Photos from my backyard in a northern suburb of Mpls/St.Paul, MN. We all have large lots on this block and it ends up being a 8-10 acre wildlife preserve! The Mississippi river is only 500 feet from my yard and is quite wild along it's banks.

The fall of 2009 has been amazing with the number of bucks moving through the property. My house and acre and a half lot are only 12 minutes from downtown Mpls. I actually gave up deer hunting this year (1st time in 30 years I've missed it) to stay home and photograph some of these bucks during the rut.

UPDATE: The rut of 2010 finally hit full gale this week(11/6). Four mature bucks so far from the backyard ground blind. Two of these bucks came within 6' of the back of my blind, that's close! The latest big buck is a giant which would score well above Boone and Crockett's 170 mark, he is truely a deer of a lifetime!

UPDATE: The monster buck from 2010 sheds were entered in the MN Deer Classic and took 1st! B/C score of 178 5/8 without an inside spread! This buck would probably score 204 + B/C, incredible buck!

UPDATE: Spring 2012 has brought several eagar Tom's through the yard and around the neighborhood. I've been concentrating on getting gobbling shots and the past couple of mornings have been great!