ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610220044
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: HUNTING
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
Two Roanoke Valley gun clubs are scheduled to open their ranges to sportsmen who want to sight-in guns before the hunting season. Ranges also are available in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
``A good, ethical hunter should make sure of his gun,'' said Harvey Bulaski of the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club.
The club has scheduled its annual sighting-in days 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and Nov.3, Bulaski said. The annual event attracts about 250 shooters.
Facilities will be provided for center-fire rifles, pistols and black-powder guns. Along with their guns and ear protection, participants should bring the ammo they plan to use for hunting. Benchrests, targets, spotting scopes and coaches will be provided.
There will be a $2-per-gun fee, Bulaski said.
The range can be reached by traveling south from Roanoke on Virginia 116 over Windy Gap Mountain into Franklin County, then left for one mile on Virginia 678, and left on a dirt road near an RRRC mailbox. For additional information, call 343-9040 after 6 p.m.
The Ridge Rifle Club has scheduled three public sighting-in days. Sunday is the first and will be dedicated to muzzleloaders only, said Larry Martin, a club spokesman. The hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Nov.3 and Nov.10, the club's ranges will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for center-fire guns only.
The fee will be $2 per gun. Spotting scopes, targets, bore sights and coaches will be furnished.
The range is 4.5 miles north of Fincastle on U.S. 220. Look for the signs on the left side going north. Additional information is available from Wilber Byer, 362-8568, Jim Roberts, 473-2415, and Bill Dowdy, 389-3322.
The Blacksburg Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests has an excellent public range west of Blacksburg available for sighting-in. It is a ``do-it-on-your-own'' facility open daily during daylight hours.
The facility has 18 shooting positions, 10 of them benchrests under cover, and eight prone positions, said Ranger Bill Compton.
To avoid heavy-use periods, Compton recommends sportsmen use the facility during midweek.
``Cooperation among the users has been great,'' he said.
Target positions are spaced at 25, 50 and 100 yards. Shooters should bring targets and everything else they need. There is no charge to use the range, however, donations are welcome for the upkeep of the facility.
The range can be reached by traveling west on U.S. 450 from Blacksburg for about three miles, then right on Craig Creek Road (Virginia 621). Go about a quarter-mile and look for a sign on the left. Instructions on range use are posted at the facility.
The forest service also has other ranges open to the public, including facilities in Alleghany, Wythe and Bath counties.
The Alleghany County range is located between Clifton Forge and Covington. It can be reached by taking Exit 21 off Interstate 64 and following Virginia 616 for about 1.6 miles.
The Wythe County facility is near the Stoney Fork Campground on Virginia 717. Take the last exit before hitting the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel on Interstate 77, and turn left on Virginia 717. Follow Virginia 717 about 500 yards and turn right on the road that leads to the state maintenance building. Just before reaching the building , turn left and drive about a half-mile to the range
The Bath County range is located off Virginia 39 five miles east of Warm Springs.
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