Joe Juneau's 2008 Kansas turkey and coyote shot from the same blind

Helpful hunting links

Youth hunts

Each year members from the MSAA take a leadership role in the coordination and sponsorship of youth archery hunts at Camp Ripley and at the Arden Hills Army National Guard Training Site (AHATS).  The MSAA partners with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the military, and other outdoor groups to facilitate these hunts.

Jeremiah Samuelson and his Camp Ripley doe

These hunts are open to the public by way of application to a lottery process.  The Electronic Licensing System (ELS) is used to apply. Contact the DNR for the submission deadline.  For more information about this hunts contact MSAA Bowhunter VP, Roger Ekert.

Camp Ripley Topology Map The MSAA funds its youth hunt efforts by selling the official Camp Ripley topology map.  This maps are highly detailed and colorful, a work of art all on their own.  If you are planning on hunting the youth hunts or the adult hunts you cannot afford to be without this map. This maps are $10 each with all proceeds going to the youth archery deer hunts. To get your map contact MSAA Bowhunter VP Roger Ekert.

MSAA Big Buck and Big Bear Award

These awards are given for the largest deer or bear taken by any MSAA member during a single calendar year. If you are an MSAA member and have shot a trophy buck or bear submit your application and if yours' is judged the largest you win this award.

Get the application in the MSAA Forms section

MSAA Big Game Award

The Big Game Award is given to any MSAA member who successfully bags a big game animal any where in North America. All species of big game are recognized as well as coyote, bobcat, wild turkey, javelina, alligator, and Harbor or Hair seals. Awards are not limited to one a year. An application is required for each big game kill. 

To be considered legitimate each animal taken must be done so in compliance with the MSAA Bowhunting Code.  Initial awards are made at no cost to the member with additional patches and tabs being purchased from the MSAA Awards Chairperson.

MSAA Bowhunting Code

Do archery hunters get enough practice?

Are you ready for this year's deer opener? Is your gear set; have you gotten permission to hunt your favorite piece of property? Most importantly, have you practiced enough. Last year at the Camp Ripley Bowhunt the MSAA placed a couple of 3D targets for folks to shoot at, and it was surprising how poor some soon to be out in the field hunters actually did - some actually missed, at 15 yards!

Archery has a lot to do with confidence, and if you have not practiced then your confidence when you need it most will not be there. 'Not so with me' - you think? Do you really think that a couple of dozen shots to check your marks is going to do it? You are fooling yourself, and you will be wondering this fall why at 15 yards you just shot underneath that beautiful buck as he bounds away to safety.

Don't take chances, and get to the practice range. You need to put in several hundred arrows starting mid summer to be ready for that trophy when he appears. Moreover, get to a 3D shoot or two - there is no better preparation than shooting at life-like full-sized animals to get you prepared. Check the MSAA and affiliated clubs tournament schedule and find a shoot near you.

Bowhunter Defense Fund

The MSAA holds funds in reserve to defend the rights of Bowhunters if the need should arise. This fund is added to annually at a rate of $1 per State Indoor Tournament Regional Round participant

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