WHAT'S HAPPENED

Minnesota is confused! There's no other way to explain this summer's weather. The poor trees and plants are having a hard time figuring out what they're supposed to do. Should I blossom now? Should I wait two or three more weeks? The garden goodies are late, late, late... just waiting for a stretch of warm weather. Tough for plants, great for people who work outdoors. We're just hoping that, since it's gone on so long, the cool weather stretches into a nice long fall that's ideal for dogs and hunters.

The fields already established with prairie grasses look great. The cover in all the fields is excellent and the wildlife loves it. Thanks to our member and friend Mick McMillin, we have some very popular wild turkey feeders. He has a very good design, and the feeders are visited regularly by deer and a variety of birds, in addition to the turkeys. He also built "dog docks" and ladders for all the duck blinds AND shot the first ever 50-straight on the automated sporting clays course. Congratulations, Mick!

Matt Carlson, our new range manager, hunting guide, and go-to guy, came on board the first of June. He's settling in with his wife Karrie, daughter Ava and son Parker. He's looking forward to his first hunting season with us, and we're all excited and pleased to have Matt with us.

Les is still working hard with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council to ensure that the interests of Minnesota's sportsmen and women have a strong influence on the allocation of your sales tax dollars. The Council has a very large number of important projects to consider for funding, and our legislature needs the reminder that the L-SOHC portion must go to hunting, fishing, and habitat. Some of our metro area legislators constantly attempt to divert the funds for various reasons that do not follow the Minnesota constitutional dictates.

We had a busy summer of shooting again this year. Our league teams have just a few more days to finish their August scoring, and we'll send the full results to the league team captains as soon as they're available. We also did lots of open shooting, maybe because the lakes were so cold and the fishing was so slow. Shooting was the perfect activity! We also had super attendance for the Pheasants Forever Youth Shoot on August 22, with about twenty young people there to qualify for their fall hunt in September.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN

You'll easily be able to see the latest improvements on the sporting clays range. The new trap enclosures are not only better looking, but they're equipped with solar panels to maintain the batteries. We've set a challenging "fall course" that we're sure you'll enjoy, and the 5-stand range will also be available for a quick tune-up with your shotgun.

Thanks to our friend and member Mark Skauge and his friends, we also have a number of new "wildlife observation platforms" (also known as deer stands) located in strategic areas of the property.

The plans for Viking Valley LLC are alive and well, but on temporary hold to allow us to take advantage of a program which must be finalized before the transfer takes place. We'll keep you posted on the progress, and you can count on your club for the services and welcoming atmosphere you always find at Viking Valley.

All the dogs are "hanging in there," and SO anxious to go hunting. Shadow has adapted very well to living and working with Matt. Our Jessie is just one year old this month, but she'll be up to speed in no time. She loves to hunt, and has done some work in the training field with live birds. She'll team with any of our other dogs, so she'll learn the ropes very quickly. Amber will still do a little clean-up hunting, but will mostly be the "special dog" that gets to ride along with Les to pick up birds after the hunt.

As always, please be particularly aware of safety issues when hunting starts in September. There have been very few and very minor accidents at Viking Valley, and we all want to be sure that hunting and shooting are safe sports for our guests. Club rules and Minnesota law require that you wear blaze orange above the waist. We have loaner vests for those who need them. We ask you to hunt in small groups...no more than five...to ensure that everyone knows where his friends are at all times. Use the "blue sky rule", don't shoot at a bird unless you can see blue sky between the bird and anything on the ground...such as another hunter or a dog. We require that you use steel shot in the hunting fields for the safety of our wetlands and our environment. Lead shot is acceptable on the sporting clay range. You are always welcome to hunt with your own dog, but we have guides and dogs available if you need them.

Our best and most beautiful time to hunt is in the fall. When you can join us, reserve some time to bring your friends and clients for a memorable hunting experience. Don't forget to reserve time for a holiday party with your business associates or your family. "Hunting Fever" is already starting to show up, so call early for the best availability.