Two hundred yards, two football fields or 600 feet.
For the average hunter that carries a rifle during a Michigan hunting season a 200 yard shot is often out of range.
But for those hunters that wish to try for a longer shot the Ortonville Shooting Range, 5380 Sawmill Road in the Ortonville Recreation Area in Lapeer County has something new to offer.
‘It was hard to find a place for a 200 yard shot,? said Charlie Brauer, chief range officer.’We are the only state run shooting range that provides that distance. Many of those interested in shooting that far do so for competition or for hunting out west where 200 yard shots are more common. Any gun will reach that far it’s about consistency and groupings of shots.
The Ortonville Shooting Range was closed in early August for the renovations which also included replacement of the wooden shooting tables with 26 cement benches. In addition to additional stations, a 10 yard range is available for pistols.
‘Many shooters come to the range year around but it really picks up in the fall,? he said. ‘It’s important to keep up the skill set for shooting. While the new accommodations make the Ortonville Shooting Range a premier facility, safety is still the top priority added Brauer.
The new additions were funded by $4 shooting fee and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, from a 10 percent tax on ammunition and firearms used for sport hunting, and earmarked the proceeds to be distributed to the States for wildlife restoration. The range also features 3-D archery: nine stations, from 12-26 yards. Shotgun patterning ranges, hand trap ranges, 10, 25, 50,100 and 200 yard ranges.
The range is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Last shot fired at 4:45 p.m. Nov. 1-15, every day. Nov.16-Sept. 30 Thursday-Monday and Oct. 1-31, Wednesday-Monday.