LCC gears up again Range to open Sunday

LAKESHORE -- Opening Day will be Sunday, May 2, at Lakeshore Conservation Club.

The trap, skeet and rifle range west of Brainerd will open its gates from noon to 4 p.m. and is looking ahead to an exciting season of shooting.

During May the club will be open Sundays only. After Memorial Day weekend, the Sunday of which will feature a potluck lunch, the club will also be open 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Members, who number about 200, will especially appreciate one new feature this year. They now can sign up for specific time slots on the skeet range. In the past you showed up, put your name on the list, then stood around for an hour or longer waiting for the group ahead of you to finish. Now if you're signed up for, say, 2 p.m. and you pull in the gate at 1:55 you can uncase your gun, walk to the range and begin shooting in five minutes.

"You're guaranteed your time but you're also responsible to be there at that time," said Steve Weagel, club organizer. "Time slots are first-come, first-served. The schedule will be set on the half hours. You're responsible to move through the course in your half hour. That way more people can get in a round of skeet, or two or three."

Youth Day is scheduled for May 22 and is open to kids under age 18. Each will get a personal shooting instructor. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also new this year is a youth trap league, featuring an eight-round season that begins May 30.

That's also the starting date for adult leagues, featuring trap and skeet leagues. Adult league members will have a 12-round season. Two rounds must be completed by June 20. Cost is $20 for members, and a 10-round ticket can be purchased for $35 for trap or skeet. Non-members and members who walk up for a round pay $5 per round. July 4 weekend is the bye weekend for league shooters.

June 19 is Greenwing Day, sponsored by Crow Wing County's local Ducks Unlimited chapters. More information on this day will be available later.

Rifle range is open Saturdays, with 100- and 25-yard ranges available.

For league and general information, phone 963-3130, 829-4124, 829-6739, or 543-4321.