The Northern Arizona Shooting Range has been open for business for more than two years. However, the "back story" on this range dates all the way back to 1968. Yes, 46 years!
That's when a rifle and pistol range last operated in the area. In 1994, the area's only shotgun and archery range closed.
And that's when the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD) first began efforts to create another shooting range. We remember those days well back in 1994-95. Everyone was filled with optimism and a "can do" attitude. No one back then could have ever dreamed it would take EIGHTEEN years to finally open up another shooting range.
The fact that the Northern Arizona Shooting Range (NASR) actually exists is a genuine, lasting testimony to dogged determination, a "never give up, never give in" attitude and untold hours of truly hard work by seemingly countless people. Standing at the top of the list of humans who made are members of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Without their steadfast, relentless support, it's unlikely the NASR would have ever come into existence.
It's an amazing story, actually, filled with unexpected twists and turns and outright dead ends. We're hoping someday somebody actually writes a book about it. We know of no other example of both bureaucratic and citizen persistence that spanned so many years in the quest for a common goal. A book-length description of this seemingly endless process could and should serve as an inspiration to others who might have given up hope on achieving their goal(s) against what often appeared to be overwhelming odds.
At the July 7, 2012, opening ceremonies for NASR, AZGFD Director Larry Broyles, sais the NASR will give future generations a place to learn an important skill they believe is crucial to being an American.
“Those shots down range mean the new hunters and the new sportsmen that’ll come along and carry the banner for conservation as we move into this 21st Century," Broyles said, adding, "But more than that, what you’ll hear reverberate is the sound of freedom.”
AZGFD spent over one million dollars to acquire ranch land east of Flagstaff and south of Winona. Years were spent in planning and development of the site.
Here are some snippets we have gleaned from various online articles about the NASR. There are also some links below these snippets. We plan to add more narrative, maps, and information about the NASR. In the meantime, please visit NASR's fine website and also please plan to visit and use the new range.
Individual memberships are only $25 a year and we encourage you to join if for no other reason than to show your support for this awesome facility.
We plan to visit the NASR at least once a month to participate in the Flagstaff Action Pistol Club's IDPA matches. We hope our Dear Friends will join us to enjoy the new range and show support for Arizona's newest IDPA group.
(Editor's Note: Bear in mind these paragraphs are from a multitude of online sources and they will require further editing, etc.)
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission finalized the purchase of the 160-acre Foster Ranch property in Coconino County for the future site of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range.
“This is a historic moment for a project that has spanned nearly 15 years,” said Game and Fish Commission Chair Jennifer Martin. “After evaluating nearly 50 properties, Foster Ranch was the best choice that meets our objectives for a public shooting range in the Flagstaff area.”
Northern Arizona residents have been without a rifle and pistol shooting range since 1968. In 1994, closures of the local shotgun and archery ranges resulted in one of Arizona’s largest communities being without a designated place for recreational shooting.
The $1.1 million property purchase came at no expense to taxpayers, state or local.
Because the Game and Fish receives no tax dollars from the state’s general fund and operates under a user-pay, user-benefit model, the property was purchased and will be developed through the sale of licenses to hunters and anglers.
A $3 surcharge is imposed on hunting and fishing licenses to acquire, construct, renovate, or improve Game and Fish facilities. The fund for the development of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range was established beginning in 2001.
Before any development of the property can take place, there is a multitude of logistical planning required, including an environmental compliance checklist; coordination with the Coconino National Forest and Coconino County; developing a scope of work and timelines; and providing the public opportunities to give input to assist in the development of this local range.
Other factors such as funding, process time for of environmental compliances, resources, and weather will dictate a phased-in development approach of the Northern Arizona Shooting Range over the next three years and beyond.
Game and Fish has spent the last 15 years seeking to establish a shooting range in northern Arizona. Some of the past key events include:
- 1995-2003 – Attempted Bellemont land exchange with Coconino National Forest (CNF).
- 2005-2009 – Willard Springs site identified as alternate for land exchange with CNF.
- March 2009 – Begin 90-day re-evaluation of alternate sites due to 2019 estimation to complete land exchange for Willard Springs property.
- May 2009 – Criteria for eliminating potential alternate sites identified based on public survey: located within 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff; sized for a local range with potential to expand to regional range; and the ability to be operational by 2013.
- June 2009 – Three sites recommended, all require land exchange with CNF.
- Sept. 2009 – Foster Ranch added to recommended properties for consideration.
- Dec. 2009 – Site selection reduced to three properties, including Foster Ranch.
- May. 2010 – Commission approves purchase of Foster Ranch.
- July 2010 – Purchase of property completed.
http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/View-draft-master-plan-for-shooting-range-at-open-house.shtml
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