The Property Owners Association gun range, located just outside of the city limits on the far western edge of Bella Vista, offers opportunities for shooters to sharpen their skills with pistols, rifles and shotguns.
The 25-yard pistol range has covered shooting positions and a covered waiting area. The 100-yard rifle range has a trio of covered shooting benches.
The trap and skeet field, further down the road, features three trap fields and two skeet fields. Targets are provided for free with an electronic management system.
"You get trap and skeet both out here," range master Carrol Harless said. "We've also got a wobble trap if they want to shoot that."
Members and guests need to bring their own guns and ammunition. Guests are only permitted to use the ranges if they are with a member.
It's important, Harless said, to follow the posted rules. They're in place to keep everyone safe, he said.
"I try to enforce all those rules, try to keep safety," Harless said.
The range is also used by the Bella Vista Police Department to keep in practice and to perform testing.
Last year, the Citizen Police Academy got a taste of what officers have to be able to do at the range.
Trap and Skeet Range Hours
• Winter hours: Nov. 2-March 31
Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Spring hours: April 1-May 31
Wednesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.-5: p.m.
• Summer hours: June 1-Sept. 15
Wednesdays 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Fall hours: Sept. 16-Oct. 31
Wednesdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The last rounds of trap and skeet shooting must commence 30 minutes prior to the range closing.
Rifle and Pistol Range Hours
Winter hours: Nov. 2-March 31
8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Spring hours -- April 1-May 31
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Summer hours -- June 1-Sept. 15
Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Sundays 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Fall hours -- Sept.16-Oct. 31
8 a.m.-6 p.m.
The key to the Rifle and Pistol Range is available daily from the Branchwood Recreation Center, starting at 8 a.m. The last key will be issued 90 minutes prior to the Rifle and Pistol Range closing. The last key must be returned to Branchwood Recreation Center by the range's closing time.
Gun Range Rules
Those age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
All Rifle & Pistol Range nonmembers must be accompanied by a member.
Keys are not issued to nonmembers.
There is a limit of four nonmembers per member.
Those 16 and older pay range fees; 15 and younger shoot for free at the Rifle and Pistol Range.
Fee payment receipts are required for access into Rifle & Pistol Range shooting area.
Members and nonmembers can use one target position per key at the Rifle and Pistol Range if others are waiting.
Directions: From Bella Vista's Town Center, take Arkansas Highway 340 West for 4.6 miles to the intersection of Arkansas Highway 279 and Highlands Boulevard. Take Highlands Boulevard for 5.8 miles. Turn west on Rocky Dell Hollow Road. Proceed 1.3 miles to the entrance of the Highlands Gun Range. Trap and Skeet is past the Rifle and Pistol Range on the left, with a sign announcing the location.
General News on 01/25/2017