, the season for Minnesota Black Bear opens at the end of August.

The more than 1,000 lakes in Itasca County make perfect haven for many migratory birds that come each year to nest and stay for the summer and fall. Canadian Geese and ducks are popular birds hunted on our area lakes. Waterfowl season begins the end of September. See exact season dates below.

The Northwoods is alive with the many sights and sounds of an abundant supply of wildlife. It offers a tremendous opportunity to teach your family about Minnesota's greatest resource - nature. We encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful experience and book your next hunting vacation with us. Your hunting party will want to return to Maple Ridge Resort year after year. If you have a particular hunting question just drop us an email or give us a call at 1-877-261-3837. See the schedule below for information on season opening information.

2008 - 2009 Minnesota Hunting Calendar
This calendar will be updated as information becomes available from the MN/DNR.

Small Game

Cottontail Rabbit, Jack-rabbit and Snowshoe Hare, Gray & Fox Squirrel	Sept.13, 2008
Pheasant	Oct. 11, 2008 - Jan. 1, 2009
Ruffed & Spruce Grouse	Sept. 16 - Jan.1, 2009
Sharp-tailed Grouse	Sept. 15 - Nov. 30, 2008
2008 Spring Wild Turkey (first season)	April 16 - May 29, 2008
Fall Wild Turkey Lottery Deadline	July 27, 2008
Fall Wild Turkey (first season)	Oct. 15 - 19, 2008
Fall Wild Turkey (second season)	Oct. 22 - 26, 2008
2008 Spring Wild Turkey Application Deadline	Dec. 7, 2008

Big Game

Bear hunt 2008 Application Deadline	May 4, 2008
Bear hunt - opener	Sept. 1 - Oct. 14, 2008
Special Youth Deer Hunt Application Deadline	Aug. 17, 2008
Deer Hunt Either Sex Application Deadline	Sept. 6, 2008
Deer Hunt Early Antlerless Opener	Oct. 13, 2008
Deer Hunting License on Sale	tba
Deer Hunt - Last Day toUpgrade Firearms Deer License	Nov. 2, 2008
Deer Opener - Archery	Sept. 13 - Dec. 31, 2008
Deer Opener - Firearms	Nov. 8, 2008
Deer Opener - Muzzleloader	Nov. 29 - Dec. 29, 2008
Elk Lottery Deadline	July 13, 2008
Elk (Bull)	tba
Elk - Antlerless - residents only	tba
Moose hunting license applications deadline	May 4, 2008
Moose - northeast zone	Oct. 4 - Oct. 20, 2008

Furbearers - Trapping/Hunting

Raccoon	Oct. 25, 2008 - March 15, 2009
Gray & Red Fox	Oct. 25, 2008 - March 15, 2009
Bobcat	Nov. 29, 2008 - Jan, 6, 2009
Pine Marten & Fisher	Nov. 29, 2008 - Dec. 9, 2009
Mink & Muskrat (north zone) > Opener	Oct. 25, 2008 - Feb. 29, 2009
Mink & Muskrat (south zone) > Opener	Nov. 1, 2008 - May 15, 2009
Beaver (north zone) > Opener	Oct. 25, 2008 - May 15, 2009
Beaver (south zone) > Opener	Nov. 1, 2008 - May 15, 2009
Otter (north zone) > Opener	Oct. 25, 2008 - Jan. 6, 2009
Otter (south zone) > Opener	Nov. 1, 2008 - Jan. 6, 2009

Migratory Birds

Spring Light Goose Season	March 1 - April 30, 2008
General duck and goose	Oct. 4, 2008 (tentative)
Rails, snipe - opener	Sept. 1 - Nov. 4, 2008
Woodcock	Sept. 20 - Nov. 5, 2008
Crow 2008 - First Season	March 1 - 31, 2008
Crow 2008 - Second Season	July 15, - Oct. 15, 2008
Mourning doves	Sept. 1 - 2008
Early Canada goose	Sept. 6 - 2008 (tentative)
Late Canada Goose	tba

Helpful links for great Minnesota Hunting:

2008 Minnesota Hunting Regulations (.pdf)

2008 Minnesota Deer Zone Permit Area Map (.pdf)

2008 Minnesota Deer Hunting Information (.pdf)

2007 Minnesota Waterfowl Hunting Regulations (.pdf) Note: 2008 Regs. will be added when available.

Minnesota Hunting License Information

Minnesota Hunter Education and Safety

Maple Ridge Resort, Minnesota Resorts