Camp Ripley Hunt

The DNR is taking Camp Ripley hunt lottery applications from July 21 to August 19.  Don't miss out on this, it's a chance to hunt some unusually large bucks & a greater population of deer!  It all takes place on a 53,000 acre military reserve near Little Falls.  It's $8 to apply.  Hunters that are drawn will find out early September.

There are two separate hunts: Oct. 20-21 & Oct. 29-30

The DNR website is up and running again, so here is the official Ripley Page.  Another helpful website is http://hutchinsonleader.com/bookmark/14799821


Who can forget seeing this monster from Ripley back in 2009?  This buck had 32 points!  Read about the Scott O’Konek deer at Field & Stream.

Here are some facts about last years success: Big Game Hunt

MSAA 3D SHOOT

If you think you've got what it takes, head on over to the Minnesota State Archery Association's 3D competition in Duluth.  Mark your calendars for August 6 & 7th.  You can make it a weekend trip because camping is available.  There is plenty to do in Duluth, we all know.

Jason is hoping to go, so someone please go show him how it's done!  Or you can call him & see if he'll let you hitch a ride.  Either way =)

MN ARCHERY

Duluth Archery Club



Hunting Mags

DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO HUNTING MAGAZINES?  WE USED TO GET 3, NOW ONLY 2.  THEY ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY, WHEN YOU GET THE MAIL & IT'S SOMETHING OTHER THAN BILLS OR JUNK MAIL!  I'VE MADE A LIST OF GOOD READS. THE PRICES SHOWN ARE ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION RATES, WHICH SEEM TO BE DARN CHEAP!  I MAY HAVE TALKED MYSELF INTO MORE MAGAZINES!

THE ISSUE CLOSEST TO ME AS I WRITE THIS.....PETERSEN'S BOWHUNTING
THE JUNE ISSUE HAS PAGES FALLING OUT, IT'S BEEN READ A FEW TIMES!

10 FOR $10.99

ANOTHER GOOD ONE IS BOWHUNTER.  IF YOU CLICK ON THESE LINKS, YOU'LL FIND BLOGS WITH HELPFUL INFORMATION.  FOR EXAMPLE:  WHO KNEW THERMACELL HAD A 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY?  READING FURTHER, THEY'VE MADE THEIR UNITS MORE USER FRIENDLY WITH QUIETER ON/OFF BUTTONS FOR HUNTING SITUATIONS!

10 ISSUES FOR $14.00

FOR THE SERIOUS DEER HUNTER, TRY NORTH AMERICAN WHITETAILS.

CHECK THE SITE'S "DEER OF THE DAY" FEATURE FOR GREAT STORIES.  THIS MAGAZINE SEEMS TO HAVE THE LARGEST PHOTOGRAPHS & QUALITY PAPER. 

8 ISSUES FOR $15.00

THEY CLAIM TO BE A LONG TIME RUNNING MAGAZINE, BOW & ARROW.  I WON'T LIE, THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE LAMEST WEBSITE.  THAT SOON WILL CHANGE, SO STAY TUNED! 

9 ISSUES FOR $19.95

OUTDOOR LIFE IS A GOOD MAGAZINE FOR THE ALL AROUND HUNTER.  THIS ONE HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER, SINCE 1898!!!  IT HAS A HUGE RANGE OF SUBJECTS.

12 ISSUES FOR $10.00

FIELD & STREAM IS FOR THOSE WHOLE LOVE TO HIT THE LAKES AS WELL AS HUNT.  THIS ONE SEEMS TO HAVE MORE INTERNATIONAL CONTENT.

12 ISSUES FOR $8

ONE THAT'S NEW TO ME IS HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.  THE THEME LEANS MORE TOWARDS OUT WEST WITH SHEEP, MULE DEER, ELK & PRONGHORN.

ONE YEAR FOR $19.95

FOR TACTICS & EQUIPMENT INFORMATION, LOOK INTO BOWHUNT AMERICA.  IT CLAIMS TO BE A "TREAT FOR THE EYES" AND "UNCLUTTERED" IN STYLE. 

9 ISSUES FOR $9.95

HOPEFULLY THIS LIST OF INFORMATION HAS SPARKED AN INTEREST.  GOOD MAGAZINES OFFER  HUNTING STORIES, TIPS & TACTICS, SURVIVAL, AND MUCH MORE.  THEY OFTEN FEATURE OR TEST GEAR AND RATE IT.  SO, ARM YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE & KEEP UP ON THE GEAR TRENDS.   

