Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offering special rates to celebrate National Shooting Sports Month

MAYFLOWER, Ark. – Officials with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said the organization is offering special rates in celebration of National Shooting Sports Month.

Officials said the Fiocchi Shooting Sports Complex and the Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center Shotgun Range will offer special deals through August to help outdoors enthusiasts “knock the rust off” before the beginning of hunting season in September.

Fiocchi complex manager Bill Haynes said nearly everyone can enjoy the special promotions taking place throughout the month.

“Anyone aged 6 to 17 or 65 years and older can shoot for free all month long at the rifle and pistol ranges,” Haynes said. “We do ask that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult, but the kids can shoot for free.”

Anyone who purchased a new rifle or pistol in the last 60 days can show a receipt at the desk and have a free day of shooting to get familiar with their new firearm, too.

“Show us your hunting or fishing license if you’ve renewed since July 1, and we’ll give you a free day on the rifle or pistol range as well,” Haynes said.

With dove season right around the corner, shotgun enthusiasts may want to take advantage of the special deal being offered for trap and skeet shooting at both the Fiocchi Shooting Sports Complex and Grandview Prairie Shooting Range, with all rounds of trap and skeet at both ranges at $2 throughout August.

“We’d honestly give those rounds for free, but we need to be able to pay for the cost of the targets,” Haynes said. “If you’ve ever bought clays at the store to shoot in the backyard, you know that $2 still isn’t enough to cover the cost.”

Hayes said the Fiocchi complex is hosting a family weekend beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 9 & 10. The rifle and pistol ranges will be free for the event, he said, and staff will be serving up hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Aug. 16 & 17 is ladies’ weekend at Fiocchi, where shooting at any station is free. Hayes said that instructors will be on hand for those who want to learn shooting.

Grandview is also hosting on Aug. 2 & 30, where anyone over 6 years old can shoot two rounds of trap or skeet at no cost whatsoever.

“We’ll supply the shells, the clays and even a loaner shotgun for two rounds at the Grandview range,” Nick Adams, range manager for the AGFC, said. “We want visitors to come out and see our Grandview facility, enjoy a few games and celebrate National Shooting Sports Month with us.”