Chief Logan Shooting Range to be Dedicated Sept. 8 at Chief Logan Lodge, Hotel and Conference Center

            The Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has completed construction of a shooting range at Chief Logan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Logan County.  “The development of a shooting range in this region of Southern West Virginia has been one of our agency’s top priorities for several years,” noted WVDNR Director Frank Jezioro.  “I’m confident this public shooting range facility will receive a great deal of use by the citizens of Logan and the surrounding counties.”

            A special dedication of the Chief Logan Shooting Range is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at 10 a.m.  The ceremony will be held at the Chief Logan Recreation Center located .5 miles off U.S. Route 119.

            The completed range has eight shooting benches with a covered shelter.  Target frames are located at 25, 50 and 100 yards.  Approximately one mile of access road was upgraded, and a parking area for 10 vehicles was constructed adjacent to the range.  “This range will provide a safe and convenient location for hunters to ‘zero in’ their rifles,” Jezioro said.  “Other shooting enthusiasts will enjoy these public facilities as well.”  The range complex has a parking space and bench accessible for physically challenged shooters.  The total cost for the construction of the shooting range complex was approximately $70,000, and the range was constructed with assistance from the following businesses and organizations:

• The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) provided the WVDNR with a $25,000 grant to support construction of the shooting range.
• The Logan Area Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) provided a $1,000 grant to support construction of the range.
• Mine Lifeline, LLC donated equipment and an operator to assist in the grading of the access road and the shooting range site.
• Jaunt, Inc. donated equipment and stone for construction purposes.
• Logan County Mine Service, a subsidiary of Massey Energy, donated hydro-seeding services to re-vegetate sites disturbed during construction.
• West Virginia Paving donated pavement millings that were used to help stabilize the access road leading to the range.

            The WVDNR also has entered into an agreement with the Coalfield Archery Club, Inc. to construct and maintain a 3-D bow range and a 50-yard bow practice range on the Chief Logan WMA.  The archery complex will be located off the access road leading to the shooting range.  The 3-D archery range will have 30 targets located along a trail through the woods and provide bow hunters with archery practice that simulates actual hunting situations.  The range will be operated and maintained by the Coalfield Archery Club, and the facility will be open to the public.

            “The development of this shooting and archery range complex in Logan County is an excellent example of cooperation among local businesses, local conservation organizations, the NRA and the WVDNR to provide area shooters with a safe place to shoot their guns and bows,” said Jezioro.  “I would like to thank the NRA, Logan Area Chapter of the NWTF, Coalfield Archery Club, Mine Lifeline, Jaunt, Logan County Mine Service and West Virginia Paving for their assistance in making this project a reality for the citizens of Southern West Virginia.”

            The new shooting and archery range complex is located on the Chief Logan WMA in Logan County.  Access to the WMA is off of U.S. Route 119 between Logan and Chapmanville and at the same exit used for the Chief Logan State Park Lodge.  The access road to the shooting range is approximately a quarter mile off of Route 119 on the road leading to the lodge.  To access the shooting range, turn left off the lodge road at the bottom of the hill and go approximately one mile to the end of the road.