From the agenda for the June 26 Commission meeting:
Ben Avery Shooting Facility Master Plan, Range Protection Zone Update. Presenter: Mike Raum, R3 Branch Chief. The Commission will be provided the quarterly update on the Department’s ongoing evaluation of future range protection zone planning as designated in the Ben Avery Shooting Facility Master Plan. The Commission may vote to take action on and provide the Department direction on this item.
It appears Mike Raum is no longer the Shooting Sports Program Branch Chief? I don't know if this was a promotion, temporary or otherwise, but he was clearly over his head with shooting sports. Hopefully they will continue to re-evaluate this program. I know Ben Avery has been the premiere shooting range, but it is not as popular as it once was, and is threatened now by development associated with the TSMC and 20,000 - home Halo subdivision. Commission owned shooting ranges around the state are highly variable, depending on quality of the permittee, and dedication of the clientele. Some seem to be not too bad. Most are so-so. At least one (Sierra Vista) is terrible. I have heard about 1 or 2 private ranges, but like good places to shoot on public land, it is hard to get up to date info. Anyone else seeing changes compared to say, 20 years ago?
I suspect the post-COVID population boom may be a factor.