Firearms safety & hunter education news: Summer 2006 - Minnesota ...

Be part of the LaserShot Success Stories
Last summer we received approval
to purchase 4 Lasershot interactive
shooting simulator systems
to promote interest in hunting and
shooting sports. The systems
made their debut at the 2005 Minnesota
State Fair. We had 4 systems
set up in the DNR building at
the fair. It was one of the more
popular events there and was highlighted
by many local TV stations.
We had a line of folks waiting for
the chance to test their skills from
the time we opened until the time
we closed each of the 12 days. A
special thanks to the instructors
and C.O.s who helped staff the
event.
In November, the Lasershot was part
of the Governor’s Deer Opener
events in the Fergus Falls area.
In early March, the St. Paul Sportsmen’s
Show requested that we make
the Lasershot available to the folks at
their 4 day event. We set up two
systems there that were staffed each
day by instructors and RTOs. Again
folks of all ages and abilities tested
their skills and all left with a positive
attitude towards firearms and safety
training.
At the end of March, we again had a
request to make Lasershot available
to visitors at the Minneapolis Sports
MN FAS Student Wins Hunting Trip of A Lifetime
Aaron Vanheel of Avon got more than he bargained for
when he took his MN Firearm Safety Hunter Education
Course this past year. Instructor Tom Markman gave Aaron
a copy of Hunter’s Handbook which is the official student
publication of the International Hunter Education Association.
The publication is designed to be used as an adjunct
training piece that covers additional information outside of
the basic course requirements and is supplies to instructors
and student free of charge through the Camp Ripley DNR
office. Hunter's Handbook also carries a entry form for the
IHEA Heritage Hunt. Aaron dutifully filled out the card and
sent it back to Hunter's Handbook publishers.
Aaron was one of three student winners drawn from more
than 10,000 entries. He and his Grandfather will be flown to
Del Rio Texas Oct 26 to join the other hunt winners at Indianhead
Ranch. The ranch is a vast 10,000 acre fence free
hunting preserve that features whitetail deer and exotic
game species.
Three students and a parent of each plus two instructors
were drawn for this year's hunt. Other winners were from
Texas, Connecticut, Missouri, and Arkansas. The entire event
will be filmed for airing on Outdoor Life Network six times in
2007.
General Joe Engle, retired astronaut, who works as a consultant
for Bushnell will be the co-host of the show and will
also be spending individual time with the winners talking
about what it is like to travel in space.
Show. This time we had 4 systems
set up in our own room that we
shared with Turn in Poachers (TIP).
We were part of the Adventure Trail
program for kids who attended the 6
days of the show.
The Lasershot will be at several
county fairs this summer and back at
the State Fair this August. In less
than a year an estimated 14,000
have tested their skills with the Lasershot.
Be a part of the team of volunteer
instructors to assist in staffing at
the 2006 State Fair. The dates are
August 24th thru Sept. 4th. We
need your help from 11 am to 5 pm
each day. For more information on
being part of this fun event, contact
Capt. Hammer at 1-800-366-
8917 ext. 2504 or michael.
hammer@dnr.state.mn.us
The entire hunt and all associated costs are covered by
hunt sponsors Indianhead Ranch, Bushnell, Tasco, Cabela’s,
Safari Club International, and Hunter's Handbook.
The 2006 editions of Hunter's Handbook are now in print.
Over 700,000 copies are distributed annually through
hunter education programs across North America and to
all classes in Minnesota. Be sure all your students receive
the publication and have the opportunity to
fill out an entry form for the 2007 hunt.
Aaron is the second Minnesota student to win the Heritage
Hunt contest. In 2004 Justin Parks of Oak Grove was selected.
Could Minnesota have a repeat in 2007?
Volume 27 Page 3