Staring Lake and Metro Area PF

Firearms Safety Certification Program

In conjunction with the Staring Lake Outdoor Center in Eden Prairie, Metro Area Pheasants Forever sponsors a Firearms Safety Certification Program which presents three courses each year, with approximately 24 students in each course.  Each course consists of six evening classroom sessions and one half-day field day.  The all-volunteer instructor staff, collectively, has hundreds of years of experience handling firearms and are passionate outdoorsmen and women and dedicated conservationists.

2013 Firearms Saftey Schedule

April Session: Classroom sessions meet at Staring LakeOutdoor Center from 6:00pm to 8:30 pm on April 9th, 11th,18th, 23rd & 25th - Sat. the 27th is field day - 8:00am - 1:00pm at the Minnetonka Sportsmans Club in Minnetrista.

June session: Classrom sessions meet at Staring Lake Outdoor Center from 6:00pm to 8:30 pm - on June 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th,25th, & 27th. Sat June 29th is the field day at Minnetonka Sportsmans Club. -8:00 am - 1:00pm

August Session: Classroom sessions meet at Staring Lake Outdoor Center from 6:00pm to 8:30 pm - on August 6th,8th,13th,15th,20th & 22nd     Field day is Aug 24 th from 8:00 am - 1:00pm at Minnetonka Sportsmans club

DETAILS:

Minimum Student Age: 11

Location: Staring Lake Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Parkway, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Time: All classroom sessions are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  Students should arrive at least 5 minutes early to check-in.  The field day is 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Students should arrive at least 10 minutes early to check-in.

Registration: To register for a class, please contact Bob Sutphen by email at firearmssafety@gmail.com.  We maintain a waiting list which often exceeds 100 students.

Course Fee: $7.50 per student, payable in advance and non-refundable.  Make checks payable to "Firearms Safety Program."

Certification Fee: $7.50 per student, payable to the Minnesota DNR upon completion of the course.

Parent Participation: For all students under age 18, a parent must be present for the duration of Class 1 and on the Field Day.  Parents are encouraged to attend all classes, or take the class for credit along with their son or daughter.  Parents are expected to monitor their student's progress prior to each class.

Attendance: Attendance at all classes is mandatory.  No excuses.  No exceptions.  If you miss a class for any reason, you will be required to make that class up during the next session.  100% attendance and a passing score (76% or better) on the Final Exam are required to receive your firearm safety certification. 

Homework: Homework will be assigned prior to each class.  Progress will be checked at each class and the Student Manual must be 100% complete (all blanks must be filled in) before you will be allowed to take the Final Exam.

Required Materials: Students will receive a Student Manual at (or before) Class 1.  Bring the Student Manual to each class, along with a copy of the Minnesota Hunting Regulations, name card, and a pen or pencil.

Additional Information:

-- Students will be introduced to rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows and muzzleloaders during the course and will have an opportunity to handle various firearms (including loading and unloading with dummy ammunition) under the direct supervision of an instructor.  For obvious safety reasons, NO LIVE AMMUNITION IS ALLOWED IN CLASS AT ANY TIME.

-- If a student has never fired a firearm before, they will be required to come early before one class to shoot an air rifle.

-- In order to participate in the Field Day, eye protection, hearing protection, an orange vest/shirt/jacket, and an orange cap are required of students and each parent.  Foam hearing protection (disposable) will be provided, couresty of the DNR.  If the purchase of an orange hat, vest, or eye protection is a financial hardship, please talk to one of the instructors.

-- There is NO PHONE at the Nature Center.  In an emergency, if you need to reach your student during class and they do not have a cell phone, call Bob Sutphen's cell phone at (612) 286-9539 or Ann Sullivan's cell phone at (612) 834-8972.