Opionions on ranges

[Grute Man]

Im kind of a rookie at bow hunting but absolutly love it.  Now Im getting my kids into it.  I went to one indoor range a couple of times and actually got some rude service and attitude so I never went back and now they're closed.  I'll have to try the Forest Lake Gander.  There's another one close to me (Bwana's) so Im thinking of trying that one.  Anyone got any info to share on that one or any others?

Grute Man

[DaveO]

There is a few places to go,,,,where abouts do you live?,,,,And just wondering what shop gave you bad service?

[Grute Man]

I live in White Bear Lake.  The shop I went to was great and VERY close so  I don't want to bad mouth them; it was the Compound Dr.  There was this one guy there every time I went in and he'd stare me down.  I asked him if he wanted something but he'd just stare.  Whats up with that?  Once he was the only one available to help me with my basic compound bow and his attitude was "buy a new bow or get out."  I aint rich and I got 3 kids to get bows, guns, rods and reels for so a new bow is YEARS away for me.   Like I said, the shop itself was GREAT and Im bummed that they closed down but I always hated seeing him there.   :'(
Yeah I know, enough crying.  Anyway, Im gonna try Bwana's and Gander but if anyone knows of any other ones near by, that would be great.
Grute Man 

[DaveO]

To bad that happend to you there,,,they never used to be that way.. but there gone now,

Bwana's and Gander  are both nice places.

There is also capras and Bunker to start the list off

[TK]

Rapids archery club is great!  The people that run the place are nice and friendly.  Most of the people up there are willing to help you out.  THey have learning classes to teach kids or adults the basics and lets them have fun.  They have a nice indoor range, broadhead range and some bales out to 80 yds in the back.  Also has 3 loops that consist of 20 targets.  If you become a member you can join various leagues up there.
Check out their webpage rapidsarchery.org

[Grute Man]

80 yards!!  I'd have to take at least 2 shots to get that far.  :o

Hey thanks for the suggestions.  I'll check em all out soon. 

Grute Man

[ChrisWallace]

We got a good staff at the Blaine Gander as well.

Bwana huh? Heard some horror stories from that place and fixed some bows that came from that place....

[Mayfly]

Bwana huh? Heard some horror stories from that place and fixed some bows that came from that place....

The best Bow shop in the state is Whitcombs hand down.

Back in my bow days Bwana was pretty good too. Nice bunch of people!

Not there anymore but they used to have a Compound Doctor in WBL. Went there once and never went back!

[ChrisWallace]

Bwana huh? Heard some horror stories from that place and fixed some bows that came from that place....

The best Bow shop in the state is Whitcombs hand down.

Back in my bow days Bwana was pretty good too. Nice bunch of people!

Not there anymore but they used to have a Compound Doctor in WBL. Went there once and never went back!

I dont know about the best, maybe the best for matthews bows. 

I shoot up there every once and a while, used to shoot league there when I was at sportsmens. Andy and Gail are super cool and friendly people.

If I would have bought that drenalin instead of the guardian I would have made the trek up there.

[Grute Man]

Well my boy got a gift cert from Bwana's for Christmas so we're gonna try that one for sure and I'll sniff out all these other places too.  I know where many of them are already and am confident I can find the others

Thanks guys.

Grute Man

[Mayfly]

Well my boy got a gift cert from Bwana's for Christmas so we're gonna try that one for sure and I'll sniff out all these other places too.  I know where many of them are already and am confident I can find the others

Thanks guys.

Grute Man

The only complaint I ever had at that place was that they were to busy and I had to wait a while to get some help. I can't help it if they are busy though.....I guess you can look at it as a sign of good service.

[bowhunter73]

  I have been shooting at Bwana's for 8 years. Over the years I have went through 3 bows now of them where bought there and they knew it and were still always very helpfull.some shops are not that way.

 But yes they can get busy

 whitcombs on the other hand has gotten a fare share of my $ but there product and skills are hard to beat. Hell it's worth the drive just to see his deer!!

