The Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club is proud to celebrate 30 youth from around the area who recently participated in and completed their Minnesota DNR Firearm Safety class. These students put in the time, effort, and attention needed to successfully complete the course and earn their Firearm Safety Certificates.
This is a big accomplishment, and one worth recognizing.
For many young people, firearm safety is one of the first steps toward participating in Minnesota’s strong hunting and outdoor traditions. It is about more than checking a box or completing a requirement. It is about learning respect, responsibility, awareness, and safe decision-making before heading into the field.
Why Firearm Safety Certification Matters
A Minnesota DNR Firearm Safety Certificate is required for anyone born after December 31, 1979. The certificate helps ensure that future hunters understand how to safely handle firearms, follow hunting laws and ethics, and make good choices in outdoor situations.
There are two ways to obtain a Firearm Safety Certificate: an online class or an in-person class. The 30 students we are celebrating chose the in-person class, which includes six nights of classroom instruction followed by one field day.
That kind of commitment says a lot. These students showed up, listened, learned, asked questions, and practiced important safety skills. Their completion of the class is something they, their families, and the community can be proud of.
Field Day at the Range
The field day was hosted at the Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club on Saturday, May 2nd. This hands-on portion of the class gives students the opportunity to put what they learned in the classroom into practice.
Throughout the day, students rotated through several stations designed to help them practice and demonstrate safe firearm handling. These stations give future hunters real-world opportunities to show that they understand how to be safe while participating in one of our favorite pastimes.
Field day is an important part of the learning experience because safety is not just something students hear about. It is something they practice. It gives instructors the chance to observe students, guide them, answer questions, and help build confidence before these young people take their next steps as hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Thank You to the Volunteers
This class is made possible by volunteers who are certified through the Minnesota DNR, and we are incredibly grateful for the time and dedication they give. The group at the Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club is led by Jamie Gegner. Thank you, Jamie, for your dedication to our hunting heritage and the future of hunting. Your leadership helps ensure that the next generation is prepared, respectful, and safe in the field.
Other groups also helped make this day possible, including the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office. Officers took time out of their busy schedules to attend and teach valuable skills to the students.
For this class, the Redwood Falls VFW was also in attendance. This group of gentlemen assisted with setup and facilitation as part of their annual Day of Service in the community.
Thank You to Community Education
We also want to give a shout out to Redwood Area Community Education for helping facilitate registration for this class. Their support helps make opportunities like this easier for families to access and helps keep students connected to important local programs.
Community Education plays an important role in helping families find and participate in classes like Firearm Safety, and we appreciate their partnership.
Be sure to watch the Community Ed information for an upcoming Online Field Day opportunity before fall. This will be another great option for students who need to complete their certification before hunting season.
Congratulations, Students
Congratulations again to all 30 students who completed their Minnesota DNR Firearm Safety class and received their certificates. Your hard work matters, and your commitment to learning safe, responsible firearm handling is something to be proud of.
The Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club is honored to support opportunities like this and proud to help carry forward Minnesota’s hunting heritage in a safe and responsible way.
