Twelve deer were harvested during Camp Ripley’s eighth annual Youth Bow Hunt held Oct. 9 through the 10th at the Camp Ripley Military Reservation in Little Falls, Minn.

One-hundred and thirty youth hunters participated in the hunt despite the cold and snow. Members of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and the Minnesota State Archery Association hosted the hunt.

“While the weather conditions weren’t ideal, there are a lot of deer at Camp Ripley that helped the hunters achieve a good harvest for this year’s hunt,” Beau Liddell, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) area wildlife manager at Little Falls, said. “Many hunters said they saw numerous deer, learned a lot and enjoyed the experience.”

The first deer, a 105-pound doe, was harvested the morning of Saturday, Oct. 9. Many of the deer taken were firsts for the youth hunters.

“Successful hunters were not selective and took the first good shot they had at a deer, with [yearlings] and does comprising 11 of the 12 deer taken,” Liddell said. “MDHA and MSAA did a great job planning and conducting this hunt. The hunt sponsors deserve a lot of credit for the high quality experience provided to youth participants. Without their involvement and hard work, this event would not have been possible.”