Adult Programs

Minnesota's Next Pheasant Hunters

Metro Area PF has created two great Learn to Hunt opportunities for adults. These programs were created for the non-hunter who wants to learn and experience hunting pheasants. One of these programs is exclusively for women and is taught by women. The other is not gender specific. Both cover the basics of hunting with an emphasis on learning to properly and safely shoot a shotgun. Both programs require a DNR certified hunter safety certificate to hunt wild birds at the end of the program. MN DNR website.

Learn to Hunt for Adults

Adult Learn to Hunt aims to develop all the skills necessary to hunt safely independently. Students will be expected to watch online videos at home (homework!) to maximize the experience.  This class is actually a two-day weekend, plus an additional Saturday morning, plus a wild bird hunt weekend! The first weekend is September 6 & 7 at the MN Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN.

Price: $200.00 per student

Here is just some of what you will learn and do this weekend:

  • 5 step shooting program review

  • Loading  and shooting different types of shotguns

  • Learning instinctive shooting methods

  • Shooting clay targets

  • Clothing basics for upland hunting

  • Cleaning birds

  • Finding birds afield

  • Intro to hunting behind both flushing and pointing dogs G

  • Going afield together and hunting birds.

On Saturday, September 20st, you will be invited to come to the Horse and Hunt Club and shoot pen-raised pheasants, followed by lunch. The cost of birds and lunch is included in the initial fee for the class. 

The second weekend is a wild bird hunt guided by trained hunters with dogs in the middle of October, after the pheasant opener. In the field, you will learn about habitat, cover types, game bird biology, and the do's and don'ts of public land hunting. This will be in pheasant country (outstate). The exact location is TBD. You are encouraged to get overnight accommodations and hunt again on Sunday.

You do need to complete the MN DNR's Gun Safety program in order to participate. It is an online class. Go to: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/firearms_isa/online.html

Women Learn to Pheasant Hunt Weekend

Friday night to Sunday afternoon, August 15-17, 2025

Join the Bird Bustin' Babes, passionate outdoor mentors, as they share their skills and knowledge in a hands-on, action-packed weekend learning about shooting and pheasant hunting.

AGENDA

Friday 

  • Meet and greet instructors and participants - bring your questions and gear!

Saturday 

  • Shotgun Basics: Shotgun types, how to find a gun that fits, ammunition selection and gun safety

  • Clay target shooting

  • Hunt Prep: How to dress, where to hunt

  • In the Field: Pheasant habitat, how to hunt habitat and hunting over dogs

Sunday

  • Gun Cleaning

  • Dogs & Dog Training

  • More clay target shooting, including Annie Oakley and other games

Date TBD

  • Mentored group hunt

  • The hunt will be held at a later date following the weekend workshop. The date will be determined during the weekend workshop based on the participants' availability.

LOCATION

MN Horse & Hunt Club - 2920 220th St.  PriorLake, Mn 

DETAILS

The cost is $300.00 and includes food (meals Friday evening through Sunday breakfast), two nights of bunkhouse lodging,  all clays & ammunition, a game farm hunt (held at a later date), and a year's membership to Pheasants Forever. Please note any food allergies at registration. Feel free to bring a personal shotgun. Shotguns will be available for participants. All ammunition provided. A firearm Safety certificate is suggested.

Limit 14 Women. $150 is refundable upon cancellation prior to 10 days before the beginning of the event.

Email Sandy Austin SandyBOW@gmail.com with any questions.

Thanks to our partners and sponsors, Metro Pheasants Forever, Federal Ammunition, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.