Willow Slough Range closing for 8mos?

[2500ekW]

Yesterday the ranger at Willow Slough told my dad that they are shutting down for 8 months starting in June. A private firm is renovating it, and when it reopens it won't be free. They're building a storefront to sell ammo and targets.

Anyone have any additional info/rumors? Any other DNR ranges doing this?

 

[87iroc]

Sounds like they are doing a face lift on all the state ranges. Wonder if they're doing an Atterbury-esque refresh on the range?

 

[ryknoll3]

That sucks. I like the more informal nature of Willow Slough. I've been to Kingsbury, and while the facilities are nicer than Willow Slough, it was busier and more of a hassle.

 

[jedi]

Hum.. looks like they want the IL money stream that will come from doing a renovation.

 

[KLB]

Looks like there is funding for it.

2. Department of Natural Resources (300) $4,000,000
Deer Creek and Willow Slough Shooting Ranges
The Division of Fish and Wildlife is requesting funding to construct two new shooting ranges at
Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area and Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area. The Deer Creek
location will be located in Greencastle, and the Willow Slough range will be located near
Morocco. There is a lack of public shooting ranges in these areas and the demand for
recreational and personal protection activity is on the rise. These sites would provide the proper
locations to facilitate firearm proficiency. These shooting ranges would be outdoors and would
be open to rifles and pistols. There will also be space for basic shotgun and archery practice. No
skeet or trap facilities are planned for these facilities.
Funding: 2013 General Fund – Fish and Wildlife General R&R $1,000,000
2014 Federal Funds – Wildlife Restoration Act $3,000,000

http://www.in.gov/sba/files/bc_agenda_20141217.pdf

 

[xfrostybeersx]

so why cant they just charge the IL Folk?

 

[jedi]

so why cant they just charge the IL Folk?

Cause they don't like you either.

 

[2500ekW]

Looks like there is funding for it.

http://www.in.gov/sba/files/bc_agenda_20141217.pdf

That makes it sound like they are building an additional range site somewhere on the Willow Slough grounds, not renovating the existing one. Since that is unlikely, I'll just assume vague politician language saying "spend $4mil doing stuff at two ranges." It still doesn't explain the private firm being involved.

 

[Ballstater98]

Sad. Soon nothing will be free anymore.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

That makes it sound like they are building an additional range site somewhere on the Willow Slough grounds, not renovating the existing one. Since that is unlikely, I'll just assume vague politician language saying "spend $4mil doing stuff at two ranges." It still doesn't explain the private firm being involved.

That's the way it reads...

"The Division of Fish and Wildlife is requesting funding to construct two new shooting ranges at
Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area and Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area. The Deer Creek
location will be located in Greencastle, and the Willow Slough range will be located near
Morocco. There is a lack of public shooting ranges in these areas and the demand for
recreational and personal protection activity is on the rise. These sites would provide the proper
locations to facilitate firearm proficiency."

There is no lack of range in the area. Willow Slough already exists.

 

[Leo]

Sad. Soon nothing will be free anymore.

Never was free, it was funded by taxpayer dollars. Now it will be taxpayer dollars PLUS taxpayer fees. No free rides.

If the new facility is well run and well maintained, a little additional fee might be worth it. I had several bad experiences there with foolish people doing stupid stuff and stopped going there.

 

[hornadylnl]

Never was free, it was funded by taxpayer dollars. Now it will be taxpayer dollars PLUS taxpayer fees. No free rides.

If the new facility is well run and well maintained, a little additional fee might be worth it. I had several bad experiences there with foolish people doing stupid stuff and stopped going there.

These ranges are as free as Obama's community college program.

 

[RyanGSams]

Would be nice for them to put a range in northern porter county.

 

[Rocketscientist]

Would be nice for them to put a range in northern porter county.

Yes! So tired of having burn half a tank just to get a little trigger time in.

 

[ADDICTED2TONE]

Sounds like Camp Atterbury..

 

[RyanGSams]

Yes! So tired of having burn half a tank just to get a little trigger time in.

Right, no where nearby for rifles. Atleast can go to Blythes for handguns.

 

[GunSlinger]

The change at Atterbury was a vast improvement IMO. It's a lot safer now then it was before and I welcome that.

At $6.00 an hour it's well worth it to me for the improvement that took place.

 

[littletommy]

There has been talk, and even a public info meeting about doing something similar at the Clark state forest range. Haven't heard any more about it recently, but if paying $5-10 for range time keeps the riff raff away, I'm all for it.

 

[Ballstater98]

Whatever the fees will be, IL residents should be charged at least double unless they work and pay income taxes in IN. This is how IN residents are treated in some places in IL. Seems only fair.

 

[KLB]

Would be nice for them to put a range in northern porter county.

Never going to happen. Too well populated at this point.