Whitetail Deer

Steve’s Farm is providing the opportunity for 2 bow hunters to lease the property from the opening of the 2023 archery deer season though December 31, 2023.  The cost to lease the property for the described season is $2,200.00 per hunter.  A 50% non-refundable down payment is required to reserve the lease, with the balance due at the time of lease signing, which is a minimum of 10 days prior to the start of the archery season.  There are no Trophy Fees.
 
Each hunter may harvest one buck and one doe if legally allowed in the MN hunting regulations and for which valid licenses have been obtained. During this season the possession and use of any gun on the property is prohibited.
 
The property is highly managed for Trophy Class Whitetails.  To ensure that human impact to the deer are minimized, hunters are required to; follow designated access routes to access hunting locations, avoid entering deer sanctuary areas and follow proper hunter conduct. 

​If the leases are full you can request to be placed on our waiting list for a subsequent years lease.  There is no cost or obligation to be on the waiting list.  Hunters who hold current leases are given the 1st opportunity to reserve the lease for the following year, we then go to the waiting list in the order your name is on the list.

Turkey

The 2023 Minnesota spring Turkey season has been established by the MN DNR.  The season consists of six Time Periods designated by the Minnesota DNR as A-F.    

We are offering leases to two hunters that correspond to each of the 7 day Time Periods.  For Time Periods A-E the cost of the lease is $300 per hunter. The lease for time Period F which is about a 14 day season is also $300.00.  A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a lease. 

For all of the 2023 seasons (A-F) we are  allowing three hunters applying together as a group, for a single season, to lease the property .  The lease rate for each hunter is reduced to $250.00.  
 
Any legal firearm may be used for the harvesting of Turkeys.  This includes; archery, shotgun and other legal firearms as designated by the Minnesota DNR.  One bearded turkey is allowed per hunter as defined by the Minnesota DNR.  Steve’s Farm is located in Turkey Zone 508 if this is requested when you buy your license.  Licenses are available over the counter, there is no longer a lottery for our area.

​The waiting list for Turkey leases is being discontinued.  The DNR has published the dates for the Turkey hunting seasons for 2023 and beyond.  Reservations for 2023 Turkey leases for are available now.

                                             Black Bear 

Over the past several years, we have experienced an ever expanding population of Black Bear.  In the past, the bear were typically transient in nature, spending limited amounts of time on the property.  However with food sources expanding, especially the apple orchards, the bear have become problematic and sightings of bear on the property are now common.  Management of the local bear population has become necessary.  To address this issue, we are offering one lease during the Black Bear hunting season.

The cost of the 2023 Black Bear lease is $600 plus a $200 fee to cover the cost of bait. A 50% non-refundable down payment of the lease fee holds your reservation. The balance of the lease fee and bait fee is due prior to the start date for baiting. You may provide bait and do the baiting, this avoids the bait fee. The lease will run from the beginning of the 2023 Black Bear season, (9/1/2023, typical), and ends the day before the opening of the 2023 archery deer season, 9/16/23.  Any legal firearm, gun or archery, as defined by the MN DNR is allowed for taking one Bear. 

​We have identified the bait site on the property that has produced the best bear activity and have located a tree stand at this spot.  The placement of the bait will be established with input from the hunter regarding the desired shooting distance and whether you would like to hunt from a tree stand, ground blind or some other method.  For any hunters planning to use ground blinds, you must provide your own blind.  Bait station will be registered with the DNR by the leasee.   Baiting will begin on the 1st day allowed by the DNR and fresh bait will be introduced at 1-3 day intervals depending on bear activity.    

We will install a trail camera to photograph the bear using the bait site and forward the photos to you on a regular basis.  If the bear damages the camera it will not be replaced. If you decide not to hunt, we offer the lease to a hunter on our waiting list.  If the lease is full, you can be placed on our waiting list for the next years hunt. There is no charge or obligation to be on the list. A valid MN bear hunting license is required, which can be obtained over the counter, we are in Zone 157.  There is no need to enter the bear lottery drawing.