Gold Meadows Hunting Preserve

Gold Meadows Hunting Preserve operates out of Richmond, MN, about 18 miles west of St. Cloud and roughly 90 minutes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. The preserve has been running hunts since opening over five decades ago, and they've spent that time perfecting their operation across multiple hunting fields.

There are no membership fees, guest fees, or gun fees. You're charged solely on birds released—currently $29.50 per bird (August through January), with higher prices in late winter and spring. Birds come out as 50/50 hen and rooster mix.

Hunting fields range from 40 to 80 acres depending on your needs. The cover includes corn, grassland, red willows, reed canary grass, swamps, and cattails. Morning hunts depart no later than 9:00 AM. Afternoon hunts begin at 1:15 PM and run until sunset.

Minimums Per Group: - Monday-Friday: 6 pheasants minimum - Saturday-Sunday: 10 pheasants minimum - Holiday weekends: Call for group minimums

You can hunt over your own pointer or retriever. If you bring your dog, the staff will take you to your field, explain the area, then let you hunt independently. They need to know your dog's breed and experience level when you book.

Alternatively, hire a guide and trained dog for an extra $3.00 per bird (minimum $60). Guides handle the dog while you focus on shooting. Fresh birds are cleaned in the field; frozen birds are available if you prefer.

The preserve operates a training program run by two trainers with combined 90+ years of experience. Dogs typically field-ready after just one month of training.

Training Options: - Board-and-train programs (leave your dog for a month) - Individual lesson sessions (you participate) - Obedience, e-collar, field, and hunting-specific training - AKC Hunt test and field trial handling

Puppies start best at under 16 weeks old. Trainers teach retrieval, how to hold a bird properly, and when to release. Once trained, dogs are tested in AKC field trials to verify their abilities.

Gold Meadows sells golden retriever puppies yearly. All pups come from championship hunting bloodlines—literally from dogs that have proven themselves in the field.

Every hunt requires compliance with these core rules:

• •Blaze orange upper garment and/or hat recommended
• •Eye protection encouraged
• •Muzzle stays above shoulder height before shooting
• •Gun on safe 99% of the time
• •Hunters maintain straight line while walking
• •No shooting at ducks, geese, rabbits, squirrels, or ground game
• •No cross-fire between drivers and posters
• •All hunters track location of people, dogs, and property
• •Zero tolerance: Unsafe conduct or alcohol consumption = immediate removal

Children must complete gun safety training before shooting.

Calls accepted anytime—no set hours. Reserve 24 hours to a few days in advance. Cancellations within 48 hours are charged in full.

When booking, provide: - Your name and preferred date/time - Number of hunters and dogs - Dog breed and experience level (if using your own) - Number of birds to release - Fresh or frozen preference

• •Phone: (320) 597-2747 or text (320) 224-8932

• •Address: 18506 260th St, Richmond, MN 56368

• •Season: August 20 through May 1 (daily operation)