SPECIAL DEER HUNTS AT RYDELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Fall once again triggers the arrival of two special deer hunts, the Accessible Deer Hunt and the Mentored Youth Deer Hunt, held on the Rydell NWR each year. Both hunts are held under special permits from the Minnesota DNR.

The Accessible Deer Hunt is coordinated through Options in East Grand Forks, MN, who generates funds and volunteers, and provides meals and door prizes for an average of 20 hunters each year. Specialized accessible equipment such as portable hunting blinds, temporary screens, accessible platforms and adaptive hunting equipment help to facilitate a safe and effective hunting environment on the Refuge.

The Mentored Youth Hunt is sponsored by the Friends of Rydell NWR and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and is open to youth 12-15 years old. An adult parent/guardian mentor, who may not hunt, must accompany youth participants while hunting at all times and abide by all hunting rules. The hunt is open to up to 15 youth.

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to the public on the following days to anyone not participating in these special deer hunts:

Accessible Deer Hunt:         October 8-10, 2015

Mentored Youth Deer Hunt: October 17-18, 2015

The Refuge will remain open for normal hours of operation on the days prior to and following the special deer hunts.

For more information contact Gregg Knutsen, Manager, at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge (218) 687-2229 extension 16

No Christmas Tree Harvest Event at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge

The Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will NOT be having a Christmas Tree Harvest event in 2014. 

The reduction of the non-native conifer stands as part of the management goals of the Refuge is complete.  The areas will be or have been restored to native tallgrass prairie and/or native hardwood forest.

Thank you for your past support and we hope to see you at the refuge.

During the winter season the Visitor Center is generally open Sundays from 1 to 5 pm, and Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm.  When snow conditions allow, the 7-mile trail system is groomed for cross-country skiing and is accessible for hiking and biking year-round from sunrise to sunset 7 days a week.  A parking area is located outside the main gate for visitor’s convenience.  To get to the Refuge, go 3 miles east of Mentor, MN (or about 3 miles west of Erskine) on U.S Highway 2 and turn south on Polk County 210.  Follow 210 for 2.5 miles to the large entrance sign.  You may also take Highway 59 to Polk County 41, turn west and follow the signs.  For more information, you may call the Refuge at 800-841-0172.  

Rydell Refuge will be closing the trails to the public

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will be closing the trails to all public during the asphalt overlay for the trail improvement project, the Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities, and the Youth Deer Hunt. The closures will begin Monday October 6^th, 2014 and continue through November 1^st, 2014. Due to the heavy equipment necessary for the project and the use of rifles during the hunting season, the entire trail system will be closed for this entire period.  

These closures are for the safety and welfare of the general public.  The Refuge will be placing signs at every entrance detailing that the trails will be closed. We appreciate your help and cooperation in keeping our Refuge safe while we work on improving the trails and providing a unique experience for hunters. For any questions or concerns, please contact the assistant manager Trina Brennan at (218)687-2229 ext. 16.