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Lucas Kreuscher, who co-owns Good Shot Golf and Sporting Clays, is excited to be able to bring five-shooting and pheasant hunting to customers, and also hopes to use the new activities to make meaningful partnerships with businesses in the community. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Good Shot Golf and Sporting Clays are excited to be able to bring “a true pheasant hunting experience” to their customers. provided

By Ayanna Eckblad

Since opening to the public three years ago, Good Shot Golf and Sporting Clays in Emmons has become known as a fun place for outdoor enthusiasts to play a round of golf or spend time shooting clay targets. Two new activities were added this year: pheasant hunting and five-stand shooting.

The new additions have helped make Good Shot a unique space.

“We’re the only ones that have golf, sporting clays, five stands and pheasant hunting all in the same place,” Lucas Kreuscher said. Kreuscher owns Good Shot with his wife, Devan, and daughter, Autumn. “One thing led to another and we thought it would provide a better customer experience. That’s really what we’re trying to do, is create an experience for everyone.”
Good Shot is one of the few stand shooting areas in the Midwest. Five-stand shooting is a sport in which five stations or stands are set up and shooters rotate through these stations to shoot at clay targets.

Kreuscher said Good Shot has hundreds of acres of land for pheasant hunting, which began this month with the opening of the Minnesota season. He added that it’s a great team building activity for businesses and companies to do with their employees or show appreciation to customers. During corporate events, Kreuscher said, special dishes not available on the typical Good Shot menu will be prepared.

People don’t need a special license because Good Shot will have the necessary license. A minimum of four hunters must participate. Hunters can bring their own dogs, but Good Shot works with guide services that can also provide dogs. Kreuscher said all levels of pheasant hunting experience are welcome at these events.

“The cool thing about this is we’re going to put people on a real pheasant hunt,” Kreuscher said. “We want people to experience that South Dakota hunting that everyone goes to South Dakota to get. That’s what we create here.”

The second new activity is five-stand shooting. This project has been in the works at Good Shot for several months.

The idea started last winter, when mild temperatures made it possible for people to spend time outdoors in January and February. Good Shot took this opportunity to create temporary pop-up stands for people to try out. Kreuscher said they got a lot of good feedback, which got the wheels turning to set up a permanent five-stand shooting range.

Good Shot recently set up a specially designated shack for five shooting booths. Before the business officially opens in December, a wood stove will be installed to keep the building warm.

“We all have a kind of cabin fever, where we’re bored and don’t have things to do,” he said. “Now with that five-stand lodge, you can come here in January and shoot sporting clays.”

Kreuscher said five-stand shoots will most likely have an hourly rental fee, and participants will shoot as many targets as they can in their allotted time.

Because Good Shot partners with Diamond Jo Casino, the former owners, he said Diamond Jo cardholder members can get discounts at Good Shot for these types of activities.

Kreuscher said he hopes these two new activities not only provide a fun experience for customers, but also help strengthen local businesses. He anticipates Good Shot will be used for corporate events such as office Christmas parties and as perks for loyal customers.

“If we can partner with these companies to provide fun opportunities, memorable opportunities, that’s what we love…” he said. “If we can give them more things to keep customers, to keep workers in the area, then that’s what we want to do and try to help.”

More information about Good Shot and the activities it offers can be found at goodshotemmons.com.