Record Turkey Hunt Highlights Healing Mission of Minnesota Veterans Outdoors

“The Minnesota NWTF State Chapter has been proud to support this hunt since the beginning, and it remains one of the most meaningful things we do each year,” said Ralph Warzecha, NWTF Minnesota State Chapter president. “Being part of an event that gives back to veterans through the outdoors is something our volunteers care deeply about.”

This year’s Minnesota Veterans Outdoors turkey hunt at Camp Ripley was the largest and most successful in the event’s 21-year history.

A record 50 veterans participated in the hunt alongside 50 volunteer mentors, and 30 birds were harvested from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon.

Following each successful hunt, veterans posed proudly with their harvested birds and the flag representing their branch of service, a powerful reminder that the event honors both their time in uniform and their continued journey after service.

While the hunt produced impressive numbers, organizers say the true success of the event goes beyond the harvest.
“Our programs have become popular because they work,” said Tim Kramin, programs coordinator for Minnesota Veterans Outdoors. “Outdoor recreational therapy has been proven to reduce anxiety, post-traumatic stress and the feeling of isolation, many of which our veterans are experiencing today.”

Held on the 53,000-acre Camp Ripley National Guard training facility, the annual turkey hunt provides veterans with much more than an opportunity to chase spring gobblers. For many participants, it offers a chance to step away from daily stress, spend time outdoors and build relationships with others who understand the unique challenges veterans often face after service.

“Our focus has always been on these issues, with the harvest of a turkey, deer or walleye being a secondary priority,” Kramin said.

That mission is what has helped the event grow steadily over the years. While participation typically hovers around 35 veterans, this year’s turnout of 50 veterans and 50 mentors marked a major milestone for the organization and reflected growing interest in the program.

The event is made possible through the support of volunteer guides, conservation partners and veteran-focused organizations that work together each year to create a meaningful experience for those attending.
Sponsors and partners supporting the event include American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Minnesota Elks Veterans Services. Housing for all the participants during the hunt is funded through a grant from the V4V Trust Fund.

The NWTF supplies most of the turkey guides to ensure a successful hunt for the veterans, while the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association is getting more involved during the deer hunts. The Trolling to Troops is supported by the Upper Mississippi River Smallie Club. Area sportsmen clubs have also joined in to support the program as well, including the Rice and St. Stephens Sportsmen’s clubs. The Midwest Outdoors Unlimited and Mandatory Fun Outdoors organizations have greatly contributed to the success of the hunt as well.

Though Minnesota Veterans Outdoors began in 1991 as a small deer hunt for veterans organized through the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, turkey hunting on Camp Ripley didn’t start until later in 2005.

The Minnesota NWTF State Chapter has been a key part of the hunt every year, providing financial support as well as volunteers who mentor the veterans. The original hunt had only 19 hunters, compared to this year’s record number of participants. In previous years it was a struggle to find a mentor for each veteran, and now people are jumping at the chance to be involved in this special event. It’s safe to say the annual turkey hunt has become one of the organization’s signature events and one of its most impactful.

“Watching this event continue to grow each year is a testament to the impact it has on the veterans who attend,” Warzecha said. “Seeing more veterans want to be part of this program shows just how meaningful these experiences in the outdoors can be.”

For many veterans, the time spent in the blind or walking through the spring woods is about more than hearing a gobble or filling a tag. It is about reconnecting with the outdoors, finding common ground with fellow veterans and experiencing the kind of camaraderie that can be difficult to replace after military service.