Rifles for sale, anyone?

Good Morning Everyone!

Most of you are active biathlon families. But I know some of you have personal rifles that are not being used extensively!! 

This spring, we have seen many newcomers to our sport!! Of those who are in and participating, plus those who have expressed interest and will be invited to our first camp in May, I count up 13 new names since last fall!! These are all teenage athletes who would qualify for a leased MN Biathlon rifle..if we had enough to cover all of them!! And an equal number of older athletes: seniors, masters, etc., have shown interest but would have to provide their own rifles…

It is great to be popular! But…..

On the other end of our pipeline, we have a number who are dedicated to the sport, but will be leaving the state for colleges elsewhere. They have been buying their own rifles. Several this year, again. I have also been pulling in some rifles from athletes who were not using them enough in MN events per the lease agreement. 

To help alleviate what appears to be a shortage of MN Biathlon rifles this year for lease, 4 families, who are currently leasing, have indicated an interest in personally purchasing a used rifle, if any are available. Three right handed and one left handed. Anschutz Fortners are preferable. 

So long way of asking that if anyone has a rifle they would like to sell, please get in touch and I will connect you with one of the four families. Most used Fortners are in the $3000-$4000 range unless it is almost new. Factory stocks have been changing over the past 10-15 yrs or so—carrying harnesses and slings often need replacing, and etc. 

So hoping some of you will be willing to clean out your closets!! 

Thanks!!
B

Volunteer Sign ups For Upcoming Biathlon Races at Elk River

Good morning Everyone!

We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming races in Elk River!  If you are able to lend a hand on one of these days, please sign up on the appropriate volunteer sheet.  If you are unable to edit the document, please email me and I will make the addition for you.  Thank you very much!

The Bouley’s

Volunteer Sign Up MN Biathlon Cup #4 1-22-23

Volunteer Signup MN Biathlon Cup #4 Elk River
Volunteer Sign Up MN Biathlon Cup #4 Elk River
Sunday – 1-22-23

Volunteer Sign UP Regional Biathlon Race #5 1-29-23

Volunteer Signup Midwest Regional Biathlon Race #5
Volunteer Sign Up Midwest Regional Race #5
Sunday 1-29-23

Rifles for MN Biathlon

Hi Everyone,
Hope the late spring has been fun for you all!! I believe they are still skiing at Mt Itasca! The past few days of sunshine and 60’s do feel good, however!

Minnesota Biathlon has been working with youth athletes for many years. As most of you are aware, our program consists of local training, statewide camps, nationwide camps and competitions at all levels, statewide, regional, national and international. We put 5 of our biathletes onto the US Youth and Junior Worlds Team for the World Championships in Estonia this past year out of 15 from across the country! Currently we have programs with rifle ranges in Alexandria, Duluth, Elk River, Mt Itasca in Coleraine and here in Nisswa. Our first camp of this training year is coming up in the middle of May at Mt Itasca.

A few years back MN Biathlon was actively acquiring used biathlon rifles for use by the junior level athletes aged from 14 to 21. These are leased out annually at a nominal cost and the proceeds are used to maintain and upgrade the rifles. The acquisition program has not been productive in the past few years, and with our current growth, we need more rifles. We are limited now in how many younger athletes we can invite to camps or training due to the number of rifles available.

Basically we are looking for Anschutz Bolt actions or Fortner actions or the Russian Izmach rifles. Most of our current need is for right handed versions, but we also could use one more left handed Fortner.

If anyone has a rifle that is not being used, and would like to donate it to the organization, it could be considered as a tax writeoff on your taxes as we are a 501c3 Nonprofit corporation. If you wish to sell the rifle, we can consider a couple of possibilities: a] find a buyer for you from amongst our active members or b] consider a direct purchase at a reasonable price with consideration for the state of our finances.

In any case, if you have a biathlon rifle you are no longer in need of, please contact me, Bill Meyer, wmeyer@nisswa.net with a description of the firearm and your thoughts on passing it on.

Thanks,
Bill Meyer, Coach