The University of Minnesota Crookston received approximately thirty-thousand dollars in grant money from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for angler and hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) training.
The focus of the funding “First Shot – Learning to Shoot” will create awareness and provide free firearm education and safety for women and youth by instilling basic shooting skills, preparing them for competition pending experience and reengaging those who may want to refresh their angling/hunting efforts. “One of the goals of First Shot is to develop future generations of responsible gun owners and shooting enthusiasts while exploring the great outdoors, particularly northwest Minnesota”, said Michelle Christopherson, UMN Crookston’s Director of Outreach and Engagement.
First Shot - Learning to shoot is free firearm safety that will be open to all, however, preference will be given to women aged 18-44 and students from diverse audiences in northwest Minnesota.
First Shot will include mentoring, firearm-training while engaging participants in an introductory hunting and/or fishing experience, field days and/or a 3-day camp in June 2020.
First Shot-Learning to Shoot training and mentoring will begin this fall and will serve three purposes: (1) sessions will be educational and free to participants, (2) providing first time participants a high-quality safety experience, and (3) skills and techniques needed to be life-long gun enthusiasts while understanding the importance of safety and caring for the outdoor environment.
Background
The DNR created a grant program in 2015 to help local groups support Minnesota's angling and hunting heritage. The program aims to address concerns over declines in hunting and angling participation. UMN Crookston’s Outreach and Engagement will partner with the Crookston Gun Club and the UMN CrookstonTrap Shooting Club to recruit, deliver and educate audiences in northwest Minnesota. To learn more, contact Michelle Christopherson mchristo@umn.edu or 218.281.8369.
About UMN Crookston
One of five campuses that comprise the University of Minnesota System, the University of Minnesota Crookston now delivers 34 bachelor's degree programs and 24 minors on campus as well as 16 degree programs entirely online. These degrees are offered in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from more than 20 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. Visit www.umcrookston.edu.
About UMN
The University of Minnesota System, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities, is driven by a singular vision of excellence. We are proud of our land-grant mission of world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota.
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