Women learn to hunt

To the Editor:

Martin County Pheasants Forever hosted a mentored “Women’s Learn to Hunt Class” on Oct 5-6.

It began at the Fairmont Trap Club, with a classroom session, where the women learned safety, handling and proper gun fit. Next, the women had the chance to shoot trap with one-on-one instruction to learn proper shooting technique. Although cold and windy, no one was deterred by the weather and instead continued their evening indoors, where they discussed the new tips they had learned for a better shooting experience.

While enjoying dinner provided by Martin County Pheasants Forever, everyone was able to sit in and learn about pheasant biology and what to expect for Sunday’s hunt.   

Then came the day of the hunt on Oct. 6. It started with an early-morning “meet you mentor” breakfast provided by Martin County Pheasants Forever at the Fairmont Trap Club. After breakfast, everyone joined in a mock shoot to get them prepared for what was to come. When all were ready and comfortable, the women set out to hunt on private land donated by Doug Willner and family. Women were paired with a mentor to walk behind them to provide someone to answer questions that may be asked and also to ensure a safe hunt.

After the hunt, the women learned how to clean the birds and proper storage tips.

Everyone then enjoyed pheasant wild rice soup made by instructor Teri Boltjes, while being reminded of hunting regulations. The day ended with an offer to teach gun-cleaning to all the women who attended and wanted to learn.

Boltjes had brought the idea of putting together and hosting a women-only event to her fellow Martin County Pheasants Forever committee members about a year ago. The committee agreed this would be a great event and they supported her efforts to make it happen. In addition to the help in making this event possible, a thank you goes out to instructors Teri and Bryan Boltjes of Fairmont; Sally and Mark Stevens of Buffalo; Minnesota DNR employees Kristi Coughlin of Bemidji, who taught pheasant habitat and wildlife conservation, and Nicole Davros; and finally to the men of our local Pheasants Forever committee who provided and cooked meals for participants, and volunteered to mentor.

The women took away that it is OK to be scared, it’s OK to be unsure, but if you open your mind, allow yourself to reach outside your comfort zone and allow yourself to try something new, you may just find something you love.

Tieg Arens

Martin County Pheasants Forever

Fairmont

Thanks for support

To the Editor:

On Oct. 4, Fairmont Partners in Education held the Homecoming Tailgate at Mahoney Field. We would like to thank all those who came out on a night that was not the best weather-wise in support of Partners in Education and the Cardinal football team.

Proceeds will be used for teacher grant money for things needed in their classrooms or opportunities for their students. We would like to thank our two sponsors – Minnesota Motor Bus and Rosen’s Diversified, Inc. We would also like to thank the following businesses that also chose to support The Partners in Education tailgate in some way: Welcome Meats, Bank Midwest, Culligan, Olson Rentals, Fareway, Hy-Vee and Walgreens. Many thanks to everyone.

Barb Iverson

Partners in Education Secretary