ZOMBIES!

THIS CRACKED ME UP, I JUST HAVE TO SHARE IT!  SOME LESSONS ARE FUNNIER THAN OTHERS. LESSON 2, 9 & 17...OH MY!
OUTDOOR LIFE

IF YOU'RE INTO SHOOTING ZOMBIES, YOU'LL KNOW TO ATTEND THE OUTBREAK OMEGA IN MORRISTOWN NEXT YEAR.

HERE ARE THE 10 BEST UNIFORMS FROM THE ZOMBIE SHOOT. DPMS
I BET THEY ARE SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE TO MEET!

TRIPWIRE

A REST IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU'LL PUT ON A BOW.  OCTANE MAKES A TOP OF THE LINE FALL AWAY STYLE REST.  JASON (THE SHOP OWNER) HAS A TRIPWIRE ON HIS ICEMAN BOW, SO HE CAN VOUCH FOR IT!

FOR ALL THE SPECS, STRAIGHT FROM OCTANE, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE.  DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PHOTOS UNDER "ADVANCED BREAKDOWN".  ESPECIALLY THE BIT ABOUT "NO CABLE DISTORTION".

FUEL THE HUNT

THE COMMERCIAL SHOWS SLOW MOTION & RUNS THROUGH ALL THE FEATURES.
YOUTUBE

WE CURRENTLY HAVE THIS REST IN STOCK & IT RUNS $99.

Hunter's Friend

Please visit this great link. Most of you can skip down to "The Brand Cult". They touch on a lot of great aspects of bow selection. There are a lot of folks switching bows or picking their first one ever right now. With the heat we've been having, it's not so fun to shoot & sweat.  But most people are practicing so when it comes down to it, it's like second nature.  That, and they want to out-do their pals at the 3D shoots!

Hunters Friend



ThermaCELL Is Swell

I can hardly describe the annoyance I felt pre-fireworks this holiday.  We have one TWO ThermaCELLs & do you think I could find one?  I tore the garage & shop apart.  Surely one of the units returned from turkey hunting & deer stand building this spring. I nearly severing my finger off, by digging through Rubbermaid totes in the dimly lit corner of the garage. It had a bow saw placed inside, no sheath, blade side up.  At that point, I chose NOT to have a holiday accident, pushed the fishing rod I'd broken out of the way, and tromped back to the pending festivity.  Reluctantly I gave myself & the children an extreme soak-down of Deet spray.  But for some reason, the smell of bug dope slightly tainted the holiday spirit.  I could only image myself sitting with my feet propped up whistling happily as American Pride erupted happily in the air. 

The ThermaCELL.....

If you don't have one.....

Get one!

At our shop the olive colored unit runs $23.99, camo is $27.99.  There is a holster & value packs of refills available as well.
ThermaCELL

Ripcord Code Red

Ripcord, which is made in the USA, has come out with a new feature its the drop-away rest.  It now has an internal "brake" to stop arrow contact caused by launcher bounceback!  This may be something most of us are unaware of or never thought much about.  I'm sure glad these companies are taking into account EVERY aspect of the shooting process & tweaking quirks. The fall-away rest arm keeps your arrow in place with the extra quiet soft red moleskin arm. 

It comes in black or camo.  The prices at our shop are 88.99 & 92.99.  Check the RipCord website for more info, including 12 reasons you'll want this rest!!!   RipCord

Shutdown Effects

How will the Minnesota state shutdown impact us as outdoorsmen?

1. The sale of all fishing, hunting and trapping licenses, including online and telephone sales, will be suspended as of midnight, June 30. Likewise, no boat, ATV or other licenses will be sold.

2. Licensed anglers can continue to fish. All existing rules and regulations will be in force. A mid-season walleye fishing regulation adjustment on Lake Mille Lacs will be delayed or cancelled depending upon the length of the shutdown.

3. Open burning and the open burning permit systems are suspended during the shutdown. There are a few exceptions.

4. State Forests: Forest roads and trails are open unless gated or posted closed. However, roads and trails are not being maintained during the shutdown. State forest lands are open for dispersed activities (e.g., bird watching, hiking). Please be especially mindful of all safety guidelines.

For more information, visit these helpful websites.
BEREADYMN 
DNRSHUTDOWNINFO
STARTRIBUNE

I hope this doesn't last until fall,  which seems unlikely.  That could ruin fall hunting for residents.