ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - What better way for a hunter to enjoy bragging rights than to relax in a comfortable atmosphere, hot cup of coffee in hand, and room enough to tell the tales'
Aberdeen Proving Ground area hunters now have that luxury, thanks to the facelift the old deer shack has undergone.
Local sportsmen and the APG garrison staff gathered Jan. 22 for the grand opening of the new Hunting Management Facility, Bldg. 550B1.
The new facility features a larger building with an administrative area, kitchen and spacious gathering area, new shed for storing equipment and supplies and a new range for zeroing weapons.
Tom Ward, the facility administrator, summed up the improvements in two words: "top notch."
"Before, we only had enough room for the staff, we never had an open facility for customers," Ward said. "Now hunters have a place to gather in the morning and come rest at lunchtime."
About 40 volunteers operate the hunting facilities on Aberdeen Proving Ground, serving more than 500 hunters who regularly use the facilities, Ward said.
"You can tell they take pride in [the facility] and are happy with what you have provided them," said APG Garrison Commander Col. Orlando Ortiz, who attended the opening. "Creating something that can be enjoyed by community members and Families is what it's all about."
"Quality of life is also what it's all about. And we're not done," said APG Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Rhoades, referring to plans for family-focused activities.
Robert Ragsdale, an APG game warden with the Directorate of Emergency Services, said the upgrades were "a long time coming."
"The new range is a great improvement," he said. "It's a lot better and a lot safer than before. We're really happy that MWR and the APG Garrison put a focus on improving the appearance out here."
The event drew regular and new customers as well as former administrators like Andrew Sullivan, who started out as a customer in 1953 and Kenneth Guinther who came along in 1962. Though neither men hunt any longer, they said they were thrilled by the improvements.
"It used to be so primitive," said Sullivan, a retired master sergeant and Department of Defense civilian. "This is a dream land now."
"I never thought I'd see the day they'd have something like this," Guinther added.
A retired sergeant first class, Guinther served with APG's 543rd Military Police Company and retired a second time from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Perryville, Md.
There were several customers in attendance who agreed with the positive reviews.
Steve Schmidt and hunting partner Joe Mason go hunting twice a week, year-round.
"It's just nice to have a warm place to go instead of standing around in the cold," Schmidt said. "They've made improvements over the years but this takes it to another level."
"I think it's outstanding," Mason added. "They've always had a great crew and staff out here and this makes things even better."
"You can expect to see me out here a lot," said Annette Sanders of Army Community Service. Sanders, who is new to the area, said she was delighted to hear about the Hunting Management Facility.
"I'm from Arkansas and when I was growing up we all went to deer camp," she said. "I feel right at home here. This place looks wonderful and I'm ready to get out there."
The opening was also an opportunity to award Glenn Smit, an APG civilian whose Bowie knife won third place in the FMWR arts and crafts contest.
For more information on the hunting facility, call 410-278-4843.
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