Trad specialist in MN

[Benjamin199]

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a shop with a good trad specialist in the Twin Cities area, or maybe someone who can help me with some pointers or guidance to help me in the transition from Compounds to trad hunting / shooting?
I recently received a BW PSA II (Thanks to a good deal from Neargeezer) I have tuned my arrows for the bow and am getting pretty good arrow flight, I can get good groups on the target (about half the time), just not where I am aiming, normally high and a little left.  I think I would benefit from some good knowledge before I pick up to many bad habits.
Thanks guys,
Ben

[moebow]

Benjamin,

Rapids Archery Club is located in the Bunker Hills park area in Coon Rapids/ Andover area.  Nice club facilities.  Indoor range and outdoor target and 3D ranges.  Rod Jenkins was there this last June and there are some trad shooters there. Also one of the best trad shoot weekends in the area -- always on Father's day weekend. I think that would be the best  place to start to find contacts in the Cities.  Other than that, The Footed Shaft is a trad store in Rochester, Chad Holm (bowyer) is located in Brainerd, and I'm up in Grand Rapids (I'm just a shooter and instructor - nothing for sale).  My knowledge of the Cities I carefully keep at a minimum -- even hate driving past them. You may also want to check out  www.traditionalbowhuntersofminnesota.com

[MAT]

I'm over in western Wi, but work in St Paul.  I could meet you at a nearby range over lunch sometime.

[neargeezer]

Ben was a great guy to deal with when I sold him the bow. He is a straight shooter all the way. I think anyone helping Ben with his shooting would get more back from helping him shoot his bow straight than you would give in the little time it would take. I wish I was closer, I know shooting with Ben would be an enjoyable time.

Terry K.

[Fallguy]

Ben I belong to Rapids Archery Club. There are not any shops that deal in trad gear in the Metro area. I get most of my stuff from Lamote at the Footed Shaft. If your looking for a place to shoot and get information setups and tuning we shoot a Trad league on Sunday nights starting the first Sunday in January at 6:PM. PM me if you have any other questions. Rob

[Pegg]

I live in Plymouth and nothing around that deals in trad. Lamont  is great guy. The Footed Shaft. But he is south of the twin cities. Best is to try to get to a trad shoot that is close by. Rapids archery is a great shoot but it is in June. Not sure where you live but if you want to shoot some time pm me and we will go. My father in law and brother in law and a good friend go all the time. We have a blast. Let me know.

[Bucksnort101]

I'd offer to help but I've yet to figure out what  I'm doing wrong;)   As others have mentioned the Footed Shaft in Rochester is about the only thing going in Minnesota that I am aware of.
There is also a nice range up by Dayton, MN. in the Elm Creek Park Reserve that I do most of my shooting at. Usually someone shooting a Longbow or Recurve at the stationary range, I stick to the walk around range nowadays.

[Pegg]

Elm Creek is a nice area to shoot. All new block targets. I buy a pass every year for there. We do the walk through all the time. Brooklyn park has a little archery range. With 6 targets.

[Benjamin199]

Thanks for all of the information.  I will check out the footed shaft.  I have shot the Elm creek park reverse numberous times in Dayton, I also like Spring lake park over by the Koch refinery.  I live in Minnetonka, and I am familar with Elm Creek Park in Plymouth, I know they used to have archery targets, but wasn't sure if they still did.  I also shoot at a small park in Hopkins.
I would love to get out for some pointers with a few people.  I am heading out of town this weekend but will pm you next week.
Thanks,
Ben

[Bucksnort101]

Feel free to drop me an e-mail if you want to get together and shoot at Elm Creek.
The wheel bow guys have been coming out of the woodwork the last couple weeks so it's getting a little crowded, but they usually stick to the stationary range.
Where is the range in Hopkins? I work right on the border of Minnetonka and Plymouth and would like to find somewhere to shoot during my lunch hour.

[Pegg]

Hey Buck

Do you go to the one in brooklyn park? I go there sometimes too.

[Bucksnort101]

Pretty much shoot at Elm Creek. Is the Brooklyn Park range the one over on Shingle Creek behind the Library just off Hwy 694 or the one over by the Coon Rapids Dam?

[Pegg]

By Coon Rapids Dam

[Bucksnort101]

Yep, shot there several times before I knew the Elm Creek range was there. Remember being attacked by horse flies and Mosquitos at that range, even with half a can of Deep Woods Off.