Chengwatana Range Report 7/17/12

View · by **dimachico** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:00 pm

As many folks are aware, the nearest "public" shooting range from the Twin Cities is up at Chengwatana State Forest. I ventured out there yesterday as a sort of farewell to my time in Minnesota. I'm leaving the state in just a few days and have spent many fun filled hours at that range. I just wanted to pass along the current conditions for those who are considering a trip out there.

The road to the range in currently washed out approximately 150 yards from the range. The washout is pretty significant. We parked at the turnout about 75 yards from the washout and hiked in. As we were pulling up, the horseflies started swarming. The car was surrounded by hundreds of flies before we even got out, and we doused ourselves in deet prior to leaving the car. We hauled the gear up to the range and had a great time. The range seemed more trash filled than I have seen it the previous 5-6 times I have been there. We made the most of it but finally relented due to the heat and flies.

Thanks again to all the folks who helped my on my shooting adventures from mnguntalk. I was a complete novice as of a bit over a year ago without a single firearm owned. Now I have 5 and my permit to carry. It's been a fun year of mostly lurking and I appreciate the patience and willingness to help out most folks on the board have had.

Fare well and safe shooting!

View · by **Dill** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:18 pm

maybe one of these days they'll fix that culvert the right way! I've spent a bit too much time in that creek washing all the mud off from ATV'ing

View · by **Doc Harvey** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:26 pm

Any chance you have the lat/long for the entrance to the range?

View · by JJ on Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:33 pm

Doc Harvey wrote:Any chance you have the lat/long for the entrance to the range?

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=26900

View · by **XDM45** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:37 pm

dimachico wrote:As many folks are aware, the nearest "public" shooting range from the Twin Cities is up at Chengwatana State Forest. I ventured out there yesterday as a sort of farewell to my time in Minnesota. I'm leaving the state in just a few days and have spent many fun filled hours at that range. I just wanted to pass along the current conditions for those who are considering a trip out there.

The road to the range in currently washed out approximately 150 yards from the range. The washout is pretty significant. We parked at the turnout about 75 yards from the washout and hiked in. As we were pulling up, the horseflies started swarming. The car was surrounded by hundreds of flies before we even got out, and we doused ourselves in deet prior to leaving the car. We hauled the gear up to the range and had a great time. The range seemed more trash filled than I have seen it the previous 5-6 times I have been there. We made the most of it but finally relented due to the heat and flies.

Thanks again to all the folks who helped my on my shooting adventures from mnguntalk. I was a complete novice as of a bit over a year ago without a single firearm owned. Now I have 5 and my permit to carry. It's been a fun year of mostly lurking and I appreciate the patience and willingness to help out most folks on the board have had.

Fare well and safe shooting!

Just because you aren't in MN doesn't mean you have to stop visiting this website.

View · by **Doc Harvey** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:23 pm

JJ wrote:
Doc Harvey wrote:Any chance you have the lat/long for the entrance to the range?

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=26900

Thanks, JJ!

View · by **Dill** on Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:03 pm

I wouldn't really call it a range, either. More like a long abandoned gravel pit with a back wall you can shoot into. Bring your own bench if desired, and take some trash home with you.

View · by **Retrograde** on Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:33 am

Does anyone have a ballpark guess as to what the maximum range is out there? I'd like to find a place to practice some longer distance shots, thanks!

View · by JJ on Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:38 am

Retrograde wrote:Does anyone have a ballpark guess as to what the maximum range is out there? I'd like to find a place to practice some longer distance shots, thanks!

100yds

View · by **bothwell** on Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:32 pm

Last fall, the clearing partially filled with logs and some logging trailers; so it's not completely abandoned.

Some people shoot glass there. Please don't: it makes the ground unsafe to walk on without work boots.

If you go, besides boots, bring a rake and a garbage can. It takes about 5 minutes to fill a small trashcan with casings.

BTW just the gas costs more than the guest fee at Oakdale, and I think the money is well-spent supporting a club.