Fall 2019 Newsletter
Lots of things are happening at the range.
The Pistol range has seen lots of activity with the Defensive Pistol League. There have been between 15 and 26 participants on the scheduled nights. There were eleven nights of shooting spread out during the summer. Each night there were two stages of fire that required 12-18 rounds, shooting from different positions, at different targets and ranges. Almost everyone used autoloaders from .22 to .45. The most popular were 9mm’s. We had seniors, juniors, and a lot of folks in between. Based on comments we will be doing this again in the spring.
The swamp on the rifles range has been drained! With all the rain this year it was going to have standing water on the range again. However, we had a short break in the weather allowing Affordable Dirt Works to work on digging drainage ditches and leveling out the range. Given the high water table and record rains the ditches are still draining. At the present time we are asking that no vehicles drive on the new grass. The ground is still soft and we don’t want anyone to get stuck or cause ruts. While walking down range to put up targets feel free to grab a rock or two and chuck it to the side berm. Bob will really appreciate it when it comes time to mow the grass. A big thanks goes out to Pete W for managing the whole project and to Gene M for his efforts in assisting in the task.
The #3 trap house is now operational and ready for the High School Trap League in the spring.
The Archery Committee did a great job this summer providing a great day at the range by putting out the 3D targets.
The Sportsmen’s Club conducted Firearm Safety Hunter Education class this spring. The club in August also hosted the MN DNR who conducted Instructor training and a field day for the young adults who took their Hunter Safety class online. Additionally, club members conducted a field day in October. We will be offering the class again next spring and a field day later in summer. If you would like to be part of the team to help teach in the classroom or the field let us know. The next local training is scheduled for 3 April 2020.
The Club hosted High School seventy-five athletes from Redwood Valley HS, Wabasso HS, and Echo Charter again this spring. Wabasso HS is also participating in the Fall League this year.
The Coyote Warm Up match was canceled in the winter due to the cold and snow. We conducted a match in June and are going to conduct another one on 2 November. This is a two man team match fired from the ground with any rifle and any sight ten rounds each at 200 and 300 yards.
Military rifle day was a big success. There were several people who brought out some very interesting military rifles.
Another shooting event that the club conducted was Rimfire Wednesday. Despite or maybe because it was in the middle of the week we had a pretty good turnout. Each range day there was a different course of fire. Needless to say it was a lot of fun.
The 4H Shooting Sports is a great way for our young adults to experience outdoor activities. The 4H offers training in archery, air rifle and air pistol, smallbore rifle, trap/shotgun, and wildlife activities. It is a great way for adults to get involved by coaching and other support activities. The signup for the coming year is now open. Shooting activities will start after the first of the year indoors at the National Guard Armory then move to the range in May. The club is hosting instructor/coach training 4 and 5 April 2020.
Hopefully many of you have given us a Like on Facebook. We know that there are some who don’t use FB or even have a computer; however, it is a handy way to put out information about club activities. One person referred to some of the pictures posted on Facebook as the wall of shame. That is, photos of the stupid things our fellow members have done. Things such as shooting the steel targets with armor piercing bullets, leaving shotgun hulls and other trash laying around, using the training barrier on the pistol range as a target board, shooting the target boards at close range with shotguns, shooting the posts holding up the target boards and probably many other things that we haven’t discovered. Except for the trash the big problem with their actions is it makes for unsafe conditions. Every year we find shotgun hulls from firing slugs at various ranges. While some people to pride in leaving the range in better shape than they found it, there are a few though who are “special” and don’t clean up after themselves. If you see a problem at the range please contact us so we can fix it.
Pheasants Forever provided a grant of $3000 for our new tree planting and pollinator plot. Their contribution helps us provide for a better wildlife environment.
The NWTF is conducting a Bingo event at the Redwood Falls American Legion on 23 Nov. Lots of guns and other prizes. There are only 125 seats available. If you don’t have yours yet don’t delay. They are expecting a full house.
Summer and the harvest is about over so we have time for club meeting again. On the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Redwood Falls American Legion we are having a club meeting. All are welcome to attend.
A couple notes on safety. Generally speaking the Shooting Sports are very safe. There are four rules of firearm safety we live by. Treat every gun as if it were loaded, never point the muzzle at anything, keep your finger off the trigger till on target, and be sure of your target and what is beyond. Maybe there should be a fifth rule. If someone is doing something unsafe, say something. Not clearing a gun before going down range, leaning a (loaded) gun against a side of the truck, unsafe gun handling (rules 2 & 3), shooting at improper targets or things that are not targets, shooting at steel without eye protection and other things that get people hurt. Then be a true sportman, if someone calls you out for things you’re doing wrong, accept the feedback.
Hopefully we’ll see you on the range and a meeting. Have a safe hunt this fall.