Posted: 12/3/2013 2:52:15 AM EDT
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I know that actual info on Matsell has been a little sketchy. I just quizzed friend who was there this past weekend and here's the dope.
The 200 yard range is currently fenced-off and closed. The ranger indicated that they are planning safety improvements on that range next year. And there is no more Trap Shooting off to the left. What was formerly the Pistol Range next to the 200 yard range has two lanes, on opposite ends of the firing line which are open to 100 yards. Problem is; being as this was previously a pistol range, there are no seats at the shooting benches. So, if you want to sit, better think ahead. New overhead baffles have been installed at this range. The middle lanes have a low berm at @ 25 yards running perpendicular to the line of fire. I'm not clear what this is about. The other Pistol Range is open but I'm not familiar with it. And then the Government Workers Range beyond. All of this intrusion doesn't come cheap. You must sign-up online for a $40/year range permit. Or drop $10/day in the Rangers box (like a DNR Campground). So, these changes effectively make this County Property a "Locals Only" Range. If you live nearby and plan to shoot there often, the $40 yearly isn't much of an issue. However if you just show up and want to sight-in your slug-gun, bring a sawbuck. Oh, and one for each of your kids too. Myself, I'm a member at Bob's, but I did like to go to Matsell a couple times a year and shoot 200 yards. That's closed right now and I'll never go when re-opens. That's all too bad because I thought it was a real nice range before. I heard that they made the "improvements" due to projectiles leaving the ranges. By default I don't trust this explanation. I'd like to see the full incident and investigation reports. If there was any truth to the reports, they would have made it all public. The baffles are all good and we ought to be continually looking at improving safety. But it should have been paid for by the County. They have the money. |
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I was just there this last weekend and it was the first time I've been since they reopened. First off there is seats for the benches. The short berm was there before the closure since lcc assumed this would help with ricochet. The baffles are a nice addition but altogether if I'm going to have to shell out money I was expecting more. My main gripe was that since the pistol range is now open for everyone and the 200 is still closed I was hoping they would have made it more rifle friendly. The short berm makes bench rest shooting impossible and even off hand is near impossible because of the height of the berm and the baffles. And the main rumor I've heard about stray bullets is that it was from either the trap range or that people were shooting over the berms on the rifle and someone complained.
In short linn county could have done something really nice that I would gladly drop money down for but they f**ked it up. |