Shooting sports — the Valley’s other summer recreation

Just like you, I read Andy Couch’s column every week to find out what’s happening with sportsfishing around the Valley. Andy is very knowledgeable and works hard to stay informed about what’s doing in the sportsfishing world. I’ve known Andy for a long time and have worked with him regarding fishing issues. When Andy speaks about fishing, I listen.

Now, having said that, I’m about to preach heresy to all you true believers in the sportsfishing world. What is this heinous thing I’m about to say? Simply this: not everybody lives and breaths sportsfishing this time of year! Some folks pursue other recreational interests which have nothing to do with fish or even water. There, I said it!

One very popular non-fishing recreational activity is shooting — either plinking, target shooting, or participating in shooting matches. The Upper Susitna Shooter’s Association has a shooting facility located at Mile 94 of the Parks Highway which is open to members and the public. The USSA provides a wide array of shooting opportunities which usually begin about mid-May.

The facility is open to the public daily except Tuesdays and Thursdays, generally from mid-May (weather permitting) to early October. I believe the hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. I don’t know the match schedules, but I do know the range generally hosts monthly action pistol, high power rifle, silhouette, and small bore matches, all of which are usually held on either Saturday or Sunday.

The site has a clubhouse and four covered firing ranges: 25, 50, 100, 200-yard, and an uncovered 1,000-yard range. Each range has shooting benches, seats, a broom and garbage can to clean up when you’re done and a brass bucket for folks who don’t reload to dispose of their fired but salvageable brass. Range rules are posted at each range.

The USSA facility has a hard and fast rule that no shooting will be allowed unless a certified range safety officer (RSO) is on site. This is done for safety and to keep things running smoothly. Since all the RSO’s are volunteers, are limited in number, and donate their time to the facility, the range is only open five days per week rather than all seven.

I joined as a member several years ago. The first thing I eventually did was take the RSO certification class when it was offered and, after successfully passing the test and receiving my National Rifle Association RSO certification card, I volunteered to help. The active RSO’s are asked to work two days per month to keep the range open as much as possible.

The other organized metallic cartridge shooting facility located in this area is the Matanuska Valley Sportsmen indoor shooting range, located on the Glenn Highway south of Palmer. This is the oldest of the shooting developments in the valley and has a nice 12-point indoor shooting range which can accommodate targets out to 25-meters. They also have outdoor 50 and 100-yard ranges. The classroom area is regularly booked for classes such as personal defense, concealed carry, a basic introduction to handguns for women, and several other types of firearms related classes. I took my RSO training at this facility.

The range has open shooting on specific days of the week and matches or classes scheduled for the remaining open times. A couple of the regularly scheduled matches I try to attend are held the second Tuesday and third Saturday of each month. The Tuesday match is for muzzleloading handguns and the Saturday match is for muzzleloading rifles.

If shotguns are more your firearm of choice, then you need to know about the Grouse Ridge Shooting Grounds, located north of Wasilla off Tex Al Drive. This facility is first-class with a beautiful log structure main building, complete with lounge and dining areas and a main desk for registering, shotgun rentals and ammunition sales. There are numerous shooting ranges located around the tree-covered grounds. They have trap, skeet, and sporting clays ranges, among others, and can configure a shooting setup for whatever is needed to accommodate shooters’ wishes. There is also a large parking area which can accommodate a lot of vehicles.

If you decide to take a break from chasing the elusive king salmon around the valley or need a rest from all the lake fishing you’ve been pursuing, consider spending a day at the shooting range of your choice. Remember, a well-rounded Alaskan Sourdough or Sourdoughette can shoot as well as fish, and it takes practice to do either well!