Nockamixon Firing Range

[crlovel]

How long has the firing range at Nockamixon been closed now?

Thanks,

Chris

[Mike45]

It's been a number of years now CR, fear of lead contamination and concern for homes too close to the range is what I heard. Called the PGC a couple of years ago and they said that they hoped to clean up the lead some day, rebuild the backstops and reopen.
Until then...Wicens.
Mike45

[crlovel]

Actually, I live about 15 minutes from Wicens, but I've never been. I'm a member of Paletown Rod and Gun Club, which is down off of 313, not far past 563.

I used to go to Nockamixon all the time. A friend and I were talking about it the other day, we were just trying to remember when exactly it was closed. I don't know how much I miss that range or not, though. I saw a LOT of stupid stuff there.

[ErSwnn]

Gotta agree with you CR....a lot of stupid people doing stupid things at Nockamixon, ruined it for the rest of us. I work with a former Ranger from the park and another reason for the closing was accidents and suicides.

[SigShooter]

Back in February, I saw a press release from 2005 stating that this range has been closed for repair. I sent an email to the PA Game Commission to ask about the status of the project. This is the response I got:

"According to the Southeast Region office, as of this time, the range will not be reopened due to environmental and safety issues."

[Mosinshooter762]

Gotta agree with you CR....a lot of stupid people doing stupid things at Nockamixon, ruined it for the rest of us. I work with a former Ranger from the park and another reason for the closing was accidents and suicides.

Suicides? I'm not aware of many suicides, or for that matter, any deaths at the PGC Nockamixon Shooting Range. Is there more to this?

[AZajack]

About a year ago I also wrote PGC and got the stock reply. At that point I wrote my state senator and state Representative they both enquired of the PGC and sent me copies of the same letter that I received it appears that they don't want a public range in southeastern PA the keep them open where you don't need them and can shoot targets from your back porch
Andy

[Toxicodendron11]

I posted this on the range thread but thought it would be good to post here too. This was forwared to me from my local Representitive, when I question him on SGL ranges.


"Rep. Clymer, Thank you for your email on the ranges. As you know we have been doing lead remediation on our ranges to get ahead of anticipate environmental requirements. We are also taking the opportunity and reconstructing them to insure the safest environment we can. The best way to inform your constituents is to refer them to our website; www.pgc.state.pa.us. On that page click on state game lands in the left hand column. The second paragraph in the center, click on public shooting ranges. There will be a lot of information including directions below the map. In the map click on the specific range and it will tell you when we anticipate the range being reopened. If you are referring specifically to SGL 157, that one is a little more complicated. We are planning on reopening it in 2009. There is a wetlands there and we have some concerns on the range orientation. We are looking to see if additional safety measures are needed due to proximity to housing areas. We anticipate is reopening in late spring of next year. Hope this answers your question."

[titantornado]

Ahhh, so that's where they are dumping the deer now. Before then, they were dumping them at the old 200 yard range there. (BTW, does anyone even know there use to be a 200 yard range there at one time?) Good sign that if they switched to dumping carcasses at the 100 yd range, they have little desire to fix and reopen.

Further, what wetlands? The range isn't near wetlands. There is a very small creek about 1000 ft behind the backstop, but that's all. Also, what housing areas? Take a look at Google Maps and then zoom out and find the closest house down-range. The closest would be a mile and a half through thick forest, and on the other side of the Northern ridge of Haycock Mountain. This also questions their "orientation" concern. It sounds like a load of droppings to me.

[ErSwnn]

How did you get info on deer being dumped there? I've been anxiously waiting for this range to reopen and that news does not bode well for my anticipation. And no, I was never aware of a 200yd. range. I too was wondering about the orientation issue since there is virtually no way a shot could hit anything but trees at any trajectory other than 90º west from the firing line.