looking for a free place to shoot

[S.A.]

my friends have also suggested Oakdale, so i might head there one of these days and maybe join.

If you are thinking about joining put your name on the waiting list now. Invitations to join are sent after the new year. I was lucky and didn't have to wait long, but I've heard other people have had to wait for quite awhile.

[Duff-Man]

This morning at gophercampfire there were three people but we were all on different ranges couldn't even see each other. Generally I think most people want to shot by themselves so they can do the occasional stupid (but safe) thing.

[mnmike59]

the ******** two stalls down that decided to rent a s&w .500 and .454 and are freaking out yelling wohoo and hey honey did u get that on video this thing is awesome!!! That **** annoys me beyond belief but unfortunately

+1

[mnmike59]

This morning at gophercampfire there were three people but we were all on different ranges couldn't even see each other. Generally I think most people want to shot by themselves so they can do the occasional stupid (but THINK IT'S safe) thing.

Fixed it for ya.

[12smile]

BTW what is the annual fee at Oakdale? I'm guessing $150-250 plus service hours?

[EAJuggalo]

$85.00 plus service hours, initiation is another $75.00

[12smile]

$85.00 plus service hours, initiation is another $75.00

Not bad...how far do they push the envelope in winter?

[Seismic Sam]

OGC is open to members ALL year long. They even have propane heaters available on the ranges during winter. Haven't figured out how to get the damn things lit yet, but they're there. And if you have a gas operated semi-auto rifle with IRON sights, you can participate in the Frozen Chosin match in the middle of February.

[ttousi]

$85.00 plus service hours, initiation is another $75.00

Initiation fee is 100.00
2 Range days/service days totaling 18 hours

[jgalt]

Regarding the waiting list at OGC - there's no cost & no commitment to register for it. If you no longer wish to join whenever you receive your invite, you can reply with "no thanks" (or just ignore it). If you think you might want to join, there's no downside to signing up now...

Here's a link to the page on their web site: "How to Join OGC"

As ttousi said, it is currently $85 / year + 18 service hours, with a $100 initiation fee the first year only. You do also need to be a member of the NRA which you can join for $35 / year (or less if you sign up using the link on the OGC web site, or for a period of > 1 year...).

Welcome to the Twin Cities!

[xd ED]

my friends have also suggested Oakdale, so i might head there one of these days and maybe join.

If you are thinking about joining put your name on the waiting list now. Invitations to join are sent after the new year. I was lucky and didn't have to wait long, but I've heard other people have had to wait for quite awhile.

I've been on the waiting list for OGC since Apr/ May '10. Just missed getting in this year by about a dozen on the list of 200 or so inducted annually. I fully expect to join next year.

I joined BeaverBrook this past spring: Beaverbrook Tri-County Sportsmen's Club.
There's no waiting list at this time I believe, and annual dues will be pro-rared to the month one joins.
Typically I shoot there on weekdays, and rarely has there been more than one other shooter on the premises.

[umnshooter]

Has anyone been up to Chengwatana recently, i have read some post that it's closed?

[xd ED]

Has anyone been up to Chengwatana recently, i have read some post that it's closed?

I think there are some closed roads and trails due to blow downs.

[sawgrass]

I know what you're talking about because I've shot at them in NC and SC. I don't think there is anything like that in MN.
I shot at Dirty John's in Western NC this past summer. Beautiful range on top of a mountain. We were the only people there.

I am a member at Oakdale. It isn't the same as what you're used to, but it's a nice range with some very nice members.
We have had the range to ourselves more than once in winter. There are rules to be followed at Oakdale but I don't find them
excessive. I appreciate them when the range is busy.

I've shot several times at Minnetonka Sportsman's Club. Compared to the forest service ranges that I've shot at, it's the most similar. It's not open to the public and has a relaxed atmosphere. Good luck finding a place that you enjoy, and welcome to MN.

[David]

I used to shoot at Chengwatana, but I don't go there anymore. I love that it's usually empty, but there really isn't a berm, and you're shooting essentially into the forest. Then there's the ATV trail that goes through the range in front of the firing line, and behind the tree line behind the "back stop" as well. Every time I have been there we've had to stop as ATVs cross the line in front of us, and you can hear them crossing behind the trees. I think a lot of those people don't even know there is a range there and they race across unawares. There's a gate and fence, but it's never closed, and if you close it, they open it and keep going without closing it again. It's also only about 100 yards. I'm just not comfortable shooting there.