Hello Shooters:

Here's the December update on Arizona Game and Fish Department shooting sports activities.

St. John's shooting range

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has taken another step toward the acquisition of the St. John's shooting range. At its December meeting, the commission directed the department to work with Apache County to transfer the lands. The next step is up to the Apache County Board of Supervisors, which must also approve the proposal. The ultimate goal is for the Northeastern Arizona Sportsman's Association to operate the range under a lease agreement with the Game and Fish Department.

Future management options for the Ben Avery Shooting Facility

The Arizona Game and Fish Department continues to work on three possible options for future operation of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility and Ben Avery Clay Target Center. The options are (1) taking over operation of the clay target center when the current vendor agreement expires in 2006, (2) drafting an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Phoenix to allow the city to operate the clay target center and (3) issuing a request for proposals inviting business groups or individuals to submit proposals to operate either the entire Ben Avery facility or just the clay target center.

The request for proposals was issued Dec. 6. Responses are due by 3 p.m. MST on March 3, 2006. The department will evaluate all three options to determine which is most beneficial for Arizona shooters. A decision is expected by May or June 2006. Click here for more information.

Northern Arizona Regional Shooting Facility

More than 50 people attended the department's Oct. 29 open house in Flagstaff to offer comment on potential range sites. The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has whittled down a list of 11 sites near Flagstaff to the top five. They are: Willard Springs, Winona Pit, Cochrane Hill, Cedar Tank and Telephone Range.

Operations improvements at Ben Avery

The department continues its improvements at the range. Four temporary range coordinators have joined our team and work has begun to improve our volunteer line safety officer (LSO) program. We're working with the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association to improve LSO training, scheduling and volunteer rewards. The department hopes to team up with Phoenix-area clubs, colleges and universities to expand our cadre of volunteers. The LSO recruitment and training program is progressing and expected to be fully implemented by March.

A lighting installation and improvement project on the main and small-bore ranges is expected to begin in January 2006, and our new hunter education range is closer to completion.

Construction update. In January, look for the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin an improvement project on the freeway interchange at Carefree Highway. ADOT will install traffic lights and add another lane on the overpass to help relieve those westbound backups. Meantime, the city of Phoenix continues its right-of-way utility work along Carefree Highway. Be patient:  Entrances to the facility will be moving around a bit in the coming months!

Scholastic Clay Target Program

Twenty-five current coaches received level 1 senior instructor training in October. Thirty new coaches received youth coach instructor training. A competitive fun shoot at Red Mountain Trap and Skeet Club on Dec. 3 drew 140 young competitors from across the state. More than 700 kids are in the program statewide.

Archery for youth

The department trained 30 young people at a half-day archery workshop on the Ft. McDowell Reservation Oct. 29.

Mark your calendar for the Arizona Shooting Showcase

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Shooting Showcase will be held March 25-26, 2006 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. It will be a rare opportunity for shooters to learn about competitive shooting and to enjoy some of the specialty ranges not normally open to the public. And, of course, it's a great chance to test the latest and greatest in firearms and archery equipment, and to talk to the manufacturers' reps. We'll have workshops on shooting, hunting and fishing, and special shooting demonstrations. For more information, visit azgfd.gov/showcase on the Web. 

Want to help your club grow? Indoor exhibit booths are available at the Showcase with a special reduced rate for sportsmen's clubs and shooting clubs! Get your booth by contacting the Showcase event coordinator, We Are Arizona, by e-mail or by telephone at (480) 219-2388. 

Get your ticket for the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association Banquet

Remember to save Jan. 21 on your calendar for the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association's annual banquet at the Sheraton Four Points, 10220 N. Metro Parkway East, Phoenix. The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and an awards ceremony. Guest speakers are Sen. Jon Kyl and NRA President Sandra Froman. Individual tickets are $35 and a table of 10 is $350. High Master group tables are also available for $380 and include a table of 10 plus an 8-foot trade/display table. For more information or to print a registration form, visit the Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association's Web site.