Where to shoot in Southern Illinois?

[six 4 sure]

I recently had to move back home due to a minor disagreement with my former employer and I’m looking for somewhere to do some shooting. I live near Carbondale and to the best of my knowledge there are no ranges near me public or private. The last one I knew of, Crossroads, closed before I moved away two years ago.

I’d be willing to travel over an hour if I had to. Right now the only place I get to shoot is at a buddies house, but his work schedule is pretty erratic since he’s a state trooper. Shooting at his house requires a week or two advance notice. I’m looking for something a little more convenient. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have several friends that would also like to find a range.

six

 

[Mike Irwin]

A friend of mine is a professor of forestry at SIU Carbondale.

He was talking about the lack of ranges, and said that when they go they go onto some local private property.

 

[srschick]

Doesn't Rend Lake have a shooting conplex?
It may be jsut for trap/skeet though.

 

[six 4 sure]

Small world Mike. I'm heading back to SIU to finish my Masters.

I totally forgot about Rend Lake. However, after a quick trip to their home page I found that the "shooting complex" offers only trap and sporting clays.

six

 

[Don Gwinn]

That's too far south for me to help much, but maybe some of the St. Louis people can help out. I know there are ranges in the STL area; I noticed one in Belleville last time I went through, but didn't stop.

 

[bogie]

I'm pretty sure Winchester/Olin has a facility, but I think it's only handguns.

In the St. Louis area, you've got Busch Wildlife (Hwy 40 to Augusta exit, go south), and whatever they are calling Forest 44 these days (I-44 to the Beaumont (is it Antire road?) exit. Indoors for handguns, there's Bullseye on Manchester just west of Kingshighway (south side of Manchester).

West of St. Louis, you've got the St. Louis Benchrest Rifle Club (private), which is one of the best facilities in the country, and maybe worth the drive.

 

[Atticus]

Call Hick's Trading Post in Pinckneyville and ask them. If there is one, they will probably know where it is. There is an indoor bow range in Murphysburo- but I don't know if it is also a gun range or not. There is a Ranger's office in Murphysburo, and they might be able to point you to a spot south of M'boro. I grew up in C'dale- but that was a long time ago, and you could shoot nearly anywhere then. The Feds took over the Crab Orchard Wildlife area, which used to be a great place to shoot and hunt. Now, they charge you to drive through it.... and manage it with an iron fist. Good luck!

 

[Jeff White]

six 4 sure,
Send me an e-mail or PM. I'm up near Salem and have my own pistol range. Also have access to a farm near Nashville where we can shoot rifles out to about 300 meters.

Jeff

 

[six 4 sure]

Thanks for the help. I'll check into your suggestions.

Atticus, funny you should mention Hick's. I seem to be in there once a week.

six

 

[Mike Irwin]

Six,

My friend at SIU is back from vacation, so I just e-mailed him to ask if he knows of any ranges in the area.

I figure I'll hear back from him Monday unless he has late office hours today, which I doubt.

Fridays tend to be the "Faculty Margarita Backstroke Competitions..."