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MDC to hold grand opening Oct. 9 at new target range in Johnson County
Knob Noster, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will hold a grand opening at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, for a new target shooting range at the Ralph and Martha Perry Memorial Conservation Area in Johnson County. The recently completed project replaces an older range on the area that will now be used for special use only.
The new range will accommodate both pistol and rifle target practice, said Justin McGuire, MDC hunter education and shooting range coordinator. The range has four 25-yard lanes, three 50-yard lanes, and two 100-yard lanes. Safety features include a covered firing line, enhanced backstops and side berms. A 20-foot tall earthen berm will be behind the targets. The range is in an excavated area.
“We’re excited to provide this opportunity for folks in the region,” McGuire said. “The new range will offer features that the old range did not offer. The new features will provide safe and convenient target shooting opportunities for the community.”
MDC shooting ranges provide a place for recreational target shooters and hunters to practice firearm skills and safety. Hunters often use them as places to adjust or sight in scopes on hunting rifles for accuracy. Throughout Missouri, MDC provides five staffed shooting ranges, 39 unstaffed ranges, and 23 archery ranges. MDC also partners with 11 cooperating groups that provide shooting ranges on their property.
Grand opening introductions for the new range at the Perry area will begin at 10 a.m. After ceremonial first shots at 10:15 a.m., the range will be open for public use.
The range is located north of Knob Noster. Visitors will have access to the range off Northeast 925 Road. From Hwy. 50, go north on Missouri 23 for 8.7 miles and turn right on Northeast 900 Road. After a few sharp curves and about three-quarters of a mile, the road becomes Northeast 925 Road. The range will be on the north side of the road and is marked with signs. The parking lot and range will have ADA accessibility features.
This range will be open for use from noon until a half hour after sunset from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. From Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, the range will be open from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. The range will be closed every Wednesday for maintenance.
For more information about MDC shooting ranges, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZZF.