Summer Events
This summer we had a great turnout for the Defensive Pistol League. It is conducted every other Tuesday from April through September. There are generally three stages of fire that average about 20 rounds per stage and most stages require at least one magazine change. You fire at a combination of steel and paper targets. Score is based on time, plus penalties for misses, procedural errors and lower quality shots. There are also different classifications for the competitors; Senior, Women, Novice, and Junior as an example. All that is required is a pistol, a safe outside the waistband holster, extra magazines, magazine holder (optional), ammunition, and eye and hearing protection. Check out the Defensive Pistol League FB Page.
Several other events were conducted during the summer.
• The Coyote Match, a two person team match at 200-300 yard;
• Military Rifle Day, show off and shoot vintage military rifle;
• Cowboy Monday, three gun practice with vintage style cowboy firearms;
• Rimfire Wednesday, shooting different events with .22 RF rifles and pistols;
• CMP Rimfire Sporter Match
• Trap. Turnout was a little light this year. It would be great if some teams from families, friends, co-workers, church, or neighbors would come out.
We also hosted River Valley HS Trap, 4H Fall Trap League, and 4H Shooting Sports. We conducted several Field Days for the MN DNR Hunter Education and were assisted by the Redwood County Sheriff and Deputies. We are hoping to start a National Rifle League (NRL) next year. This is a competition that uses .22 RF rifle. Check the calendar and come out and join the fun. No experience is necessary.
Gordy Jensen Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to Redwood Valley graduating Senior, Ella Bell, recipient of the Gordy Jensen/Redwood Falls Sportsmen’s Club scholarship. She is going to be studying at Nova Academy of Cosmetology in Mankato! We wish you the best on your journey to higher education.
Annual Banquet
The annual banquet was a lot of fun this year. Catered again by Tersteeg’s there were around two hundred members and their families. Lots of prizes and guns were given away. Many thanks to our sponsors: Nelson Towing and Salvage, River Valley Arms and Ammo, Running’s, Weelborg Ford, Olson Chevrolet, Redwood Building Center, Duffy’s, Plaza Garibaldi, Electric Motor Co, Dan Gegner, Terstegg’s, Scott Goodyear, Jeremy Waknitz, Denny Miller, VFW, Jim Zollner, Doug Bunting, Auto Value, NAPA, Focus Financial, Riky J’s Carwash, and Fastenal.
Thank You
We received very generous donations from the Masching and Jensen families in memory of members who left the range.
Safety & Range Repairs
Safety is always a concern. Unsafe actions cause injury and pain, even death. We’ve had to make several repairs this year to the steel targets in the pistol bays because someone(s) shot them with center fire rifle rounds. Even if shot with an AR style pistol, they cause damage. Damaged targets tend to send bullet fragments back at the shooter and spectators. If you discover a damaged target, please let us know so we can fix the problem. When someone is downrange avoid handling your firearm(s). When leaving your firearm unattended open the action and unloaded. Rack your firearm or put it flat on the table. Nothing worse than watching a rifle fall off a precarious perch and go tumbling to the ground. Please, clean up brass and trash. Shotgun hulls are easy to pick up but there are some that think they are special and they don’t have too.
CMP Perks
A reminder that we are a CMP affiliated organization. That entitles you to purchase ammo, M1s and other goodies from the CMP. You can submit a package for the 1911 lottery! If your name is picked you can purchase a surplus 1911 from the CMP. More information is available at TheCMP.org.
Membership
Membership is hovering around 420 again this year. We want to thank River Valley Arms and Ammo and the Redwood Falls Running’s for selling memberships and overall support. Please visit these locations for your firearm, ammunition, and training needs.
Join Us for Club Meetings
We have club meeting during the winter months the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Redwood Falls Legion. Everyone is welcome to attend. Mark your calendars 15 Nov, 13 Dec, 10 Jan, 14 Feb, 13 Mar, and 10 Apr.
Volunteers
A big shout out to all the volunteers (in no particular order: Bob, Pete, Steve, Jason, Larry, Jerry, Marcel, JT, Becky, Jeremy, Tom, Heather, Dale, Gene, Neil, Amy, and others who organized and conducted matches/shooting events, assisted in range maintenance, Hunter Ed, repairs, and those who cleaned up after themselves and others. The Redwood Falls Fire Department, who are volunteers, for conducting the burn on our CRP. If you would like to get involved with any of the volunteer activities or shooting events let us know. We are in need of someone to manage the 3D Archery Program. Someone can create an Archery League as well.
The MN DNR has asked hunters to participate in a study in monitoring offal (gut) piles and who is eating it. More information is available at https://offal.umn.edu/ or https://www.facebook.com/offalwatch/
Good luck on your upcoming hunts and wishing you the very best for the coming year.
Club Officers: President Steve Whittet, Secretary/Treasurer Larry Weidell. Board Members: Dale Cramer, Tom Morley, Heather Koffler, Marcel Kruger, Bob Rohlik, Tom Ellig, and Pete Weis.