State Buys 1,842 Acres in Shelby County for Giant Shooting Range, Complex
By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
Alabama continues to build its reputation for unique recreational facilities. Following the success of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama is now on its way to becoming the nation’s shooting range capital. Could it soon be known as “The Alabama Shooting Trail”?
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) currently operates 12 shooting ranges across the state. In a move to expand these facilities, the ADCNR has purchased 1,842 acres in Shelby County. This new acquisition will serve as the site for a 13th shooting range and complex, making it the largest of its kind in the state.
These newly acquired acres will join the existing 195 acres the state already owns in Shelby County, creating a vast space dedicated to shooting sports and related activities. This expansion highlights Alabama’s commitment to providing top-tier recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
The plans for the Shelby Range sound like a Disney World for shooters:
A 300-yard rifle range,
A 100-yard rifle range,
50- and 25-yard pistol ranges,
An archery range,
Shotgun ranges,
Ranges for trap, skeet and five-stand.
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the ADCNR is currently developing a new project located on Highway 25 near Columbiana, the county seat of Shelby County. According to Michael Bloxom, WFF’s hunter education coordinator, the new shooting range is presently in the design phase.
All environmental impact studies and cultural resource studies have been approved, and the money from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has been approved
Buildings are being redone, there will be a full classroom where they will hold hunter education classes, department training classes, and Hunting 101 and Shooting 101 workshops.
With all the work scheduled to be done, Bloxom estimated that it will take two years to open at least a portion of the facility to the public.
An archery range will be put in first while work is continued on the shooting ranges and improvements made to the buildings. The budget will allow it state-of-the-art with electronic targets like what is found on the most advanced ranges in the nation. That means with the 300-yard rifle range, you won’t have to go downrange to change paper targets. You will have a computer screen at your bench that will show where your shots are landing in real time.
Some of the pistol ranges will be set up for match shooting for some of these organizations that hold competitions. They are looking at drawing people from all over the country to the range and will be a great asset for the community and the state but also attract attention nationwide with the quality of the facilities. It will open economic opportunities outside of the Department of Conservation itself. The range will also provide several employment opportunities for those in the area as well, making this a very community involved resource.
