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Offline Wakaba

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New to MN
« on: November 28, 2008, 10:44:42 AM »
Hello all!  I just got out of my 11yr stint in the Army that took me to a number of places in the world, some cold...others hot. 

So I am new to the state of MN, the midwest, and the twin cities.  I have been shooting at Burnsville range, but I am needing to stretch my legs out past 100yrds.  Are there any indoor or outdoor ranges that are open to the public, or someone with some land that would be willing to help out?  I know nobody knows me, and I wouldn't expect anyone to trust me that much...sight unseen, but I am willing to wait :D

Anyway... hello.

Rich
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2008, 11:24:44 AM »
The watonwan county game and fish club is by St. James MN. the dues are 15 dollars a year with key included. There are nice benches and you can shoot out to 100 yards. Bad part is we are 100 miles away fron ya. Welcome to MN and thanks for your service, I was army what branch you in?
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Offline myronman3

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2008, 11:38:12 AM »
i am moving to ellsworth, wi (just the other side of the river) and there are a number of shooting ranges over there.  i will post back after i have had a chance to check them out.
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Offline Wakaba

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2008, 02:53:12 PM »
Thank you and thank you...

I started life as an 11M in the California ARNG (B-2/159, 40ID) When the unit announced it was trading in it's M113A3's for a pair of boots, I decided it was my time to be lazy.  I sadly found myself in an MP unit (670th MP Co, 49th MP BDE) for a couple years.  Got laid off in my civ job in '00 and went to active duty.  Spent the next 5yrs with 571st MP Co, 504th MP Bn at Ft. Lewis.  Deployed to Kosovo, Guantanamo Bay, and Iraq.  Picked up a couple medals during my tour in Iraq, including the little purple colored one, and re-upped for Japan so I could actually see my new wife.  Moved to Japan for the last 3yrs of my contract and got myself free and clear.  While there I did my best to pass every bit of knowledge I had gained to any and every soldier that would listen.  Spent a while as an advanced marksmanship instructor. 

I don't regret my service, it was just my time to move on.

Let me know if you find anything, this 50yrd stuff doesn't even allow me to get my crosshairs in focus :D
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Offline moxgrove

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2008, 03:26:38 PM »
there is moon valley off of 212 by the junkyard. I believe it goes to 300 yards. It did last time I was there. There is also the Oakdale gun club. It's a bit of a haul from B'ville though. Thank you for your service. And Welcome to the Star of the North.
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Offline myronman3

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2008, 03:29:15 PM »
ah... an infantry brother.   welcome to g.b.o.
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Offline rifleman

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2008, 04:15:32 PM »
Welcome to the board and thanks for your dedicated service. We've got a 200 yd range, but it's about 3 hrs NW up I94 in western Otter Tail County.

I was an 82C Surveyor in the Artillery a long time ago. Toured Ft Sill, OK and West Germany back in the mid 70s.

Dave
aka rifleman
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2008, 04:07:49 AM »
I was 16R, shot alot of 20mm.
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Offline shotgun31

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2008, 04:02:07 PM »
Check out the Minnesota Rifle and Revolver website for hi power matches. 

Get a hi power rifle and go shoot at the matches and you'll develop the contacts you need.  Gopher Rifle Club in Fridley used to be pretty easy to get a membership.  North Star Rifle Club north of Red Wing is a little tougher, used to have to know somebody but like I said, shoot the matches and you'll be quickly accepted.  Faribalt used to have a nice club, used to be a lot of USAR hi power shooters in that club.  There's a gunsmith down there, Almands something like that--interesting place.

I saw the light and moved to South Dakota.  Everything but rifle ranges here.  We shoot for keeps--coyotes and  prairie  dogs!  Good luck!
Shotgun 
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Offline skippermdj

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2008, 03:11:37 PM »
Welcome to Minnesota, and thank you for your service to our country!

It's not free, but it's awfully cheap and a very nice facility.  Join American Legion Post 435 in Richfield and sign up for their range, which is down near Elko/Newmarket off 35 South of Burnesville.  They've got a nice trap/skeet facility, pistol range and 100- and 200-yard rifle ranges.  Many organized shooting activities including DCM hi-power and a nice bunch of guys.  Go to http://www.post435gunclub.org/ for more info.
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Offline HuntingGuy

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2008, 06:29:28 PM »
I'd like to extend my warmest welcome.

