Just Sold: Autumn Antlers hunting lodge sells for $4.9 million.

Byline: Anne Bretts

Editor's note: "Just Sold" is a Finance & Commerce feature based on certificates of real estate value recently filed for commercial transactions and significant residential transactions in Twin Cities counties. Additional details in the transactions come from Plat Research, the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, company documents, online real estate listings, F&C archives, CoStar and other research. Some purchase prices and per-unit calculations have been rounded. Full prices are available on the CRVs posted here.

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Most resorts across Minnesota are related to its 10,000 lakes and the fish hiding in them.

One of the largest single resort sales this year, however, involves the $4.9 million deal for the real estate related to Autumn Antlers Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting Lodge at 1280 180th St. in Long Prairie, about 130 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.

Autumn Antlers Properties LLC of Sartell closed Aug. 1 on the purchase from Whitetail Real Estate Holdings LLC of Lake Park.

The property, developed in 2006 by a group of outdoorsman, includes 330 acres of land for hunting and a 10,137-square-foot lodge with dining facilities, sleeping quarters for small groups and a meat processing center. Guests can hunt from custom-built, heated tree stands or ground blinds, using bow, rifle or black powder. Field dressing, butcher and taxidermy services are available.

The new owners are hotel developer Troy Hoekstra, owner of United Development Solutions in Sauk Rapids, and John Monson, owner of Bill's Gun Shop & Range, with locations in Robbinsdale, Baxter and Circle Pines in Minnesota as well as Hudson, Wisconsin, and Fargo, North Dakota. They approached the sellers directly, Hoekstra said. The sale also included an undisclosed amount for the business operations.

"We are excited about the opportunity to continue the legacy of Autumn Antlers by providing the very best in guided whitetail deer, red stag, elk, and Mouflon sheep hunting adventures in the United States," Hoekstra said in an email.

"We are currently renovating the facility to meet the expectations of those looking for a premium wedding experience as well as for corporate meeting and event planners," Hoekstra said. He and Monson approached the owners directly, Hoekstra said.

Resorts and Lodges.com lists 480 fishing lodges and 50 hunting resorts in the state. Of course, many hunters stay at resorts and hunt on private land or simply have their own cabins or...