New Shooting Range Opens In Watford City

Four years of hard work by the members of the McKenzie County Sportsman's Club came to fruition on July 30. Having finally had their grand opening with the brand-new range and education center.

The range and education center consists of a building containing an indoor archery range, trap simulator, and an education classroom. It sits on 40+ acres leased to the club by Brooks and Carol Kummer, in the hills southeast of Watford City, 14 archery shooting ranges dot the property. The McKenzie County Sportsman's Club's mission statement is "Provide a location to encourage responsible firearm handling and stewardship of lands. A place of education that offers a superior opportunity to expand the sporting way of life." The club will continue to offer a wide range of courses dealing with the outdoors, conservatorship, and youth programs year-round. Members first noticed a need in the Watford City community for a shooting range around 2017 when Badlands Shooting Range, a range that had been around for many years, had closed down. The McKenzie County Sportsman's Club broke ground in 2018 on the outdoor shooting ranges and began work on the building in the spring of 2021.

Those who wish to use the facilities do not need to be members of the Sportsman's Club but it helps. Nonmembers will only have access Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday while members have access seven days a week. Summer hours are noon-5 p.m., for nonmembers, and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. for members. Winter hours are noon-5 p.m. indoors or sunset outdoors for nonmembers; and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. indoors or sunset outdoors for members.

The McKenzie County Sportsman's Club range and education center is located at 2306 121X Ave. NW. Family memberships are $250 a year. Individuals, veterans, and seniors are $200 a year from purchase date. If a person wishes to purchase a lifetime membership the cost is $4,000 and the individual will receive a commemorative firearm. The office can be reached by phone at 701-978-8129.