If kids are the future of shooting sports, the Plymouth Gun Club is doing its part to preserve our future. A marathon soccer tournament prevented our family from participating the MN Pheasant opener this weekend but we were able to get out to the gun club Saturday afternoon.

Having completed his gun safety this summer, my son Theo was ready for his first trap session at the Plymouth Gun Club. With his best bud Johnny Schissel we made our way to the range.

The Plymouth Gun Club has a trap and a skeet range. We decided to shoot two rounds of trap each. Youth fees at the club are $3.50 per round. Ammo is $6.00 box. You can bring your own but it must be pre-approved by the club (trap loads - 7 1/2, 8, and 9 shot only)(SKEET - 9 shot only)(MAXIMUM SHELL LOADS - 3 Dram Equiv. (1200 FPS).

Theo and Johnny were grouped with 2 adults and held their own. Theo took some time to get used to the voice-activated thrower and shot 10 out of 25..... Johnnie was pretty comfortable from the first bird and put down 15 out of 25.

The second round was a much improved 15 for Theo and a 19 for Johnny. The highlight of round two was both of them beating the adult that was shooting with them!

If you've never been to the Plymouth Gun Club I suggest you check it out. It's a member-based club but open to the public. Memberships are about as easy to come by as Packer season tickets but the general public we welcome. Club members are very helpful with shooters and non-shooters. The range is amazingly close to a group of townhomes but restricts shooting hours and loads in an effort to be a good neighbor.

Theo Petrie (12) & Johnny Schissel (12)

The club has also be a strong advocate of youth shooting sports in Minnesota and its members were instrumental in starting the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League (MSHSCTL).

For more information visit http://www.plymouthgunclub.org/