Camp Ripley

[mattf]

Does anyone know approx. when we will find out the lottery results for Camp Ripley???

[fishinmajishin]

MNDNR HSOforum says first week of Sept.

[deadminnowcatcher]

dnr stated info will be available mid to late week

[jnorm1984]

Who all as never been drawn?? I got drawn my first 2 years, this will be my 3rd year applying and I hope I have the same outcome. But, one of my buddies hasnt got drawn for 3 years running!! I dont know what thats all about, does anyone else have any streaks like that going?

[dustin85]

I have applied the past 2 years, and got drwan both times...hopefully this year is the same.

[deadminnowcatcher]

if he has applied 3 years in a row and not got drawn he is not applying correctly or something

[BowTech03]

Well Ripley is sposta work on a pefrence level system. But some people seem to get drawn year after year and for others it doesnt seem to be as easy.

[deadminnowcatcher]

Ripley is a preference drawing. If you do not get in this year you are guaranteed the next year. Guarantedd because of the number of applicants. And if you do not have a preference point you have about a 65% chance of getting drawn each year. Thus you may get to go every other year if you are not lucky. and if you have a little luck you could get drawn 10 years in a row. But you are guarantedd to go every other year unless you are not applying properly. If you have not got drawn 2 years ina row i would contact the dnr and find out why. If you are applying as a group remember that you are put in the preference level of the lowest person in your group- so dont be switching group members

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Is this hunt just crazy with all the people that they cram into a couple weekends, or is it pretty easy to find solitude and good hunting?

[deadminnowcatcher]

You will not find solitude and if that is what you want you will be disappointed. But if you want the opportunity to shoot a trophy buck then you may want to give it a try. The people is what helps keep the deer moving all day long. I have shot 2 deer there now and both have been in the middle of the day. I see more deer in the middle of the day than in the prime hours. thanks to the people that cannot sit still all day long.

you will have guys walk right under your stand- dont let that bother you. It is kinda fun to drop a twig down when they are rigth under you and watch them jump.

[colonel42]

Last year first session it poured from the day we got there until we left. Finally got set up at 9:30am (buddy that I went with had been there a few times and knew the spots but somehow forgot so we drove around until that time) any who I picked a spot over a rivein. Could see a road to the right of me, trucks parked to the back of me and in the six hours I sat I must have seen five people walk with in 50 yards of me. Thing is I also saw 9 deer in that time and three canme as close as 15 yards. I drew on a doe and her fawn but let them walk. This whole experience was fun and exciting. Hope to be drawn again this year.

[maros91]

There are some places to find solitude. There are some monster hills there. Go for a walk in there. About 90% of the people hunt close to the road IMO. Don't be afraid of hard work to get that buck of a lifetime.

[fishinmajishin]

You will not find solitude and if that is what you want you will be disappointed. But if you want the opportunity to shoot a trophy buck then you may want to give it a try. The people is what helps keep the deer moving all day long. I have shot 2 deer there now and both have been in the middle of the day. I see more deer in the middle of the day than in the prime hours. thanks to the people that cannot sit still all day long.

you will have guys walk right under your stand- dont let that bother you. It is kinda fun to drop a twig down when they are rigth under you and watch them jump.

How far are you from the roads? Are all these people carrying stands with them or are they just wanderers or still hunters? I would think if you want to get back in where you wont see anybody or at most one other there should be opportunity. Is it coincidence Biff claims 90% road hunters and the success rate is 11%?

[Wanderer]

The DNR claims the success rate is more and indicator of 'The highly selective nature of the hunters'.

The first time I went, I called the director of the hunt to ask some questions. He told me there were only two gaurantees: You will see other hunters and you will see deer.

I could have taken a doe on any trip I've made up there until last year. I just couldn't get a clear shot. I did mess up a shot on a monster 8 pointer two years ago. Probably the most impressive buck I've ever seen in the woods - and I have two 10's on the wall.

I see vehicles all day while sitting in that spot and people probably wonder why I ever picked it when they see me sitting there. 3 years of watching deer in that area is why.

In fact, I know of two other hunters who got pokes at that bruiser that day. He rattled all of us.

So many people keep moving because until you put your time in to learn an area, it seems too vast and there are people everywhere, so you think all the good spots are taken. Its hard to feel you've made the right choice when you do finally sit.

[deadminnowcatcher]

checking the dnr HSOforum every few hours to see if the info is posted yet- nothing as of yet. I was told mid to late week

[Wanderer]

Next week....Be patient....Go fishing.....

[BowTech03]

I called the DNR today and asked to see when the results would be out and the guy asked me my name and told me if i was in or not......... I MADE IT IN. That was nice to here. But he said that the stuff should be in the homes some time this next week.

[fishinmajishin]

Hey DMC...I was just asking you if you were a road hunter because you see so many people...I noticed you posted here again without an answer...I haven't been out to the Ripley hunt before, and am just looking for some real perspective of the hunting situation. You claim you will not find solitude. I've been inside Camp many times as I grew up 6 miles from there with friends' parents in the Guard. I know what kind of deer are in there and how many square miles there are to hunt. I just think if a guy wants to find some where out of the way there's got to be some room. Just have to get off ones' butt to do it. Am I wrong?

[GRH]

you can find area's all to yourself. with a little leg work. Iv'e had a few years up there where I never saw or heard another hunter from the stand. Then other times I was suprised to see hunters walking by. YOu just never know.

[deadminnowcatcher]

yep, i am a lazy road hunter and that is why i see so many other hunters. Never stepped into the woods so i cannot tell you how many people you may see if you set up off the roads

[fishinmajishin]

Sorry if implied you were lazy. I really didn't mean to. I was just curious if you had tried to get away from the masses is all. Your prior post made it sound like it was hopeless. Nothing wrong with hunting near the roads in the right spot, but I'm sure your gonna see alot more hunters. That might even be an advantage to seeing more deer as you say. Thanks for the reply and good luck on the draw and sticking your third!