MINNESOTAN'S - best place to practice?

I hope this thread belongs here, but I'm still really new to photography, and would like to know where to practice shooting. Quiet frankly, if anyone else has good places they started with in their area, I'd love any and all suggestions. I just need a little kick-in-the-butt to get going with some other ideas.

I'm mostly interested in animals and nature photography, but I need to broaden my horizons.

Any suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated -- thanks so much!

Having lived in MN from 1985-2000 I shot tons of outdoor images there. I targeted the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge as well as the many conservation areas and, or course, state parks.

I avoided the conservation areas during the the deer season, unless I was out hunting deer with the rifle.

In the state parks you will find deer and other wildlife that are not so fearful of humans so it may be slightly easier to get some good images there. When working the state parks I typically backpacked in and set up camp so I was available to shoot images from the crack of dawn throughout the night for however many days I was there.

Don't overlook the state and national forests either!

Enjoy.