The S.C. Department of Natural Resources opened a rifle range at the Belfast WMA near Kinards on May 6, providing shooters from the Midlands a place to do anything from plinking to target shooting to sighting in their hunting weapons.
John Frampton, SCDNR’s executive director, said new ranges are needed not only to offer opportunities for shooting sports to expand, but to replace ranges that are being closed.
“Urbanization has dramatically impacted the opportunity for many citizens to participate in shooting sports and other outdoor recreation activities,” Frampton said. “Partnering with the NRA, our hunters and shooters and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide public shooting ranges is integral to the recruitment and retention of hunters and recreational shooters in South Carolina.
“The SCDNR committed to developing programs for public use on the property during the negotiation stages of the acquisition, and we are delighted to see the fruition of this stage of property development.”
The shooting range at Belfast WMA is a joint project between SCDNR and the National Rifle Association, using federal funds provided by excise taxes on firearms and accessories through what was formerly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act.
The range is part of the 4,664-acre Belfast WMA tract on the border of Laurens and Newberry counties that formerly belonged to Champion International. Located just of SC 560 and 56 near Kinards, the range will be open from Wednesday through Friday in daylight hours and from 2 p.m. until dark on Sundays. Shooters pay no fees but must supply their own targets; SCDNR officers will patrol the area to maintain order and prevent vandalism or misuse.
Work is already in progress to add an archery range, and a pistol range is also planned.
“We all start as shooters,” said Bryan Hyder, eastern regional director for NRA, who said that 15 ranges are being built in conjunction with NRA’s Public Range Grant Program, which debuted in 2009. “Shooters need places to shoot, and the new range at Belfast will provide recreational opportunities for shooters to gather, sight-in hunting firearms and often shoot just for fun.”
According to Hyder, SCDNR was the first stage agency to request support from the NRA.
“The NRA is proud to have had this opportunity to work with the SCDNR once again, and we thank the department for its commitment to the future,” said Herb Lanford, a member of NRA’s Board of Directors.
Frampton gave special recognition to Emily Cope, assistant director of special projects and national affairs for SCDNR, whose efforts helped secure the Belfast Plantation property. She was given the honor of firing the first shot taken on the range.
Initially, SCDNR secured one-half of the Belfast Plantation tract. In June 2010, the balance was purchased after being held by the Conservation Fund.
Frampton remembered working with property manager Lee Walsh in 1978 on a turkey restoration project when he was an SCDNR regional biologist. He said they recognized more than 30 years ago the property’s potential.
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