A Look Ahead to the 2026 Season
This winter has been relatively mild, aside from a brief cold snap. Overall, it has been a pleasant season and planning is well underway for summer shooting events, the annual banquet, and other club activities.
Welcoming New Club Leadership
At the Annual Meeting in January, the club installed new officers. After more than fifteen years of dedicated service in roles including President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Board Member, Steve Whittet, Larry Weidell, and Pete Weis have passed the torch to new leadership.
We extend a sincere thank you for their years of commitment to improving and maintaining the range and strengthening the club.
The newly elected officers are:
- Tom Balko, President
- Marcel Krueger, Vice President
- Heather Koffler, Secretary
- Jeremy Waknitz, Treasurer
Trap Shooting & High School Trap
Spring is rapidly approaching, which means Redwood Valley students will once again have the opportunity to participate in High School Trap Shooting. Watch school announcements for registration information.
The club’s Trap League warm-up begins in May, with league shooting starting in June. Last year we had fewer adult competitors than usual, so this is a great year to put together a team and come out to shoot. Work groups, church groups, neighbors, and mixed teams are all welcome.
Trap fees for the 2026 season will remain:
- Adults: $6 per round
- Juniors: $4 per round
Range Improvements
The expansion of the pistol bays has been mostly completed, with only a few finishing touches remaining. These improvements create more opportunities for members to practice, train, and participate in organized shooting events.
The expanded bays not only provide additional shooting space, but also allow the club to safely host more dynamic pistol shooting activities and competitions. These improvements are part of the club’s ongoing commitment to enhancing range safety while expanding opportunities for members to enjoy the shooting sports.
Youth Firearm Safety Training
Safety starts with education. Each year, the Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club partners with local instructors and Redwood Area Community Education to offer Youth Firearm Safety Training, helping young hunters and shooters build the knowledge and confidence needed for responsible firearm use.
The course covers firearm safety fundamentals, safe handling practices, hunting ethics, and conservation principles. Classroom sessions are followed by a hands-on field day at the range, where students demonstrate what they’ve learned in a safe and supervised environment.
Parents and students can register online through Redwood Area Community Education at:
Volunteer for Range Cleanup Day
As we prepare for another busy shooting season, the club will be holding a Range Cleanup Day to help get the facilities ready for the year ahead. Volunteers will assist with projects such as replacing backstops, making minor repairs, painting, and general cleanup around the range.
Cleanup Day is scheduled for May 3, with a backup date of May 17 if needed. A dumpster will be arranged to collect scrap and recyclable materials during the cleanup.
If you’re able to lend a hand, please reach out to Marcel Krueger, Maintenance Committee Chair to let him know you can help. He can be reached at 507-430-2791. Your time and effort help keep our range safe, functional, and ready for another great season.
Action Pistol Shooting at RFSC
To continue growing pistol shooting opportunities at the club, an Action Pistol Committee has been formed. This group is focused on expanding organized pistol shooting and helping shooters of all experience levels get involved. Action Pistol shooting at the Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club is made up of two programs: Defensive Pistol League (DPL) and USPSA.
Defensive Pistol League
The Defensive Pistol League is a beginner-friendly action pistol program designed to build safe gun-handling skills through practical, defensive-style stages. League nights run every other Tuesday from May through September, with a free introductory night in late April for new shooters. In 2025, the league welcomed 74 unique participants, showing the growing interest in action pistol shooting at the club.
USPSA
USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) is a nationally recognized practical shooting sport focused on dynamic stages that test speed, accuracy, and power. New for 2026, USPSA matches will be held Thursday evenings on alternating weeks, bringing additional competition opportunities and shooters from across the region.
Action Pistol Shooting Cost, Schedule and Sponsorship Opportunities
Local businesses and individuals can support these programs through Action Pistol sponsorships, which help fund targets, equipment, and other improvements that keep the program running each season.
Punch Cards will also be available through the Sportsmen’s Club for Action Pistol shooting. Each card includes 20 punches (one punch per stage) and can be used for both Defensive Pistol League and USPSA matches throughout the season.