Dumb Q

[EBass]

Looking at the Ripley pics and seeing the huge deer taken I wondered from a non-hunter yet outdoorsy person's perspective how come these deer are so dang big?

I've lurked on the wolf threads reading everyone opinion and hearing stories that wolves kill all the deer in their area so I asked if there are packs on Ripley and yes there.

So why is that Ripley has huge bucks and wolves? The habitat must be incredible to support that eco system. (Arm chair biology in me) Is there any other place in the state that has that many huge bucks with wolves?

[Heartman]

Fort Ripley is a tremendously healthy ecosystem. Wolves go where the deer live - doesn't matter where you are - just like there's usually alot of foxes around when there's alot of rabbits. It's the predator - prey deal. Food chain in progress - it is, what it is.

[sticknstring]

Excellent habitat and low hunting pressure allow deer to reach maturity in Camp Ripley. There's huge deer across the entire state of MN but at not nearly high of density. It's truly unique.

[EBass]

Quote:

low hunting pressure

Is there a hunt each year? And thanks for the responses

[Wanderer]

There is a limited youth archery hunt each year.

A disabled Vets hunt each year.

Not sure what other specials they hold but of the above there is minimal impact to the population and its mostly does and fawns.

The two - two day public archery draws are the main pressure the camp sees. Yes, about 5000 permits with around 4000 paricipants split between 4 days.

Not much really.