OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Machickanee Forest site in Oconto County was closed after complaints of stray bullets hitting nearby homes.
Now, three years later, Monty Brink, Oconto County Forest Administrator tells WLUK improvements are just about done.
“They put it first on their list this spring. It’s been a long time coming,
Brink says for the past two weeks, Oconto County Highway crews have been busy sculpting the framework for a new shooting range.
“It was facing east to west. You shot to the east. There were houses a quarter mile away, to the east”.
Oconto County leaders closed the range, after complaints of stray bullets hitting homes nearby.
Brink says a new design directs shooting to the north and east, four and a half miles away from the closest home. The dirt berms will be higher, and canopies over the 20 firing lines, should help shooters concentrate.
“So all you can see if you’re shooting from the bench like you’re supposed to, all you’ll be able to see is the target”
Improvements also include security cameras.
“We’re not here 24-7, so it will be a live feed on the internet” The range will be open four days a week. Volunteers and staff will be there to supervise.
People who live in the area, like Dave Behrend, say the improvements are needed.
“It won’t be the free-handed people coming out here, doing what they wish. That was the problem the first time. The people who are most affected in that part of town, will be happier with what is taking place. It’s not exactly what they want, but it is better than what they had”
In the meantime, crews expect to be on the Machickanee range for another three weeks.
Construction on the firing line is expected to begin in the summer.
The cost of the project is about $175,000, and is being paid for through grants and shooting range fees.
As of now, the range is scheduled to reopen in the fall.
