DWR Press Release
DWR shooting range hosts free open house
SALT LAKE CITY — If learning how to shoot a bow and arrow or a shotgun sounds like fun — but you don’t have much experience shooting — come to the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range on Aug. 4.
August is National Shooting Sports Month. The Division of Wildlife Resources is kicking the month off by holding an open house at the range from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. on Aug. 4. You can shoot on the archery, handgun and rifle ranges for free. And, on the trap and skeet shotgun ranges, you can shoot one round of trap or skeet for half off the regular price.
The Lee Kay Public Shooting Range is at 6000 W. 2100 S. in Salt Lake City.
Learn how to shoot
Blanche Smith, the range’s manager, says the open house is a perfect way to learn about recreational shooting. “DWR staff, range safety volunteers and partners from the shooting sports community will be available to teach you how to shoot,” she says.
If you don’t have your own equipment, bows and arrows and .22 rifles will be available to use. “Thanks to a generous donation from Scheel’s, free .22 and shotgun ammunition will also be available to shoot,” Smith says.
The free ammunition supply is limited, though, and per person limits apply. “If you don’t bring ammunition with you,” she says, “you’ll want to arrive early to give yourself the best chance to shoot.”
Smith says basic instruction will be offered at each of the shooting ranges. “You can learn a variety of skills,” she says, “including how to shoot a bow and arrow accurately, how to hit flying targets with a shotgun and how to pattern a shotgun and sight in a rifle. If you have your own bow and arrows, a shotgun, handgun, rifle or muzzleloader, make sure to bring them with you.”
Classes
In conjunction with the open house, the DWR will host a Handgun Basics and an Archery Turkey Hunting class at the range on Aug. 4. Space is limited, and registration is required:
- The Handgun Basics class will be taught from 10–11 a.m. Register online.
- The Archery Hunting for Turkey class runs from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Register online.
Dog demos, booths
When you’re not participating in the shooting activities, visit the dog demonstration area. You can watch trained hunting dogs leap into a pond to retrieve decoys. They’ll also perform impressive feats on land. You can also visit several booths staffed by members from local shooting sports clubs and various wildlife conservation organizations.
If you have questions about the open house, call the range at 801-972-1326.