I had a call from a gentleman whose son has just completed a Firearms Safety class. The youngster has indicated an interest in shooting; dad is not a shooter.

Does anyone know of competition opportunites for kids ? I know that Oakdale Gun Club does not have any - the closest is our "novice" trap night. It sounded like he was thinking rifle.

Age please?

Mostly-

MsT,

I only know of two junior programs in the metro area, but I'm sure there are others.

North of the cities is Minneapolis Rifle Club Near St. Francis. Contact Jerry at, Bearfootsmith@aol.com

South of the cities is Legion Post 435 Gun Club. You can contact me at, cmpofficer@post435gunclub.org and I'll put in touch with our junior director.

The other option would to contact the junior director of the Minnesota Rifle & Revolver Association at juniors@mrra.org He may know of other programs.

Mostly - the youngster was 12.

Rip Van Winkle - Thanks ! I'll pass this information on to the gentleman who called.

The 4H Junior Olympics.

We have a 4H group that uses our range in the Mankato area, Key Cities Conservation Club, to learn and shoot trap/shotgun, rimfire rifle, air rifle and archery. They practice every Tuesday night and then at the end of the summer they attend a competition somewhere in Minnesota. Last year I think it was in the Bemidji area, and in the year or two before that it was in the Worthington area, it moves around the state.

Our KCCC 4H group competes against other groups around the state, so I would think there would be a group somewhere in the metro area.

Out here in Jack Pine Savage Country we have 4H shooting sports. The adult leaders are NRA certified. There are air, .22 rifle, archery, and black-powder classes. Along with the shooting sports is a wildlife section that the kids seem to love. Might be worth talking to the Extension Office.

Along those lines the 4h club in Zimmerman (North East of Elk River (North end of Cities)) is very gun active.

Buffalo has a REALLY good air rifle league

I "think" IDPA has a cut off of 12 (my son hopes it is that)

Del-Tone in St. Cloud has clays that are not age specific (adult supervision required) as well as their "club" 3 gun matches don't really have an age requireement.

Then there is the upcomming Hutch Steel shoot.

General location will help as well as interest area (rifles, shotguns, pistols) as well as target types (clays, steel siloutes, paper circles, plinking, etc) Does the child have a gun? Hunting asperations? (waterfowl, upland birds, small game, large game) At 12 he is old enough to deer hunt with parental supervision.

Mostly-

Thanks for all the help.

I hadn't even thought about air rifles. I spoke with the dad, and besides being surprised that I even called him back, he was very greatful for the suggestions. I'll send him a link to this, and it should be enough to give him ideas on where to start.

He really didn't elaborate on what the child was interested in - target shooting or hunting - but said that he showed an aptitude for shooting and liked it.

I know that Rick at Metro has been trying really hard to promote junior shooting at his place. If the kid is interested in shotguns at all, I would give Metro a call.