Member Link Up West-central Minnesota/ S Dakota line.

[jb0311]

Work is calling me to Western MN, 3 hours due West on Minneapolis. Basically right near the border. Still house hunting so could even end up in SD. This is new territory for me, spending most of my life in KY and NC. Any members around this area that could point me to any good shooting ranges around there? Looking to get into some pheasant hunting as well.

Thanks
Josh

 

[sodakhunter]

I’m deeper into SD and can’t speak to any ranges there but it’s not hard to stretch to 1000 out here. If you get settled in, become involved in the community, and act like an American should the hunting invites will come in. If that doesn’t work, show up with a MAGA hat and a good attitude and I’ll get you a limit of roosters.

 

[Tree]

There is a nice range west of the cities about 3 hours called Rush Lake Range. Can shoot to 1200. Puts on alot of local Precision rifle matches in MN. It's in New York Mills.

 

[jb0311]

I’m deeper into SD and can’t speak to any ranges there but it’s not hard to stretch to 1000 out here. If you get settled in, become involved in the community, and act like an American should the hunting invites will come in. If that doesn’t work, show up with a MAGA hat and a good attitude and I’ll get you a limit of roosters.

That will be no problem, I figured I would be surrounded by like-minded Americans out there. We were pretty happy to get sent there. We've been pretty involved in youth and children's hunting and fishing here with our jobs and will likely try to continue that.
Thanks,
Josh

 

[jb0311]

There is a nice range west of the cities about 3 hours called Rush Lake Range. Can shoot to 1200. Puts on alot of local Precision rifle matches in MN. It's in New York Mills.

Thanks for the lead! That's 1.5 hours so definitely doable. I'll look into it!

Josh

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Not sure where you'll be but stop by Brotherhood Arms in Watertown. They are great guys and I'm sure they could point you in the right direction.

 

[jb0311]

Not sure where you'll be but stop by Brotherhood Arms in Watertown. They are great guys and I'm sure they could point you in the right direction.

About 2.5 hours west of Watertown but the regional office is in Minneapolis so I'll be driving through there once a month. I'll check them out, thanks.

Josh

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Also, theres the South Dakota Steel Classic in Orient, SD on April 26th. Sign up is on the NRL website if you're interested.

 

[jb0311]

Also, theres the South Dakota Steel Classic in Orient, SD on April 26th. Sign up is on the NRL website if you're interested.

Unfortunately I won't be moving up there till July-ish.

 

[Wannabeinotc]

Grant County Shooters in MN will be closer to you than NY Mills, but only goes to 600yds. I'm a member there if you need more info come July.

 

[jb0311]

Grant County Shooters in MN will be closer to you than NY Mills, but only goes to 600yds. I'm a member there if you need more info come July.

Will do, thanks.

 

[jb0311]

In Watertown (at least for a little while longer).....Watertown is an okay town. We got a big Tech School, a Zoo, a decent Hospital, a bunch of gun stores, couple of big lakes, a free public 300yd range. Definitely not the sticks...but not Minneapolis by any stretch.

SD is a state where if you like the outdoors....you'll be more than happy. Lots of deer, pheasants, ice fishing, camping opportunities.

If you want/need the big city living opportunities.....SD is not gonna be what your wanting.

We have no State Income Tax....not sure about Minnesota. Cost of living isnt fantastic but I'm sure it's cheap compared to some areas of MN.

We prefer rural. I've never lived in a city other than Jacksonville, NC, when I was stationed at Lejeune. We both work in the outdoors and all I really do for fun is hunt and shoot and take the two dogs on hikes. We've been looking at houses in the country and so far the prices are really decent. Our top pick comes in at $80k for a nice house on 6 acres. A lot more affordable than some places at least. There is one house we are looking at in Milbank, SD.

Josh

 

[Wannabeinotc]

Milbank= I also have family in Ortonville where I deer/duck hunt, and fish Big Stone every spring. I'm no expert nor do I own land out there, but between my uncle with a house on the SD side of the lake and relatives with property on the MN side, I'd buy/live in SD. Less taxes (it sounds) and land use issues/restrictions.

 

[jb0311]

Well if you want to live in the country.....you better be prepared for what the SD country brings. Summers are hot as fuck and sometimes pretty humid.

But it's the winter that seperates the people who live in the country and the ones who want to live in the country.

Write now in town we have 8-12 foot of snow piled everywhere there's room. In the country depending on whether your countY or Township roads....you might be on your own.

I can assure you it isn't worse than the places the Marine Corps (or any other job) sent me, but I appreciate the concern. I have looked up the weather, and I'll agree, it definitely gets cold there, but I've dealt with Alaska during the winter, and Afghanistan during the summer, and survived both. Agree to disagree on the summers in Minnesota being "hot as fuck" and humid. We just have different definitions of what constitutes hot. I'm also not really the type that makes a habit out of depending on others either, although I don't mind lending a hand when needed. I would take your 12 feet of snow and pretty humid over having a neighbor 2 feet away any day.

While I'm not at my prime anymore, I haven't softened up that much, although looking around these days I can understand why you might assume so. I'm not headed up there for an office job.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[jb0311]

Milbank= I also have family in Ortonville where I deer/duck hunt, and fish Big Stone every spring. I'm no expert nor do I own land out there, but between my uncle with a house on the SD side of the lake and relatives with property on the MN side, I'd buy/live in SD. Less taxes (it sounds) and land use issues/restrictions.

Good info thanks. Honestly depends on where the wife finds work. I had been leaning towards a home in Milbank.

Josh

edit to add: when you say Big Stone, are you talking about the refuge or the county?

 

[Wannabeinotc]

Big Stone Lake & County (in MN).