You’re driving down County Road 8 in Prior Lake and the landscape starts to shift. It gets woodier. Less suburban. Then you see the sign for the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club. Most people in the Twin Cities have heard of it, but honestly, there's a weird misconception that you need to be a grizzled outdoorsman with a hundred-acre pedigree just to pull into the driveway.
That’s just wrong.
The Horse and Hunt is a massive, sprawling 600-acre beast of a property. It’s one of those rare places that manages to feel like a high-end private estate while simultaneously being a place where you can get mud on your boots without anyone looking at you sideways. Since 1985, it’s been the anchor for shooting sports in the Midwest, but it’s evolved into something much weirder and more interesting than just a place to hunt pheasants.
The Sporting Clays Addiction
If you’ve never tried sporting clays, think of it as golf with a shotgun. It’s frustrating. It’s exhilarating. It’s addictive. The Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN is famous for its courses, and for good reason. They don't just throw a clay disk in the air and call it a day. They’ve designed these stations to mimic actual animal behavior. One target might zip across the ground like a rabbit, while another drops out of the sky like a mallard coming into a pond.
It's difficult. Like, really difficult.
👉 See also: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
The club has five different courses. If you’re a beginner, you start on the easier loops. If you’re seasoned, you go to the back woods where the angles get tight and the "birds" move at speeds that feel borderline unfair. The beauty of this place is the accessibility. You don’t actually have to be a member to shoot here, though the members definitely get the better rates. You can literally just show up, rent a Beretta or a Caesar Guerini if you didn’t bring your own, buy a couple of boxes of shells, and head out.
It’s Not Just About the Guns
There’s this thing people do where they assume "Hunt Club" means it’s a boys' club. Not even close. On any given Saturday, you’ll see wedding parties taking photos by the gazebos and families eating walleye sandwiches in the Hunt Lodge.
The dining situation is actually a sleeper hit in Prior Lake.
The Lodge Restaurant is surprisingly cozy. It has that heavy timber, Northwoods vibe—lots of stone, taxidermy, and a massive fireplace that’s basically the heartbeat of the building in January. They do a Sunday Brunch that brings in people who have never touched a firearm in their lives. They’re just there for the prime rib and the atmosphere. It’s one of the few places in the metro area where you can sit on a deck, look out over hundreds of acres of managed prairie, and forget that the Mall of America is only twenty-five minutes away.
✨ Don't miss: At Home French Manicure: Why Yours Looks Cheap and How to Fix It
The Tactical and Training Evolution
Recently, the club has leaned heavily into the training side of things. They have a dedicated tactical wing. This isn't just about hunting anymore; it's about proficiency. They offer everything from basic permit-to-carry classes to advanced defensive handgun courses.
They’ve built out specific ranges for this. You’ve got the pistol pits and the long-range rifle areas. It brings in a totally different crowd—law enforcement officers, competitive shooters, and folks who just want to know how to handle a firearm safely. It adds a layer of seriousness to the property that balances out the more "leisurely" vibe of the sporting clays courses.
Membership vs. Public Access
This is where people get confused. Is it a private club? Yes. Is it open to the public? Also yes.
Basically, the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club operates on a tiered system. If you’re a member, you get the "Founders" treatment: lower fees for targets, access to the hunt fields for pheasant and chukar, and a sense of community. The hunting part is massive—they release birds on the property, so you’re guaranteed a productive day in the field, which is a huge draw for people who don't have the time to drive six hours to South Dakota.
🔗 Read more: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Menu: Why You’re Probably Ordering Wrong
But for the rest of us? We can walk in, pay the public rate for a round of clays or a meal, and enjoy the grounds. It’s a smart business model. It keeps the lights on and ensures the club doesn't become a stagnant, exclusionary relic.
The Events That Define the Place
You haven't really experienced the Horse and Hunt until you've been there for a major event. The "Game Fair" is the big one. It's an annual tradition that turns the property into a massive outdoor expo. Dogs jumping into water tanks, archery demonstrations, every brand of camouflage you can imagine—it’s a spectacle.
Then there are the equestrian events. The "Horse" part of the name isn't just for show. While the shooting sports often take center stage in the marketing, the club has deep roots in the horse community. They have boarding facilities, indoor and outdoor arenas, and miles of trails. Seeing a group of riders move through the woods while you’re out on the sporting clays course is a weirdly serene juxtaposition.
Why This Place Still Matters in 2026
In an era where green space is being swallowed up by "luxury" townhomes every five minutes, 600 acres of preserved land is a miracle. The Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN acts as a green lung for the south metro. Even if you hate hunting, you have to appreciate the conservation aspect. They manage the land for wildlife. They keep the prairies healthy.
It’s a throwback. It’s a place where the Wi-Fi is spotty in the woods and the air smells like gunpowder and pine needles. In a world that’s increasingly digital and sterilized, there is something deeply grounding about a place that requires you to use your hands and your eyes in the real world.
Honestly, it’s just a cool spot. It’s rugged but polished. It’s a place where you can spend $1,000 on a fancy dinner and a guided hunt, or $30 on a round of clays and a beer.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Check the Calendar: Before you head out, look at their event schedule. If there’s a major tournament or the Game Fair is happening, the public shooting hours might be restricted.
- Book a Lesson: If you’re new to shooting, don't just "wing it." The instructors there are top-tier. Spending an hour with a pro will save you from a bruised shoulder and a lot of missed targets.
- The Food Hack: Go for the Prime Rib on the weekends. It’s arguably some of the best in the Prior Lake/Savage area. Also, the "Duck Sliders" are a mandatory order if they’re on the seasonal menu.
- Dress the Part: This isn't a fashion show, but flip-flops are a bad idea. Wear sturdy boots and bring ear protection. If you don't have earplugs, they sell them in the pro shop, but you'll look like a veteran if you come prepared.
- Membership Math: If you plan on shooting more than once a month, do the math on the membership. Between the discounted targets and the member-only events, it usually pays for itself by mid-summer.
- Explore the Trails: If you're there for a wedding or just lunch, take ten minutes to walk the perimeter near the lodge. The view of the rolling hills is one of the best "hidden" sights in Scott County.