The first thought most people have when someone mentions Minnesota’s Camp Ripley is that it is a premier military training site for the Minnesota National Guard. However, for the avid whitetail deer enthusiast, Camp Ripley is thought to be home to one of the most coveted deer populations in the state. While both trains of thought are correct, the focus of this article is deer and the role MDHA has played in sharing this wonderful resource with our veterans and the general public.

In addition to serving as one of the finest military training sites in the country, Camp Ripley is the largest state game refuge in Minnesota, comprising about 53,000 acres. And to think it is located in the backyard of the Morrison County Chapter of MDHA.

So, it only stands to reason that the Morrison County MDHA Chapter embraces the deer hunting opportunities the Camp Ripley Command has enabled for over 50 years thanks to the partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and more recently Central Lakes College.

Time and again record book bucks are harvested at Camp Ripley, which has enticed archers from across the country to put in the time in hopes of harvesting that once in a lifetime whitetail. In that regard, how about an actual 32-pointer that was taken on Camp Ripley by Mr. Scott O’Konek in October in 2009? This picture of Scott is worth a thousand words.

Realizing that the large archery hunt was not physically possible for veterans with disabilities, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard requested authority from the state legislature to host a special deer hunt for Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Legislative approval is required for any hunt on Camp Ripley because it is a statutory game refuge. As you can imagine the legislature gave it a resounding approval and the Veterans Administration and numerous veteran organizations stepped up to host the first DAV deer hunt in 1992. Thirty-two years later the hunt is going strong compliments to a host of organizations and patriots that value the service of our Veterans. The DAV hunt was a perfect opportunity for the Morrison County Chapter of MDHA to volunteer its services whether mentoring a veteran, financial support, patrolling the hunt or assisting in setup and tear down.

Disabled Veterans from all walks of life participate in this event. Each year about 50 veterans are paired with a volunteer or mentor to assist them in the field for two days of hunting. Volunteers set accessible stands in previously identified locations throughout Camp Ripley. The hunters are given the option to used slug guns, hand guns, or archery equipment to pursue their deer. Each day hunters and volunteers are served breakfast, lunch, and dinner while staying in housing on Camp Ripley. The entire program is made possible through donations. Last year from October 2-4 48 veterans participated including a couple WWII era veterans and together they harvested five deer, including two nice bucks.

Words cannot even begin to describe the camaraderie and excitement that fills the room when these veterans come together. Imagine what a special treat it was for the veterans to share in conversation with the legendary Bud Grant who participated in the hunt as a disabled veteran and lifelong hunter. His keynote speeches were inspiring and testimony to his success as the winningest coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Since its inception, nearly 1,400 veterans have participated in the DAV deer hunt.

In hopes of providing hunting opportunities for the future of America, Camp Ripley leadership endorsed a youth archery deer hunt, which was sponsored by the Minnesota State Archery Association (MSAA) and MDHA. This event began in 2002 with members of MSAA including Roger and Jan Ekert being foundational to getting it off the ground and keeping it alive to this day. Numerous MDHA members have also been instrumental in ensuring a successful event. For the last 21 years volunteers have provided over 2,000 youth hunters (ages 12-17) an opportunity to harvest a deer on Camp Ripley.

The youth archery deer hunt is laser focused on instilling good hunting ethics in the next generation of hunters. Volunteers focus on stand safety, proper shots and procedures after the shot. The young hunters all take to the stand with a parent or mentor to assist them while in the woods. Day one is education and stand placement in the field. Day two and three is hunting from dawn to dusk. Hunters and mentors are served breakfast, lunch, and dinner while staying in housing on Camp Ripley. This event is funded and made possible through MDHA, MSAA, other non-profit organizations, and (most notably) dedicated volunteers who think nothing of giving of their time and money to make this event successful. The weather was nearly perfect this past year for the 37 hunters and their mentors who took to the filed October 6-8. While only two deer were harvested the stories and memories will last forever. Youngsters go on and on not only about the deer they saw or missed but also about the other encounters while in the field including sighting s of bear, wolves, coyotes, foxes, eagles, etc. Wildlife abounds in Camp Ripley which is documented as one of the most biologically rich and diverse landscapes in the Midwest. 

In the interest of further giving back to our veterans for their service, an annual Veterans Archery Deer Hunt was approved in 2006. This three-day hunt is intended for currently serving, retired, and disabled veterans and their children. Eighty hunters participated this past year on October 10-12. The changing season brought cool beautiful weather and the participants were able to harvest 14 deer. Since 2006, more than 1200 veterans and their children have participated in this event. The hunters gather for lunch every day thanks to the financial contributions from the Morrison County Chapter of MDHA. Volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders, Vigilant Guardians Veterans Motorcycle Club, and MDHA serve the lunch.

All of these hunting opportunities on Camp Ripley (past, present, and future) would not be possible without the generous support and wide array of partners who are willing to give of their time and financial resources to support deer hunting in Minnesota. Generations of hunters have been impacted through these programs and thereby continuing the outdoor heritage of Minnesota that is central to MDHA. 

In a letter of appreciation to Mr. Brad Heinen, President Morrison County Chapter of MDHA, Mr. Jake Kitzmann, the Camp Ripley Natural Resource Manager conveyed: “These events would not be possible without the financial and volunteer support that your membership graciously provides to our program. Your support helps provide meals and lodging for nearly 200 hunters per year. The volunteer support that your members provide ensures a safe hunting event which provides consistent, knowledgeable, and reliable support for hunters in the field.” Mr. Heinen echoed those sentiments noting that, “We have some of the most passionate volunteers when it comes to veterans and youth.”

MDHA Partnering with Camp Ripley

For more information about the hunting events and application process for these hunting events at Camp Ripley please contact Mr. Jake Kitzmann at (320) 616-2722 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the author: Marty Skoglund has been a dedicated member and volunteer of the Morrison County Chapter of MDHA since 1990. He retired from the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs after serving 30 years in its Environmental Office.