Apply by Aug. 20 for October special youth deer hunts

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News Releases
Apply by Aug. 20 for October special youth deer hunts
(Released July 12, 2010)


Minnesota youth have until Friday, Aug. 20, to apply for 15 mentored deer hunts in October, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“With a relaxed pace, these hunts provide high-quality introductory experiences where the total focus of the adult is on mentoring the youth hunter” said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator. “Youth deer hunts provide the ideal learn-by-doing experience.”

Youth ages 12-15 may apply for one of 11 special firearms youth deer hunts at selected state parks and refuges. Youth ages 12-17 may apply for special archery youth deer hunts. Participating in a youth deer hunt does not preclude the youth from participating in the regular firearms deer season, but any deer harvested do count against the youth’s season bag limit.

A limited number of either-sex permits are available for the following hunts:

ARCHERY

Camp Ripley Archery Hunt (open to youth 12-17), Archery, Morrison County, Oct. 8-10, 150 permits
Lake Alexander Preserve, Archery, Morrison County, Oct.8-10, 20 permits
Arden Hills Site A, Archery, Ramsey County, Oct. 21-22, 30 permits
Arden Hills Site B, Archery, Ramsey County, Oct. 23-24, 30 permits
FIREARMS

Lake Bemidji State Park, Firearms, Beltrami County, Oct. 16-17, 20 permits
St. Croix State Park, Firearms, Pine County, Oct. 30-31, 90 permits
Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, Firearms, Polk Count, Oct. 23-24, 20 permits
Savanna Portage State Park, Firearms, Aitkin County, Oct. 30-31, 20 permits
Buffalo River State Park Hunt A, Firearms, Clay County, Oct. 23-24, 10 permits
Buffalo River State Park Hunt B, Firearms, Clay County, Oct. 310-31, 10 permits
Tettagouche State Park, Firearms, Lake County, Oct. 16-17, 10 permits
Itasca State Park, Firearms, Clearwater County, Oct. 16-17, 75 permits
Banning State Park, Firearms, Pine County, Oct. 30-31, 6 permits
Father Hennepin State Park Hunt A, Firearms, Mille Lacs County, Oct. 30-31, 3 permits
Father Hennepin State Park Hunt B, Firearms, Mille Lacs County, Dec. 4-5, 3 permits
Youth must apply for the hunt of his or her choice, which can be done at any DNR license agent; the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, in St. Paul or online.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of permits, a lottery will be conducted. Youth may only apply for one archery hunt and one firearms hunt.

An adult parent or guardian must accompany the youth at all times while hunting but only the youth may hunt. Youth and their mentor must attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation session. Successful applicants also must meet all firearms safety requirements, purchase all appropriate licenses and follow hunting regulations.