Shooting Opportunities In Our Area by Trent Thomas

Just a few miles from our community you will find the Southeast Regional Park Shooting Complex. Constructed in 2004 and maintained by the Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Department, this range complex handles around 20,000 shooters per year. “We offer three different ranges at the complex. There is a rifle/pistol range, a clay target range for trap and skeet, and also an archery range,” said Leonard Ordway. Leonard is the Shooting Sports Program Manager with Pima County.

For the rifle/pistol range there is a fee of $8 per shooter per day (accompanied children under the age of 16 are free). This will grant the participant access to shooting tables and seats, shade awnings, marked firing lanes, along with target frames. Leonard explained, “Shooters are responsible for following the commands of the range master, providing their own firearms and ammunition, and having hearing and eye protection.” If a shooter requires hearing or eye protection then the equipment is available for rent. The clay range costs $8 per round and the archery range is $3 per day.

Now that the weather is cooler, new and longer hours took effect from October 1 until April 30. The range complex is open from 8:00am until 5:00pm and only from Thursday until Sunday.  The reason for the limited days of operation is that the facility is mostly run by volunteers. “We have on staff approximately 60 volunteers that serve as line safety officers. Occasionally, they will also work as assistant range masters,” Leonard added.

The complex is always looking for additional help on the ranges. If interested then you are encouraged to contact Butch Jensen 520-724-5750 to sign up for training. According to Leonard, volunteers who devote 10 hours per month at the complex get free use of the archery or rifle/pistol ranges as a benefit for contributing their time.

 

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