Bucks & Buckthorn 2008

[Grute Man]

Alright guys and gals.  I bragged this up last year and am going to get into it full steam ahead agian this year.  For those of you who haven't heard of Bucks & Buckthorn, I'll wrap it up in a nutshell.  First and foremost - its some of the best archery hunting land you'll find near the metro area.  It's located in Marine on St Croix.  Its a youth mentorship and land stewardship program.  What you do is sign up now and hunt this fall.  THen next spring/summer you'll do some land stewardship to help restore the land which we love to hunt so much.  It's really not much work either.  (Some of it isn't even work -- its fun.) 

Youth must be 14 years of age to sign up!!!! 
So to sign up, it's $10 per person and you must show them your full body harness at registration.  All hunting is done from a ladder stand where you must be tied off.  You call in and reserve your stands.  Then show up with your child or a combo of yourself, other mentors and youth in the program and hunt away.  There are 51 (FIFTY ONE) ladder stands already in place for your use.   

There might be another fee on top of the $10 but I can't remember; if there is, its not much / about the same.  That other fee would be for Boy Scouts of America.  This is called a Venture Program.  There are no BSA meetings, badges....its just a way that B&B can provide insurance for every hunter out there.

Anyway, show up at Camp Kiwanis in Marine on St Croix at 6pm on Wednesday Sept 10 and go to the big building (mess hall) at the bottom of the hill.   There you will be given all the details and be shown how to register and reserve stands.....

I did this last year with my oldest son and I wouldn't miss it again unless God himself came down to Earth, pointed his finger right in my face, and said "No Don, you're not hunting there this year."

PM or email me with any questions at all.  I really love this program and would suggest it to any bow hunter - especially a young one.

[22lex]

Grute,

What a great way to promote the sport, and stewardship all in one!

Is this a program only implimented on this land, or is it statewide/national program?

[Grute Man]

Its only at the land they have permission to hunt on in Marine on St Croix. 

There are 4 (I think) different spots.  Boy Scouts area, Science Museum Reseach station, part of Warner nature center, and another spot right next to the Boy scout's land.  I'd say its the best bow hunting land I've ever hunted.  I like it better than Ripley because there aren't 2500 hunters there at once.  Heck there won't even be 25 at once.

For a small fee and a little bit of volunteer time, you will have some good hunting.  One part I like the best is helping kids get into the same sport I love so much.

Stop by Camp Kiwanis on 95 in Marine on St Croix on Sept 10 at 6pm and I think you'll be happy with it.