Aiming down range

Shooting sports just got a pretty big upgrade in Eddy County, just in time for hunting season.

Jess Bush, an active member of the Eddy County Rod & Gun Club, said a number of great new features have now been installed at the shooting range just a few miles northeast of New Rockford.

The range has been a staple in the area since its creation around a decade ago, and an essential hub for local shooting sports enthusiasts, hunters and clubs.

According to Bush, many of the range's new features will be of particular interest to bow hunters in the area, the most noticeable change being a newly-constructed archery platform that gives bow hunters an elevated position to practice from.

"[The platform] is 14 feet high with steel stairs," said Bush. "It's a platform to shoot off of, so instead of getting into a ladder stand or a tree stand, you have the opportunity to just walk up there for practice."

With bow hunting season in North Dakota officially underway as of Friday, Sept. 1, the new platform could be a great way for hunters to sharpen their aim before hitting the field this fall or winter.

But of course, any good shooting range needs targets to shoot at, and the range in Eddy County has plenty of new ones.

For bow hunters, a new shooting bag and three 3D targets of a deer, a bear and a coyote have been placed at varying distances from the new archery platform, offering realistic targets to practice on.

Also at the range are new silhouette targets of a bobcat, a coyote and an antelope in the rifle range, and even more are due to arrive soon for the pistol range.

The new features and improvements at the range offer a more well-rounded experience for local shooters and hunters. Anyone interested in seeing the new features are encouraged to stop by and check them out.

The range is located about 5 miles east of New Rockford on Highway 15, and it's open every day for those looking to practice their shooting.

The range is operated and maintained by the Eddy County Rod & Gun Club, and Bush said the new features are made possible through donations from the New Rockford Lions Club and Eagles Club, as well as the Rod & Gun Club’s annual raffle.

The grand prize for this year’s raffle is a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle, and tickets are available at many local businesses in New Rockford. The vehicle will be given away to one lucky individual on Oct. 7.

Money from the raffle is used by the Rod & Gun Club to maintain the local shooting range and purchase new targets and features like the ones they recently added.

Those interested in supporting the Rod & Gun Club, as well as their chance at a brand new ATV, are encouraged to purchase a raffle ticket before the drawing is held on Oct. 7. Tickets will continue to be available at Rockets’ football home games this season, where the ATV will be on display.