Hotspotoutdoors

Not fishing related, but area specific. Going to my in-laws on lower whitefish area, and need a place I can take my 14 year-old .22 plinking. He finished hunter safety in August, and we have logged thousands of rounds at the local Oakdale gun range, but I would like him to have a chance to shoot in a non-range area. According to our Washington county CO there is no place near to shoot outside of a range, but I am hoping while we are up north I can introduce him to an "outdoors" shooting experience prior to hunting seasons next year. Any ideas?

I would try some of the county land just north of whitefish lake after deer season. Theres thousands of acres and it fairly accessible.

Thank you. Looks like there is plenty of land off the old grade. I will go midday to hopefully not impact any bow hunters. Happy Thanksgivings everyone.

yep drive up the old grade 3 miles there will be a large trail opening to your right drive in there a few 100 yards and shoot away!

ohh make sure to wear some ornage there is muzzle loaders in this area.

you need to buy him a small game lis and take him out to get a few squirrels make sure you teach him that he needs to eat anything that he kills!

there are miles upon miles of nice wooded areas right off the old grade like mentioned....the road is rough right now but find a trail and start walking....if you are looking for a good couple hour walk go down the old grade to the grouse managment land and walk the trail.....I would take the trail to the left when it comes to a Y and when it comes to a T take a right and eventually you will end back at the Y. Good Luck and enjoy the area

Thanks for the extra posts I am sure he will appreciate it. We will start hunting next year still making sure he feels comfortable just shooting. We went trap shooting last weekend for the last open weekend of the season, and he popped 19 so he is doing well for a 14 year-old. The funnest part is watching the older guys take him under their wings. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgivings!

the old grade isnt the only spot you can also take a right on county rd 1 about half a mile and go down the whitetale trail its not to bad of a trail dont have to go far to find a spot to park

You can also take 3 south, back toward Brainerd, go east on County road 11. About a mile or so is Horseshoe Lake Road and just past that is tons of county and state land on both sides. Plenty of trails, lots of open area also. You will find a few Bow hunters and muzzleloaders, but there is ample area to shoot in there. If you turn right on the first trail and head in a couple hundred yards there is an old slag pile in the clearing with targets and blown up clays strewn about. Good luck, have fun and be safe

Thanks for the areas. I will use them next year for sure. I took him off old grade road, and put some serious lead into the cans I brought along. My son had a blast, and we cleaned up another peron's garbage pile left on the side of the road. I still cannot believe people just throw bags of garbage on the side of the road, but it was a good lesson to show my son. You guys are the best. Thanks - Bryan

Glad you made it out and your son had a good time. I did some grouse hunting (only missed one, but it was only one I saw ) and some exploring. I gotta say that I am totally surpised at how much land there is available up there. Off Old Grade and also other forest areas in the general area. I can't wait to get a weeekend when I can take my Grandson up there with his 10/22 and do some plinking

You guys gave good info, thanks!

BoxMN,

I live in Oakdale, and called our local CO who told me there is absolutely no areas in the central and southern Washington county where you can take a kid plinking. So we have spent alot of cash at Oakdale gun club. Great place but spendy. Do you know of any place to plink in our area? Putting my first permanent ice house out on WBL this winter. I enjoy your updates so keep them coming. On Old Grade you can actually see several "parking areas" with obvious target areas so enjoy it with your grandson. My father-in-law has a place on fox hunter bay between pig and whitefish, and he doesn't hunt or fish???? However he keeps keeps the golf courses going.

you can also join the Cross Lake gun club (?) I think is the name of the club but they have their shooting range right on the Old Grade about 2-3 miles in on the left hand side coming from Cross Lake......I think yearly membership was in the $20 range

I did some grouse hunting off that old grade last year and stepped about 2 feet in front of a bear den with a live one in there..... got the heart racing for sure. Luckily for the bear .... the season just ended as my buddies dad had an unfilled tag. "The good old grade"