Ribbon cutting ceremony was held today
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in partnership with the N.C. Department of Public Safety (DPS), will host an open house with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the Odom Shooting Range.
The event is open to public, and those in attendance will be allowed to bring firearms and use the range following the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“North Carolina’s outdoor heritage is important to our quality of life and economic vitality,” said Gordon Myers, the Commission’s executive director. “We are grateful to partner with the DPS on this project to insure that people in this region of the state have a safe and readily available public access infrastructure that supports our hunting and shooting sports heritage.”
Starting Dec. 18, the range will open to the public from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday, and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday. The range will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
“DPS agreed to partner in this important endeavor to allow the shooting public and law enforcement to hone their skills on a top-notch firing range,” said Tim Moose, the chief deputy secretary for the Department of Public Safety. “This project to improve and convert a practice range used by prison staff to one that benefits a variety of hunters and law enforcement officers is a win-win for everyone, and DPS will continue to use the range for training.”
New range offers many options for shooters
The range, which is located at 709 Striper Ln. in Jackson, features a 100-yard range with eight shooting stations, a 25-yard range with eight shooting stations and a six-station target archery range. The shooting range can be accessed via Bryantown Road, two-thirds of a mile southeast of the Odom Prison entrance.
The Commission will oversee operation and routine maintenance of the range and will staff it with safety officers. The facility will be available to the general public, shooting sports teams and law enforcement for practice, training and recreational use. A daily pass for the range will be free of charge.
“The repurposing of this surplus state property is an example of government activity at its best,” said Rep. Michael Wray. “The new recreational opportunities will be a draw to Northampton County that will provide great fun as well as increased economic activity to our area.”
The Wildlife Commission funded the $1 million project using money from Pittman Robertson Federal Grant Funds and the Wildlife Endowment Fund. For more information on the Commission’s shooting range program, visit ncwildlife.org/shootingranges.
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