318 3 St NW
East Grand Forks MN 56721
Options ( www.myoptions.info )and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is pleased to announce the dates for the 29th Annual Accessible Deer Hunt for people with disabilities to be held at Rydell National Wildlife Refuge. The dates of the hunt will be October 10th, 11th, and 12th. Rydell National Wildlife Refuge ( http://www.fws.gov/refuge/rydell/ ), located south of Mentor, Minnesota, offers hunters with disabilities a unique experience by providing the opportunity to hunt in one of the most accessible wildlife refuges in the Nation. Rydell has miles of paved trails in addition to hard-packed trails. It is large enough to accommodate up to 20 hunters, having enough land so that risks associated with deer hunting are minimized. Hunters are responsible for their own transportation to and from the hunt in addition to their accommodations, breakfast meals, ammunition, and weapons.
Options is a consumer controlled and managed Center for Independent Living. This means that the majority of staff and board are people with disabilities, people with disabilities helping other people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. For more information about the hunt or a hunt application packet please contact Randy at Options (218) 773-6100 / (800) 726-3692 or email: options@myoptions.info .
In the event there are greater than 20 applicants, hunters will be chosen based on the severity of their disability, ability to hunt in other specialized hunts other than the Rydell Hunt, and past participation at the Rydell Hunt. If all things are equal a random drawing will take place to select final participants.
All participants chosen must possess a valid 2024 deer-hunting license. Currently, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website reports that an out-of-state tag for either firearm or bow is $185.00. Hunt organizers will provide the location and assistance while hunting but hunters are responsible for all other costs and their personal needs. Options has listings of area campgrounds and motels. Camping is located from 2 miles and out and for motels anywhere from 18 miles to 55 miles dependent on accommodations. Costs for camping very from around $10.00 to $30.00 per night. Historically the weather has been the deciding factor on whether a particular campground has full hook-ups available or if pipes have been winterized. Motel accommodations range from $45.00 per night to $120.00 based on location and amenities wanted. There are motels, casinos, and bed and breakfasts available in the general area. The hunt runs from noon to end of legal hunting time every day. We will provide meals every noon and in the evening on the hunt days, the hunters are on their own for breakfast. When a hunter wants to get out to the stand location volunteers will take them out to their site. Hunters and if there is a volunteer present are required to stay on stand, if a deer is shot at or downed they will be asked to contact the headquarters so hunt volunteers can assist in collecting the shot animal or assist in recovering a wounded animal. We do this, to ensure to the greatest degree possible, that there are no people coming in close proximity to other active hunters.
The hunt is designed to enable the hunter with a disability to have as much personal freedom as possible so each hunter will be asked what he or she would like assistance with. We have had hunters complete all aspects of their hunt independently and others who have chosen to have a volunteer with them while hunting. The hunt managers do have the discretion of assigning a volunteer with a hunter if they are inexperienced or have a disability where memory or judgment may be affected.
If you have questions regarding adaptive equipment, please feel free to contact Options for ideas on how adaptations can be made or where specialized equipment can be purchased.
Rydell National Wildlife Refuge is located along U.S. Highway 2, approximately 60 miles east of East Grand Forks, between Erskine and Mentor, Minnesota. From U.S. highway 2, turn south on Polk County Road 210 and follow for approximately 2.5 miles to the refuge gate. Various directional signs are located along the route.
The two closest towns are Mentor and Erskine with gas, groceries, bait and tackle. A short distance from the refuge across Cnty Hwy 10 Lakeview Resort can be found it has food and drinks.
Area Motels and Other Accommodations ** All Motels listed have at least 1 accessible room Crookston, MN (25 miles from site) Northland Inn, Hwy 2 and 75 North (800) 423-7541. AmericInn, Hwy 2 and 75 North (218) 281-7800. Ada, MN (45 miles from site) Norman Motel, Hwy 200 West (218) 784-3781. East Grand Forks, MN (60 miles from site) East Grand Inn, Hwy 2 East (218) 773-9822. Fosston, MN (21 miles from site) Super 8 Motel, 108 South Amber Hwy 2 E (218)435-1088 Grand Forks, ND (60 miles from site) Best Western Town House, 710 1st Ave North (800) 867-9797. C’Mon Inn, 3051 32nd Ave South (800) 255-2323. Days Inn, 3101 34th Street South (701) 775-0060. Econo Lodge, 900 43rd Street North (800) 746-6666. Fairfield Inn by Marriott, 3051 34th Street South (701) 775-7910. Happy Host Inn, 3101 S 17th Street (800) 489-4411. Holiday Inn, Jct. I-29 and Hwy 2 West (701) 772-7131. Travelodge, 2100 South Washington (701) 772-8151. Ramada Inn, Jct. I-29 and Hwy 2 West (800) 507-3951 Ext. 3. Roadking Inn, Columbia Mall, 3300 30th Avenue South (800) 950-0691 Super 8 of Grand Forks, 1122 43rd Street North (701) 775-8138. Mahnomen, MN (35 miles from site) Shooting Star Casino & Lodge, 777 Casino Road (800) 453-7827. Stardust Suites, Inc. (800) 932-3878. Red Lake Falls, MN (20 miles from site) Chateau Motel, Hwy 32 North (800) 793-3513. Thief River Falls, MN (38 miles from site) Best Western Inn, Hwy 32 South (800) 569-8123 C’Mon Inn, 1586 Hwy 59 Southeast (800) 950-8111. Super 8 Motel, Hwy 59 South (800) 800-8000. Campgrounds Lakeside RV Park, On Lake Cameron, Hwy 2, Erskine, MN (7 miles from site) (218) 687-4678 Voyageurs View Campground, 1 mile north of Red Lake Falls, MN on Cty Road 13 (21 miles from site), electric available, possibly water (218) 253-4329 or (218) 253-2031.