The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin accepting applications on July 1 for the 2012 regular archery deer hunts at Camp Ripley near Little Falls.
Hunters may pick from only one of two hunting seasons, Oct. 18-19 (Thursday-Friday; code 668) or Oct. 27-28 (Saturday-Sunday; code 669). A total of 5,000 permits – 2,500 per two-day hunt – will be available. Successful applicants must purchase a valid archery license at least two days before their hunt to participate. The bag limit for this year’s hunt is two, and bonus permits may be used to take antlerless deer.
Hunters may choose from four options to apply for the Camp Ripley archery hunts:
• Through the DNR’s computerized Electronic Licensing System (ELS) at any one of 1,500 ELS agents located throughout Minnesota.
• By telephone at 888-665-4236.
• Through DNR’s Internet licensing link at www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/index.html.
• At the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul.
The application fee for the hunt is $8 per applicant. The application deadline is Aug. 17. Those who apply by phone or Internet will be charged an additional convenience fee of 3 percent ($0.24) per transaction.
To apply, resident hunters 21 and older must provide a valid state driver’s license or public safety identification number. Residents under 21 may also provide a DNR firearms safety training number to apply. Nonresident hunters must apply using a valid driver’s license number, public safety identification number, or DNR customer number from a recent Minnesota hunting or fishing license.
All applicants must be at least 10 years old prior to the hunt for which they are applying. In addition, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, must have a firearms safety certificate or other evidence of successfully completing a hunter safety course to obtain a license to hunt or trap in Minnesota.
Hunters may apply as individuals, or as a group of up to four individuals. Group members may only apply for the same two-day season. The first group applicant must specify “Create New Group” when asked, and will receive a group number. Subsequent group applicants must specify they want to “Join an Existing Group” and must use the same group number supplied to the first group applicant.
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 military reservation.
Rules for the Camp Ripley hunt are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/deer/index.html.
