Posted: 3/23/2008 4:07:20 PM EDT
| Any one know if it closed or is being redone? What ever came of the full auto question when GA was going to take it over. Did GA take it over? Thanks. |
| Last I heard, somebody here happened to drive out there the day the DNR was putting up the signs stating it was closed. From what I understand they aren't sure yet when they are even going to start the project or how they will do it. Kinda seems like they just don't want anyone shooting there. With it being a state project, my personal opinion is it may be years before anyone is allow to shoot there again. |
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While my shop IS in downtown Madison, I am not familiar with the range that ya'll are referring to. I live in the boonies (south of town) with about 600 yards of powerline cut running thru my back 40, so when I want to shoot I step out the backdoor, meander about 100 yards thru my pasture, and blast away. If you can give me some good directions to the location, I'll see what I can do about cruising by one evening. Also the Georgia Outdoor News (GON) office is about 3 miles from my house and I drive by it every day on my way to work. They may have a clue as to what is going on there, or would likely be on a first name basis with whoever is running the show over there. They give the hunter safety courses at their office and I know they are real buddy-buddy with the DNR guys. |
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Can do. That's not 15 miles from me. I'll try to stop by after work tomorrow. I'll drop in at the GON office in the AM too; assuming I have a spare 2 minutes in the morning. Also assuming this feeble brain can remember to pull in their driveway as I go by. They may well have a clue as to what's going on there too. Does this place have a name that I can use to identify it with? |
Hey Mark, just deed your house over to me and I'll put up your property bond and give you a 50% discount on the legal fees! 
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Looks like I need to roll out there with a beat up 10/22 then.  So, Doug, on a serious note if shooting in the forest is okay how can they just close off part of the forest? No joking I'm willing to be a test case as long as there isn't any chance of a prison term sentence. I'd rather not be Bubba's boy toy for six months. An overnight stay doesn't worry me though. I should also talk to my DNR and LE buddies about this. Mark |
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I would imagine they have the ability to close portions of the land to public use for improvements. For public safety, if they are planning on doing construction, or there is a hazard in the area. Or as one National Park ranger told me, "I can close this park and any time for any reason and there is nothing you can do about it now move your car or have it towed." If you have some contacts... hint hint... this would be a good time to get their official reasoning. |
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Sorry it took so long to get back to ya'll, it's been a busy day..... I stopped by the Georgia Outdoor News office this morning and asked them if they knew anything about the range. One of the guys that has been there forever, (sorry, I have forgotten his name, a truly GREAT guy tho) picked up the phone and called a buddy of his at the Forestry Service. According to this contact, the range is closed. About two years ago they put in for, and have received, funds to improve the range, but have yet to do anything about it. This person at the Forestry Service said he had no idea when they may get around to implementing any changes, and that the range would remain closed for the foreseeable future. This individual would not even hazard a guess as to when the work to improve it might begin, much less when they might consider re-opening it. Kinda sounds to me (just a wild-assed guess, mind you) like they may have used the funds for some other purpose, and don't know how to go about acquiring any more to replace the money that was intended for the range..... Your tax dollars at work, or something!   
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PLEASE bear in mind that I am just running my mouth about 3rd hand info here!!!!!  But, if someone wanted to do a little research, it might be interesting to get the WHOLE unvarnished truth about the situation. If, in fact, one could ever actually ascertain what really goes on inside a government agency! |
| Still closed as of today. Drove past there @ lunch, and the sign (temporarily closed) is still up. I was told by range officer @ Wilson Shoals that there are no funds to keep it open and maintained. There are no plans in the future to reopen it, or any others. Probably the NIMBYs at work again! |