The Camp Ripley archery hunt is a single, three-day event. Hunt dates are set each year in consultation with Camp Ripley officials. Hunt dates may change from year-to-year and will not be known until the DNR announces hunt details each July.
The DNR coordinates the annual archery hunt at Camp Ripley with the Central Lakes College Natural Resources Department and the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation.
- Hunt rules
- License & special hunt permit: You must have a valid archery license and special hunt permit in your possession to enter and hunt at Camp Ripley, and must carry your license and hunt permit with you while hunting. Non-hunters are excluded, and pre-hunt scouting is NOT allowed. Permits are not transferable to anyone else. Archers may be checked for legal permit and license in the hunting area.
Hunting not allowed in areas with diagonal red stripes
Download map - Only deer may be hunted: The bag limit for this year’s hunt is 2 deer, of which only one may be a buck. Your regular archery license is valid for either sex. Bonus permits may be used to take antlerless deer. Party hunting is allowed. Since Camp Ripley is a Statutory Game Refuge all other wildlife species are protected and may not be taken.
- Deer registration: All deer taken must be presented and accessible to hunt staff for inspection at the check station. Teeth and other samples may be taken for research purposes. When presenting your deer, please remain in your vehicle and hunt staff will greet you. You must exit the hunt area by 7:30 p.m. each night. Tracking and recovery assistance will not be provided.
- Avoid hunting around closed areas: DO NOT GO INTO ANY CLOSED AREA SHOWN ON THE MAP! IF A WOUNDED DEER ENTERS A CLOSED AREA, YOU LOSE THE DEER! DO NOT PASS BEYOND ANY CLOSED BARRIER, GATE, OR WARNING SIGN FOR ANY REASON – ENTERING CLOSED AREAS PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT RISK OF DEATH OR BODILY HARM AND CONSTITUTES TRESPASS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE AT ALL TIMES AND TO TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS. Closed areas are well posted. Violators of this rule will have their bows seized and court appearance arranged by DNR Officers.
- Duds: Anyone attempting to disturb or remove any military equipment will be prosecuted. This includes all types of armaments and ammunition. Report all DUDS found to the hunt Check Station or Military staff and DO NOT HANDLE. Mark duds with string or flagging on nearby vegetation, and obtain coordinates if using a GPS unit.
- Weapons: Bring only legal archery equipment. Crossbows are allowed if you are 60 or older, or with a valid permit. Firearms are not allowed. Bows must be unstrung, cased or contained in the trunk of a car when being transported.
- Littering in the hunt area is strictly prohibited and subject to penalties: This includes flagging/marking tape, which must be removed on the final day of your hunt. IF YOU PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT!
- Alcohol use: Alcohol is permitted in the camping area only. Hunting while intoxicated is unlawful. Per Camp Ripley rules, absolutely no alcohol is permitted in the hunt area. Alcohol found in the entry-line during morning check-in, or in the hunt area will be seized, and those found using alcohol in the hunt area may be escorted off base and have their hunt permit revoked at discretion of military security.
- Vehicles must be in designated camping and parking areas or in the double entry-line overnight: Saving places or butting in the double entry-line is NOT allowed. Do not block roads or trails anywhere on base.
- Speed limit: The speed limit is 25 MPH. If you are caught speeding you may be escorted off base and have your hunt permit revoked at the discretion of military staff. Road conditions may be extremely poor during wet weather (travel at your own risk). Stay on the main roads if you are not driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
- Deer attractants prohibited: These substances may not be used at Camp Ripley. Deer attractants are natural or manufactured products that are capable of attracting or enticing deer, including any product that contains or claims to contain cervid urine (example “doe in heat”), blood, gland oil, feces or other bodily fluid.
- ATVs & tree stands: ATVs and permanent tree stands are NOT allowed. All personal property (including portable stands) MUST be removed each night. Stands left overnight may be used by anyone, and may be confiscated by DNR officers.
- Radios & cell phones: Per state law (M.S. 97B.085, Subd. 1) radio devices MAY NOT be used to assist in taking deer. However, use of 2-way radios and cell phones for safety is allowed & encouraged.
- The Commissioner of Natural Resources may close the season without prior notice if violations of the above regulations occur.
- Hunt summaries
- 2022
Summary
Download Permits issued 2,496 Bag limit 2; bonus permit allowed Hunters participating 1,953 Total successful hunters 215 Total deer harvested 221 Hunter success rate 11.0% Hunters Deer Oct. 28 1,502 Oct. 28 105 Oct. 29 1,953 Oct. 29 81 Oct. 30 1,212 Oct. 30 35 Deer harvested Male Female Adult 63 (28.5%) Adult 84 (38.0%) Yearling 31 (14.0%) Yearling 23 (10.4%) Fawn 11 (5.0%) Fawn 9 (4.1%) - 2021
Summary
Download Permits issued 2,502 Bag limit 2; bonus permit allowed Hunters participating 1,949 Total successful hunters 271 Total deer harvested 273 Hunter success rate 13.9% Hunters Deer Oct. 29 1,822 Oct. 29 130 Oct. 30 1,949 Oct. 30 101 Oct. 31 1,257 Oct. 31 42 Deer harvested Male Female Adult 102 (37.4%) Adult 66 (24.2%) Yearling 37 (13.5%) Yearling 19 (7.0%) Fawn 18 (6.6%) Fawn 31 (11.3%) - 2020
Summary
Download Permits issued 2,293 Bag limit 2; bonus permit allowed Hunters participating 1,864 Total successful hunters 298 Total deer harvested 310 Hunter success rate 16.0% First weekend Hunters Deer Oct. 15 610 Oct. 15 39 Oct. 16 518 Oct. 16 38 Second weekend Hunters Deer Oct. 31 1,254 Oct. 31 153 Nov. 1 1,079 Nov. 1 80 Deer harvested Male Female Adult 150 (48.4%) Adult 115 (37.1%) Fawn 14 (4.5%) Fawn 31 (10.0%) - 2019
Summary
Download Permits issued 2,639 Bag limit 2; bonus permit allowed Hunters participating 2,137 Total successful hunters 269 Total deer harvested 278 Hunter success rate 12.6% First weekend Hunters Deer Oct. 17 595 Oct. 17 46 Oct. 18 550 Oct. 18 20 Second weekend Hunters Deer Oct. 26 1,542 Oct. 26 136 Oct. 27 1,336 Oct. 27 76 Deer harvested Male Female Adult 103 (37.1%) Adult 82 (29.5%) Yearling 34 (12.2%) Yearling 19 (6.8%) Fawn 20 (7.2%) Fawn 20 (7.2%) 
Central Lakes College natural resource program staff manning the check station at the Camp Ripley Archery Hunt on Oct. 27, 2019. Left to right: Bill Faber, Isaiah Guida, Carl Bakkila, Hailey Owen, CeCe Ketterling, Amanda Olson, Donald Carlson, Mak Lokken, Eddie Johnson, and Jonah Ploof. The hunt is administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Central Lakes College Natural Resource Program and the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs.
Photo courtesy of Central Lakes College.