We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The Chinook Rod and Gun Club received official notification on August 31 that they had received a grant award from the Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) in a program to improve safety at gun and archery ranges. The local Club was among twelve awardee organizations.
Awarded through the Montana Shooting Range Grant Program, the $16,605 grant is a 50/50 split. Joe Kennedy, a Board Member with the Club, reported the proposed plan for the funds.
“We intend to use the money to help with construction of a new archery range, installation of overhead lighting at the trap range, addition of concrete picnic tables for seating at the pistol and archery ranges, and some other small improvements to existing facilities,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy went on to explain: “We cover half of the project costs and FWP covers half, but volunteer labor hours, and borrowed equipment will count towards our half and covers the majority of half.”
In conversation with Blaine County officials, Kennedy learned that workers hope to begin on the approaches within the next two weeks.
Power pole and lighting installation at the trap range are being donated by Red Rock Power. According to Kennedy, a spokesperson with that agency said it would be a few weeks before they have a truck in town that can perform the installation.
The Club is currently sourcing and pricing gravel, drill stem, and other fencing materials and hopes to begin work on the fencing as soon as the approaches are installed and fencing materials purchased.
“We were hoping the grant would be awarded like normal in the beginning of July. Our intention was to try and have the project mostly completed by archery season this year, but the delay with the grant being awarded just didn’t allow for work to start as early as we wanted,” Kennedy reported.
With funds generated from the sale of state hunting licenses, the Shooting Range Grant Program has been administered by FWP since 1989. By providing partial funding to shooting clubs, private organizations, local governments, and school districts, FWP supports the establishment or improvement of shooting ranges throughout Montana. It enables local agencies to develop and enhance those facilities.
In order to generate additional funding for Club improvements, the organization will be hosting a meat shoot fundraiser on the September 23. “We had hoped to do a turkey shoot, but poultry is not readily available, so we went a different route,” Kennedy stated. “We are also conducting a raffle for a giant booze basket that was donated. Between the booze, cooler, fishing stuff, and everything else in the basket, it is worth over $1400!”
Tickets for the Summer Fun Wagon Booze Basket can be purchased from any Chinook Rod and Gun Club member.
