Minnesota is proud of its long-established connection to outdoor sports and recreation, as well as its commitment to the natural beauty and amenities of its communities. As a result of these values, our state has also become a leader in recreational shooting sports (trap, skeet, sporting clays and the like). This is the reason USA Clay Target League, the world’s largest youth clay target shooting organization, calls Minnesota home.

State officials and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have been interested in creating a world-class outdoor recreation and sporting complex to meet the needs of the shooting sports community for more than a decade. The purpose and goal have, and continue to be, to support our outdoor hunting and recreation heritage, as well as providing an opportunity to educate and create future land stewards among the growing number of youth clay target participants.

With an estimated annual 550,000 registered resident hunters and more than 14,000 youth participants (representing 380 teams) in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League, a division of the USA Clay Target League, the need for a world-class facility is more essential than ever. In addition to meeting the needs of our state, this project offers the potential to generate job opportunities, tourism, tax revenue, national and international recognition, and countless outdoor sporting opportunities.

The Need

Clay target and recreational shooting sports are growing at record-setting paces – particularly with youth. With nearly 500,000 target shooters and 400,000 hunters in the Twin Cities area, the need for an outdoor recreation and sporting complex has never been greater.

Did You Know…

• More than 47,000 student athletes and 10,000 coaches are expected to participate nationwide in the shooting sports league in 2022 reinforcing the demand for a high-quality facility.
• USA Clay Target is experiencing 20 percent annual growth, and already generates millions of dollars in travel, hospitality, and retail spending in support of its events held in Minnesota and nationwide.
• The Minnesota Trap Shooting Championship is the largest shooting sport event in the world and in 2019, attracted more than 8,000 participants and 25,000 event-goers over nine days.

The City of Victoria envisions a premier outdoor recreation and shooting sports complex that is recognized worldwide, and centers around an appreciation of natural resources and outdoor heritage. The site would feature a 350 to 500 acre footprint in a beautiful outdoor setting.

The complex would include a world-class range supporting:

• Trap
• Skeet
• Sporting Clays
• 5-stand

The site would also be a destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts with:

• Archery facilities
• Possible indoor pistol and rifle range
• Camping
• Trails
• Outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, canoeing and wildlife viewing

Victoria, Minn. is a perfect destination for this long-awaited outdoor recreation and shooting sporting complex. Victoria’s proximity to local airports and major freeways make the site easily accessible for both local enthusiasts and visitors wanting to enjoy a new, state-of-the-art facility.

Victoria is a thriving community with deep roots in the outdoors as a way of life. Residents tout the hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, biking, hiking, golf, community events and festivals, and natural amenities the city and area are known for.

Victoria has also established a long-term vision for community growth, and officials believe a facility of this magnitude will fit within the community, and spur unique and high-quality commercial development in the area. Because of the unique convergence of need and alignment with the City’s vision, there is full support of the City Council to create this destination facility for our state.