Minnesota –-(Ammoland.com)- The public is invited to attend the dedication of a new community-built gun range 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, as part of the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in Montevideo.
The half-hour dedication ceremony will include comments from Gov. Mark Dayton, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr and others.
The range was the vision of the Tri-County Sportsmen’s Club to involve more people in shooting sports, said Jan Payne, a volunteer co-manager of the facility. But it took the broader community to help make the project a reality.
“When local resident Mike Andresen stepped forward with land that could be used for the site, we realized this range was a very real possibility,” Payne said.
Over the past year it has been a community project, made possible through countless donations by local citizens and businesses.
“We believed this could come true for the community,” Payne said. “And with cash and in-kind contributions from numerous businesses, individuals and organizations, it has become a reality.”
The range is home to the Montevideo High School trap and skeet teams. It features two combined trap and skeet fields, a pistol range and 200-yard rifle range, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“We have some features that are unique in this area, including a pay-as-you-go system for trap, professional lighting, new clubhouse and commercial grade throwers,” Payne said.
Mills Creek Gun Range is located 1.5 miles north of Montevideo on state Highway 29. More information can be found at www.millscreekgunrange.com or on Facebook by searching for Mills Creek Gun Range.
The dedication is part of the 2016 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. Gov. Dayton leads the weekend festivities, which highlight the many hunting, recreational, travel and local opportunities the Mankato area has to offer visitors. More information and updates on the event can be found at www.mngpho2016.com. Explore Minnesota and the DNR are assisting the Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce in planning the event.
Montevideo has a population of 5,500 and is located 130 miles west of the Twin Cities at the intersections of U.S. highways 212 and 59, and Minnesota Highway 7. The city actively promotes hunting and outdoor recreation. Within 25 miles of Montevideo, there are 25 Walk-In Access areas totaling 3,335 acres, 16 Waterfowl Production Areas totaling 4,366 acres and 76 WMAs totaling 47,004 acres. All are open to public hunting.