During the summer, Oakdale Gun Club is open to the public - oakdalegunclub.org

Before I became a member at OGC, I used to shoot at a range in Menomonie, WI (about 30-45 mins east of Hudson off of I-94). It was open to the public year round. Ranges started at 25 and went up to 300. I think it's the only range in town, so a google search or a call to City Hall might turn up some more information on the range.

Hope you don't mind snow...  :D
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HuntingGuy
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Offline myronman3

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2008, 01:43:16 AM »
if'n you get over the menomonie way, give the myronman a heads up.  i will be checking out ranges over that way very shortly.  i already moved the family down there and i am waiting for the word for me to follow.
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Offline goalie

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #12 on: December 16, 2008, 03:35:20 PM »
Quote from: rifleman on November 28, 2008, 04:15:32 PM
Welcome to the board and thanks for your dedicated service. We've got a 200 yd range, but it's about 3 hrs NW up I94 in western Otter Tail County.

I was an 82C Surveyor in the Artillery a long time ago. Toured Ft Sill, OK and West Germany back in the mid 70s.

Dave
aka rifleman

Where in Otter Tail County?  I have a cabin on Big Pine, and often go out to the free public range just south of 10 in Perham.  Last time I was out, the police stopped by to see what the heck I was shooting, and we had a great time shooting my .50BMG.
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Offline rifleman

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2008, 05:41:37 PM »
I'm from the blazing metropolis called Fergus Falls. I go right by Big Pine Lake alot on my way to various hunting and snowmobiling spots. I grouse hunt a bit in Smoky Hills State Forest, and my friend has a cabin near Itasca State Park. My "short cut" takes me right by Big Pine.

Dave
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Offline goalie

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #14 on: December 17, 2008, 05:32:23 AM »
So you just had some GREAT weather up there the last few days, eh?

 ;)
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Offline HuntingGuy

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #15 on: December 19, 2008, 06:15:28 AM »
Quote
So you just had some GREAT weather up there the last few days, eh?

Indeed, quite tropical!
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HuntingGuy
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Offline rifleman

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2008, 12:00:56 PM »
And we're going at it again one week later!!!!

Dave
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #17 on: December 20, 2008, 12:18:20 PM »
THis will make for some good coyote hunting.
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99% of all Lawyers give the other 1% a bad name. What I find hilarious about this is they are such an arrogant bunch, that they all think they are in the 1%.

Offline goalie

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #18 on: January 05, 2009, 06:34:52 AM »
Quote from: rifleman on December 16, 2008, 05:41:37 PM
I'm from the blazing metropolis called Fergus Falls. I go right by Big Pine Lake alot on my way to various hunting and snowmobiling spots. I grouse hunt a bit in Smoky Hills State Forest, and my friend has a cabin near Itasca State Park. My "short cut" takes me right by Big Pine.

Dave

So, how are you enjoying winter up there?  My cabin is currently doing double-duty as a snowbank......

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Offline rifleman

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #19 on: January 09, 2009, 04:15:21 PM »
In the last month we've had a storm blow through every weekend. Last night was the weakest storm so far. We had almost 40" of snow in December, which is a new record for the month.

Dave

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Offline targshooter

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #20 on: January 27, 2009, 02:15:44 AM »
Hello Rich,
If you are an NRA member, this club is great. Found and joined via the NRA 10 years ago. Varied ranges; three high power rifle set-ups, two good to two hundred yards and one to three hundred meters. Separate pistol, .22 and shotgun ranges. Nice setting also. It is an hour north of the Twin Cities.
http://www.mgfc-mrc.org/
Welcome to MN, a shooter friendly state.
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: New to MN
« Reply #21 on: January 27, 2009, 12:23:53 PM »
I messed up the Watonwan county game and fish clup has a 300 yard range.
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99% of all Lawyers give the other 1% a bad name. What I find hilarious about this is they are such an arrogant bunch, that they all think they are in the 1%.
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