Local shooting range prepares for free use on Sept. 28

A file photo of John Leaks sites in his 270 Winchester Short Mag at the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range. He is getting read for the Elk Hunt.

LOGAN – Andy Hunter, the manager of the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range, is bracing himself for Saturday Sept. 28. That’s when people with a current Utah hunting, fishing or combination license can visit the facility for free.

Dennis Child stands in the lobby of the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range surrounded by mounted heads of game found in the area.

“We will be swamped that weekend,” Hunter said. “The rifle side is busy now from after work until closing every night we are open.”

Most of the people are bringing in their hunting rifles to site them in for hunting.

Every year on the fourth Saturday of September — which is Sept. 28 this year — is recognized across the U.S. as National Hunting and Fishing Day.

We see about 7,500 people a year here,” Hunter said. “Five-thousand of those used the rifle side.”

To celebrate, Utah Department of Wildlife Resources offers its annual promotion of free and discounted shooting at the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range, located at 2851 W. 200 North in Logan.

All the visitors need to do is simply show a valid Utah hunting, fishing or combination license at the entrance to either facility. The license can be presented as a paper or electronic license. That will grant free admission to the rifle, handgun and archery shooting ranges. Visitors can also get up to five rounds of shooting at half price at the trap and skeet ranges that day.

A box of 270 Winchester Short Mag shells ready to be loaded into John Leakes rifle.

“We’ll go through quite a few clay targets at the trap and skeet ranges that day,” Gary Cook, the DWR wildlife recreation coordinator, said. “Charging half price will help us cover the cost.”

Along with the free and discounted admission on Sept. 28, the local shooting range also offers an ongoing, year-round promotion that allows someone to shoot for free or at a discounted rate if they purchased a firearm or archery equipment within 30 days. Proof of purchase must be provided to qualify for the deal.

“We want to promote not only fishing and hunting, which are both family-friendly activities, but also shooting sports in general,” Hunter said. “Shooting at the range can be a really fun outing for the whole family.”

Cook says the two DWR ranges are among the best in Utah.

“They’re great places to shoot, whether you are practicing for an upcoming hunt or you just want to have some fun shooting clays,” he says. “We hope you’ll take advantage of this offer and visit them on National Hunting and Fishing Day.”

Dennis Child, the range’s safety officer, said the Logan facility is the popular training ground for Boy Scouts, 4-H and other youth groups.

We have trained thousands of Boy Scouts over the years,” Child said. “We also have trained a lot of law enforcement officers.”

For more information, call the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range at (435) 753-4600.

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1 Comment

  • Warren> Pugh September 20, 2019 at 12:36 am Reply

    What a priceless opportunity for everyone. Remember, weapons are loaded always,
    and when on or near keep muzzles pointed
    down range.

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