looking for a free place to shoot

[umnshooter]

Hey guys,

new to this forum and new to the Minnesota shooting community. it seems that most of the shooting ranges in MN are in gun clubs. I've lived in TN and VA and usually we just go to a national forest and they have shooting ranges there, free to the public to use anytime before sunset. i'm wondering if there is a place like where i can just drive to and pop off a few rounds, clean up after myself and go home.

i live in minneapolis but i wouldn't driving a hour or so out of my way to find a place like that.

Any tips would help!

Thanks a lot y'all!

[catalyst686]

I'd be interested to know info on this as well.

[12smile]

'Minnesota, The state where nothing is allowed" Joe Soucheray.

[JJ]

Search "Chengwatana" here on the site. There is a spot up in the state forest.

[Seismic Sam]

Just suggesting, here, but by the time you add up your gas money to get there and back, not to mention time, it will be anything BUT free at $3.65 a gallon. Or you could just drive to Oakdale Gun club for 1/10th the gas, pay $15, and blast away in nice ranges from 25 - 200 yards as long as you want on a weekend these days.

[bensdad]

Or join a club and, ahem, support your hobby/rights/etc. But there is land more local that you can shoot on. I know I've seen signs to that effect before. I seem to remember seeing one at Zumbro Bottoms.

[Bulldawg]

Or join a club and, ahem, support your hobby/rights/etc.

+1 The club I belong to costs me $100 a year and minimal time commitment. I can shoot whenever I want, seems like a pretty good deal to me... I would assume most other clubs have similar dues though I imagine some are more difficult to get into.

[Duff-Man]

You are free to shoot in any state forest (except Sand Dunes.) But odds are a good local club would be better considering drive time.

[umnshooter]

my friends have also suggested Oakdale, so i might head there one of these days and maybe join.

do you need a license at a state park to shoot, even if you are not hunting. how are these areas designated, i have been looking online for these information and can't seem to find anything definitive. i don't want to go on a state park hunting trail and start popping off rounds.

thanks for all your help so far guys.

[12smile]

My brother lives on 65 acres in another state

I've always wanted to do my own...wet phone book tests w/ ammo...That's not happening at Oakdale....what's the closest state forest to TC. ?

[umnshooter]

chengwatana, which has a range but not much other stuff, picnic area or anything like that. also rum river is in that area too. in the south there is the near wabasha that also has a range, but i think you have to pay for that one too.

State parks are there and plenty, but like you said, i just want to go to a place set up some cans and shoot em, don't know where in the state parks i can do that.

[JJ]

You cannot shoot in State Parks. You can however, shoot in State Forest lands.

That said, spend a couple bucks and join a local club. It's much safer and more controlled. Isanti County Sportsmans Club is in Cambridge and only $75 a year for you and your spouse/children. $5 to bring a friend. No waiting to join, just show up at a general meeting, or email the Club Secretary.

[zachkuby87]

Id love to find a place to shoot in the woods too don't get me wrong organized ranges are fun and all but I would prefer going off into the woods somewhere by myself setting up some targets and having some fun. Think of it more like a stress free fishing trip scenario out in the woods by yourself free to enjoy yourself empty a few mags as fast as you can without getting bitched at once in a while for ******* and giggles. Oh and did I mention your all alone? Idk about you guys but shooting is one of the things i prefer to do completely solo with no distractions. Ie the ******** two stalls down that decided to rent a s&w .500 and .454 and are freaking out yelling wohoo and hey honey did u get that on video this thing is awesome!!! That **** annoys me beyond belief but unfortunately I'm stuck dealing with ranges because I don't know of any public ranges or places I can go without being bothered. My dad used to bring me and my brother to apublic range out by pine city when we were kids but me and my bro tried to go there a few months ago and it was no longer a range jus a bunch of 4 foot tall grass...

[umnshooter]

^^^^^^^^
Exactly why I'm looking for a field to shoot at.

[EAJuggalo]

I don't think I've ever shot with anybody not part of my group on the short range at Oakdale. Now you have to be a member or be with a member to use it but there are enough of us on here where that shouldn't be a problem. Make it to a couple events and you'll get to know a few people.