The U.S. Forest Service and the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries have partnered to create a new shooting range located in the Conecuh National Forest in south Alabama. State, federal, and local officials will hold a grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thurs., Sept. 26, 2013. The public is invited to attend and to enjoy the shooting range after the event.

The facility includes a 10-station, 100-yard shooting range and a 10-station, 50-yard shooting range. Adjacent to the 100-yard shooting range is a shotgun shooting area for people who bring their own clay targets and thrower. The ranges are wheelchair accessible and have concrete walkways for downrange access to the target lines. The facility is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

A valid Alabama hunting, wildlife heritage, Wildlife Management Area license, or daily U.S. Forest Service permit ($3 per car) is required for all shooting range users between the ages of 16 and 64. Licenses can be obtained by visiting the license section of www.outdooralabama.com, by calling 1-888-848-6887, or from various outdoors retailers. For a limited time, the daily Forest Service permit will be free.

The Conecuh Shooting Range grand opening also kicks-off the 20th anniversary of Public Lands Day, an event that raises awareness of how volunteers can work to improve and restore various public lands in an effort to preserve America’s natural heritage.

Directions from Andalusia: Take Alabama Hwy. 29 west approximately 20 miles to County Road 11 (just across the Escambia County line). Turn left at Dixie Community and travel south on County Road 11 approximately six miles to County Road 4 (County Road 11 dead ends into County Road 4). Turn right and the shooting range will be less than a one-half mile on the left before Parker Springs Road. GPS coordinates: N 31.0674000, W 086.7963167.