Camp Ripley

[Neiko]

I got my letter from the DNR for the first weekend. Hopefully this is the year for the Big One. Who else is going?

[dustin85]

I got mine for the 29th and 30th. This will be my first year hunting there. Any words of advice for the rookie?

[Neiko]

Get there before 8am the morning before the hunt to get your truck in the down range line and park your camper across from it. Get a spot picked out on the map and if you get there early get set up and wait. I wouldn't move the first day if you get set up early. There will be a lot of people running around so they will get the deer moving for you.

[WalleyeWeasel]

I see they are allowing 3,000 evac-u-ees from Louisiana to come to Ripley until the mess gets cleaned up down there. It would be a good place to donate your venison if ya cant use it all.........

[Neiko]

Maybe they should give us a bonus tag for free as long as we donate the deer at the gate for the refugees. That is if they are there that long. I definately won't leave anything laying around camp to be looted.

[dustin85]

That bonus tag would be a good idea.I'd be up for shooting another deer for soeone else to eat. I didn't think about the looting/stealing....I hope that doesn't become an issue there.

[traveler]

Give it a rest guys. These "refugees" have just been thru hell; given the same set of circumstances they just went thru I can't say I ( or you) wouldn't have done whatever you had to to feed/protect yourself or loved ones. We sure as hell shouldn't expect the folks coming up here to be lowlifes intent on continueing thier crimespree at our expense! I'm sure there will be some bad apples, just like there are eveywhere, but lets at least give em' the benifit of the doubt, eh? BTW, I'll be there the 2nd weekend for about the 10th time, I grew up in Little Falls.

[dustin85]

I didn't mean anything bad by it, or say anyone was intending to do that,...just replied by saying "I hope that doesn't happen".On top of that, if I had something against these people, why would I be happy to support them with food and Venison, etc? Just like most other people in the country, we are doing what we can here to support them as well.-Later!

Dustin

[WalleyeWeasel]

I think you took it totally wrong!!

[traveler]

How do you take " I deninately won't leave anything lying around to be looted" wrong??? I totally agree with donating venison, I hope they are able to set something up to do that.

[WalleyeWeasel]

Yes....You r correct sir.

[Captain B.R.K]

I got picked for the 2nd year in a row! Looking forward to doing some huntin in dar woods in dare Camp Ripley

My plan this year is to hunt the area that we found last year on the last day and hunt that exclusively the first morning/afternoon. It that proves to be unproductive, then go looking for areas mid afternoon, evening Saturday for a spot to hunt on Sunday.

Definately pick a spot and sit. Lots of guys pushing deer all over the place. I promise you will see deer in there!

As for the refuge situation.......keep an eye on this situation. I don't think it would ever pose a problem for the hunters.

[Neiko]

Take it how you want it. I believe the majority of the refugees won't be a problem. It is the 1% I worry about. Did you watch the news with all th home boys flashing their set? It will be intereseting to see a year or 2 after the refugees are settled into new areas what it will do to the community. Call me ignorant or maybe I am wrong but when you get refugees you also get gang problems. I believe that there will be plenty of security at Ripley but I will not take a chance of leaving anything behind.

[roosterslayer]

well guys now there is nothing to worry about, my wife(active duty Army and preparing to leave for 18 in Iraq) has informed me that the refugees will now be placed at Fort Snelling because of limited space at Ripley and the majority of troops being deployed that will be around. Good luck to you all. There will be no shortage of bucks that you will see, but seeing doesn't always mean shooting. Have fun.

[Studer]

I got drawn last year for the first hunt and had a blast. Saw plenty of deer and a few trophy's. As posted above...people keep those deer moving so get comfortable. I just called the DNR and I did not get drawn this year. That's too bad. Good luck to all who are attending. Oh and I wouldn't worry about the louisianians!! I will hold the woods down around here while you are all up slinging arrows in Ripley!!! Good Luck

[chucker34]

I'd like to try this hunt next year and am wondering how most of you go about it? Do you hunt from the ground or bring a climbing stand. What is the easiest and most productive way in your opinion.

I've read before that once you leave, you have to get in line to get back in, but do they just let you camp out overnight in a tent wherever you want near your spot if you decide to stay inside?

Also, do they move people inside in an orderly fashion on opening morning or is it a mad land rush to stake your temporary claim to your spot.

[NELS-BELLS]

You can hunt in a portable tree stand, on the ground, whatever. The only place that you can camp is in a designated area near the base, which is where the vehicles line up each night for the next morning. Everyone has to be out of the so called hunting area by a certain time each night. They have patrols out making sure that everyone is out. During the day you can come out, grab a bite to eat or whatever and go back in. The only reason you want to get your vehicle near the front of line is if you have a spot picked out and you want to make sure you beat others to your spot. They have speed limits so its not up to who has the fastest truck.

Its a lot of fun but expect to see lots of hunters.

Nels