Kevin Cederstrom
For the local hunters and outdoorsmen, there's a hidden gem of opportunity right in our back yard and many may not even know it. Not necessarily a huge buck literally in your back yard. Not that kind of opportunity, but a place to go to help find the big bucks.
Klinnert Seed of rural New York Mills has evolved into a small, yet surprisingly well-stocked hunting and outdoors business. Don't let the name fool you. Instead of traveling a couple hours to visit the big boys, Klinnert Seed likely has your hunting and outdoors needs just a few miles out of Mills.
Paul Klinnert originally started Klinnert Seed about 10 years ago selling seed to farmers and milking cows on the farm. He and his wife Diane sold the dairy cows about six years ago. Paul concentrated on crop farming and selling seed, while Diane had her own hair salon in Mills.
ADVERTISEMENT
As Paul continued with the seed business customers started coming in asking for deer plot seed - both premixed, customized and bulk. From there the hunting side of the business began to take shape.
"One thing led to another and we got into deer stands and sporting goods," Paul said. "We're gearing more into sporting goods now. Hobbies are what people are spending money on."
The last two years deer stands have sold really well and Paul says they have in stock, or can order, just about anything out there needed for deer stands - ladder stands, platform stands, tripods, swivel seats, box stands, quick sticks, etc.
He still sells seed, chemicals and fertilizer, and those sales generally take place from around November to May. In July and August people are thinking about hunting. In discussing the hunting and outdoors, Paul said his customers started asking for different things and suggesting he sell various products related to popular fall outdoor activities.
Paul and Diane, who still cuts hair once a week in Mills, run Klinnert Seed. And as the hunting and outdoors side of the business continues to grow Diane said they will need to come up with another name to reflect more what the business offers.
Klinnert Seed is quickly becoming a full service outdoors supplier with a federal firearms license. In stock, they have muzzle loaders, rifles, shot guns and handguns, along with ammunition, scopes and binoculars.
New to the gun business last year and wanting to keep a relatively small inventory, Paul ordered 13 muzzle loaders. He realized there was definitely a good customer base right here in New York Mills and the surrounding area.
"I didn't know how many muzzle loaders to bring in last year and ended up selling over 50," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The business may be small compared to the big names but Paul said it will be tough for other places to beat his prices.
"I have to meet or beat competition from St. Cloud to Fargo," he said. "As we all know small business is a tough row to hoe."
Paul and Diane still farm, but as business picks up in the fall it means less time in the field. The business is growing and Paul said they must continually look at what people in the area have for their outdoors needs. While continuing with his successful seed business the hunting side is certainly picking up. Along with guns, ammo, decoys, deer stands and blinds, Klinnert seed has a variety of accessories and specialty items, such as kits to make sausage and seasonings.
"Everything from the lawn to the garden to the field, as far as I see we've got it pretty well covered," he said.
Klinnert Seed will hold an open house Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sept. 24, 12 noon to 4 p.m. The business is located on the Klinnert farm at 50372 390th Street. Paul and Diane can be reached at 385-3576.
