New and interested

[potshot]

Hi All

I've sent a note off to the local Pheasants Forever folks but haven't heard back yet...

My family has recently moved to Minnesota and we now live on the western edge of the twin cities. We moved from a southern state and were big into fishing and boar hunting, but we'd like to change gears a little now that we're settling in.

I have a 12 year old son who has recently started shooting trap with me and he's VERY interested in learning about pheasant hunting. I'll admit that I am too. We are completely new to the area and bird hunting in every way. Can anyone give us a short answer about any safety course requirements for him and some guidance into the sport?

Sure appreciate it.

-R

[UncleDave]

Hey welcome to Minnesota and MNO Potshot!     You will love Minnesota for it's beauty and hunting/fishing opportunities!  A great place to grow up (I should know).  There is great fishing for all species right here in the metro from shore or boat.  PM me with any lake info.  As far as regs, someone else will surely be able to help you.  Try  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/index.html

[Grute Man]

Hi Potshot.  Glad you found us.  If you're trying to get into upland birds here's a couplf of posts you may want to read:

http://mnoutdoorsman.com/forums/index.php?topic=10517.0

http://mnoutdoorsman.com/forums/index.php?topic=11593.msg91726#new

I know they migh both be pretty long but here they are in a nutshell.  The first one is a youth pheasant hunt we're trying to organize; Im not sure if its off the ground yet but chime in so the organizers know how popular of an idea it is.

The 2nd link is a group of guys who do a lot of sporting clay shooting in a west twin cities sub urb.  Im not sure how far from you it would be but it's worth checking with them.  I met a couple of them and will vouch for them as far as being not only great shooters but also great guys.


Again, glad you found us and keep checking in.  You never know the opportunities that come up here. 

   (root beer for your kiddo)   

[thunderpout]

Welcome!  Theres more than pheasants here in MN... Grouse hunting is my thing... hiking the north woods in the fall beats everything hand down... have kind of done "it all", but I live for the beauty and the solitude and the fun running around with a good bird dog, then ya have the camping part that goes with it.... its all good.

[Mayfly]

Get him enrolled in a gun safety class. That would be the first step.

You can find the info on the mn dnr site.

[thunderpout]

Yep... start out with getting him in the firearm training course to get him certified, & depending how old you are, you may need to also.... then depending how far ya want to go with getting upland bird hunting info and training/knowledge, some outdoor stores like gander mountain and cabelas have schedualed seminars this time of year, Pheasants Forever and The Ruffed Grouse Society have youth/adult education programs/outings.  The DNR may also be a good source for other education/ hunter training.  There is also a program in central MN at the Deep Portage Enviromental learning center(im pretty sure thats what its called) Ive heard good things about them.... Look up these groups/people on the net to get ya pointed in the right direction...