CLC club helps in deer hunt at Camp Ripley

Archers took 263 deer during this year’s bow hunts at Camp Ripley Military Reservation near Little Falls, representing a 132% increase from last year’s total take.

There were 2,570 permits issued, with 2,011 hunters participating. Although participation declined this year, harvest increased 132% from last year’s total take, and participants experienced a record-high success rate of 13.1%.

Central Lakes College Natural Resources Program coordinated morning check-in and provided deer registration services at the hunts, which took place Oct. 19 to 20 and Oct. 28 to 29.

“We have a strong partnership with Central Lakes College and the event is a great opportunity to train students pursuing a career in wildlife management,” said Beau Liddell, DNR wildlife manager at Little Falls.

“We also received excellent cooperation from hunters to test their deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that will assist with meeting sampling goals for Deer Permit Area 248,” said Liddell. Additional CWD testing within the permit area will occur this coming weekend during the firearms seasons at designated sampling stations.

The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunts in collaboration with Central Lakes College Natural Resources Department, and the Department of Military Affairs, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation.