Among my life goals is to continue learning and growing, and saying yes to new, fun opportunities. The outdoors offers a large variety of new adventures to explore. There’s something special about gathering your courage to try something new. Pursuing the challenge of learning something new is something I hope I never outgrow.
As an adult-onset hunter (someone who didn’t grow up hunting and was introduced to it as an adult), I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Wildlife Department’s shooting ranges. I was 40 years old when I met a coworker at the Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area shooting range and shot a firearm for the first time. I’m so thankful that I didn’t stay on the sidelines and didn’t let fear hold me back. And I’m also thankful for kind coworkers and friends who have encouraged me on this journey and gave of their time and knowledge to teach me.
When we talk about passing along a skill or wisdom, we typically assume the knowledge is passed to the next generation. But there’s also an opportunity to share what you know with your peers: friends, coworkers, siblings. If you’re considering taking someone hunting or teaching them about firearms this season, consider broadening your view of the people you can invite. Who around you might be interested in learning about shooting or hunting? It’s not only the next generation that can benefit from someone reaching out to see if they’re interested in learning a new skill!
As the new shooting range coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, I look forward to building safe, accessible ranges where many people will share similar stories to mine. I’m hoping they will remember the exact ODWC range where they shot a firearm for the first time and start on a path of even more firsts as they continued their hunting or shooting sports journey.
I hope to hear stories of parents who take their sons and daughters to a range to teach them how to sight-in their rifle before deer season. I hope to hear stories of friends who meet up at a range to spend time together practicing their target shooting. I hope to hear stories of brothers who take their sister to a range to practice with her new pistol.
I want the adage “if you build it they will come” to apply to all ODWC shooting ranges. Currently 15 ranges are open statewide (many of them new or renovated) with more to come. And I hope these ranges encourage hunters and sport shooters to continue to hone their skills and stay engaged for years to come.
The building process for ODWC ranges might not go as quickly as we all might like, but each new or renovated range brings more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in our great state.
I encourage you to visit an ODWC shooting range near you and add to your own collection of stories about your outdoor adventures.
The Wildlife Department has been busy building and renovating shooting ranges across the state. Learn about four newly opened ranges and how the facilities play a vital role in supporting Oklahoma's hunters and sport shooters.
Up Next: Shooting Range Work Advances at Full Bore