HERO Center & Shooting Range

HERO Center operates the public shooting range in Cottage Grove, owned and operated jointly by the cities of Cottage Grove and Woodbury. It's not just a place to shoot—they run structured courses and training programs alongside their public range access.

The range is open to the public Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Weekday shooting is by reservation only. Active/retired law enforcement, military, and veterans get a $5/hour discount with proper ID.

All courses use certified instructors only.

Intro to Handguns — $99.99 For new shooters and firearms owners. Includes instructor-led shooting on the live range and in their shooting simulator.

MN Permit to Carry (BCA Approved) — $99.99 Four-hour course that includes range use, targets, eye/ear protection, certificate, and student manual. Ammunition available onsite (subject to availability).

DNR Firearm Safety Field Day — $7.50 For youth who've completed the DNR Hunter Course online program.

Beyond firearms, HERO offers American Heart Association certified training:

• •Basic Life Support & STOP THE BLEED — $75.00 (eCard provided)
• •Naloxone Training — FREE with kit included

The naloxone program is open to anyone—no medical training required. Covers overdose recognition, naloxone administration, and Minnesota's legal framework allowing any community member to carry and use naloxone.

HERO provides current information on which out-of-state permits are recognized in Minnesota under MN BCA guidelines. Recognition varies by state—some require enhanced permits or have restrictions. They maintain the current list on their website.