On October 29-30, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) will host a special Mentored Youth Deer Hunt for kids ages 12-15 in cooperation with the Minnesota DNR and the Friends of Rydell and Glacial Ridge Refuges Association. Rydell is the only NWR in Minnesota that offers this special “mentored” deer hunting opportunity. A total of 15 youth will be allowed to participate in this hunt. Participating youth will be required to hunt with a parent, guardian, or adult mentor. They will be allowed to harvest up to three deer on the Refuge, only one of which can be an antlered buck. One requirement for youth hunt participants is attending a mandatory orientation session. This will be held at Rydell NWR on Sunday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
During 2020 and 2021, this mentored youth hunt opportunity was modified to be more “hands-off” due to the pandemic. Fortunately, we are planning to return to a more traditional hunt format this fall. This includes allowing the normal number of 15 youth hunters and having an in-person orientation.
Interested youth must apply for this hunt no later than August 19. Applications can be completed at any DNR license agent or online at mndnr.gov/Hunting/Deer/Youth-Deer-Hunts.html. Click on “How to Apply” at the bottom of the page. When applying for this hunting opportunity, note that the Rydell Refuge Hunt is number “957”. For more information or if you have questions, contact Gregg Knutsen, Refuge Manager, at 218-687-2229, 218-686-4329, or gregg_knutsen@fws.gov.
