any public land to practice shooting?

[ferch]

I emailed the DNR last week asking if target shooting was allowed in Sand Dunes, and here's the response I was given:

From: info.dnr@state.mn.us
To: me
Subject: RE: Sand Dunes State Forest
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:13:59 +0000

No, Sand Dunes state forest is the only one where target shooting is not allowed. It’s too close to populated areas.

DNR Information Center
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155-4040
651-296-6157
1-888-646-6367

[JJ]

How long is the rifle range at ICSC?

140yds

[ferch]

Thanks for your replies JJ.

Does anyone have a similar link (link to a google maps location) for a good place to shoot in Rum River?

[JJ]

There is a spot in the Rum River State forest with a suitable range. Because of a scheduling conflict at my club I had to go there to quick test some loads. After we wrapped it up, a group showed up, and proceeded to blasting with no hot line warning (I had my plugs out at the moment ). Additionally i watched someone hand a kid an AK, had him sweep me, and then just about blow off his foot with a ND, then swepp us again, never applying the safety . And it was great to see the who group shooting with no eye or ea protection

Do yourself a favor and join a club. I have never been as scared in my life as I have been on public ranges.

[Pat]

There is a spot in the Rum River State forest with a suitable range. Because of a scheduling conflict at my club I had to go there to quick test some loads. After we wrapped it up, a group showed up, and proceeded to blasting with no hot line warning (I had my plugs out at the moment ). Additionally i watched someone hand a kid an AK, had him sweep me, and then just about blow off his foot with a ND, then swepp us again, never applying the safety . And it was great to see the who group shooting with no eye or ea protection

Do yourself a favor and join a club. I have never been as scared in my life as I have been on public ranges.

Where in the Rum River State forest? Am thinking of camping up there next week.

Thanks!

[Anokamnman]

Well I don't know much public land that's open to shooting. But I am a fan of the hinckley conservation club. Its 4 miles east of the casino. $15/year for membership. They have a 100 yard rifle range & a 25 yard pistol range. Cheaper than a trip to an indoor range. And its good for a year.

[bothwell]

I'll second what JJ said: I was at Chengwatana last fall before deer season, and a couple of guys showed-up to zero their hunting rifles. They were shooting from a card table, and had a couple of bottles on the table: shoot, shot, shoot, shot.

It reminded me of a Yooper song "da second week of deer camp". I bugged right out!

BTW, the road is washed-out presently, so you have to hike a bit right now. The deer flies are also thick for the next couple of weeks.

[LarryFlew]

I have had a LOT of good luck checking with sporting goods and/or bait shops in areas we camp etc. There is usually a gravel pit or open local range nearby that they can give directions too.

[ferch]

Thanks anokamnman - for $15 you can't really go wrong. Is there a webpage for the Hinckley Conservation Club with the rules, etc? Googling it only brings me to the mnguntalk page you started a couple months ago.

[Anokamnman]

They have a group on facebook. Basically you just go to the store called BARGAIN BUYS in hinckley. They sell the memberships. Pay your money with cash or check. They give you a membership card. The rules are on a sign at the range.

[Makarov]

I realize this is a year old thread but I would like to add some info.

To find the Hinckley range:
Google "Grand Casino Hinckley" on Google maps.
Go East on Hwy 48 two miles.
Select satellite view.
Zoom in to the 500 ft scale.
Find "Mary Ann Rd" on South side of Hwy 48.
Now go back West on Hwy 48 about 1300 ft and see the range on the North side of Hwy 48.
The range is located in the middle of the woods with mostly nothing but woods for a couple of miles to the North.

If you zoom into the 50 ft scale, you can clearly see the block and wood pistol range bench, and the shelter over the benches for the 100 yd rifle range.
The white square near the pistol target area is just a bare cement slab.

The Hinckley Range has a double metal pipe gate chained shut at the entrance.
There is an American and POW flag on a pole by the entrance, as well as a large sign.
There is lots of room to park several vehicles in the grassy area.
The walk around the gate in to the rifle shelter is about 100 yds.


Please clean up after yourself and don't leave garbage on the range.
Far too many slobs do this now ((
In fact, bring a bag and take some extra with you when you leave

If there are squad cars sitting out front and the gate is open, come back another day.
The Pine Co deputies are doing a qualifying shoot.

[LumberZach]

That's exactly the spot in Chenguatana where I have shot in the past, but in the last couple of years I've noticed it looks like they're trying to dissuade people from shooting there so I'm looking for a new place to shoot.

A friend of mine was there recently and said they had shooting benches set up now. He said it was a pretty nice set up now.