Page 8 - 2019 MAR/APR Outdoor Oklahoma

PANHANDLE STATE HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING

FOR SHOOTING SPORTS FACILITY

MEGHAN GATES/OPSU His father was a 1931 alum-
nus of OPSU, then known as
Panhandle Agricultural and
Mechanical College. He said
the shooting complex “will
do great things for Oklahoma
Panhandle State University,
and it will do a lot of great
things to support the hunting,
fishing, archery shooting and
all of the outdoor sports that
the Wildlife Department, and
a lot of the youth that are out
here today, support.”
The Wildlife Department is
Supporters turn dirt during a groundbreaking. From left are Texas County several years into a campaign
Commissioner Jack Strain, Panhandle State Foundation President David Petty,
Oklahoma A&M Regent Tucker Link, Oklahoma A&M Chairman Calvin Anthony, to build or renovate existing
OPSU President Tim Faltyn, Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioner John shooting ranges on its public
Groendyke, Oklahoma A&M Regent Doug Burns, Wildlife Department Director J.D. use areas across Oklahoma.
Strong, Oklahoma A&M Regent Joe Hall, Chris Hinchey, OPSU Vice President of Renovated ranges are open
Outreach Ryan Blanton.
at Lexington and Cherokee
Work is underway on a state-of-the-art shooting sports complex Wildlife Management Areas. Other renovations are now under-
near Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell. The way at Pushmataha and Beaver River WMAs.
construction phase was kicked off with a recent groundbreaking Set for future renovation are shooting ranges at James Col-
ceremony attended by Oklahoma A&M Regents, OPSU staff and lins, Okmulgee, Canton, Fort Gibson, Fort Supply, Hickory
faculty, students, and representatives from the Oklahoma Depart- Creek, Texoma-Washita Arm and Optima WMAs. And new
ment of Wildlife Conservation and OPSU Foundation. shooting ranges are to be built at Atoka, Kaw, Copan, Hugo,
OPSU President Tim Faltyn announced that the centerpiece Packsaddle and Sandy Sanders WMAs.
building at the complex would be named the John D. Groendyke These and other similar
Wildlife Conservation Center, honoring the longtime member of projects are funded with
the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission who made a grants from the federal LANCE MEEK/ODWC
generous donation to cap a fundraising campaign for the building. Wildlife and Sport Fish
“The OPSU shooting sports complex would not be happening Restoration Program.
if it had not been for the tireless support and generosity of John Anglers, hunters and out-
D. Groendyke,” Faltyn said. doors enthusiasts pay an
“This range is going to teach people that this part of our excise tax when they buy
heritage … is something to be proud of, and it can make us goods related to outdoor
all better if we use it right.” The new complex will be a tool to activities. That tax revenue
educate about shooting and firearms but also to illustrate safe is distributed back to the
and responsible use. individual states. So each
OPSU recently added shooting sports teams — archery, rifle, time an Oklahoman buys
shotgun and pistol — to its athletics lineup. a license or outdoors-re-
The Wildlife Department was able to leverage federal Wildlife lated merchandise, he or
and Sportfish Restoration funding to help with project costs. The she is supporting import-
Department will be able to use the complex for educating the ant conservation efforts
public about safe firearms use, responsible hunting practices and such as installing boat Wildlife Conservation Commissioner
more. The complex will also be open for use by student groups ramps or increasing hunt- John D. Groendyke speaks during
such as FFA and 4-H, and the community at large. ing access. the groundbreaking ceremony for
Panhandle State University’s shooting
Groendyke is currently chairman of the Wildlife Conser- (Panhandle State Campus sports complex. The facility’s
vation Commission and chairman of the board of Groendyke Communications assisted building will be named in his honor to
Transport, among the nation’s largest motor carrier companies. with this article.) recognize his generous donation.

6 Off the Beaten Path

OutdoorOK-2019-March-April.indd 6 2/18/19 9:33 AM