Camp Ripley is a military area in central Minnesota, and the largest nearby town hardly qualifies as a major urban area. Still, the area is home to several special bow hunts administered by the DNR each fall. Last year the hunt had a record harvest of 282 deer killed by a total of 3,836 hunters. Ripley is known for producing some massive bucks, and each year a handful of Pope and Young-quality bucks are taken. The application deadline for the Ripley hunts is the Friday closest to Aug. 17, though updated information can always be found on the Camp Ripley home page at www.dma.state.mn.us/cpripley, then clicking on the "environmental" link. A special youth hunt was held at Camp Ripley in 2004 for children ages 12 to 18. It was held prior to the regular special hunts to give youngsters a unique opportunity. Because application dates can change or additional hunts can be added, check out the Web site if interested to find out if there are still any openings. If everything is done for 2005, get out that planner and write down the application deadline for 2006.

The Metro Bowhunters Resource Base offers bowhunters another alternative for looking for a unique hunting opportunity. The MBRB is a service put together by a group of archery organizations and it works with the DNR and metro communities to generate bowhunting opportunities. It is a win-win situation for bowhunters and communities because bowhunters can put more venison in the freezer right from the metro area, and communities have their herd thinned out.

There are some massive bucks in the metro area, but MBRB hunts are for management purposes, and trophy hunters could be disappointed if a trophy is their primary motivation. Bowhunters who participate in MBRB hunts must apply for each hunt they wish to participate in, and they must pass a proficiency test to demonstrate their ability to make a clean kill. Additional information can be found at www.strictlybowhunting.com/mbrb.

PRESERVING THE FUTURE
Karn said even though Minnesota has around 70,000 bowhunters, only about 20,000 of them are just bowhunters only. The remaining 50,000 also go firearm or muzzleloader hunting during those seasons. On the other hand, he said there are also a lot of archers in our state who don't deer hunt for one reason or another. All of those individuals are critical for the future of bowhunting and all other forms of hunting in Minnesota, he added.

One of the best ways to promote the future of bowhunting in Minnesota is to introduce children to the sport. Population trends show that the average age of hunters -- archery and firearms alike -- is aging. As a result, groups like MBI, the DNR and other organizations are working to introduce children to the sport of bowhunting. "The youth hunts available around the state are great, and so is the archery in the schools programs," Karn said.

People interested in finding out more about MBI can call Karn at (651) 631-8860.

"We aren't a club with a range, but we are an organization that works for the future of bowhunting," he said.

Whether you plan on heading out to bowhunt in 2005 for the first time or your 50th time, revel in the fact that these are the good old days of deer hunting in Minnesota. There's nothing to say that it will get worse, and there are ways it can be better, but the fact remains that there are a lot of deer, a lot of places to hunt and a lot of ways to have a quality bowhunting experience.

If you don't plan on hunting this year but have always wanted to try bowhunting, now is the time to get ready for your first hunt in 2006. It is not a sport you can pick up and be good at right off the bat. It takes some time, patience and practice to become a proficient archer, and you owe it to the deer to have confidence in your aim before heading afield.