November 1, 2006

Hunters at Camp Ripley Military Reservation near Little Falls completed another successful hunt this past weekend and helped set a record harvest for 2006.

Archers harvested 243 deer during the weekend hunt and took at least six bucks weighing 200 pounds or more. There were 271 deer taken during the previous hunt (at least 10 bucks more than 200 pounds), for a total of 514 deer harvested in 2005.

"This represents an 8 percent increase over last year's take of 477 deer and is 6 percent higher than the previous record harvest of 484 deer set in 2004," said Beau Liddell, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Little Falls area wildlife manager.

A combined total of 5,009 permits were issued for both two-day hunts, with 4,351 hunters participating. Hunter success over both hunts was slightly more than 11 percent, similar to last year and about 3 percent higher than the long-term average of 8 percent. For the third consecutive year, hunters were allowed to take up to two deer and to use bonus permits to increase harvest on antlerless deer.

"We're very pleased with the results this year," Liddell said. "Although Ripley bow hunters are usually very selective for bucks, we have seen an encouraging increase in the proportion of does and fawns taken, particularly during the first hunt. In addition, 20 hunters took advantage of the increased bag limit and harvested two animals this year."

In the end, the proportion of deer taken that were antlerless was much higher than the long-term average (53 percent), with about 68 percent of this year's harvest comprised of does or fawns.

The largest buck taken during the weekend hunt weighed 220 pounds, taken by James Schuett of Pillager. Other hunters who harvested large bucks were: Jeffrey Koltes, Sartell, 217 pounds; John Kahl, Pierz, 213 pounds; Gregory Hauser, St. Paul, 211 pounds; Derek Hines, Pillager, 205 pounds; and Jason Seifert, New Ulm, 202 pounds.

Wayne Kasper of Annandale harvested the largest doe, weighing 145 pounds. Mark Meyer of Bear Creek, Wis., took the largest bodied buck registered over both hunts on Oct. 19, weighing 244 pounds.

The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunt with the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000 acre reservation.