North Dakota: Flooding Affects Shooting Ranges, Moffit to Hold Public Sight-in Days

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High water and the after-effects of flooding along the Missouri River will likely keep some public shooting ranges closed throughout the fall.

MacLean Bottoms range south of Bismarck, Wilton Mine range near Wilton, and Lewis and Clark range south of Williston are all closed until further notice.

Schmidt Bottoms range south of Mandan and Riverdale Wildlife Management Area range near Riverdale remain open.

To alleviate congestion in the Bismarck-Mandan area, the Bismarck-Mandan Rifle and Pistol Association, in cooperation with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, will host several public sight-in days over the next two months at their club shooting range near Moffit.

Jon Hanson, Game and Fish Department hunter education and range grant coordinator, said area residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, especially with MacLean Bottoms and Wilton ranges closed due to flooding.

“The only public range available in the area is at Schmidt Bottoms south of Mandan,” Hanson said. “It is relatively small, and will most likely be crowded as hunting season approaches.”

To help minimize traffic at Schmidt Bottoms, Hanson said BMRPA has agreed to provide opportunities for the general public. In addition to a public sight-in weekend already scheduled for Oct. 1-2 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.), public shooters are invited to BMRPA Sept. 9, 4-7 p.m.; Sept. 23, 4-7 p.m.; Sept. 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Oct. 14, 4-7 p.m.; Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Oct. 29, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Shooters must abide by club rules, Hanson said, which are listed on the BMRPA website,bmrpa.org. “All participants are asked to respect the property, in addition to other shooters,” Hanson said.

The BMRPA club range is located near Moffit at 13839 262 St. SE. GPS coordinates are N 46°39′5.4″ W -100°22′30.7″. A printable map with directions is available on the BMRPA website.

Shooters sighting in firearms should always wear hearing and eye protection, keep their gun pointed in a safe direction, keep fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot, keep guns unloaded until ready to use, and identify the target and know what is beyond.