2015 marks the ninth year for the annual Youth Deer Hunt at Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, and this year’s event was nothing short of a success.
Thirty-six young hunters, ranging from ten to 15 years of age, converged on Lost Mound Unit for two days of hunting, Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11.
At the end of the day, nine young hunters had bagged deer: seven bucks and two does. The largest was a six-point buck that tipped the scales at 170 pounds.
Lost Mound Unit offers a unique opportunity for young hunters. Many experiencing their first deer hunt, a quality experience that may not be available elsewhere. According to Site Manager Alan Anderson “Hunters from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were here….Although not everyone got a deer, they did s[aw] plenty of wildlife.”
Hunters reported seeing turkey, coyote, and geese. One excited hunter proudly relayed her story of a near-miss with a family of skunks!
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most-visited Refuge in the United States. It extends 261 miles along the Mississippi River from Wabasha, MN, to Cordova, IL, protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. This 240,000 acre Refuge was established in 1924.