Perley’s Red River Valley Sportsman’s Club:
One Part Sport, Two Parts Community
The right to keep and bear arms has been a fundamental part of society since the 2nd Amendment was established in 1791. With the rising number of gun tragedies across the United States, however, the topic of gun control has remained in the public eye. Those who find themselves on one side or the other are very passionate about their opinions. Finding ways to prevent senseless tragedies is indeed paramount, but trying to determine who or what is to blame is what divides the nation.
Often lost in the gun control discussion is the segment of society that participates in sport shooting, such as trapshooting. The sport dates back to 1750 in England; finding its way to the United States in 1831. Originally, live birds were used as targets, released from under hats. Glass balls came into use as targets in the 1860s and began to partially replace live birds. In 1880, clay birds (disks) were invented and the sport began to take off in terms of popularity.
Rod and Gun clubs all over the world are taking the sport to new levels by providing their members with much more than just target practice. The Red River Valley Sportsman’s Club in nearby Perley, Minnesota is one such club. For over two decades, gun owners and their families have taken advantage of a club that is one part sport, two parts community. In fact, according to board member Dan Wall, many who frequent the club each Monday evening don’t even shoot, instead stopping by for a steak with all the trimmings. “We have a lot of farmers who come in from the field for a nice meal before heading back out,” Wall said, adding that it is the family atmosphere that makes the club so unique. “We get a lot of kids here,” he said. “Some shoot, some play catch with a football, some just soak it all in.”
Wall has been a part of the club for the past twelve years, becoming involved after accompanying a neighbor who thought he’d enjoy it. “It’s a really neat place to go out to shoot,” Wall said. The club is also a place to help kids understand the value of gun safety. “We teach gun and snowmobile safety,” Wall explained. “It gets kids going on the right track pretty quickly.” Those classes are what attracted board member Wayne Lee to the club “fifteen to twenty years ago.” Lee wanted to make sure his children understood the importance of firearm safety, and he’s been a member of the club ever since. Like Wall, Lee values the sense of community he finds at the club. “We have a good core of people,” he said. “Twenty to twenty-five people show up for supper each week, and twenty-five to thirty show up to shoot.”
The club is run by volunteers who are interested in providing a service to their communities. “It’s a way of giving back,” member Dean Solum explained, “especially the young people.” Many people might recognize Solum as the region’s only aerial mosquito sprayer, but at the club he is known for a different reason – giving helicopter rides. “I don’t promote the rides,” he said, adding that he doesn’t necessarily do them on a regular basis. “I just enjoy sharing aviation with other people.” Solum started frequenting the club six or seven years ago, mostly to “have a nice steak and visit with friends.” It is the tranquility of the rural setting and the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people that keeps him returning. “It’s a great place to spend a nice, quiet evening.”
The Red River Valley Sportsman’s Club is an organization that realizes its role in the big picture. In addition to providing its members with a place to gather and explore shared pursuits, the club is also active in philanthropic endeavors. The group holds community feeds and other events aimed at raising funds to benefit members of the community. “We started with the Outdoor Adventure Foundation last year, which raises money to send handicapped teens and young adults on dream hunting and fishing trips,” Lee explained, adding that the club generated over $4000 last year. “The foundation works with a lot of kids with terminal cancer and missing limbs,” he said. “It feels good to give back.”
The Red River Valley Sportsman’s Club is open from the 1st Monday in June until sometime in October. “We keep it open until people stop showing up,” Wall said. It is always open to new members or people simply looking for a good meal and great company. “Stop by and visit,” Lee invites. “If you need to sight in a rifle before deer hunting or just want to shoot and enjoy a nice meal, we’d love to have you.”
The Red River Valley Sportsman’s Club is located at 1644 130th Ave. in Perley, Minnesota. More information can be obtained by calling 218-861-6011.