By Ken Jackson
Staff Writer

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in response to demand for a range for resident use, has released the conceptual plan for a comprehensive public shooting facility to be built at the Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area near Forever Florida on the county’s east side.

The FWC held a public workshop on Tuesday at the Holopaw Community Center to get local residents comments and concerns.

Currently, the closest gun ranges available for public use are the Tenoroc Shooting Sports facility on the north side of Lakeland, and another range in Indian River County.

The plan for the facility includes 50, 100, 200 and 1,000-yard rifle ranges, known-distance and action pistol ranges, trap, skeet, sporting clays and five-stand shotgun ranges and a clubhouse that will offer space to house support facilities and hunter and gun use safety classes. Internal roadwork and restroom and other facilities are also part of the master plan.

The project will be completed in phases as funding comes available. According to County Commissioner Fred Hawkins, whose district 5 includes the eastern Osceola County area where the range is slated for, the project will be paid for through funding from local hunting and fishing permits.

“We’re moving dirt to create stock ponds, so there will be fishing there, as well,” he said.

It is Hawkins’ hope that the facility can be used to increase gun safety, recreation and community involvement.

“It will be an asset to our community that can be utilized by our citizens. It will be a place to learn about safe ownership and handling of guns, and gun owners will get to be better owners, while getting them out of the city for a bit,” he said.

“I get those kind of code enforcement calls, that people in suburban areas are hearing people shoot their guns. This facility will probably save some lives.”

The FWC and Osceola County Commission evaluated nine locations in the county for the facility and the state-owned plot on the Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area, a former orange grove, was chosen as the most suitable for the use.

Those seeking additional information can contact the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Hunter Safety and Public Shooting Ranges section at 850-413-0085.