Shooting range still closed as opening day nears

By Ethan Smith — Leader Staff

The county's shooting range is still closed for repairs, and local hunters might have to go elsewhere to sight in their rifles in time for the general big game season opener Oct. 21.

In August, the county commissioners agreed to allow a group of volunteers to assume management of the range — and charge a fee. Upgrades to the range were supposed to begin later that month. The idea was to make it more professional and safer, albeit with more limited hours, while users would pay a small fee to a local non-profit to manage it.

But after weeks of irregular work, the range still isn't ready, leaving many hunters out in the cold, and whether it will be completed in time for opening day remains to be seen.

"We've had problems with the county equipment and the volunteers. They can't work full time [at the range], so it's been hard to get the work done in a timely manner," commissioner Mike Hutchin said. "We told them if they could provide some manpower, we'd help with equipment, but there's been some problems."

The new non-profit group, known as the Polson Shooters Association, evolved out of several local civic groups who were interested in improving the range and managing it professionally. Instead of being able to use it at will, county residents would pay a small annual or per-day fee for more limited hours, but would receive targets, range supervision, and a more professional shooting environment that would include a 200-yard range.

Things haven't worked quite as expected though, Hutchin noted. First, initial construction on the range was delayed by two weeks, and then both the volunteers and county have hit some roadblocks.

"The county has agreed to provide some help with county equipment, but we've had a loader operator that was injured and unable to work, and then a county road scraper broke down," Hutchin said. "With the volunteers' work schedule and equipment problems, it's taking longer than expected."

PSA board chairman Ron Smith acknowledged that he and other PSA members are struggling to get the work done in a timely manner, but noted they're volunteers and most of them work full time jobs.

"We just want to get it done as quickly as possible. We're hoping maybe to have it open the weekend before the general season," he said.

The county and PSA members are trying to fix a problem that's existed for years, as the former public range has routinely been used for off-road enthusiasts, partying teenagers, and shooters who leave mounds of shot-up washing machines, bottles and tires around. A properly managed range would solve that, Hutchin noted in August, but right now the situation isn't looking good for local hunters.

Visitors to the range will see signs of progress, though, with freshly graded dirt, a cleaned-up look and evidence that the extended range is being installed. But the sight-in tables are up on a hill, unable to be used, and a sawhorse says the range is closed until further notice.

Smith's cell phone number is on the sawhorse.

"I've gotten some complaints, but they weren't really what I'd call 'angry' calls. Once we explain to people that we're volunteers they are a little more understanding," Smith said. "One guy with an antelope tag was pretty upset."

On Sunday, five drivers pulled up in less than five minutes, only to read the sign and turn around and head back to Kerr Dam Road.

"I don't have a good estimate as to when it will be done," Hutchin said. "But the sooner the better."

Smith said PSA now has 15 members, and are looking for more. Folks interested in helping to manage the range, or fix it up, can call Smith at 250-4295.

For now, Smith is referring callers to Ronan Sports & Western. Employees there sell annual memberships to a private range outside of Ronan for $30 a person, and it's one of the few options for folks who need to sight their rifle in right now.