John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge on target as newest shooting sports opportunity

GADSDEN — The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has hit the bullseye on a shooting competition for all skill levels.

The John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge series will take place at four ADCNR public shooting ranges this month. The first event is next Saturday from 8 a.m.to noon at the Etowah Public Shooting Range. The range is about five miles north of Gadsden on Owl’s Hollow Road in Etowah County.

The challenge continues Aug. 16 at the Swan Creek WMA public shooting range in Tanner in Limestone County.

“The John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge is the perfect opportunity for handgun owners to test their shooting skills in a low pressure yet competitive environment,” said Matt Weathers, law enforcement chief for the Conservation Department’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. “We’ve developed this new pistol challenge in an effort to provide more opportunities for recreational shooters to improve their skills.

“We encourage anyone interested in shooting sports to participate or attend these events.”

Named in honor of John H. Wallace, who served from 1907-20 as Alabama’s first conservation commissioner, the new pistol challenge was designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of handgun competition using commonly owned pistols. The event promotes firearm safety, outdoor recreation and family-friendly competition without requiring specialized equipment.

The challenge takes place during National Shooting Sports Month, an annual event that celebrates recreational target shooting nationwide. Each year tens of millions of Americans participate in target shooting. Handgun ownership has also increased dramatically in recent years.

To accommodate increased public demand for additional target shooting opportunities, the state is developing a state-of-the-art shooting sports facility in Shelby County. Additionally, the Etowah Public Shooting Range will temporarily close after Saturday’s pistol challenge event for a $2.5 million renovation. The Conservation Department also offers a variety of firearms courses at its public shooting ranges throughout the state.

Each event in the pistol challenge will feature three rounds of shooting where 10 shots are fired within 60 seconds at a bullseye target from 25 yards for a maximum score of 300 points. The winner of each event will receive an award. Scores from all four events will be tallied and an overall state champion will be chosen based on the top score.

In the event of a tie for state champion, the shooter with the fastest time wins. A trophy featuring the names of the state champions will be displayed at WFF Law Enforcement headquarters in Montgomery or at various WMA public shooting ranges throughout the state.

A valid, state issued WMA, hunting, fishing, or Wildlife Heritage license is all that is required to be eligible to participate in the challenge. Any of these licenses allow the holder to utilize all of the Department’s public shooting ranges and community archery parks across the state. Licenses expire Aug. 31 each year.

Youth shooters must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is recommended to participate in a John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge event. To register, email the WFF Hunter Education Office at [email protected] or call 334-242-3620. Participants must present a valid photo ID and required license during check-in at each event.

For more information about the John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge including the events schedule and challenge rules, visit www.outdooralabama.com/activities/shooting-ranges.