Hunting Ripley 5-6 Oct!!!!!!!!!

[MUSKY18]

Got my acceptance letter for the Deployed soldiers hunt on Ripely 5-6 Oct. Gotta start pouring over the maps and try to figure out what area to hunt. Good thing is that we go to a briefing on the 4th at 10am, and they give us the rest of the day to go down range and scout! Thinking this early in the year, I am going to find the acorns and see if they are still feeding on them. Best I can think of at this point.

[Monkster]

Good luck Musky! My son was drawn for the youth archery hunt so we'll be up there on the 7th for the orientation meeting, hunting on the 8th and 9th. First time for him so it should be fun.

Thanks again for serving your country, I, personally, will never forget it.

[MUSKY18]

Do you know what areas you will be hunting for the youth hunt? Since we are hunting same time frame as the Disabled Vets, we hunt on the north end of camp, up on top of Casino. I will post an update for you if I see anything worth posting about to give ya a heads up and maybe a little head start on the rest of the crowd!

And thanks, I really appreciate it!

[Fish Tales]

The youth hunt is all North of Casino. Excited and disappointment at same time this will be my son's last year for the youth hunt. Cant wait for it to happen.

[Monkster]

Thanks Musky, yes, FT is correct. The youth hunt rules say the area north of Casino. Same area as your hunt. My thoughts are to find a food source, possibly bedding area (wishful thinking) and set up.

FT, obviously you have been there before. Do most go back to their same areas? Thoughts on where to go for first timers?

[Fish Tales]

I have hunted with youth and I hunt the the first ripley hunt 20th and 21st. The excitement level is so much more for the youth hunt mostly just hunting with my son , but you dont have the mass confusion in the youth hunt. They treat the youth hunters like there own. As far as hunting each year is different I have hunted different spots each time for youth hunt because of deer sign. You will not be crowded by people just do some scouting and enjoy the weekend.

[MUSKY18]

Just heard that there will only be like 80 hunters up here for the Deployed Soldier hunt this year. That leaves A LOT of room for each hunter to move and try to stick a pig. Been pouring over the map for the last two days and have a couple of spots picked out to scout. Gotta talk to the boys at Range Control and see where they have been seeing the most deer.

[rbs]

My son got drawn for the youth hunt this year. Should be fun but, he pulled a muscle or something in his thigh in football last week and is in having a MRI done as I type this. I guess we will be hunting out of a ground blind as of now. Bummer for him....

[WalleyeChamp]

Just heard that there will only be like 80 hunters up here for the Deployed Soldier hunt this year. That leaves A LOT of room for each hunter to move and try to stick a pig. Been pouring over the map for the last two days and have a couple of spots picked out to scout. Gotta talk to the boys at Range Control and see where they have been seeing the most deer.

I would ask anyone on the base who will listen. Lots of those people know where they're seeing the numbers of deer.. If that fails you will do just fine scouting areas. there are lots of spots with oaks in that area. Good luck!

[MUSKY18]

I am lucky in the fact that I work on Ripley, so have plenty of info to get from people. Went and did some scouting this weekend. HOLY ACORNS!! Lots of sign and trails. Really getting pumped for the hunt now!

[Monkster]

Musky - I take it those oaks are pretty much everywhere? Or are they only in certain parts of Ripley?

[MUSKY18]

Monkster.......they are pretty much everywhere. Granted they are thicker in more spots than others. The area we have to hunt is pretty thick. You get around the impact area it is pretty much all it is. Thick oak ridges that are pretty steep. Ask anyone who has hunted the Easy Street area, its a hilly mother! Its not to say that there aren't areas without oaks, as there are plenty of pine groves and poplar stands too. The southern part of camp is not as thick, but with that where the majority of the ranges and more commonly used areas are at.

[Outdoor Authority]

Make sure to check out the north eastern corner, near the engineer areas good area to check into. Also you might want to see what the guy has planted in the field next to camp up there and find some trails. In 07 missed a b&c in the area. Good luck to you and enjoy your hunt.