Proposed GF&P Black Hills Shooting Range Scuttled

      A proposed world-class state shooting range outside Rapid City has been shot down by a legislative committee.

      South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks officials touted the gun range as filling a need and possibly having a large economic impact on the region and the state from the estimated 100,000 users per year.

     Lawmakers also heard from neighboring ranchers opposed to the project. They raised noise, safety, and traffic concerns as well as the economic impact on Meade County taxpayers from maintaining roads getting such heavy use. 

        Most said they didn’t necessarily oppose the idea of a major gun range in the Black Hills, they just felt this was the wrong place for one.