During the months of May through August, camp is in FULL swing, filled with excitement and laughter. Then September rolls around, wedding bells ring, and camp activities are put away. Once the dust settles, literally, after we blow out the cabins, it gets dusty and the pine needles and leaves are picked up and moved in October… here comes November.
While Minnesota has many hunting seasons, the most talked-about month is November. Sure, you can turkey hunt for Toms in the spring, waterfowl (duck and geese) starts in September, and while small game like grouse also begins in September, November is king with deer season. Now, deer season technically starts with the archery opener in September, boy, you’d think September would take the crown, but it can still be a bit too warm to chase that 30-point buck. You see, in Minnesota most hunters like to work hand in hand with Mother Nature, and in November, with the cooler temps, it’s easy to hang the deer and let that meat cool.
Why are we talking about hunting on a summer camp’s blog, you ask? Well, sitting on 340 acres, sprinkled with naturally growing berries, tall pines, acorns to no end, and some of the most beautiful waterfront in the state, Camp Foley holds all the right tools for a prestigious hunting ground.
During the spring/summer time, campers here at Foley use the numerous hiking trails to travel to and from the upper and lower treehouses. During the off-season, the critters take full advantage of the trails and enjoy some snacks along the way. These trails supply the perfect opportunity for natural berries to grow to their fullest. Berries like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and even a few strawberries can be found along the hiking trails here. The tall (and I mean TALL) pine trees supply just the right amount of shade while allowing enough sunlight to shine through to produce some fabulous growth. These pine trees not only provide shade but also a perfect roosting spot for the turkeys that call Camp Foley home. Scattered among these pines, giant oak trees grow. With oak trees come acorns, and who doesn’t love a solid acorn? When you combine all the berries, pines, trees, acorns, and natural habitat, you form a perfect environment for giant turkeys and healthy grouse, making the backwoods a hunter’s dream.
If hiking through the woods isn’t a strong suit of yours and you’d rather be lakeside, then let’s introduce you to the beautiful Whitefish Chain of Lakes. While I personally have not dove into the fun/exciting world of hunting waterfowl (yet), I have heard multiple hunters chasing the wide variety of ducks and geese that call Whitefish home. I can attest, even though I have not embarked on a hunt for waterfowl, that I have seen my fair share throughout the summer. I think some of our summer staff will even let you know how well-populated it is here with the amount of bird droppings they cleaned off the docks all summer.
While birds are fun to talk about, let’s embark on the trophy hunt of them all… White-Tailed Deer. As mentioned before, Camp Foley is full of natural food and habitat for all sorts of animals, but it is perfectly suited for the deer population. With over 340 acres of land to travel, almost endless amounts of nutrition, and plenty of water, this property houses a tremendous deer population. Trees for coverage, leaves for beds, and berries for days, these deer live in what we could call a natural 5-star resort.
So, to summarize everything just explained, here are the top 5 reasons why hunters would love Camp Foley:
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The animal population: Deer, turkey, grouse, and waterfowl
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Natural food sources: Why not get a little berry snack while you hunt?
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Tree coverage: Blend right in with North Central Minnesota’s finest.
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Crystal-clear waters: Whitefish (and Hidden Lake)… enough said!
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Space: 340 acres of land supporting a wide range of animals.
Camp Foley not only is a great piece of property that supports a wide variety of wildlife, it also is a place that the most treasured animals can call home, our campers (& staff)!
Happy Days,
—Benji