Magnum Sports a one-stop shop for archery supplies

In general, magnum means “great in power” and visiting Magnum Sports at 21 1st St. SE in Chatfield exemplifies its name because has much to offer the sportsman. Tucked into the back of the former Ford dealership and garage on Main Street in Chatfield, it was once the garage part of the building. This lends itself well as the ceilings are higher for displays and mammoth enough to hold two types of archery ranges.

The regular archery range is 18 yards in length and can accommodate five archers at a time.  The cost to use the range is $8.00 a day.  Reservations are not required but it would be best to call ahead to check for availability as during certain times of the year it can become very busy. The other archery range is a Dart Target System that is an electronic interactive shooting video that can be used with an archer’s own bow and special tips for the arrows. The cost for this range is $5.00 for a half hour.

Dan Severson is the manager of Magnum and is the go-to-guy for all your sporting needs. He grew up in Chatfield and has been a hunting and fishing enthusiast since he was a young boy. He has worked part-time at Coyote Creek, Scheels and Magnum Sports for many years so he has the expertise to help you.  Last spring, he was offered the chance to manage Magnum so he quit his full-time job and devotes all his time now in the store.

Magnum is the place for all of your archery supplies from bows to arrows and all those items in between.  They carry Hoyt and locally made Xpedition bows.  The Xpedition bows are made in Decorah, Iowa, and Severson said their customer service is excellent. Magnum also handles firearms and ammunition and are registered dealers for GLOCK and Savage.  However at this time, there inventory is very low because of the lack of supply.  Accessories for hunting include tree stands, Muddy box blinds, deer calls and scent eliminators to name a few. Magnum is a full-service archery store that can put on new strings and cables and do general tuning. For firearms they can clean guns, mount scopes and do bore sightings.

Since becoming manager, Severson has added more hunting clothing and footwear to the mix. He said the Dryshod neoprene waterproof boots have been a big seller this year.  Adding the Element clothing line (part of Xpedition bows) offers camo jackets, pants, caps, and hoodies, plus base layers and t-shirts for men, women and children. While these may not always be in stock, they are easily ordered.

If you need a license, Magnum can supply you with any type of license that is required by the Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources). They also sell memberships for the Chatfield Fish and Game Club.

The COVID virus has been both a blessing and a curse to this business. Dan stated that it has forced people outside, which has brought an increase of business in hunting supplies but it has affected the supply chain so it is harder to restock inventory. For example, at this time it may take two months to get a scope, so it has limited availability.

Dan has been gradually been working to build up the store’s fishing inventory. Come spring he plans to bring in rod and reel combos, fishing line, spinners, lures and other fishing accessories.

Gift certificates are also available for any amount, and this would be a good Christmas present for that sportsman or sportswoman in your life.  Store hours are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m – 7 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 10 a.m – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m – 2 p.m.