18-month effort received help of many in community
Young people involved in 4-H shooting sports in Hamilton County now have a nearby place to practice their skills, thanks to the completion of a 4-H shooting range located at the fairgrounds in Aurora. A ribbon cutting was held May 13 at the new range which was the result of more than a year and half of work by local 4-H leaders and others.
County 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator Christi Aycock says the project got underway in October of 2022.
“We wanted to be able to provide a range for the youth that was closer than going to the gun club in Central City,” Aycock said. “I completed a lot of research including conversations with other 4-H programs that had shooting ranges/berms.”
Aycock also reviewed National Rifle Association guidelines and checked with the Army Corps of Engineers to learn the requirements for a shooting range.
“I went to the (Hamilton County) Ag Society with our proposal and they were agreeable to us using the southwest portion of the fairgrounds near the old horse arena,” she said.
Aycock also contacted Aurora Police Chief Paul Graham and Sheriff Jeromy McCoy to get their input and blessings. A sound decibel test was also conducted at the site with Aycock’s son, Colt, shooting his .22 caliber rifle and pistol for the test.
Working with Aurora Zoning Administrator Adam Darbro, the plan also received the approval of the city’s Planning Committee and then the City Council.
“We had several meetings and question and answer sessions open to the public,” Aycock said. “With everyone in agreement, the building permit was requested and we started construction in the summer of 2023, finishing in time for the 2024 season.”
Aycock says the range was used this spring for instruction of .22 pistol and rifle disciplines and will be available for use by 4-H participants as long as there is a 4-H shooting sports instructor present. She said the facility has to have its own liability insurance which the 4-H club got through UNL.
The earthen backdrop or berm for the range is placed on the south side because there are no residences in that direction. The berm is 40 feet long, 12 feet high and is eight feet deep at the base and tapers to three feet deep at the top, which Aycock says is more than what is needed for the .22 caliber firearms used at the range.
Aycock gave credit to several individuals and groups for their support of the project, including Justin and Christina Dose of Art Dose and Sons, Inc. who donated the dirt and clay for the berm, Sean Aycock for hauling in the material and Brian Majerus for constructing the berm. She said John and Jeannie Wilkinson of J&J Tree Service donated wood chips and Travis Mooney with Mooney Metal Works donated the metal for the sign. Funding was made possible through grants from the Hamilton County 4-H Council and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Aycock said the completion of the range has already had the effect of increasing the number of 4-H members involved in shooting sports because it’s closer to home and they don’t have to pay to become members of the Central City gun club where the group used to practice.
“We are blessed to live in such a supportive and youth-oriented community and we’re excited to see the shooting sports program continue to grow in Hamilton County,” Aycock said.