The BTSC clubhouse is a fantastic sight for the course because of how the facility was designed.  It was designed to be a classroom.  The clubhouse is roomy enough to hold 30 students – and any parents who wish to sit through the course – comfortably.  Not to mention, we will actually be at a shooting club for the class instead of a crowded retail store.

We will have the entire club to ourselves every Monday and Thursday night, so there will be no interruptions.  I have never had the luxury of teaching a class without outside interruptions of some kind; this is going to be great!  Plus, the first class is completely full and the second class is close to being half full already

I spent part of Friday night and tonight setting up and preparing for class.  Tomorrow night starts a new era for me with the new classroom and the unveiling of the new website for the students.  Anticipation!

For more information on the classes or if you just want to check out the new website, you can find it by clicking on Hunter Education & Firearm Safety Training.

At the current time the site utilizes a static page that details the courses offered this year and information about them.  There are several pages to highlight some of the different aspects of the course.  Posts in regards to the assignments given during the course will show up under the “Homework and Other Useful Stuff” categories.  Like the LPRB, the new site offers an extensive blogroll under “Hunting, Shooting, Conservation and Preservation.”  The links offer connections to sites the novice hunter and shooter can explore to fuel their appetite for our hunting and shooting heritage.

Presented by

Wayne Schmeling, MN DNR Certified Hunter Education Instructor

Sponsored by

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Bemidji Trap & Skeet Club
• Northern Mississippi Range Association
• Bemidji Area Schools Community Education

TO REGISTER FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SESSIONS, PLEASE STOP BY:

Session I:

• Classroom:  April 21, 24, 28, May 1, 5
• Range Day:  May 8

Session II:

• Classroom:  June 2, 5, 9, 12, 16
• Range Day:  June 19

Session III:

• Classroom:  July 7, 10, 14, 17, 21
• Range Day:  July 24

Session IV:

• Classroom:  August 4, 7, 11, 14, 18
• Range Day:  August 21

Registration Details:

• Registration for each session begins one month prior to the session start date.
• Maps and Parental Release Form available upon registration at Community Education office.
• Class Fee:  $15.00
• Checks payable to:  Wayne Schmeling
• Class Location:  (Two Locations)
  • Classroom:  Bemidji Trap & Skeet Club
  • Range Day:  Northern Mississippi Range Association’s Gordy Buchanan Memorial Range
• For more information or questions:
  • Please call Barry Olson at Community Education (218) 333-3100 ext. 305
  • Leave a comment for me by clicking on “Comment” at the bottom of this post.
  • Check out this link to my new website dedicated to my firearm safety classes.
  • Read the answers to frequently asked questions section below.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

• Students learn the principles of safe and responsible firearms handling, hunter responsibility, personal preparedness, basic wildlife management, wildlife identification, and basic outdoor survival.

• In Minnesota, Firearm Safety Training Certification is required before a hunting license may be purchased for those BORN AFTER Dec 31^st 1979.

• Age requirement: Students must be at least eleven years of age.  However, we encourage students of all ages who are interested in exploring our hunting and shooting heritage!

• The class fee of $15.00 funds the expense of materials for class and range.

• Students are REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL CLASSES AND THE RANGE DAY to be eligible to receive their Firearm Safety Certification Card. Please review all dates for the class you are registering.

• We have four sessions scheduled for 2008.

• Each session will consist of five classroom classes to be held in theBemidji Trap & Skeet Club clubhouse (west of the airport on County Road 9) from 6:00-9:00pm on Mondays and Thursdays for three consecutive weeks.  Range Day will be held from 6:00-9:00pm at the Northern Mississippi Range Association’s Gordy Buchanan Memorial Range (south of Cass Lake) on the third Thursday after completion of the classroom instruction for each session.

• Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER THE EARLIER SESSIONS as the later sessions fill fast, and regretfully, due to space issues, we may have to turn students away.  Get in early and get it done and you’ll have all summer to practice your shooting!

• Each session requires a pre-paid, non-refundable, reserved registration.  Registration will be taken one session at a time only.  Registration for each session may be made in person at:  BemidjiCommunity Education, 3300 Gillett Drive NW, near the airport.

• The first night of class:

  • Parents please come with your student to roll call.

  • Have the parental release form filled out and signed.

  • Bring a photocopy of the student’s birth certificate.

  • Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope. (We will use the envelope to send your certification card to you upon completion of the course.)

  • Students bring a pen or pencil and notebook with you to class.

  • Parents are encouraged to join their students for this course, but, unless your student requires special assistance, it is not required you attend classes other than the first night’s roll call and range day

• From the second night of class on through the remainder of the course, students may bring a .22 LR caliber rifle to class for hands-on training.  This is not required; however, it is encouraged so the students may familiarize themselves with their own firearm.  A .22 LR caliber rifle is the ONLY caliber rifle permitted and it MUST have a safety mechanism, and DO NOT bring any ammunition.  Please check in your firearm with the instructors when arriving at the clubhouse.