[Model12]

I'll throw in the Archery Specialists as another location. I used to work for an archery mfg and I've seen some amazing bow techs that are nearly engineers when it comes to understanding bows. Brian at the Archery Specialists has been around the diff't shops that have come and gone an is hanging his own shingle out now in Maple Grove. He's probably one of the best bow techs I've ever worked with. If you're looking for someone who knows how to set up a bow, I highly suggest calling Brian.
His shop is relatively new and is no doubt going to grow in product lines and accessories. Running an archery shop these days isn't a glamourous deal considering we all need our "gear" worked on just before the season and often times during the season. So, Brian is knee deep in working on bows, figuring orders for the shop and helping people shoot, essentially on his own. He's for the most part, a one man show and does a great job of it. He has a broadhead lane or two and about 1/2 dozen other lanes to shoot on. You certainly are going to have to search to find someone who understands bows better than him.

[labs4me]

A1 archery in Hudson is the place if you liveon the east side.  The staff in there are phenomenal!   They treated my 9 year old like he was the newly crowned prince!  He got a bow for Christmas (not purchased there) and they set it up, tuned it, installed a whisker biquit peep sight and gave us a great deal on some jr. carbon arrows.

He over drew the bow the next day and literally pulled the limbs off the riser... back to the shop and put it back together, re tuned it and gave him a 1/2 hour on the range... I went to settle up and they said forget it... on the house.  I stood there with my mouth open.  Tried to give 'em $40 bucks, but they refused... they finally took a twenty after I told them I wasn't leaving without paying.

Oh yeah... I got back into archery last year.  Bought a bow from my bro's pawn shop... took it into them and they tuned it, plus changed out some things to make it a better package and did so for darn cheap.  The prices are basically the same as Fleet Farm, but they include intsallation and tuning!

Give 'em a shot!

Good Luck!

Ken

[Grute Man]

COOL!  I just heard of both Archery Specialists and A1 from the MN Deer Classic.  A1 is right ove the river from where I work.  I work at that power plant in Bayport until about June.  I haven't done so yet but plan to take my bow in with me and swing by A1 after work
just to check it out.    :detective:   Its so close, I just cant refuse. 

Grute Man
GO MN WILD! WOOO HOOOOO!! :rock:

[repoman]

bwana's been nothing but good to me since i started going there , + they got that video animated target , awesome  ::rockon::
i usually deal with andy hes fair and seems to know the sport snd the equipment well :rock: (bwana's)

[pdrude]

a1  archery is one great shop i just went in there too look around didnt buy anything asked about some arrows the older gentlemen just took over from there and helped me from there never even asked a question after that he gave all the answers right away so hats off to a1

[JohnWester]

well, what about Minnesota Archery in litchfield... I bet they would love to help you out!

[Mayfly]

bwana's been nothing but good to me since i started going there , + they got that video animated target , awesome  ::rockon::
i usually deal with andy hes fair and seems to know the sport snd the equipment well :rock: (bwana's)

I'll second that. If you need a local shop that is the place to go.

[2hounds]

There is a new place in Newport that has a great indoor range with very helpful people...they wont stare ya down....they are new and seem very knowledgable about archery....Im sure they will be glad to help you out without the attitude that some ranges have...Many places Ive been to try to talk ya into top of the line equipment and dont realize we are not all rich--They will work with you on your budget not theirs....Good Luck.......

[MnArch]

Well, we might not have a video shoot, but we have an indoor and outdoor range along with a 3-D course that is open 7 days a week in the summer.  My dad and I are the only employees and both of us are professional archers....This is all we do.  We pride ourselves on going over-the-top with customer service and if you asked any of our customers I bet they would agree.  We carry 12 lines of bows and have...or can quickly get just about any accessory on the market (And you won't find it cheaper at Cabela's)  So if you're ever in the area, stop in and check us out. 8)

[Stensethfan]

I live on the SE side of the the cities and will second A1 arechery as a great place with great employees.  The very first time I ever went there to shoot my stabalizer broke off right at the threading, they were more than helpful getting it out and actaully sold me a new Limb Saver model below what they had it for on the shelf.  That kind of stuff goes a long way with me and others.  I also have been to Backwoods in Newport and got my Fiance set up there with a new bow.  The guys were great with her.  I stood back because they say that a Boyfriend/fiance/husband is not the best guy to learn from so the owner took her into the range while I looked around and got her all set up and tuned in to the bow.  Those guys down there are very good and the hours there are nice too.  They open real early some days and stay open pretty late also!  Both places get a huge thumbs up from me.

[ku-tech]

Bwana is a great place. i bought my bow there and they helped me and answer all my questions. ill go back and buy a bow from them again. and yes they are busy. geez i thought i wouldn't be busy going on a weekday around noon,but i was wrong they're busy but they always help you out! i vouch for them anyday! ::cheers::