Camp Ripley Youth Archery hunt

[Walleyehooker]

Any one else going this weekend? Ive got 3 grandsons going. 2 are hunting and the other one is a mentor this year. Will be the first year hunting for one and the other one bagged a small buck there last year.

All 4 of us got drawn for the second hunt also so we will be back again in 2 weeks.

[Monkster]

My son and I are headed up that way tomorrow morning. This is my son's last year! He didn't get drawn for Ripley, but he did get a Lake Alexander SNA tag. We've always been in Ripley, but he's excited to see something new anyway. I think they draw spots for the Lake Alexander hunt, or so I've heard. Maybe someone can give us some advice!

Good luck at Ripley. Maybe we'll see you at the breakfast/dinners!

[Coach1310]

Good day all.... I don't mean to hijack the thread, but maybe someone can help me. My son turns 10 in late September next year. Is he eligible to apply if he isn't 10 at the application deadline? I would love to take a shot at this and know he would be pumped for it. Just curious if anyone can enlighten me.

Thank you for any help and good luck to those heading up. Hopefully the deer are on their feet!

[Walleyehooker]

This is off of the DNR HSOforum

Youth Archery Deer Hunts (License Type 630) ■ Application Deadline is Friday, August 15, 2014 and costs $1. ■ Applicants must be at least age 12 and under age 18 at the time of the hunt. ■ Participants must obtain a valid archery license at least two days prior to the start of the hunt.

[NELS-BELLS]

Good luck out there. My son and I went the last two years and had a great time. Give us a report. Let us know how it goes. Don't forget to take some photos and remember, they don't have to shoot a deer to make it a fun memorable experience.

Nels

[maddowg1192000]

Anyone seeing anything

[Walleyehooker]

We didn't get any deer but 2 of the boys saw some deer both days but out of range. The other boy got a shot at one but shot under it. Was a little windy so not sure that helped either. One other thing is they must have had some high winds up there over the last year as there was a lot of downed trees in the woods. That didn't help the spot I hunt as it seemed to change the way the deer usually travel. I believe there was only 3 deer registered the first day and only one early afternoon on Sunday. Not sure if any came in later. Will be back in 2 weeks to try it again.

[Monkster]

This is my son, Josh, with the doe he shot Saturday mid-morning at the Lake Alexander Area. This was his last youth hunt at Camp Ripley, so it was nice to end the hunts with his first bow kill! Thanks to the MDHA, MSAA, Camp Ripley and also The Nature Conservancy for putting on another great hunt!

[NELS-BELLS]

Congrats to your son Monkster! That is awesome! Where is the smile? He hunted the Lake Alex Nature Conservancy, correct? Did you see many deer?

Walleyehooker - Thanks for the report. At least the boys saw deer and one even had a shot. I've been there an entire wknd hunt and never saw a deer. Its still a neat experience.

Nels

[Walleyehooker]

Congrats on his first deer and nice picture. Im hoping for some cooler weather in 2 weeks for the next hunt to maybe get the deer moving a little more. Maybe they were moving a little more at night with the full moon to. Either way we had a little time to check out some different spots and going to have a different plan if I can get to the spots first. Also have 4 shooters instead of 2 so maybe we can stick something. Either way it is a fun time and the kids had a blast. Hats off to all of the volenteers that donate their time to this and have for many years.

[Monkster]

Nels - You know, this was the one pic he wasn't smiling in! I have a better one, but it's to big to load!

Yes, it was at The Nature Conservancy. We actually saw two deer and a bear on stand in the morning. The wind picked up, so we walked a bit after the morning sit. We jumped her in her bed about 45 yards away and Josh made a great shot. I really thought (from the blood) that he hit her good. When we tracked her about an hour later, we jumped her, but she was in bad shape. She walked (fast) away and eventually expired submerged in the water behind Josh in the pic.

[NELS-BELLS]

Nels - You know, this was the one pic he wasn't smiling in! I have a better one, but it's to big to load!

Yes, it was at The Nature Conservancy. We actually saw two deer and a bear on stand in the morning. The wind picked up, so we walked a bit after the morning sit. We jumped her in her bed about 45 yards away and Josh made a great shot. I really thought (from the blood) that he hit her good. When we tracked her about an hour later, we jumped her, but she was in bad shape. She walked (fast) away and eventually expired submerged in the water behind Josh in the pic.

That sounds like a pretty exciting day! I'm sure he will never forget that hunt and I doubt you will either.

...and that's what its all about!

Nels