This program is intended to provide adults with no prior hunting experience the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of upland bird hunting to begin hunting confidently and effectively on their own. This program will take place over a weekend in August (8/28-8/29) for two days of activities and instruction, a Saturday in September (9/12) to hunt game farm birds, plus a weekend in October (date TBD) to hunt wild birds in western Minnesota.
Weekend One: Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club
Saturday, August 28th: 9am to 5pm
Day one will include group introductions, instruction on shooting fundamentals, safety, and actual shooting. There will also be a dog handling demonstration so participants can observe the thrill of hunting with a canine companion.
Sunday, August 29th: 9am to 3pm
Day two will include more practice shooting, an introduction to gun cleaning, and good gear selection, followed by field dressing and processing game instruction. Participants will also have the opportunity to taste several wild gamebird preparations, opening their eyes to the culinary potential of wild game.
Weekend Two: Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club
Saturday, September 20th: 9am to 1pm
Saturday game farm shoot, this includes a chance to shoot pheasants at Horse and Hunt. We pay for the birds. We provide the hunting loads. We put out three pheasants per student, and you will get to hunt over our dogs. Lunch is included at the end.
Weekend Three: Wild Bird Hunt
October wild bird hunt: Participants will convene at a location TBD at 8:00 am; hunting starts at 9:00 am. Participants are encouraged to arrange their own lodging on Saturday night and hunt on Sunday!
The third weekend of the program will consist of a one-day hunt in western Minnesota for wild pheasant, guided by program instructors. Additional instruction on habitat, cover types, game bird biology, and public access consideration will also be incorporated into the day. The date and location are currently TBD.
Additional program goals include:
Providing a safe, comfortable atmosphere where adults with no prior hunting experience can learn to hunt
Provide an opportunity to meet other adult-onset hunters and experienced hunters who can be a resource beyond the program.
Develop an appreciation and understanding of the hunter's role in conservation and the importance of being a steward of the resource and habitat.
Requirements:
Participants must be 18 years of age or older
Must have completed the Minnesota Hunters Saftey Program before participation in this program - this program can be completed online: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/firearms_isa/online.html