3-D Archery opens at Fort McCoy's Sportsman’s Range

By Fort McCoy Public AffairsJune 10, 2011

3-D Archery opens at Fort McCoy's Sportsman’s Range
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT McCOY, Wis. -- The new 3-D archery range at the Fort McCoy Sportsman’s Range complex is open for use.

The range features 20 shooting points and includes a backdrop to provide a safety buffer for errant arrows.

Wood chips have been placed to mark, stabilize, and control vegetation growth along trails leading to the targets, and bow stands are placed at target points. Targets include depictions of deer, bear, rabbits, lions, snakes, dinosaurs, etc. The 3-D Archery range was designed and built with commercial sponsorships from Sparta Archery and Mathew’s as part of the Army Community Covenant partnership, said Jobi Spolum, Fort McCoy Marketing director.

Construction of Sportsman’s Range was planned after a Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) survey indicated that respondents wanted a recreational shooting range, with pistol-, rifle-, trap-, and skeet ranges and a 3-D archery range. The facility opened last fall with pistol, rifle, trap and skeet ranges.

The facility is open to authorized patrons, including Soldiers, civilian employees, Family members, retirees, government contractors working on the installation and invited guests.

The next phase of the archery range includes installation of an elevated archery platform and a sight-in/youth range. The expansion will be done by Troop Project work and tentatively is scheduled to be constructed and completed by the end of summer.

The elevated archery platform will have four lanes, with targets at 10-yard increments from 10 to 70 yards.

The sight-in/youth range will have four lanes, with targets at 10-yard increments from 10 to 60 yards.

Additional landscaping also is part of the project.

Daily fees to use the Sportsman’s Range are $4 military and $5 for other authorized patrons. Skeet and trap target costs $3.50 for a round of 25. Individual and Family memberships are available.

Rifles are available for use by authorized patrons at the facility. Other firearms/hunting accessories may be available for use in the future.

Current hours, which are in effect through September, are Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays 3-8 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sundays and holidays 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The facility may close early based on manager’s discretion.

Personnel can access the facility from State Highway 21 by entering Gate 19 and following the signs.

For more information about Sportsman’s Range go to the website http://www.mccoymwr.com/rec-a-fitness/sportsmans-lodge.html. Information also is available by calling 608-388-3517 or 1-800-531-4703.