Public Shooting Areas Near Winona?

[minnesotagunner]

I know its been asked a thousand times for a thousand different locations, but after a long while of failed searching I though I would try my hand and simply ask some of you guys. Like I said I've searched forums and other online resources many times over trying to get some useful information as to where I might be able to shoot on state/public land. I even went as far as to email the DNR and about all they could do for me is send me 20 or so maps on rivers and land of MN, but I really couldn't make anything of it. I actually found someone from Winona over on AR15.com's forum and he said that he usually shot on the islands and had no issues. This isn't really conducive to my needs though, because I wouldn't have a way to get out there other than pulling some strings with friends.

The whole idea behind finding public land is easy of use and a bit more freedom. Currently I shoot on family members land in moneycreek 90% of the time and its alright but the location isn't the best and I always feel like I'm annoying the neighbors. I've shot at the Sportsman's club many times and its okay, but I much prefer doing my own thing. I don't really like driving up there to find that there are no places to shoot on the range or its off limits because of trap practice. I also do a lot of videos and it feels weird talking to a camera when there are people around. Overall I just want to be able to go shooting whenever and not have to worry about getting in the way of what others are doing or visa versa.

I'm pretty sure the only option for shooting on public land is state forest land, but even once you've found that there is usually houses or land privately owned all around.

Any help is appreciated guys! Thanks

[Sigfan220]

The DNR is right - there is tons of State Forest land you can shoot on in the area. One of the state forests has a range but it is no longer public. Membership was cheap as I remember, maybe $30 per year. I am more familar with the state forests in the north. Dig around and you will find spots to shoot, the maps will do you little good, driving is the best option. Look for clearings with a good backstop and no trails behind them. People are probable going to be reluctant to share their favorite shooting spots on state land so asking around lekely won't get you far.

Just remember you can target shoot on State Forest land NOT WMA's.

[minnesotagunner]

LOL, that's understandable. On the topic of driving around to look I think it would be hard to know who's land I'm on and if it was a good location how would I go about verifying that it is state forest rather than private land or WMA and so on?

[Sigfan220]

The state land is clearly marked " State Forest" or "WMA" and so on. The corners of the land as well as periodic signs allong the borders mark the land. I find Google Maps satellite view to be helpful when searching for new spots. In the northern forests it is usefull to locate clearings and gravel pits. It will also show houses and unmarked trails in some cases. Remember crow season opens in a few weeks, you could bring a 12ga allong while you are looking. March is a good time to shoot in the river bottoms, its warm but not muddy. By summer they are so overgrown with weeds you can hardly shoot. I have a couple spots up by Red Wing that I like to go in March for crows and some shooting. One place I shoot from one bank of a river to the other bank(maybe 100 yards), the bank makes a nice backstop.